|
Vol II No. 1 |
Montserrat Alive Magazine |
Friday, February 25, 2000 |
|
|
M.A.M |
Tel.
246-427-5835
664-491-3685
Email: lowelllewis@hotmail.com
P.O. Box 410
Montserrat
©Lowell Lewis
|
||
|
The inevitable collapse of the new dome, which will bring further major ashing on to Salem, Olveston and Woodlands later this year, is an issue that requires attention. MAM is not a vehicle of pessimistic doom, as Keep Montserrat Alive Magazine (KMAM) was once described, but a proponent of common sense, vision and fair play, qualities sometimes regarded as naïve stupidity and no match for cunning.
Happy Hill Medical Center For example, in KMAM of 23rd August 1996, I wrote: "When I read the MVO report of August 10th, I drew two pencil lines on my map of Montserrat, one down Farm's ghaut and the other down from Farrels to Belham Valley. I then shaded in an area on both sides of the lines of about ½ to 1 mile in width to allow for the zones ii and iii of a pyroclastic flow, as recently described by Wadge. The shaded areas took in the airport, Air Studios, some of Corkhill, the Monlec electricity generators and Old Road Bay." ‘’ We are a little better prepared now. Tropical Mansion Suites is available for residents of Olveston and Old Town who may once again require temporary relocation, but it is a pity the owners of the Good Life did not build a 100-room hotel on top of their restaurant and dance floor and a pity that Governor Savage did not get to build the 1000 homes he wanted to build in the safe northern area. Today was a beautiful day in Salem, and I enjoyed talking to patients in my newly opened "Happy Hill Medical Centre" under the shadow of the mountain, within reach of any hot surge that will accompany any pyroclastic flow that may come down the Belham Valley. Not much sense for a medical centre to be in this location, but it is a deserving use of abandoned family property. My original intention was to open it as a Gallery, dedicated to the memory of my late great grandmother Agusta Ryan and her two daughters, Sarah Ryan and Jane Perkins, for exhibition of photographs and distribution of local video productions. However, the need for a medical service in that area became so apparent that I changed the word Gallery to Medical Centre. Nevertheless, during the time that I am overseas, visitors will be invited to view a photographic exhibition, either before or after a visit to the Frith’s Bird’s Eye View of the Volcano. In any case, the centre can be moved completely within six hours. MONEY CANNOT BUY LOVE? How could I describe this is a myth (See previous MAM article "BOT New Jewels of the Empire.") This MAM valentine edition is late, but it is still worth sharing the thoughts contained. The issue hinges on the definition of "Love." We all know what the oldest profession is, and even though the epidemic of AIDS seemed to threaten its position as the number one vice, above gambling, in some societies, thanks to the proper use of condoms it still serves to meet the carnal needs of obsessive ram goats, who should really give their hearts to Jesus. But this is not LOVE. It is carnal need, which, by coincidence, is an important part of the expression of love. Just like when we say "We love you" "We love you," it is just that, A SAYING, which sometimes actually means "We Need You" "We Need You." One of my obsessions is ice cream, and I have started to eat smaller volumes because I am likely to develop Diabetes Milletus like my late grandmother and late Uncle Morgan. But I have assured my good friend John that my warnings about diabetes have no chance of closing his business down. His ice cream is just too nice. My warning couldn’t close his business down, and neither could anyone wishing to give away ice cream. Miss Henny of Trials could have given him a run for his ice cream. I visited her in her comfortable apartment in Leicester, England, and noted that on benefits, she could save more than she could ever earn in Montserrat. It is a pity that apartment could not have been one of the1,000 houses that Governor Savage wanted to build in St John’s. Then she wouldn’t have to be wrapped in six layers of clothing when she goes shopping, and I could have got one of her Xs. Money cannot buy love, but it certainly can buy gratitude, support, more money, better health care and sometimes an X. Money can buy hate. If you give away food, you close down the grocers; you provide free services by highly paid overseas consultants and professionals, you make it impossible for self employed to make a living. Provide subsidised ferry and helicopter services and it is impossible for anyone to embark on a project that could break the stranglehold that restricts travel to and from Montserrat. Money cannot buy love, but it can buy a future, hope, fulfillment and happiness, but this depends on who has the privilege and authority to spend it. The recently announced social welfare programme is a slap in the face of all over 60 years old who were not established employees and therefore without pension. In the United Kingdom, the limit for savings to qualify is £10,000 ($40,000), and since when has the value of assets been a factor? God help the little old lady who has no money for food, electricity, water and cable television, who has a small piece of land in Drummonds, where there is no road water or electricity. She now has to sell it for $3,999 to qualify. Money cannot buy love, but it can change a community's destiny. REMEMBRANCE PARADE NOVEMBER 1999 " A REMINDER"
