Yesterday, on Monday 27th, August 2012, the House of Assembly did not proceed with the motion to compulsory acquisition of Cap Juluca. We understand that this decision was at the last minute intervention and persuasion of The Anguilla Christian Council. This intervention, thankfully, brought Cap Juluca Resort andAnguillaback from an immediate plunge over the precipice.
However, the threat of the precipice is still very real. We listened carefully to the Chief Minister Hughes remarks in the House of Assembly yesterday. Two things were very apparent:
1. Chief Minister Hughes and the Government of Anguilla have passed on the responsibility to find a solution with Charles and Linda Hickox in the interest of the 360 employees of Cap Juluca and the people to representatives of theAnguillabusiness and civil society, but with a complete shift in the goal post. They must now forge a resolution between Charles and Linda Hickox and the Brilla Group.
2. It is plain to us, and it should be to the workers at Cap Juluca and all Anguillians, that this is a charade. The Chief Minister has declared that if this does not succeed, he will be back in the House Assembly to push through the compulsory acquisition of Cap Juluca. Worse, the Chief Minister revealed his real intention and conviction in rounding up his remarks in the House yesterday when he declared that his Government “must concentrate on how we get Cap Juluca back”. In one hand he offered a crumb and with the other hand, he took it back.
Charles and Linda Hickox must again reiterate their intentions and commitments:
A. They are available to meet at any time with the representatives of theAnguillabusiness and civil society and Brilla Group.
B. With the real co-operation of Chief Minister Hughes, the Tourism Investment Committee and the Ministers of Government, an MOU to guide the sensitive and sensible development of Cap Juluca can be signed in very short order.
C. That Cap Juluca should be re-opened as a five star resort if not by November 2012, then at the very latest by December 2012.
D. To commit all of the energies and the necessary resources to accomplish this re-opening by the stated deadline. As recently as August 25, 2012 this was made known to Chief Minister Hughes and his Ministers and the Hickox stand by this pledge to the 360 workers of Cap Juluca and all Anguillians.
F. The loyal Julucans and the people of Anguilla can embrace this as a guarantee.
Unfortunately, the Hickoxes cannot fulfill this guarantee without the support, commitment and collaboration of Chief Minister Hughes, his Government and the Tourism Investment Committee.
Charles and Linda Hickox take this opportunity to assure the workers of Cap Juluca and the people ofAnguillaof the absolute sincerity of their intentions and their commitments.
However, if Chief Minister Hughes at any stage returns to the House of Assembly to attempt a compulsory acquisition of Cap Juluca, the Hickoxes will protect their property, and use every resource available to them to resist such an action.
This would signal a return to the precipice.
Charles and Linda Hickox use this medium to make an appeal to Chief Minister Hughes and his Government to change the conversation from compulsory acquisition of Cap Juluca to constructive refurbishment and revitalization of Cap Juluca in time for a grand reopening if not by November 2012, then at the very latest by December 2012.
