Page 1Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Price $3.00Vol. XXIX No. 26

Today’s Scripture

Week Ending Friday, September 05, 2014

The Father of the heavenly lights . . . does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 (NIV)

www.themontserratreporter.com

GeothermalResults

DisappointingCRM reveals - a failure at best, disappointing

cont’d. on page 6

by Bennette RoachCRM is Far from im-

pressed with the geothermal production results. They will hold a press conference this week where they will speak to a Statement they have pre-pared to provide information to the public. They will seek to show that the development in which they have brought about through much initia-tive and been involved with and encouraged for many years, is not the success it should have or could have been.

The following is a sum-mary of what the public can expect to hear much more about.

The Committee for the Redevelopment of Montser-rat (CRM) is a registered non-government organisa-tion established to promote and facilitate the reconstruc-

tion of Montserrat after the volcanic eruption that began in July of 1995.

At this point in time, CRM is putting on record its considered opinion that the results of the project funded by the British Government in the amount of 8.5 million pounds to drill 2 geothermal production wells on island, have been at best disap-pointing if not bordering on failure.

It is necessary to sum-marise critical events preced-ing the British Government’s release of the project funds as well as CRM’s connection with the entire geothermal enterprise.

The Summary begins: After the CRM led demon-stration in March 2006 which caused the John Osborne led administration to change its decision to give away control

testing in progress in April 2014of Montserrat’s geother-mal resource to a foreign owned company for a mere 4% royalty, CRM met with the coalition government headed by Dr Lowell Lewis to discuss the future of geo-thermal development. The Hon. Reuben Meade and his colleague the Hon. Charles Kirnon were members of that coalition administra-tion. At that meeting, the government decided to es-tablish an Energy Commit-tee charged with the task of taking forward geothermal development. Represented on that Committee were two CRM members (initially Jim Bass and Ray Tyson or their alternates). Other members were the Director of Public Works (Chairman), the Man-aging Director of Montserrat Utilities, a representative of the Department of Environ-ment, and a DFID repre-sentative (at that time the engineer Mr. Steve Price).

An Energy Committee was formed by Government, members of CRM served on this committee which took the resource search for geo-thermal energy to fruition.

‘Production Well Drilling

P roduc t ion wel l s whether they are drilled for exploration reasons or

as a part of a development program, are larger diameter wells designed for producing steam and /or hot water on a continuous basis to supply a power plant.

Advantages of Production WellsFor any geothermal de-

velopment these are the only wells that can produce fl uids to a power plant.

With the proper drill-ing rig they can handle any adverse drilling conditions such as high temperature and pressure as well as bad drilling formation.

With directional drill-ing more production wells can be drilled from a single

drilling pad. In addition directional drilling allows second and third wells to be completed from the same well which can signifi cantly reduce the resource risk.

Proposed Rig TypeThermaSource recom-

mends using an Atlas Copco Predator Drilling System or C1000. There are many truck mounted rigs through-out the world but only a few can handle the weight of the casing that will be run. A truck mounted rig is ideal for an island location because there is no need for a large 100+ ton crane. The produc-tion well rig should have a lifting capacity of 200,000

lbs or greater. ‘ That DFID’s Dr Kim-

bugwe, DFID Adviser Michael Allen and Ener-gy Committee Chairman Beardsley were preparing the contract to drill the pro-duction wells was revealed when in June 2012 Chairman Beardsley emailed CRM representative Ray Tyson a draft tender document for a drilling contract. Given the very precise procedures for tender preparation and the technical imperatives inclu-sive of directional drilling, drill rig power and other specifi cations set out in the EGS fi nal report, CRM rep-

Sponsored Elections Special

First well

Page 2 Friday, September 05, 2014

CandidateService, Vision, Action, and Experience

Brothers and Sisters of Montserrat, I thank you for the privilege of serving you as a legislator for the past 13 years. I once again ask you to vote for me, to be one of your representatives in the Legislative Assembly of Montserrat, and to be part of the new government of Montserrat.

Election Statement by Dr Lowell Lewis

It is my intention to continue providing capable, responsible and account-able leadership and representation to ensure that our country becomes the great nation it can be.

My record of service to the Montserrat Community at home and abroad, and the training and experience that I have gained as a senior health pro-fessional, a senior public servant, a legislator, Minister of government and Chief Minister will permit me to continue representing you at home and abroad, and participate in the management of our country and the delivery of our vision for Montserrat.

I remain committed to ensuring that there are appropriate plans to pre-vent injury from the on-going volcanic eruption, and the restoration of the economic status of families, businesses and the Government of Montserrat. We must bring our island out of dependency on United Kingdom grant aid, to allow us, the people of Montserrat, to once again take full control of our country and future.

It was indeed an honour in 2006, to become the 7thChief Minister of Montserrat for 3 years, during which the economy of Montserrat grew by 8%. During that time we started a number of projects which are yet to be completed and will be the focus of any government I am chosen to be part of.