At 7 a.m. Sunday 14th November 1999, the remaining uniformed organizations in Montserrat gathered outside the Pentecostal Church in Brades. Dressed in their clean, starched attire, some had walked up the steep hill from lodgings at the Brades Shelters or the part chipboard housing units at Davy Hill. Others climbed off the yellow school buses which had made pickup stops in Salem, Olveston, Woodlands, St Peters, and St Johns. The car park and the western patio of the church served as dressing room for the predominantly young marchers, who fidgeted and helped each other with their uniforms. Tinted windows of minibuses allowed the police to fix their spotless head-gear at exactly the right angles. Veteran Remembrance day celebrant Rupert (Cobbler) Nanton was on hand with a basket of poppies. He would later carry out his now traditional role of reading the names of those who fell in the two great wars. Pinning on the red poppies was problematic for some of the younger folk, but they were all eventually successful. Radio Montserrat was on hand for a live broadcast. The technician’s equipment was set up early, and Rose Willock carried out her usual meticulous preparations for what would be another interesting and entertaining programme for ZJB listeners. Later we were soothed by the mellow tones of recently retired temporary Magistrate Karney Osborne. In one of his many, many, many roles, we heard him talking to Rose about "Tradition, discipline and values." The commanding figure of Lieutenant Horatio Tuitt, (a local Montserrat Defense Force Officer, who has recently returned from a period of service in Yugoslavia,) called the parade to order and gave instructions for the proceedings. In an orderly fashion, all sections moved into the church and the band of the Seventh Day Adventists, reinforced by remnants of the now defunct Defense Force Band, took up position on the western patio of the church. The usual faces were present. Old soldiers showing off their medals, retired civil servants, clergy, members of the Legislative Council, glamorously attired young ladies and a few bewildered, curious infants on their mother’s shoulders. An honor guard of flags remained at the main entrance of the church, to greet the Hon. Chief Minister David Brandt, and Mrs Verna Brandt, and his Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott. Both parties arrived in their flagged white range rovers. This was perhaps the last public ceremonial duty of the current Queen’s representative, who carefully carried his feathered white pith helmet into church. The following procession of the flags took them to their place of honor at the altar. Gone are the guns of the Montserrat Defense Force, the awesome reminders of the instruments of war now replaced by symbols of brotherhood, unity and nationhood. The "Last Post" trumpet solo echoed through the doors of the church, preceding the laying of the wreaths, led by the Governor and Chief Minister. Among the wreath layers was the familiar son of a lost World War II merchant seaman, who has laid a wreath for his father every year for over 30 years. This year's service was without a sermon, but the prayers and scripture readings provided all the spiritual inspiration required. "O God our help in ages past" was wonderfully sung. I believe the hills responded with the "Amen." The growing role of women in the church was very apparent at this ecumenical event. Mr. Rupert Nanton, ex-Air Force Serviceman, presented the names of the fallen, "Those who fell in the 1914 to 1918 war: John Kingsley Martin, William Nugent Gordon, William Goathe, Burliegh Hannam, Maurice Hannam, Adolphus Peters, Arthur Samuel Warner. Those who fell in the 1939 to1945 war: Benjamin Allen, Alfred Wade, Peter Lee, Frederick Smith, James Browne, Eugene D’Vanier, Anthony Benjamin. They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them." The plaque with the list of names omitted one of the Hannam Brothers, an error which should be corrected by next year. The National Anthem was sung with the usual gusto, "God save the Queen." A sentiment consistent with the leading flag of the procession being the Union Jack. Our own Montserrat National Flag, with the emblem of the Irish lady playing a harp, followed. In remembering our war dead, we were reminded of our position in the Empire; of the forces for unity and service; reminded of tradition, and most important of all, reminded that the Montserrat Community still exists. As the Governor inspected the ranks of police, fire service, school cadets, scouts, guides, brownies, Red Cross, Seventh Day Adventist Ventures (and any other group I forgot), he must have realized the error of canceling the last Queen’s Birthday Parade and the unthinkable consideration of not