Anxiously, we sat just praying that the damage was not too severe.  As dawn broke and the winds subsided, we began to emerge from our homes to assess the damage.  Some streets were impassable, businesses were damaged from down trees and some residents could not get out of their homes.

Cane Garden Bay, Brewers Bay, Ballast Bay, Harrigan and other neighboring villages were a complete mess.  Residents were out chopping trees raking leaves and pulling branches trying to make their way out.

That’s when, Claude Skelton Cline (would be candidate) initiated a couple of survey teams in our 2^nd district area and mobilized clean-up crews.  The announcement went out over ZBVI and residents responded overwhelmingly with wheelbarrows, machetes, chainsaws, rakes and other equipment.

Skelton Cline made provision for food and drinks for the crews as they worked tirelessly to make roads passable, school grounds cleaned up, businesses and beach areas cleaned up.  Skelton Cline was there with his hatchet in hand chopping down almond trees.

This hands-on approach is a perfect example of  responsive and responsible leadership and the unity that it engenders.  His selfless display for the safety and security of the people in the community resonated with his words, “let’s do what we can for ourselves and not wait for Public Works, this is our community.”

However, we would also like to thank Public Works and Electricity Department Personnel for their gallant effort and work ethic during this challenging time.

Above all, we thank God for keeping us safe.

By: Denice Cline