Address Anegada land issues first, but don’t forget Spooner’s Estate
Opposition legislator Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has used the appointment of Dirk Walters as chairman of the Crown Lands Advisory Board to spotlight longstanding infrastructure problems in Spooner’s Estate, arguing that the government has failed residents who built homes after receiving crown lands in the area.
Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, the Second District (D2) representative voiced support for Walters’ appointment, saying he hopes the new chairman will help cut through bureaucracy surrounding crown lands issues. Turnbull said urgent land title concerns affecting residents on Anegada should be addressed first, but he wants the board to then turn its attention to unresolved issues in established crown lands communities such as Spooner’s Estate.
Turnbull described Spooner’s Estate as a thriving residential community that grew after the government distributed parcels there years ago under a first-time homeownership initiative. But despite that growth, Turnbull said basic infrastructure remains badly lacking. “It’s not just about saying we’re going to give more land. Fix the issues that we have in the lands that have already been distributed,” Turnbull said.
“Even where persons are living on their land in Spooner’s Estate, there still is no infrastructure development plan for that community,” he added, pointing to persistent issues with roads, drainage, retaining walls and water access.
Turnbull said he has spent years trying to determine which ministry is responsible for the problems, only to be repeatedly redirected among government departments. According to the opposition member, the lack of coordinated action has left residents paying the price, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when runoff from higher-elevation properties floods lower-lying lots.
“When it rains in Spooner’s Estate, people can’t get home. They can’t get in and out,” Turnbull lamented, adding that residents have endured years of deteriorating road conditions despite repeated promises of repairs.
He also raised concerns about delays in crown land applications elsewhere, citing cases where applicants who followed the proper channels have allegedly waited years without resolution. Turnbull said he intends to continue pressing the new board on behalf of residents in his district and others across the territory, expressing hope that Walters’ leadership will finally bring movement on longstanding land-related grievances.
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We don’t want to hear nothing from this power hungry sn**e. Go siddung.
Mitch your the worst person to talk when you were minister what did you contributr?
The Spooners Estate old peoples home?? How is that going.
July 30th, 2012
https://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/61264
July 31st 2012
“We recognise that the needs of today’s seniors are changing and we must be proactive,” Health and Social Development Minister Ronnie Skelton said. “This proposed community would provide a safe, engaging and comfortable environment where residents can live and interact with other. Additionally, they will have easy access to specialised nursing care.”
Dec 30th 2012.
Works are progressing apace for the construction of the new Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly at Spooner’s Estate with the retaining walls on the property being 95% complete. This is according to Carolyn Stoutt Igwe, Deputy Secretary Ministry of Health and Social Development.
Dec 30th 2012
The construction of the new home has been deemed necessary by Government owing to the fact that the existing home is incapable of providing a safe and comfortable haven for the rapidly rising need and growing population of elderly requiring their services and in-home care
November 4, 2013,
Premier Dr. The Hon. D. Orlando Smith said it is still government’s intention to develop a home at the location as it has been several years now since government saw it important to look after the elderly as best as possible.
November 5th 2013
“I haven’t heard the government speak anything about Spooner’s Estate except for the home they are going to build up there. What’s happening with the property at Spooner Estate, because I heard all kind of different rumours and I haven’t heard anything about Spooner’s Estate,” the resident queried.
The name of the new facility has not yet been finalised and the public is invited to submit suggestions.
Submissions should not contain the words “Senior Citizens”, “Home” or “Geriatric”. All entries must begin with the name Adina Donovan. Suggestions may be e-mailed to [email protected]; submitted via fax at 494-5018; or delivered to the Ministry of Health and Social Development on the second floor of the West Wing of the Central Administration Building. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday August 15, 2012.
It has not been made clear when the new name selection will be announced but the standard 14 years deliberations must soon be coming to a close. It is rumoured amongst residents that:-
The “Spooners Estate Landfill home for the already dead.” was the only entry but the committee is finding the choice a complex issue.
The committee when it selects which of the only suggestions is chosen, can get the sign made at the same time as the $500,000 sign for the hospital (the one that can’t afford to do laundry), and perhaps make some savings.
In the meantime Ronnie Skelton has been itching to say in the HOA “We recognise that the needs of today’s seniors are changing and we must be proactive,”
But he just doesn’t seem to be able to get around to it.
The Seniors Home that was slated for Spooners, the people of the Virgin Islands still need it. And, no, up there is not too cold for the elderly. They will live longer. Stop paying all this rent in town to your landlords as friends and fund the seniors home.
Just look at this little boy forcing to be a man. Contributes nothing but chaos and confusion!
This is the same man that will cry corruption when certain people are awarded lands. This is the same guy that will stand up in the House and question government actions impacting the same Spooners as long as it’s not his people. The BVI deserve everything it’s getting as a result of electing empty vessels.
That mitch and his government were in office when the CROWN LANDs at Spooner’s were distributed to a set of down island police officers and said NOTHING!!! He, the Ronnie and the Mark spent millions of the piece of land that was to be used to build a housing facility for the Seniors where unfortunately most of them will never enjoy, because they has since died
Mr. 2nd district, you opened a can of worms today! Thank you for bringing up the subject of Spooner’s Estate. Let’s make an assumption that there are 100 homes in Spooner… How many of them belong to BVIslanders??? I am NOT against expats by any means but please show me a diaspora of BVIslanders ANYWHERE in the Caribbean that are occupying land in that country the way they occupy land in ours. I’ve got time… I’ll wait.
The issue with Spooner’s Estate is more about the imbalance of land distribution rather than infrastructure. Politicians always make land distribution for locals / first time home owners a part of their talking points but its a bunch of hogwash. We are priced out of the market. The homes built by SS meant for first time home owners is a joke. The people who want / need them, can’t afford them and they are too ugly for the people who can. The government needs a proper plan to address land ownership in the country. Look around and you’ll see thousands of acres of undeveloped land that is inaccessible. No roads, land locked, no alternate routes… It’s shameful. So what is your plan to address these woes???
Ain’t no “BUT” nothing. Give Anegadians the deeds to them land.