These included: the Small Business Grant program; Drummond’s hous-ing development; Brades Housing development; Roads to the Silver Hills and Dick Hill area; an MVO through Hope to Runaway Ghaut bypass road; Isles Bay to Foxes Bay access road and barge ramp or jetty; Inland Marina and safe harbour at Little Bay and Carr’s Bay; the completion of the Montserrat Cultural Center, and the Little Bay playing fi eld and sports facilities; Cruise tourism destination sites; Improvement of airport facili-ties; A north of Montserrat Corbett Spring to Silver Hills water supply project;. A fi sh and turtle farm and recreational beach facility at Marguerita Bay for the people of Look Out; an OECS Climate Change Centre at the Silver Hills; a Disaster Research and Management Institute with Search

Dr. Lowell Lewis Montserrat Democratic Partyand Rescue training program for the region in Montserrat; and an Institute for Performing Arts.

Fellow residents of Montserrat, the next government of Montserrat will have an opportunity to provide the people of Montserrat with better hous-ing, better health care and better transportation in and out of Montserrat.

My team pledge to make Montserrat one of the top destinations in the Caribbean for cruise ships and winter expatriate residents, and to create a manufacturing sector which utilizes the geothermal energy sources and the volcanic materials with which we have been blessed.

Through these activities, we intend to achieve a level of economic activ-ity that will see Montserrat become self-suffi cient and able to take charge of our destiny.

Number one priority for us will be the creation of employment, not just for residents on Montserrat, but also for the many nationals overseas, who wish to return to participate in the rebirth of our country.

I will continue to fi ght for an educational program that places our children among the best competitors in the world.

I will use whatever infl uence and authority I have, to the fullest, to bring down the level of crime, drug abuse and child abuse, and end corruption.

We must increase housing opportunities, build better roads, ensure a sup-ply of good food and care support for our vulnerable people.

Once again, I thank you for the privilege of serving you, the people of Montserrat in the past, and ask you to vote for me on Election Day.

I promise that with the guidance of Almighty God, I will not let you down.

Thank you for your attention and support.

I am your humble servant,

Lowell Lewis

Page 3Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Published by: Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - Editor: Bennette Roach - Offi ce: Davy Hill, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, Montserrat, W.I.Typeset and Printed by Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - monp_p@candw.ms.Tel. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: editor@themontserratreporter.com or monrep@candw.ms - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com

The Montserrat Reporter

cont’d. on page 7

For the first time on Montserrat, an International Observer Mission will ob-serve the general elections The Electoral Observer Mis-sion arrived on island on September 3, 2014 and will be here until September 14, 2014.

The Mission comprises the Hon. Mario Galea MP Malta who is the Head of the Mission, Nelson H. Cole Simons MP from Bermuda, Hannah Roberts – Election Annalyst & Observer and Matthew Salik Election Co-

Electoral Observer Mission, fi rst for

Montserratby Warren Cassell

ordinator & Observer both from the United Kingdom.

The head of the Elec-tion Observer Mission Hon. Mario Galea outlined their mandate while on island during a press conference held on Friday September 5, 2014 and ensured the press that the mission will be guided by the United Nations Declaration on Principles for International Election Obser-vation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.

Even though the Mis-sion was at the invitation of His Excellency of the Governor Adrian Davis, the Head of the Mission noted that. “We will observe the electoral process in accor-dance with international standards which serve as a guideline for the conduct of democratic election and also according to domestic law

of Montserrat. The mission will gather information in a systemic way and then make informed assessment. As ob-servers we will not interfere in the electoral process. We may raise questions with the electoral staff if we encoun-ter any irregularities. We will bring it to the attention of the presiding offi cer but we will not interfere in any way with the process itself. Our mandate is to observe not to get involved in the electoral process so we do not have an executive say in the running of the election.”

Elections observation missions are today world-wide accepted as a source of accurate and impartial assessment of the electoral process. In addition, it is also an important aspect of human rights monitoring because elections are about human rights, political rights

and civil rights. Such mis-sions of contributes signifi -cantly to the strengthening of democratic institutions and add integrity to the process because they detect fraud. Elections Observation mis-sion also enhances the public confi dence in the electoral process and sows willingness of the people and the politi-cal stakeholders of Montser-rat to have an external review of its electoral process.

The Mission will issue a preliminary Report within two days of the election, which will highlight key fi ndings to date and make a preliminary assessment of the electoral process. A Fi-nal Report will be published within a further two months of the election. Such Report will provide an overall as-sessment of the electoral process and will include recommendations for future elections in Montserrat.

Mission observers: Nelson H. Cole Simons MP, Hon. Mario Galea, and Hannah Roberts – Election Annalyst & Observer. Absent: Matthew Salik

The following ‘Open letter to the Chief Minister of Montserrat’ appeared in this newspaper, one week after Reuben T Meade, incumbent for over a year was elected to head the MCAP (Movement for Change and Prosperity) government.