having a Remembrance Day parade. The solitary distinguished figure of Lieutenant Horatio Tuitt on the parade ground bemoaned the disembodiment of the Montserrat Defense Force. As the parade marched off briskly up the hill, Major Joseph Lynch deservedly smiled. He must have wondered how his uniform fit so well on the smart young officer leading the cadets. I was a proud Montserratian as I heard the shouts of "Eyes Right" and "Eyes Front,", as His Excellency The Governor, the Commissioner of Police and the Chief Minister took the salute at the march past. I was amused by the relaxed stragglers at the end of the parade, but hopeful that in the coming years they will be incorporated in the preceding groups, and be replaced by a new set of stragglers, and hopeful that the Montserrat Defense Force will reappear on the parade ground. As I watched the parade, I remembered, and was reminded that the Montserrat Community will always exist; reminded that our future should be in our hands, as I watched our young people march down the hill to the spectacle of the Government Headquarters. But that is another story. Options for the management of the renal complications of Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes is the commonest cause of end stage renal disease. Fifty percent of the new diabetic cases are due to non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) which affects 75% of the diabetic population.1 The onset of renal disease can be many years before diagnosis of NIDDM and should be looked for at presentation. Diabetic Nephropathy was first described in 1859 by Greisinger, who recognised massive proteinuria in the absence of glycosuria as characteristic of end stage renal failure(ESRF). Overt diabetic nephropathy (dipstick positive proteinuria > 300 mg/24hrs) often heralds progressive renal disease in Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), but this is not the case in NIDDM. Few NIDDM patients die from endstage renal failure. Their mortality is mainly due to cardiovascular disease and stroke.3, 4, 5 Risk factors for ESRF in diabetic patients include : poor glycaemic control, systemic hypertension, smoking, increased plasma flow and capillary hypertension which produces hyper filtration and glomerular enlargement. Genetic and familial factors are accepted, but no specific evidence is available. Congenitally acquired vascular disease have been implicated in the cause of glomerular hypertension and glomerular damage.6 In the absence of retinopathy, renal disease in diabetics is mainly due to hypertensive renal disease, glomerulonephritis and chronic pyelonephritis. In older patients obstructive nephropathy, urinary infection and papillary necrosis are common. Ischaemic nephropathy, renal artery stenosis and cardiac disease are the other causes to be considered.2 Knowledge of these factors allow identification of those at risk. This is essential for the prevention, treatment and slowing of the progression of renal disease. Good glycaemic control and strict control of blood pressure are critical. In NIDDM systolic blood pressure is more closely related to albuminuria than diastolic blood pressure.7 ACE inhibitors and calcium antagonoists are effective in lowering blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion, but care should be taken not to treat those with renal artery stenosis with ACE inhibitors.8 Protein restriction may have a role in slowing or preventing the progression of microalbuminaemia, but the evidence is sparce.9 Surgical intervention is indicated for:- Patients who have surgically correctable causes of renal disease, such as obstructive nephropathy and renal artery stenosis. Patients referred for dialysis access or renal transplantation. Patients with any other surgical pathology. The timing of the start of renal replacement therapy in diabetic patients with chronic renal failure is controversial. In some patients it is begun as emergency treatment for an episode of acute renal failure secondary to sepsis or hypotensive shock associated with concurrent illness, but the majority of patients in the Caribbean, gradually progress to a state of uraemia, hypo-proteinaemia, malnutrition, oedema and cardiac failure. 10, 11 Haemodialysis is offered to patients with End Stage Renal Failure by several Caribbean governments. Diabetics are often excluded because of their age, or because the absence of satisfactory blood vessels for the formation of arterio-venous fistulae. This is compounded by the persisting bad habit of using these patient’s cephalic veins for intravenous infusions. It is now accepted that, despite the risk of infection, all diabetic patients could have access to haemodialysis through the use of prosthetic grafts and permanent intravascular dialysis catheters. Diabetes is one of the prognostic factors that significantly have adverse effect on survival and it is generally believed that haemodialysis should only be considered if survival on treatment is likely to exceed survival without treatment. Peritoneal dialysis in a variety of methods is very effective. Intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), are