Mr. José Vanterpool, Mr. Curtis Richardson and Mr. Evans Rogers
The governing Anguilla United Front held its first public meeting for the 2020 district and at large elections on Saturday, January 18, on the South Hill community field – with the six speakers expressing the hope for a clean campaign and a stable and caring government.
The meeting was essentially for the Elected Representatives for District 5, Road North, Mrs. Evalie Bradley; and Mr. Curtis Richardson, District 6, Road South. But the four AUF at large candidates, Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool, Mr. Jose Vanterpool, Mr. Lockart Hughes and Mark Romney, also appeared on the rostrum. The chairman was Mr. Evans Rogers, the Elected Representative for District 3, Valley North.
Speaking ahead of the other speakers, Mr. Rogers set the tone of the meeting saying in part: “We will highlight our successes and challenges during our time in office. We will also indicate to you what our plans are from 2020 and beyond. In addition, we will contrast this Anguilla United Front Team with other teams and/or independent candidates out there. Our development of the youth, the economic sector and our healthcare services must all come into the spotlight. I am saying to the electorate that the ball is, and has always been, in your court. You must decide whether you want the Anguilla United Front Government to continue on this upward and onward track for the development and prosperity of this island and our people – or whether you would want the ‘change that can’t wait’ that would take us backwards for decades to come. Despite the challenges, I still believe in the vast majority of my Anguillian people.”
Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool, still reeling from the recent murder of his brother, Leroy, undertook to speak briefly on what he thought were some important matters. “You need to give this Anguilla United Front party another five years,” he exerted. “Some persons spoke about our manifesto saying we did not do a lot of things we promised. What they need to understand is that there were a number of things that were done, but were not in the manifesto. Hurricane Irma was a test of our strength and character. We could not allow our children to stay at home. We had to rebuild the schools. We could not allow our male and female patients to be in the same wards. We had to work on the hospital and so many things. I don’t even want to talk on the banking sector as others will address that. I just want to say don’t be distracted by all the talk. Stay focus. The Anguilla United Front is going to continue to work on your behalf. Give us five more years: 4 plus 7, all eleven” (the AUF’s rallying cry).
Mr. Jose Vanterpool, the youngest election candidate, who is the First Nominated Member and Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly, took the opportunity to introduce himself as an island scholar, Computer Engineer and hotel worker, among other background details – including his continued professional development and preparation for elective office.
The 24-year-old parliamentarian continued: “When elected to Government, I, and the rest of the Anguilla United Front Team, will work to make our vision for Anguilla a reality. We want to see the people of Anguilla empowered financially – as well as through education, training and advancement. We want to see our economy grow, diversified and striving. We want to see improved and affordable healthcare and housing. We want to see more opportunities and a better Anguilla for all. While all Anguillians may want to see these things made a reality, the Anguilla United Front Team is prepared to make that happen.”
Mr. Vanterpool further stated: “As we get nearer to the elections, and progress along the campaign trail, I will provide examples of the plans and ideas that we bring to the table; explain how and why the initiatives we wish to introduce will benefit our country; and I will provide implementation details to show that these ideas aren’t only feasible but they are also practical.”
He added: “Vote for me, Jose Vanterpool. Vote for all of the Anguilla United Front candidates. Vote for Anguilla’s future. Vote for the future.”
Mr. Lockart Hughes, who has been gainfully employed in the tourism sector for 14 – 15 years, prior to which he resided and worked in England, was the next speaker. He is the Chairman of the Anguilla United Front. “I plan to be contesting the elections as an island-wide candidate with your Anguilla United Front,” he told his listeners. “It is the party that stands for unification, stability, economic growth and putting the people of this beloved island first. For my leadership qualities and what makes me the perfect candidate to lead in Anguilla I have led many teams both locally and abroad, and in leadership I have realised that the whole characteristic of leaders can never be understated. We leaders believe in the people we lead. We believe in bringing out the most out of these people, making them the best they can be. When we look around at the Anguilla United Front, and all the experience that we had, the leaders who are leading us are just the perfect persons we want.”
