Fellow Anguillans as I did indicated in my first press release to you that as developments unfold I would return and update you on the matter pertaining to the Dolphin Appeal.
I wish to inform you that I have received a letter from HE the Governor today date 13th June, 2013 indicating as follows and I quote “I am writing to inform you that the appeal under the Beach Control Act against the Minister’s decision on the Dolphin Discovery has been allowed by Executive Council”.
I also receive a copy of the said letter which H E the Governor sent to Mr. Harry Wiggins dated 13th June, 2013.
As you would recall in my first press release Fellow Anguillans I informed H E the Governor that I was not satisfied with the appeal process and viewed it to be unfair.
What supports my view even further is the fact that the AG when questioned on the afternoon following the decision as to the validity of the Governor being able to vote on this matter could not present a clear and forth right answer.
Thus we requested from the AG a written submission as to the reason for his advice which he has confirm will be presented on Tuesday the 18th June some 6 days after the fact.
During the course of yesterday 14th June, 2013 a series of correspondences were sent from various members of Government to H E the Governor further indicating the irregularities and abuse of the Constitution of Anguilla in this process.
The final correspondence was sent to H E the Governor sometime after 5pm yesterday June 13th by the Acting CM Hon. Evans Gumbs indicating that no correspondence should be sent out on this decision that took place in Council on June 12th before a judicial review is conducted.
Fellow Anguillans base on a request for further clarity on this matter the Acting Chief Minister Hon. Evan Gumbs, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Hon. Haydn Hughes and myself met with various stakeholders at the Dolphin Discovery this morning.
It was made clear to the Staff, Taxi operators, Ferry operators the position of Government as it relates to the Dolphin Discovery remaining in Anguilla. It was made quite clear as to the position which Hon. Edison Baird and H E the Governor took on this matter and the reason for us to be in this position today.
I am of the view that the relevant stakeholders to whom the actions of Minister Baird and H E the Governor took have already caused serious frustration and levels of discomfort within several families.
At a time when Anguilla cannot afford to increase its unemployment rate two individuals namely H E the Governor and Minister Edison Baird saw it differently.
I wish to remind the general public that what occurred on the 12th June was by no means an accident or miscalculation on the part of the players involved.
Some of you would recall H E the Governor on more than one occasion stating and I quote “I have enough time still to do damage” damage to whom? the people of Anguilla. H E the Governor’s actions and that of Minister Baird in my view would appear to be indeed doing serious damage to the people of this Country.
I requested that this matter be ventilated loud and strong that fair play and proper process did not occur and as such any decision arising from it has being manipulated and does not represent EXCO who have said to have carried out this process.
The Ministers of Government have received an invitation from Civil society to join in a march on Tuesday 18th June and we can assure the people of Anguilla that we will support them in their expression against H E the Governor and the AG on this matter.
In closing Fellow Anguillans here again your pockets will be hit with unnecessary legal financial cost due to the decision taken on the 12th June.
I wish to state here that Minister Baird had three choices before him in this matter (1) to Support the appeal 2) to Oppose the appeal and 3) to absentee.
I will continue to monitor the developments and return to you as the need arises.
May God Bless you and May God Bless Anguilla.
(Published by The Anguillian newspaper without editing)
