Former Chief Minister of Anguilla, Mr. Osbourne Fleming (2000–2010), is of the view that the large number of visitors to the island, for the festive August Monday holiday, are at a disadvantage in that they are obliged to rush back out the same day.
He is therefore suggesting that the next day, Tuesday, should also be a public holiday, giving the visitors additional time to enjoy the festivities and to leave Anguilla more conveniently.
Mr. Fleming is not alone in this matter. Other persons have gone as far as to suggest that the entire work week should be declared a holiday period for the Anguilla Summer Festival which comprises a series of carnival activities and boatracing. Their argument is that there are only two working days during the first week of August Tuesday and Wednesday – when persons are in fact in a holiday mood; then follow the other two holidays – Thursday and Friday – virtually closing down the island for that week.
Speaking at Meads Bay on August Thursday, Mr. Fleming told The Anguillian: “I am not a big carnival person, but I believe that we need to re-examine the position. At present, August Monday is a holiday. We must find some means whereby we can incorporate Tuesday to be a holiday in addition to August Monday. My reason is that this last carnival brought in hundreds of people from overseas but they had to hustle back the same day. It would be good if we can extend the holiday for another day, and let people know that it is no longer August Monday in isolation: it is Monday and Tuesday. That would enable them to arrange their vacation for those two days.
“It is hard for a person from St. Martin/St. Maarten coming over to Anguilla on August Monday and has to hustle back in the afternoon. If we can find some way to go around that – oh my! The benefits would be colossal for this island. I hope that the Tourist Board and all the players will look at it. One may say why I didn’t do it when I was in Government. Well, listen: you learn as you go by and I have now examined what the benefits would be so I feel it is something to think about.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Fleming, who spends most of his time in St. Croix, since his retirement from politics in Anguilla, returned home several days ago for a family reunion. This gave him an opportunity to familiarise himself with development matters on the island. “I have never seen a set of happier people than I have seen over the last few days,” he told the newspaper. “The people are happy. I am not telling you what the reason is. I don’t know; but what I can say is that I am proud to be an Anguillian and to be among a crowd of very happy people.”
He continued: “There is no question that there is a need for more employment. The reason I have said this is that the happiness of the people will continue when everyone in Anguilla is gainfully employed. That is not the position now. We have to get to that, and the only way to get to that is to do all we can to encourage investment in Anguilla. We must provide the atmosphere whereby investors will feel safe, confident and in a position where they can benefit from their investment. That is the burden of the new Government. There is no question about that. Government must position itself to do all that is in its power to encourage more development in Anguilla.”
The former Chief Minister added: “I must say this, however. I drove around the country since I came here and I asked who is building here, and there. I am alarmed to see the developments in this country despite everything. I see beautiful homes, beautiful projects. It’s just lovely and amazing. I really feel happy to be an Anguillian.”
