Letters

Andrew George
Government House
Old Ta
Anguilla
British West Indies

1 May 2007

Dear Mr. George,

My wife and I have visited Anguilla since 1985; we own a house in Cul-de-Sac and had planned to retire to Anguilla in the future. Our children: 20, 14 and 9 are deeply attached to the island, it is their second home.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Editor,

CRIME IN ANGUILLA – A NATIONAL PROBLEM

One of the reasons my wife and I chose to live in Anguilla was the relative absence of serious crime. We invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Anguillian economy to build our home, furnish it, and landscape it, and we continue to employ Anguillians to help us look after it. We thought we’d found a very special place in the world, and we still believe so…but not as strongly as we did, and not for all the same reasons.

The Anguillian
Anguilla, BWI

Dear Editor,

On Sunday May 13, 2007 several people participating in the Anguilla Regatta witnessed a helicopter land on Prickly Pear Island - a designated Marine Protected Area - which is at this time the summer breeding and nesting season for several bird colonies that live there.

Honourable Chief Minister Osborne Fleming
Government of Anguilla
The Valley,
Anguilla

8 May 2007

Hon. Chief Minister Fleming,

Over the past few months, I have intently observed the ongoing dilemma as it pertains to Cap Juluca and Anguilla, in general. Having a direct and major investment which literally sits amidst all of this propaganda, I can no longer be silent.
It is apparent to me that the Government of Anguilla is speeding towards a solid agreement to turn over this monumental property - the flagship of the Caribbean, if you will - to an investor, which happens to be one of the largest real estate firms in the world. As a concerned Anguillian developer and the owner of SHERIVA at SHERITON ESTATES, my contention is not with the potential new owner or operator; rather I am appalled by the proposed changes that are to occur. These said changes will directly assault the future success of my property, but are yet seemingly supported and on the way to being approved by our nation’s leaders.

May 9,2007

Honorable Chief Minister
Minister of Labour and Immigration
Government of Anguilla
The Valley
Anguilla

RE: LABOUR INCREASES FOR WORK PERMITS

Dear Sir

I write to express my total disgust with the zealophobic way in which the decisions are made in regard to the Departments of Immigration and Labour, especially as it relates to Government’s use of these two ministries to stifle growth and development in the local Anguillian private sector.

30th April, 2007

The Editor
The Anguillian
Newspaper
P O Box98
The Valley
Anguilla

Dear Editor,

Last month, three flowering ixora shrubs were uprooted and stolen from a garden in St. Mary’s churchyard.

The Anguillian

Dear Editor,

KUDOS TO MR. COLVILLE PETTY

Permit me a space in The Anguillian newspaper to extend “KUDOS” to the Historian/Curator, Mr. Colville Petty, who, as we all know, is a well-rounded gentleman who keeps you alive with laughter and seriously gives you food for thought concerning the COLD HARD FACTS OF LIFE.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir,

We commend Mimi Gratton for her courage in telling her horrific story in “The Anguillian”. When the attack took place on Mimi and her daughter April 7th, followed two nights later by the attack on a visitor to a house on the Jerry Gumbs Highway, the AHTA and the Anguilla Tourist Board awakened the slumbering police leadership to the gravity of the developing situation and the danger to the tourism industry on Anguilla. The public is relieved that the police have promised to pass on crime information to the radio and newspapers. The newly formed police liaison committee is certainly a step towards transparency and addresses from the Chief Minister about community involvement are a sign of leadership.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Editor

WORRYING MATTERS, BUT ON THE UP SIDE

Over the last weeks it seems as if the media in Anguilla has been filled with articles, items and letters to the editor regarding people’s concern about where Anguilla is going as a nation. Lack of civic pride, increases in burglary and other serious crimes are of great concern to nationals and residents alike. If we could cast our minds further back than a couple months, and take an honest look though, I think we would have to admit that where we are today has been coming at us for years now. Never mind the expressions of ‘outrage’ from some quarters. Many, including our leaders may have hoped that our problems would go away on their own. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it works.

I attended a meeting at CapJuluca on Tuesday 27th March between the staff and elected members of Government concerning the situation at CapJuluca. I could say that I was embarrassed, but in truth, I left the meeting feeling very sad for my people, sad for my leaders and very sad for the future of my little island home.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir:

NATIONAL DISGRCE AT SHOAL BAY

We have a national disgrace at the western end of Shoal Bay East in and around the sea grape trees between the built developments.

Fabian Fahie
Little Harbour
Anguilla

March 28th, 2007

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir,

Re: Cap Juluca - Why I must Support ANTIL

I have been subjected to much attack and criticism by a number of individuals for my stance in support of Anguilla National Tourism Investment Limited (ANTIL). Such attacks and criticisms have not and will not dull my commitment to and support for ANTIL in its efforts to represent the interest of Anguillians in general to become participants in the ownership of Cap Juluca, in the course of its acquisition by new owners.

The Editor
The Anguillian

My husband and I were deeply touched and applaud you for your editorial of March 16th, “A Man’s Or Woman’s Home Is Their Castle”, in response to my letter to the editor about our burglary on March 4th. However, I am very discouraged with the progress of the investigations of those crimes you mentioned and of the increased crime since then.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Make Anguilla Safe

Violence is threatening Anguilla. Residents and visitors are afraid. I am afraid. I fear leaving my home unoccupied at night. I fear living in my home at night. I fear for my husband’s and my personal safety.

The Editor
The Anguillian,
Anguilla BWI

From Detective Chief Inspector Bernie Watson (Retired)

Dear Nat,
20th March 2007

I would ask that you include this letter in your next available edition as both Jackie and I would wish to say farewell to our many friends in Anguilla. Sadly, time, and an off / on / off scenario with my contractual position meant we eventually left without saying all the goodbyes we would have wished.

The Editor
The Anguillian

A Plea for Help!


I am telling my story to make Anguillans, belongers, residents, and visitors aware of what Anguilla is becoming.

The Editor
The Anguillian

INCOME TAX FOR ANGUILLA?
By Haydn Hughes

Over the years we’ve all heard the term, “Income tax” float around this island. It is well known that income tax is quite foreign to Anguillians who have lived here all their lives. However, those Anguillians who would have migrated to the US and UK in the 30s and 40s are more than a little familiar with the concept of “Income Tax”.

Dear Mr. Hodge

Excuse me for my boldness, but what is our Minister of Social Development doing? And where is he in the midst of our social crises? Is the Minister of Tourism gauging what is going on socially, and calculating the cost on the tourism industry? I am not seekng to get personal and political, but we need to hear from you. What are your plans for steering Anguilla in the right direction socially?

The Editor,
The Anguillian

Dear Sir,

The trash disposal situation for yachtsmen at Sandy Ground is inadequate and must be improved by installing either several LARGE trash receptacles (to replace the 8 smaller ones) or adding several additional smaller rubbish bins. Trash is collected three times a week, but on Sundays, the trash generated since the Friday pickup becomes a mountain, with bags piled on the ground and atop the rubbish bins. This is an unacceptable public health problem which permits a breeding ground for rats.

The Anguillian

Dear Sir,

Improper Road Construction

The traffic lights at the Mahogany Tree junction have been malfunctioning for approximately seven months now. Apparently, the sensor which controls the traffic light on the Stoney Ground Road was destroyed when the new road was constructed. As a result only two vehicles can pass before the green light changes back to red, if no vehicles are approaching from the south.