available, but costs are high. Annual costs range from US$10,000 to $20,000. The key is to achieve sufficient control of peritonitis rate. It has been shown that after adjusting for age, sex and co-morbid conditions, CAPD patients over age 66, have significantly lower risk of death than their haemodialysis counterparts.12 Renal transplantation offers the optimum care for the young diabetic with end stage renal disease. The use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressants produces a challenge for the control of diabetes and the infections which are more common in these patients, but reported results are encouraging., the survival rates of diabetic transplant recipients being similar to the rates of all recipients.13 Simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation is now regarded as a gold standard for the young diabetic with renal failure in developed countries. The optimum time for this operation is before the need for dialysis, when the serum creatinine is in the region of 300-400 umol/L and the GFR is 15-20 ml. The patient is nutritionally better able to cope with the rigours of the operation , and more likely to be able to return to work if transplanted before a prolonged period of employment.14 The alternative of renal transplantation with pancreatic islet cell transplantation is likely to become more popular. Islet cell transplantation is a rather minor procedure with much less risk than pancreas transplantation. However, the long term results are not yet comparable .15 Sadly, economic factors prevent the options of dialysis and renal transplantation from being available to all who need the service. Our focus must therefore remain on the prevention and slowing of the progression of renal disease, by rigid glycaemia control and strict control of blood pressure References:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Montserratians and all readers of MAM. And a prosperous New Year to some Montserratians. Not every one can afford to spend Christmas and bring in the New Year where they want to, but the spirit of cheer will be every where, whether it be in the cold terraces of Preston and Acton, the dusty volcanic sights of Salem and Friths, or the tropical splendour of Cudjoe Head and Banks. Also every where will be the spirit of "Hope" that more people will prosper, hope that the dark cloud will lift to reveal, as Chad's Rasta character said in the production 'Ash, The Second Falling'--"A Mountain full of goal". The last days of the century on Montserrat are marked by a dark cloud hovering over a pulsing dome, and tremors in the North, which one missed if having a shower or riding a donkey at the time. The year ends with uncertainty and shaky confidence in the present pilots of our destiny. We witness the awesome power of the X and money, for the receiver and the giver respectively, in the determination of who the 'some' to prosper in 2000 and beyond will be. The architects of modern democracy designed their concept to preserve social justice and equity. One wonders how they would react to the realisation that disenfranchisement can be achieved not only by manipulation of constituency boundaries, and the restriction of domicillary options, but also by increasing the choice of one man from one vote to nine votes. Literally, in choosing nine, one will choose none. "The interest of the public", "the good of the many", "the best for the people at the present time", are common pronouncements to justify self serving decisions, which ultimately preserve the status quo, and the power that dictates the choice of the 'some' for prosperity in Year 2000. 'Millenium Montserrat' could be a best selling game to replace Monopoly or Snakes and Ladders. A game of political intrigue , natural disaster and difficult dividing domination. The players are communities, and the variable assets would include :- businessmen, politicians, civil servants with guts, civil servants without guts, skilled professional persons(native and non native), the tax man, dependent elderly and children, single women, unemployed unskilled labour, overseas consultants, the clergy, the use of a loaded dice, aid monies and elephants. And what of the spirit of hope?. The spirit that may bring us a Year 2000, where every one has a chance to prosper, where the protection of minors does not require the dispensable labels of 'official' and 'sworn'. Where collective responsibility and action avoids the need for resignation and the associated implication of admitted guilt. A spirit of hope that generates the change that the Bear sings of, that delivers to us transparent, trustworthy and committed and visionary guidance that ends inappropriate use and haemorrhaging of the 75 million pounds. Hope, that enough will be left to give us continuing employment opportunities, an airport, seaport, opened up new roads and residential areas in the safe northern area. Enough to bring our elderly folk out from the cold, isolation and exile. A sinking ship takes barnacles with it. It is the duty of those able to throw a lifeline, to do so, so that some strong swimmers will survive.
