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Turnbull blasts Gov’t for state of CGB beach

- said Government seems prepared to let Cane Garden Bay beach ‘die a natural death’
The world famous Cane Garden Bay beach seems to have been left to die a natural death, according to Mr Michael A. Turnbull. Photo: Provided
A Facebook post by Bishop John I. Cline and response by Mr Michael A. Turnbull on the state of the Cane Garden Bay beach. Photo: Facebook
A Facebook post by Bishop John I. Cline and response by Mr Michael A. Turnbull on the state of the Cane Garden Bay beach. Photo: Facebook
A discoloured Brewer's Bay Beach this morning, September 2, 2017. Photo: Provided
A discoloured Brewer's Bay Beach this morning, September 2, 2017. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Businessman and brother of Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, Michael A. Turnbull, has expressed frustration at the state of the Cane Garden Bay, located in his district, saying government seems to want to see the beach die a natural death.

"I don't think the Ministry or the Government both past and present, value Cane Garden Bay, it's almost they are preparing to "Let it Die A Natural Death", for example Millions of dollars have been spent on a Brandywine Bay beach project, than preserve a beach that has brought in millions in economic stimulus over the years."

It should be noted that the Brandywine Bay beach project is a National Democratic Party (NDP) Government project spearheaded by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7).

Mr Turnbull, commenting on Facebook, said that despite the current project regarding coastline preservation, the issues of ponds, runoff, sewage, for over 20 years have been left to worsen. He said Cane Garden Bay beach is where all the business are locally owned and “not outsourced” and supports hundreds of jobs, yet it is not a top priority and the authorities need to be held accountable.

CGB beach looks like a pond- Bishop Cline

The conversation has been picking up steam on social media.

Michael A. Turnbull said: "The main problem is that two of three ponds in Cane Garden Bay have been filled in, and done by Locals. They will need to be opened back up and preserved. With the recent floods the ghuts were cleaned, however, with the water having easier access to the ocean prior to being naturally cleaned by the ponds and mangroves that were destroyed this has happened, we don't need government, our rep and community leaders like yourself can go the two land owners and start to recreate the pond."

The alarm was further raised today, September 2, 2017 by community enthusiast Bishop John I. Cline, who wrote: "I woke up this morning after praying, I look down at the sea in CGB, to my horror. The Sea looks like the Pond. I wish the government, the ministry, the department on conservation or just anybody who cares about this matter would just take a look and see, This is serious. If I had the authority and money I would address the problem myself.

“Why is a beautiful beach being allowed to be destroyed, WHY?"

Speaking directly with this news site this morning September 2, 2017, Bishop Cline said that his continuous preaching on this issue to governments' have not been yielding any action and, based on tracking the situation over the years, it's just getting worse.

Mr Cline said that more business owners and concerned residents of both Cane Garden Bay and Brewer's Bay are getting up in arms on the matter as they feel their livelihoods are at stake.

What about the study?

Several concerned residents have reportedly been meeting to forge action.

It was said that a study done by a Florida company or group was spearheaded by Mr Claude O. Skelton Cline in 2013. "As I could remember the report was presented to the current government at the time. One of the things needed to take the project forward is funds to initiate the cleanup. That was approximately 4 years ago. We are here worse off, and I'm sure results of the study is sitting in an office. How can we take action now? Do we need to organise an interest group to get the appropriate governmental department's attention to take action?" A contributor to the conversation said.

Lending her support to the issue, another legislator, Honourable Alvera Maduro-Caines (R6) said the ponds should be re-established by any means necessary.

"The ponds should have never been filled in. Persons need to be educated as to what happens when this is done. The government needs to just re-establish those ponds by any means necessary. The ministry of natural resources and the 2nd district rep has been working to get this problem solved," Hon Maduro-Caines said.

26 Responses to “Turnbull blasts Gov’t for state of CGB beach”

  • trrefdrfds (02/09/2017, 10:39) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
    The residents were warned about the filling in of the ponds a long time ago. Their response was that CFD's staff is holding back development and progress. The issues of CGB are human made and the fruits of their Labour are being fulfilled.
    • Sassy (02/09/2017, 11:17) Like (52) Dislike (2) Reply

      The whole island is full of lawlessness caused by a lot of locals, if truth be told. People have no regard for the environment, they ignore, conservation and fisheries dept., town and country planning dept., national parks trust, etc.
      And when they start to feel the consequences of their actions, they bawling to the same people for help.

      And for the record I am a local, but I can no longer brush the ills of this territory under the rug!

      God have mercy on us all because we are far from being a great little nation!