Mr. Hughes said that his desire to represent the people of Anguilla, and to assist with the development of the island’s economy, had driven him back home from England. He spoke about his workplace, Cap Juluca, which he said was a personal issue for him. “In the earlier part of 2010, I was very confused with what was happening at our beloved property. As we all know, Cap Juluca is our [tourism] flagship and was going through some torrid times. There was no reinvestment being made and ownership battles were abundant.” He spoke about the eventual settlement of the ownership of the resort – with the involvement of the AUF Government of Mr. Victor Banks resulting in a single ownership of the hotel. “They, the members of the Government, saw that it was not about having multiple ownership but bringing ownership under one umbrella. Today, we look at the lovely Belmond Cap Juluca which came out of that trying time.” He thanked Premier Banks for sticking to the task.
Mr. Hughes praised Minister Cora Richardson-Hodge; Mrs. Evalie Bradley, Ministerial Assistant; and the Staff of the Labour Department; for their work on the new Labour Code. “I must tell them that the hotel workers are pleased for the protection afforded them under the new Act which stopped the uncertainty created when workers were issued temporary contracts on an annual basis,” he stressed. “They now can see growth in their personal lives, and secure finance, as they are permanently employed. Another important area of the Labour Code speaks about the understudy programme finally becoming law.
“It is not my wish to stop there. It is high time to see timelines added to the understudy programme. It is high time that we have Anguillians in top positions in Anguilla. The economic benefit cannot be overstated. Simply put, Anguillian people in top positions, means more money circulating in our economy.”
Mr. Hughes was grateful to Premier Banks; Minister Curtis Richardson; and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Connor; for working tirelessly to introduce the coming direct international flights from the United States. “These flights coming on stream, will set the basis for aggressively pushing what we term as MICE travel – that is Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events. This segment of tourism sees annual revenues of over 80 billion dollars world-wide, and the numbers are expected to grow by another 200 billion dollars by 2025.”
He added: “Throughout my personal connections I have been in serious talk over the past three months with a company in Cancun which is responsible for promoting this sector in Cancun and Jamaica. That company was very blown away with the potential Anguilla has. The company said to me, personally, that its vision is to come to Anguilla to develop the island as one of the top MICE travel destinations in the whole region. There is diversity in the tourist sector and this is one of the fruits we are hoping to pick.”
He called on the people of Anguilla to choose the AUF’s candidates in the upcoming district and at- large elections.
The final at-large AUF candidate, Mr. Mark Romney, spoke about his vision as follows: “To make life better for all Anguillians in an environment fostered by unity and love for each other; fulfilling our civic responsibility in forging towards a common destiny: which is maintaining a sustainable economy; advanced social and cultural development of our people and attaining full autonomy as a nation by 2035”.
He reminded his listeners about the uphill task faced by the AUF Government since assuming office in 2015. He listed some of the Government’s major achievements as being:
• “The banking resolution which guaranteed 100% customer deposits in NBA and CCB in 2016;
• Water 24/7 throughout Anguilla;
• The settlement of the ownership wrangle at Cap Juluca resulting in 400 jobs and new investment of US$100 million;
• Constitutional & Electoral Reform which has afforded me the opportunity to contest this election as an island-wide candidate and, hopefully, with your help, I will serve you the people in the expanded House of Assembly;
• The new Labour Code which gives you more protection under the law including severance pay.”
Mr. Romney said the above were “just some of the achievements through a period of stability and growth – and a clear demonstration that Team AUF is uniquely qualified to take Anguilla onward and united.”
He also spoke about growing the economy through a Youth Entrepreneurship Programme; improved healthcare; the development of education; and the protection of the environment.
Wearing a crash helmet and bradishing a cricket bat, denoting the fervour of his campaign, Mr. Curtis Richardson, the Elected Representative for Road South, took to the rostrum. He urged his listeners to rally around all the AUF candidates and to vote for them. He paid much attention to the work of his colleague, Mrs. Evalie Bradley, of Road North, whom he praised for her dedication and accomplishments in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Labour for workers, and the people of Anguilla in general, since 2015 – and for having been a great asset to him and rest of the AUF Team. “I am asking all in Anguilla to look back over your ruined conditions of 2015; give God praise, and do not make the mistake to vote for anybody else in 2020. Rally, rally with this team,” he admonished the people of Anguilla.
