The Anguilla United Movement (AUM), in keeping with their theme song “We Ready for de Road” took their political campaign to St. Thomas, USVI on Saturday, October 4, 2014. The event organized by Mr. Herbert Stoddard of White Hill, Anguilla, and Bronx, New York, along with his sisters, who reside in St. Thomas, was held at the Frenchtown Community Center, and broadcast live to Anguilla and Tortola. Close to 100 Anguillians were in attendance to listen to the AUM platform. Lyndon Duncan, Chairman of the AUM, and Sam Webster, former AUM candidate for District 1 (who stepped aside for his brother Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster), greeted the crowd and made short presentations. Mr. Duncan reminded those in attendance about his mother, Mrs. Doreen Duncan, who was a heroine of the Anguilla Revolution, and reiterated how they are impacted by what happens in Anguilla. Sam Webster outlined his accomplishments as Advisor to Ministers Evan Gumbs and Jerome Roberts, and showed that he did more in District 1 than the elected representative. He ended by appealing to the constituents of District 1 to ponder the question “If there is an emergency call at 3:00 am, who do would you rather call, a lawyer, a social worker, or The Doctor.”
The Honourable Minister Evan Gumbs, representative for District 4, brought greetings from the Chief Minister, the Honourable Hubert Hughes, and the other members of Government, and gave a resounding overview of the Government’s stewardship. He outlined the state of the country and the treasury, the issues with water and electricity, the concerns about integrity and fairness prior to the AUM being elected in 2010, and proudly stated the progress made by his Government in water production, school repairs, road building and repairs, alternative energy sources, hotel and villa construction projects, securing the jobs of all the civil servants, stabilizing the economy, and building up reserves to fulfill the requirements of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Minister Gumbs stated that the AUM has shown integrity and a willingness to fight for the people of Anguilla, and is committed to elevate the less fortunate, eliminate class structure, and eradicate the failed policies of the Anguilla United Front (AUF). He noted that the AUM Government has honoured Anguilla’s heroes, naming the airport for Captain Clayton J. Lloyd, Anguilla’s first pilot, and created a national holiday in honour of the Father of the Nation, the Honourable James Ronald Webster, Leader of the Revolution. Minister Gumbs stated that he had kept his promise to the young people of Rey Hill by building the basketball court, a model he hoped to replicate throughout Anguilla. He also noted that the Government has enacted legislation to encourage and assist young people with business ventures.
The final speaker, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, the AUM candidate for District 1, was introduced by Mrs. Olive Stoddard-Mills, a former primary school teacher in Anguilla. Teacher Olive listed Dr. Webster’s academic and professional achievements and personally thanked him for leaving his lucrative medical practice in the USA to return to Anguilla to help his people. Dr. Webster thanked the crowd for caring about Anguilla and asked God’s blessing on the ailing Honourable James Ronald Webster and the Honourable Walcott Richardson. He explained in detail the budgetary and real deficit Anguilla experienced in 2009, resulting in an over $70 million shortfall. He opined that this deficit, along with some Anguillians borrowing above their means on the recommendation of the former Chief Minister to build apartments, and the instability of the indigenous banks, have handicapped the AUM Government from advancing the economy as rapidly as they had planned. He further explained that the borrowing guidelines imposed by the FCO, were loosened during the term of the AUF Government, allowing the National Debt to increase significantly, but enforced after 2010 when the AUM took office. Dr. Webster defended the Interim Stabilization Levy (ISL) which helped to stabilize the economy, thus reducing the need to borrow money. He referred to the Fiscal and Economic Recovery Plan 2009 – 2011, which was produced by the AUF Government, where they proposed new taxes on payroll, environment, telephones and property, to appease the British Government.
Dr. Webster called upon the Anguillians living in St. Thomas to support the AUM in its Economic Revolution, as fervently as they had supported the Anguilla Revolution in 1967. He reminded them that they had left their homes and jobs and returned to Anguilla to defend their country, and once again they should rally together with the AUM to build a ‘Better Anguilla’.
Dr. Webster reiterated that he had “Come Back to Give Back”. He outlined his plans for Anguilla to upgrade the Princess Alexandra Hospital until a new hospital could be built, open a Specialty Health Clinic in District 1, where Anguillians could be diagnosed and treated, so they would be less need to travel abroad, and develop a Medical Tourism Centre, where international patients would be treated, thus increasing foreign capital, which could be used to reduce the cost of health care for Anguillians, and provide free health care and medications for the elderly. He stated that he had attended the World Medical Tourism Conference in Washington, DC from September 20 – 24, and then attended a function, accompanied by Chief Minister Hubert Hughes, hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus on September 25, 2014. These meetings included potential investors, consultants, physician partners, fitness and wellness experts and insurance company executives.
Dr. Webster stated that he had received a Government of Anguilla scholarship when he finished high school and feels that anyone who wants to attend college should be allowed to do so with scholarships and/or non-collateralized, low-interest loans. Also, the scope of the Anguilla Community College should be expanded to include Vocational and Technology Training. He spoke about several other initiatives, including developing the fishing industry, locating a fish-processing plant in District 1, improving the Agriculture sector, implementing alternative and renewable energy sources to make electricity cleaner and cheaper, improving airlift and airport expansion, and developing the music and movie industries and call-centres to provide much needed jobs.
Dr. Webster noted that an important resource, the youth of Anguilla, needs to be nurtured, empowered and engaged in Anguilla’s future development. He stated that the youth need community centres, training, access to good jobs, sporting facilities, and other avenues to develop their talents. He noted that the AUM team, comprised of young, vibrant, energetic candidates, is the best choice for the youth of Anguilla, and presents the best chance for Anguilla’s economic prosperity.
The attendees were allowed to ask questions, which were answered by the members of the AUM, followed by dinner and dancing. The Anguillians residing in St. Thomas appreciated that the AUM team visited St. Thomas to involve them in the campaign process and stated that they were paying close attention to the issues. God Bless You and may God continue to Bless Anguilla.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
