News

Four officials involved in the work of the Health Authority of Anguilla have been speaking about the continuing plans of the autonomous body to provide quality medical and health services to residents as well as visitors. They were Chairperson of the Board, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, Chief Executive Officer, Dexter James, Human Resources Manager, Meridith Gumbs, and Physiotherapist, Khalidah Banks.

Governor and Mrs. Alan Huckle have begun a series of visits to the various districts of Anguilla on a meet the people and places tour in consultation and cooperation with the Elected Representatives.

Efforts to market Anguilla in Puerto Rico during the summer months in particular, are paying off, according to this island’s representative there, Guillermo Pino. His first major achievement since his appointment earlier this year, has been the visit of a group of travel writers from the top magazines and other publications in Puerto Rico to write about Anguilla. “It is a giant step,” he said at Paradise Cove Resort a few days ago as he introduced the writers during a welcome reception.

Six crew members, three men and three women, from South Carolina, escaped harm on Tuesday morning June 8 when the 46.3-foot yacht, CARO, on which they were travelling, struck 60 Yards Reef outside Island Harbour Bay at about 9.30.

By Colville L. Petty

“THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME.” HOW FAR IS THIS TRUE WITH RESPECT TO CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN ANGUILLA?

Let me say forthwith that I do not propose to get involved in the many definitions of what constitutes constitutional and political development, suffice it to say that I regard it as a state of organisation of political life in which the performance of political functions are in accordance with the highest principles and practices of democracy.

Anguilla Day was celebrated with much pomp and ceremony on Tuesday June 1 as uniformed bodies converged on the Ronald Webster Park for the official parade witnessed by many officials and members of the private and public sectors. The parade comprised contingents from the Police, Scouts and Guides, Cub Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders, Boys and Girls Brigade and Cadets. The various organisations were inspected by Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, accompanied by Commissioner of Police Keithly Benjamin and Parade Commander, Allan Carty.

Newly-appointed Governor of Anguilla, Alan Huckle, has made the point that consultation and transparency, wherever possible, would be his watchwords.

Ever so often people ask why did Anguilla secede from St. Kitts. The reasons given are always clear. Here now is part of a research document, which should provide an even clearer picture.

While the rest of the Caribbean goes about its normal business, Anguilla is taking time off over the coming days to celebrate the 37th Anniversary of its 1967 Revolution in which it broke ties with St. Kitts-Nevis.

Anguilla’s new Governor, Alan Edden Huckle, and his wife, Helen, arrived on the island on Thursday May 27. They were welcomed at Wallblake Airport by members of the House of Assembly and other officials.

The resignation on May 4 of Albert Hughes, Elected Representative for West End, from the Anguilla United Movement (AUM) which had two members in the House of Assembly, has led to the withdrawal of his support from his long-standing colleague, Opposition Leader Hubert Hughes.

Miss Hazel Shermel Gumbs, an outstanding young Anguillian scholar, graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with two degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, from Howard University in Washington DC on 8th May 2004.

Plans are under consideration in Anguilla for the establishment of a Joint Fire Service with domestic and airport components. The aim is to create a new Government department and to identify its organisational structure, staffing requirements and training needs.

After almost five and a half years of service to Anguilla, advertisers and subscribers everywhere, The Anguillian has begun a process of change aimed at enhancing its image and meeting the demands of the times.

Anguilla is the host island for the current 44th National Organisation Membership Mid-Year Meeting of the West Indies Junior Chamber of Jaycees.

The Anguilla Tourist Board and its newly-appointed Marketing Director in the United States, Marie Walker, have embarked on a very ambitious programme of increasing occupancy levels in Anguilla from 45 to 65 percent. Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, alluded to this earlier in the week at a breakfast press briefing with a group of US travel agents at Tasty’s Café. She stated that one of the initiatives was a Travel Agents Tour Programme which was being referred to as The Alluring Anguilla Experience. It is hoped that through this effort the agents brought to the island would find it to be beyond their expectations and would be able to better sell the destination and subscribe to the new brand for Anguilla – Feeling is Believing.

After more than 20 years as a member of the Anguilla United Movement, which has been in Government twice and is now in opposition, Albert Hughes of West End, has resigned from the party. He has accused the Executive of casting him aside for another candidate in next year’s elections and vows he will contest the seat for the last time because his people would like him to represent them again. But in a letter the party’s executive has swiftly rebuked him for his claims.

Anne Edwards, who has 29 years of outstanding service in the field of education, went on pre-retirement leave this week, her last post being Deputy Principal at Campus B at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.

Ripples Dart Club and friends held a raffle to raise funds for 12-year- old Jason Richardson of West End who has to undergo open heart surgery. Funds raised amounted to US$2000.00 which Jacquie Ruan, owner of Ripples, handed to Rolf Masshardt of La Sirena Hotel on Tuesday May 11.

Anguilla, where tourism plays a major role in the economy, has joined other Caribbean islands in expanding airport facilities to meet the demands for larger aircraft and to accommodate increasing numbers of travellers. Preliminary work has now commenced on the expansion of Wallblake Airport to 5400 feet with extensions both to the east and to the west. The US$20.7 million project falls short of 600 feet to the east, following the failure of Government so far to acquire the needed land.