I dont agree with it because it makes us all the same...a homogenous brew of maids and cyclical constructions workers...you get my point...I also dont agree with it because of the environmental issues and also due to Bahamian land being given away for scraps on the dollar;that isnt fair to us or future Bahamian generations to come...I also believe that the gov't continues to move forward with this pipe dream when the tourism industry is moving in another direction...I know we are made for more.

I can see how some may say that it creates jobs, and people need to work...but wouldnt it be better if we created our own jobs as opposed to relying on the foreignors? There is so much promise and potential in this country why do we continuously waste it away on the same thing over and over again...Imagine if 100 Bahamians were given the same opportunity and invested in Bahamians...How yinna feel?

I dont agree with it because it makes us all the same...a homogenous brew of maids and cyclical constructions workers...you get my point...I also dont agree with it because of the environmental issues and also due to Bahamian land being given away for scraps on the dollar;that isnt fair to us or future Bahamian generations to come...I also believe that the gov't continues to move forward with this pipe dream when the tourism industry is moving in another direction...I know we are made for more.
I can see how some may say that it creates jobs, and people need to work...but wouldnt it be better if we created our own jobs as opposed to relying on the foreignors? There is so much promise and potential in this country why do we continuously waste it away on the same thing over and over again...Imagine if 100 Bahamians were given the same opportunity and invested in Bahamians...How yinna feel?

I understand n'sympathise wit your concerns.The future is now and if you have the ideas tu diversify our economy please come forth wit them.Erryone is sensitive bout foreign investment,but it is a fact of life in erry country on earth,especially in da US.As time passes n' da wealth here becomes more distributed,large private Bahamian entities will happen.

I do agree, but the thing is, IN 2002 PEOPLE VOTED FOR THIS! Mr. Christie did not leave this out when he was campaining for the government. Unfortunately, no one thought about any of the social-economic impacts, or about the ways that the government was going to get these anchor projects in (ie land give aways......talk about rolling out the red carpet). Nobody thought about how from now on for sometime into the future, the economy of these islands will be centred on one big hotel. The only word that rings in many heads is jobs. Now the majority are getting what they voted for....and now peoeple are screwfaced, because they realized what the anchor project concept now means. Oh well....

I do agree, but the thing is, IN 2002 PEOPLE VOTED FOR THIS! Mr. Christie did not leave this out when he was campaining for the government. Unfortunately, no one thought about any of the social-economic impacts, or about the ways that the government was going to get these anchor projects in (ie land give aways......talk about rolling out the red carpet). Nobody thought about how from now on for sometime into the future, the economy of these islands will be centred on one big hotel. The only word that rings in many heads is jobs. Now the majority are getting what they voted for....and now peoeple are screwfaced, because they realized what the anchor project concept now means. Oh well....

You are right. This seems to be what the majority wants (OK Taffy, not you I know that.):) Maybe they want it because no one is around (in power) to show them another way.

x

but what about all of the bahamians who have been investing their money all along, whether in second homes to rent to tourists or small hotels? some islanders have been saving their money and are benefitting. not everyone's sitting on the sidelines. girlfriend bought an acre on time for 10.000 dollars twenty years ago, which today is worth more than 600.000.

but what about all of the bahamians who have been investing their money all along, whether in second homes to rent to tourists or small hotels? some islanders have been saving their money and are benefitting. not everyone's sitting on the sidelines.


Well then they are not screwfaced are they? It's really addressing those who are either second guessing or now opposed to what is going on in the country......You have to remind them to becareful what you wish/ask for!

I dont agree with it because it makes us all the same...a homogenous brew of maids and cyclical constructions workers...you get my point...I also dont agree with it because of the environmental issues and also due to Bahamian land being given away for scraps on the dollar;that isnt fair to us or future Bahamian generations to come...I also believe that the gov't continues to move forward with this pipe dream when the tourism industry is moving in another direction...I know we are made for more.
I can see how some may say that it creates jobs, and people need to work...but wouldnt it be better if we created our own jobs as opposed to relying on the foreignors? There is so much promise and potential in this country why do we continuously waste it away on the same thing over and over again...Imagine if 100 Bahamians were given the same opportunity and invested in Bahamians...How yinna feel?

I agree with you. Most people in this country don't think about what will happen 20 years from now, they ONLY thinkin bout NOW!

My pros and cons on these anchor projects are:

PROs
1. BEC, BTC, and W&SC dem will finally HAVE TO upgrade their services on those islands, bringing them to the 20th century.
2. Public infrastructure will be upgraded finally, ie roads, airports, docks.
3. The local economies on these islands will have the "potential" for some "self sustaining" growth. As all these hotel properties will requires services from local business. ie a group of fishermen can get together and supply the seafood needs. Someone open a landscaping company to service the property, start a tour/nature hiking company, etc.
4. Some of these people in Nassau can finally go back home

CONs
1. Most the land was given away instead being leased, therefore no revenue from it.
2. These anchor projects are driving up the cost of property on these islands, causing people who grew up on these islands, not being able to afford a piece of the rock anymore.
3. Where there is development, there will be crime. So most of these "quiet" islands will turn into Nassau!
4. Some of these islands will lose their natural/scenic beauty.

