Video: Burgess On Government’s Expenditures
The PLP held their “Big Night” on Wednesday [Oct 17] at the Ruth Seaton James auditorium, which saw five speakers address the audience of PLP supporters.
Deputy Leader Derrick Burgess delivered a 20 minute speech covering a variety of topics, and spoke extensively on expenditures Government has made in recent years.
Mr Burgess said: “Do you remember when the combined opposition would criticize us for not providing sufficient housing for Bermudians? Now you can go out and look at the seniors housing at Rockaway…cost us $14.8 million.
“The Harbourview at Southside – that was the lottery housing – $32 million. Loughlands $96 million. Perimeter Lane $38 million. Butterfield Lane $12 million. Anchorage $16 million. Harmony Hall $6.3….and I haven’t named them all.”
“That’s about $215 million. I venture to say this Government has spent over $300 million on housing for our folks,” Mr Burgess said to applause from the audience.
20-minute video of Mr Burgess’ full speech:
“Then you had the rent geared to income. 300 families benefited from that scheme. No more noise from the UBP, now OBA. What they are saying now is you have too much housing,” Mr Burgess continued.
He also mentioned the new Court/Police building, and said moving the employees from rented buildings will save $1 million in rent each year.
He also spoke about the ferry system, noting the ride from town to Dockyard to use to take an hour. “Your PLP government has built a ferry system that has taken hundreds of cars off the road every day.
“Yes we have faced challenges regarding the frequency of service, but at least we have a system that moves Bermudians to and from work,” continued Mr Burgess.
He also spoke about buses saying: “Since we have been in power — since 1999 as that would be our fiscal period — we have purchased over 70 buses. It cost us over $30 million.”
Speaking on the airport, Mr Burgess noted the Americans used to maintain it, but now the Bermuda Government is responsible. “We have spent $80.6 million on the airport infrastructure,” he said.
“They said we’re overspending….maybe we should not have done that….maybe we should not have done a lot of things we had to do. How much, how much are you are your neighbours saving every month because the PLP introduced day care.
“Right now, if you have a child 4 and under, you can get $175 per week – that’s $9,100 a year into that household. And if you have two children that’s $18,200. 425 families benefited from that. That’s what this government is doing…they are taking care of our people,” said Mr Burgess to applause.
Mr Burgess said since March 2003 they have spent $1.136 billion on capital expenditure.
Saying he was “going to run down some figures and numbers,” Mr Burgess said they spent $30 million on buses, $80.6 million on airport infrastructure, $73.7 million on waste disposal/incinerator, $18.3 million on new water plants, $95 million for the police/court building, $32.8 million on youth & sports, $3.9 million on improvements at the Aquarium, $5.3 on the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre, $24.4 million on Port Royal, $8.3 on a new recycling plant, $18.5 million grant to WEDCo and $12 million for Club Med.
“These historical accomplishments by the PLP was achieved through intelligence and strategic spending of your money on you,” said Mr Burgess. “Under the leadership of the PLP we have worked diligently for Bermuda.”
He also said that white Bermudians have been “economically punished” and “socially ostracized ” for joining the PLP . “We want to eradicate racism. We want every man – as the Bible says – to be equal.”
Mr Burgess continued: “Do you think things have changed? Ask Zane DeSilva….” Mr Burgess said “dozens” of his contracts were cancelled and also said the National Trust has tried to “destroy his business”.
“And they say we play the race card?” said Mr Burgess.
“He also spoke about hotel concessions and assistance provided to the Bank of Butterfield. “This government is active in stimulating the economy with the public purse,” said Mr Burgess. “The question is – is the private sector doing as much as us?”
“Your PLP government – despite the hostile media movement/environment – has pressed on. Cousins, we cannot go backwards, we cannot interrupt our march now, we must not deprive our young leaders of the opportunity to aspire to leadership.”
“We must suppress our petty differences and respond to the call. The call is coming from the people of Bermuda, they want to be governed by those who share their history and their interests.
“We must retain political power. PLP all the way, all the way PLP,” Mr Burgess concluded.
“This government is active in stimulating the economy with the public purse,” said Mr Burgess. “The question is – is the private sector doing as much as us?”
Please remember it is not your money Mr. Burgess, and try to figure out where it is actually coming from.
HE ventures to say the Government has spent $300 million on housing?? whose housing, Yours!
If you did, maybe you should remind us whose $300 million it was! Ours.
