and Mr Clive Smith
After a sweeping and comprehensive account of her work as Minister of Education and Home Affairs, in terms of the Labour Code, the Labour Relations Act, Constitutional and Electoral Reform and Education, Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge, has given a rundown of her activities before and since becoming the Elected Representative for District 2.
She was at the time delivering an address at a public meeting of the Anguilla United Front at East End on Saturday, February 22. Following are the relevant excerpts from her speech:
“Fellow Anguillians, as you can see, I have been busy over the past 5 years. I keep hearing that this Government has done nothing, that I have done nothing. But I have also been busy in my community.
“Hope Centre – operating since 2011; afterschool homework assistance etc. [And they ask what are we doing for the youths?]
“As I drive around my community and talk to the young people, I am amazed and excited by the sheer number of young persons that have benefited from attending classes at HOPE Centre. I have not come across one student yet when I ask them if it was beneficial for them, they say anything other than YES It was. Residents of East End, the HOPE Centre is here to stay. And we will continue to work with our primary schools and high school in ensuring that our children receive the kind of attention and assistance they need and deserve. Thanks to the Center Manager and Directors of the HOPE Centre, the Department of Youth and Culture for collaborating with the HOPE Centre, the Morris Vanterpool Primary School parents and staff, members of our East End Community and members of the HOPE Group for continuing to ensure that HOPE Centre remains a bedrock of our East End community.
“Look behind you. Do you see this basketball court? Initially built by Social Security, was neglected for a long time. One young man reminded me that I used to buy nets and other materials so the children could play on the courts. When elected, one of the first things I did was prepare a proposal to Social Security to upgrade basketball facility, etc. [And they ask what are we doing for the youths?]
“Village Ting – 8 years – Annual activity for the community where residents of East End come together to show off their culinary skills and talent. It is a day for our children and parents to come together and have fun, play dominoes, participate in the cycling race, listen to music and end the night dancing in a train. What fun we have at Village Ting, year after year.
“The many Sandy Hill Beach Clean-ups and Road side clean ups, over the years, where many people in East End, my people, do you remember those early mornings on the beach, and as we were cleaning, the seaweed was coming in – so much so that by the time we were finished, the shoreline looked almost as if we had not just spent countless hours cleaning. And when we couldn’t do it by hand, we did through the help of Higher Heights crew who put their machines at risk of sand and salt to help us clean our beaches. To all of you, I say Thank You.
“Food Bank – operating since 2012 (7 years). It was conceived right here in East End and operated under the umbrella of Hope Centre. Imagine, the other day I heard the former District representative criticize the Food Bank. Has been in operation for 7 years!!! The food bank assisted persons during the worst of times. Mr. Roberts may not know, but during the worst of times, especially between 2010 and 2015, our people, not just in Anguilla, but all over Anguilla, have been grateful for the assistance that the food banks provide. It is amazing to me how persons could criticize something that is good and right and helpful to the people in our country, because if our former District 2 Representative wanted to, he too could have helped. But he did not help, obviously not understanding that there are people with real needs in Anguilla. To all of the persons who have donated money and food, packing the baskets and delivering them across Anguilla, I say Thank You.
“Fellow Anguillians, you have heard and you have seen my accomplishments, the various progressive steps that I have taken in my Ministry for my district and the people of Anguilla. You have seen the accomplishments of our Anguilla United Front Government. Residents of Anguilla, residents of District 2, I have been working for you.
“As someone said on a previous platform, it is important to look back from whence we came to see where we are going. So District 2, tonight, let us look back from whence we came.”
