Dear Editor,

I know who I am and I believe in what I stand for, and I also believe that if you say “A” you should say “B”, but being fair is high among my virtues. My mother used to tell us that it takes just as much energy to do good as it takes to do bad, so preferably do good.

I believe that it takes maturity to be in government. A commissioner once told me that he does not work for me, he bragged about it among his peers and coincidentally he was not re-elected. I made a joke out of it at that time and said that probably if he worked for me it would have worked for he.

I believe that MPs should dedicate more of their time doing what they were elected to instead of investigating a sex scandal between two adults. There are a whole lot more positive things that can be proposed by MPs other than wasting the taxpayers’ time and money on things which should be dealt with by government arbitrators and lawyers.

Because of where I worked desperate people would come to me for advice because of what happened to them. So I know that abuse of power because of sexual advance refusal has been around not alone in government but also in the private sector. Those who have been involved in this practice and who are still involved in it should abstain from this practice because, as we can see, cell phones and taping devices come in all different forms nowadays.

I stand to be corrected for what I am about to write now but I believe that the time has come that if we want to encourage others to do the thing right we should show example. I am of the opinion that Ministers substitute for each other, I am not aware the MPs substitute Ministers. this in reaction to a letter congratulating the people of Dutch Quarter.

More and more people are letting me know that there are a whole lot of gypsies out there who are using cars which are not insured and which are using old French number plates which they take off old French cars. Which encourages me to continue calling on government to put public transportation in the hands of the people and not in the hands of individuals. Probably MP Brison could spend some energy on that.

I believe that if transparency of government is prevelant, finding out what is terribly wrong with the public transportation would be great work. That would be working for the whole community and it would not seem as if he is being personal. I do not think that it is wise for anyone who is just getting his/her feet wet to get them wet in that way.

MP Wescot-Williams called for “justice authorities.” A man told me that he does not make too much publicity of the term “gedoogd beleid” because he is waiting for something to happen so that he could use that to get money from government. I want to know if he was referring to personal damage or material damage.

By the way, now that there are a whole lot of European Dutch in the midst of what is going with the reconstruction after Irma, I expected some signage like they use in Holland when, for instance, diverting traffic, etc. I have not seen any of that and I shake my head and ask myself, “Why not?”

Now this. If we are kingdom partners, what do not all the partners understand and agree with about Statia’s struggles with Holland? Should it not be so that now that we are partners, we should be able to deliberate with each other instead of Holland constantly flexing its muscles? And should not this be proportionate? Is there any difference to when we were colonies? Which age are living in?

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Chief Minister,

  There is increasing concern by the people of Anguilla regarding your proposed sale of the Anguilla Electricity Company (ANGLEC). While your administration's proposal in 2017 was to sell the 40 per cent of ANGLEC shares owned by the Govt. of Anguilla, effectively the people of Anguilla, to raise EC $26 million to support the 2018 Budget, it is a widely held view that you intend to divest completely out of ANGLEC, thus making it fully private.

  A majority of Anguillians are opposed to the sale of ANGLEC because ANGLEC is a vital asset to Anguilla, and full privatization is not in the national best interest. The general view is that we must preserve this asset for the people of Anguilla, and maintain ownership.

  The Government of Anguilla controls not only the 40 per cent of shares owned by the Government of Anguilla, but also controls 16 per cent owned by the Anguilla Social Security Board, 12 per cent which was owned by NBA and 11 per cent owned by CCB (now collectively under NCBA) thus controlling 79 per cent of ANGLEC shares.

  While you stated that the sale is open to the citizens and belongers of Anguilla, it is unrealistic to expect that Anguillians can afford to buy a significant percentage of shares in this depressed economy. Therefore, it is apparent that your administration intends to sell ANGLEC to one or more foreign entities. This would be a travesty, and a betrayal of the trust placed in you by the people of Anguilla.

  ANGLEC continues to serve a vital role in Anguilla as a good corporate citizen, contributing millions of dollars to health care, education, sports, culture and community development.

  Foreign ownership of ANGLEC would subject the company to a purely profit-driven model, thus reducing its commitment to developing Anguilla and its people. Jobs would be cut to decrease expenses, and management positions would be given to non-Anguillians. This would negatively impact many Anguillians, who would be unable to pay their mortgages or pay for their children's education, and in some cases, feed their families.

  Also, the electricity rates could rise significantly since ANGLEC has a monopoly to provide electricity in Anguilla, and would be beholden only to its foreign shareholders. The recent increase in the fuel surcharge shows how severely people and businesses are affected by higher electricity bills. Also, a foreign-owned private ANGLEC may not be willing to extend credit to the Govt. of Anguilla, which historically has been unable to keep payment for its electricity consumption current, owing ANGLEC millions of dollars.

