Corporation of St George’s Receives $750,000
[Updated with video] Minister Michael Fahy today [Feb 13] presented the Mayor of St. George’s with a $750,000 cheque; with $500,000 for operational expenses, while $250,000 will go towards repairs and upgrades to the King’s Square bathrooms in time for the 2014 tourism season.
The Minister said, “While the Corporation of St. George’s has been in receipt of $1.2 million in grants from the Government over the previous years – it’s no secret that the Old Town has faced its share of challenges in recent months and years in meeting their operational costs.
“This wasn’t the only concerns they faced. They have struggled with infrastructural issues due to years of neglect and lack of planning. They have seen a decline in tourism in part because of a lack of a dedicated cruise ship.
“And they have seen some of their businesses close up shop because of the economic crisis,” added Minister Fahy.
He also added that effective April 1st the Corporation of St. George’s will begin collecting Wharfage fees, and said they anticipate the financial boost from this will amount to $2 million.
“I have said before, and I think it bears repeating; St. George’s is one of our Island’s historical beacons. It occupies a unique place as part of Bermuda’s heritage,” said Minister Fahy.
“It was the site of the Island’s first settlement and in the last decade, it has garnered the distinguished status of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“The Old Towne was once a place bustling with tourists, commerce and cruise ships, and this Government is working hard to see St. George’s restored to those heights once again,”
Minister Fahy’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon,
We’re here today to highlight some relatively good news, particularly as it relates to our most historic area – St. George’s.
As you can see I am joined by the Mayor of St. George’s Mr. Garth Rothwell, St. George’s constituency MP and former St. George’s Mayor, Mr. Kenneth Bascome and area MP Nandi Outerbridge.
Each of these individuals have been fierce advocates in recent years and months for this historical area.
I want to thank in particular MP Bascome and MP Outerbridge for their continued work in the Constituency and their care and concern for the Old Towne, which has helped the cause for St George’s tremendously.
One of this Government’s pledges when coming to office was to ensure that we did all that we could to assist in the revitalization of St. George’s.
We recognised that it was important to work with the Corporation of St. George’s to protect the special historical qualities of the Town and commit adequate funds to marketing St. George’s as a World Heritage Site.
Another one of our goals was to reestablish a close working partnership between the Government and the Corporation to ensure its viability as a Municipality.
While the Corporation of St. George’s has been in receipt of $1.2 million in grants from the Government over the previous years – it’s no secret that the Old Town has faced its share of challenges in recent months and years in meeting their operational costs.
This wasn’t the only concerns they faced.
They have struggled with infrastructural issues due to years of neglect and lack of planning.
They have seen a decline in tourism in part because of a lack of a dedicated cruise ship.
And they have seen some of their businesses close up shop because of the economic crisis.
As the Minister responsible for Municipalities, I have made it my personal commitment to keep the lines of communication open with the Mayor of St. George’s as well as with the MPs who represent the area to try and find solutions to address their most pressing issues.
And one of the ways that we agreed on how Government could immediately assist was by facilitating a capital injection to the Corporation.
So today I am pleased to present the Mayor of St. George’s with a cheque in the amount of $750,000.
$500,000 will assist in the Corporation of St. George’s operational expenses, while $250,000 of these funds will go directly towards urgently needed repairs and upgrades to the King’s Square bathrooms in time for the 2014 tourism season.
I think it’s also important to highlight that this Government understands that cash flow to the Corporation must be sustained; hence our decision to provide continued financial support via the UNESCO Fund and the collection of Wharfage fees.
So effective April 1st the Corporation of St. George’s will begin collecting Wharfage fees.
We anticipate that the financial boost from this will amount to $2 million.
Additionally, monies collected from the UNESCO Fund will assist St. George’s greatly.
This comes into effect around early summer and it’s anticipated that this will result in added revenue of $500,000 for the Old Towne.
So without question, this represents a tremendous windfall for St. George’s.
I have said before, and I think it bears repeating; St. George’s is one of our Island’s historical beacons. It occupies a unique place as part of Bermuda’s heritage.
It was the site of the Island’s first settlement and in the last decade, it has garnered the distinguished status of being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Old Towne was once a place bustling with tourists, commerce and cruise ships, and this Government is working hard to see St. George’s restored to those heights once again.
