Since our (AUF) public meeting in George Hill, by the Tire Shop last Saturday, it seems that the AUM talk show hosts and assorted supporters have gone into a vicious attack mode. It was obvious that some or all of the presenters struck a number of “raw nerves”. In fact, one Talk Show group was so engaged that it practically tracked our comments during and shortly after the meeting, word for word. It seemed that the comment made that these “wannabe journalists” were clearly singing for their supper, was met with much indignation. However, it cannot be refuted that the majority of them were placed on one Board or the other since this Government came to Office. This is obviously not a coincidence.
One of the things that we were obviously successful in doing was to evoke comments out of the Government on the matter of Cap Juluca. It is my understanding that the Parliamentary Secretary (Haydn Hughes) was on the Monday Night Talk Show speaking in detail about the issues at that Hotel. I tuned in very late in the proceedings, having been otherwise engaged during the earlier part of the evening. But I was in time to hear the Parliamentary Secretary read, in a very laborious manner, what he described as a Memorandum written by me in 2004 on the subject of Cap Juluca. From what I could gather it appears as if he was using the document to demonstrate that I knew the challenges of Cap Juluca — yet I approved the sale to Mr. Adam Aron. Obviously, trying to fool the people that I can and have made decisions on my own. Interestingly, though, the Chief Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary are always able to blame their decisions on someone else. I tried to no avail to call in to the program to comment on the situation but was unable to connect. It was suggested to me that it could have been intentional. What I know for certain is that Haydn made it clear that he was not taking any further questions/calls.
It remains a puzzlement to me how Haydn could spend almost an hour reading this document to his listeners rather than responding to questions on the way forward for Cap Juluca. And I find it disgusting that the Chief Minister should throw his hands in the air and say that it is not my job — while workers are losing their jobs, their homes and property, and their dignity. It is also my understanding that the CM called up the Show and challenged me to debate him on the Cap Juluca Issue. Again this is a clear indication that he is more concerned about apportioning blame than the plight of the workers at Cap Juluca.
The situation in Cap Juluca, as it pertains to the workers, is a dire one. It has resulted in husbands and wives being laid off in many cases at the same time with a moments notice. Persons who have served Cap Juluca for several decades are laid off just as readily as persons with a few years service. The entire situation has created an atmosphere of fear and contributed to the “crabs in the barrel” approach among the workers. It is quite feasible that at some point some of those 100 plus workers may decide to break the silence on these issues.
It is in this context, that I believe that the discussion should now be about how to get the workers back to work. It is of nuisance value to debate who is responsible for the present challenges at Cap Juluca. However, a few basic points must be established:
1) Since August 11, 2010 Cap Juluca has been operating under a new MoU signed by this AUM Government. This document superseded the MoA signed by the previous Government in July 7, 2009.
2) In January and February, 2011 the 4 ½ villas at Cap Juluca were sold under the authority of the AUM Government and the signature of the Governor.
3) Both the 2009 MoA and the 2010 MoU require and include the provision “that all existing and new villas that are located directly on Maundays Bay Beach and Cove Bay Beach be included in the Hotel’s rental program when such units are not occupied by their respective Buyers subject to use restrictions stipulated where applicable.”
4) When the previous Government demitted office on February 16, 2010, all the rooms and villas were in the rental pool and there was full employment at Cap Juluca.
I have made these four points in order to set aside the arguments put forward by the CM and his colleagues about who is responsible for the present situation at Cap Juluca (CJ). To spend time on this issue is not helpful to the present situation. The situation of the workers at CJ should receive our undivided attention. It seems that to make any progress the Government will have to break this impasse with the Hickox and the Brilla groups one way or the other. The Government cannot abdicate that responsibility to anyone else. There is no question that the law is on its (GoA) side. It must therefore be enforced for the benefit of Anguillians. It is time that the Chief Minister takes note that the Governor cannot take any action in these matters without his (CM) support through Executive Council. That is the way it has been since our Constitution in 1976. And as most Anguillians should recall throughout our (AUF) negotiations with the CJ owners, over the years, we have never handed over Authority to any Governor. It was always our decision.
Haydn’s performance on the Monday Night Talk Show had “Oscar” written all over it. It was complete with “pregnant pauses”; “fake outrage”; “artificial emotion”; and “near tears”. Yet, amidst the performance, the careful listener would have taken notice that the document he read was a sound analysis of the CJ situation for the purpose of decision-making. It was written to ensure that the members of EXCO made an informed decision. Like every professional EXCO MEMO, it gave the background; described the issue at hand; set out the options clearly; and recommended a way forward. That is how Haydn’s Government should now be operating — not trying to look for scapegoats.
I am calling on the Government to recognize that the issue is not who caused it. Their responsibility to the affected persons, and Anguilla, is to fix it. And quickly! The solutions will not be presented to them in a hermetically sealed envelope like at the Oscars! And no Presidential Style Debate will bring results either. It is not about us Hubert! It is about the people who are suffering in silence —- for NOW! So Haydn, Hubert — don’t look forward to that cry signaling the results of your performance: “…. aand the Winner is!!!” By that time we will all be losers!
