Michael Fahy On Use Of Bishop Spencer Building
OBA MP Michael Fahy said he is “stunned” that the former Bishop Spencer School building is “not being repurposed for supporting either a transitional living facility, emergency housing or a seniors’ home,” saying that the building is owned by the Bermuda Government and “given the overwhelming need for any one of three aforementioned, it is beyond strange that the building is being leased to a private business. ”
Mr Fahy — the Shadow Minister of Housing & Municipalities and Home Affairs — said, “Last week it was announced that the former Bishop Spencer School could be transformed into retail and office space and potentially house a workshop, a warehouse and dormitories for up to 12 staff. It has been reported that businessman ER Burrows is behind the project.
“Whilst I am happy for Mr. Burrows, I am stunned that this building is not being repurposed for supporting either a transitional living facility, emergency housing or a seniors’ home.
“The building and property is owned by the Bermuda Government and given the overwhelming need for any one of three aforementioned, it is beyond strange that the building is being leased to a private business. It is unlikely that the dormitories will be used for Bermudian workers, although I could be wrong. Perhaps the Minister of Public Works or the Minister of Housing and Municipalities can shed some more light on this?
“I am familiar with this building, having first written about it in 2008 and my desire to see it become emergency housing. The PLP spoke about it and also made proposals for housing.
“When I was Minister of Home Affairs I took on the issue, despite it not being part of my portfolio and worked with the Ministry of Public Works and the Salvation Army closely to try and find a solution.
“At one point I also discovered that plans had in fact been drawn up, I believe pro-bono to repurpose the building for the greater good.
“In the end, for various reasons, the project did not move forward. This was very frustrating.
“There were a number of contributing factors: Internal Government processes requiring an RFP for management over the new facility, lack of funding from our Government and also the running costs which the Salvation Army could not take on at the time. It was upsetting.
“It is my view the building is actually suitable for social programmes. It should have been repurposed to help solve our social issues. With 1100 homeless or facing homelessness we need to be far more willing to think differently and do things differently.
“As such we need to have a full audit of all disused Government owned buildings and have them earmarked for social programmes, commercial projects and private housing for full transparency.
“Why is the Government hanging on to so many properties that cannot be properly managed or maintained when there are serious issues facing our community?”
“As Gandhi said, and I repeated in 2014, ‘The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.’ We need to get on with it.”
The government and the people don’t care what you think but rest assured that if this was an OBA project with a private businessman, OH BOYYY!!!!
I care because what his saying is true, the government owns many buildings that it lets go derelict and then pays private owners for use of their buildings, this should not be. Dont let your feelings distract you from truth.
Jon, are you referring to places like Government House and Montpelier?
“OBA MP Michael Fahy said he is “stunned” that the former Bishop Spencer School building is “not being repurposed for supporting either a transitional living facility, emergency housing or a seniors’ home””
I do not know why MP Fahy is “stunned” by this. This is not the first former school to be rented out on a commercial basis.
I agree with Mr. Fahy. In terms of priorities, it was not a wise decision for the use of the former school.
Not sure of the suitability of Bishop Spencer as a senior’s facility but MP Fahy is on the right track.
The aging population is here right now. Facilities are needed for the aging right now. So far there has been nothing but talk and one promise to convert a surplus school into a seniors facility, and only a daycare one at that.
It is back to business as usual for this Government. Nothing but talk, delay and messed up priorities.
Fahy continue keeping the obaUBP as the opposition.
Why you keep dreaming up idears to make you look like you are doing something really special because you have ignored the issue over the last 70 years.
You do not have the money available to be effective to suport a venture such a large proposition .
You spent it all by taxing seniors taxes on other projects.
IT IS NOT YOUR MONEY
The taxed are coming out of our pension money, that is most un fair !
Have the Government evaluated what it cost per person to live reasonable in this island ?
That is a hot potato !
It is the responsibility for the young if they choose to stay to take care of their parents here but are you taking them off the hook as it is their responsibility to take care of their aging parents.
Is the Government feeling guilty all of a sudden ?
Just think for a moment, you will be running an organisation where elderly peopl will be spending their end days not a pretty but painfull sight for sure .
All that comes with age is where critical care will be required that is an up hill battle .
changing doctors ? that change people into a statistic !
Are you building a clearing house or a boarding house, for the many who come with issues ?
Certainly looks that way!
I will be 90 soon do you want me to list the on going political abuses the guilty Govermment has caused me and others.
The blunders are un imaginable an inappropriate . We can call it public abuse when goverment put peopl out of wirk at 65 the same day the mortgage expires.
Want one to think about ? I have paid the cost of two small cars to the TCD and yet alow drunks to stay on the roads.
There are many retirement home in this island no Government polatition wants to get in the game one of you oldie goldies may like to stay in boarding house .
Who are you Going to cherry pic and cater too?
May i ask at what is the eligible age and criterior to be a candidate or even want be a participant ?
You want real here is real
My father at 94 knew that his time had come
is there an ulterior motive here? Are you treading on very soft ground ?
Has Government ever thought that the people who voterd for you are loosing faith ?