I am pleased to say that today’s grant is a demonstration of our solid commitment to St. George’s.
It’s also a demonstration of a Government that listens and that fulfills its promises.
It is also an excellent demonstration of the fact that if the parties can come together in the spirit of partnership and collaboration, positive and fruitful results can and will occur which will ultimately benefit the people of Bermuda.
Thank you.
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- Video/Photos: Minister Fahy Tours St. George’s | Bernews.com | March 20, 2014
the Mayor of St. George’s Mr. Garth Rothwell is NEVER seen in St George’s except when he arrives and leaves the old town!
Everyone has different strengths. Mayor Rothwell is not a marketing and sales type of Mayor – rather he is a CEO/engineer type of Mayor. And he spends substantial time working in and for the Town of St. George.
If Rothwell is a CEO/Engineer type, what type was MP Bascome?
And what type of Mayor does teh Towne need?
people need to see the mayor,like you know..the few Tourists we get..
I was asked a few times where is the mayor by Tourists,I had to quickly change the subject because I didnt want to say your guess is as good as mine!
MP Bascome is still active, I didn’t even hear a peep from him on the Lamb, Foggo thing. WTF
If you haven’t heard a peep from him, why do you say he is still active?
I own a store, work in an office, and live in St. George’s, and volunteer on numerous committees in the town. Mr. Rothwell is in the town every day. Every single day. And he comes in the shops and spends money. AND he serves on the committees and is highly accessible to anyone that wants to sincerely work to improve the town. If you are one of those people, please be advised that your comment suggests otherwise.
So you’re saying he’s never seen in St George’s except when he’s actually there?
Wow, glad you pointed that out.
You must not live in St. Geo. Cause if you did you would regularly see and run into the Mayor who is always open for a conversation and suggestions. Don’t speak on things you know nothing about.
This is merely a gift to keep Mr. Kenny Bascome mouth closed and keep him on the right side of the fence. As many know Bascome has not been too happy lately. He believes enough is not been done, and he has beg for more or he will…..But he also loves a photo ups..
I guess this will do the treat for him. But the real question is will it really do anything for the town of St. Georges? The town has nothing exciting to enlighten folks on most days. St. Georges lacks a workable plan to enhance the old town and encourage folks to come there on a regular basis. Throwing money out without a plan will not change things in the long run. Likely to be a little excitement for the short-term, but what about the long-term outcomes?
Not too sure how anyone can say not enough is being done given the facts.
For instance the PLP stated that no cruise ships could fit into St. Georges and the result was nothing less than an economic catastrophe for the Old Towne. So what did they do? They closed the golf course, another source of revenue for the Old Town, and essentially privatized it by gifting it to a foreign developer. The funny thing is that not one of the ardent opponents of privatization and giving land to foreigners said a thing back then. Strange how their outlook has changed since that time, don’t you think? They even mandated that a Bermudian owned and staffed beach bar on St. Catherine’s beach be closed and demolished to make way for the foreign developer and the imminent ‘Platinum Period’ of tourism. Again not one sign of outrage from the usual suspects on the Government forcing a Bermudian owned and staffed business to close its doors.
The OBA has since embarked on cleaning up the course to make it at least 9 holes playable and have elicited support for public clean up days at no cost to the taxpayer. Were any of the PLP representatives and/or general supporters assisting in this effort? If not, why not?
The OBA also ensured that via the leasing of the overseas ferry that close to, if not more, than 100,000 tourists were successfully transported from the west end to the Old Towne. The PLP complained and objected to this service and were the ones that actually ended the east end ferry schedule while in power. Strange, huh?
The Corporation of St. Georges had their main revenue source taken away a few years back and thus has not been able to maintain or upgrade the Old Towne’s infrastructure. Who did that and why? Now the OBA have just stated that as at April 1st the Corporation of St. Georges will resume receiving the wharfage fee revenue which will inevitably result in more monies into the coffers that can be spent on the maintenance and further development of the Old Towne.
To further boost the revenues for St. Georges a small gas tax was levied by the OBA with all proceeds directed straight to the Corporation while the PLP and its supporters stated their objections. The same people who stated ‘thank God for Paula Cox’ in 2010 when her administration raised the payroll and foreign currency purchase taxes on the entire population.
