On Saturday evening, February 15, a number of supporters were platform-speakers on the Clarence Webster Playing Field, at Island Harbour during the launch of Ms Palmovan Webster’s campaign as an independent candidate in District 1, Island Harbour and its environs for the general elections in 2015.
The meeting was chaired by Orris Smith who described Ms Webster as “a woman who will not accept mediocrity and selfishness, but will challenge proposals in seeking the best decisions for our country.”
Mr Vernon Hodge, whose delivery was poetic at times, said he was supporting Ms Webster because of her record which had spoken for itself. “She stayed with us through thick and thin, through sea and wind – and that’s why I am on the platform for Palmovan tonight,” he stated in part. “Palmovan is the power of the youth because Palmovan is the truth. She has the wisdom; she has the skill – and she is determined to take district number one over the hill…Palmovan was always there for us. She went to school and came back home. It doesn’t matter where she roam she sticks with home. She has her honesty; she has integrity; she has the ability to take this island over the hill; and I am proud [that]in my lifetime we have someone who has the interest of the youth at hand. She has the plan; she is there to tell them the truth…”
Mr Wilkin Smith said he was aware that this was the second time that Ms Webster had sought the support of the electorate “as she wants to be our leader in District 1.”
He went on: “For the last four years, Palmovan never went backward. She stood forward; she stood to her promises and she is there for us. As Mr Hodge said, she has the ability to take our island a step ahead. She has education; she can go to any nation and speak for our people. I am proud to know that Palmovan did not quit. I know that she will never quit her people. She is loved and she is respectful.”
Mr Smith added: “We must support the one who has a master plan for us the people of District 1. We know our former Minister did his best and we must also say thank God for him. We are one people, united we stand and divided we fall. Let us support Palmovan at this time as our leader for District 1. We need a proper representation.”
Ms Eusvon Brooks, spoke on behalf of her grandfather, retired educator, Mr Vivien Vanterpool, who endorsed Ms Webster’s candidacy. Ms Brooks read a statement said to have been made by Mr Vanterpool who is ailing: It stated in part: “Her humbleness and dedication are exemplified by the work she is continuously doing for the betterment of this community and thus the island. This can be seen by the successes at the Vivien A Vanterpool Primary School and the Care Centre to name a few…Ms Webster is very dedicated to the Anguillian community and is concerned about its needs…”
The statement continued: “In electing her we will have a better representation in the schools of Anguilla. Her passion for education will continue to improve the island mentally, physically and spiritually. The development of Anguilla, though influenced by a number of factors, is highly dependent on our education system…Her impact thus far, and continued support, especially in education, is what this community and Anguilla urgently need. It is my sincerest hope that Pam Webster is given the opportunity to serve this district for some period and by extension the Anguillian community. This would reflect those attributes that make her who she is and what she stands for in Anguilla…”
Mr Tyrone Hodge, an Anguillian educator residing in the United States, visited the island for the occasion and was one of the speakers. “I am here to endorse Ms Pam Webster because I think she has the know-how to get the job done,” he said. “The world has changed tremendously and I think in this election, more than any other election, we need to have a candidate that can play with the big boys; that can play on the international stage. Knowing who Pam Webster is, we know she has done that…
“I think Pam Webster has a clear vision and a plan to take us forward. It is therefore my wholehearted intention to throw my support behind her ‘lock, stock and barrel’…We need to stand up for our village; I think we need to stand up for our people. I think Pam Webster is ready.”
Ms Marie Horsford, one of Ms Webster’s key supporters, said it was a pleasure for her to be part of the “presentation of Palmavon Webster, a longstanding, hardworking and caring resident of Island Harbour, as a candidate to represent the people of Electoral District I, Island Harbour”, in the upcoming general elections.”
She continued: “Pam was one of five candidates vying for political office [in 2010]. She was not elected. She was not defeated. Her vision and plans for improving the lives of the people and the development of this district are alive and doing well… Pam was not elected but that did not stop her from working towards the achievement of many of the goals she had set out to accomplish.”
Ms Horsford described Ms Webster’s development plan for the district as noble and quoted a section of the document as follows: “There must be an increased commitment to the future and a new approach to embracing the benefits of community development and human advancement.”
Ms Horsford is a retired civil servant from the Department of Public Administration and is a popular face at many civil society and national events. She observed, that in keeping with the realisation of the above goals, “Pam established the Island Harbour Care Centre which is committed to the sustainable development of the Island Harbour community with particular emphasis on the wellbeing of our children and youth.” She said that a number of persons in and outside the district were continuing to benefit from the Centre and that a second Centre would soon be established in another area of the district.
Ms Horsford listed a number of other projects and programmes which Ms Webster has on her agenda for the district, and she also spoke about her successful law practice on the island. “She is interested in, and is key in, the development of Island Harbour, District 1 and the whole of Anguilla. She is the person, the woman, who can take us forward,” Ms Horsford added.
