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Making recovery a Christmas gift & New Year resolution

- Truth for the Youth-BVP.com… Saturdays 6pm – 7pm on ZROD 103.7FM & ZVCR 106.9FM
December 18th, 2017 | Tags: frustration fear Alred C. Frett recovery Christmas wish
Alred C. Frett. Photo: VINO/File
Alred C. Frett

When Fear & Frustration replace Hope & Celebration:

December… As we count down the final month of this year our tradition of welcoming Christmas with celebrations of Joy and a New Year with outpouring of Hope, have been threatened by the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria… A dose of Reality makes it difficult to forget the past, find comfort in the present and prepare for the future – Pretending otherwise simply brings more problems than solutions.

It is so hard to admit that more than 3 months since Irma a tangible sense of despair and frustration still pervades the Country and even as we welcome flickers of progress, too many still appear desperately waiting for help to arrive… This results in an absence of joy and hope as disillusioned Persons see the process as one of corruption in which some seem to receive over-assistance while others feel ignored.

This chronic situation morphs into abject Fear as Persons who once barely existed from Pay Check to Pay Check now face job losses in record numbers without the hope of finding another… Many have grown tired of begging for handouts when what they really want is an opportunity to help themselves and are further demoralised by being chased out of Shelters and People’s Homes with nowhere to go.

Have any of these happened to any one you know?

You can sense the terror, hopelessness and frustration in Persons who have lost everything and had nothing insured and others whose Insurance Companies gladly took their Money in Premiums but now appear to ignore, reduce their insured value or refuse to pay them what is rightfully theirs… They are now Victims of Recovery as Supplies, Rent, Services and Labour are increased beyond their reach.

Even Government Agencies appear most unhelpful and aggressive… Civil Servants belittle you and Drivers face harassment and threats because of hurricane damage to their Cars, even as Government and Police Vehicles sport the same plastic and garbage bags as glass replacement – Peaceful, law abiding Citizens are now terrified that the presence of openly Armed Officers may get them shot accidentally.

These are but a few of the Negative Effects and Conditions that have allowed these Hurricanes to last longer than they ever should and more likely to affect the Mental Stability of the Territory by creating Lions or Lambs - No wonder I am cautioned to be quiet or face undue pressure… However, that is not new – I’m already told of Utilities withheld and my new ordered truck being commandeered for Police.

This is bigger than you or me:

If true, then I am already treated worse than most who complain to me but this is not about me and I seek no special favours… This is about the voiceless, hopeless, forgotten and betrayed - They deserve better and I stand behind the Steps to Recovery I previously outlined – Steps that include responsible Money Management of Public Funds and Government extending the present Recovery Grace Period.

At the same time, unless Leaders are committed to long-term Solutions, this may be easier said than done since a ‘New Year’ means reduced Local Tax Revenues for Government… However, reluctance to downsizing their Ambitions could make 2018 a nightmare of regression for the VI and its People… Just remember, this is our Home and there is no National Recovery unless we all recover together.

PS: I will continue addressing some of your Questions & Comments on Live BVP Radio Programmes

5 Responses to “Making recovery a Christmas gift & New Year resolution”

  • ... (18/12/2017, 08:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let freedom rain
  • long look me come from (18/12/2017, 09:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    hungry belly people cannot celebrate Christmas
  • NezRez (18/12/2017, 09:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with everything Mr Frett has stated. Those who have no financial problems can easily act like ostriches with their heads in the ground as if everything is fine. People are trying desperately to get back to normal, but it is impossible for some who had very little before the storms and now left without anything. How can government expect people to get new vehicles, fix homes, replace damaged household goods, unemployed, get well after falling ill from the shock of everything that has happened. I hear people say that we should stop talking about it and start rebuilding, but for some their mental and financial conditions make it impossible plus we have not been given enough time to recuperate.
  • a friend (18/12/2017, 10:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice commentary, Mr. Frett, but instead of saying people are hopeless, encourage them not to give up hope. Even though things are difficult, everyone has their challenges, the bottom line is that we all can do better if we set our minds to helping ourselves where we can, and helping each other where we can. Life is not fair, we know that, but if people sit back and gripe about the unfairness, they will never move forward in a positive way...
    This is a time for people to show their faith, have hope, and continue to trust in the God that saved their lives, even as their houses were blown apart from around them....that is something to be positive about...it was not mere coincidence...roofs went, side walls went, and people were clinging on to things that could have been blown away, but by some Force beyond Irma and Maria, they came out of th rubble, without a scratch...Mr. Frett, that is not something to take for granted...Maybe you don't believe in God, but the majority of people who you refer to believe in Him, so don't frett yourself over the length of time recovery is taking, Rome was not built in day even if it was destroyed in an hour. It will take time, much time, to recover and restore...You have a blessed holiday season, keep writing.
  • ............................. (19/12/2017, 02:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He always speak TRUTH to POWER but what is sad,.No one IS LISTENING


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