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Smuggler’s Cove beach was never sold! – Christian

Smuggler’s Cove was never sold to investors, Christian declared. Photo: panoramio.com
Christian was unsuccessful twice in usurping Minister Fahie for the 1st district seat. Photo: VINO
Christian was unsuccessful twice in usurping Minister Fahie for the 1st district seat. Photo: VINO
CAPOONS BAY, Tortola, VI – Smuggler’s Cove beach was never bought back from any foreign owner because it was never sold, claimed National Democratic Party At Large candidate Archibald “Archie” Christian.

“Beaches on the Virgin Islands (VI) are owned by the Crown and by extension the people of the VI up to high water mark, therefore Smuggler’s Cove is no exception. It was never sold to a private investor under the NDP administration,” Christian disclosed to supporters last evening, October 18, 2011 at a National Democratic Party (NDP) tent meeting in Capoons Bay.

The At Large candidate said he has challenged politicians to tell the truth, since announcing his political intentions in March 2011. Therefore, he wanted to set the record straight.

First district representative Andrew Fahie had stated during his re-election campaign launch on Saturday October 15, 2011 that under the NDP, Smuggler’s Cove was able to get into the hands of overseas investors. ““They allowed our last public beach to get away in the name of investment. But when elected to Government in 2007 – the VIP put Smuggler’s Cove back into your hands. In the future, we will do investment, though I welcome foreign investment it will not be done on the backs of my people.”

But according to Christian what is “true and what is fact” is that during the NDP administration an agreement was entered into with a foreign investor to purchase approximately 11 acres of land in Smuggler’s Cove - with a beach front - from a local family for $6M.

The investor had wanted to develop a ‘low rise’ five-star hotel, Christian revealed, on the privately owned land.

However, he claimed after the 2007 general elections and after six months of waiting for the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government to give a response to the agreement – the purchaser withdrew. “The property was put back on the market for sale by the owners,” the NDP At Large candidate further stated.

With the deal “falling through”, the VIP was notified that the land was for sale and committed to buying it on behalf of the people of the VI.

In reeling out the facts of the financial transactions between the VIP and the land owner, Christian told supporters, “The purchase was completed on January 26, 2010 for $6.5M. A further 1.330 acres of land owned by foreigners adjoining the property and also adjoining land at Belmont Estate was purchased on May 20, 2011 for $800,000. The land was previously listed for sale at $500,000,” the At Large candidate divulged. ““Those are the facts regarding the transactions of Smuggler’s Cove and Belmont Estate. Smuggler’s Cove beach was never brought back from any foreign owner.”

He advised, “We must as a result of the purchase, however, take good care of the beach and manage that property well.”

And taking a subtle sweep at Hon. Fahie, Christian said, “We must give the people the facts so that they can make wise and informed decision. We must not seek to sensationalise our people for personal gratification”.

