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**Antiguan Abroad** » 2010-09-02 04:02

JUST PLAIN NASTY!! My parents were right, Antiguans are a nasty bunch. The youth of the country must get off island quick before they fall into the same habits as the nasty elders. ** in the water and no government official has the balls to stop the car washers????? I think England needs to recolonize the islands.

**antiguan in the usa** » 2010-08-30 00:45

I read the news coming out of Antigua on a regular basis an it hurts me to know that a beautiful island is being neglected in all areas. I grew up in Antigua during the 1970s and 80s and it was a much more beautiful island that it is today. I visited this summer and it was sad to see such neglect. the government is negligent in its duties, i personally don't think Antigua was ready for full independence from England.
Roads........n eglected
school s......Neglecte d
utilities water/electrica l power.........n eglected
basic infrastructure. .......Neglecte d

I see why most tourist will never leave the confines of the resorts.

**woods** » 2010-08-25 16:41

Every one is focusing on the car washers, what about the truckers who pump water from country pond to sell to businesses and private homes? Who will look into what they are doing?

**Dr. G** » 2010-08-25 16:15

If high level of faecal bacteria was found in Country Pond, the source has to be sewage. If it is not from the hospital it has to be from somewhere. Car washing can contaminate the pond, but not with that high level of faecal material. So whether or not it is from the hospital, some form of sewage is entering the pond from an external source. The authorities need to find out from where. Then DO something about it.

**Dit It** » 2010-08-25 15:09

Thanks, Tenman, for the update! Well, now I know what's going on with the site! It's really sad to hear about their anti-blogging business model. Tenman, I believe we have some good bloggers on Caribarena, like yourself, to engage in some "real debates" with people like VeNom, and his band of brothers!

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 15:01

TC I am all for respect.

TC » 2010-08-25 14:55

Wait, Caribarena only reserve for ALP supporters? And Tenman, bloggers on both Caribarena and Observer need to learn some manners and respect each others opinion.

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 14:34

Dig it I think their upgrade (Observer) was not well thought out. At the end of the day though observer has a different business model than caribarena. Observer wants you to buy the paper, Caribarena want you to stay on the site and see and buy into their ads. Essentially it is not in Observer's interest to encourage blogs because the owner will tell you it puts no dollars in his pocket. Unfortunately his blindness has caused him to lose out on an opportunity because he did not have to do much to get traffic. Anyway as you have noticed, persons like Venom and such not being able to be quiet, will be posting here more frequently. Who knows maybe those that need to will learn some manners and we will continue to have real debates and not the shouting that happened on Observer.

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 14:29

Morris, one way "the authorities can a*sist them to continue to ply their trade should they prohibit them from using the water from the pond" is to either have the government find alternative jobs for them or find another area to wash the cars that has no health concerns. However, It would be a devastating for many of these men since many of them have been washing cars for many years, and have made a lot of money doing it. Cutie definately need to help these men in some ways, regardless if they live in his constituency or not!

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 14:12

Well, Cool Ruler, you're right about the statement about Lionel! I see you did your research to back up what you're saying! I see you invite another one of your brothers on this blog as well! What's going on with Observer, for these guys to seek refuge here?

**Cool Ruler** » 2010-08-25 13:36

Tenman am still researching. Will keep you postedq

**Penut** » 2010-08-25 13:27

Observer off the internet or might as well be. Welcome herby and Lethal WAT-A-GUARN

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 13:15

Ruler look at that, even MP Benjamin, is willing to say he was wrong about something. Still waiting for your acknowledgment of the same (the absentee ballot issue). Ruler Humility is a good thing, it does not take from you or make you less of a person.

**Morris** » 2010-08-25 12:52

Cutie was on Observer Radio with one of the car washers, since they were operating in his constituency, talking about ways the authorities can assist them to continue to ply their trade should they prohibit them from using the water from the pond, and at the end of the interview he offered an apology for his prior incorrect accusation.

