UPDATE: Premier denies Gun Creek focus group handpicked
During a press briefing on August 30, 2013 Premier Smith related, “Of course one had to select certain people and the idea was to select people who are residents of North Sound and that is exactly what we did. We asked other persons living there to also recommend persons who can serve on the committee, hence we came up with a list of names.”
In a statement made during his press briefing, Dr Smith said, “The focus group was comprised of various persons representing the public and private sectors, including land and business owners in the Gun Creek area. The group sat down and brainstormed several ideas for the area. They discussed options and solutions for the existing cargo, garbage and parking concerns in the area.”
Premier Smith further stated, “I must stay that if there is anyone else in the North Sound area who wishes to have input into the process… [they] would be very welcome.”
Premier Smith said the process was all about having discussions with the residents of North Sound to determine what they want and stated that it was not about what he wants or what anyone else wants.
The participants, he noted, also brainstormed ideas for potential businesses and services in the area, as well as how government will support the development of those businesses.
“That is what we want. We want to encourage residents to take advantage of the opportunities presented by developing Gun Creek and have a heavy hand in shaping how this area is developed,” Dr Smith said.
Dr Smith said a concept of what the Development would look like was presented to the people and this is nothing that was fixed in stone. He added that the final outcome would depend on interactions and recommendations made by people who have attended the meetings.
“Indeed, the Committee puts us in a better position to understand what the residents want to see for the area and how we can achieve it, together.
In fact, the outcome of the committee discussions will influence the conceptual plan, which will later be discussed with the public,” the Premier stated.
He said the development of Gun Creek is a priority in his Government’s efforts to further develop and enhance the Virgin Islands’ tourism product and stated that the project is not being explored in isolation of other critical issues for Virgin Gorda residents.
According to the Premier, many other projects for the island are being actively advanced by other ministries.
See previous article posted August 30, 2013:
UPDATE: Gov't handpicked Gun Creek focus group – VG residents allege
- Victor Johnson the focus of first meeting
NORTH SOUND, Virgin Gorda, VI – Government officials on August 29, 2013 met with members of the Gun Creek focus group who residents of Virgin Gorda alleged were handpicked and not capable of representing the masses of the sister island.
The focus group and government officials met to discuss initiatives at the Admin Building in Valley that could aid the process of moving the Gun Creek Development Project forward.
"I spoke with some of them following the meeting and based on the feedback that I got, the objective was not achieved," said a concerned resident. "The general outcome was no different than the first as most were not comfortable with what was presented to them by government. They are back to square one," the source added.
It is being alleged that while Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith continues to decline releasing the source of funding for the proposed Gun Creek project and has categorically stated that Mr Victor Johnson has nothing to do with it, residents are not convinced that he is telling the truth.
A source close to the focus group said Mr Johnson's name came up regularly during the course of the focus group meeting. "Everything was because of what Gun Creek means for Victor Johnson. Everything is Victor Johnson wants to see the place get fix up so when his people come the place would be all nice looking, everything is Victor Johnson, Victor Johnson, Victor Johnson. He wants it to look good for his guests when they arrive via the sea planes that is why the government is even interested in developing that area there," the source alleged.
"They talked about Bitter End and Biras Creek and these other hotels that have been here for so many years who have put tourism on the map in the BVI, who have helped not only the government but the whole territory by employing hundreds of people from all over the world, who we call good investors ..... This is what they want to do to them; why don't they hire private boats to shuttle their staff to and from Gun Creek.," the source alleged was said at the meeting.
According to the same source, among those who made up the focus group were boat captains as well and it was their interests that were put forward. This news site was told that the boat captains were concerned that the long serving resorts have their private boats that does shuttling of their staff and in some cases their garbage. "They said (allegedly) talking about the garbage, why they don't find an alternate route to take their garbage instead of bringing it to Gun Creek. So what they are actually saying is to inconvenience the good investors who were here with us for years, who didn't segregate us when they came they want to put hardship on them so that this man’s (name called) plan can go through," a resident alleged.
Several attempts were made for a feedback from Deputy Secretary in the Office of the Premier, Mr Brodwick Penn but were futile as he was reportedly engaged or not at his desk when this news site called.
Efforts to reach Mr Victor Johnson of Oil Nut Bay were also futile as he was also said to be unavailable.
Residents are insisting that the Government return to the people of Virgin Gorda at a general community meeting and if a group is to be selected to represent the island to deliberate on the Gun Creek Development Project it must be done openly at that meeting.
See previous article posted August 28, 2013
Gov’t meeting VG advisory group on Gun Creek Dev. behind closed doors today
- Residents still believe hospital should be priority; want to know where money for Gun Creek Dev. will come from
Residents of Virgin Gorda are renewing their calls for answers as to the source of funding for the government proposed Gun Creek Development Project and said they are not prepared to give their blessings unless the question is answered honestly. They are also insisting that more energy be directed towards furnishing the sister island with a hospital.
These calls were made one day shy of the government’s scheduled meeting with a group of Virgin Gorda residents who are said to be a focus group on the Gun Creek Development Project. “Interestingly, we are actually having our first meeting with the focus group tomorrow (today August 28, 2013),” said Deputy Secretary within the Premier’s Office Mr Brodrick Penn when contacted by Virgin Islands News Online.
