The Baths controversy ‘far from over'- Sharon P. Flax-Brutus
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According to JTV Channel 55, Flax-Brutus is demanding that elected officials formally declare their positions on the matter.
The National Parks Trust recently paused negotiations regarding an exclusive-access model following a directive from Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Trust, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), pending further government review.
Scrutiny over process & leadership
Following a recent virtual community meeting, Flax-Brutus commended the National Parks Trust for creating a forum for dialogue. However, she emphasised that the session generated as many questions as answers, particularly concerning revenue generation, legal authority, carrying capacity, and proposed rest days.
JTV Channel 55 reported that Flax-Brutus also criticised the format of the meeting, noting that technical difficulties raised doubts about whether every resident could participate fully. She specifically challenged the silence of key public bodies and elected officials.
The former Director of Tourism demanded clarity on the stances of the Premier, the Ministry of Tourism, the BVI Tourist Board, and the BVI Ports Authority. She questioned whether these key tourism and maritime entities were consulted as cruise industry negotiations advanced and also expressed concern over elected representatives remaining on the sidelines while residents were left to steer the debate.
Preserving Heritage and Public Access
Flax-Brutus described the world-renowned site as an essential part of Virgin Gorda’s identity, economy, history, and inheritance rather than a mere commercial attraction. She stressed that public access and capacity management should never be settled behind closed doors or presented to the public only after commercial terms have advanced.
The public response, she noted, proves that management of the site is an issue of national significance across the entire Territory.
Calls for Transparency and In-Person Dialogue
Moving forward, Flax-Brutus is demanding full transparency and direct engagement from territorial leadership before any policy changes are finalised. She added that there should be an explicit public declaration from every elected member of the House of Assembly stating whether they support or oppose exclusive access, a properly advertised, in-person public meeting on Virgin Gorda with a hybrid virtual component for broader access, and the immediate public release of all capacity assessments, relevant studies, draft agreements, and legal advice.
While affirming support for sustainable revenue generation, environmental protection, and sound capacity management, JTV Channel 55 stated that Flax-Brutus remains opposed to granting exclusive access to any private entity. She maintains that no rest dates, capacity limits, or exclusivity agreements should take effect without independent assessments and genuine public consultation, noting that recent discussions represent only the beginning of the debate.
Meanwhile, Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has already strongly expressed that The Baths and Devil’s Bay must remain open and accessible to the public without exclusion or preference to any single commercial interest.
See related articles below:
The Baths & Devil’s Bay 'must remain open' to the public- Hon Vincent O. Wheatley
Public outcry over proposed exclusive cruise access to The Baths & Devil’s Bay
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17 Responses to “The Baths controversy ‘far from over'- Sharon P. Flax-Brutus ”
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That is tantamount to what Kedrick Pickering said some years ago when he let the whole VI and the world know that "quote.. That's a done deal" on the expansion of the airport at the time. But Kedrick was talking with three tongues.
Speaking up in support of it is poison, no one actually wants their name closely associated with selling out the country to tourists. Instead, they just won't say anything, then in a few years when it becomes clear that it was a massive mistake they can talk about it as if they didn't have the chance to speak out against it.
Think about it. This is an election year. If I was running, I would be screaming from the rooftops that I am against this, because it's easy points to score. But they're not. And it's not because its Virgin Gorda, you give a beach to someone on Virgin Gorda, then they're going to ask for beaches on Jost Van Dyke, and then Tortola. They know the issue will eventually spread. They don't care. I wouldn't be suprise if some of them got an extra wire at the bank to make sure too. We don't have that many elected officials. It's easier for these rich foreign companies to buy them out.
During the Zoom meeting, the gentleman said that the Trust DID come to VG and inform them that they were planning to do this deal! It's recorded! NOBODY OBJECTED!
It's now talking season. All of a sudden, Shereen who was all for the luxury cruise lines being integrated in local tourism as a VIP member doesn't want the deal done! She have to be seen and heard now!
Then we have Sharon! Everyday she working hard to selling beachfront land on Virgin Gorda as a Sotheby Real Estate agent! Land that you can't access and when you do, them chasing you off of! Now all of a sudden, VG is for Virgin Gordians! People wake up! Do you realize how diabolical it is for you to be selling VG from underneath it's people, while advocating for resident access to all of the BVI?
Then there's Vincent! He sooo happy that it have a crisis on VG. He throw on a cape to come save the day with his false concern! The Same Vincent who's lack of action causing I'll people to pass and also giving away land left and right in VG all of a sudden is concerned for VG residents?
Let's not talk about Fraser! The gentleman told everyone that Fraser supported everything that they were doing! All of a sudden, he thinking bout reelection, he against the move!
This is all political theater! Actors on the stage named the BVI.