Letters

22 July 2007

The Editor
The Anguillian Newspaper
Cauls Bottom

Dear Sir

I would be grateful if you would kindly print the following:

Since September 2006, I have been experiencing difficulties with the television service provided by Caribbean Cable Communications. The problems include:

(1) Blurred vision on several channels;

(2) Radio Cool F M interruption on channel 15;
(3) Weekend malfunctioning of many channels; and
(4) Various channels having the same scrambled effect as channels 23 to 28.

The events of the past weeks will have long and negative impact on how Anguilla is perceived in the wider global context as well as the ability for either local or expatriate businesses to conduct business here. The closer one scrutinizes those events it becomes clear that there was and is a complete failure of responsible reporting and a misplaced notion of what is leadership. Let me say clearly and emphatically that I fully subscribe to the freedom of expression enshrined in our Constitution but as in the case of any right or freedom, the expression must be exercised responsibly. However, as these events play out, the actors are reminiscent of a Roman Mob. Everyone has their own issue, many do not know or understand why they are there and most importantly they act without regard for the consequences. This article will seek to illustrate the dangers associated with mob behaviour and to offer some sober reflections on the consequences and alternatives.

Five physicians in Anguila have expressed concern about the recent press release in the implementation plans for the proposed Heath Insurance Fund.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir

During and after the demolition of buildings adjacent to our home, we have been constantly bombarded with hordes of dust. Had it not been for the intervention of officers from the environmental Health Department, several piles of dirt placed not far from our home would still pose serious health risks to my entire family.

Letter to:

H E Governor
Mr Andrew George
Government House
Old House
Old Ta
Anguilla

Dear Excellency,

Ref: Protest Action which took place on Tuesday 3rd July, 2007

Letter to :

The Chief Minister of Anguilla
The Minister of Labour
HE The Governor
The Anguillian

Gentlemen:

Open Letter re Viceroy Project – Employment Terms of Indian Workers

The events of last week [and this week] were a tragedy for Anguilla as it was alleged that the foreign workers employed by Carillion Construction on the Viceroy project were being exploited in a manner closely approximating to slavery. The other signatories and I of this letter believe that the people of Anguilla are owed an explanation by Government.

The Anguillian Newspaper,
The Valley,
Anguilla.

I wish to thank you all most sincerely for the honor bestowed upon me by the Anguilla Tourist Board in commemoration of the Anguilla 40 celebration. I very much enjoyed reading the displays about the revolution and the brave and significant role some of the women played forty years ago to gain your independence. I felt proud as a woman to be honoring them in my small way by being a part of this important anniversary.

Letter to The Editor
Mr. Nat Hodge
The Anguillian Newspaper
The Valley
Anguilla

Dear Sir,

When did the Dollar Sign replace the Dolphin as our National Emblem? This year we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution. It is so ironic that as we waved our flags celebrating our heroes and heroines of the Revolution and the economic progress of our proud nation, the Planning Board would allow the dolphins, our national symbol, to remain in captivity and furthermore, allow the owners of this dolphin facility to pollute our waters and obstruct our beaches. It is just a myth, a FANTASY, created by large foreign owned corporations that dolphins thrive in captivity and enjoy performing tricks for selfish humans with more money than morals.

The Editor
The Anguillian Newspaper
Anguilla

May 23, 2007

Dear Sir,

On May 2nd 2007, Anguilla National Tourism Investment Limited (ANTIL) an Anguillian corporation which defines one of its goals as ensuring that Anguillians maintain and expand their position of power and influence in the economic affairs of this country, wrote two letters to the Chief Minister requesting as follows:
a) That Government be more transparent and open with the people of Anguilla in the matter of the sale of Cap Juluca and to hold town hall meetings on the matter; and
b) That Government takes necessary steps at this time to inform and enlighten Anguillians on the matter of public acquisition.

The letter concerning educating the community about public acquisition extended an invitation to the Government to jointly host with ANTIL a public lecture on the subject, in a Town Hall meeting setting. The other letter raising concern about the need for more transparency and openness in relation to its conditions for sale of Cap Juluca, called on the Government to hold town hall meetings on the subject as an urgent matter. In such meetings Government would be able to report on its intentions and the terms and conditions it requires prospective buyers of the Resort to meet, in its negotiations with them. It would be able to report also on the progress of specific negotiations and the terms it proposes to accept prior to a decision by the Executive Council. The town hall meetings would enable the people to give feedback on its proposals and intenetions.

After three weeks ANTIL is still awaiting a response from Government. In the meantime we are aware that communication continues to be initiated by Government with GENCOM the US based corporation which is in negotiation with Government on the purchase of Cap Juluca.

Government’s actions in this latest interaction with ANTIL are embarrassingly consistent with its past actions toward ANTIL. ANTIL and some of its members have been snubbed, insulted, vilified and pulled down by some members of this Government in private and in public meetings to such an extent that many people have been given the impression that self-interest and the enrichment of its members rather than the economic empowerment of the people of Anguilla are the objectives of ANTIL.

It is blindingly obvious that some members of Government have never suggested that groups like ANTIL should be encouraged to be aggressive in seeking to be fully involved in the present and future economic progress of Anguilla. And this is despite the fact that Anguillians have proven themselves capable of so much including the success of Cap Juluca.

Unfortunately in the case of ANTIL’s efforts all that is heard from Government is that:
a) Freidland has a contract for sale with GENCOM which precludes his dealing with ANTIL (that contract expired several weeks ago).
b) ANTIL should do other things and cease meddling in the Cap Juluca matter and
c) ANTIL has no money.

The Editor
The Anguillian

Dear Sir

Moving Of Dolphin Discovery

Last night a friend told me that Dolphin Discovery is moving to Mariners property in Sandy Ground. I have been hearing a rumor for months that they might be moving there, but I have always discounted the idea as ludicrous. I was shocked by the news.

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.