Governor: “Brilliant Outcome For Bermuda”
“This is very exciting news for Bermuda,” Acting Governor Ginny Ferson said on learning of the decision that Bermuda will host the America’s Cup in 2017. “The America’s Cup is a highly prestigious event, one of the most important international sporting events in the world. and an opportunity for Bermuda to shine on the world stage.
“It brings benefits which will be felt across the whole of the Bermudian community, not just the sailing community and not just the tourism and hospitality sectors but in construction, retail and many more.
Ms Ferson added, “As a former UK Consul-General in Auckland, I am well aware of the legacy the America’s Cup can bring to a host venue, in terms of infrastructure, skills and reputation.
“I know that competitors, officials and spectators can be assured of receiving a warm welcome in Bermuda. And as for the resident community we can look forward to a really exciting experience in 2017 and in the years running up to it.”
Governor George Fergusson, who is in London for the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council meeting, said, “This is a brilliant outcome for Bermuda.
“There is worldwide excitement about the America’s Cup being in Bermuda – it is clearly the favourite for the sailors themselves. And it is a superb opportunity for everyone in Bermuda to work together on something which can really boost the economy, tourism and much else. I’m just sorry to miss the celebrations.”
It is so puzzling to me that an Acting Governor would not even speak to the costs to host this event from the public purse, as reflected from two perspectives:-
1) As an official who represents HM the Queen, it would admirable have HM’s representative to speak of transparency, accountability and responsibility in accordance with the Constitution reflecting openness to the people of Bermuda when it has been asked, numerous times, what is the costs of this event to the public purse?
2)It is a very well documented fact that when the Olympics was hosted in London in 2012 and Tour de France was hosted last year in London, neither event’s public costs were shrouded in secrecy from the British people.
This rationale by this Government, we signed non-disclosure agreements, has worn thin, so now the rationale is JOBS for EVERYONE!
Does this Government think that people have only a financial worth to them without respect to our intelligence and integrity?
This Government claims to have no money, so how will we finance this and at what cost to us, the people of Bermuda?
And all of this could and indeed should have been avoided, had this Government chosen to be forthrightly honest and open about the state of the public purse rather than manufacture a propaganda campaign to hide beneath.
I sincerely hope that tax free concessions, do not include our hard labour.
London, England
It’s the first day.
And that is why it should be put on table, open, honest and now.
If Bermuda keeps close attention to the excuses: 1) non-disclosure agreements; 2) It’s the first day; 3) ?
What will be the next excuse…it’s party time?
The point is, let us not sell our integrity, the answers should be forthcoming, show us that dignity and respect.
London, England
Hi Valirie, or Elaine, depending on what name you’re using today.
The costs and likely economic benefits should be aired publicly, and you’re being unreasonable if you’re suggesting the whole thing should have been published immediately. We’ve already been given some figures – Grant Gibbons has said the economic benefit could be $250m. It was $550m for San Fran, so the numbers they’re using look reasonable given we have less scale than San Fran.
There’s also no reason why the Governor needs to get involved with releasing numbers or talking about ‘accountability’.
You’re just being a pot stirrer Elaine, and we all know why.
You must be pissed about the report on $20M overspent Port Royal too right and what a waste that $40+M on Grand Atlantic was as well? I don’t know about you but adding $300M to our economy sound like a BIG win for Bermuda and will go a long way in started to pay off our $2B in debt don’t you think. It’s been less than 24 hours. Let’s wait until everything becomes official before we start throwing our toys around and stomping our feet
Agreed, “it’s the first day” and personally, I believe the One Bermuda Alliance will be straight forward with overheads / expenses for this very prestigious event to take place in balmy Bermuda. It’s a time when we here (in Bermuda) are in need of dollars, (U.S.A.) to assist in paying off our outrageous debts. Already we’re seeing $1000,000 dollars being added to the economy from the “Green Family”. Now just imagine them that are to follow
My, cynicism with a sense of moral outrage.
If you think so about the OBA, and I have no doubt in your sincerity about your political party, then why have we seen absolutely nothing on this front – on the debts of this event?
Will this event bail us out of debt or add to it? Do you know, can you guess and would your best guesstimate come even close to the reality of the financial profits/losses?
My imagination can make each and every Bermudian a billionaire, but we know that that’s going to happen on this event.
So, let’s get transparency, or is that only for a select segment of Bermuda?
It is so odd that the sailing community does not want or does not care what the costs to Bermuda is.
London, England
Desperation
Manufacture a propaganda campaign?
Do you even know how to read financial statements?
You again sound silly and desperate.
I’m glad to finally see so many supporters of the opposition finally being concerned about the public purse after so many years of their tacit approval while our country was being bled to death and beyond.
..and for the love of God, please make sure someone monitors Jamahl Simmons twitter account in the lead up to this event. His type of ignorance is the last type of publicity we need
Here comes the barrage of deflection…
I do not have to support the PLP to be concerned about the public purse.
@A Better Bermuda – Where the hell were YOU when I spoke out immediately before the last general election, protecting your own interests?
Now that I am speaking out, as I have been asking about the costs since Grant Gibbons let it be publicly known that he initiated a bid.