|
Will Bring People Back
New housing development at lookout Most post-volcano migrant Montserratians in the United Kingdom have settled well, in new homes, regular jobs or College and University training courses, and many have no intention of returning to Montserrat. However, some of the older folks are homesick, long for sight of the seas, hillsides, goats, pigs and fowls, and miss the feel of the warm tropical sunshine. "What would it take to make more of our people want to return home?" "Affordable houses to live in, jobs for the young and middle aged people, pensions for the retired, and unemployment benefits for those out of work." I should add "Full resolution of the volcanic activity," since some are still frightened of the rumblings and eruptions. I should also qualify my comment on affordable homes by stating, "In the Northern Safe Area," since I am still of the opinion that housing in the buffer area of Salem to Woodlands is not, and will never be completely risk-free investment. Property owners in the North are still wrongfully being blamed for the impasse in the provision of new housing stock. The problem really lies with a policy which proves reluctance to use UK Aid Funds to facilitate the development of private properties by the provision of utility installations. If it costs $10,000 to take water, electricity, sewage works and roads to each housing plot, an arrangement should be possible for this to be taken from the $40,000 grant being made available for those wishing to build in the Northern Safe Area. Property owners would then make it their business to subdivide their properties into housing lots, and actively seek customers for lots, in order to gain access to "Infrastructure Development Funds." This commentary attempts to promote and justify the allocation of funds to infrastructure installations on privately owned property, with the provision that the land adjacent to the housing plots that bear the utilities (roads, water and electricity and communication cables) be handed over to the crown. The utility companies can then contribute to Government for the use of this crown land. In principle, it is wrong for land to be compulsorily acquired for resale to private individuals or for rental to tenants, and it is unlikely for private individuals to proceed with construction of properties on land subject to a decision by the courts. There are several other factors which remain critical to Montserrat being attractive for returning nationals and prospective tourists and investors. Despite the unfortunate location of parts of Lookout under the flight path from Gerald ‘s Park, the construction of a strip for fixed-winged aircraft should be a priority, and I am curious to see whether any of the present crop of decision makers have the guts or ability to make this happen by June 2000. This landing strip should be the first phase of the proposed development of a sports facility in the area, and any attempt to drop the landing strip from the project should be strongly resisted. Purchase of the Ferry for Montserrat would also be a useful achievement, if only to gain access to transportation for products of any industrial process that could be established on Montserrat. The Ferry should overnight in Montserrat, and cargo for transshipment through Antigua, off and on loaded in appropriately prepacked ‘aircraft size’ containers. A later departure from Antigua in the mornings would encourage day trippers to stay overnight in Montserrat. The coming Christmas Festival is keenly awaited. The opening of Tropical Mansions at the top of Davy Hill, the completion of the Entertainment Complex and Cultural Centre at Little Bay, and the Agricultural Exibition should be special events worth looking forward to. We hope that future visits by cruise ships will allow the day visitors to interact with more people and more businesses. Visitors being driven through the port gates and being restricted to one or two stops is not consistent with promoting free enterprise. We hope that the 500 or more holidaying overseas Montserratians expected for December, will be presented with a mix of cultural festivities that includes more than just loud music, wining in the street, late night shows, and free-flowing bars and rum shops. Montserrat remains alive. With a little good will, commonsense and determination, the year 2000 could be good for us. Remember to check the website www.montserratreporter.org for the MAM Public Health Edition. The other story - Dead Elephants