Remind us how many people are living at the Grand Atlantic for all those millions. Five?
We dont need more housing. What planet are you all living on.
Congratulating yourselves on bankrupting a country and now it’s VOTE FOR US?
This man looks like a constipated gerbil.
Let’s see….
“Combined opposition” – check
“UBP now OBA” – check
“PLP leadership working for Bermuda” – check
“Race card” – check
“Invoke the bible” – check
“Point finger at private sector”. – check
“Blame media” – check
“Appeal sbliminally to those who look like us” – check
“Retain power” – check
We’re done here, no substance, no plans for growth, no ideas and the party faithful lap it up
He’s a sleaze.
Sleaze is National trust taking lease from PLP MP, saying they will lease it back at 600% – That goes to show that NT has a price to sell off Bermuda. Makes you wonder how the mechanics of rich bermuda are working behind the scenes. Don’t trust those lots. They are the dishonest ones.
Really? The NT a part of the combined opposition now? You f&$king moron.
These guys are a joke.
Look at economies like Singapore, Monaco,Dubai.
Bermuda was once an example for these places.
They have left us in their dust, boom towns, even in this economic climate and we are in the toilet put there by totally uneducated clowns.
scary… i am scared.
the Bible doesn’t say we are equal it actual says about Masters and slaves…
the bottom line this country has no money because of careless spending
and we will never get out of debt
I was honestly starting to believe that we might head into an election without a blatant bringing up of the racial bogey man. Leave it to one of the old decrepid ghosts of the past to show up and boldly present the race card.
The sooner this generation of old stuck in the past politicians goes away the better as far as i’m concerned.
Mr. Burgess, with reference to last night’s speech, there’s a headline in today’s Royal Gazette……
“White PLP supporters are still being ‘socially ostracised’, charges Burgess”
There’s also a quote here on Bernews, above……..
“The call is coming from the people of Bermuda, they want to be governed by those who share their history and their interests.”
How can anyone possibly take you seriously?
Burgess, has a following and they are fools that can not think for themselves, they have to have a leader that can BS them….how sad is that ? so how is Fidel doing ?
“Your PLP government has built a ferry system that has taken hundreds of cars off the road every day.”
…and replaced them with GP cars, which you suckers get to pay for!
And let’s not mention the remarkable maintenance program the ferries undergo! What an investment!
No, the thousands of people who have left the island has reduced the number of cars on the road. The PLP government has been reducing ferry schedules and making ferries run slower to conserve fuel, because they are out if money. And the ferries are not maintained and are falling to bits.
But “stand strong for the P.L.P” Let us see what damage they can do if they have another four yars.
I hope we do not become another Bahamas that took years to recover because of bad leadership.
Is it just me, or… shouldn’t the government be a lot more humble? Not into politics but this is our island and i can’t help feeling like its going to ****.
The ruling party seems to always play on our emotions (race, religion) to get votes and can’t honestly expect people to believe that they are not (at least) partly responsible for this deep hole we’re in… and atm, i’m sorry, but the OBA seem too green to be taken seriously… (book by cover, at least)
Also… why are these “Rallies” not held to bolster this community and unify us against the struggles we are facing?
Divide and rule, i understand.. ok… but Divide and destroy seems closer to the reality…
Bermuda too small for party politics. (imo at least)
Why can’t we try a unified government and vote in individuals who can work to save this island together?
Please, can the politicians humble themselves for the sake of our children?
I am scared for them.
Scaredchitless
at least 1 person is waking up….lots to learn ,lots to learn ….
I agree, party politics sucks
The National Trust tried to destroy Zane’s business? Lol, interesting perspective. But not accurate.
Zane. needs to stop trying to be the head #$%^& in charge because he is not.
Yes he is. Cox has little, or no authority over him and the others are so grateful to have him (token) in their midst that they dare not oppose him no what he says or does.
That is power, and influence at work!
So, I haven’t gone through each figure quoted here, but $30 million for 70 busses. That means they cost $428,571 dollars each!! Who knew a bus was that expensive!
And $12 million for Club Med? What did they do there besides knock it down? That cost $12 million? WOW!!
You need to consider the “commission” and “consulting fees” built into those figures. lol
Any idea what 10% of $12million was!
Is it possible that Zane DeSilva’s contracts were cancelled and the National Trust is “destroying” (?! serious accusation) his business because of some other reason that because he is a white member of the PLP?
