Minister Meets With Bascomes To Discuss Farm,
The Minister of Public Works Lt/Col David Burch met this morning [July 9] with members of the Bascome family to discuss Westover Farm, and Minister Burch said the “meeting was cordial, instructive and productive” and while he is “not at liberty to discuss the specifics yet” they “see a way forward and have agreed to meet again.”
In a statement today, the Ministry of Public Works said, “It seems the Farmers Association missed the Ministers statement of Friday June 29th wherein he stated he was prepared to meet with the Bascome Family to satisfactorily resolve the issue. That statement in its entirety is contained below:
“The Estates Department of the Ministry of Public Works in the normal course of their duties wrote to the Bascomes on May 14th, 2018 concerning their lease that had expired in January 2017. When I was contacted some time later by Mr. Bascome III – I agreed to investigate the circumstances of their lease.
“Before I could do that, however, I received written communication that included their lawyer – I indicated that this required me to alert the Government’s lawyer – the Attorney General.
“As is their right, the Bascomes have sought legal advice and I’m fine with that. My preference, and I remain open to this, is to discuss how we move forward. I have a duty to inform the Attorney General about legal issues but let me repeat, I’m happy to talk about this…”
“It’s good that people feel confident to speak up and challenge us – it’s what we asked them to do in July 2017.
“I am well aware of the Bascome’s contribution to both the Somerset community and Bermuda – I would never willingly simply ignore the opportunity to discuss any issue.
“This Government is working every day to help more black businesses get off the ground and so there is no way we or I would participate in destroying one.”
The Ministry noted that the Minister met this morning with members of the Bascome family to discuss Westover Farm, and Minister Burch said, “That meeting was cordial, instructive and productive – I am not at liberty to discuss the specifics yet but suffice to say that we see a way forward and have agreed to meet again.”
Read More About
Category: All, Environment, News, Politics
What would Burch do and say if it was a ‘different type’ of buisiness ?
Everything Burch gets invoved in turns out to be a complete failure,The garbage situation is a nightmare, the A.T V’s on the rail way tracks, the situation at the Somerset Cricket Club, why is this man still a member of Parliament.
This is what the dumb@@$es voted for.
The lease expired during the OBA time as government, this should have been renewed than.
don’t sell out our farmers for a bit of coins. Actions speak louder than words.
Come on Burch, you know there is a deal in the workings,there always is with people in power. I hear that the truth is about to unfold.
Yes, there’s a lot of info missing on this right from the very start . If it had anything to do solely with the expired lease and possible back rent it wouldn’t have ended up like this at all .
I wonder if that truth that is about to unfold has anything to do with someone or some company wanting exclusive access to the beach ?
Or to screw Dunkley?
This is an OBA mess that he inherited.
So it’s really simple then , eh ?
‘Mr Bascome , you’re in arrears with your rent , do you wish to straighten that matter out and renew your lease or do you wish to vacate the property ?’
Yes , or no . easy peasy .
Why do you wish to politicize the process ?
Oh yeah , that’s right . All you have is the tired old blame the OBA game. The same people who increased our debt level to keep you employed.
Of course, it has nothing to do with the lease or rent, there’s a back story that will presumably come out.
Plus, there’s the added benefit of “sticking it to Dunkley” which The Regressives cannot stop themselves doing.
Inaction Man is also entirely the wrong person to be in the mix.
Burch is a useless individual.
He needs to go.
PLEASE MR. PREMIER GET RID OF HIM.
I wouldn’t say he’s useless, but definitely needs to go.
PLEASE MR. PREMIER GET RID OF HIM.
I the minister doing a 360….or a Sandy’s 360?
As long as Bascomes promise not to have the govenor over they can stay.
I will never vote PLP again. Premier Burt has lost all credibility with me. Burch is not fit to be in public office and should be removed for the benefit of this country.
You have been wearing a ubp/oba shirt your entire life. What a waste. Just to think I was just like you.
Excellent, Burch!! Your approach is humanitarian and not authoritative.It will have a positive ending!!
dont tell me he a “night farmer” now!
Wonder if we will ever see a report on the pop a wheeling trash truck, or the wall hitting truck..
IJS
The cow pies at the farm are more useful than the Major Captain General.
Burch , listened to his boss… and now the Bascomes have a reprieve, funny how things happen when pressure is applied.