St George's must become a working town to thrive

Today it will take the combined efforts of a rejuvenated business community, cooperative residential community and the support of a more understanding government to reverse the effects of neglect that beset our beloved Old Town.

When St George’s successfully rebounds and becomes a viable centre for commerce once again, there will also be significant benefits to residents.

They will play a greater role with a widened local voting base going forward, since the voting franchise now depends solely on municipal residents.

Vibrant

We the residents of St George’s must not lose sight of the significance and the value of our beloved town returning as a vibrant working town.

There is much to be said for having the option of working near one’s home, from significant savings on fuel to increased quality time with family.

Most importantly, there will be the opportunity for much needed community-based jobs.

Our business community has clearly felt the brunt of the economic downturn in St George’s and while many business owners love the town, only profitability will encourage them to stay.

Notwithstanding, there are ways to improve the fortunes for business owners in St George’s, such as:

Arrange a dedicated cruise ship in port for 2012 and beyond. St George’s is economically hamstrung without a single dedicated cruise ship when it once enjoyed two ships per week.

While the new Transport Minister has stated it is on his radar screen, the point must again be emphasised.

Admittedly, a great deal hinges on the long awaited Town Cut study. This will determine the viability of modifications to the Cut that would make it possible for the town to accommodate modern ships in port.

That important consideration draws near.

Reopen St George’s Golf Course. There have been repeated reports about the reopening of the St George’s Golf Course and few people in the town will dispute its value to east end commerce or its significance to rejuvenating tourism in the municipality.

Government, which has had difficulty explaining its logic for the premature closure, must now find a way to partner and make the reopening happen.

Successful development of the boutique hotel and marina. This is certainly a concept with a great deal of merit that would elevate St George’s maritime status and create buzz within the international yachting community.

St George’s Harbour was once the centre of maritime commerce in the North Atlantic and is also well known in the maritime world because of the great port our forefathers developed.

Today a modern, world-class marina and hotel would encourage the yachting community, the boats’ owners and friends to visit St. George’s.

There is a meeting planned today — at 7pm at Penno’s Wharf — to update the town on the developments.

Movement on the Park Hyatt development. It is nearly three years since the legislature was recalled from summer recess to debate and pass the Park Hyatt Act back in September 2008.

It was reported that “work on the $294 million five-star hotel is scheduled to begin in 2009 with completion due in 2012”.

Unfortunately, that timetable was not met.

At a Town Hall meeting on October 4, 2010, we were shown artist renditions, were told that plans were before the Planning Department and that there would be ground breaking in November 2011.

We are advised the same timetable remains but await a public update.

Provide a safe, crime-free community. The successful revitalisation of St George’s and Bermuda is contingent on us enjoying crime-free communities.

Our St George’s community deserves a safe environment in which to raise our children and serve our visitors.

Many residents applaud the return of the St George’s Police Station.

We have seen positive community initiatives led by the police which have helped to arrest anti-social behaviour.

Our community is increasingly taking a zero tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour and this bodes well for the future.