‘Still Engaged In Consultation, No Decision Made’
The Ministry of Home Affairs said they wish to “remind the public that we are still engaged in public consultation and that no final decision has been made regarding the options presented.”
This follows after the Government announced public consultation regarding the future of Bermuda’s municipalities providing two options, to either change the Corporations of Hamilton and St George’s into quangos or dissolve them entirely:
- “Change both corporations to Quangos, leaving each organisation intact as a corporate body but increasing the Government’s oversight over key initiatives.”
- “Dissolving the corporations, repealing the Municipalities Act and integrating the corporations’ various functions into the Government’s administrative structure.
Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban speaking about the matter at the House on Friday:
A spokesperson said, “The Minister of Home Affairs acknowledges the comments made by the St. George’s Mayor regarding Municipality Reform.
“Following productive meetings with the St George’s Mayor and Councillors, the Minister wishes to underscore sentiments expressed during that meeting which confirm that the Ministry is seeking feedback from the respective councils on the proposed options for reform.
“The Ministry also wishes to remind the public that we are still engaged in public consultation and that no final decision has been made regarding the options presented:
- 1. Change both corporations to Quangos, leaving each organisation intact as a corporate body but increasing the Government’s oversight over key initiatives.
- 2. Dissolving the corporations, repealing the Municipalities Act and integrating the corporations’ various functions into the Government’s administrative structure.
“Both Hamilton and St. George’s must be rejuvenated into becoming vibrant entities in order to attract more visitors and greater investment opportunities for our island and its people.
“At present, both entities have crumbling infrastructure and empty buildings that do not reflect a thriving city and town that is attractive to both visitors and investors.
Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling also spoke with Bernews yesterday about the matter:
“The Government’s vision for St. George’s is consistent with the Mayor’s wishes and includes:
- i. a mega-yacht port and marina with enhanced infrastructure, amenities and activities.
- ii. A sustainable management plan for the world heritage site with the appropriate legislation and funding that will give the municipality the ability to effectively implement any recommendations that are identified;
- iii. A sustainable year-round [non-seasonal] industry;
- iv. Infrastructure and amenities to address the needs of the community including its businesses, for example the St. Regis development and any future developments large or small
- v. General necessary infrastructure upgrades
“It is the Government’s commitment to provide the town of St George with the resources to effectively promote and develop all that makes them and their over 400 years of history, culture and people unique and special to all Bermuda.
“The goal of this reform is for the betterment of Bermuda and, as such, it is important that both the Hamilton and St George’s municipalities work together to execute a unified vision of empowerment.”
The Government previously said the Consultation period for this will run from February 12 until February 22.
The Minister says “At present, both entities have crumbling infrastructure and empty buildings that do not reflect a thriving city and town that is attractive to both visitors and investors”. Sounds just like Bermuda as a whole, for which you were elected to Govern. Now do the job you were elected to do and if by some chance you are successful, and I do hope you are, then discuss taking on more tasks. Until then leave the Corporations alone.
well lets see who actually contributed to those empty buildings ….but what a better joke …they think they can turn that around….nothing could be funnier ….and they believe it ….these guys must Resign …please save yourselves from further embarrassment and go away and allow someone else with vision and balls too make the hard decisions ,,,,ya sounds like i’m asking for the OBA to come and rescue us …well yes ….
the plp are a circus and the curtain must come down
maybe we too could build a wall and keep the plp out.
the plp are pillaging Bermuda anywhere they can.
Cart before the horse… again!!
This government is a joke!
Clueless a better word.
Like blaming a certain media for the booming fintech hiccup..
Whst a difference in interviews, one has no clue and the other well versed in what he is doing. Guess who is the muppet.
What a difference in interviews, one has no clue and the other well versed in what he is doing. Guess who is the muppet.
RIP Bermuda.
Hope you know how to tend bar from products brought in from banana boats wrecked offshore.