i don't get all of the continued uproar about the land being given away .... even in the states, when a football stadium is built for example, the city gives the land to the developers PLUS tax breaks. i

t's called being competitive with the 97 other destinations that are competitively angling for the same project to come to their shores. the plp or fnm peeps aren't being stupid, they're being business-savvy.

what i would prefer is to have government focus on giving land away for other uses that would bring more management sized skills to bahamians, and more middle class jobs ... not more hostessing and bedmaking roles.

but what about all of the bahamians who have been investing their money all along, whether in second homes to rent to tourists or small hotels? some islanders have been saving their money and are benefitting. not everyone's sitting on the sidelines. girlfriend bought an acre on time for 10.000 dollars twenty years ago, which today is worth more than 600.000.

True, some Bahamians know how to play the game, even if it is only on a small scale, it is a start. :) More of us need to get in the game.

PROs
1. BEC, BTC, and W&SC dem will finally HAVE TO upgrade their services on those islands, bringing them to the 20th century.
but the gov't is suppose to be doing this anyway...seems to me that their casting off the responsibilites to soemone else...isnt that govt failure at its best?
2. Public infrastructure will be upgraded finally, ie roads, airports, docks.again, faliure of govt- give the people the power (local gov't) and they will do it themselves

3. The local economies on these islands will have the "potential" for some "self sustaining" growth. As all these hotel properties will requires services from local business. ie a group of fishermen can get together and supply the seafood needs. Someone open a landscaping company to service the property, start a tour/nature hiking company, etc.how do you know that? makes no sense talking baout something you know very little of...this reminds me of a "nebulous" Jeff lloyd statement when he said that planes go to Miami now from georgetown...and Im thinking he must not have been a vistor to Exuma back in the day...can we say Aerocoach? Im of the firm opinion that if Exuma didnt see money again...it wouldnt matter that much...the poorest of the poor knew about money (the drug 80's) all a we wasnt scrathching bush and backward...sh1t none of us were...poor people dont mind being poor if you leave them alone and poor people move...they arent stagnant! (as echoed by dr. b) the sea is there trees are there...why do we constanty equate wealt with things and in terms of money?

4. Some of these people in Nassau can finally go back homeif there was infrasturcutre in place and people had power and decision making capabilites/responsibilites who knows what the islands would be now...my heart goes out to the people of Mayaguana and Bimini Rum Cay and The Berry Islands because they have no idea how these anchor development porjects will change their lives for, forever and a day...

CONs
1. Most the land was given away instead being leased, therefore no revenue from it.
could you elaborate more about that, leasing land...were in a situation know where we recently cleared our land up and I dont want to sell, I want us to lease 99 year lease...so Generation of us (name witheld) will always have a connection to the land and benefit from it...this reminds me of the Burdines/macy's in downtown Miami...the land is owned by a black family and federated department stores has a 100 year lease on the land...land ownership is something more Bahamians need to take seriously and recognize the value in...the foreignor that gobbled up all those thousands of acres of Bahamian land...why dont we?

2. These anchor projects are driving up the cost of property on these islands, causing people who grew up on these islands, not being able to afford a piece of the rock anymore.
the govt owns 70% of Bahamian land...they could step in and do something about it...like give Bahamians land for 500 a acre ;)let alone many of these islands are tied up in generation property claims...and even unsettled estates that you cant find deeds to...that's why that quieting of claims scares me...it serves to disenfranchise many Bahamians and that is a national travesty...Im thinking about Tar Bay in Exuma...to me that's the best land...I cant afford it now...too expensive...
3. Where there is development, there will be crime. So most of these "quiet" islands will turn into Nassau!
let's hope not...the govt needs to seriousluy take into consideration the social aspect of all this development and what it does to the psyche of the people in small communities... and no praying is not the panacea!
4. Some of these islands will lose their natural/scenic beauty.

that's where environmental awareness and stewardship comes into play...and now I fully understand the meaning of plowing down paradise and putting up a aparking lot...

i don't get all of the continued uproar about the land being given away .... even in the states, when a football stadium is built for example, the city gives the land to the developers PLUS tax breaks. i
t's called being competitive with the 97 other destinations that are competitively angling for the same project to come to their shores. the plp or fnm peeps aren't being stupid, they're being business-savvy.
what i would prefer is to have government focus on giving land away for other uses that would bring more management sized skills to bahamians, and more middle class jobs ... not more hostessing and bedmaking roles.

$500 an acre isnt business savvy...that's desperate...when you speak about the sports stadiums that's a different ball game (pun intended) go do some research and see what you find...before I walk all over your ill conceived argument/example...and please note that those stadiums dont make the people in the surrounding community a homogenous brew caught up in the bedmaking economics of their country ;)

...and please note that those stadiums dont make the people in the surrounding community a homogenous brew caught up in the bedmaking economics of their country ;)


yeah? tell that to the vibrant neighbourhood in southern california that used to surround and be part of where chavez ravine is located, now known as dodger stadium. every development or gentrification project, whether local or expat-financed, involves a tradeoff.