New Tillman Thomas letter from Citizens in Defence of Grenada’s Lands and Heritage: CASINO CONCERNS

Barbados has a long, checkered history with gambling... From the time of J.M.G.M "Tom" Adams first allowing one-armed bandits to be imported, to Owen Arthur's referendum on casinos, all the while Barbadians gleefully placing bets at the Garrison Savannah from the year dot, or buying BTC and Cave Shepherd's Let's Go To The Races tickets, then it became Lotto or Power Play, then Nuff Cash or Olympio, plus places where you can while away your time on video-poker.

As I understand Bahamas and Cuba, only non-nationals can play casinos and countrymen of particular budgetary status can toss the bones, spin the wheel, etc. This same News-Blog has touched on offshore gambling possibly using here as a conduit - not that we object to the vagaries of chance, rather, profit slipping from Bajan coffers to overseas members' at minimum or no overhead.

Another concern is when some agencies here just cash old folks' pension cheques and don't even make them hold back $200 so they can buy a crate of sardines and a carton of box-juices and pay some utilities, at least. Instead, those codgers are hobbling to the machines in the hopes of easy last days and they rinse out their meagre savings in a ghastly nightmare, seldom seeing their dreams become happy endings.

As I see it, casinos mean more tourists and more tourists mean more money - just keep out Bajans for their own safety with proper legislation, sorry folks, but if we wanna survive that's they way to go. I can hear the clergy now - but the clergy need to remember not only Jesus' robe was gambled over, but Thomas and another disciple were decided on via the drawing of straws ... a game of chance!

There may be concerns that Barbados ends up as another colony of Bugsy Siegel, but that's only if the correct screening, legislation and enforcement of same is not enacted first!

In a similar move to Barbados, Sandra AC Ferguson and her crew in Grenada are approaching their Prime Minister once again, hoping he'll properly address concerns as it relates to games of chance apart from their ongoing battle with Peter DeSavary and offshore owners of Grenadian resorts (Her comments may be edited for legal purposes and by carrying her remarks does not mean we condone nor agree with all content from this submission);-

Hon. Prime Minister,

Our grouping Citizens in Defence of Grenada’s Lands and Heritage presents its compliments and best wishes for 2009!

Honourable Prime Minister - in the spirit of your challenge to our country’s citizens to participate in the governance process of Grenada – we feel compelled to register the following concerns and queries with you. We wish to note that a number of these issues have been with Grenada for quite a while and some of them we have raised with you previously in our letters and meeting with you in July 2008. A number of new issues has also come to the fore, not least among them casino gambling.

Permit us therefore to bring to your attention the following concerns and queries:

1. Repeal of the Amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act:

We are concerned that seven (7) months after taking office, your administration is yet to make good on its election commitment to repeal the amendment to the National Parks and Protected Areas Act which gave the Governor-General the authority to convey national parks and protected areas land to private individuals – lands which should be held in perpetuity for the enjoyment and benefit of the people of Grenada. This amendment facilitated the transfer of our dove sanctuary and Hog Island to the Mt. Hartman – Hog Island Development Company which then sold Hog Island to Cinnamon 88.

You are also well aware, Sir, that these transfers of the “people’s property” took place in very secret deals.

Hon. Prime Minister, it was you and your colleagues, then in Opposition, who brought this matter to the attention of the people of Grenada in April 2007 and sought to rally civil society’s opposition to the amendment. Indeed, Sir, this was the genesis of our group, Citizens in Defence of Grenada’s Lands and Heritage, which participated in the May Day celebrations in 2007 protesting the proposed amendment. Opposition members were very visible, also protesting the proposed amendment.

We were pleased that your party made a commitment on the campaign platform to repeal the amendment and we, like the rest of the nation, have eagerly anticipated the fulfillment of this commitment.

We therefore write expressing our concern and encouraging your administration to make good on its promise to the people.

2. Task Force to Review Agreements/Contracts:

In a post-election meeting on July 25^th with our group, you advised that all contracts and agreements in respect of the tourism mega projects would be reviewed by a special task force. Indeed, the setting up of this Task Force was publicly announced. However, Sir, to date, the people of Grenada have not received any report about the work and findings of this Committee. Permit us to point out, Sir, that this failure to report to the people is contrary to the commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability which were also pillars of your party’s election campaign.

Our group and the country at large, Hon. Prime Minister, are awaiting a report on the findings of the Task Force to throw some light on a number of the secret deals involving the “people’s property” – Hog Island –Mt. Hartman, Levera Development, Port Louis, just to name a few.

3. Cottages on the Lagoon Park:

Neither representatives of your government nor the developers have satisfactorily responded to the concerns of the Willie Redhead Foundation, our group and many other citizens about the proposed plans of the Port Louis developers and their associates to erect cottages on the Lagoon Park.

It is very disappointing to the people of Grenada that, to date, there has not been an unambiguous commitment either by representatives of our government or the developers that cottages will not be erected on the Lagoon Park. Rather than responding to concerns, the representatives of new owners of the Port Louis marina continue to state that they have no immediate plans to erect cottages on the Lagoon Park while our government maintains a deafening silence.

