Fellow Anguillians and in particular District One, Just over four years ago, I decided to accept the highest calling to serve the people of Anguilla. My ordeal at sea and my rescue by God, solidified my belief that it was a higher calling. I sacrificed my passion and love for the sea and entered into the political arena in an attempt to elevate my District- Number One and Anguilla in general. While I was unsuccessful at the polls, I accepted a role to serve and I believe that I have done so to the best of my ability given the limited resources available to us.
Ladies and gentlemen, as I’ve said on many occasions, I accepted a role in this Government and not a job. In keeping with this promise, I then pledged that I would donate 100% of my salary to my District and the record will show that-that is exactly what I did over the past four years. Meanwhile, I continued fishing part-time, so that I can support and maintain my family.
In my service to the people of Anguilla these past four years, I have been blessed to learn so much about the mechanisms, systems and procedures of Government given our constitutional constraints. Be that as it may, I have continued to work hard at all times, in the best interest of Anguilla and I believe I have accomplished much of what I set out to do.
Without being boastful, I would like to share with you a few, of what I believe to be, some of my accomplishments. This may sound a little trivial, but I think it is important for you to know.
In 2009 – I kept a special promise to the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School, formerly known as the Island Harbour Primary School and gave of my own resources, a Television Set to the School. And then, to the two top students of the Graduating Class of 2009, I gave $500.00 each, to assist them on their way to a higher education.
In February of the following year- 2010, – As soon as I began working with Government, I purchased with my own resources a special projector and again donated it to the Island Harbour Primary School, to improve the in-house learning programs.
I was also deeply concerned about the poor condition of the buildings under which our children attended school there. And so, I took it upon myself to seek assistance in any way I could. I approached the Anguilla Social Security Board, explaining my needs, and requested their assistance to have the Island Harbour Primary school renovated. They did, and I made it my business to oversee that the renovations were properly done and completed to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
Continuing on School Business, I made sure I dedicated myself to creating incentives for the Children of District One, in an effort to motivate them to excel to higher learning. And so, on an annual basis I established two awards for the two-top students.
At the Graduating Class of 2011, I gave to the two top students of the Vivian Vanterpool Primary School, one computer each.
At the Graduating Class of 2012 of the said Vivian Vanterpool Primary School, I gave each of the 22 students graduating, a geometry set and a recorder musical instrument. To the Valedictorian, I purchased and gave a Laptop, the Salidictorian a Kindle Fire and to the third best student, I gave a Kindle.
Turning to the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, which is also a part of District one and shared with District Two, I gave each of the 26 students of the Graduating Class of 2012 ,a geometry set and a recorder musical instrument irrespective of which District they belonged. Just as I did in Island Harbour, I also gave to The Valedictorian of this school – a Kindle Fire, to the Salidictorian – a Kindle Fire and to the student that was considered to be in the less fortunate category – I also gave a Kindle, after adopting the idea that no student, regardless of his or her status should be left behind.
Just last year, At the Graduating class of 2013 at the Vivian Vanterpool Primary School in Island Harbour, I also gave to each of the 22 graduating students, a geometry set and a recorder musical instrument. To the Valedictorian and the Salidictorian, I gave a Kindle Fire each.
Leaving no stone unturned, to The Graduating Class of 2013 at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School – East End, I also gave to each of the 26 graduating students, a geometry set and a recorder musical instrument. To the Valedictorian and the Salidictorian I gave a Kindle Fire each.
Just so you know what a Kindle Fire is…. It is a small computer reading tablet for downloading books and of the students that I referred to, in total there were 102 that I purchased and gave these awards to.
As a Sportsman and former Cricketer, I thought it necessary to establish a Sporting Award for the best male and female athletes of the same schools. These Awards were established in the names of 4 unique individuals of District One, who have excelled in Sports respectively. In Island Harbour, I established the male award in the name of Lanvil Harrigan who excelled in Cricket and the female award in the name of Susan Webster, who excelled in Volleyball.
In East End, I established the male award in the name of Franklyn Richardson (Teacher Kelly), who excelled in Cricket and was an avid Coach for various sports and the female award in the name of Laura Richardson-Ruan who excelled in Track & Field.
In 2012, I awarded in their respective names. At the Vivian Vanterpool Primary School in Island Harbour, my Lanvil Harrigan Sports award went to Deonne Smith and my Susan Webster Sports award went to Shania Smith. In addition to these distinguished awards, I gave to each of the awardees $150.00 in cash as an incentive for them to further excel.
At the Morris Vanterpool Primary School – East End, my Franklyn Richardson Sports award went to Antoine Fleming and my Laura Richardson-Ruan Sports Award went to Alliyana Gumbs. I also gave to each of these awardees $150.00 in cash also as an incentive for them to further excel.
Just last year in 2013, again my prestigious awards were given to the respective schools. At the Vivian Vanterpool Primary School in Island Harbour my Lanvil Harrigan Sports award went to – Samuel Hodge and my Susan Webster Sports award went to – Carliyah Adams. In addition to these distinguished awards, I again gave to each of the awardees $150.00 in cash as an incentive for them to further excel.
