MP Watts says he chose between keeping Branch office and helping needy constituents
St. George MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts says the decision to surrender the premises that housed his Branch office in Potters was financially prudent.
“As I had expected, this has become political fodder,” Watts says. “But it was simply an expense that neither the Branch nor my constituency allowance of $2,000 a month could sustain any longer.
“Given how the cost of living has eroded people’s spending power – which, in turn, has increased demands on me for assistance – we had to let the building go. It is way more important at this time to be in the position to help my constituents survive,” Watts explains.
“Like families and small businesses all over this country, we had to prioritize. We couldn’t allow the rent to run up to $12 million, like other folks do,” the St. George representative says.
Other members of the Party’s leadership note that commercial rental fees are very high, and this is why, outside the election campaign season, it is extremely challenging for Branches to sustain offices.
They add that the political spin from detractors was expected; but it will not distract the Party from the pressing national issues at hand – such as the poor roads, the shortage of water, and the use of taxpayers’ money to pay private legal fees related to the Alfa Nero challenges.
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This is the best BS you could come up with!
LMAO LMAO who serpent ah help other than heself? He didn’t even help wit a dollar to help pay for his constituent cxc subject
Nutten wrong with being evicted, but be honest and Honorable and PAY the landlord what you OWE them, especially since you sublet the place and was collecting $800 a month from the landlord place. That was not your money to keep. Ah soo wicked ahyou be? Would serpent wan anybody rent 1 of his 10 vehicles then not pay? Or owe observer and not pay?
Do unto others as you would want done to you, pay what you owe. Serpent hab plenty rental cars and money now from politics
he didn’t explain why didnt he pay his outstanding bills before “giving it up”. you signed a lease. pay your obligcations until your break the lease. Also why continue pocketing the sublease money? how is this justified as a valid way of doing business?
Serpent u couldn’t come up with a better excuse. Clearly it’s political if the other side is moving right in. Boy this opposition na ready for Prime Time. Mr knight is so right. WEAK.
As a fellow St. George’s constituent and Antiguan; I cannot really believe the rubbish I just read. Brother Watt, this is absolutely ridiculous what you said. You are painting a picture that we in St. George’s are constantly begging you and you know that you have nothing to give other than a ride in the jeep you got since you won your seat. Maybe it’s the constituency allowance that is being used to pay for this jeep.
It is sad that economists is not a strong point for you guys in how to manage finances because raising funds to pay for that office should be at a party level.
Had you been in your branch office every now and again, people would have seen and offered to help but nooooo, that’s never opened .
Every blunder that you guys make and poor judgement, look how you find a way to blame this government. Come on, you paid in October for July – September and that’s the government fault? Not even a lil respect for the property owner to explain your shortfalls but you on radio day in and out discussing Alfa Nero as if that money has anything to do with us Antiguan & Barbudans.
I see that the members on the upp side has this knack of not paying people for their properties once you guys rent them.
It’s a shame how you intertwine at George’s people to be at fault for begging you down to the ground for not paying the branch office rent.
I HAVE TO INVESTIGATE IF AND HOW FAR BEHIND YOU ARE ON YOUR HOUSE TENT ON HONAS ROAD??!!
MP Watts shoulda shut-up n be SHAME to ever mention Alfa Nero again. He had his chance in parliament to ask the PM any question about the boat, and he got scared and no-showed. Serpent back your chat inna PARLIAMENT or SHUT TF UP
This makes sense. Spend the money on the people instead. I remembered how much I saved when my office was in a room in my home or when I began having a virtual office by taking clients telephonically. I saved so much that if I was in Antigua I could have 5 cars, 2 drivers and 3 houses with my monthly expenses that I saved. I could have afforded 10 girlfriends in Antigua two, when I just started off, from the savings I got from not having an office and other overhead expenses.
Now, I could afford a multiplier of all those. But it started from being smart about spending. I want to say you guys will not be reading from me for a while. I have emergent matters to tend to and need to focus on them, I love you all and thanks for reading my post with a ratiocinative, and fair mind for those few who did. For the others, I pray you better yourself for the sake of others and yourself.
ABLP is in power, they have access to crazy amount of money to use however they want, not the opposition. And this statement would apply if UPP was in power too.
@my way of helping….. Do you realize that you’re proving yourself to be more and more of an arsehole as the days pass by? Your hatred for ABLP (a party you once admired and in which you aspired to achieve some status) is causing you to spout nonsense whenever you speak these days. And all because of what? Because you wanted a personal favour and it was not granted. You need to grow up!
I believe this opposition In bed with the government. There is no way serpent can hear all wa dem a say bout he and come out with this weak excuse. When j truth a cuss he bout having rental cars parked on the property. Get a grip serpent
You have done the prudent thing.
You didn’t do like the labour party.
They rented a property for a branch office in city east.
They refused to pay the rent.
When it became insurmountable they compulsorily acquired it..
Compulsory acquisition is supposed to be for public use.
Whatever is compulsorily acquired is paid for by the state.
So the state compulsorily acquired property for use as a labour party branch office.
How much more corrupt can that be.
To date they have not paid a cent for it.
So he who comes to equity must have clean hands.
You have acknowledged your short comings.
That’s when the name honorable comes into play. How do the laboRATs expect you to pay office staff for $2000.00 per month and office rental of office space for $1500.00 on a constituency allowance of $2000.00.
None of the labour representatives and care takers have office.
