Column: Kim Swan On Fairmont Southampton
[Opinion column written by Kim Swan]
We stand at a pivotal moment in Bermuda’s journey toward progress, prosperity and fairness for all. Ground has been broken on the long-awaited redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton Princess—a project that represents more than just construction. It is a powerful symbol of renewal, one that promises to create jobs, revitalise our tourism industry, and move us closer to a Bermuda where every Bermudian has the opportunity to thrive.
The Fairmont Southampton Princess redevelopment is more than bricks and mortar. It is about people—Bermudian workers, families, and entrepreneurs who will directly benefit from the hundreds of jobs and economic opportunities this project will generate. This is a chance to rebuild our tourism industry in a way that prioritises Bermudians. From hospitality staff to taxi operators, and small business owners, this project ensures that the benefits extend far beyond the investors and into the heart of our community.
We know that there are some in our community who did not want to see this groundbreaking happen.
They used every weapon at their disposal to try and sabotage completely or create impediments and delays. They hoped for this to fail so that they could stir up division and create a narrative within the community from which they could capitalise politically.
Ironically, they had no issue attending the groundbreaking with massive grins on their faces.
We hope the detractors will join us congratulating the Bermuda Industrial Union- their leadership supported this project from the outset.
Bermuda is open for business, and this redevelopment sends a clear message that they can’t deny. By creating an environment that fosters investor confidence, we are demonstrating that Bermuda is ready to welcome new opportunities while putting Bermudians at the centre of our economic strategy. This project shows that we can build an economy that serves not only global investors but also the people who call Bermuda home.
As we move forward, let us stay united in our vision for a fairer Bermuda. Together, we can build an economy that offers opportunity and prosperity for all, ensuring that every Bermudian shares in the success of our nation. The future is bright, and it belongs to all of us.
- Kim Swan
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You are making up FAIRY TALES Kim Swan ! You are trying to invent a NON-EXISTENT Bogeyman. (A classic PLP tactic to make it look like the PLP are the good guys fighting against something. We are not buying into your manufactured nonsense).
Everybody wants the Southampton Princess to open. Nobody wants a rotting building and less tourists. People miss the once in a blue moon event or once in a blue moon visit to one of the restaurants.
What people also wanted was to understand and consider the ramifications of the sudden increased scale of the SDO on the infrastructure, why Bermuda was giving such huge concessions (which form a precedent for any future projects… i.e. an “if they got that, then so should I” negotiation position for any future investors in Bermuda ). We the public are basically giving away money to the project, yet don’t get any say and won’t see any of the profits of a project that is building properties for wealthy foreigners.
There are people who live in that area , who had concerns about, traffic, about pollution, waste management, noise, and the destruction of the value of their property, due to ongoing construction, what was built etc.
People were upset at the destruction of a golf course which is a huge attraction to the island and property.
We were also told the hotel would reopen in 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026. We were literally promised opening dates by Burt when he competed for leadership and in the press. The people did not make these delays. Those were nothing to do with us.
Clearly Kim Swan you think we shouldn’t have any say on the impact of the SDO, even though we are paying for part of it (through the tax concessions). Stop painting Bermudians as the bad guy , stop calling people names. Get out of the schoolyard. We deserve better.
“You are making up FAIRY TALES Kim Swan !”
He is a career politician and a former leader of the UBP. What do you expect?
Kim was placed as leader in the UBP because he was black. They had a history of using blacks. They knew that if they had only 25% of the black votes it was a win at the election. Black Bermudians left that nasty party and it had to fold. It’s really sad that the oba is using the same script so what do you expect?
Are you saying that Kim Swan knowingly allowed himself to be used as a puppet in a cynical attempt to manipulate the race vote?
Aint gonna get an answer to that question . They never do. Never.
Kim knew he was being used as a black surrogate. One must ask themselves why Sir John Swan doesn’t even want to join the OBAUBP again,
It’s a pity there’s so many racists like you around. The rest of us are trying to get with our lives.
QUESTION
As you retreat to your last bastion left in your deck of cards, your name calling by refering to everybody that does not agree with your thinking being as your last resort to refering to your fellow man being all inclusive by branding ever one as a racist.
That unkind conteptiouse word is not tasteful or apreciated under any circumstances you would do well to refrain from such usage an keep your beligerant thoughts to your self.
It is unfortunate that your only answer available to dealing with situations that do not meet with your approval by insulting one, you insult all, is some what shamefull.
You must be a very lonely person and most likely do not have many friends .
Does name calling satisfy your incompatability ?
“We all are trying to get on with our lives”.
Sir ! you owe all who you unkindly refer to, an apology.
Voters white and black know this is what the oba aka UBP do.
From a black Bermudian who was well respected in the UBP/oba.
CV Jim Woolridge stated in his book some famous words. “Those little white boys don’t mind you being in charge as long as they can tell you what to do!
Be careful now because when you tell them the truth, which is what every black Bermudian already knows they call you a racist.
FAIRY TALES
How to become unpopular over night .
yes advice is just walk away and say, naught !
LIES.
As a gentleman Joe, “Fary tales “is a mild way of putting it , some time you have to sink the ship. what is a lies divergence from the real truth, that leave ever one to become doubtful and that comes to loss of trust to put it bluntly we a talking people mis handle the truth or who tell lies either habitual or otherwise in a deceiptfull manner. Other wise they are habitual at it .
UNIVERSAL LIERS
It seem that where ever you go some body has a twist in their toungue from the top down and the bottom up they are all on the hook.
They lie about every thing .
in order to identify the pronlem which by the way is unhealthy , just glance into their eyes which is all that it takes you either buy into it or ignore it, or better still walk away do not make any excuses. just go, you stay you become unknowingly part of the problem.
BULL .
BULL ……….. a form of exaggeration.
Is an expansion of a lie with flowers or mayonnaise on it be careful as people can easily mis represent themselves . lost of that going around these days
PROMISES MADE BUT NOT KEPT.
Has that just come ore alway been there.
THE RIP OFF.
watch out for sales gimmick the shop keeper may have the tricky tricks to lure you in
” Said the spider to the fly ” that is a double wack.
as these shop owner here are becoming desperate all you do is walk out.
THE NON BELEIVER
This most likely is who do you beleive and who you don’t ,best way is don’t ask !
GOSSIP
Being caught out at that invite an interview with a lawyer,
Tio end this misciception of one another . this is sad day for Bermuda whe we can not get along with one another could be the problem is the ……….. lack of respect !
Mr. Swan
You just got you self a well deserved dressing down which should not take lightly.
I live within ear and eye shot of ” Fairmont” a convension hotel .
Do you really think that people today rearly want a room on the thirty flood with a number on the door could be their convension days are over.
May be for you to dance around hole seven on the golf course.
Why don’t some people including you not think twice any more .
We are given two ears and one mouth.
The mouth gets many into trouble every time.
You preach alot of ” La ha ” which we already know .
Can we presume that you are so well informed in order just to make youself look good .
Don’t flatter you self as that is not becoming !
There are two sides to every coin .
We gave Southampton Princess / Fairmont a fantastic opportunity and name you know the bit “HAMPTON ” and in return they only appear to hire chamber staff at minimum wage.
Can you tell us what Fairmont contribtes on a grand scale or is that a closed shop or diddly squat squat.
Are we any better off ? ask the same question on any street corner .
By the way Fairmont who own a very large chunk of Bermuda has major plumbing issues causing electrical problems that is the death knol to many vacation propertires here and Mexico their latest project .
I would not be supprised if the place gets the wrecking ball .
Could the new construction is a stop gap or a prelude to a foot in the door and more of the same?