It was written by one, who having held discussions on, made observations, suggestions and recommendations on the way forward for Montserrat and its people, found it necessary at the end of four and a half years to become involved in the forma-tion of a party to ask The People to reject the Chief Minister (now Premier) along with his cohort from offi ce.

It is well known that her brother suc-cessfully campaigned with the MCAP

Disappointing, after encouraging call

for ‘Action’ of some very good decision making 5 years ago

party, but, primarily as a result of his (now de-ceased) father’s encouragement and endorse-ment, with near 45 years’ experience, many of those as Chief Minister himself. He soon after confi ded his regret and his son left the party a good while after his death in disgust and dis-satisfi ed with the actions and direction of the party. Most Montserratians and residents alike will recall that the new CM had been rejected for leadership and that in unreported untoward circumstances regained that leadership while the MCAP’s popular leader relinquished her position to him.

Open letter to the Chief Minister of Montserrat’ – (September 18, 2009)

cont’d on page 7

In 2009 immediately after the general elections, we wrote regarding a “ser-vice of reconciliation” that it should be unnecessary to have such a service, there should never have to be such. We said, “it should be a service of love and hope and a craving for God’s blessings to change our lead-ers from whatever ills and weaknesses that might in-hibit them from performing to the best, what is required of them.

We said further, “This is especially so as we hear our candidates, elected and not elected, invoke God’s name and then continue the ways that most of Montser-rat would consider unchris-tian…Indeed the island and its people, whoever, wher-ever they may be, should be able to look back, take a deep breath and honestly look at what the realities are and expect particularly our leaders, show they can practice as follows: Self-lessness, Integrity, Justice, Respect, Kindness, Sincer-ity, Fairness, Honesty, Good Spiritedness, and the is by no means exhaustive.

The question is there-fore, how do you mark the last fi ve (5) years? Anyone who cannot in the face of God and man say they have

performed well to everyone should really not have the nerve, except of course they are dead to humanity.

We had cautioned: “Our leaders must not abandon a single person in their constit-uency which is the whole of Montserrat and the Diaspora everyone spoke about. That is the diffi cult task.”

“It is a desire to change from hate and selfi shness to do the right thing and love each and everyone else…it is the only state that gets us to bring integrity and good governance, prudent and sensible management to the affairs of people and country.”

But, it is unfortunate that today what the state is; it is either some people just will not or maybe cannot change. Yet, the good thing is, there are many who show by being ‘fed up’, there is hope.

Just after the call elec-tions was established in 2009, Man from Baker Hill titled on June 26 one of his articles: MONTSERRAT, The Caribbean’s Political Nuisance. Written in his usual but in a more serious style, he showed his own annoyance at how Montser-rat seemed to squander its aid particularly from Brit-ain, and as a reaction to his

knowledge of the reasons why the election was called.

He wrote as in a mes-sage from the rest of the Ca-ribbean: “Each year Mont-serrat receives fi nancial aid from the UK equivalent to $15,000.00 for every man, woman and child, good God. What is wrong with you? Ues, what is wrong with you?” You get $60 million airport; you get $60 million housing development, $40 million roads and drains in Little Bay, soon you will get $100 million seaport and youwill not owe one red cent to any body. Where are your political senses? Is all that matters are dollars and power? You behave as crabs in a barrel! And the only thing to do with crabs is to disperse them…”

And then he said after noting that it is said there is a political management problem : “Management? There are less than 5,000 people on Montserrat .” (currently: one of the failures of the government over the last fi ve years). What is so diffi cult in managing that? Some streets in London and New York have more than 5,000 people living on it.” (today, Indeed one business compound has more than 3,000 people working in it).

Let failure go and be past, there is progress in togetherness

Page 4 Friday, September 05, 2014

Page 5Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Page 6 Friday, September 05, 2014

Geothermal Failresentatives considered the draft tender contract to be severely inadequate.

CRM representatives on the Energy Committee were never allowed to see the fi nal tender document. They subsequently under-stood that o nly a 750 horse power drill rig was tendered for instead of the EGS rec-ommended Atlas Copco Predator Drilling System or C1000 which approximates to 1000 horse power. ( Note: Many persons within the island community are of the view that it is a 520 horse power drill rig that has been used to drill the production wells in Montserrat. Messrs Kimbugwe and Allen should confi rm whether or not this is so). Most shocking however, is that a copy of the tender document obtained after the contract was signed and

drilling was well under way, clearly shows that no direc-tional drilling capability was requested.

The CRM concludes:11. CRM has provid-

ed the factual information above to support its conten-tion that after the preparation of the Business Plan and the British Government’s provision of the 8.5 million pounds to drill the produc-tion wells, CRM representa-tives and other members of the Energy Committee were effectively excluded from meaningful participation in the procedures leading up to the actual drilling process by Chairman Ron Beardsley, the Head of the DFID offi ce on Montserrat Dr Kato Kim-bugwe and Mr Michael Allen who prepared the Business Plan. The disappointing if not failed results from the production wells drilled to

date are their responsibility alone.