  I propose that ANGLEC can be more efficient and ensure that it meets its obligations to its current shareholders. As a monopoly, there is potential for significant financial upside for ANGLEC in a growing economy, therefore, measures to improve the economy would have a more lasting positive impact than disposing of this vital asset. I am sure that the Govt. of Anguilla, along with the Board of Directors, can use its ownership in ANGLEC to find more creative ways to supplement the budget and service the debt, rather than this proposed sale.

  ANGLEC owned and controlled by Anguilla is better for the people of Anguilla, now and in the future. Furthermore, I am convinced that public consultation and a referendum should precede any plan to sell part or all of ANGLEC.

  Thank you for your attention and kind cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ellis Lorenzo Webster

Leader, Anguilla United Movement

Dear Editor,

  Sometimes it’s better to sit back and watch the drama unfold, before one weighs in on the extravaganza that has plagued the country for the past weeks. By scrutinizing the episode from afar, it’s easier to sift out the truths from the lies and further examine the character of each actor. What a soap opera! Who would have thought that the island would be entertained to such a level and that the story line would be written by the actors themselves and not a professional script writer? 

  With all the excitement and embarrassment, the striking features that caught my attention are: the passive behaviour of the entire UD Party and the hypocrisy of the opposition and some persons within the community. Avoiding the press and not having the decency to address the people of a situation that has their concern is nothing more than a complete lack of leadership and an expression of disregard.

  Back to back, the community has been bombarded with unpalatable issues regarding members of the Council, and up to date, the people have not heard any statement that addresses their concerns nor an announcement that reassures the public of government’s responsibility to exercise integrity. Instead, the Council of Ministers is acting as if all is well, not realizing how these unfortunate episodes and their hands-off attitude have damaged the reputation of the country.

  When I listen to the Minister of TEATT, his overdue response to the allegations is quite troubling. Anyone who studies the behavioural patterns of individuals will conclude that his extremely speedy, brief and reluctant reaction are not in harmony with his demeanor. And his run-on, unrelated other topics give me the impression that they were put together as a decoy to keep the spotlight off him.

  If I were to ignore the WhatsApp messages completely and focus solely on the Minister’s behaviour at the press briefings, it does not reflect someone who is dealing with the pain of his name being dragged through the mud; nor do I sense the importance of his desire to repair the fractured relationship that has occurred among his colleagues and the community.

  More troubling is, as a former teacher and principal, does he feel any sense of accountability to the many children that were in his care, and who have access to these indecent conversations, whether factual or doctored? What are their impression of him now, versus then? How about the parents and staff? Don’t they deserve more than brushing the issue aside with a prepaid speech that has no substance at all?

  Generally, whenever someone falls victim to another person’s malicious intent, the injured person does not need to defend him- or herself through a written speech. Instead, he or she speaks from the heart and expresses the discomfort that is associated with the situation. From his evasive attitude towards the press and the community, my conclusion is that this is just the beginning of the Minister’s troubles and it’s only a matter of time before he falls from grace.

  There is no need to throw anyone under the bus when the facts are unclear, but for members of the UD party to say let the justice system take its course and everyone is entitled to privacy is just a weak and careless way of their unwillingness to lead and take charge of the situation. Yes, the privacy of all should be respected, but when persons in positions of leadership fail to manage their personal lives effectively, then it becomes the business of the people.

  It is rather ironic that the population would hear, let justice take its course, when the same people have been complaining of the inaction of the Prosecutor’s Office regarding several pending cases. So, what is the real deal? Is it to allow the matter to run the course of delays so the population would forget about it, or UD has just exposed itself once more of being indecisive and unresponsive?

  The opposition has some nerve to condemn another, when they themselves are just as guilty. Has it not that these hypocritical politicians displayed questionable behaviours that warranted their immediate dismissal? How quickly have they forgotten! The abuse of power has no measure whatsoever! Abuse is abuse, period! People, whatever is done in the dark must come to light. Give it time!

Joslyn Morton

It seem dat those politicians

In Great Bay

Love Andrew Dick

Late nite tricks

Becauz all of them

Now running after Dick

Is it because they like Andrew?

Or, are they just afraid of the

Size of his stick

Cauz he coming with a real

Big, big stick

And he calling for justice

From them

Ministers

So for the Prime Minister

To save the day

She went after Mr. Andrew

on meet the press day

And she hold on real tight

With all she might

Te Mr. Dick

Preventing a big brawl

Right there in the conference

Hall

Between the honorable

Minister

And Mr. Andrew Dick

And by that she

Saved

Mr. Andrew Dick

From getting lick

By ah minister

With his judicial stick

Mr. Andrew Dick

You think yeh slick

But always remember

You could get away with

A political trick

But tez very hard

For you to kick

Against ah political prick

Even though your

Name is Mr. Dick

Raymond Helligar aka “Big Ray”