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Tourism product being destroyed by 'greed'- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull

- said Gov’t needs to properly regulate beach businesses
Cane Garden Bay beach is one of the beaches where it is noticed businesses continue to gradually advance closer to the water. Photo: VINO
Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull aka ‘Mitch’ has urged Government to act before beaches become swamped with businesses. This he believes would not do well for the tourism product. Photo: Facebook
Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull aka ‘Mitch’ has urged Government to act before beaches become swamped with businesses. This he believes would not do well for the tourism product. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The issue of some business taking the liberty of encroaching on beaches in the Territory is becoming one of much concern and authorities are being admonished to act before it becomes out of control.

The matter was brought to the floor by Second District Representative Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull aka ‘Mitch’ during the Second Sitting of the First Session of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA) on April 26, 2019.

According to the Opposition Member, Mr Turnbull, the regulatory bodies need to be given additional authority to prevent beaches from being overrun by businesses.

“Town and country planning needs to be given additional teeth to execute stop orders, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Ministries proper, the AG’s Chambers, whom ever needs to. We have to do a rebuilding of this territory.”

Greed

The second term HoA Member said he was totally in support of business developments, including for beaches, but said there needed to be proper regulation as the tourism product would be destroyed by greed.

“We cannot allow any old thing to happen…When you are going to take up a spot on the beach and every two weeks you reaching further and further in the water, Mr Speaker, it’s a problem. The very thing that we are selling and marketing to our tourists are being destroyed by ourselves for greed.”

This he said is a challenge on the hands of the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9).

“He has assured me that he is not afraid to make a decision that would protect this God given and blessed resource because if persons continue to occupy our beaches how they want we wouldn’t have any beaches,” Hon Turnbull added.

14 Responses to “Tourism product being destroyed by 'greed'- Hon Melvin M. Turnbull”

  • Sigh (01/05/2019, 10:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give ah inch dem tek ah yaaad. Laaad
  • No good (01/05/2019, 10:16) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Been noticing new bars popping up on beaches all over including the beaches that were once considered secluded. Agree wid mitch
    • Fran (05/05/2019, 17:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Secluded beaches don’t have to stay secluded if they follow the guidelines. Nothing stays the same forever as long as you don’t destroy it.
  • Reality check (01/05/2019, 10:53) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is not the beaches alone. It is everywhere. We need to enforce our laws throughout the Territory. We have all adapted a ‘whatever’’ attitude and sadly, people seldom give a hoot about actions and consequences.
  • Really (01/05/2019, 11:06) Like (32) Dislike (9) Reply
    He was part of the government that approved that crap Quito's built on the corner in CGB, as well as him taking up the beach where persons can no longer walk from the dingy doc down the beach. He said nothing when all this was happening and now wants to police after the fact! Why we the residents of the Second District haven't heard you speak out about this before? Chups
    • Greed indeed (01/05/2019, 11:44) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't Worry. The "Foolish man built his house upon the sand and the wise man built his house upon the rock". Time will tell
    • CGB Resident. (01/05/2019, 20:59) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      I came to comment this exactly. Mitch seemingly forgot his role when Quito did a endorsement a few months ago for his re-election. Mitch can’t talk about greed when Quito’s restaurant and Hotel are in the government road. Ronford has been allowed to create bonfires on the beach. Added signs and more recently a new swing in the water. It would be nice if they could fix the running raw sewage that flows daily between Paradise and Rhymer’s instead. CGB has lost its beauty and it’s very disheartening to see. At the end of the bay it’s overcrowded by one family and their dozens of cars. So representative for the 2nd. We await your plans on fixing these issues.
      • Quito’s (02/05/2019, 13:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        FYI the new hotel is 4’ further off of the road than before. Please check with Town Planning if you don’t believe this. We are trying to be good neighbors in our community.
  • Windy (01/05/2019, 12:31) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    his family down at the bay is the leaders in the greed
    • Hear This (01/05/2019, 12:57) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      So because it’s his family he shouldn’t say wrong is wrong?! We are really stupid in this place, that’s why there’s no law and order. Keep bringing it to light Hon Mitch.
  • Buzzz (01/05/2019, 13:46) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I notice that suddenly reconstruction has begun next door to Quitos, a wooden building that had been condemned and the owners told to tear it down... Owners often noted for the "greed" Mitch mentioned. What changed? Other than the government in power?
  • @Buzz (01/05/2019, 19:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    Stfu like only you and your cronies could rebuild and eat out here. Cgb is still in the rebuilding process happy to see all residents getting their livelihoods together and sh*t... STFU buzz

    • Buzzz (02/05/2019, 12:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your enlightened, discerning, and knowledgable opinion has been respectfully noted. Thank you.
  • MitchRight (02/05/2019, 18:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mitch is right but he doesn't go far enough. It's not just beaches that tourists come for and greed takes away, it is the nature in our islands. We cut, build, reclaim and destroy reefs, mangrove forests and other eco systems as if they were put there for our generation to turn into cash. We are all here because they are. We rely on the nature that we are destroying not just for dollars but for life itself. The sooner we BVI people understand this the better for tourism, and even more important, for our people and our descendants.


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