Presently, at the end of June 2014, the 8.5 million pounds have provided to the people of Montserrat, production wells Nos. 1 and 2 demonstrating clearly limited or in our view disap-pointing performance. Well No 1 at the entrance to the road leading to Foxes Bay has had to be stimulated with pumped water. At well No 2 situated on the Corkhill road across from the former Sev-enth Day Adventist School, as stated by the Ministry of Communications and Works engineer monitoring the drilling exercise, the internal diameter of the drill pipe at the bottom of the well is only 4 inches. This diameter, as pointed out above within the EGS feasibility study is inadequate for conventional commercial operation.

Continued from Page 1

Proposals to Reduce Public Expenditure, Improve Ef-

fectiveness & Effi ciency and Increase Public Revenue

Here are some sugges-tions for the next govern-ment to consider

Repeal the GOVER-NOR’S SALARY AND AL-LOWANCES ACT. This will save at least $133,584 per year. After all, why should anyone, much less a public servant, receive two salaries for one job?

Review and rationalize all legislators’ salaries and allowances, eliminating im-mediately the undeserved housing allowance paid to each minister as well as the unjustifiable duty allow-ance paid to all legislators and the Speaker. $390,000 will be realized immediately by eliminating housing and duty allowances. Extra sav-ings should also be achieved if, as suspected, legislators are unable to prove they le-gitimately spend the amounts they receive in allowances for entertainment, travel and telephone, now totalling an additional $163,200 each year. Leading by example will make MCAP’s public exhortations about the need to tighten our belts a lot more credible. Last but not least, there’ll be savings from the reduction of legislators’ pensions which is currently based on salary plus all tax-able allowances.

Dismiss all non-per-forming public servants immediately. If as the Pre-mier says, it’s unfair to in-crease the amount paid to social welfare benefi ciaries when civil servants have not increased a pay increase for 8 years, it is inexplicable why they are still on govern-ment’s payroll especially when HMG is pressuring government to reduce the nominal roll. However, if the terminated employees are unable to find alter-native employment and so as not to reduce our population through further emigration, amend the So-cial Welfare Act so they’ll qualify for benefi ts. Let’s assume, conservatively, that the median annual civil service salary is $36,000 ($3,000 a month) and that 192 (20% per governor’s

estimate) employees on the nominal roll of 960 full-time-equivalents (number approved per DFID 2014-15 Aid Memoire) are perform-ing below expectations or are ‘non-performing’ as the premier minister puts it. If we multiply 192 by $36,000, this translates to an annual waste of $6,912,000. If all 192 so-called indolent persons join the social wel-fare roll with each head of household receiving $900 each month ($10,800 a year), it will only cost $2,073,600 resulting in a savings of $4,838,400 which could then be invested in improving ed-ucation, healthcare services, performance increments, etc.

Rather than asking civil servants to cut back expenditure so they can benefit from the savings in the form of bonuses, instead encourage them to use all the money to im-prove and increase the de-livery of high-quality and timely services to intended benefi ciaries.

Means-test all per-sons requesting grants and income tax/customs duty exemptions (includ-ing those granted to MPs and senior civil servants. It is fiscally irresponsible to give across-the-board grants and tax emptions without regard to actual need. For instance, the Pre-mier’s recent announcement about granting $40,000 in the form of customs duty ex-emptions/rebates to persons constructing homes who had not previously received grant assistance from government.

MPs’ and government officials’) actions should always be above reproach, leading by example. They must be seen as persons of high integrity who respect, abide by and enforce our laws rather than bending or breaking them. They must also treat the people they serve and each other with respect, keeping us informed of their deci-sions along with forthright explanations for those deci-sions. This would go a long way to restore confidence

and public satisfaction while reducing the time and effort wasted debating specula-tions.

Create employment and reduce potential li-ability by restoring all gov-ernment-owned and recently sold dilapidated properties to a state of good repair, not just the Force-10 buildings, starting with those housing vulnerable persons like the warden-supported apartment complex.

Supplement ing the above suggestions, and in the spirit of openness , for those who didn’t get an opportu-nity to read DFID’s 2013-14 Budget Aid Memoire, here are their recommended budget enhancing mea-sures (paragraphs 32-33):

“ G o M should intensify efforts to maximise revenues and mi-nimise expenditures. DFID has identifi ed a number of areas in support of this, in-cluding (but not limited to):

Stepping up efforts to boost tax compliance and reduce tax arrears, which DFID views as priority ar-eas in need of urgent atten-tion. Use of bailiffs and prosecution should be made where appropriate. Tangible progress in recent years has been disappointingly slow and less than EC$0.5m of tax arrears has been col-lected since the last Budget. [MCRS advise that the level of outstanding ar-rears up to 31 March 2012 is EC$21.3m. However not all of this is collectable and GoM plans to produce a revised total by 31 March 2013.] GoM anticipates that the trial case currently going through the courts will be a springboard to delivering in these areas.