Further, I should accept an insult from A Better Bermuda who never had the balls to stand up and/or speak up when the PLP were in power.
Serengeti – NOT the beneficial yet to be realised profits of $250M? Or is it $300M – A Better Bermuda? or is it $550M (as in San Fran)?
BUT you have yet to realise and/or acknowledge that that is NOT what the costs are. Or just admit, you really do NOT give a damn as long as the MONEY is flowing.
You do NOT want accountability – that speaks volumes.
And whether Elaine or Valirie your scorecards are subjective and always are with the unmasked.
Grant Gibbons knows his fellow Bermudians quite well.
Don’t be ridiculous. The two suggestions so far have been $250m and $300m, presumably based on the $550m benefit to San Fran. Nobody has suggested $550m for Bermuda. And I didn’t suggest it either.
Why wouldn’t you think $250m or $300m are reasonable estimates?
Because they don’t fit with your whiney negative narrative?
There will be costs, of course. The point is that the benefits will outweigh the costs.
Let’s face it, Elaine, if Bermuda hadn’t got the nod you’d have been just as critical about that too.
In a way it’s nice to see all this concern all of a sudden about how much things cost, and what the economic benefit really is of that cost. That, after all, was the root of the SAGE commission. Hopefully it’s finally getting through some thick skulls that wasted expenditure is not a good thing. What do you think about that Elaine?
You sound silly and desperate.
They were under a non-disclosure agreement and the announcement was 24 hours ago.
All costs wil be revealed as well as a debate in the House once the America’s Cup legislation is tabled and I am sure even before then.
And stop tooting your own horn about how you were 1 of only 2 people that criticised the PLP. Stop rewriting history to boost your own ego. Plenty of people spoke out against the actions of the previous administration and all were met with accusations of racism, being an uncle tom, being part of the combined opposition, a lynch mob etc. Not just two people as you keep on stating.
Now keep calm and rant on.
@Why thank you Politiricks..
No, I NEVER EVER questioned the PLP before the general election.
And yes, I’m tooting my own horn, as it NEVER, EVER happened.
Yes, it’s just my own EGO.
Plenty of people spoke out, can YOU name them? But not me, I remain totally SILENT.
Re-write the facts as it suits you.
But in a few months, there will be strong disclaimers that I EVER asked about the transparency on the costs for the America’s Cup as well.
I’m just attempting to lie to you and everyone in Bermuda.
Calm down OR rant on, which would YOU prefer or you’re not sure about that as well.
London, England
Valerie poor you that you and yours seem to be so hard done by. Why not put that heavy chip down and enjoy life. Your anger and defensiveness screams off the page. Everyone will be told all the details in due course. I have no doubt that there are a lot of legalities involved in finalizing something of this magnitude and quite frankly, all your demands for information and transparency so prematurely does nothing but make your issues sound politically motivated and therefore diminished your message
Meanwhile, the first to benefit from the AC are out today setting up, & later will be tearing down staging etc. for the celebrations today.
These are folks who might not be working today, getting paid, were it not for the AC. Barely 24 hours since the announcement & the trickle down $ has begun.
@A Better Bermuda
Thank you for your psychological assessment…
Anyone who questions this Government’s policies always becomes the target of sustained abuse by OBA supporters.
If transparency is a political motivation then read your Constitution. The people have a right to transparency from the Government acting on their behalf.
You sound as though you are entitled to be secretive, to delay, to deflect and subjectively abuse and then pretend that we have a chip on our shoulders for asking legitimate questions.
Wow, your sense of entitlement, ‘in due course’, means no matter how good or bad, our fate is sealed in concrete.
London, England
wowza. You’re a real treat. Don’t let a little good news ruin your tantrum.
@A Better Bermuda
If you note, I do not have a problem with good news, but I do have a problem with subjective attacks, it’s abuse.
Individuals should have the right to ask questions of the Government without being subjected to abuse.
The words:- silly…anger…defensiveness screams off the page…to be so hard done by…put the heavy chip down…desperation…tantrum…
And that’s not abuse?
London, England
@Serengeti…
Do you read your own posts?
You stated above:-
‘We’ve already been given some figures – Grant Gibbons has said the economic benefit could be $250m. It was $550m for San Fran, so the numbers they’re using look reasonable given we have less scale than San Fran.
But it was A Better Bermuda who posted $300M.
BUT now you say:-
‘Don’t be ridiculous. The two suggestions so far have been $250m and $300m, presumably based on the $550m benefit to San Fran. Nobody has suggested $550m for Bermuda. And I didn’t suggest it either.
Why wouldn’t you think $250m or $300m are reasonable estimates?
Because they don’t fit with your whiney negative narrative?
There will be costs, of course. The point is that the benefits will outweigh the costs.’
You need to first understand what your saying, then be consistent. The point is you do not know IF the profits will exceed the debts.
And you are wrong on this point – if Bermuda did not get it, I would be asking about the cost of the bid.
It’s a wonder how so many of you OBA supporters can posts shrouded in secrecy and laced with verbal abuse.
It quite amusing to have YOU call me Elaine.
London, England