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**Jumbee Picknee** » 2011-12-19 13:40

Hail, Tenman, me hab me klapwipp dat me mek outta dagga ready, as I thank you for the info. However, 50 years of Labour did not do nothing for Point/Villa. Instead of expanding the Port into the Shopping Mall that is Heritage Quay, Point was convientlyy by-passed. We got a fisheries building since UPP came into power and whatelse. Minister Browne should have placed his housing development at Tomlinsons in his constituency. His other entrepreneur endeavors, are large percentage of them in his constituency? To upgrade, uplift the aesthetics of his community and the spirits of its citizens. Tenman, I have read several of your post/comments and find you to be a well educated individual, BUT NO MEK ME HAFFU TUN BYLAE WID ME KLAPWIP, anyway a johnbull time, so de police narr go lock me up...Gaston is jousting, postering and like all of our leaders, they are in denial.

**Jumbee Picknee** » 2011-12-18 14:39

...the said board walk covered drain would end in a reservoir and the recycled water would be used to water an 18 hole golf course from Dredge beach to the renovated historical Fort James to Old Runnaway back to Dredge beach, after having the Shanty Towne wackle shacks, reFURBISHED into a shopping mall using "wackle" as the main design theme but with a more aesthetic appeal, as gondolas float in Dredge bay waiting to give visitors a tour of the island western scenery's which would include a skywalk from Dredge beach to a Theme Park on Goat Hill...talk is cheap, charity begins at home as we clean up our own back yard's....imagi ne how many youths said plan, once brought into fruition would take off the corners of Point/Villa who are now prone to violence. TEACH DE YOUTH'S RIGHT....

**tenman** » 2011-12-18 14:10

Jumbee Picknee I did listen to his speech and he did mention his constituency a few times. The one that stands out is his aim to build better housing in his constituency. He then reached out to the PM requesting that they do this jointly since the PM constituency is also in need of better housing.

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**Jumbee Picknee** » 2011-12-18 13:12

I did not hear the Ministers speech but I read what is presumably and excerpt from said speech. Few things here, I garner semantics, politricks, jousting and denial. The constituency which he represents was never mentioned, or at least not in this report. However, mentioned was "remuneration should be tied to performances for the country's high- paid officials," bravo on that one, BUT it should be for all "HIGH-PAID OFFICIALS" that is, the entire House of Representatives including the Governor General. Returning to his responsibility' s to Point & Villa, for as far as I am concerned, 'clean up your own filthy back yard first'. I want to see plans, specifications that will reference the drain on **enson Bay Street from Cemetery Road to Dredge Bay...covered as a board walk with replanted mahogany and other enduring trees to beautify the area...

**Jumbie Picknee** » 2011-12-18 00:06

Greetings folks, Action speaks louder than words, and from all indicaton's, this blog has many orators with many ideas which once they are discerned, reasoned upon and hashed out can be usefull guidelines, principles etc. to use as templates to reorganize our present system of governance. AGAIN, this is where the formation of a non-partisan political action committee would and can benefit our Nation of Antigua, Barbuda & Redonda. Therefore, talk, blog all we want, because what I have observed also, is most of the bloggers are for a particular political party and as far as I am concerned, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, is cheap. WE NEED ACTION....

**Fred** » 2011-12-17 23:41

I listened Gaston's presentation from beginning to end and I was thoroughly impressed. he has indeed matured into one of our finest politicians. Go Gaston Go!

**Worldview** » 2011-12-17 13:10

The government official in charge of the auction advises that the whole thing was done in a rush & at a less-than-optim al season - so really the auction was a great success! Go figure ...

**the truth** » 2011-12-16 22:23

Does anyone know the type that want to buy our passports at any price..... I know some of them, and if we start issue them, Antigua & Barbuda will be worth nothing. Have you noticed how A&B passport is respected around the world when you travel. When you can buy them and not live here it will be a problem, we will all suffer and need visa to travel. Economic citizenship is when you to A&B economy, not hide yr money, you must truly wish to live here. If you wan buy the passport and dissapear for years at a time, then no, and THAT is what is being proposed....... We are not a haven for the untoward and it shall remain so. Antigua & Barbuda passport still proud and you must be more than rich to get one. Amen.