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 12:32

Morris, I don't have any recollection of Cutie Benjamin's statements on Observer (not denying what you're saying). However, I just want to know if what Cool Ruler is saying is correct in regards to Asot's statement about the hospital sending raw sewage into the pond. If Cool Ruler is correct about that by providing evidence then I would apologrize to him. By the way, you tell him that he didn't have to invite his two brothers from Observer on this blog to provide comic relief, and make a fool of themselves. If I want to laugh, I'll pay my money, and go to a comic club!

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 12:27

Ruler the funny thing about the hospital accusation is that it was stated before 2004. I recall when the hospital was being constructed, persons who were against it on the UPP side said that the waste would be sent into country pond. As morris stated a number of politicians made the accusations and Ruler let me add, politicians from both parties.

**Cool Ruler** » 2010-08-25 12:08

Dig it, this is not a political issue and we should not make it such. The Asot made a statement attacking the hospital administrator and accusing them of pumping sewage into country pond. I heard Mr. Michael refuting this statement and went on to say that the hospital has a waste disposal plant so that is not true. In an article dated May 19, on caribarena under the heading, “Hospital Group considers legal action” by Andy Liburd, Lionel Michael said the following, “There is no waste water, there is no sewerage, treated or untreated, entering any of the country ponds, east or west, from Mount St John Medical Centre, absolutely none, He said the waste activated sludge plant is well designed and carries the waste through several treatment processes where the by product is used for irrigation purposes”. Don’t get me wrong I was in no way defending him in this latest saga, however I am beginning to wonder if you guy are asking for his head on a platter simply because he dared to refute Ascot’s statements in regards to the hospital back in May. .

**Herby** » 2010-08-25 12:01

With all this ** that is happeningin Antigua I will soon have to go back to Guyana indeed.

**Morris** » 2010-08-25 11:36

There were a number of politicians who did accuse the hospital of sending waste into the pond. Just the other day Cutie Benjamin was on Observer Radio appologizing for accusing the hospital in the past for sending its waste into the pond.

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 11:25

Cool Ruler, it's one thing to say something, but it's another thing to back it up factually! Where is the evidence you have that "It turned out that the statement by Asot in regards to the hospital was incorrect?" I would love to see it. At least, DadliMan provided you with evidence from the horses mouth. And, I believe you are making this too much of a political matter, instead of looking at the injustice that has been done to the pond! If Lionel Michael or any official fails to do his/her job here then he/she should be held accountable!

**Herby** » 2010-08-25 08:53

How can people say finding faeces in country pond is a serious issue. This sounds more like a ** issue. Come on people dont be that daft.

**Herby** » 2010-08-25 08:51

My car got washed at country pond today and it is the sweetest it has ever smell dont talk bout shine. I always knew doing things naturally was the best.

**DadliMan** » 2010-08-25 07:05

Having just re-read Andy Liburd's article of 20th May, 2010 (caribarena.com ), I am even more annoyed. Lionel Michael said the following, “What goes into Country Pond as well is effluent from the government office complex because they have septic tanks and underground pipes that go under Parliament Drive. In the Rising Sun pasture there is a gutter there and the water runs down and go into Country Pond."

After saying this 3 months ago, what additional testing is needed before he stops the men from using the water to wash cars? In the article, Lionel Michael also said, "The city of St John’s is a stewing health hazard because of the lack of a central sewage system, with waste water emptying not only into the streets, but into the Country Pond on Independence Drive." What has he done since uttering these words 3 months ago?

**DadliMan** » 2010-08-25 06:48

Does it really matter where the faeces came from, or under which administration the government complex was built? The bottom line is that the country pond has been turned into a cesspool. Had any level of testing been done when the allegations were made corrective actions could have already been taken.

His response to Asot took the form of a politician as opposed to a public health professional.

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 05:14

i have seen the chief health inspector at work and in the past i have seen him go above and beyond. I would have described him as someone all public officials should emulate. I do not understand why he seems to be dragging his feet on this issue.

