The claim that Island Harbour and East End are twin villages with similar problems and needs and, like all the other constituencies, are calling for good political representation, was echoed at last Saturday’s public meeting held by the Anguilla Progressive Party on the grounds of the old East End School.

L-R: Vivien Vanterpool, Pam Webster, Jerome Roberts and Wilmoth Hodge. Brent Davis at Podium

Party Leader, Brent Davis, prefaced his remarks by thanking the United Front Government for their service to the island, for recognising the need for change and giving the APP members an opportunity to build on what they started. He spoke in particular of Jerome Roberts who is contesting the East End seat to be vacated by Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming where the candidate for the United Front is Lawyer Cora Richardson Hodge.
Mr. Davis said Anguilla was at a critical point in its development and evolution as a nation and people. “It is time for change, and we are asking you the people of East End to make that change,” he exhorted his listeners seated for the most part in their vehicles. “We are the only party that can bring real and genuine change to this country through sound policies, visionary leadership, long-time planning, commitment and humility.”

He observed that Anguilla was facing a variety of socio-economic problems and there was an urgent need for transformation and reformation through clear and effective developmental policies and strategies. “The Anguilla Progressive Party has a plan to take Anguilla out of this economic downturn,” he went on. “We have already provided several solutions to the current economic crisis some of which I humbly congratulate the Government for implementing and hope to see them implement more very soon…We cannot wait until we are elected next year to provide solutions and ideas and we hope that Government will continue to take some of our suggestions and implement them in the best interest of the people of Anguilla.”

Mr. Davis said the party was at East End to support its colleague, Jerome Roberts, and the Island Harbour candidate, Pam Webster, as the two districts were very important in determining the future of Anguilla.

The speaker he introduced as “a man of vision, passion and ideas” was Wilmoth Hodge, the candidate for District 7, West End/Long Bay and The Cove. Hodge said there was an urgent need for change and progressive leadership not only in the two constituencies, but in Anguilla as a whole. He said a question to ponder was “whether a change in face will bring about a change in governance - and a change that brings sustainable development and progress to the island and its people.”
He emphasised that the APP had a plan to make health care services more accessible and affordable to the young, the middle-aged and the elderly alike; to ensure that all children in the education system were offered opportunities to reach their highest potential. “We will diversify our economy to ensure the creation of jobs for all as well as affording hard-working and ambitious Anguillians an opportunity to own and operate businesses,” he pledged. We will place a high priority on the advancement of sports and culture for the uplifting of our youth and the reduction and elimination of crime, and also for the restoration of the values and conduct that has defined true ‘Anguillianism’ over the years.”

Ms. Pam Webster

Former Educator Vivien Vanterpool, who endorsed Jerome Roberts and Pam Webster as the candidates for District 1 and 2, expressed thanks to the present elected representatives of East End and Island Habour for what they had achieved in the constituencies. He charged, however, that in his estimation they had failed miserably. He urged voters to seize the opportunity to be part of the change in the next general election by voting for the two candidates from the Anguilla Progressive Party in Districts 1 and 2 and so to give them the chance they deserve.

In other matters, Mr. Vanterpool suggested that the old East End school building, which had produced a number of professional Anguillians over the years, should be used for a number of useful community purposes including an adult education centre and a venue for information technology classes and other studies for the residents of the two constituencies.

Pam Webster was of the view that next year’s general election would be the most important one in the history of Anguilla and there was a need to get it right. “Whether we begin with job creation, economic management, district development, education or constitutional reform, we need leaders we can trust,” she asserted. “Other parties offer you an exchange of leaders. It is the same old khaki pants, more of the same old thing. I want you to know that the Anguilla Progressive Party is the only party offering real change...”

She said District 1 had the potential to lead the process of economic transformation and diversification of Anguilla. It had the skills and opportunities to develop a prosperous boating industry and untapped knowledge to create hundreds of well-paying jobs and to carve a niche in tourism. She referred to the possibility of developing Anguilla’s tourism product to include eco-tourism and heritage tourism so that visitors could enjoy the island’s wonderful bird life at such places as East End. She applauded Colville Petty for setting up Heritage Museum which she thought was an act of love and hard work to put something that was a concept into action. She congratulated him and the people of Anguilla for displaying such talent, and implored all concerned to look around and see what role each could play to diversify and transform District 1 and Anguilla into something they could not imagine was possible.