Reducing FTE head-count from 959 to 952 in January 2013 by deleting 7 of the 18 unfunded va-cancies. Beyond this, the continuing rationalisation of public services, including through the planned GoM or-ganisational review and out-sourcing, [Areas currently under consideration include

A little less than a year ago, I had the rare pleasure of a brief, very brief, discussion with you, and with your permission I’d like to pick it up again for a little bit, if you don’t mind. It was begun in public, so I hope you will have no objection to my continuing it in that same space.

You might remember, I was sitting in the studio at Radio Montserrat, a guest on Rose’s (Willock) Saturday morning show, and you called in to respond to a member of points being made about the administration and development of, and the quality of life in, Montserrat, by me and others of Rose’s guests.

We were all, including you, of the very strong opinion that all was defi nitely not well with Montserrat. You and I, both, agreed, as I recall, that a number of matters of great import are in urgent need of redress. You said that the effective handling of these would require the making of some “tough decisions.” You were saying that the people in the Government would have to make these decisions, and I happen to believe that this has to be undertaken by both Government and People.

Well, Sir, you are now in the position in which you get to make these decisions both as “government” and as “people”, and while I do, of course write to congratulate you on your victory in the last elections, I also, muchmore importantly write to remind you that you did, during the discussions , declare publicly, that you would, indeed, make those “tough decisions”. Active democracy, and my commitment to my island, requires that I hold you to your word. My understanding of democracy suggests that I have the right to, and my management of my personal re-lationships requires that I do.

I do so despite the fact, too that I have been informed, and by a very close friend of mine, no less, that I have no right to de-

Disappointingcont’d from page 3

mand good governance, accountability and the consistent exercise of good principles. I could not, she declared, take issue with any incompetence, poor administration, or lack of commitment, or exercise any right to doubt, question or interrogate the Gov-ernment or people of Montserrat, “from outside.”

I was unsettled by this attitude, to put it mildly, no least because I am, unchange-ably and forever, one of The People of Montserrat. Moreover, I remember having been relieved of my job at the Department of Tourism because I once dared to express displeasure at some of the workings (or lack thereof) of the Ministry of Education, Health, and Social Services. And that, at a time when I was a full-time resident of Montserrat!

I think I don’t need to tell you that those of us on the “outside” are willing and fully able to contribute meaningfully and consis-tently, and are all too aware of the blocks, hurdles, and stonewalls that are, almost invariably thrown up whenever we offer our services and support. It is not my imagina-tion that the general attitude is to resist our advances, to oppose our positions to thwart our contributing, to assert that we do not have the right, to insist that we ask permis-sion and then deny it when we do. I have experienced it, personally, too many times to count, and too recently to have forgotten.

I believe this is a dangerous standpoint. It is a shortsighted and insidious purview. It is deeply offensive, unjust, and, in this age of instant communications and real-time news, also altogether groundless. It smacks of parochialism and unawareness.

And it is only one of the many frus-trations faced by Montserratians who are deeply committed to the development of our island, and who are also fully capable and

cont’d on page 7

Page 7Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Let failure go and be past, unity thrives

Elderly Care, Cleaning Services (Phase 2), Security, Ministry of Agriculture Nursery Operations, and Laundry Services.] should produce signifi cant reductions in headcount. DFID remains willing in principle to provide fi nancial support to allow GoM to reduce the public sector.

Implementing recommendations from the actuarial review of the Civil Service Pension scheme to ensure af-fordability in the short and long-term. Consideration should include the introduction of staff contributions.

Completing the rationalisation of membership and payments to regional bodies to ensure they are essential and represent value for money.

Improving economic and statistical capacity, particu-larly at a senior level (through the recruitment of a Chief Economist and Director of Statistics), so that more robust and timely budget analysis and forecasts feed through to departmental settlements and other policy decisions.

Ensuring that 3-year budget plans include settling ar-rears and realistic provisioning for increasing costs due to, amongst other things, pensions, maintenance and infl ation. Ministries should not be allowed to carry over invoices and payments into the following fi nancial year.

Considering whether to make further changes to tax policy should domestic revenues remain below expecta-tions. In particular, GoM appears to have underestimated the negative impact on revenue of the Income Tax re-banding that took effect in 2012: this also underlines the need for enhancing analytical capacity.

Building on the successful implementation of the Online Visa application system and the Geographic Information System, by expanding online services to other areas of Government such as property and income taxes. This will improve both the effi ciency of delivering services and the enabling environment for business.

Formalising with UWI the payment position on the EC$5.6m of arrears to UWI, including any agreed write-down.

Pursuing potential for cost recovery in health through a revised medical fee structure.

Delivering against commitments to maximise revenues and minimise expenditures is important not only to improve public sector effi ciency, but also to demonstrate to UK Ministers that GoM is serious about getting value for money, a key component of DFID decisions on any invest-ments.” Rubbish Questioner

Reduce Public Ex-penditure, Increase

Public Revenue

cont’d from page 6highly competent.