We take the opportunity to remind you, Sir, of the clear, unambiguous demand of the Grenadian people that the Lagoon Park and the vista of the Lagoon are protected as part of our natural heritage.

We note with concern the continued dumping of the area in the vicinity of the Tasty's Bar on the Lagoon Road – the largest expanse of park area. We trust that there will be a public commitment from government to act on behalf of the people in protecting the Lagoon Park and view for the enjoyment of both Grenadians and visitors alike.

4. Lewis Hamilton and the Grand Beach Resort:

We take the opportunity to enquire into the status of the “people’s property”, 20.4 acres of the Grand Anse beach front that was conveyed to a company, Time Bourke Holding, for the use of Lewis Hamilton’s name and image.

Now that the deal between Issa Nicholas, lessees of the Grand Beach property and Time Bourke has fallen through, what has happened to the 20.4 acres of property?

Has it reverted back to the Government of Grenada? Or, is Time Bourke the new landlords of Issa Nicholas?

We noted, Sir, the conflicting statements issued by yourself and later

the Hon. Minister of Tourism and the Attorney-General who both seemed intent on delivering the people’s property to Time Bourke Holding, instead of defending the interests of the people whom they represent. We found this to be most disappointing and worrying.

We believe that the Government of Grenada should find a way to end arrangements and seek to enter into new arrangements in respect of this significant asset of the country. We further suggest that Grenada can tap into the goodwill, financial support and expertise of its many sons and daughters abroad, eager to contribute to nation building. Given the significance of the Grand Anse beach as Grenadian patrimony, our 20.4 acres must remain in the ownership and control of Grenada.

5. Sagecoa Mansion Development, Woodlands:

We wish to draw your attention, Hon. Prime Minister, to an unfortunate situation that was allowed to occur – the Sagecoa Mansion and Hotel development that has occurred next to the Woodlands Sugar Factory. This has taken place on an aquifer where NAWASA has a functioning borehole – producing 220,000 gallons per day – essential to serving southern St. George’s including the all hotel belt. We understand that this development is being undertaken by a Chinese company.

We cannot understand why, in the first place, this construction was even allowed to proceed. It is alleged that stop orders were issued and that they were ignored. We appeal to you, Sir, to use your good office to ensure that this vital water resource is protected and that those institutions responsible for its protection are empowered to act in the best interests of the people of the Grenada. Even as China has taken to seeding clouds in an attempt to alleviate its own drought problem, we cannot allow any new found Chinese friends to be compromising or destroying our valuable water resources.

6. Grenada – People’s Republic of China Relations:

We also take this opportunity to observe that, to date, there has not been any disclosure in respect of the agreements that the former NNP administration entered into with the People’s Republic of China in exchange for their assistance in the construction of the National Stadium. How much did the “free stadium” actually cost the people of Grenada? There are allegations that significant areas of lands were given to them and we did note the influx of Chinese construction companies into the island.

We trust that in the interest of transparency and accountability your government will find it fit to disclose this information to the people.

7. Casino Gambling:

We take this opportunity to congratulate your firm public stand and opposition to the introduction of casino gambling in Grenada and we look forward to this being translated into official government policy sooner rather than later.

We have noted the public statements by Zublin's director, Mr. Winston Whyte, that he is hoping for a positive response to his company’s application (more enlightened response, he has called it) while

Adrienne Eastwood, marketing manager for the De Savary Group has told Jennifer Rosini of Hotel Interactive, Inc. that the Nikki Beach association has agreed to brand, manage, market and operate a beach club, spa, casino and luxury hotel”( Reference De Savary's Group Big Bet in Hotel Interactive, Inc. October 29^th, 2008). Does the De Savary group have permission to operate casinos as part of the Port Louis development?

It is well known that casino gambling is linked to organized crime – the mafia, money laundering, drugs and prostitution. Grenada already has significant law and order challenges. We do not need to add to its burden at this time. We are confident that together the Grenadian people can come up with more appropriate sustainable solutions to the country’s economic challenges. Our country is depending on you, Hon. Prime Minister, to provide the leadership and moral guidance in this regard and our group pledges its unwavering support to your position on this issue.

8. Sovereignty of the Police in Gated Communities:

We are aware, Sir, that some of the proposed tourism projects are advertising gated communities; e.g. Port Louis. Can you advise, Sir, whether any thought has been given to the law and order/national security implications of gated communities?

We have already had the example of the fire which occurred on Calivigny Island. The fire fighters waited for hours before they were facilitated in reaching the island. It is also significant, Sir, that to date, there has been no statement regarding this fire. What lessons have we taken from this experience and what are the implications for the security and safety of Grenadians who may be employed in gated communities?

And perhaps, Sir, the people of Grenada could be advised of the status of Calivigny Island Is Calivigny Island considered part of the state of Grenada where Grenadian laws and regulations are applied? Or is it foreign territory, [like The Vatican]? Guarded and insulated by the immunities of diplomatic status?

Hon. Prime Minister, we thank you for the opportunity to offer these concerns, queries and observations for your consideration and action. Please accept, Sir, our assurances of highest esteem and regard.

Sincerely yours,

Sandra C.A. Ferguson

For Citizens in Defence of Grenada’s Lands and Heritage