One of the most promising and impressive offers recorded so far to take over and develop the Temenos/Flag Luxury Property in Anguilla, was put forward on Monday this week, November 23. That was when Mrs. Sheila Johnson, principal of Salamander Hospitality LLC and her team of advisers, met with Government and members of the Opposition and wrapped up their discussions with a press conference, all meetings having been held at Sheriva Boutique Hotel.

The visiting Salamander group in Anguilla with local Lawyer, Tommy Astaphan (2nd from right)

Mrs. Johnson delivered a prepared statement to the press outlining her company’s interest in the project in a manner that reflected an anxious desire to become involved in the large tourism project which holds out much promise for the economic development of Anguilla.

Mrs. Johnson, who has fond memories of Anguilla having spent much time on the island in the past, told reporters: “I met with members of both parties [Government and Opposition] earlier today and I was struck by the fact that there is common ground when it comes to Temenos. It seems that the key agenda item of both parties is to save Temenos. Both groups recognise that Temenos needs Government action if there is to be a near term solution. What is also appearing is that both parties agree that Temenos is too critical to the future of the island and its people to risk success [by] politicing the issue. Both parties agreed to move quickly to solve the problem. That is all I want out of this trip.”

She said that in addition to her personal affinity for the island, Anguilla was the ideal location for Salamander to extend its brand into the Caribbean because of its reputation, and its high-end luxury resort destination and the beautiful Greg Norman Golf Course. She thought it was a national treasure and really one of the best golf courses in all the Caribbean.

She went on: “One of our core ideals at Salamander, and one of the things about our company, of which I am most proud, is that we commit to be a part of the community in which we work in everyway possible. If we are fortunate enough to become an owner or operator of Temenos, you will see firsthand Salamander’s commitment to job training, job advancement and career building. We give back to our communities at all levels. For example, our preliminary assessment is that, in addition to the jobs that will be created during the construction phase of the project, the resort will employ 700 -900 people when it is completed and operating at capacity. That will be an enormous boost to the economy…

Mrs. Sheila Johnson addressing the press in Anguilla

“In these difficult economic times, job creation is of paramount importance. You cannot have a job unless the economy recovers and the construction and ongoing operations of Temenos will create jobs at all economic levels, and stimulate the trickle down economy that leads to true and sustainable economic recovery.

“I personally would like to be a small part of assisting in the economic recovery of an island that holds dear to my heart. Salamander’s core ideals are based on creating a long term and sustainable relationship with the community in which we do business. This is a distinction that I am compelled to point out because we are in business for the long term, not to make a quick profit. Every decision that we make takes into consideration the people, the environment, the community that we wish to be a part of for a very long time to come.

“It really boils down to respect, a simple word, which is losing its way in many peoples’ lives. That is our core ideal…In addition to our commitment to community Salamander is firmly committed to quality. When you are in a luxury resort in the hospitality industry, there is no substitute for exceptional quality. Our management team at Salamander has a long history of managing five diamond and five star resorts and hotels. Temenos has the potential to be among the elite resorts in the Caribbean and we know how to get there and keep it there.

“Finding a workable near term solution to Temenos is too important to the island and to the people of Anguilla to get bogged down in party politics. We need to put politics aside and do what is right for the island and the people of Anguilla. We have assembled a talented and dedicated team to work on this project.”

She named them as follows: Chief Operating Officer for all the companies, Stuart Haney; Prem Devadas, President of Salamander who has a wealth of experience in the luxury resort and hotel management industry; Matt Norton, Salamander’s Attorney, a partner with Parker Poe Adams & Berstein, LLP and J. B. Turbidy, of FireSky Ventures. She said that Morton and JB had worked together for several years on projects in the Caribbean and were instrumental in helping Salamander “get up to speed” on Temenos, performing due diligence and structuring a transaction.

View of the Temenos/Flag Project taken from Sheriva Boutique Hotel Courtyard

Mrs. Johnson said that Salamander had partnered with Maraj Leisure Group, a preeminent development management company which specialised in resort and leisure development all over the world. She stated that the group had been preparing financial models and performing on site due diligence and had already made recommendations on ways that Salamander could vastly improve the Temenos Master Plan.

“I am also pleased that we will be working with Tommy Astaphan as our local legal counsel,” she explained. “As you know, Tommy is as well respected an attorney as you would find and has a wealth of knowledge about local law and Temenos. We will continue to add members to our team as the project progresses."

Mrs. Johnson stated: “I am serious about Temenos and to let you know that Salamander is prepared to compete with anyone and everyone in response to the request for qualification that the Government have said they would issue.”
She thanked the Government for inviting Salamander to Anguilla…"and for the opportunity to participate in a public acquisition process in response to a request for qualification. I understand that Salamander may be one of a number of applicants, but we are confident that we have a very competitive team because of our experiences as operators and developers and our commitment to the project and the people of Anguilla..." She added: “I humbly ask for the support of both the Government and the people of Anguilla in Salamander’s efforts to save Temenos, create jobs, generate tax revenue and, most of all, affect the daily lives of Anguillians in a positive way for many years to come.”

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