Live Blog/Webcast: SDO Debate [Passed]

[Updated - SDO has passed by a vote of 7-4] The Tucker’s Point SDO is back before the Senate today [Mar.25], with the debate expected to start at approximately 5pm.

Last night Government confirmed there were changes to the SDO. In the revised draft, the total donated land is around 41.12 acres, and the total development area removed from the previous draft SDO is 18.421 acres. A copy of the sitemap here.

Environmental activist group BEST released a statement today saying, “We are unable to support the revised SDO and are encouraging those who share our stance to write again to their Senators and join us in a vigil at the Senate Building starting around 5pm.”

CURB, who also opposes the SDO on historical grounds, also released a statement this morning urging CURB supporters to honk their horns loudly while driving by the Senate grounds, and if possible attend the Senate grounds wearing black “in support of the original owners and to mourn this continuing travesty.”

Approximately 4.5 hours into the debate last week Friday, Senator David Burt [PLP] interrupted Senator Jeanne Atherden [UBP], and asked to “rise and report progress,” effectively ending the debate and delaying the vote.

Of the eleven Senators, only Senator Kim Wilson [PLP], and Senator Carol Ann Bassett [Independent] were left to speak. The PLP Senators were in support of the SDO, while the UBP Senators were against, meaning the SDO needed one Independent Senator to support it for it to pass.

Independent Walwyn Hughes said he would not support it, as did Senator Joan Dillas Wright, leaving Senate President Carol Ann Bassett to be the deciding vote. The debate stopped prior to Senator Bassett speaking, and her position on that version of the SDO remains unknown.

When asked why he stopped the debate last week, Senator Burt said, “The considered position having liaised with the Premier, Min. Roban,Min. Minors and the Senate Government Leader was that the better view was to rise, and report progress. We listened. This way we give an option for all the parties to reflect and to review their position.”

The vote breakdown is as follows:

• There are 11 Senators, 5 PLP, 3 UBP and 3 Independents
• The SDO needs 6 out of the 11 votes to pass
• The SDO has already passed in the House of Assembly, with PLP MPs for and UBP MPs against.
• The PLP Senators [5] are Lt. Col. David Burch, Kim Wilson, David Burt, Cromwell Shakir, and Laverne Furbert
• The UBP Senators [3] are Jeanne Atherden, Michael Dunkley, and Suzann Roberts Holshouser
• The IND Senators [3] are Carol Bassett, Dr Walwyn Hughes, and Joan Dillas-Wright
• The PLP Senators are predicted to be voting in favour, UBP Senators are predicted to vote against
• The IND Senators are the key votes.
• In last week’s debate, 2 of 3 Independent Senators were against, and the final [Bassett] was unknown
• Assuming the PLP/UBP vote as expected, only one Independent vote is needed for the bill to pass

Live video stream of the Cabinet grounds, where both BEST and CURB have asked people to gather:

Updates will be posted as the debate progresses, press F5 to refresh the page:

Update 9:58pm: Video statement from Environment Minister Walter Roban saying he is happy with the 7-4 vote, and the SDO not only potentially ensures the economic viability Tucker’s Point, but also allows Bermuda to gain new tracts of land to be conserved:

Update 9:00pm: On FM89 Everest Dacosta is presently hosting a talk show about the SDO.

Update 8:41pm: The SDO passed 7-4. Full vote breakdown below:

• PLP Senator Lt. Col. David Burch: Yes
• PLP Senator Kim Wilson: Yes
• PLP Senator David Burt: Yes
• PLP Senator Cromwell Shakir: Yes
• PLP Senator Laverne Furbert: Yes
• UBP Senator Jeanne Atherden: No
• UBP Senator Michael Dunkley: No
• UBP Senator Suzann Roberts Holshouser: No
• IND Senator Dr Walwyn Hughes: No
• IND Senator Carol Bassett: Yes
• IND Senator Joan Dillas-Wright: Yes

Update 8:40pm: The SDO has passed. Votes against are from all three UBP Senators Jeanne Atherden, Michael Dunkley, Suzann Roberts Holshouser, and one Independent Senator Dr Walwyn Hughes. All five PLP Senators voted for, and two Independents: Senator Bassett and Dillas Wright. The full second reading of the SDO is here.

Update 8:38pm: Senator Burt continues to answer questions that were raised. Responding to a question about what happens if the land is not developed. Says after 10 years the SDO ceases to be in effect, and the land reverts back to original zoning.

