Columns

Do you know that from time to time we are called upon to make a conscious decision to fight whether we want to or not? Well, sometimes we have some big giants in our lives and we have to be willing and prepared to fight in order to conquer them.
When our lives are under threat we have no other option but to choose to fight. When that happens we must have a made up mind like David, if we choose to take that course.

Fellow Anguillians, permit me to address you for the next few minutes as a former Chief Minister of Anguilla, a businessman and an extremely concerned Anguillian. Firstly, on behalf of my wife Ruby and on my own behalf I extend Happy New Year greetings to all Anguillians, residents and visitors to our shores. We wish you good health, happiness, success and God’s continued guidance in 2012 and beyond.

As the longest standing Minister of Finance in Anguilla and as a concerned Anguillian I feel strongly moved to comment on the Chief Minister’s Press Statement of January 3, 2012 in which the main issue is that the UK Government has not yet assented to our Budget.

It was interesting to hear the views of the heads of the largest public staff associations in Anguilla on the state of affairs in our island. I am referring to the recent statements by the President of the Anguilla Civil Service Association (ACSA) and that of the President of the Anguilla Teachers Union (ATU). Ironically, both of these leaders are pastors in their various Churches, so they may be expected to be fair and just in their presentations of the issues --- yet their assessment of the Chief Minister’s conduct seemto be vastly different.

Following is the third and final extract for the Budget Address delivered by Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Hubert Hughes, on December 16 dealing with Ministries and Departments expenditure in 2012

Fellow Anguillians,

Let me take the opportunity first of all to wish to Anguillians both at home and abroad as well as other visitors to our shores a Happy New Year as we enter 2012. I wish also to publicly convey the sentiments of the Season and best wishes of the New Year to the Father of the Nation, Mr James Ronald Webster and his dear wife Mrs Cleopatra Webster. No one knows the future either on a personal level or indeed on a national level and therefore as a Nation, we enter this New Year in Faith and Trust that God will see us through.

The Executive Council has just released minutes, covering several of its recent meetings, containing some matters of interest to the general public.

Following are a set of emails to Governor Alistair Harrison by Permanent Secretaries regarding the need for him to sign the 2012 budget. A copy of the emails was released to the media by Chief Minister Hubert Hughes at a press conference he called on Tuesday, January 3.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MISSION & VISION: THE MISSION OF THE ANGUILLA COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS,
“To respond to the needs of the community through the delivery of an array of high quality programmes and services in an environment which promotes innovation, open access and lifelong learning; and to empower students through the acquisition of skills, knowledge and values to contribute meaningfully to the development of Anguilla, the region and world.”

Fellow Anguillans, Visitors and Friends a Blessed New Year to you all.
Once again I give God thanks for affording us the opportunity to be alive to see this year.

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Members of the Anguilla United Front and on behalf of my family and I to wish all Anguillians, residents of Anguilla, investors in Anguilla and friends of Anguilla a very successful 2012 marked, through God’s providence, by good health, happiness and prosperity. Let me also give thanks for the blessings we have all received in 2011 and the wherewithal to continue in hope and confidence into this New Year.

From the beginning of the Colonial days to the present day, Anguilla has had its fair share of issues with successive British Governments. It is said to have been discovered and colonized only a quarter century ago from St. Kitts by Englishmen. Southey in his Chronological History of the West Indies writes as follows:-

It is the start of a brand new year and everyone seems to be worried about something. Well, you might not think so, but it is true. Even the best of us, and certainly the rest of us, have worries and concerns. As we live our lives on a daily basis, there are so many things that can cause us to worry.

The Vervet Monkeys (Chlorocebus Pygerythrus) of St. Kitts have been studied for a number of years because of the similarity in their drinking behaviour to that of humans. The studies were prompted after the monkeys were observed pinching the drinks of beach goers. As the genetic make-up of monkeys is similar to that of humans, the researchers are aiming to find out whether some people may have a hereditary disposition to alcoholism or problematic alcohol use. Do some people have ‘alcohol genes’?

This week the East End Community opened its long awaited HOPE Centre on Separation Day, December 19, 2011. It is the time when we celebrate the official culmination of the primary goal of the Anguilla Revolution, that is, secession from the unitary state of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla. The date is also symbolic of Anguillians struggling together to achieve a better life for our people and the strong determination and unwavering resolve that saw that struggle through.

Do you believe that Jesus was no ordinary baby? Well, it really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things if you believe it or not. It is absolutely true, Jesus was no ordinary baby.

On Tuesday December 13, 2011, democracy was at its best in Anguilla as the Governor received a protest march comprising, for the most part, supporters of the Anguilla United Movement Government. I was surprised that the march was not cancelled out of respect for the passing of Mr. Kirkley Carty one of the Chief Minister’s strongestsupporters in the epicenter of his constituency, Blowing Point.Let me take this opportunity to extend my sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Carty on his untimely death.

Obstetric haemorrhage remains one of the major causes of maternal death in many countries including Anguilla. In many cases it is difficult to predict which pregnant patients will develop massive bleeding during pregnancy, but in most cases regular prenatal care, by an experienced obstetrician and other health care providers, can reduce the complications of antepartum haemorrhage.

One of the remarkable characteristics that we have as human beings is the ability to find solutions to difficult and devastating conditions in which we find ourselves. These conditions may be the result of our own doing or may be caused by factors outside of our control. We seek and eventually often find workable, logical and smart solutions to the challenges confronting us.

I was very happy when I heard that the Chief Minister was doing an interview on the “Nation’s Station”, Radio Anguilla, because as I said in my column last week, many of us were looking forward to “a more structured report” on the London excursion. Broadcasting journalist, Keith “Stone” Greaves, did an excellent job in conducting a balanced interview that was both incisive and respectful. But alas! Many of his (Mr. Greaves’) questions still remain unanswered as the Chief Minister seemed to “laser in” on the Governor and the Deputy Governor for most of the session.