**fnpsr** » 2010-08-25 04:28

Yogi, I share your sentiments. I know there is a lot of "pooh" in Antigua, but this is the best "pooh" story I have read. I could not stop laughing. Keep the "pooh" coming!!

**Cool Ruler** » 2010-08-25 04:20

To be fair to Lionel Michael I heard him vehemently denying that the hospital was sending any raw sewage into the pond, this was in direct re**al to Asot saying that the hospital was doing so. It turned out that the statement by Asot in regards to the hospital was incorrect. However we now know that fecal matter is indeed in the water, and speculation is rife that the main source of this contamination is the government office complex, which was built by the Hadeeds under the ALP. I am sure that if Asot had known that it was the government office which was suspected of being the culprit, he would have attacked it with the same venom which he used to attacked the hospital administrators, after all there is no love lost between him and the Hadeeds.

**fnpsr** » 2010-08-25 03:52

Dig It, I share your sentiments. I too call for the firing of Lionel Matthews. But as you so correctly points out, nothing will be done

**DadliMan** » 2010-08-25 03:34

Several months ago, when Asot made the claim that raw human waste from MSJMC was emptying into the pond, Lionel Michael was on the radio the following day denying the story. At that time he could not have had the benefit of any test results from Dunbars since Asot had made the statement the previous night.

Obvious ly he never even bothered to investigate the matter. Had he done so, this would not be a news item today.

**Cool Ruler** » 2010-08-25 03:28

do we know this for a fact we should be responsible and not spread false information, Antiguans are not the only persons who read these statements. what if its not true, do you know what harm cound be done to Antiguas tourism?

**DadliMan** » 2010-08-25 03:27

On 20th August, 2010, the Daily Observer, in an article entitled, ”Health Official Warns: Faeces In Country Pond”, reported the following:
”The most heavily patronised car washers in St. John’s could find their operations in jeopardy after a report from the Central Board of Health confirmed that the Country Pond water is unsafe for human use.”

After reporting that the water is “unsafe for human use”, how could Lionel Michael now say that he has to await the results of further tests before he can tell the car washers not to use the water? When the car washers use the water, doesn’t that constitute human use? The fact that initial tests show faecal contamination, isn’t it safer to err on the side of caution by stopping the activity until he can determine the extent of the contamination?

**Morris** » 2010-08-25 03:26

You are indeed correct that no professional tradesman leaves home without the tools of his trade. It is absolutely mind-boggling how our officials always wants us to accept their nonchalance and incompetence as business as usual.

**Morris** » 2010-08-25 03:21

If what you are saying is true then that is a disgrace. The hotel(s) should not allow the same water they want the tourists to enjoy to be contaminated with their waste.

**Cool Ruler** » 2010-08-25 03:14

Why would any right thinking person continue to take their cars there to be washed? If no one takes their cars to be washed, the use of the water for washing cars would be a non-issue. By the way you guys got to be joking, police would leave the station without the radios to go patrolling, what nonsense is this? Isn’t this part of the tools they need to do an effective job? What happen to the supervisors? Are anyone of these officers sanctioned for this tardiness, or are they afraid the police welfare association may call an all day meeting if they try too? That’s just ridiculous. I bet when they were using cell phones they never left them behind.

**Morris** » 2010-08-25 03:14

I was shocked by his comment as well while listening to him this morning. We definitely have to demand more from our officials, because this lackadaisical attitude is infectuous and it is killing us.

**Yogi** » 2010-08-25 03:08

As funny as that might read, in light of the seriousness of the issue, it just goes to show how absolutely stupid these people in power are. Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael should be ashamed to think of himself as an educated adult, ‘cause he’s nothing more than a moronic puppet. What happened, did someone say, “Hey dummas, read this”? Are you freaking kidding me? Only in Antigua!
I am so irritated; I didn't even spell my handle right on the last post!