Update 8:32pm: Senator Burt said the only thing added to this SDO is land being given to Bermuda, everything else has been taken away. Said the original SDO was tabled a long time ago, and there was ample time to read it.

Update 8:30pm: Senator Bassett finishes, Senator Burt starts to answer questions. Says “if there is no order there is no conveyance” – answering whether Tucker’s Point will donate the land if they do not get the SDO.

Update 8:26pm: Senator Bassett talks about buy backs said if they could get $100 from every person who is out there honking their horns, they could buy back alot of land, continuing on to say “put their money where their mouth is.” Senator Bassett had previously commented on the honking, saying she is ready to reach for her Tylenol. Says the land Bermuda is getting is precious.

Update 8:22pm: Senator Bassett says she is “very comfortable” with the amount of conditions on the SDO.

Update 8:16pm: Senator Burch has finished, Senator President Carol Ann Bassett [IND] starts. The SDO is extremely likely to pass, as it has already gained one Independent Senator’s support.

Update 8:15pm: Senator Burch says he has his own personal issues with the historical aspects, and he will vote for the SDO. Says before it was all private land, and with this agreement some of the land becomes public property and locals can go and enjoy it.

Update 8:11pm: Senator Burch, like Senator Furbert earlier, stressed the SDO does not actually give permission to build, its in principle only. Jokes if he had organised the horn honking outside, he would have only had them honk during the Opposition’s speeches.

Update 8:07pm: Senator Atherden says the SDO is not something we should vote for. She finishes, Senator Lt. Col. David Burch [PLP] begins.

Update 8:05pm: Audio: Senator David Burt [PLP] gave us a brief statement outside after his presentation. He spoke on the amendments, and said they are balancing the environmental and economic concerns, and he looks “forward to passage.”Listen here

Update 7:52pm: In the fall of darkness, a few people remain on the Cabinet grounds as seen on the video stream above. Approximately 6 people remain on the scene, including 2 people standing on Front Street encouraging drivers to honk if they disagree with the SDO.

Update 7:52pm: Senator Atherden says the revised SDO is improved, but not ideal. Says the environmental groups should have been consulted with. Says once done, we cannot take it back. Says this SDO is due to a developers request, and they tried to make it of national importance.

Update 7:52pm: Senator Atherden says the revised SDO is improved, but not ideal. Says the environmental groups should have been consulted with.

Update 7:39pm: Senator Atherden says we need to be careful of getting into “bailing out” businesses.

Update 7:34pm: Senator Shakir has finished. Senator Jeanne Atherden [UBP] has started. MP Walter Lister is in the Senate chamber.

Update 7:34pm: Senator Shakir is speaking on tourism, saying that tourism is not just about hotels, its also about people. Says as much as Bermuda is changing, not all things are. Says by saying yes to this, is not the end of Bermuda. Asks, “Are we really one community? Are we one public?” Says he has a vested interest in the “soul of Bermuda, not just the real estate.” Says he will support SDO, which was expected.

Update 7:22pm: Senator Cromwell Shakir [PLP] is now speaking. Said he once received advice to “always invoke God when making serious decisions.”

Update 7:11pm: Senator Dunkley says he will not support the SDO, this was expected.

Update 6:58pm: Senator Michael Dunkley [UBP] is now speaking. References the previous SDOs given to Tucker’s Point. Says he does not want anyone to lose their job, and says let’s deal with facts and stop scaring people. Says if the hotel is put into receivership, he believes there would be people who would want to take over the hotel, says the jobs will still be protected – so “let’s not scare people and say the hotel is going to close, and people will lose jobs.” Says Pink Beach or Newstead didn’t close.

Update 6:42pm: Video of people holding banners, and encouraging drivers to honk if they are against the SDO:

Update 6:45pm: Senator Hughes has finished, Senator Joan Dillas-Wright [IND] – who said she would not support it last week – said she will support the revised SDO, although with some reservations. She is considered a key vote, and the SDO looks far more likely to pass now that she has stated her support.

Update 6:29pm: Senator Furbert had finished, and said she will support the SDO. Senator Dr Walwyn Hughes [IND] is now speaking. He said he would not support the SDO last week, and is considered a key vote.

Update 6:24pm: Senator Furbert is still referring to Larry Burchall’s column in the Bermuda Sun, in which he said “strings are being pulled by Mr Trippe,” saying she found it offensive. She previously noted that Mr Burchall was married to a white woman [Disclaimer: Bernews' editor is their daughter] and said some people do not buy the Bermuda Sun newspaper due to him.

