The Anguillian
October 25 2014
Dear Editor,
The primary reason Anguilla is so popular among visitors, exPats, and local Anguillians as well, is the peace, quiet and serenity the island has to offer, in contrast to many other Caribbean islands. One recent visitor to the island, a world traveller, was greatly impressed with Anguilla and its quiet charm. He pointed out that people come here because it “isn’t loud, fast and hectic” like many of the other islands. For example, it has had a prohibition on Jet Skis for many years.
Apparently, however, there is a group within the AUM who now wants to destroy the tranquility of the island by introducing jet skis (could Haydn Hughes, who is in charge of tourism and sports, be involved?) to enable young riders to buzz around close to beaches (they like to show off their talents). Anybody who has seen and heard them knows how loud and annoying they can be, as they often drive close to swimmers. Oh sure, those in charge can claim that they will be limited to certain areas, but this will not deter some types who will be renting machines for going to other unsupervised areas. And who will be benefitting from these endeavors? You can expect that one company will be set up with exclusive rights to import, sell and lease the jet skis, and that there may be people in the government or affiliated with it who will be part of that enterprise. For the money involved, they care not about the peace and serenity of the island.
Even worse than jet skis, as set forth in the article in The Anguillian 10-17, we have another group who is proposing to organize drag races in Anguilla. They seem to expect the government to under-write the cost of a race facility, but recognize that it may not be able to do so, in which event, it would use a public road for races and for practices, probably along the Jeremiah Gumbs Highway. I suppose these race advocates will expect to receive generous entry fees for those who wish to participate. As happens all too often in the US, bad accidents do occur during drag races. An overzealous or inexperienced driver can lose control of his car and find it swerving uncontrollably through side barriers and into spectators, with the potential of multiple deaths. The drag race article asked the question of whether the government or race organizers should be responsible for safety measures. There is no answer in the article.
These race advocates expect the government, at the expense of hardworking taxpayers, to provide personnel (police) and equipment for each race, both at any track developed and on the highway, suggesting that the government do this at no charge “as its contribution to the event.” Moreover, in answer to the question of who should be responsible for insurance, the sponsors state that the “government must ensure that …appropriate insurance coverage is provided”. It is clear from the tone and substance of the article that the race advocates have had detailed discussions with government officials who support them, but just who are they? Is sports-minded Haydn Hughes here involved?
The Gumbs Highway is a major public road to which every car owner has the right to traverse. It is an important link to the ferry. Why is it that these race organizers believe it is totally acceptable for them to take over, free of charge, such a highway for several hours, to the exclusion and imposition of all citizens, so they can run off their drag races which provide nothing to the rest of us? Then too, the article states that legislation for this grand scheme should provide that there be “immunity from prosecution to racers”. Wonderful! A reckless driver who loses control and kills somebody cannot be prosecuted.
And how about the poor people who live along the highway, confined to their homes, unable to go out during the several hours the racing event takes place, subject to the roaring of the high-powered engine of these muscle-cars. Why do they have to suffer so that the few who organize the races and practices can make some money? Doubtless too, some young local aspiring drivers, believing it’s OK to practice on the highway even when there is no supervision, may very well challenge each other to drag races for practice. Just imagine as you drive to the ferry to go to St. Martin or pick up a friend, seeing two cars, side by side, coming at you at high speeds. What can you do?
You also can bet that once drag racing becomes routine, gambling will surely follow, with all its corrupting features. Ah yes, loud, fast and hectic is what Anguilla needs. And then next, along the same path, would come proposals for casino gambling, just what this peaceful and tranquil island needs. The other point is that Great Britain oversees the operation of the police and therefore should be involved in this complicated planning. Yet, there is no reference at all in the article about the involvement of the UK in the very difficult plans being considered for drag racing.
Why is it that a small group, including members of the Council, seeks drag racing which would impose substantial operational and liability burdens on the government, while adversely affecting the peace and serenity of the island, simply for the benefit of a few people? And why the push now for jet skis, long considered a nuisance? One wonders if these issues are being brought up now, in advance of the election, to distract citizens from recognizing that the AUM has failed miserably these past five years in finances and in advancing any meaningful programs for the benefit of the island. Or do those in the AUM who now control the government seek to push through these two programs now in the event they lose control in the government in the next election?
A Concerned Citizen.