To me, from where I am sitting, it appears the new Government has made a concerted and initial effort to assist St. Georges and her residents while the now Opposition did pretty much the opposite. But continue on with rants about the MPs and Mayor in the picture as well as the flag in the background. No wonder Bermuda is where she finds herself to be at this point in time.
Well said but why do you bother? Trump isn’t Bermudian…or is it? *dum dum dum*
Why do you all entertain trump????
The thumbs down shows how PLPers hate facts
Minister Fahy:
A handout is cool and all, and you spoke about sustainability, but I didn’t see anything about plans to bring any/more cruise ships to St. Georges. Did I miss that?
It is amazing how much money becomes available to do good things in the community when it isn’t being s*****.
not trying to be mean or anything BUT what the hell has Nandi done for Bermuda??? this woman does absolutely nothing, zilp, nada, zilch not a thing
I agree, oba poster child. First time she has been in ye ole towm since December 2012 !!
By this comment it is plain to see that you are not from the st georges area cause if you was you would Know that nandi is in the town every week & supports the events that the corporation puts on & is in the Town more than renee ming who nevers shows up to anything in st georges.
Get your facts straight before you run your mouth! Renee Ming is VERY active in St. George’s and works for the residents in all of St. George’s. She is an active member of the Corporation of St George’s and still sits on the Activities Committee; A committee that hosted several events in 2013; like the Movies in the Towne, Reading in the Park, Karaoke on the Square and the New Year’s Eve event. Not only does Renee attend the meetings (unlike MP Bascome) she organizes and helps out at every event. MP Outerbridge occasionally makes guest appearances, but it seems like that is simply for appearance sake.
In addition to this, Renee Ming is an active member is the St George’s Parish Council. I can tell you that she was responsible for my child receiving a school bag with pencils, crayons, rulers, composition books and other things with the initiative that she thought out. She actually prepared the bags herself along with a few others. I saw her collecting trash during a trash-a-thon (that Nandi attended and did nothing). At least twenty families in St. George’s can say that they had a good Christmas because of the Christmas hampers that she helped to prepare and deliver to those in need.
Renee Ming has been and continues to be busy working for her Parish. The difference with Renee Ming is this; everything that she does she was already doing when she decided to take on politics! So working for the people of St George is her NORM!
Know your facts BEFORE you run your mouth. St George’s appreciates our Senator’s efforts.
Yes, I have had the pleasure of working with Renee Ming on a committee and she is truly well intended. Can you say the same about MP Outerbridge, you might, but you should ask the residents of St. George’s.
I disagree….she does improve the pic-op ….optically pleasing
Nandi should be the minister of YUM!!!
We could save a lot of money by getting rid of Nandi. She does nothing .If Government is going to cut back on Civil servants then cut back on more of your MP’s .
Wish I had that exact amount given to me!! :/
I see the British Union Jack,but NO siight of the Bermuda Flag or St.George’s Flag
Good observation but being that the Union Jack is incorporated in the Bermuda flag and we’re still a British Colony, I think the Union Jack supersedes.
What you see is the Union Jack on the Bermuda flag. But continue on with your conspiracies and what not.
That’s actually the Union Jack buddy. Not that I agree with the little conspiracy theory above because I’m dead sure the Bermuda flag is there too, just out of the picture. Why it even matters in regards to this article is beyond me.
6:14 into the video clearly shows it’s the Bermuda flag
I stand corrected. A very large Bermuda flag lol.
“I stand corrected”
Said the man in the orthapedic shoes.
Sigh….No good deed goes unpunished.
Its about time some money came into the town. Fact is that’s the only way they can make it its like a welfare town. They are too lazy to be creative to do for themselves and yes have always had a sense of entitlement. I live there vote there and know the corporation intimately and its workings. So keep giving them money its no way they can manage otherwise.
OBA is securing votes, with tax payer dollars
Nandi is photogenic. Mr. Fahy seems to be in a lot of photos lately.
Speed bumps every 50 ft are not the answer and never will.
Use the asphalt to repair pot holes.
Are you trying to cause tourist bike accidents?