**Morris** » 2011-12-16 21:21

I am amazed at how detailed the plans are for attracting FDI - economic citizenship, land sales, etc - however, there are no detailed plans for attracting locals. Our leaders have done nothing but offer lip service regarding growing the local economy, and that is sad. The solution lies beyond bi-partisan (UPP & ALP) agreement; it can be found by including all of the relevant societal players that individuals such as John French II, Skyewill and fnpsr have been talking about for the longest. We have a lot of work ahead.

**John French II** » 2011-12-16 20:25

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Tenman, Thanks for the information on the Treasury Bills Auction. Thankful for Small Mercies! Why are you surprised on the critique of the GB's proposals. You know the position I would bring to the table on such matters. We need to begin to treat land as a national treasure. Sure we ought not to bury the talents but see how best to leverage our patrimony without losing our legacies. Why are the Politicos not focusing their energies on how to secure the HMB lands and monies owed. !00 acres for $65.0M. Why not create a Development Co and sell shares per sq. ft to every Antiguan at home and in the diaspora to bring this travesty to a halt. This should then provide the capital to remove the meddlesome vixen from the people. The company could then lease the land to developer/or developers and the proceeds and taxes on the property be used to reward, in perpetuity, the Antiguans and their future offspring who saw it fit to save the Nation and the Legacy. They could also if they wish sell their shares to other Nationals at anytime during the life of the Corporation. May Heaven Help the Nation Of Antigua and Barbuda including Redonda.

**tenman** » 2011-12-16 19:31

I notice that there is no mention that the government's auction for Thursday as again under-subscribe d like the previous one. They tried to raise 20 million and ended up with only 8,443,386.00, some over 11 million short. I gather press releases only go out when there is a success.www.ecseonline.com/auc_results.php

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**tenman** » 2011-12-16 19:27

Morris one of the things which Browne argued, which was mentioned first by of all persons, MP Daniel, was the need to get our locals more involved with the economy. Daniel pointed out that we have Antiguan's who government needs to approach and entice to invest. Browne suggested that we need to form partnerships and in so doing gain the capital needed for large scale investments. I have even heard such ideas suggested via comments on caribarena. The government need to conceptualize an investment and sell it to locals or provide avenues for others to do it. The idea is instead of looking for a major investor, we look more at groups. I also agree with Browne that the government's mistake in going to the IMF was that the moneys were used for government expenses rather than for an investment which could return real value and act as a stimulus for the economy.

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**tenman** » 2011-12-16 19:00

The added thing (safeguard) the MP stated was when the lands were sold was to put some clause in it to prevent persons from easily selling the land. The history of these schemes is that many persons because the land comes from government feel they need not pay back for the lands. Other persons, many times lawyers would simply buy the lands and give the prior owner a few thousands dollars extra. Many of the same lands especially those located in places like English harbor are then resold at a premium price to expatriates. I did not hear this safe gaurd stated in the governments proposal to sell at least 127 acres of crown land beginning in march 2012.
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**Morris** » 2011-12-16 18:58

The difference is the title; you don't get it with a lease, but you do with a purchase. Tenman, I have been told by a very credible source that some of those same gov't lands are actually belong to other people. At any rate, I think it is a much better strategy to dedicate the lands to agriculture, or even some of the small scale manufacturing Skyewill suggested, than the current idea suggested by GB. The truth is we are fighting an uphill battle trying to attract FDI.

**tenman** » 2011-12-16 18:23

Morris where Barbuda is concerned I recall a recent project which would have granted a long term lease for a total of some 900 acres of land. Whats the difference between selling land vs having a renewable lease with the lease period being for 99 years? The very K club which is now defunct the owner has a 99 year lease
Quote:

He noted that since K Club’s closure, the owners have refused to indicate what their intentions are with the property, and this is unacceptable. The owner of the hotel is Krizia Mariuccia Mandelli of Milan, Italy, who has a 99-year lease on the property.

see http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=65722

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**tenman** » 2011-12-16 18:12

2012 Budget
Quote:

This is Phase Two of the Construct Antigua Barbuda Initiative and will commence in March 2012 with the sale of 600 parcels of land. We have identified 127 acres as follows: „
North Sound 30 acres
Freetown 20 acreas
Bolans 12 acres
Urlings 15 acres
McPond 50 acres
The average size of the plots will be 1/4 acre

I find the debate on the land issue strange. In the very budget it states the government will make available for sale some 127 acres (5532120 sq feet) of land. Lets admit that per sq foot we talking at least 8.00. We are therefore talking about the sale of land totaling some $44,256,960. This figure does not include the lands that will be set aside, at Dow Hill, for Antiguan's living abroad. We have lands sitting idle with bush growing, The government via CBH probably spends millions clearing these lands yearly. Why is only Browne being attacked for his suggestion that we sell crown land when no one says anything when the government has stated this is the plan?