BS they have made up THEIR minds and are blowing smoke up our proverbial butts. Communism seems to be on its way
It’s really RICH of the PLP to talk about crumbling infrastructure and empty buildings! Look around Bermuda. Many derelict buildings belong to the Government. That eyesore on Cedar Avenue, just past the Tennis Stadium (Teen Services used to be there), is an embarrassment as you enter the city. Also, the old Police Station on Parliament Street is looking sad.
Why do the PLP think they can better manage city infrastructures? They cannot manage national infrastructures – irregular bus service; inadequate trash collection; overgrown roadside weeds; poor road surfaces; an inadequate Causeway – I could keep going.
I live in the City. Is it perfect? No. But my trash gets collected EVERY day; Corporation staff answer the phone when you call; the City Parks are well-cared for and look lovely; there are teams that clean the streets and remove debris – I could keep going.
This Government insists on tinkering with things that work fine, but ignore the things that really need fixing. I can’t wait for the next election. I have something to say at the polls. I’ll never be fooled again.
What made you think that the PLP would be fix things better than the OBA in 2017??
My hope sprang eternal. I gave them a chance, again. Fooled twice now – I’m so done with them. It’s my own fault for being hopeful….and gullible.
*It’s my own fault for being hopeful….and gullible.*
Some would refer to that simply as political illiteracy .
Maybe this is one of those ideas they have that they later decide is stupid, like fintech hubs, taxing rents, chicken farms, the space ship business, undersea mining, offshore online gambling, etc, etc.
This is just a land and money grab by the PLP who want to institute “Friends & Family Plan” and destroy the Budgets of Hamilton & St Georges just like they have with Govt spending\borrowing.
The Waterfront is what the Pee El Pee want to get their sticky fingers on the most. Don’t let them bamboozle you!! Hahahaha!!
What bothers me is that there is zero acknowledgement that poor governance, over the last twenty years or so, has been the real cause of Hamilton and St George’s demise. Is it really fair to criticize the municipalities when they have no say in matters such as immigration and tourism that are the obvious ways to improve their fortunes. Bermuda needs to breakout of this ridiculous insular bubble that the PLP thrive on and embrace the world !
Lol.. PLP land and cash grab…it’s cement company part two.
These idiots spent 17 years on a bus timetable and can’t collect the trash. They wrecked the economy and their plan is to tax further the shrinking population.
And they have the audacity to lecture on regeneration!
It’s about power and nothing more.
Let’s compare things inside St. George’s and Hamilton and those outside which are controlled by the BERMUDA GOVT. Here’s a list of things that are BETTER in St. G & Hamilton: Roads & road paving, street lighting, hedge trimming, traffic control, arts, culture, history, fashion shows, debt & budget management, WIFI, trash collection, park management, parking – the list is almost endless. Conclusion – the Bermuda Govt. has NO reason to take over the Municipalities other than their wish to LESSEN Democracy in Bermuda and APPOINT (rather than have ELECTIONS) their supporters to positions in QUANGOS THEY WILL CREATE to control the Municipalities without ANY ACCOUNTABILITY to the residents and businesses in the Municipalities!!
Bermuda needs a permanent self-funding group like America’s Cup that creates buzz and excitement. St. George is a tear-down if the heirs to those properties have no incentive to utilize them. Constituencies 1 & 2 need to stand-up to these interlopers.
Pee El Pee bought us:
Berkley
TCD
Port Royal
Kings Wharf
Global Hue
Black Mayor’s Conference
Beyonce
Court Building
$2.5bn in debt
The worst recession in a lifetime
‘We had to deceive you’
Bermuda Cement Company
Trash collection reduced to once per week
They have current MP’s that have a ‘interesting’ history. Think Zane Desilva and Port Royal and Derrick Building and the Court House building.
Do we really trust them to take over the Corporations? Hahahaha!!
They are done looting the public now coming after the municipalities….it was only a matter of time. Thanks greenies.
It is time for the mayors, their corporations, their staff who will lose jobs, the rate payers, the business owners, their staff & others, all have a little noisy get together around the HOA.