So, C.M. Meade, how this pervasive an generally-accepted sentiment will jibe with your government’s in-tentions for the offi ce of “the Diaspora: becomes then a quite intriguing question, to wit, will your adminis-tration be speaking with this “Diaspora” just for the sake of talking, to give the appearance of engagement while effectively denying actual involvement on the part of the said “Diaspora”, or will your administration be taking full advantage of the resources that these people command, engaging with purpose, shared vision, a division of competencies, and an equitable distrubtion of tasks:

Will this “Diaspora” be a full and recognized partner in the development of our island, or is this an offi ce of appeasement and pacifi ca-tion? In other words, will this be a lime or some serious work; Acton or just ol’ talk:

But, I am jumping ahead…Let me come back to the matter of our radio exchange.

At the time, we did not exactly exhaust the entire list of maters that would require studied attention, and I could

not do here either, but allow me, please, to share with you of the issues that I and many others, (although) I speak now only for myself) beliee should be at the very top of your administration’s agenda and should receive immedi-ate and decisive attention. We can compare notes…see if it matches your list. I am making no prscriptions or even suggestions about how they might be best handled. I only note them, and in no particular order.

Migration – emi- and immi-gration, and ease of travel to and from Montser-rat, or the lack thereof.

Violence – domestic, against women, in school; intimate partner and child abuse; community violence and statutory rape.

Education – order and safety in schools, socializa-tion and social behavior, academic exploration, cul-tural investigation, and intel-lectual expression.

Health – medicine and medicines, doctors and nurs-es, diet and nutrition, stress relief, mental health, solid waste disposal. And tilapia.

Recreation – pyblic spaces, socializing activi-ties, creative exchange, and cultural expression.

Communications, tele-communications.

Youth – mind-stretching activities, mentors and role models, and safety and se-curity.

Suffrage – for those Montserratians who had to leave and those who chose to come.

Agriculture.Fisheries (Tilapia is not

really fi sh, is it!!)Women (All I want to

say about this particular topic, at this point, is that the Government of Montserat needs some.)

I know that you don’t needme to tell you about the systemic corruption, kick-backs, illegal back-rubbing, and untoward hand-washing that, in the personal view of some, is by the Govern-ment of Great Britain and its Dependent Territories, considered valid and ample cause for re-colonialisation.

And quite understandably so too.

In our radio exchange, we also agreed, I seem to remember, that the handling of these issues would re-quire clarity, commitment, truthfulness, decisiveness, resolve, courage, honesty and integrity. I, however, do not necessarily agree that they require any “tough” decision-making. I believe that they require, quite sim-ply, the making of good decisions, or perhaps the good making of deisions. There is no “tough” part to being good. Good is easy. It is not hard to do. To be good is to do the rightm fair, and just thing,

For the good of all Montserratians, including you, of course, C.M., I look forward to some really very good decision-making.

Respectfully,Shirley Osborne.

Disappointing

“The members that made up the last Legislature had over 200 years com-bined political management experience. They all should take their pensions and go away. They have failed. They brought embarrass-ment to the island as no other Legislature. Montserrat is guilty of every category of political negligence; but then what could one expect when the island is led and fed by geriatrics. The young politicians feed on the breast of the old, breathing, suck-ing and eating their political gobbled-gook. No it shall be more of the same; an election will not change your level of management. You people are a nuisance and you should

cont’d from page 3be dispersed from the Carib-bean.” Is he still on tract.

I think not. But, lets end that there and take a brief look at where we are. The age average of political ex-perience changed drastically after that election with the Premier being carrying by far more years than anyone else. He began that term with eighteen (18) consecu-tive years behind him, with his deputy Kirnon following with eight and Dr. Lewis also eight. Farrell, three; with new comers, Wade, David Osborne, James and Romeo.

MCAP, six seats formed the next government with only incomplete full mem-ber groupings of parties and nine independents who won

three seats. You can see that the greater experience was in fact in that MCAP party and with no other party to compare with, one under-stands the way the electorate might have been thinking, although it wasn’t until the intervention of the most experienced John Osborne in favour and in favour of his son that MCAP got the fillip that catapulted them to the top.

What has MCAP done with all that history and being the envy of the rest of the Caribbean govern-ments as described by Man from Baker Hill. While they struggled and in unenvi-able debt, Montserrat was guaranteed its well-being by motherland Britain. The MCAP team began to dream. After failing in every way with a grand Manifesto and Britain enjoying a coalition government gave a prom-ise, better than any before, pointing another of their ter-ritories, St. Helena. Minister Allan Duncan said, he had

come to Montserrat, ”To see the devastation and loss caused by the volcano and understand the economic and developmental challenges Montserrat faces.”

Allan Duncan in De-cember 2011, he came to: “Promote the vision of the OTs as part of the British family, fl ourishing and vi-brant, and less financially dependent.

“Set the parameters for future self-suffi ciency: more effi cient management of the public finances, combined with strategic investments aimed at stimulating growth, improving access and fa-cilitating economic activ-ity. Discuss progress on the Strategic Growth Plan and Economic Roadmap.”

