My name is Christopher Hodge and I am now writing this letter to advise about the dissolution of the West End Concern Group (WECG). However, in so doing, there are a few points I would like to bring to the attention of the people of Anguilla.

1) The WECG was formed in order to assist the representative of District 7, not politically, but to give the people a voice with which to give our political leader guidance. This was done because the people who call themselves our Government leaders wooed the representative of District 7 with the promise – come join with us and all that you have requested for your district (Anguilla) from the previous governments, including your own party, will be given. One concerned member asked the Chief Minister if he meant everything as he had stipulated and the Chief said yes. Each of the other three ministers voiced agreement. That promise to our representative was proven a huge and total LIE.

2) The Chief Minister stated that he has retired but, regrettably, he has not taken the rest of his administration with him – in that I include the big guns at Lands and Surveys, and Planning Unit.

3) WECG along with the District 7 representative held a meeting to address several items on our agenda which was of particular concern to the District 7 community and Anguillians as a whole, but our representative was attacked and persecuted. There are four (4) candidates – prospective and otherwise – now echoing our sentiments. They are speaking loudly against the same issues that we had held that meeting to address. They are campaigning hard, talking about the wrongdoing of the current government. Yes, unbelievably, they wish us to believe that they have Anguilla at heart. When they should have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with WECG and the District 7 representative at that meeting where we were striving to bring a change, they took our meeting as an opportunity to butt heads with the District 7 representative, to try to make him look bad. If they had the interests of Anguilla as the basis for their political occupation they would have forgotten this party politics – this greedy, selfish politics – and joined with the WECG, and the same representative who was fighting to see Anguillians satisfied, to push our agenda. They would have made a positive contribution that evening instead of disrupting and ripping apart one of the few chances that the people had to express their concerns. Don’t worry guys, both the WECG and the District 7 representative now know that the Government spoke out of both corners of their mouths. Question though: how are you any different?

4) The WECG started out with twelve (12) members. Due to their having to endure so many lies and broken promises they opted out. Since Mr. Anderson Fleming, now deceased, was our most vocal member both in meetings and on the radio, and his voice repeatedly fell on the deaf ears of persons with no vision, but who repeatedly sell themselves as leaders, I’m afraid we have no recourse but to dissolve our committee.

After the Chief’s illness in 2006 Mr. Colville Petty wrote a piece and I would like to remind the Chief of this. I haven’t got a copy of the paper currently, but it basically said … now that God has given you a second lease on life, you have been given a chance to give Anguilla back to the Anguillians. Apparently, Mr. Petty’s words carried absolutely no weight with the Chief. As far as I can tell he has failed to show his gratitude, and his principles were still found lacking.

To the future political leaders – in our farewell, we hope that Anguilla does not have to fully bite the dust before the greed of its political aspirants has run out. Government is a body put in place by the people, therefore you are not a representative of the people if you are pulling in $15,000.00 monthly, plus allowances, while the people have no work. You cannot ignore the fact that our people cannot afford health care. Our elderly have to do without half of their prescription because they cannot afford it. But you all not only have health insurance. You have huge paychecks with which to meet your costs. You cannot turn a blind eye to the inadequacies of the ONLY hospital on the island just because you go elsewhere for health services. You cannot be a representative of the people when you say “Anguillians must pay their way” and raise taxes, but ignore the fact the you haven’t addressed the minimum wage in twenty (20) years. You cannot let foreigners build on our beaches, destroy our heritage, stamp us into the ground... In a true Government, greed and self-interest take a back seat. The leader holds onto ideals and principles. He is a shepherd whose sole purpose is to protect his flock. Take heed, and we pray that you will let God be your guide.

To the people of Anguilla – Take Charge. Take Courage. Take Heart. This is your land. Make sure your voice is heard, your concerns addressed. Remember always: The government “Is the People”, the government is “For the People”, and the government can only be put there “By the People”. YOU ARE THE PEOPLE!!! Only YOU can make the difference.

Honourably,

Christopher Hodge
WECG

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