13 Responses to “Smuggler’s Cove beach was never sold! – Christian ”

  • westender (19/10/2011, 07:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All I am interested in are facts. I keep saying the truth must be told, why are we afraid of the truth. Paper trail and documentation are boss when it comes to proving fact from fiction. Peple do your own investigation and find out the truth for yourself.
  • peter crumble (19/10/2011, 07:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    is archie trying to take king liard's crown?
  • Strupes (19/10/2011, 08:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then why the land owners around were fussing? Let the people who had the office them speak, and you stop speaking about it cause you going rope up the whole thing. I can't call you a LIAR cause you don't know half the story. You only know what is suppose to be, and happy to know you know the law. Same thing was happening Beef Island.
    • beach goer (19/10/2011, 09:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      As a non voter but resident of this country i follow closely what is being said and there is a lot of nonsense being sprouted by our so called leaders. I think Archie has clarified that it is the land near to the beach that was bought from Mr.Dennisson and not the beach itself as has been implicated. The beach remains as it has done for many years owned by the government. As far as the access is concerned, my understanding is that there are two entrances to the beach, one is a government access and one (that is most used) is through private property. If these property owners wish to close the road to traffic it would be their choice and their right to do so as government have provided access already. As far as i see, they have not done this so we should be thankful to them. The same is true for Long Bay Beef Island, the government access to the beach is from little mountain, not through the salt pond as most of us prefer to go. Again if the owners restrict the usuage of that entry they are legally and morally allowed to do so. In Little Bay also there are two access routes to the beach, one a government road and one a concrete road that was built with private funds as it runs through private property. Well Bay on Beef Island has a road to get to the beach, it doesnt have parking though. There is nothing in the law that says owners of private land must give not only access to the beach but also free parking. Sometimes i think people here are just being to unreasonable in expecting that they can go wherever they want. Please have some respect for people.
      • Mmm (19/10/2011, 13:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Government must make sure that we have accessway to the beach (especially if the private owner of surrounding land does not allow).
  • Sunshine (19/10/2011, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well, Archie, the truth is, the project that was planned for Smugglers Cove would have impacted the beach use by the public. The public (Govt.) was to put a road, and water in for the project, the project owners were going to be allowed to use the land behind the pond for housing for the imported construction workers and I think I remember they project was getting a option to buy that same land, which the Govt. now owns. Come on public, political people COUNT on voters short memories. But the 1st District will never forget that they almost lost use of Smugglers Cove Beach as they know it. Remember, 1st District people, the dock that the project had planned to go down the middle of the sandy area, the only area the swim? Come on political candidates, the people of the BVI are not stupid, you can not fool them with smoke and mirrors. We are on to all of you and we are listening and deciding how we will vote. Time for all of you to understand the people can vote you in or out and WILL. Now please stop playing mind games, we the voters are not amused at the state of the BVI!!! We need somber politicians with a firm commitment to the prosperity of each person living in the BVI. The voters, put out the VIP, put in the NDP, took out the NDP and put back in the VIP! Voters rule the BVI!! Pull up your campaigns candidates, remember you are speaking to intelligent people, who will decide on Election Day. You are not speaking to idiots. Stop with the half truths, and mud slinging, move on, please, the BVI is in a bad state and we need to get back to economic stability. There is much work to be done, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead", LET US GO FORWARD BVI!!!
    • Mrs Tubman (30/03/2021, 17:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Acvotding to you it's bravo for District 1 not losing Smugglers Cove
      If you pleasr,please, pity for District 1 .Fact is the peoples of the District have been losing their lives their health and their quality of life to the Pockwood Pond public gas oven and its timeless and far reaching putrid,toxic and carcinogenic emulsions.
      Pity on them. Damnation to their elected. Smugglers Cove cannot save their lives and matters not . Only to the ego of Emperor of District 1 and his dumbed downed subjects it matters.
  • Brad Boynes (19/10/2011, 11:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Beach goer 10.4.
  • ta ta (19/10/2011, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    archie is know to tell big fat lies so we aint studyin he with he hogwash!!!!
  • Election Girl (19/10/2011, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Archie always disputing on some land issue....He himself can't see he belong in Real Estate and not politics...lol what is he bringing to the table as an atlarge...every podium he go on he disputing bout land or correcting the damage he done said.....well what a thing!!! He need to stay in Real Estate!!! Bertie in his Eye place! Mark in he supermarket that so desperately need help! Ronnie up the Quarry!!! Myron up the moorings (not even in law cause that's a joke) Marlon up the Registry in IT, and OH YES Claude at the foot of the cross!! Alvera in her catering services!! Mr. glossy eye OJ at building his family first!! Well don't talk about Delores a Straight flight in Mello Moods...ONLY Dr. Smith and Pickering we welcome to the political arena!!!
  • 9th District Voter (19/10/2011, 18:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Voters of the 1st, take it from me, That boy is a pathological liar. He came to VG with his lies now he want to brain wash the ppl of the 1st. I know the ppl of the 1st are intelligent ppl who can't be swayed easily. We all know the history of the Smuggler's Cove sale and how Mr. Fahie had to work hard to acquire the beach for his ppl. Archie is trying all sort of things to get votes but not a X from VG.


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