Drove past island construction today. Does anyone know what that large plot of freshly leveled land that looks like it could fit a few warehouses is for next to the marsh?
“And they say we play the race card?” said Mr Burgess.
“The call is coming from the people of Bermuda, they want to be governed by those who share their history and their interests.”
Does he not see the irony of these two statements? SMH!
No he doesn’t. He is an idiot.
The Honourable ex-Minister said: “This government is active in stimulating the economy with the public purse,”
Not true!
In 2010/11 the Govt spent $1,242m. In 2011/12 it spent less, $1,137m. In 2012/13 it plans to spend $1,081m.
This pattern of declining spending is the exact opposite to ‘stimulus’ spending. This pattern of declining spending is the classic cutting back spending of ‘austerity’.
After taking out the $115m for servicing the $1,416,000,000 in Debt; Govt will actually only spend ($1,081m – $115m ) $966m in Bermuda in 2012/13.
That’s a helluva DECREASE from the $1,242m and $1,137m of previous years.
Some stimulus!
This LED lights in government buildings and roads guy is in over his bitter head in it. Talking down to the private sector when most of the govt income is from the private sector, plus all the donations, time and work done in the private sector. I find this insulting and blind.
Hold up Burgess!
I just gotta say that speech was almost as easy to listen to and as inspiring as…
Gnesa – “Wilder”
BEST SONG EVERRRRR!!!!!!
No, serious… go on youtube and see if you can listen to more than a minute without crying.
Powerful stuff.
Burgess On Government’s Expenditures… there is always ‘SoMuchMore’ behind the story.
why is he still the deputy premier if he is not a part of cabinet, o no wait… he’s the best — for the job LOL
anyway call the election before the plp spend more.
So they keep Burgess in the closet until they need the mouthpiece to stir the racial pot.
It’s a shame, for a minute there the PLP almost seemed credible.
Paula must just be cringing at the sound of that braying a@@.
For all her failings, I believe Paula wants to do good. I believe there are a lot of PLP members that want to do good. It’s just such a shame that in order to win the election they think they need to rally the races!
To the PLP, I honestly think if you stopped the racial slant, you would have a much better chance at election and a much more diverse membership.
Then Bell hop….
$30 million on buses, – That do not work, get pulled unannounced off schedules, that leave our kids, tourists and hard working people stranded……
$80.6 million on airport infrastructure, – Who’s building leaks! Must have been spent on the mounds of unused asphalt/rubble which has trees and other plant life growing from it, the set up/break down and rental costs of a facility that never got up and running to re-do the run way, the fence is rusted to the point of disintergration leaving holes for lost tourist to wander through blah blah blah
$73.7 million on waste disposal/incinerator, – that constantly breaks down and backs up trash to the point of reaking out the entire area, not to mention the pollution from emmissions!
$18.3 million on new water plants, – that still don’t work or are not operational.
$95 million for the police/court building, – that is a complete and utter waste of space (literally people – you can actually hear your own echo when you are in the two mile wide hall ways of emptiness) or is it because of severe over runs due to poor management. Complete disaster in architecture…..
$32.8 million on youth & sports, – on cricket/football teams that embarass the hell out of Bermuda. They were doing so much more and producing much better results when they were dirt poor and had squat to work with!
$3.9 million on improvements at the Aquarium, – empty tanks, half ass exhibits, run down facility because of CUT BACKS IN FUNDING!!!!
$5.3 on the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre, – Why yes, lets build a facility in the East End and hire several staff to sit around all day telling people to go to KEMH because there aren’t any doctors available to see them until 4pm – 12am. God forbid you have a real emergency out side of those hours!!!But yes its ok to pay people to do nothing for the remaining 16hrs but still get paid for a full days work….
$24.4 million on Port Royal, – Yup on a golf course that looks like crap and can’t keep a restaurant operating because of poor management.
$8.3 on a new recycling plant, – we have a recycling plant?!?!
$18.5 million grant to WEDCo – probably the only thing actually producing something you can see.
$12 million for Club Med. – WELL FACK ME BUH!!!! 12 million to blow up a derelict building? You could have renovated the place and rented that out as low cost housing for that price!!! Of better yet poured a couple gallons of gas and watched that shit burn to the ground!!!
Well I guess the Ministers that run these areas have made off like bandits – cause that basically is the jist of the message I got from all of this….
Get the fack outta hur with this foolishness!!!!
Thet are reducing us to third world Banana Republic status!