Their office is in a supermarket so that people see their constituents begging them.
You are good in my sight and feel good about yourself that you have done the right thing.
Two locks was evicted at some point for non payment of rent
Ya just wotless!!!!
Can’t keep a farm going nor a branch office despite someone paying half the bill and can barely run a radio station.
recently ah the most me ever hear mr knight try ah carry politicans water and try defend serpent n dem UPP politicians fu de bare sh@?t dem ah do. You ah stress de knight man out serpent, just pay up de rent money n cool
How can we as people with commonsense believe Serpent with his lame excuse. Remember Wilmoth Daniel warn us already from Serpant.He probably think we have selected memories. Wheel and come again
Not a satisfactory explanation, I expected something better
Wasn’t this the same gentleman went begging for money from Mr Daniel and he took him to the bank the clip is out there and his house was leaking and so on people mindset does not change I herd this man cussing my PM and making laugh I herd this man cuss Ms Marshall stinking with his filthy mouth and what is important to know is that the universe spins bare your chafe and he will be seen for who he is the cxc student and mother story has no heart and God will deal with him stop cuss our PM stop because people will curse you
Its amazing how some of people who get on here accusing the MP of lying as if they have the facts. If indeed he’s using the money to help others, kudos to him! If he’s not then shame on the MP… I think anyone with unbiased view will agree. Ofcourse the red puppets would never see it that way. They’re as stupid as a door knob
How can people with common sense believe the reason for the rent for the Bureau of Standards gets to 8 million dollars? How can people with common sense believe 6 acquisition of Alpha Nero , its sales and distribution of the the revenue? Hmm!
Serpent should not have continued renting that property too long after election. His allowance is not sufficient to handle this. You se those in power has the government purse, get free utilities etc. They hire a constituent within their ministry and then use them as security in the days they go to the branch office.
By the way most of them do not even use these offices on either side. Suggy do not even go to that office in Bolands, Maulwin Joseph off down from Gloria’s supermarket is only used during elections, Anthony Smith office in Sea view farm services no purpose, except to see his pictures hanging outside. Jamal Pringle own the property he call office in All Saints only use before, during and just after elections. I drove through Bethesda Village and saw Bowen Office completely overgrown.- no one goes to that office period. None of them innovative enough to use those offices properly after election. Do is better they use those funds more wisely.
We live in a computer age and Covid taught us that we do not need a physical space to hold meetings. We can have all sorts of meetings on our computers and phones. Then if you a physical space once in a quarter/ which most of you parliamentarians don’t even have , you can meet same where that you can get for free. Like a school room or something.
I repeat that most of the parliamentarians after they are elected or hired by the people don’t care too hoots about seeing them. Worst yet those in opposition so stupid they do likewise. Those in government can use the government and offer jobs, assistance and with that advantage will continue to stay in power.
Anyhow Mr.Watts if it’s true that you own Mr.King rent, please pay him even by installments. Don’t let this matter linger and end up in court. Settle the matter amicably and move on. Like pay him one payment per month until it’s paid off.
If you did not go against your sister D.Gisele Isaac she would have even used the party’s funds and save your face and UPP this embarrassment. You are digging yourself into a deep hole that will be very difficult to climb out of next election. Worst yet serpent don’t have feet so to crawl out of a deep hole is almost impossible.
Blah, blah, blah!!!
Great excuse.
The last paragraph is rather stale. Roads are being repaired, water supply is expanding significantly and, if you listened to your brother, Sherfiekd Bowen, Esq, had clarified on the Big Isuue a few weeks ago, the legal cost as expense to the government is appropriate in the context of the discovery as it relates to members of government, etc.
And to add, the sub-tenant still continued to pay her portion that was agreed upon.
So again, Blah, Blah, Blah
Pay the lady her money and then move on.
This is rubbish and for this alone you should not be elected.
Believe this is like believing the government’s position on Alfa Nero. Antiguans must do better.
Serpent is a liar he help no one , he trying look good , numerous a persons went for his help , includes me and was turn down , he never have or he insult people smartly , I feel he keep that 2000$ for his personal ga
Serpent is the biggest & most selfish liar I’ve ever known. This man cares for no one but himself. He wanted to get elected so he could get a 10k salary and not give a rats behind about his constituency.
He is the worst kind. Reneging on children who use your facility for a better education and not caring what happens to them is un Christian like.
Pay the landlord what you owe him. You are reprehensible. You are too old to be so ignorant and a scam artist.
Have you caught up with your delinquent child support?
You are evil and a grifter.
This is what the UPP think Antiguans deserve? How can you give us a man like serpent and expect us to vote for him again. Never again will he catch us.
Lies and more lies:
You’re telling us that 800 per month became unsustainable for you. You sub-let the building so you only had to pay 1/2 rent and you still couldn’t maintain the building by paying the rent? So you don’t think supporting children in their early education is important?
I would like persons who Serpent has helped to please come forward and tell us. I bet the list is short.
Lies and more lies:
You’re telling us that 800 per month became unsustainable for you. You sub-let the building so you only had to pay 1/2 rent and you still couldn’t maintain the building by paying the rent? So you don’t think supporting children in their early education is important?
I would like persons who Serpent has helped to please come forward and tell us. I bet the list is short.
Mr. Watt I am a UPP supporter and it does not look good for either you or the party. Just shut up and pay the arrears of rent and bring the matter to an end.
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