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**Morris** » 2011-12-16 17:45

Let me see:
1 sq ml = 640 acres
Antigua = 108 sq mls = 69,120 acres
Barbuda = 68 sq mls = 43,520 acres

My concern is, since we cannot touch the lands in Barbuda to sell to foreigners, how much land is GB talking about giving up on Antigua? How much land is left over after we factor in what is already in the hands of private/local citizens, what is already given to foreign entrepreneurs, and how much is allocated to farming for sustenance? He is throwing around that idea as is there is an over abundance of land to satisfy this dream. Then again, since the gov't saw it fitting to reduce the Ministry of Agriculture's budget, perhaps that is what they plan on doing with the land. These people never cease to amaze me.

**Skyewill** » 2011-12-16 17:22

I don't mean to be rude but this is not a financial plan. I do them all the time. I'll bet Antiguans can fix Antigua. So much money some people got would amaze you. Antigua loaded, after all they suck the treasurary. I know some rally good ALP supporters, real nice people, loving and very loyal They love ALP more than they love their self and will fall for this stuff. but it look to me, an independant like Crapo tobacco. I am wondering if ALP can beat UPP in an election. either way Antigua loose

**Dessalines** » 2011-12-16 13:47

You guys get to go to the head of the class today.
1. Why would anyone want to buy Antigua's passports when the US, UK and Canada has better economic residence programs on offer. We lack the credibility and we will lose Visa free travel to most countries as per John French.
2. If we exchange our land (assets) for coloured bits of paper then spend them on travel, office rentals and non productive staff and fences then what exactly does Antigua Barbuda get in return. Zilch.
Gaston seems to have a personal interest in the passport scheme, is this the most he can come up with and expect us to trust him to lead this country.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 13:43

As with everything else we the people do not demand first class service and jet we pay for it more over. $40 for a return check and more. Hours in the line just to deposit and cash money. And to sent a wire to your supplier. Time that could be spend more productively. Still paying people by check which takes three days and more to clear the system and god forbid if it bounce. It is good to be small but the weakness that we have need to be exchange with working together in those area’s. Shared Information systems is to the benefit of all. So form a ITC for the banks and all members contribute to it.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 13:42

Another point as it relates to the bank. Why is it that in this day and age we here in Antigua are still living in the nineteenth century when it comes to banking. We do not have a simple thing as an Automated Clearing House up to now and it doesn’t seem to disturb anyone. Well is disturbs me very much. I know I live in an under develop country but for God’s Sake this is the information age. Why can’t the Central Bank mandate that an ACH is put in place tomorrow. They are on the shelves. Doesn’t need to be invented. But every bank is on their own doing their own thing, which is like doing nothing at all. You think the International banks like RBC and SCOTIA do not have the system for their other banks outside the OECS.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 11:24

What I believe ALP should be doing, rather than for Gaston to put out plan after plan to be self-servant to him and him alone, is to have a broad ALP convention and discuss economic plans and ideas and put them in a documents and then sanction a group of economic advisors to give independent critique on the different ideas. Cause no matter what someone else says you will always think your plan is the best. And as From the Side Line, I am still not sure ALP has the best plan nailed down.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 11:23

I understand they face many operational and administrative problems and probably financial as well. I guess they need real help from established other co-ops in Europe and USA in order for them to succeed. I would suggest to them to use existing services rather than to reinvent the wheel. In my opinion Gaston seem to be more concern with his succession rights. But the battle will be hot and he knows that. And if this battle is fought before the next election ALP will surely loose. There will be too many casualties. So Gaston should decide whether to put Party above self. That is what Molwyn did in order to preserve the peace and pass the Chairmanship to him.

