Dear Sir,
The mediators, Civil Society Group, in recommending Mr. Hickox to own and manage Cap Juluca have emphatically and repeatedly alluded to the Government’s strong preference for the Brilla Group, without indicating any reasons for the same. Surely, the Government must have had some reasons for its preference of the Brilla Group that Anguillians need to know about in assessing, for themselves, the merits of the mediators recommendations.
In speculating on these, perhaps an important one might have been the financial strength of the two contenders. Did the mediators have any independent and objective access to information on the respective financial strengths of Mr. Hickox and the Brilla Group? Did the Government develop its preference for the Brilla Group because it had knowledge of, or was privy to, their financial strength over that of Mr. Hickox? Was this information provided to the mediators? Do the mediators know what it is going to cost to get Cap Juluca operative at its earlier standards?
Then there is the matter of past baggage, especially the $10 million owed by Mr. Hickox to the GOA. The mediators brushed that matter off by stating that it is “a matter for the Government of Anguilla and Mr. and Mrs. Hickox to resolve”. Is it possible that their inability so far to do so, may have driven the GOA towards the Brilla Group? One would hope that any decision would include some condition with the proposed operator to pay this amount owed to the Government, over a period of time. A small 10%-15% excess over the current rental tax, to be borne and paid by the operator, may result in its recovery over the years.
It is my sincere hope that the mediators spent adequate time and effort towards understanding and analyzing the reasons for the GOA’s inclinations towards the Brilla Group, before arriving at their overwhelming support for Mr. Hickox. I presume most Anguillians know neither group, but hope and pray that the choice will provide a more permanent and beneficial solution to the island’s current tourism prospects.
Sincerely
An Anguillian Resident.
