This is the most polite way I can find to describe Sen. Michael Joseph’s portrayal on his Facebook page of my so-called non-involvement in the recent decisions made for future use of the Rural West Community Centre. To give the impression that I was invited to tour the facility with him as ABLP Caretaker for Rural West, and Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, Rawdon Turner, but I was “missing in action”, displays a dishonesty which should not be coming from a legislative representative of the people of Antigua and Barbuda. It is a shameful act.

Please allow me to give a short background of matters relating to the use of the Centre.Subsequent to the St. John’s Magistrates Court vacating our community centre, the community met and installed an eleven-member non-partisan committee to work with the authorities in getting the centre restored and handed back to the community for its original intent, which was to advance community life. This Committee held meetings with officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports which had control of the facility. The Committee along with this Ministry, and the Ministry of Works, toured the facility, and decisions were made to prepare and submit their reports.

Following the tour, and as directed by the then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, the committee prepared and submitted a proposal for the establishment of programmes which would benefit the residents of the St. John’s Rural West community.

Sen. Michael Joseph and I, as the only committee members with political affiliations, contributed to the proposal.

While awaiting a response from the PS, we learnt that she was transferred from the Ministry of Education and Sports to the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation. We also learnt that management of the facility was transferred to the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation. The committee has been working to continue the dialogue with the PS to advance the process. Yesterday, Wednesday 16 July, I learnt via the media that Senator Joseph and Minister Turner had undertaken a tour of the facility and had announced plans for the centre.

Further, to my consternation, I saw that Sen. Michael Joseph (who is the ABLP Caretaker for Rural West) went on his Facebook page and gave the impression that I was invited on the tour but was “missing in action”.

That is a horrendous lie. At no time was I informed about this planned tour. At no time was the committee (of which Sen. Michael Joseph is a member) informed about the planned tour and announcement of plans for the centre.

I find his action mischievous, deceptive and also highly disrespectful to me, and to the people of Rural West whom I represent.

Sen. Michael Joseph has stated that his sole focus is to advance the ABLP’s agenda in Rural West. Unlike him, I am about advancing the people’s agenda in Rural West. I am about serving everyone irrespective of their political affiliation. I stand with the residents of the St. John’s Rural West community in the fight for our community centre. It is clear where Sen. Michael Joseph stands – not with the people but with his party’s agenda.

It is time that our community centre is restored to the pristine form in which it was before it was commandeered by the ABLP administration to serve as a Magistrate Court. We have been very patient. It is time we get back our community centre.

I remain committed to working with anyone who has the interest of the community at heart in advancing the community’s agenda.

Hon. Richard S. Lewis MP

Rural West to the Bone

#Homegrown