“I was also a big part of the Go East Initiative in the 2005 to 2009 administration and worked hard with then Minister Clifford to purchase two parcels of land to develop the beach further. We had approved plans and work was started in the sea for a ramp. After the UDP government was elected in 2009 they scrapped the plans and removed the foundation from the beach.”
Osbourne Bodden
(CMR) Campaign rumors coming out of Dwayne “John John” Seymour's political platform claiming that Osbourne “Ossie” Bodden has stopped the Coe Wood Beach Dock are false. It appears the rumor is a cheap political ploy aimed at derailing Bodden's return to the political arena. Apparently, do to improper project planning the project has been halted by the planning and the ministry itself.
For some unknown reason, the last-minute government project has been paused for the last few days. Supporters of Seymour had decided to falsely blame Bodden because the project is adjacent to his Grape Tree property in Bodden Town. However, Bodden has vehemently denied any such controversy exists.
In fact, he confirms that he has long supported the development of the Coe Wood Public Beach for the district of Bodden Town including the building of the dock which originally started in 2009. The initial project was part of the Go East initiative under then Tourism Minister, Charles Clifford. It was halted when the UDP government took over the government in 2009. Ironically, Seymour was elected as part of that government from 2009 to 2013.
It has recently been re-started after a12 year delay.
Bodden reminds the public that he was one of the people who worked on and built the first beach cabana at that location and then worked to secure four more cabanas donated by the Fosters Group. Those structures remain at the beach to this day with one being recently destroyed in a jet ski accident.
Bodden also worked closely with Minister Tibbetts in 2013 to 2017 to purchase a third and final parcel to expand the beach to what is now enjoyed by many in the district. Bodden expresses his concerns about projects beneficial to the community being stobbed because of politics. He shared:
“This latest attempt by the Unity Government to fool the people of Bodden Town East (BTE) once again and restart the development weeks before the election is not working but I can promise the good people of Bodden Town that Ossie Bodden wanted that ramp in 2005 and I want it today. I do not appreciate blatant lies to smear my good name and I can assure the people of BTE that unlike the UDP and Minister Seymour in 2009 when I am elected I WILL complete the project and give the people the district a beautiful beach and launch ramp to enjoy and use.”
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