No room left for Banana trees, taken up by derelict over priced low cost housing! (Contradicts itself)
I am pleased to see that Mr. Burgess “ventures to say” that over three hundred million dollars has been spent on housing. I refer to the Mid Ocean News Front Page Headline of June 1, 2007:
“Police Probe went As High As Cabinet
Top secret dossier reveals that Premier Ewart Brown was a key figure of inquiry
Files reveal other Ministers were also subject of fraud squad investigation
Evidence seized showing Gov. Ministers had undeclared business ties to contractor”
The article goes on to state:
“…then-Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser revealed that some of those under investigation only escaped prosecution because of the island’s antiquated corruption laws…
“The dossier reveals that the businessman (Zane DeSilva) was hired by Dr. Brown to build a luxury mansion on A.P Owen road while simultaneously employed by the BHC to build twenty houses at Southside…
The files also outline evidence that ‘monies were mixed from the BHC Southside Project and the new house for Dr. Brown at 21 A.P Owen Road -It is unclear if Dr. Brown has direct knowledge of this but what is clear is the house was built and paid for under Fair Market Value,’ Det Insp. Robin Sherwood noted in a March 2004 memorandum to Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith.”
Bernews, given Mr. Burgess’ touting of the achievements of BHC, I think this issue merits revisiting and I would be pleased to scan and send over the story.
One interesting aspect is where certain individuals have ended up – notably former Police boss Jonathan Smith is now a PLP candidate (and Senator if I am not mistaken).
And a certain rat ended up with a very lucrative consulting contract with government after the decision was made not to prosecute. Of course there would be no connection between the two events. All merely a coincidence.
smdh… it should all come out! true poltricks and the plp knows the best tricks.
Victor,
Your last paragraph speaks volumes!
So what was the detailed credible outline and timeline to reduced the debt stated? If not, why? Isn’t this the crucial issue?
so what stick with this government carry on and rack up more debt??? and we have to listen to this amateur divisive crap all over again
Given the 14 year track record of the current Govt. and the behavior of many members of the Progressive Labour Party, people of the Caucasian race who chose to join the Progressive Labour Party are only really guilty of having poor judgment and being of questionable character nothing more, nothing less, in my humble opinion. Just being involved with the current PLP Govt. alone must be painful enough without being criticized /ostracized by members of their own race. So I say that they should only be criticized on their actual performance for the PLP. If it is good kudos, if it is bad criticize. E. g. I would suggest that Min. DeSilva has been one of the better PLP Ministers. Unfortunately, in reality, most PLP Ministers really are very poor, so we are looking at a pretty low standard. Also Min. DeSilva is completely out of this depth and is being lead down the garden path by the very attractive Dr. J. Attride-Stirling who has a clear vision of turning Bermuda into a welfare state where the rich are taxed at very high rates to pay for immense social programs for the not so rich. People associated in any way with Bermuda with any real vision, can see that it is a deeply divided, resentful society. This is not a climate that investors/lenders, visitors like, so they are quietly either divesting or not investing/lending or not visiting and Bermuda as a whole is suffering the consequences through lower visitor numbers, job losses, lower GDP, higher unemployment, lower tax revenue, more Govt. debt, more foreclosures, more empty houses and apartments, declining population, more hungry &homeless people, rotting infrastructure (roads, bridges, ferries, buses, airport, social unrest, etc This is not something any political party can cure. Only Bermudians can change/cure this by way of new positive attitudes towards one another and the rest of the world, a strong ethic and holding all politicians truly accountable for their actions and behaviour. Peace & love . ctc
I am beginning to wonder if the PLP are really this stupid or the destruction of Bermuda is a clever plan by the PLP elite money to buy out Bermuda on the cheap from those exiting biz, real estate and Bermuda.
Seems like the only ones coming out ahead are those that are members of the friends and family plan.
Standing strong..for each other and their family and friend, what does a former bell
Boy know about business, these clowns have to stop the spin, nothing has changed except their wealth. And our debt. What university did he go to? What qualifies these people to run a country when they never demonstrated the ability to run a small business. No matter what the opinion on corruption we still see the same people (cousins) getting government contracts while the honest and non related contractors can’t even get on the list.
Surely we can’t afford another 4 years of this type of government , we need to re build all that has been destroyed or just went missing over the last 14 years.
Definitley NOT Obama material here LOL
One more nasty, bitter little man who just needs to go away.