Yes, by this time De-cember 2011, after Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell in February and with the now infamous Charette behind us there was on the table a Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) and yet another Sustainable Development Plan (SDP).

“No more ‘unnecessary’ consultation…,” continuing with a, ‘but,’ “…we’ve got to look at what the economic justifi cation…in terms of our contribution to anything that might happen…” Duncan said then.

He had stated that his government will put right the wrongs done to Mont-serrat since the Volcano, but always with the caution of economic justifi cation and value for money.

“We have this duty care and we are going to exercise it properly and responsibly, but also raise an eye on value for money and results we are going to get from spending tax payers money at a very diffi cult economic time,” he said while initially pointing out that their overarching interest, “to make clear the absolute nature of our long term commitment to Mont-serrat.”

Our report stated how “He crammed a tour which took him mostly by heli-copter, and on the ground to the site earmarked for geothermal exploration, as well as Little Bay and Carrs Bay to assess the proposed two options coming out of the September Charrette on the development of a new town and port.”

That was December 2011 and four months later (note he refers to Option A and B) he referred to our cho-sen option as “ambitious”. It was a hint we had not missed, but Premier in true

fashion forged on to reach to-day, where he lost one dream the Carrs Bay port and with it his entire dream of Option B. (see earlier stories)

Two and a half years later? It was on this the Pre-mier hoped to forge ahead obviously with disregard for the other needs of Montserrat taking over money projects regardless of the Ministry responsible. Making all the decisions and even boast-ing that it is his job to do so, making them without consultation even with his Ministers who he gives the opportunity to approve them.

He restricts the people to hearing only his state-ments and giving the oppor-tunity for questions during his visits to the radio station and his announcements and interviews to his govern-ment information agents. He invites the Montserrat Reporter on rare occasions but to every press conference which involves international agencies to include in par-ticular HMG and EU etc. He has held less than half a dozen press conferences in his tenure and drops in at his ZJB studios with his statements where he is asked uninformed questions. He knows very well that none of those statements are really offi cial…

It has been a somewhat unusual campaign with the one side keen to improve on what they call failures of the past and particularly be cont’d on page 8

Page 8 Friday, September 05, 2014

www.themontserratreporter.com

Biggest Blunder

Plan A - thrown into oblivion - The three bays - a Resort in Rendezvous, all part of the phased plan

JUS WONDER INJus wonderin which political grouping can be described as the party of greed and

malice. Jus wonderin…. Should we help spread the wealth by voting in the new scamps in

order to get rid of the old ones?Jus wonderin if all nominated candidates should be professionally certifi ed to ensure

they meet all the qualifi cations required to stand for elections.Jus wonderin if we have at least a hundred thousand (100,000) reasons to disbelieve

certain candidates.Jus wonderin…. Did Reuben resign as Director of Development to run for elected

offi ce or was his resignation due to the accusations arising from his effectiveness and ef-fi ciency in disposing of the sea-island cotton as well as his failure to provide a satisfactory explanation for being found in possession of a car he knew was stolen?

Jus wonderin if holding high offi ce enhanced Reuben’s ability to dispose of valuable government metallic assets even more effi ciently and effectively, without the consent of the Legislative Assembly.

Jus wonderin why none of the newly created scrap metal fi rms obtained a license to operate as required under the Old Metals and Marine Stores Ordinance.

Jus wonderin if it’s easier to avoid criminal conviction if you are government minister.Jus wonderin if HMG wanted to abolish the right to trial by jury in the Montserrat

constitution because they observed that jurors have delivered (as they put it) ‘perverse judgements’ in cases involving ministers of government, even when there’s overwhelm-ing evidence of their guilt.

Jus wonder if GoM will try to recruit Reuben for the vital post of Chief Economist or if he should be left to spend his retirement engaging in his favourite hobby, construction work.

Jus wonderin…. Is it true that the most important natural resource for development is what lies between our ears and that it’s foolish to neglect it or take it for granted?

Jus wonderin if it’s true that rhetoric is about making what is worst appear to be the better.

Jus wonderin if a true wha sweet nanny goat hear poison e mind.Jus wonderin if HMG dispenses aid based on the risk-of-embarrassment model, only

rushing to partially fulfi l the least-costly one from amongst their raft of strategically delayed promises when faced with shame like when the 19 people died on June 25, 1997 or the fatal and near fatal accidents involving Fly Montserrat, while the rest of their promises wither away slowly into nothingness.

Jus wonderin…. Will HMG will punish only me for making the above comment in spite of my plea to please leave the rest of our population out of it because unlike me, they are most grateful for HMG’s assistance?

Jus wonderin how long a we a go ha fu live wid de temporary evacuation docks at Little Bay and Heritage Quay?

Jus wonderin if Operation Exodus is still in active operation.Jus wonderin what the status is on the $150,000 MDC invested in Fly Montserrat,

the $500,000 MDC and GoM ($250,000 each) invested Twin Islands Ferry Service, and the unknown amount our Social Security Fund invested in the Davy Hill housing project.

