BRENT DAVIS:”I AM A BRIDGE BETWEEN GENERATIONS.”

Retired public servant in Anguilla, Mr. Brent W. Davis, of Blowing Point, is an easy-going national with an impressive educational record. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from Auburn University in Montgomery and a Master of Business Administration in Global Business Management from the same institution.

He is contesting the general election this month as an Independent Island-wide candidate. This is not his first time in the political arena having been the leader of the Anguilla Progressive Party in the 2005 and 2010 general elections but, unfortunately, he was not elected.
Mr. Davis’ return to the political arena has been marked by a plethora of billboards mounted throughout the length and breadth of Anguilla.

Initially, he was the only candidate with widespread billboards announcing his candidacy for the 2020 elections. His symbol is the key and his slogans are.Working together for a brighter future for air’ and Anguilla First’.

With an air of confidence, he declared in his mission statement:”As your parliamentarian, I will work hard with care and compassion to ensure that Anguilla is a country that benefits ALL. I am a bridge between generations, honouring our ancestors, while embracing the future through technology, innovation and the creative talents of our people at home and abroad, to build a new Anguilla as a centre global excellence’.

Mr. Davis has issued two documents on which his political campaigning and hope for election are based. One is for Youth Empowerment which reads as follows:

Access to affordable and high quality holistic education that provides both academic and technical skills embracing technology and innovation.

• Establish a Scholarship fund to provide opportunities for regional and international studies.
• Establishment of a Hospitality school encompassing a fully functioning hotel providing all aspects of industry training.
• Attract a Maritime school to Anguilla to produce captains and other industry specialists.
• Attract an Aviation school to Anguilla to provide pilots and other industry specialists.
• Ensuring that the Anguilla Community College provides training in diverse academic and technical areas with specific classes in cosmetology, fashion design, sewing, fishing and agriculture sciences to facilitate food security.
• Encourage and attract the establishment of E-Commerce and technology companies and organizations and facilitate the transfer of knowledge to Anguillan youth through policies.
• Enhanced rehabilitation programs and academic and skills training for prisoners to re-enter society centered on the individual needs and interest of the persons.

Job opportunities: Provision of high quality and good paying jobs with an empowering environment that provides job security and upward mobility enshrined in the labour laws of Anguilla.
Ensuring youth participation and representation in all aspects of Anguillian life politically, socially and economically written in government policy free of political prejudice.
Anguilla Music, Sports & Arts Foundation(AMSAF): The mandate of the organization is to identify, develop and promote the creative and natural talents of the youth in particular and the entire population and showcase to the world

a. Development of multipurpose sports complexes in each district.
b. Develop JRW Park into a world class stadium for international sports.
c. World class multi-purpose indoor sports complex with olympic swimming pool.
d. Concert and marching music bands for all primary and secondary schools
e. Develop the Landsome Bowl Cultural, Music and Performing Arts Center
f. Establishment of music festivals promoting and showcasing our local talent.
g. Establish a fund to promote our creative talents regionally and internationally

Create small business development initiatives and programs by providing financing through the Anguilla Development Board and National Commercial Bank of Anguilla and supported by protective and growth policies by the government.
Establishment of a Innovation, Scientific and Technology center (ISTC) through a strategic partnership agreement with international companies and foundations. The mandate of this organization is to conduct research and analysis, inventions and patents for economic, social and medical products, ideas and concepts.
Ready to Work Program: Provide Additional support to the Department of Youth and Culture with current job placement initiatives and youth entrepreneur programs.
Home Ownership: Creating an environment for home ownership for young people by encouraging the commercial banks to provide affordable mortgages and reduced customs duties on selected items.

Funding: These programs will be financed from several sources: 10% of social security contributions, 10% from accommodation tax, 20% from Environmental levy, 40% from taxes on cannabis industry, funds derived from the benefits of the above mentioned ventures and initiatives, and contributions from large foreign investors, regional and international non governmental organizations, charities and foundations.

The other document which is about social, economic, health, education and business development, is as follows:

ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEAC):
This council will comprise of a cross-section of multi-disciplined persons with diverse expertise and experiences. It will be non-paying, with a mandate to advise and monitor government on all aspects of life on Anguilla.
GOVERNMENT FISCAL STRATEGY

? Flat rate of Custom duty of 20% Phasing out Stabilization Levy 10% tax on outgoing money transfers Increase the cost of work permits (allow families spouses/children).

? Improved collection of property tax and accommodation taxes in the tourism sector.

? Additional 10% salary cut for ministers due to increase in members of parliament.

? No more vehicles for Ministers. travel allowance & duty free to purchase own vehicles. Premier will have an official car only.

? E-Government and continuous improvement/training programs to increase efficiency.

? Reduce unnecessary spending and redundancies and improve procurement process.

ECONOMIC STIMULUS ($30 -$50 million EC$)

? Deep SeaFishing Licenses (New)

? Residency by Investment Program (additional)

? Cannabis Industry (New)

? Mega Yacht Registry (New)

? Private Jet Registry (New)

? Cannabis company Registry (New)

? Domain Registry (AI) (additional)

? Company registration (additional)

? Stimulate construction (local and expatriate housing)

? Small cruise ship passengers Stimulate construction sector

? Community economic and recreational stimulus projects

? Anguilla Botanical and Agricultural Gardens (The Valley)

? Fish/Agriculture/Meat market & new restaurant strip

? Hubert Hughes Recreational Park (Blowing Point : Sandy Point)

? Kenneth Harrigan Avenue & Waterfront Development (Island
Harbour)

? Osborne Fleming Nature Park and Trails (EastEnd Pond Area)

ANGUILLA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (ANDC):

This will be a private corporation comprised of Anguillians and residents at home and abroad to facilitate the development of critical entities necessary for the long term sustainable progress of Anguilla.
? Anguilla Fishing Corporation (AFC)
? Anguilla Agricultural Corporation (AAC)
? National Shipping Corporation (NSC)
? National Airline
? Hospitality Tourism Training School.

RESTRUCTURING AND REFOCUSING THE MANDATE OF SOCIAL SECURITY
NATIONAL HEALTH I~SURANCE (NHI):
Develop and implement a holistic national health care plan that encompasses all aspects of the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Emphasis will be placed on providing free and subsidized basic medicines for the ELDERLY such as diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure tablets.

NATIONAL HOTEL /PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS PENSION FUND (NPSWPF)
NATIONAL CONTINGENCY FUND
(Income support for ALL during crises)
ANGUILLA EDUCATION. MUSIC AND SPORTS FOUNDATION (AEMSF):

The mandate of this organization Is to Identify, develop and promote the creative and natural talents of the youth In particular, and the entire the population as a whole. The sourcing of scholarships, business contracts and economic opportunity for all to promote our people as a source of global talents.