Local News

Heads of Departments and other Senior Managers working for the Anguilla Health Authority spent a full day reviewing their work in 2004 and presenting their programme objectives for 2005.

The first activities marking the 33rd Anniversary of the Royal Anguilla Police Force and Police Week were a divine service at the Christian Fellowship Church at Blowing Point on Sunday, January 23; a radio address by Governor Alan Huckle in the evening and an address to the officers at the Police Headquarters the following day, Monday, by Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming.

The Fire Service at Wallblake has a higher response capacity than what is required for a category five airport. So says Chief Fire Officer, Horace Archie, when asked this week about its state of readiness and in response to questions about rescue and firefighting services.

After all, last week was not the final sitting of the Anguilla House of Assembly as was thought. The budget debate, the main agenda matter, dragged on for about seven days and finally ended on Tuesday afternoon this week. The House approved some one hundred and thirty-five million East Caribbean dollars in total, covering recurrent expenditure and revenue as well as capital expenditure for 2005. The other matters included three pieces of legislation, among which was an amendment to the Election Act.

There was panic buying in Anguilla late last week as gasoline supplied on the island by Shell Antilles & Guianas Ltd ran out at the main station operated by A. A. R Lake in the Upper Valley.

The current demolishing of the Coccoloba Resort at Meads Bay, signals the beginning of a new five-star tourism project known as VICEROY – Anguilla Resort & Residences.

A two-day workshop was held in Anguilla on January 13 and 14 during which the facilitator and the participants studied the provisions of the new Guidance Counsellors’ Handbook now being disseminated in the OECS sub-region.

A number of students in Anguilla have been awarded by the General Post Office in Anguilla for their artwork which has formed the basis for an issue of postage stamps commemorating World Aids Day 2004.

Members of the various divisions of the Pathfinders gathered at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal on January 16 to bid farewell to Pastor Oville Fleming, who served as the Resident Minister for the Seventh-day Adventist Church for five years.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Anguilla recorded the first birth there for 2005 with the delivery of a baby girl on January 4.

A seemingly unending line of 52 passengers made their way from the American Eagle Super ATR72 aircraft to the Terminal Building on Tuesday afternoon this week, as it touched down on its first commercial flight to Anguilla since the completion of the extended runway.

In a matter of time the current Anguilla House of Assembly will be dissolved by a Proclamation by the Governor. Those who have enjoyed public office whether in Government or in Opposition will descend from their lofty positions of leadership, influence and privilege. All will be once more equal as they look to the electorate and compete for votes for another term of office.

Another private executive aircraft company is to fly to Anguilla now that the extension of the runway has been completed and in operation.

A big community effort is underway in Anguilla to raise money for the survivors of the tsunami disaster in Southern Asia. Coordinator of the island-wide fund-raising drive, Claudel Romney, Second Nominated Member in the Anguilla House of Assembly and Senior Partner with KPMG, is full speed ahead with the necessary arrangements.

Four months ahead of schedule, the demolition has begun at the Coccoloba Resort. Daddy’s Construction Co. Anguilla moved its local crew and heavy equipment on-site on December 16 2004 and began the demolition of the existing resort.

Seven Prison Officers in Anguilla are attending a two-week basic training course on the island. It is being conducted by Assistant Superintendent and Training Officer, Neville Hamilton, with inputs by Superintendent Mitchell Harrigan, officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force and others.

An Anguillian cricketer, currently handicapped by an injury to his spine, is grateful to many people and organisations for having risen to his assistance and says he is making good progress.

Two of the recent high-profile visitors to Anguilla were Johnny Damon, Centerfielder of the World Champions Boston Red Sox, and his wife, Michelle.

In this photograph, the Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly, the Honourable Leroy Rogers, presided over this week’s meeting of the Legislature –the last time before the General Elections to be held shortly.

Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, has called on all citizens, residents, businesses, churches and community organisations to give generous monetary donations to the relief effort following the tsunami crisis in Southern Asia.