      • recycler (04/09/2017, 23:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        and visitors have to pay an environmental tax on top of departure because money is needed to "protect the environment". That money will never get to the projects needed-- AND this is also another reason to look at zoning and where houses are being built. All that erosion is washing into the sea as well. Dirt is smothering mangroves and it will affect fisheries, and the beach itself. selfish people who go against recommendations should be fined. It is for the greater good, not personal gain "no one can tell me what to do with my land".
    • Exactly (02/09/2017, 15:18) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply

      People have been warned and ignored the warnings. Let them fix it their damn selves. Greed is why cgbay is the way it is now and is nothing to do with govt.

  • BOTTOM LINE (02/09/2017, 10:57) Like (41) Dislike (4) Reply
    Cane garden bay is filthy
  • But wait (02/09/2017, 10:58) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    It was his NDP government who killed the music fest now they're killing the beach?
    • @But wait..u r correct.Mitch is Correct (02/09/2017, 22:46) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      ,@ But wait. You are so correct... They kill Music fest and bury it.. Now they want to do the same with the beach...They Still figuring out how can they get all the tourist from CGbay to go East...Mitch knows exactly what he is doing. What he is fighting for...He knows their plan to move the tourist to the East.. Give Mitch some credit...
    • what (03/09/2017, 01:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Get this one right it was Ralph T Oneal and Daniel Pops Cline who said they was going to take it over with the help of the VIP Government. They have it then move it into a grave yard the Skelton put the final nail in the coffin... Story Done
  • Yes (02/09/2017, 11:00) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mitch fraid to tell kedric he doing pure assishness?
  • ndp (02/09/2017, 11:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    No Doggone Priority
  • pat (02/09/2017, 11:08) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    MITCH needs to leave the ndp he does not fit in!
    • wize up (02/09/2017, 14:54) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ pat: so let him run with Alvin and give him a ministry should he win: make switch with mitch
  • Oh yeah (02/09/2017, 11:29) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply
    GREED IS WHA KILLING CANE GARDEN BAY
  • Local (02/09/2017, 13:38) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Some people only concern about making money. The business people should try and get together and help after it is for their own benefit. The government should have take care of CANE GARGEN BAY before they spend millions on BRANDYWINE BAY now that money is sailing in the ocean some of these ministers is wasting the tax payers money. If the people do not wake up and tell this government they had enough things will only get worst and with them want to break off from the UK to go independent it will be cocoa bay on top jaws . If you want to believe it or not we are heading a downward part with this government. Just take a good look at what is going on with this government and their associates the blind can see and the dead can hear so we who can see and hear is the ones to put a stop to this government before its to late for us.
  • Sawda (02/09/2017, 16:42) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    School children say he was building a beach so his Ferry can run people from cruise pier but it's known ,you can't make a pond a beach..Wasting money like what he did on the airport.His time is up,Those long time Politicians needs to go..
  • wilful (02/09/2017, 17:20) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Leaving CGB Beach to die is no accident, its wilful. They kill Music Feat.. Hoping to move those activities to the East...Hence they wasted millions of tax payers money on brandy wine bay..an Audit should be done on Brandy Wine Bay beach and people be held responsible....Cane Garden will die under this Minister...
  • Mello (02/09/2017, 17:51) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    All of their family members dirt from their homes full those ponds..End of Quote ..They think the people forget..They have Alcimers all of a sudden..
  • musa (02/09/2017, 20:09) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    mitch and the pastor is a part of ndp they will get it sort out soon
  • stedman (02/09/2017, 20:47) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cane Garden Bay has been filthy for a long time now. Some residents just plain nasty.
  • Messed ip (02/09/2017, 22:51) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who started the music fest and Who killed the music fest again? Really!

    It is mentioned that people filled up the pond so why so much pressure is put on government to clean them. How about government make the people who filled them up clean them. We talk about government wasting money yet we expect them to clean up after people who do not listen. Whoever caused these mess should clean them up or serve some time for it. Just like it is illegal to carry a gun, it should be illegal to fill in ponds. So why is one punishable and the other is not? I understand the cry but I do not understand who should be blamed for the grievances!
  • fedup (03/09/2017, 08:17) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply

    The problem is bigger in Brewers Bay where you can see the intent. I agree with Turnbull the Government have to get the guts and do what has to be done . I mean what is wrong with Law and order in this place. You read how people are been humiliated in the court systems for minor crimes such as a small amount of weed.

    But persons can do nonsense that destroys people property and lively hood and the authorities turn a blind eye and shift blame on mother nature perhaps.

    We are getting some of these old civil servants to advise us on these matters and when they held positions they were stubborn and ineffective what is wrong with this country.

  • musa (03/09/2017, 10:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    the few dislike will have to help also
  • Sassy Sue cousin (20/09/2017, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    stop complaining and get together with the locals and clean up our little CANE GARDEN BAY.... there only so much the government can do but we need to help ourselves. Be patient or just go.... The hurricane is what did this not the governemnet and they are trying there very best. WHAT ARE YOU DOING Mr. Turnbull


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