Update 6:12pm: Senator Furbert says she hates to bring up the race card, but its been brought up here already, says there are four main players of the race card in the SDO conversations; Larry Burchall, Ray Charlton, Lynne Winfield, and Stuart Hayward. Talks about Mr Charlton calling the radio saying he calls every show, 3 or 4 times a day. Says it is an emotional issue, and she is passionate about her country.

Update 6:10pm: Senator Furbert says the honking of horns outside is annoying, and she can barely make a proper presentation. She said next time BEST or CURB are having a meeting she feels like parking her brand new car outside and honking. Senator Carol Ann Bassett [IND] notes the honking also, says she is “ready to reach for her Tylenol.”

Update 6:06pm: Senator Furbert says she also cares about the environment, and many others do as well, just they may not belong to BEST. Senator Furbert stresses the SDO grants in principle approval only, not final permission. Stresses that the SDO does not actually give anyone permission to build.

Update 6:04pm: Independent MP Darius Tucker is in the Senate chambers, Deputy Premier and Public Works Minister Derrick Burgess is also present.

Update 6:00pm: Senator Roberts Holshouser has finished, Senator Laverne Furbert [PLP] is now speaking.

Update 5:59pm: Senator Roberts Holshouser say she cannot support a “gamble”, and will not support the SDO.

Update 5:56pm: Senator Roberts Holshouser is asking why groups like BEST were not asked about the revised SDO, saying they can speak for the “birds who cannot speak, and the crustaceans we cannot see.”

Update 5:53pm: Environment Minister Walter Roban just entered the Senate, as did UBP MP Charles Swan. Senator Roberts Holshouser is still speaking, saying that Bermuda’s “attractiveness” contributes towards our socioeconomic health, and is key for tourism. Says each SDO we give leads us closer to “urbanisation”

Update 5:48pm: Senator Burt has finished, Senator Suzann Roberts Holshouser [UBP] is now speaking. She asked if the SDO fails, will Tucker’s Point still donate the land?

Update 5:47pm: Audio: Listen to a statement made a few minutes ago by BEST Chairman Stuart Hayward, who is present on the Cabinet grounds this evening. Mr Hayward says the SDO has been “done in a rush,” and that BEST cannot support it. Listen here

Update 5:42pm: As requested by CURB earlier today, honking of horns can be heard as cars drive by on Front Street.

Update 5:40pm: Senator Burt is reading out the changes to the SDO; 18.4 acres of development land  wase removed from the SDO, the total land to be donated to the Government totals around 41.1 acres, which Senator Burt said “could be argued  is perhaps the largest single donation of private land to Bermuda.” Quarry Hill, home to several  caves, is no longer a part of the SDO. [The changes are available here in full]

Update 5:33pm: Senator Burt is reading the SDO brief, saying “Government has listened to the concerns expressed by Senators and have used the time since Friday to consult and now move amendments to the Order previously tabled.”

Update 5:27pm: They are still discussing whether to debate it today, taking a vote now. All three UBP Senators said no, all five PLP Senators said yes. Two Independent Senators said yes, [Hughes was the no] leaving the vote 7-4 to debate it today.

Update 5:25pm: Senator Burch is saying he is not clear whether Senator Dunkley’s [who is President of the Mid Ocean Club] conflict of interest has been satisfied. Sen. Dunkley interrupts and says he is “out of line”

Update 5:23pm: Senator David Burch [PLP] is saying they were briefed on what they did not agree with, and those things have been removed. Sen. Burch said “You’ve had your people send us emails up the ying yang.”, Senator Dunkley interrupts and asks “what people.”

Update 5:20pm: Senator Dr Walwyn Hughes [IND] has concurred with Senator Dunkley. Senator Suzann Roberts Holshouser [UBP] is speaking, also mentioning the time frame, and asked why they can they not delay the debate to the next sitting. Senator Jeanne Atherden [UBP] also speaks to time.

Update 5:18pm: The Senators have just started to discuss the SDO. Senator Michael Dunkley [UBP] has said that as they just receoved the amended version last night, they should not rush to table and then debate the SDO.

Update 5:12pm: The Budget is still being debated.

Update 5:00pm: The Senators are still debating the Budget, the SDO debate is expected to start soon. You can tune on the radio FM89 to listen live.

Update 4:55pm: About a dozen people have gathered on the Cabinet grounds, some carrying placards saying varied versions of “No to the SDO.” BEST Chairman Stuart Hayward is present.

Update 4:45pm: There are three people present on the Cabinet grounds.

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