An aerial view of the temporary government HQ, in Brades The gutters around the long white building was often covered with frog spawn, and the silent conveyor belts and empty vats provided a play time diversion for the 1960’s inmates of the Montserrat Secondary School. This was the first ‘White Elephant ‘ of my memory, doomed by the exploitive one cent per pound pricing for tomatoes. The processing factory later became a dead elephant. Since then, Montserrat has remained famous for elephants, briefly for golden elephants, but now for a growing list of dead or dying elephants. What definition for a dead elephant? "A national asset which cost a lot of somebody else’s money, which has become of no use, but during its development and construction phases provided lucrative income opportunities for selected parties." Fortunately, nature is responsible for most of the dead elephants. We have had for the past million years, and will probably for the next million years, have a live volcano with vents that contain magma and lava. A volcano that sits on geological plates that will continue to move against each other and every now and then, send off a little more magma up the vents. Nothing has changed since the current eruption has abated, so all we need to know is the range of potential destruction by our little puffer, and thus avoid future volcanic dead elephants by, for example, forgetting about Blackbourne/William Bramble Airport until Langs Souffriere becomes extinct. Political paralysis and inertia has been a partner of the mountain in the building of our reputation for dead elephants. The Library, New Glendon Hospital and the inadequate efforts to salvage and store millions of dollars of public property, are examples of dead elephant making which should have influenced decisions for the future. We should launch a ‘Society for the prevention of dead elephants’, to safe guard the interests of both public and private sectors. This society would have as its principle role, the identification and publication of discussions on projects at risk of elephantine demise. Whether it be: a reservoir that causes land slippage, a housing complex with no where for sewage, a cricket field too near a petrol depot, a heliport soon made redundant by a landing strip for aircraft, a jetty built in the wrong place, a discotheque that may be replaced in a few years by a 3 or 4 story commercial building, an old people’s home that becomes storerooms, chipboard houses which fall apart before the option for purchase can be exercised, or a government headquarters rebuilt in continuum. Identifying projects at risk will not be enough. The society will have to keep the public aware of the factors "Necro elephanta causa" These include: change of political directorate (where the incoming government scraps the priorities of the previous administration), poor planning, inadequate marketing, inaccurate feasibility studies and reports, suppression or ignoring of reports and studies, ignorance, greed, selfishness, nepotism and political patronage. This has been the other story, referred to at the end of MAM’s last article. Remembrance Day Parade – A Reminder. The recommendations of the Elections Commission have been posted on the Internet for several months, yet less than 10 percent of the electorate are aware of the details of the document. These recommendations have not been challenged or amended, and they may have already been adopted into the laws of Montserrat. The executive summary does not state clearly how many candidates on the ballot paper the voter is allowed to select, and there is no indication of how the Chief Minister will be selected. One assumes that the existing arrangement will remain, in that the Chief Minister will be the individual who has the support of the majority of the elected representatives. If none of the manifest political parties gain five seats, then, similar to what happened after the last election, the nine elected will wheel and deal among themselves until the Chief, or what has become "The Minister of everything," is chosen. Political scientists will be watching the progress of this novel system of universal suffrage in which "one man one vote" may be changed to "One man nine votes." The voter, by giving equal support to several candidates, may end up voting out the very person he or she actually wishes to be their representative. This experiment has already begun. Posturing, preparations, manipulations and maneuverings to ensure victory under the new system are under way. Perhaps the delay in informing voters of the details of the adopted recommendations is part of the strategy. I reckon that at least six months' notice will be needed to give all those wishing to vote a fair chance to make arrangements to do so, and this probably means that if any of the ministers were to jump ship on a matter of principle, the current leadership may be asked to continue as care taker for a prolonged period, even if there was no majority support in Legislative Council. Most of us simple patriots thought