CATEGORY:LETTERS ------------------- INSIDE GRENADA SATURDAY September 15,2007 by sandra Ferguson The Executive Director CineRy Communications Public Relations for Peter de Savary c/o P. O. Box 257 St. George’s Dear Madam, A Response to the Port Louis Fact Sheet Via grenadabroadcast.com , I have accessed the Port Louis Fact Sheet put out on behalf of the Port Louis development. I understand that this fact sheet has been put out at the request of the Willie Redhead Foundation to assist in answering the questions of this group. I have reviewed the fact sheet and it seems that fact sheet only CONFIRMS/JUSTIFIES the concerns and fears of we natives regarding the Port Louis development , particularly as we note the LAND FILLING GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD and the RECENT DEMOLITION of the Mt. Pandy Community Centre after feasting and feteing the friendly natives. I re-iterate for your information, Madam, the following CONCERNS AND OBJECTIONS in respect of the present Port Louis development being undertaken by Mr. De Savary: • The great SECRECY which surrounds the terms and conditions under which the Lagoon area, PUBLIC PROPERTY, has been turned over to the control of Peter de Savary. We natives understand that OUR PROPERTY has been sold. The policy of all previous governments has been to lease property so that it can revert back to the people of Grenada. • There has been NO CONSULTATION WITH THE PEOPLE WHOM THE PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT – i.e. persons living in the area and traditional users (e.g. fishermen and boat owners) who will be affected by the project The fact sheet advises us that Port Louis marina will be open to all Grenadians to dock their boats, with CONCESSIONARY rates for locals. Does this mean traditional users will now have to PAY for use the Lagoon area!!?? The fact sheet has also advised that Port Louis has adopted the WATER LEASE OF THE LAGOON from Poole Capital. This must be another of those DUBIOUS FIRSTS for which Grenada has become famous. And to add insult to injury, the fact sheet informs us that the public will have access to the CIRCUMFERENCE of the Lagoon!? • The Environmental Impact Assessment, IF one has been done, has NOT been put up for public review and comment. You may recall, that earlier this year, I wrote to you requesting a copy of this report and you did promise to facilitate access to a copy of the report. I take the opportunity to remind you of that promise. Better late than never!! It would be particularly instructive in respect of the backfilling work that is now proceeding. We are also concerned that some of Grenada’s BEST SOILS are being dumped to facilitate the land filling. • The fact sheet is mum on the ownership and security of the many ARTIFICATS known to exist in the Lagoon area which was the site of an Amerindian village and later on the site of the first European town • Adequate arrangements have not been made for the number of displaced persons who have been relocated. The fact sheet advises that Port Louis has spent $5,000,000 to relocate 70 persons. That amounts to approximately $70,000 per person. Madam, I have been involved in the construction of thrifty wooden houses following Hurricanes Ivan and Emily. I KNOW that those EYESORES overlooking La Sagesse costs MUCH LESS than $70.000. I draw to your attention an article carried in the Grenada Today issue of Friday, August 31st , page 3, “La |Sagesse resident complains of condition” which reports on the complaints made by the displaced persons who are facing many challenges now that the rains have begun. WHEY DE MONEY GONE? • We the people find the following particularly objectionable: (1) Plans to relocate the public access road to Pandy beach - announced in a press conference by Mr. de Savary The fact sheet now advises us that studies are being commissioned to clean up and WIDEN and EXTEND the beach. On WHOSE AUTHORITY Madam? (2) Plans to reclaim and physically develop (i.e. build townhouses, commercial complex) the Lagoon shore from Ross’ Workshop to the jetty in front of Glean’s Garage. – based on plans posted on the Internet. This will destroy the green public spaces and destroy the scenic view. IT IS CLEAR THAT PORT LOUIS IS INTENT ON PROCEEDING WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LAGOON PARK AREA. The fact sheet informs us – “There is an element of land reclamation in the development plans along the lagoon shore and at the CLIFF FACE, neither of which are part of the current (0-6 month) phasing. This reclamation is pre-approved by the previous developer.” I want to note that the cliff face, which has already been SCARRED by Port Louis, is integral to the character and charm of St. George’s The fact sheet goes on : - “After requests from the Willie Redhead Foundation, Port Louis reduced the DENSITY of the previous developers plans significantly and agreed not to unjustifiably increase the reclamation any more than the original plans allow.” This is clear confirmation Madam,that Port Louis intends to press ahead with the reclamation of the Lagoon shore, affording us natives WINDOWS TO THE SEA!! (3) Some