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Cybercrime Bill and the bigger Picture - car-003

This document was sent to All Leaders and Representatives in the Parliament of Barbados Sep 2024 I write this letter with a heavy heart. Since 2019, our world has changed into something I can scarcely recognize. Now, in my sunset years, I look ahead with deep concern for the future my children and grandchildren will face in this country. If you possess any wisdom, you should know that today it is me, but tomorrow it will be you. The powers will eventually have you and yours on their menu. I will get straight to the point. I was part of a team examining how we can respond to the Cybercrime Bill currently passing through parliament to become “law” in Barbados. This bill underwent a prolonged review by both the public and an appointed committee - we know why. And to what end? Very little changed, except that the penalties increased from seven to ten years, and the maximum fine rose from $70,000 to $100,000 — an interesting move. I did not say this to the team, but I will write it here: Th...
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Cornering of the Real Estate Market in Barbados - car-002a

Back Story. Some independent real estate agents in Barbados believe that an organization called BEAVA (Barbados Estate Agents & Valuers Association Inc.) is working to influence the government to introduce legislation regulating agents and their business practices on the island*. This legislation would require agents to join BEAVA in order to participate in the real estate market. Where does my company, On Eagles Wings Inc ., fit into this? We are part of a sizeable network of independent agents collaborating to serve clients and facilitate property sales. Our operations remain independent of BEAVA. After a discussion with a co-member of our group who was advised by a BEAVA member he should join the organization, I wrote the following . --- -- My Good Friend, What BEAVA is doing is nothing short of what is called  Cornering the Market —and by approaching you they want our help to do it. They’re using this failing government to aid them in their agenda. At this rate, my gre...
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RESPONSE TO BEAVA’s DESIRE TO POLICE REAL ESTATE AGENTS - car-002

  This document was sent to the Nation 2022 I manage a small business in what seems like a shrinking real estate market (not many are buying these days). In other words, I am the small fish in a big tank with very big fish (let’s call them sharks). I have seen a series of articles that are coming out from BEAVA’s president Mr. Arthur Ramsay and I would like to respond to them. To summarize, it seems that he wants to protect the industry by using the strong arm of the Government to make it mandatory for all agents to be a member of his organization (BEAVA). As he puts it, agents outside of his organization are giving the industry a bad name with specific examples (Agents that sell properties). I take issue with this argument for the following reasons. 1. Agents do not have any part in the payment process. This is entirely done by attorneys (attorneys ensure the entire process is legally mapped to completion; NOT the agent).  The value an agent brings to the table is the ability...
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Barbados my Home has become a Hole - car-001

The last time I wrote to you, I shared my thoughts on the cybercrime bill debacle and expressed how heavy my heart felt at the time. Since then, that heaviness has only deepened, leaving me feeling as though I am now living in a hole. As a businessman, it is becoming increasingly difficult to live in this country—a place I now view as a hole. With the current state of affairs, even the nature of crime has taken on a strange and unsettling turn. I’ve reached a point where I’m seriously considering relocating my family to a new land. I’ll keep this message as "brief" as I can, as I understand your time is valuable and you may not have much to spare for someone like me. Businessman vs Politician I grew up observing politicians and decided long ago that I did not want to become one. This sentiment extends beyond local politicians to include the Western political class as a whole. I often wonder if they ever truly consider or have the imagination of what it will be like when they...
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