**John French II** » 2011-12-16 11:22

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Skyewill, you are on a roll firing on all twelve cylinders. Delightful! As Chef would say "Delectable!". These Blue & Red lads cannot get their heads out of FDI & Tourism. Using St. Kitts as the example. Have Mercy Pon Us. They have a 200% Debt to GDP ratio and have been directed to get it to 147% this year by the ECCB. They are now safely being contracted by the IMF. Had he used the examples of the North Atlantic, he may have been forgiven. Do they wish to place A&B in the category of many OECS & Caricom States who require VISAsS to the Commonwealth and other Nations? Have they consulted the People of Antigua & Barbuda in their quest for this "Golden Fleece"? The People should ask for a Referendum on this? Selling our Land? To Whom? Why go after Butch Cassidy, the Euro Privateer and his land grab? Be consistent! When will Blues and Reds stop selling this small finite amount of land to externals?
Heaven Save The People of The Nation Of Antigua & Barbuda from this short sighted Political Elite. Go Well My Brother! Respect.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 11:22

Well to me that is scare-tactics as if something really bad will happen. I can tell you we can overcome all the weaknesses and strengthen the small bank or small insurance companies or anything small, by establishing more joint venture companies. Rather than to swallow you just become part of a network. You can buy into this network. That’s how we got OPEC and all the other cartels all over. It was the same old vision of together we stand a better chance. By the way the ECCB can be considered as being the very same system of many countries working together yet separate. Amalgamation is similar but not the same. Just like merging. Another concept used is that of co-ops. We have seen how the co-ops have grown in the OECS especially Antigua. St. John’s Corporative Credit Union and Teachers Credit Union are just two to mention. We spoke about the farmers starting their own co-ops and start purchasing and marketing together.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 11:21

We have seen in the industrial world what that has led to. They become too big to fail. As was ABIB slowly becoming. We in these small Islands need not to lose the unique features of small business and small banks. They have served us well. The bank manager knows you, your family and makes decisions not only on a set of numbers but also on customer relationship. Soon all this will disappear and everyone will just be a number. And only the rich customers will survive. Just follow the trend of the banking industry in the US. They are trying to go back to the very same old personal and customer relationship. I have listened to many stories of older business persons and how they started their business and they will tell you how the bank manager took a change with them and now they have loyalty for live with the bank. I believe that is what has caused the same customer’s loyalty of ABIB. The case Gaston and Dwight are making for amalgamation is that we will be marginalized by the bigger banks.

**From the Side Line** » 2011-12-16 11:19

Gaston has shown to think as an entrepreneur, however in politics not everything is about the bottom line and profits. We have seen some of Gaston’s suggestions in earlier posts. The issue of the economic citizenship to me is a non-starter. Don’t care how much money that brings. We should not let money **ress the system. It’s like selling yourself to the highest bidder. We must put some more meaning in citizenship. Pay your dues by living here and working and contributing. Those of us that are lucky to be born here or out of Antiguan parents have a birth right. Sometimes Gaston still thinks as a banker and therefore can agree with Sir Dwight on his program to amalgamate the banks. He, Gaston, says time and time again that this is the official Labour Party policy. Although we hear a different take from Weston who is, as we all know, Lester’s blue boy when it comes to economic and finance issues. In my humble opinion I would rather support Weston’s point of view as it relates to this issue. He does understand the g** root problem of big banks and where Antigua could find itself in all of this.

**Common Cents** » 2011-12-16 11:09

Good
I like the plan about selling SIC. However you must remember that as a result the government will no longer be able to dip into this company as a personal piggybank as it has been used in the past! An SIC on an open market will result in greater accountability for this and other statutory corporations

**Common Cents** » 2011-12-16 10:36

Gaston's plan has its merits, as well as many many drawbacks. But I always start off with the bad, and then good.
The Bad
Borrowing 100 million from the CDB - Just no. Definitely not. The way forward is NOT to borrow more money. Both present and past governments have had serious issues with repaying the already existing debt. The answer is not MORE debt.
The Indifferent
The Economic Citizenship programme sounds amazingly lucrative. However it has the potential to be VERY dangerous if we even let ONE ill intentioned individual through. You need look no further than "SIR" RA Stanford as an example.
Selling crown land - also has merit. However the question if whether this will be to "friends and comrades" at reduced rates or whether this program will be fairly and equitably administered. Another question is, is there the demand for $50 million worth of land to be sold? Where will this land be and what type of land?

**Confused** » 2011-12-16 09:46

Balance the Budget...lets live with in our means...and stop the Chinese projects..to me if we borrow 40 million us from the Chinese and build the things ourselves it adds much more economic value to the economy..I mean yeah you have a finished product from the Chinese but what about the jobs that would have been provided the economic activity the increase in our learning and technical abilities....