Mr. Jerome Roberts

She said the residents of Districts 1 and 2 were very resourceful people and needed to come together to transform and diversify the twin villages. She said there was a need for cheaper and more environmentally-friendly energy and to embrace alternative sources of supply. She promised that if elected the APP would work towards that goal, starting in District 1. “In the next several years if you support Jerome, myself and the other members of the APP, District 1 [and 2] would be a remarkably different place… and we would do it together,” she declared.

She pointed to the need to develop the knowledge-based sector within the economy; to take the passion of young people for technology and translate it into job opportunities; and to develop strategic relationships with countries and companies that could help Anguilla develop its human capital and appropriate knowledge transfer.

Ms Webster said that while there was a need to diversify the economy, it was necessary to review the legislative framework that would make the community safe again and that she was committed to lead in that initiative. She charged that the island’s crime detection rates were low and called for more support for police officers and opportunities to improve their professional training.

“The APP is about rolling up your sleeves and working hand in hand, without bias, with the people and communities all the way through the judicial and law enforcement system,” she stated. “The APP is committed to the platform of making communities safe. Let us start by making Districts 1 and 2 the safest community in Anguilla. These are the districts that will lead this initiative by coming together to make a difference.”

Jerome Roberts, the APP candidate for District 1, who boasts about his record of contribution to community life at East End, took the opportunity of his party’s public meeting to outline a series of new plans he has in mind for the district if elected to serve.

These plans include providing “breakfast on wheels” for the children at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, upgrading the school's facilities and ensuring that students are given a fair opportunity to equip themselves academically. In the area of sports development, he pledged to ensure proper supervision and maintenance of all sporting facilities in the district and throughout Anguilla; and to promote young people showing positive signs of development in the area of sports to assist them in becoming professional athletes to benefit Anguilla. “I will seek to work in partnership with the National Sports Office to broaden the field of sports and sporting activities,” he continued. “It is the party’s desire to diversify our economy through sports and one such area of keen interest is that of motor sports.” He spoke of the need to identify small recreational parks and of the development of the present playing field in the Pond Ground.

In outlining his plans for infrastructural development, Mr. Roberts had this to say: “It is my intention to address the Fire Hill road, east of Bess, leading to the Ruan’s family in The Copse; the Sandy Hill road leading to Dropsy Bay, the Sandy Hill road from the roundabout into Chalvilles and the Sandy Hill Bay road. For years these roads have all been left in poor condition and the road users have paid their taxes to be provided with decent roads. Rest assured that, given the opportunity to represent you, these will be fixed.”

In the area of tourism, he was of the opinion that Districts 1 and 2 had much to showcase in terms of heritage tourism. “There are the springs, the wells, the fort, the ruins of the old sugar plantations and historical buildings, all standing as spectacles [but needing] a little restoration put in place,” he observed. “We have what to market, and, as one who knows the district, these attractions can live again in the hearts of not just the tourists but the people of Anguilla.” He suggested that with a little creativity some improvement could be undertaken at the beaches in the districts where picnic stalls and vendor stands could be erected to help generate income for a number of persons.

On the question of crime, he admitted that the blame could not be solely and squarely placed on the Government. “The call is for our homes and society to be brought back in line,” he stressed. “It is a call on our churches to speak out and for each one to reach one in a positive manner. Anguilla cannot continue on this downward road as a result of a few unruly individuals who are careless about themselves and the future of our island.” In this context Mr. Roberts said that the APP would seek to re-instate the outpost police stations in the two districts; and expressed his belief that police officers must be able to bridge the gap between their profession and society.

In terms of leadership, the young aspiring politician said there was a need for visionary men and women to take control of the island’s destiny and to serve with honesty, accountability and transparency. “The upcoming general election is a critical one,” he added. “Your choice will determine how this island will be governed. The choice you make must be one based on the record that is before you…I have been around you, I ate and drink with almost all of you. I am approachable, I am accessible, and I am your best choice in 2010 and beyond.”

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