Local News

On Wednesday 21st January 2004, the Honourable Justice Davidson Baptiste began hearing of the substantive arguments in the matter Bernice V. Lake and Others v Attorney General of Anguilla and Others at the High Court, The Valley, Anguilla.

The Financial Services Department, which functions under the Ministry of Finance, is to be an operationally-independent regulatory body free from government control, with its own funding source.

One of the contentions often expressed by Opposition Leader, Hubert Hughes, is that party politics should be abandoned and that a political system should be put in place whereby Anguilla has a National Government.

Some seventy employees at CuisinArt Resort & Spa have graduated from an in-house training course conducted under the auspices of Johnson & Wales University, one of the leading culinary institutions in the United States. The trainees comprised Kitchen Staff, Food & Beverage workers, Housekeepers, Managers and Supervisors. The course was held over the summer period.

The Anguilla Community Foundation launched a second CARES Campaign on Wednesday this week at Government House. It is to raise funds during the period January to May to support worthy causes on the island. Last year the Foundation raised US$60,000 and is now hoping to surpass that figure.

Chief Minister, the Honourable Osbourne Fleming and members of his cabinet met with Permanent Secretaries and Special Assistants on Monday January 5, 2004 to discuss a number of matters relevant to the successful functioning of his government in 2004.

“If the Government were to change, would the new politicians allow motorists to put back the tint on their vehicles?” a young man asked in disgust as he scraped the black film from the windshield and windows of his car. That is the depth of the feeling of some persons who think the task is painstaking and that politics will offer a way out later. The majority of vehicle owners, however, seem content to remove the tint which is now a violation of the Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2003 which came into effect on January 1, 2004. In fact, they are blaming some persons for over-doing the tinting, thus not only blackening out the inside of their vehicles but obscuring their own clear vision outside as well. In most cases, motorists applied the film to reduce the rays and heat of the sun, but even vehicles coming from the manufacturer with built-in tinted glass are up for scrutiny if allowance is not made for 65% of light to pass through.

The Minister of Social Development and Lands, the Honourable Eric Reid, who has been ill since the middle of December 2003, is currently receiving medical care in the USA. Mr. Reid is suffering from a severe eye infection which has deprived him of his vision, a condition which will hopefully be temporary.

A motorist, Dennis Richardson of George Hill, was burnt to death in his pickup on Wednesday afternoon January 7, on the South Hill main road just west of the roundabout.

In the 2004 New Year Honours List, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second has awarded Anguillian Irma E. Richardson of Long Bay with the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and Governor Peter Johnstone with the CMG (Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George). Both awards are well-deserved as the recipients have demonstrated a high level of service and commitment in so many ways to the admiration of the citizenry.

Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School student, Kelsten Connor, may have a job in the fine cuisine arts waiting for him when he graduates. He is one of the leading students in the school’s Hotel Management/Food & Beverage Department. He is already being eyed by Cap Juluca Hotel where he served with distinction during an attachment last summer under the tutelage of renowned Anguillian Head Chef, George Reid.

Jerome Roberts, Chairman of the Optimist Race Against AIDS, extends a big thank you to all participants and sponsors who supported the Club in its first Annual Race Against AIDS.

Students from the Tr. Gloria Omolulu Institute paid a visit to the Senior Citizens home on Thursday 4th December to carry good cheer, songs and gifts as part of their contribution for the Christmas Season.

Recently a small pleasure vessel owned by the Cap Juluca Hotel developed an engine problem and caught fire on a return trip from St. Martin. Within minutes the fire was out of control and the crew of two, who were the only persons on board, abandoned the vessel which, eventually, was totally destroyed. This incident emphasizes the inherent danger of gasoline powered vessels and underscores the need to ensure that they have on board all essential safety equipment. It also vindicates the decision to allow only diesel powered vessels in the scheduled ferry trade.

The world-renowned resort operator St. Regis, is to run the hotel component of the golf course project in Anguilla.

The First Annual Tranquility Jazz Festival in Anguilla, produced by BET (Black Entertainment Television) Jazz, opened with a sumptuous cocktail reception for the performers, sponsors, visitors and invitees at CuisinArt Resort, the official host hotel, on Thursday evening, November 13. They turned out in large numbers at the American Express-sponsored reception despite the inclement weather.

Children in Anguilla are to benefit from a gift of US$2 million announced by Windsong Trust, a charitable trust established under the will of Martin Crowley, who died on the island in April this year. The announcement, made at a press conference at Malliouhana Resort & Spa, on November 14, said the money would be exclusively devoted to the enhancement of educational opportunities for the island’s children. Among other projects, there will financial support for early childhood development and computer skills.

Chief Executive Officer of the National Bank of Anguilla, Valentine Banks, has lauded the Anguilla Tourist Board, BET and all sponsors and supporters of the Tranquility Jazz Festival. NBA was the presenting bank for the festival.

Anguilla’s Director of Social Security, Timothy Hodge, is pleased with the success of last-week’s First National Development Conference organised by his Office and the Board with associate sponsorship from a number of other businesses. The presenters were highly respected persons from abroad (as mentioned in previous articles) with local moderators and commentators from the public and private sectors.

The Anguilla Government’s decision to promote tourism as the engine of the island’s economic growth is paying dividends. This is according to Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Osbourne Fleming. He made the assertion on Monday this week while delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony for Tourism Week and the presentation of awards. This year is a special one in that it marks 25 years since Anguilla embarked on up-market tourism as a means of sustaining national development.