that politics was supposed to be the selection of a government that would represent the interests of the majority. A government that would make decisions and manage the resources of the electorate, for the betterment of all, especially those under-privileged and disadvantaged. We now know that the Caribbean interpretation is probably "the selection of the few who win the right to distribute the wealth and resources of the community, among themselves and their supporters." This process has undermined the very principles of democracy. Instead of promoting "equity" and "justice," we see increasing differences in opportunities and assets, and a disregard for the very systems of government which are meant to preserve equity and justice. No wonder civil servants find themselves unable to do the jobs that they are trained for, and inclined to enter the race for political power. With the kind of salaries and allowances available for Ministers of Government, any professional with ambition and a conscience should have a go, and then give their service to the people of Montserrat for free. The counting game has begun, and with it the uncertainties of the outcome. The numbers for voters and candidates. The persons who may be better choice for leadership, may not even get a look in. Those who cannot assemble a team of five won’t have a chance. Three groups are emerging, the three M Parties: The Money Party, The Management Party, and the Moral Party. Some individuals think they would fit into all three, and some cannot fit into any. The most exciting of the recommendations, is the proposal for a Minister responsible for "Montserratians Overseas." This will be a golden opportunity for someone, not to secure a personal fortune or use the position to secure a political future, but to make a difference in the long-term future of Montserrat. The coordination of our fit young sports men and women, who now have access to first class training opportunities, could make the Montserrat teams the best in the Caribbean; and coordination of the services of our skilled professionals could have the effect of diverting a larger proportion of project funds into further investment within Montserrat. The promotion of Montserrat’s tourism, industrial and other products should also be greatly enhanced by this change. As usual the incumbents have an advantage -- control of the media and influence on the disbursement of state funds. The United Kingdom budgetary cuts will serve to reduce the purse available to the incumbent ministers. This may level the playing field, but this measure may in fact be to the advantage of incumbents. Cutbacks in expenditure may not only precipitate the departure of the less favoured, who must migrate to get work, but also prevent the return of the exiled who have no place to live. A saving grace will be the slowing of the haemorrhage of British taxpayers' money into projects destined to be dead elephants. Political analysts should find this Montserrat Democracy Experiment interesting, and should now make reservations for rooms at the luxurious Tropical Mansion Suites Hotel, so as to witness the pre-election activities. In the last election in 1996, 58% of registered voters went to the polls and the ruling four, 2 parties and 1 independent, represented a minority vote of 32% of all registered voters. That experiment failed. Will this new experiment be any better? B.O.T New Jewels of The Empire By Lowell Lewis My passport describes me as British, British Dependent Territories Citizen, but inside is an additional stamp which states "Holder is Entitled to Readmission to the United Kingdom". My frequent travels between Barbados and Montserrat provide eight to 10 large immigration stamps each month, so the pages are running out and soon I will have to apply for a new passport. Perhaps the new one will describe me as a British Overseas Territory Citizen, with right of abode in the UK. But why not just 'British Citizen,' since all British Citizens have right of abode and work in any British territory? The British Government has complied with the demands of the United Nation Decolonisation Committee, which directed that there should be no colonies by the year 2000, however the people of Caribbean B.O.Ts, other than Bermuda, were not given a choice.One may argue that the omission of a referendum on the issue of independence at a general election makes the current constitutional status null and void unless it is ratified by the current or the next Legislative Council. In short a referendum on independence should be held at the next general election, and the people of Montserrat made fully aware of the consequences of their choice. The Caribbean B.O.Ts, especially Montserrat, may become the New Jewels of the Empire. If predictions