"I am in support of the actions being taken and pursued by SPIRIT as they have seen the need to highlight the people's discontent and displeasure with the governmet's decision to rename the High School in honor of the former Labour Party and parliamentary Opposition Leader Mr. Mills without proper consultation," says People's Action Movement Deputy Leader and Senior MP the Hon. Shawn .K Richards.Basseterre, St.Kitts (August 25th 2010):-Thousands of residents from the communities of Sandy Point, Fig Tree and surrounding areas have expressed their significant opposition to a decision taken by the Labour Party government to rename the Sandy Point High School (SPHS) without consulting with and involvement of members of the community .
Cabinet announced its decision to rename the Sandy Point High School in honor of educator and former Labour Party Leader Charles E. Mills. The decision raised much concern by a significant majority of residents in Sandy Point and its surrounding communities. The announcement triggered some debate and sparked significant indignation and displeasure among residents of the community.
A group of civic minded Sandy Pointers led by the recently formed SPIRIT (Sandy Pointers Inspiring Real Improvement Throughout) community group sent copies of a petition to Cabinet, affixed with no less than 2 500 signatures of persons who are in strong objection to the renaming of the school in the absence of the proper consultation with the community.
A Press Release from the SPIRIT group highlighted the position of the almost 100 member strong community group. "Over 2 000 individuals from several communities have taken a bold stand to join the community group SPIRIT in support of seeking consultation from Cabinet before a proposed name change of the Sandy Point High School is officially made," the Press Release stated
The SPIRIT Press Release referred specifically to the issue of consultation. The release indicated that the Labour government's decision was made with consultation with 3 or less persons from the community.. SPIRIT, however, along with the 2 000 plus signatories of the petition, requested a comprehensive consultation before any decision is made.
The SPIRIT release stated "SPIRIT launched a petition on August 5, exactly one month following an announcement by the Ministry of Education to rename the secondary school in honour of Charles E. Mills, a past educator and parliamentarian. Since then, hundreds of past and present students and staff as well as local businessmen and social activists have affixed their signatures to the petition, supporting the position that widespread and thorough consultation with the communities the high school serves must precede any decision regarding a name change."
SPIRIT acknowledged Cabinet's authority relative to making such decisions but asserts that "any decision to rename a landmark of the town of Sandy Point and a hallmark of excellence for these communities must come from leadership of the communities and be followed by thorough consultation.
This petition fits squarely into one of the largest campaigns of SPIRIT called Pride, Virtues and Civics (PVC) Campaign. It is a campaign launched in early May 2010 to promote participatory democracy and to increase awareness and appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
The 105-page petition was addressed and delivered to the office of the Minister of Education and Information, Senator Nigel Carty and copied to Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, Minister for Constituency Empowerment Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris and Cabinet Secretary Joseph Edmeade.
Parliamentary Representative for the constituency in which the school sits, the Hon. Shawn Richards and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Four and who holds responsibility for Youth Empowerment the Hon. Glenn Phillip were both subsequently notified.
Parlimentary Representative for the area the People's Action Movement Deputy Political Leader and Opposition Senior MP the Hon. Shawn .K Richards expressed his support for the call that was being made by SPIRIT. Richards addressed the issue when the announcement was first made and expressed his displeasure with the government's failure to conduct a proper consultative process with the community to come up with a name that was not only appropriate but also satisfactory to the thousands of community residents.
Richards said "I said it when the announcement was initially made and I am re-iterating my earflier sentiment and that is the community of Sandy Point and the surrounding areas should have been properly engaged and consulted regarding the renaming of the school. I am in support of the actions being taken and pursued by SPIRIT as they have seen the need to highlight the people's discontent and displeasure with the governmet's decision to rename the High School in honor of the former Labour Party and parliamentary Opposition Leader Mr. Mills."
Prime Minister Denzil Douglas on his weekly "Ask the PM" programme addressed the issue and in dictatorial fashion bluntly re-buffed the call for proper consultaion in the renaming of the school by the SPIRIT Community Group along with Parlimentary Representative the Hon. Shawn Richards.
"When Dr. Simmonds named the South East Peninsula Highway after himself, who did he consult? Who did he consult? When the Beach-Allen Primary School was named, who was consulted? When the Dr. William Connor Primary School was named in honour of Pastor Connor, who was consulted? asked Prime Minister Douglas.
In response to Dr. Douglas' statement the Parlimentary representative for the area Senior MP Hon. Shawn K. Richards said "Anyone who leads by looking backwards is not fit to lead. If you lead a country by looking backwards you are bound to lead that country into a dead end or over a cliff. That statement shows the maturity of the labour party government and it highlights yet another reason why Dr. Douglas and the labour party are un-fit to lead this country."
No indication has been given by SPIRIT or the government if the proposed consultative meeting has or will take place in light of the Prime Ministers statement regarding the situation.