**Yoig** » 2010-08-25 03:07

Could you imagine telling people in Toronto, New York, or London there’s a high content of pooh somewhere, but until we can confirm the pooh will really do harm to you as a local, we think it is OK you keep playing with it. Though for everyone else everywhere in the real world dabbling in pooh can ultimately kill, we have to make sure that the locals here are not super-human and will not be affected by the pooh.
However, in the event the it is enough pooh to kill, cause it takes a certain amount of pooh to make a situation bad, we will not responsible for any illness caught by any persons who was playing with the pooh, though we said it might be pooh, but did not take away the access to said pooh, cause though we can run a country, we can’t see any need to exercise public safety. It is more fun watching people splash around in said pooh.

**fnpsr** » 2010-08-25 02:26

Tenman, sorry , there is no part 2.

**Coopin** » 2010-08-25 02:20

Same problem down at jolly beach, water seeping out from the swamp in to the sea. All the ** from Cxxxx goes into the swamp,then when it rains,it goes from the swamp to the sea. You can see it from cocos all the way down to the dive shop.

Samples were taken to dunbars,there was proof of ** in the water,but nothing was ever done. Tourist's were getting infections from the water......... still nothing!! Welcome to Antigua:(

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 02:15

Tenman, great question! Who knows how long those results would take! I also agree these people should avoid the water until the results are back. Tenam, ignorance is blissful, and these guys are not thinking right! Morris, with a very serious health issue like this one, I believe Mr. Michael should be fired for his incompetence! If the results of the test show high faecal contamination, and other health issues affecting Country Pond, then he, and other officials should resigned. However, I am sure you know that this will not happen, as people are constantly rewarded for failures in little sweet Wadadli!

**fnpsr** » 2010-08-25 02:12

Tenman, to use your quote, "Today the police commissioner was on the radio and when asked about the use of walkie-talkies he stated that the men would sometimes leave the station and forget their radios." This is the most ridiculous statement I have heard in a long time. A carpenter, plumber or electrician does not leave home without his tools. So why would a police officer leave home without his radio? Furthermore it is gross negligence on the part of the police b**. It would seem to me that before the officers go on patrol, there would be a briefing and an inspection and any equipment that is missing would be remedied at that time. That was a poor excuse!! We can do better than that!!! We have to hold the official in authority to a higher standard!

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 01:41

Morris this (procrastinatio n) is the way we do things here, its the culture. Today the police commissioner was on the radio and when asked about the use of walkie-talkies he stated that the men would sometimes leave the station and forget their radios. Now his attitude was like no big deal. This helps to explain why in broad day light a place is robbed at rush hour, yet the perpetrator is able to get away via car.

**Morris** » 2010-08-25 01:27

It would be great if the officials responsible could be prosecuted for ignorance and procrastination .

**tenman** » 2010-08-25 01:20

The question that should be asked is how long before we get those results? Should we not exercise caution now and provide another source of water to the washers? The truth is any right thinking person would forget about using that water until the final results are in but perhaps because the sun is too hot, people are not thinking.

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 00:46

There some people who like to pappy-show themselves! Well, Carnival is over, so Herby keep your nonsense, like you always do on Observer! This is a serious issue!

**Dig It** » 2010-08-25 00:40

Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael is a joker! He knew of faeces in the pond's water a long time ago, and now he wants to be a super hero, by telling us the car washers will stay on the job! ! If he and the CBH was continually monitoring the Pond, we would be having this discussion. The problem in Antigua is that we tend to take action only when an issue becomes a public matter, or if the media exposes the problem. It shouldn't be like that. Job or job not, how do we expect these men to care about their health, if people like Michael not doing their job?

**lethal.** » 2010-08-25 00:24

when you car is not washed clean, it is now legal. you have just gotten a ** car wash. herby a wha a go on.

**Herby** » 2010-08-24 22:42

For those who cant afford amor all, wax and the likes i think the presence of faeces will give their vehicle a natural shine when it is washed.

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