on global climate changes over the next 100 years come true, the tropical location and the mountainous ranges of our paradise will realise it's true price. The once barren desolate northern bluffs of Montserrat have been revitalised by the new volcanic ash topsoil and are beginning to take on the verdant fertile features of the rest of the island. This, the only part of Montserrat that no more receives any ash falls and is totally out of reach and free of any danger from the volcano, is now valued at 30¢ per square foot but is destined to command over $10 per square foot some time in the future. This area is waiting for developments, which may incorporate 10,000 family units -- escapees from the hostile colder northern parts of our planet, Montserrat nationals in the USA, Canada and Europe, who wish to keep a stake of their tropical paradise. So what makes Montserrat such a special B.O.T.? The volcano, of course; not for its beauty or spectacle, but for what it did before. It created the plains that provided the best location for the Blackburne/William Bramble Airport. The recent volcanic flows have filled the ghauts, and removed the residential areas of Spanish Point, Trants, Farms and Bethel, and now present a relatively isolated area, ideal for a military base - the Caribbean equivalent of Ascension Island, a base half way between the North and South Poles for NATO governments to use without landing fees or local restrictions. Langs Soufriere Volcano, just as it has in the past, will go back to sleep and its slopes become once again green. It is this potential as a Caribbean aviation platform in the long term which may be driving the persistence with the preparations in that area, despite the threatening dome. We should welcome this as this would allow the repopulation of houses at Richmond Hill, Foxes Bay, Weekes and Cork Hill in 30 - 40 years time, but there is no reason why such a development cannot co-exist with an airport at Thatch Valley. In the short term, it is mandatory for us to get a landing strip at Geralds for fixed wing aircraft, roads and utilities into the northern area, an all weather seaport, a Montserrat Hilton Hotel in place of the Good Life. These are needed for the immediate development of our economy and existence. And what about the ratbats? They can keep the caves on the cliff sides. Just like those occupying the powder magazines on St. George's Hill, they will be there long after you and I are long gone. These is no future without dreams but every now and then one must wake up and share those dreams so that our leaders and brothers can be enlightened. - WHAT KMAM SAID 27th April, 1996 Two days ago I pleaded with a bewildered, grey haired old man, in his 80’s not to return to his house in Tuitts. He said, "It’s not going to blow, not with out a lot of earthquakes first." He may be right. All of our other mountains were once domes. They did not explode, but took seed and became an evergreen carpet of trees. I asked him "What will it take to make you move?" "If they move my little house so I don’t have to go to the horrible Shelter" was his reply. There is one of our solutions to the shelter problem, MOVE MOVABLE HOUSES. A young lady discharged from hospital yesterday, said among other things "My school clothes are in long Ground" "They are lost for good" I replied. "No, my parents go there everyday, we have no place to store our things," was her surprising reply. Another solution: A FENCED COMPOUND ON LEASED OR GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE SAFE AREA, WITH CONTAINERS OR ANGELO’S TYPE BUILDINGS, USED AS A TEMPORARY SECURE LEFT LUGGAGE for the people of Long Ground. The food problem. Mr. Rams could consider moving some stocks into houses on the high ground on Richmond Hill? Montserrat Springs Hotel. A tarmac on a cricket pitch at St. John’s or nearby area at Silver Hills may be the easiest and quickest way to gain an alternative to the threatened William Bramble Airport. Twin Otters may be able to land there even with the cross winds which blow. Food distribution should be by food stamps and paid unemployment benefit, as will be given to those who go to the UK. This would restore some jobs in the retail and services sector. Let us lease land at the north for fenced pastures, and feed the animals by hand. The agriculture department could supervise this. And why not begin a major agricultural revival by transferring top soil from the endangered areas into the less fertile and barren areas of the north? Most of us are now convinced that our volcano will be blowing on and off for months and years. Let us use the quiet periods to maximum effect, before it is too late. Download the magazine in .PDF format for a printer friendly copy
|
Web Services By: West Computer Works