At the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, my Franklyn Richardson Sports award went to Khareen Hodge-Cartyand my Laura Richardson-Ruan Sports Award went to Shezilique Frazer. I also gave to each of these awardees $150.00 in cash.
I want to encourage all of you to join me and participate and donate annually, similarly to what I have done, so that our children could appreciate that they are not ignored or left behind. Our children need your help and Education in Anguilla needs your involvement.
Now moving on: As a good, responsible Seaman and Fisherman, I saw the need to install lights in the Sea Channels at Island Harbour; So, in 2011, I took the initiative and ordered 2 buoys that I again financed out of my own pocket. And I am reporting to you, that these lights are installed in the channels at Island Harbour as safety features for our fishermen and seafarers.
But I didn’t stop there; I went to the Anguilla Social Security Board and asked them to support me with some funds for more lights, and to my delight, these funds were granted to purchase the lights. Soon after, I made contact with the Supplier and made all of the necessary arrangements for shipment to Anguilla.
I also arranged for two navigational lights that were donated by CEDEMA to be installed above the famous Gorgeous Scilly Cay, and since then, more lights have been installed in the Island Harbour reef. All of these have been purchased through my efforts and provided by the Anguilla Social Security Board.
I wanted to explore all possibilities of safety at sea for our fishermen and to ensure that their families will have peace-of-mind when their loved-ones go out to fish. So again, I approached the Anguilla Social Security Board and liased with them this time for a Radio Communication System for Sky King Radio, owned by Mr. Aubrey Smith of Island Harbour and Mr. Bertram “Butty” Richardson of North Hill.
Both men were given the Radio Communication Systems to be in contact with our fishermen with up to 200 miles range while out to sea.
At the beach in Island Harbour, I saw it necessary to put the electrical lines underground as another safety feature for the Vendors and the people attending the annual Easter Festival – Festival Del Mar. So I purchased and installed the underground pipes for the electrical wiring there.
With the passion I possess for fishing, in 2012, I advised the then Minister of Fisheries, The Honourable Walcott Richardson that we should give something back to the fishermen of Anguilla. After all, they have helped to build Anguilla to what it is today and are still continuing to do so.
I made an appointment and saw the Country Manager of Digicel about considering and sponsoring the purchasing of 100 Emergency SPOT Devices for our local fishermen. I was again successful in making this happen for our fishermen. I was very adamant about this, because of my mishap at sea in 2008, and the other incident in 2011 with three of our fishermen, where one of them, unfortunately lost his life.
On 30th October 2012, I continued the installation of lighted buoys in the reefs at the The Forest and Little Harbour, in an effort to make navigation easy for our fishermen and seafarers in channeling those areas. I am working to ensure that more lights are installed in the Sandy Hill Reef, Shoal Bay reef, Crocus Bay reef, The Cove reef and around Anguilla.
I want to remind you that we must also not forget, that I was the driving force behind the refurbishing and naming of the Pier in Island Harbour to The Robert Benjamin Harrrigan Jetty and I have worked hard and tirelessly to ensure that street lights were installed around the island, with over thirty being installed in the Welches Community alone.
There are many other initiatives that I have worked on with my colleagues, especially in the area of fishing and farming; Two areas that have immense potential and I, along with my Government, will continue to work hard to develop these sectors. There are many other things that were achieved with my involvement, but time will not permit me to talk about them. That would be done at another time.
Now Ladies and Gentlemen: Having expressed some of my accomplished desires, I want to believe that you would feel proud of me, having represented you. My party, the AUM, chose me to contest the upcoming general election. While I accepted the opportunity once again, I have decided to consider all of the options in front of us. And so, I sat down with my family, and discussed where we are and where we need to go. And I’ve come to the conclusion that Anguilla is much bigger than I am and indeed bigger than any of us.
There are many ways to serve, and ultimately, one has to consider the standing of the Country. And so, I am reminded of one of the quotations by one of my favourite heroes, President John F. Kennedy, who echoed the all important message, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.”
With that in mind, I too, had a decision to make. And so, I have decided to put my personal political ambitions on the back-burner in the interest of the greater good- my people and my Country. And therefore, I am confident that you will accept my recommendation for my replacement.
Ladies and Gentlemen: I am humbly recommending that you accept as my replacement in the upcoming general elections my younger brother Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, who I know to be the best person to serve your interest, the interest of the people of District One in particular and by extension the people of Anguilla as a whole.
Fellow Anguillians, I, along with my family, my friends, supporters and Party Affiliates, ask that you consider Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster as your partner to represent you, the good people of Anguilla. Personally, I know that Lorenzo and his family are already making a tremendous sacrifice, having to maintain his Medical Practices both here in Anguilla and in the United States of America, and thereby, also sacrificing the benefits of his US Citizenship to serve you.
Ladies and Gentlemen: This is a happy occasion for me, as I am of the firm belief that I have made the right decision. And so, on behalf of my wife –Judith, my family, the people of District One, the Hon Chief Minister and my AUM colleagues, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all of the Anguillian people at home and abroad for this opportunity.
With the help of God, I will NOT abandon you. I will continue to offer my service to my beloved Anguilla to the best of my ability.
May God ever bless us all, and may He continue to bless Anguilla.
Sincerely,
Sam Webster
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
