Minister: ‘Westover Farm Will Not Be Closed’

July 11, 2018

“Let me repeat what I have stated repeatedly over the past 2 weeks – the Westover Farm will not be closed down, suspended, or in any way interfered with,” Minister of Public Works Lt/Col. David Burch said this evening.

“Mr. Bascome Sr. has been a welcomed, quality and reliable tenant on Government land for decades and both the Farm and Mr. Bascome are a rightful source of pride for Somerset Residents. In fact, Westover Farm’s sausages can be found gracing the menus of authentic restaurants throughout Bermuda that are committed to promoting Bermudian products.

“This Government is determined to support and uplift Black, small and medium-sized Bermuda businesses, not shut them down,” the Minister continued.

“Once I was able to review the facts and meet directly with Ian & Richard Bascome, I found that there was no issue so significant to the Cabinet that his tenancy needed to be threatened.

“I am grateful to the Civil Servants who acted to ensure Government assets were protected and I am equally appreciative of the tone and tenor of the Bascome’s representation of their interests; I believe we have achieved a win/win for all parties and look forward to the presence of Westover Farm in the community for many further decades.

“I believe we have achieved a win/win for all parties and look forward to the presence of Westover Farm in the community for many years to come.”

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Comments (44)

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  1. puzzled says:

    Garbage.
    Your a moron Burch.

    • Al says:

      Actually the joke is on the Col – money doesn’t have a colour and that’s the only thing that matters when it comes to money.

  2. lol says:

    Just Black businesses? What about Bermudian businesses in general?

    • Onion Juice says:

      Because Black Bermudian Buissnesess have been systematically discriminated against by de Banks and legislated policies, just like anywhere else in de world where there is inherited white wealth and decendants of Africans.
      Dont act brand new.

      • Oh Jay says:

        OJ, stop with your lies.
        You’re so full of s*!t, I can smell you from here

      • Answer says:

        That is such bollocks.

  3. I and I says:

    Thank You Kindly!!!

  4. Onion Puke says:

    Straight from the horse’s mouth.

  5. Onion Juice says:

    Another failed plot by OBA.

  6. Virtual says:

    “This Government is determined to support and uplift Black, small and medium-sized Bermuda businesses”

    And there you have it.

    Goodnight Bermuda, and good luck.

  7. Micro says:

    Do they have to be black? Bermudians come in all races.

    • Alan says:

      Not mention shapes and sizes.

      • Onion Juice says:

        Ya but they are righting a Historical wrong racial ideology that was systymatically practiced for centuries.
        Lets say its a form of REPARATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        Thank you PLP for keeping ya promise, a certain segment in this society have benefitted from and still benefitting from a racist biased system not only in Bermuda but Worldwide, and when the disenfrenchised get a bly they make noise.SMFH

    • mixitup says:

      And they still miss the point…smh

  8. Tyrone says:

    This Government is determined to support and uplift Black, small and medium-sized Bermuda businesses, not shut them down,” the Minister continued.
    I guess if you are white, Portuguese or any other color for that matter, and are a small or medium size business, then do not expect this Government to support or uplift you?
    How does this official get away with this type of offensive rhetoric consistently?

  9. Spark says:

    I am so glad you support BLACK business! What about Portuguese and WHITE Bermudian business!

    • Onion Juice says:

      The Banks already supported them.

    • frank says:

      the government needs to support all Bermuda business the fact is true that over the years black business never ever got a chance
      the government needs to get on to buzz to hire more bermudians

  10. lizard says:

    So “this” Govt. is only there to uplift black, small and medium sized Bermuda business. Others don’t “apply”.

  11. facts of the rock says:

    “This Government is determined to support and uplift Black,small and medium-sized Bermuda businesses……

    typical in your face race talk from the plp.

  12. Joe Bloggs says:

    “This Government is determined to support and uplift Black, small and medium-sized Bermuda businesses, not shut them down”

    What if my business does not fit that description? Do I have to fire all my Bermudian employees close down or just accept that there is no government support for my business?

    • Onion Juice says:

      Unless you have been living in a cave you should know the Historical Economic and Social biasness that Black People and Businesses have experienced from those who have undeserved Historical wealth.
      Get over it, times a changing.

      • Joe Bloggs says:

        What about those of us who never had any historical wealth, did not go to Saltus or have any other advantage? Am I to be punished for merely looking like a a certain way?

  13. Devonshire Bermudian says:

    “Black” is a proper noun now?

  14. Comfortably numb says:

    Substitute Fahd for Burch and small white businesses for small black businesses and we would have marches on the hill, “hunger” strikers flown in from Philadelphia and general,outrage throughout the island. Left as it is, crickets!

  15. Hair says:

    So what Burch a hero now? NOT!!!!!!!

  16. Serious Though says:

    Why are people not proud with government supporting black businesses????

  17. Alan says:

    Well it looks to me like the Col is out to singlehandedly destroy the economy a second time with his mouth. Hope he is not upset at Rolfe getting in on the act too.

  18. simple says:

    so why didnt you help out scc? the bascomes stood up too u thats what happen

  19. Thank you, Burch.
    A humanitarian gestrure.
    Thank you. Unlike the notorious oba.Did all they could do to liquidate/water down the populous!

  20. Lofl says:

    SMH, This guy burch needs to be replaced. Everything that comes out of his mouth has to do with color! Premier it is time for a reshuffle, get the old blood out of the door. #BurchOut

  21. Gold Coast Girl says:

    While I do believe the Minister’s delivery and choice of words oftentimes are offensive and off-putting, I do believe that he has a point about black-owned businesses.

    Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Westover Farm the only black-run farm? If so, then it is important to take that into consideration. Interestingly enough, there have been times I’ve wished the farm was gone, due to the smell which I know creates a problem for potential development.

    I totally agree that it’s important for ALL Bermudian businesses to be supported, but it’s kind of like the “Black Lives Matter” movement in the States. ALL lives do matter, but I think most would agree that in the US, with regard to deaths by the police, the statistics show that black lives are far more dispensable. Perhaps it should be “Black Lives Matter too” and then maybe people wouldn’t get so crazy about it and have a little more understanding.

    Here in Bermuda, there are many more white-owned businesses than black, so isn’t it reasonable to think that it’s best for us all as Bermudians that there’s equal representation on both sides as much as possible?

    • Merrick says:

      Just remember, it’s about lifting up, not knocking down. The politics of begrudgery that Burch practices failed in 2007/8 and the economy has yet to recover from his arrogant and stupid immigration policies. Now he’s compounding his errors with this carry on.

      While I am at it, it must have been the UBP Government or those white independent Parliamentarians who sat before party politics who rented the Bascome family the land…

  22. Stand for Truth says:

    It is quite obvious to me there are some of you have the same mindset of those you oppressed us, the only difference is the day, date and year.

    This system of supremacy was intentionally designed to keep us at the bottom.

    • Merrick says:

      And with that belief, that’s exactly where you are going to stay. The joke is on you, pal. Seriously, who is going to give someone with that sort of mindset either a good job or invest in their talents. Nobody owes you anything and stop thinking they do, then you might get ahead.

    • Oh Jay says:

      “This system of supremacy was intentionally designed to keep us at the bottom.”

      Are you not aware of who your government is?

  23. Al says:

    One does have to wonder what would happen in the case of a business owners strike simply because they have had enough of this juvenile crap. (Unions call it a lock out).

  24. Stevie says:

    Burch like Trump. Says one thing then back tracks. Time to go Burch.