He spoke about the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma and his work towards the rebuilding of the public sector infrastructure – with the assistance of his colleagues. He noted the restoration of accommodation facilities – and services at the Blowing Point Port and the coming new ferry terminal building to be built there. He also referred to the rebuilding of schools, and the renovation and expansion work at the Princess Alexandra Hospital now in progress. “There will never be another team that will face the problems of this country, like the Anguilla United Party,” he declared, in recounting the way the island is progressing and in dismissing the claims of detractors.
Mr. Richardson continued: “The Anguilla United Front grappled with the water problem without a dollar to fix it. You have watched this team grapple with the banking resolution without a dollar to fix it. You have watched this team grapple with problem after problem – and when we thought that we had bagged all the problems that Anguilla could possibly have, then came Hurricane Irma which added to our problems and struggles.”
Speaking about his demolishing of a number of hurricane-damaged public sector buildings, and his vision for new structures, he went on: “I grew up in Blowing Point and I know that the people of Road South are strong and noble, and I would never lose the vision for you to have the new thing. That is why at the Adrian T. Hazell School, in a little while, you are going to see the new thing coming out of the ground. You will get a new Adrian T. Hazell School.
“I believe in the people of Road South – and that you deserve the new thing, and that’s why, just next to that school, you are going to see a new dental unit and polyclinic coming out of the ground. I believe that the people of Road South deserve the new thing and that’s why I went down in Blowing Point and, with the help of comrades Victor Banks, Cora Hodge-Richardson and Niel Rogers, I demolished that little nonsensical [port] building that was representing a five-star entrance into Anguilla. I am proud to be called ‘the Minister of Demolition’ because, in three to four months from now, you will soon see the new thing. The old things of ‘rags and flour bags’, and making us say thank you, are over. Curtis Love has come to seal the anointing of the new thing. Those of you who want the new thing, let us march forward together and it is time – rally, rally.”
Mrs. Evalie Bradley, who brought down the curtain on the AUF meeting, said she refused to respond to the “rude, disrespectful and distasteful utterances which were being made by persons on radio and on social media” about her. She stressed: “I cannot, and will not, disrespect myself, my four wonderful boys, my party, family – and so many others who think so highly of me – to make a response to such irrelevant garbage.”
Mrs. Bradley reflected on her long and respected public service career, predating her entry into politics. About those around her who have influenced her decisions in private and public life, she said: “They know that in joy, sickness and death, they can call on me, and I am always there to give that support they need in whatever way.”
She continued: “As I stand here before this podium, it would be remiss of me if I did not commend and celebrate the toils, sweat, tears and sacrifices of those persons, here in the South Hill community, for their hard work to develop this piece of property on which we now stand, for the common good of all as a community recreation park…I will commit to ensuring that this project, which is of benefit to all Anguilla, is a funding priority when this Government assumes office after the next election in 2020.”
Mrs. Bradley spoke about the many achievements of the AUF Government – and asked: “Can’t we see that Anguilla is now on a trajectory of economic progress and stimulation, and better than we met it in 2015?” In singling out one of the achievements, she stated: “Today, our indigenous banking sector has some measure of stability as, daily, the people of Anguilla are building more confidence in their bank. I am here to tell you, in plain and simple language, that some of those who are most vocal on the political platforms are the ones who have contributed to the demise of our local banks. That’s a fact. The question asked the other day by one concerned voter was: ‘Are they making a second bid at destroying what appears to be progressing so well?’
“All I can say to you, the voters, is that this is a serious issue for reflection because elections have consequences. And I say vote for the survival of your indigenous bank. It is the AUF Team that advocated for 100 % of your deposits. For almost two years no action was taken on the banking resolution, from 2013 -2015, because the intention was to give you mere cents on your dollar. But, through the visionary leadership of the Honourable Premier, supported by his loyal team, you can now feel confident that your money is more secure. There are those who continue to paint a dark picture of gloom and doom, and that is why we must talk about these achievements because they are significant for the social and economic advancement of our island.” She also spoke about the Government’s successful solution to the Cap Juluca issue – and its positive handling of other important national matters.
Mrs. Bradley added: “As a Government, with a team with the right mix of youth and experience, we have committed ourselves to taking you onwards to an even better place. As the saying goes, we are indeed ‘a work of progress.’”
The next public meeting of the Anguilla United Front is on Saturday, January 25, at West End where the Elected Representative is Mr. Cardigan Connor.
