Mr Cardigan Connor is the candidate for the Anguilla United Front in District 7 (West End/Long Bay). He was a speaker at the AUF’s rally in Welches on Saturday, October 11.
The following is the text of his address which is printed by The Anguillian as part of its coverage of the election campaign under the caption: What our politicians are saying.
I say thanks to you all for your continued support of The Anguilla United Front on our quest to get Anguilla back on track.
There is a special energy in the air tonight and I consider myself privileged to be part of it. I have often spoken on these podiums of teamwork and the family bond that is essential for stability, support and ultimately success. That leads me to why we are here tonight. We are here tonight in District 1 in support of the Hon Othlyn Vanterpool in his quest for re-election to the house of assembly, but on this occasion to be part of an AUF government that is essential to progress of our nation.
Fellow Anguillians, Othlyn is a humble, hardworking man who has contributed much to his district and Anguilla at large. As a scout leader Othlyn has been a mentoring influence on many of our youth. He has also played a major role in the success of Festival Del Mar which is a key fixture on The Anguillan and cultural calender. The Welches festival also has his hallmark which re-enacts Anguilla as it once was which allows our youth to experience what we talk about when we say the good old days. The food bank that assist families in need throughout Anguilla and these families are grateful for the role that Othlyn has played in making it possible. Othlyn is a positive example to all of us who might feel at times that the odds are too heavily stacked against us and that there little or no chance of success.
Fellow Anguillians the reason why I can refer to Othlyn Vanterpool as Honourable Othlyn Vanterpool is because he overcame huge odds in 2010 election when the bookies on the streets gave him no chance, but people of District 1 and every District throughout Anguilla you know as well as I do that politics or electing your representative is not a game of chance that is why you the people of District 1 voted Othlyn Vanterpool as your representative in 2010 and now more than ever your support and your vote is needed to re-elect Othlyn your AUF candidate as your representative to government in 2015.
Fellow Anguillians I see the Anguillan political landscape like that of a 7 piece jigsaw puzzle, so even before you go to the polls on election day you should know what pieces fit, if you need help I will tell you. The pieces that fit are the ones that have the AUF Beacon logo and only the AUF LOGO. So on Election Day:
District 1 Othlyn Vanterpool, District 2. Cora Richardson-Hodge, District 3 Evans McNiel Rogers. 4. The center piece Victor Banks. 5. (Not Joel Garner the fomer West Indies fast bowler) but Evalie Bradley 6. Curtis Richardson. 7. Cardigan Connor.
To my people of District 7, I say to you that being part of this AUF team with the experience and knowledge to bring hope back to Anguilla, to engender her children to dream again, and to mobilize and motivate our District and the entire nation to move Upward, Onward and Forward Together. In me you find a representative who will listens not only with his ears but also his heart and act on the issues and challenges that our people are facing in District 7 and across Anguilla as a whole. In me you will find a representative who with the support of the Anguilla United Front will create the opportunities in the workforce, so that you can again pay your bills on time, protect what savings or investment you may have: Feed, Clothe and Further Educate your children and Yourselves.
I will never tell you that the road will be easy, but I guarantee you that in me, you will find the measure of the person who has what it takes to make the journey towards a better Anguilla, Worthwhile. In me, you the people of District 7 will find one who has the local Knowledge, regional and international respect and exposure to represent Anguilla at home and abroad.
There are a number of physical structures that are needed in District 7 from a lighted Playing field for the Alwyn A Richardson primary school and the West End community where athletes of all ages can interact, prepare or compete and doing so in a safe environment rather than running along our busy streets. Where games of cricket and football can be played, where locals and our Spanish community can play Baseball or Softball.
Our district is in need of an upgraded medical center, From November through to September the western end of the island is host to over 95% of our visitors to Anguilla along with local residents and a number of employees at Hotels, Villas and restaurants from all over Anguilla it is important to have an at hand medical service that is updated and is in a position to cope with emergencies.
With a large populous and being our Island’s breadbasket it is vitally important that District 7 have a police station that is manned 24/7. The police presence will help to prevent crime as well as give peace of mind to locals, business owners and our visiting guests. Also as a community we can do a lot of crime prevention by helping to police our communities.
But most of all we need to have our community working together in order that all of us can succeed from the people of our district to those who have invested in our district. We could build the most impressive structure in the world but all means nothing without the energy or the development of the people.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
