Dear Editor:
Today is Sunday October 18, 2020. I just came from a morning swim on a beautiful day. Along the beach, people are setting up tents for a party later. People were swimming with their children. A pick-up truck drove down to the shore to unload diving tanks, fuel tanks, and a cooler to go fishing. Someone drove a noisy, smelly tractor down to the sea to launch a boat. At the wharf a large party boat was getting ready to go out. Music full blast, people bawling out, loud laughter. I LOVE all that.
I have been coming to Anguilla for 40 years – always stayed in Sandy Ground. It’s my home here. I have lifelong friends who are family to me. I’ve seen youngsters grow up and become parents and grandparents. I wouldn’t care to stay anywhere else. This is in spite of the traffic that wakes me in the night, and the loud music that bounces off every building, because this is a popular entertainment area for locals and tourists. I accept that.
Now this way of life is in peril. A development company has apparently found a way to try to take control of the whole village. They want the historic salt pond for a marina, a marina that could go anywhere in Anguilla. But what they really seem to be after is an exclusive area for the wealthy. The agreement that was signed includes villas around the pond and 62 more on the beach, along with a hotel, stores and restaurants. High-end features. It also includes exclusive rights to the sea in front of the beach.
People seem to think the project will create jobs, but the agreement allows for foreign workers, both during construction and after (“operational”). And the agreement doesn’t seem to benefit the government at all. It just creates a rich playground.
I keep wondering how Anguillians are ok with this project. Do you think the new owners will allow boat racing on THEIR beach in front of their villas? And the noise? How about the fun of August Monday, or Poker Run with loud music and drinking? Or hosting parties for their children’s birthdays? These will be gone. You’ll only have memories.
Everyone knows that locals can legally go to any beach to swim or walk. But can you enjoy yourselves at Cap Juluca the way you can in SG? You have to go through a gate, right? And, as someone mentioned to me recently, “Anguillians know their place where they’re not welcomed”. Is that what people want for SG also?
Anguillians DESERVE to retain one special playground for themselves, don’t they? It’s your very last, best recreational area. Even if people have outgrown their use for the place, their children and grandchildren deserve it.
Please, please, please don’t let it go.
CK