**Confused** » 2011-12-16 09:43

Gaston is time u stop with this Economic citizenship program...there is nothing wrong with the idea but hey Antigua has a history and that is not going away any time soon. If we cant control some 2 by 4 caricom immigrants that have no money but have all the biggest politicians numbers saved in their phones how we going to control people with money....then these same people start controlling the politicians then who knows what next.
What Antigua needs is to reduce taxes, but at the same time the government must also reduce spending....you cant complain about the tax burden and at the same time want government to increase spending. Reduce ABST to 10%...have a Road net works plan..everyone cant get roads at the same time...increase monies paid by immigrant workers...corre ct the poor people programs to ensure that the people who really cant afford getting them....make electricity cheaper for everyone by...collecting moneys owed to APUA by big businesses. If Tourism is our main industry my thinking is if tourism grows everything else grows..you cant want to invest in house construction because that is dependent on growth in Tourism....inve st in Tourism! Cut Gov. Waste!

**Skyewill** » 2011-12-16 08:49

The ALP chairman also pointed to the $50 M revenue that could be generated from selling large plots of crown land. While selling property will bring in money, we will also spend it. look at how much money was spent on fences. So we make 50M you guys buy 2 fences and all the money done. Then What? Empowerment zones, a complete package, areas where people are given insentives to move there weither in business or personal, commercial eand residential go grow that area. create a new town center with good roads, water and storm drainage. manufacturers, schools, clinics, police substation, shopping mall complete with department stores, theater, resturants food court and recreation center anchored by a brand name. Address the short term & long term.

**Skyewill** » 2011-12-16 08:33

“Presently, in St Kitts, I understand they are yielding almost US$100 M a year. I am suggesting that we get at least EC$100 million,” he said
I hope you also understand that St. kitts in on some major bank list to not open accounts for and Nevis also have issues. Keep biting off what you can't swallow. Do you think the USA, Canada, or the UK would trust the folks who bought us Mohammad and Melvo AKA DC Snipers? Seriously? Not post 911.

**Skyewill** » 2011-12-16 08:22

Nope again! keep SIC Antiguan, it's ok to have something. What we need is 9 more companies that perform like SIC. Expand SIC under CSME. Grow it in all the islands with a simple international portfolio. (check out Africa's ECO Bank, model). Look further down the road with this one. SIC could become the micro lender and sell financial products to the m** instead of the cl** for a change. A long term plan for SIC can purchase Antigua out of debt so we don't become a provence of People's Republic of China or anyothers. partner SIC with Social Security. Streamline customs to focus on revenue and clearing peoples goods, not clutter while making sure all collected funds end up in the treasurary and safety and compensation for the workers. Economic zones to target growth.........

**Skyewill** » 2011-12-16 08:04

Those 2 words means opposite of each other. economic citizenship may have implications for Homeland Security. The world will not allow Antigua to screen out terrorists. Money Laundering issues. Antigua pass Port would become useless and anyone holding them will be profiled by MI6. Not good in a post 911 world. Have the Chinese and the world leaders friends we fly around the world with and have lunch with at the Waldoff build manufacturing, assembly plants and purchase the end products. Stop trying tfor this 100 Million pipe dream and chip away at it 1 mill at a time. "One 1 full basket" We need to develope our logic and reasoning skills

**John James** » 2011-12-16 07:35

A brilliant presentation. One of the few presentations which add value rather than the normal finger pointing and nonsensical blaming that have become the norm parliament. The country wants solution not which politician is the best and the brightest man or woman in the world. How can the blame game help this country out of the deep financial problem that we find ourselves?

Well done Gaston you are maturing as politician

**Cool Ruler** » 2011-12-16 07:21

First thing is to the best o my memory Brown has never been finance minister of Antigua, can you imagine him and Weston working together? Now is this his proposal or the ALP official position? This sounds like singing from one sankie to get into office then sing from a different one once they are in. Just looking at this from a glance I can see a number of things that can and should be shot down.

**OO7** » 2011-12-16 06:37

THANKS TO THE UPP AND THEIR MISERABLE PERFORMANCE , ALP NOW SEEMS LIKE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE...W OW.

**WAWA** » 2011-12-16 06:29

I don't know what it is but when I hear Gaston speak I am just not convinced he is speaking for the A.L.P. I am not convinced and I suspect he will find himself in a position with his party just like Wilmoth Daniel in the U.P.P.

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