Mr. Curtis Richardson, Minister of Infrastructure, who has been the Acting Premier of Anguilla in the absence of Premier Victor Banks, has highly commended Mr. Cardigan Connor, the Parliamentary Secretary, for his work. Mr. Richardson was at time speaking to the media during the unveiling of the welcome sign at West End on Monday, June 24.
“I have been working with Mr. Cardigan Connor for a little over four years now, and I am extremely proud especially for his efforts in Government. I am really looking forward, if I continue in politics, to working with him.
“Cardigan is a guy who has a passion for getting things done, and like to have things done at a certain quality and standard – just like me. I think the people of Anguilla deserve nothing less. He has been excellent in everything that he has tried to perform for his community. He wants me to look at a gentleman in the community whose yard is being flooded.
“You heard Mr. Walcott Richardson speak about the fact that there was a fence at his family’s property (but which was removed). We have a lot of those situations but the Government does not have the means right now, financially, to address a lot of those matters. But I intend, sometime after August, to have a proper discussion with the people of Anguilla. I will be calling a meeting just to see where the people are – and how we can go forward as a country in this regard.
“A lot of people had to give up land for roads and to accommodate community projects. We have to put back their walls and other fencing. I think we need to have a discussion with them so that we do not have any type of resenting when it comes to supporting community projects. The Government, over the years, has not responded well to dealing with persons with regards to using their properties.
“As you can see, the Richardson’s property has been utilised for water, a traffic light and now, again, for a community sign. I told Mr. Cardigan Connor that all that Mr. Walcott Richardson spoke about is all in keeping with my mindset. We will look at what we can do – not just here at Long Bay, but for all people in Anguilla. We will have to come up with some way of meeting the people even at halfway. As I said, we need to come to a discussion on what Government is able to do – and then allow the landowners to go on from there. There are far too many outstanding matters when it comes to people’s property.
“This is a critical spot in Long Bay and Cardigan has done extremely well. As you know, politics is not an easy business. I admire Mr. Connor’s initiative. He was able to approach people who we consider as political opposites. He has done a tremendous job – and they are fantastic citizens of Anguilla because some people would have denied the support that the Richardson’s family has given. I want to highly commend them as well for their community spirit. It is an outstanding spirit, that they have, to give their land to support Cardigan Connor and the community in this initiative.”