of the plans involve land belonging TO PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE AREA. These persons were not informed about the project and are now being approached to sell their lands to the Port Louis development. It is also clear that these land owners continue to be UNDER SIEGE from Port Louis. According to the fact sheet: - “Port Louis continues the negotiation process with the free and leaseholders at Pandy to purchase their properties at mutually agreeable terms so that the development can continue.” Madam, Grenadians, whatever their humble origins HAVE A RIGHT to home sites on the beach, “enjoying the cooling breezes” Up to this time in Grenada, you do not have to be MEGA RICH in order to have a beach front home. WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY!! (4) There are plans to establish an EXCLUSIVE and GATED community in the former Islander site. The fact sheet assures us:- “ Victory village is open to all Grenadians to rent or buy and establish a business enterprise” and “Victory village will be open to all public, Grenadians and foreigners, as a duty free village with shop services, restaurants, boutique, hotel accommodations and retail outlets.” Madam, we all know that you do not have to put up a sign. The PRICES will indicate whether or not all Grenadians are welcome. How many Grenadians are able to buy property for US$500,000? An article Property Abroad: Grenada by one Cheryl Markosky of the Daily Mail, appearing in the July 2007 issue of the Barnacle newspaper is MOST INSTRUCTIVE in this regard: “Prices in Grenada are about £250 per square ft now, says Guy Gittens, de Savary’s director of sales. But I believe that they will rise by another £100 soon.” Which Grenadian can AFFORD these prices? Port Louis is about REAL ESTATE business, Madam. It is about buying the natives’ land very cheaply and selling at exorbitant prices to the mega rich, the only people who can afford such prices. A newspaper article, “U.K. Journalists impressed with island’s recovery”. carried by the June 25th issue Spice Isle Review, page 6 informs us that English journalists visited the island to see the prospects for Real Estate Business. “ The journalists, whose jobs are to highlight the real estate opportunities available around the world, were here as guests of billionaire entrepreneur, Peter de Savary…….” • Have the Port Louis development plans have been reviewed and approved by the Land Development Control Authority and the Physical Planning Unit The fact sheet advises that Port Louis purchased the land and the intellectual property of the development – including the plans and approvals from Poole Capital. There are allegations, Madam, that the Chairman of the Land Development Control Authority is also working for Mr. De Savary – (i) that the Chairman is an AGENT of sorts to Mr. De Savary, in the IDENTIFICATION OF LANDS for the free and leaseholders who are to be displaced by the development( no doubt an indispensable service to Port Louis which “continues the negotiation process with the free and leaseholders at Pandy and elsewhere>). (ii) It is also alleged that the CHAIRMAN, appears to be a CONTRACTOR/SUB-CONTRACTOR, providing services in the construction of Port Louis’ Victory Bar and at Mt. Cinnamon. If these allegations are true, Madam, you would agree that any decisions of the Land Development Control Authority have been COMPROMISED and QUESTIONABLE. I have noted, Madam, the claim that $135 million has been spent on the current developments. The issue, Madam, is WHAT WE ARE LOSING with developments - that which we can put a monetary figure to and those things which we cannot. We also need to compare this figure with the revenue our country stands to lose over the next 25 years given the OBSCENE fiscal incentive package that Mr. De Savary seems to have persuaded our representatives to agree to. Were they wined and dined on Savvy’s yacht just prior to signing this agreement? For example, the article noted that one London-based property developer, Costas Diamantopoulos, attracted by the TAX BREAKS bought two flats at Mt. Cinnamon. – a one bedroom for £228,600 and a two bedroom for £356,00 as an investment and a holiday hideaway. He reckons that he rent his properties out for between £1000 and £1500 per week. What is Grenada LOSING Madam? What are we losing on this transaction and subsequent transactions? – property transfer tax, property tax ( it is capped to the sum of $300,00 but sold at £228,600 !!), stamp duty and other taxes on property sales, , aliens land holding tax, taxes related to the receipt of rents, exchange control duties. The figure is phenomenal just for these two properties. Imagine what these lost earnings could do for our BANKRUPT Treasury!! No wonder the fact sheet!! Another testimony to the belief that either we natives are stupid or can be easily bought!! Mr De Savary et al would do well to be aware that, unlike the Caribs who preceded us, WE WILL NOT JUMP OFF THE CLIFF. This land is ours!! Or as the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister would say IS WE DAMN PROPERTY!! Yours sincerely, Sandra C.A. Ferguson