Mr Penn said government is fulfilling its promise to residents of Virgin Gorda who had heard Government’s conceptual plan for the development of Gun Creek at a public meeting at the Robinson O’Neal Primary School in North Sound on April 10, 2013.
He said a number of concerns were raised by residents at that meeting. “We are working on it (the plans for the project) we had a number of suggestions from persons in the audience in respect to some of the things they want to see and some of the things we need to go back in and do.” He said following the meeting with the group, the government will work on a new or amended plan for the project but will take back to the general residents of VG for their approval before any further steps are made as it regards the project.
“We are looking to move the project forward but what we are doing is we are trying to get additional input through the focus group now that would then take the idea that came out of that general meeting. Once we come up with a new or amended concept we’ll come back to the public in Virgin Gorda,” Mr Penn said.
But while this is going on, a cross section of residents from the Virgin Gorda communities are saying they need to have answers as to where the government intends to get its funding for the project should it have to go ahead. “We have concerns because ‘Mr X (name called)’ we know is behind this. We asked the Premier at the meeting where they getting the funding and he didn’t give us any answer and need that answer,” said a resident.
The concern was posed to the Deputy Secretary within the Premier’s office. “As far as I know he isn’t and was never involved. The Premier made a statement on that and I don’t have anything else to say,” said Mr Penn.
In addition, residents say they are in more dire need for the hospital project to get off the ground and would rather the government of the day focus its energies on that as opposed to the Gun Creek Project. “We aint in no rush for Gun Creek Project, let them build our hospital first then we going to go back and deal with the Gun Creek project. By that time the Premier will find the answers as to where the money coming from,” said a resident.
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34 Responses to “UPDATE: Premier denies Gun Creek focus group handpicked”
It has been the most shamful part of the island for the past 30 years. Its shame that got some balking. there are people with some insight that will prepare a proper plan for the community. It is no longer waiting for the fix itself theory. You may as well go and suck an egg.
But a far-sighted govt wanting to get to its ultimate goal, needs to address the issues that may prevent it from geting there, in this case the hospital. If the mindset of the people are on the hospital, during the focus group meeting and other meetings, present a plan for the hospital first and then present your plan for Gun Creek. Ensure that this plan states that the hospital will be finished first before starting Gun Creek.
Also make sure that if the development falls under the Protocols, all requirements are addressed.
Residents want to be engaged in the matters that affect them and to determine their own priorities. NDP, please talk to them, rather than at them. Don't raise opposition and ultimately resentment from the very people you are trying to help.
Or else, there will be a repeat of 2007 election.
ask Stevie Wonder anh he will tell you. And more facts, its been more that thirty years looking the same way.
The Hospital is is progress, the minster showed and present the presentation, are you saying dont discuss nothing else until it is finish, Cant you walk and chew gum?
Get on board witht the program or leave the island like the other sour loosers.
I went hard and all out for the NDP but some of the memebers are very disappointing espeacially the DOCS. FSC HAS LOST REVENUES, TOURIST BOARD STILL TRYING TO FIND A PRODUCT, TRC FIGHTING EVERY BATTLE AND CANT EVEN GET US BROAD BAND AND MANY PARTS OF THE BVI LOOKS LIKE A MESS. NO ZONING ANYONE BUILDING ANYWHERE.
NO FOOD TO SURVIVE IF THE CARGO BOATS STOP COMING. AGRICULTURE IS SERIOUSLY STRUGGLING IF YOU DID NOT CATCH IT.
EDUCATION IS STILL WAY BEHIND BUT THE MINISTER IS TRYING. NOT ALWAYS WISE BUT TRYING.
MY GOOD PEOPLE WE ARE IN TROUBLE!!!!!!
Look and see what is happening, Tortola, the main island is being surrounded by a bunch of white expats on all the outlying islands. Examine it, man. Who has eyes to see, open them wide and see, Virgin Gorda is heading for the fate of St. John. Soon locals will be outnumbered there. Who is checking the numbers in the BVI? No one. How could a country and its citizens assert themselves in their homeland if the citizens are outnumbered by expats? This should never be and makes no sense. It is time that our leaders have a comprehensive vision for the Virgin Islands. It is obvious that we are planning the territory "on the go," and this practice is heading for disaster.
Fifteen million was borrowed to fix roads, they can't be fixed yet. Schools on Tortola to be built, sewerage system can't be completed. The question to the Government is: Where in the name of God's Universe are you getting the money to fix Gun Creek, eh? Where are you finding this money to complete this project? We who are waking up are thinking, "someone else is funding this project." It is very obvious. These monies were never airmarked or talked about in the two past budgets. Where did the Government find this money? Holy God of the Universe, help the true concerned citizens of the Virgin Islands. Avenge our ancestors who sacrificed their lives for these islands and send us true leaders who will lead the Virgin Islands with truth and integrity before they sell our country from under we and put us back in a clandestine slavery."
DJ already got oil nut bay,where he and his staff has chased the locals from enjoying the beach several times,he will not get his hands on gun creek for sure,mark my word!