Jus wonderin who started the colour thing (yellow, I think).Jus wonderin how come when MCAP vilifi es PDM it is considered to be positive

and true but when PDM attacks MCAP’s record it is considered to be negative, divisive and character assassination.

Jus wonderin if we’ll ever receive balanced news reporting from the media so we hear what every political party and independent candidate has to say about whatever subject is being reported on.

Jus wonderin.... Considering all the divisiveness, abysmal performance,fl agrant lies, unrealistic promises, and unsubstantiated slandering beingdelivered by most of our current crop of politicians and some want-to-bepoliticians, should all those who cast a vote for any of them on September11th be struck off the electoral roll on the ground of unsound mind!Jus wondering if some politicians are praying to win their seats and then stamp their

authority for leadership.Jus wondering if they are playing dead to catch cobo. Jus wondering if it is memory lost, being under the infl uence, maybe, home problems,

job, election pressure or is he just a DAMN liar!Jus wondering if it is another case of six years then pension why the man did not

take over leadership.Jus wondering if they can take another fi ve years of being trampled on by the man

they all complain about.Jus wondering if some “politicians” study the art of misleading the people.Jus wondering if it is too late now for prayers which is very close at hand to them.Just wondering why the heavy roller did not run in the race. Jus wondering if he was afraid of the truth about him or the lies that his partner in

crime is capable of telling.Jus wondering why are there so much lying and fabrication in the 2014 elections. Jus wondering who is the main culprit. Jus wondering who is sleeping with who, not sleeping with who and who beating

up who, who putting up with and who leaving who, in that soap-like at the top behavior.Jus wondering when the book will be published, or re-enactment put on screen.Jus wondering if the battle lines are drawn for after the election wars.Jus wondering why some politicians face is always swelling and shining like they

took one too many.Jus wondering Mr. Editor Sir, why they are lie so?Jus wondering if it is because the Word is so close!Jus wondering out of the Indians which nine will be really best for Montserrat.Jus wondering if we will all have a party or a coalition government after elections.Jus wondering who would like to bet me that we will have many chiefs and very

few Indians.Jus wondering if, the Primier knowing he is a liar, but, pretends he is not a liar, know-

ing full well that he is a liar, is a damn fool.Just wondering why MCAP did not stream their Manifesto launch rally.Just wondering if they have suffi cient hospital beds for those who may encounter

Cardiac problems on election night.Just wondering who will be the next Speaker of the House.Just wondering what the mood of the country be on Friday September 12, 2014.

Jus wonderin column is compiled from contributions by readers and from de community. Please send by email or letter, or by calling.

a government for all The People; and the other, the incumbents asking to be given a chance to “Fulfi ll the dream”.

When the Movement for Change And Prosperity (MCAP) was obliged to remove their 2009 Manifesto from their website after the new party Peoples Demo-cratic Movement (PDM) began highlighting and citing the Manifesto, that they had not kept or delivered on their promises.

That was easy as the not surprising leader Donald-son Romeo, opposition leader of the prorogued Legis-lative Assembly , had been pounding away throughout.

What surprises are the claims of mudslinging and characterization of activities by the opposing party to the incumbents while fact checking almost every

Strange failing tacticscont’d from page 7 attempt and on information provided to support claims are

proving to be against the MCAP.There is much strangeness to the tacticts being used.

While the PDM seems to be building on the momentum they have developed, MCAP leadership seems to be growing more disinterest although attempting to provide informa-tion way above anything they have done throughout the fi ve years. Observers and analysts, “Much too late and the electorate feel they have been deceived.”

An election where the mood is for change and with all the complaints going against the incumbent party who is having diffi culty to serve up on their short comings and failures.

What is even more amazing is how their new candidates are critical of the performance of their incumbent ministers.

When the real work begins After the fat lady sings

Thursday night, the real work be-gins—if meaningful development and fi nding new jobs is what the next fi ve years are to be about.

The Hon. Donaldson Romeo, leader of the PDM and Dr. Sammy

Joseph, running for the fi rst time as a member of MCAP, impress me with their discussions about the importance of putting in place reliable, high-speed Internet for Montserrat. They both seem to understand this will open up a new world of opportunities hitherto

unheard of by Montserrat and still mostly unknown, not just to Montserrat but to the rest of the world.

The Internet is the astound-ing new frontier that tech-savvy, 21st Century-wired Montserrat youth must be allowed to explore

with the same confi dence as other youths from around the world.

Good understanding and use of the Internet could revolutionize education, healthcare, commerce, entrepreneurship, marketing, wealth-creation. It is the single most important tool in Montser-

rat’s quest for development. And it will require creatively and imagination to see breakthroughs and begin harvesting its potential.

Whatever the outcome of Thursday’s elections, Donaldson Romeo and Sammy Joseph are

both needed in the development of a new Montserrat. Montser-rat’s progress must be bigger than politics and politicians. These are two men who no doubt understand this.

When the real work begins A past Editor, David Edgecombe comments