The weekly radio programme “Just the Facts” on Monday, 20th June, saw its host Evans McNeil Rogers and co-host, the Honourable Cardigan Connor, vehemently setting the record straight as regards credit for Kevin Carty’s promotion – after having listened to the Minister of Labour’s congratulatory remarks.
Mr. Kevin Carty, a celebrated executive in a managerial position at the Cap Juluca Hotel, was recently named General Manager of Aurora Resort and will take up his appointment in September this year.
In a passionate declaration, on the radio programme, “Just the Facts”, both Mr. Rogers and the Hon. Cardigan Connor said that the Honourable Minister of Labour, Kenneth Hodge, gave Mr. Carty high commendation, but he must stop short of any idea that Mr. Carty’s achievement came as a result of the current APM’s efforts, with regard to its labour policies.
The Hon. Cardigan Connor and Mr. Evans McNeil Rogers were, in fact, responding to Mr. Hodge’s congratulatory remarks for Mr. Carty made in a press briefing on Monday, 13th June, as well as in The Anguillian Newspaper of Friday, 17th June which reads:
“I am pleased, in my capacity of Minister of Labour to join with Aurora Anguilla in announcing the appointment of a son of the soil, Kevin Carty, as the new General Manager of Aurora Anguilla Resort and Golf Club, with effect from September 5th this year.”
During Government’s press briefing on Monday 13th June, the Minister of Labour congratulated Mr. Carty by saying: “I have made no secret of the fact that this administration and this Ministry of Labour, in particular, continues to promote the elevation of Anguillians within the sector and, indeed, a new and dynamic understudy policy will soon be rolled out.
“Kevin has distinguished himself within the sector with well over two decades of exemplary service, and we share in his passion for developing a strong cadre of local hospitality professionals – with a capacity and drive to deliver first class service.
“The Government and people of Anguilla congratulate Kevin on his appointment, and wishes him the best as he takes up his new position. We say ‘Well done, Kevin Carty, it’s a plus for all Anguillians.”
But as if the Minister was going a bit too far in having his Ministry garner accolades on Kevin’s behalf, Mr. Rogers said: “I listened to the press conference in which the announcement of Kevin’s appointment was made, and I am hoping the present Minister of Labour does not take credit for his achievement because, in order for him to be appointed as General Manager of Aurora, he has had to sustain a series of hard knocks and dry falls, over a number of years, long before the Minister of Labour became Minister.”
The Hon. Cardigan Connor responded to Minister Kenneth Hodge’s commendation by saying: “A lot of the Minister’s congratulatory remarks can be perceived as if the Government made it all happen, and that would be such an injustice to Kevin Carty.”
“I have known Kevin, and worked with him for a number of years,” he remarked, “and I have encouraged him by saying to him, over and over again, that he had what it takes to reach the top. He has had the international experience as well as his executive experiences at Cap Juluca. There were not many people there who were prepared to do what he did, because the obstacles were so great. So he deserves all the credit that he is getting today…
“Nobody in Anguilla can say that the Government made this happen. The Government itself may claim that… but no Minister of Government should try to jump on that band wagon at the last minute, because they have not done it. Kevin has done it himself along with his team – and the drive that he had.”
