John Mussington Elected Chairman as New Barbuda Council Takes Office Amid Calls for Unity and Resistance
BARBUDA – April 8, 2025 – The newly elected Barbuda Council convened its first official meeting at the Fisheries Complex on Monday morning, swearing in members and appointing leaders to various standing committees. John Mussington was unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Barbuda Council, with Nadia George, now the longest-serving female council member, selected as Deputy Chair.
The meeting began with a word of prayer, followed by congratulations extended to newly elected members: Nicole Antonio, Melanie Beezer, Jacqueline Frank, Wade Burton, and Nadia George. MP Trevor Walker, presiding over the initial proceedings, emphasized the legal and constitutional authority of the Council under the Barbuda Local Government Act.
Walker responded to recent remarks by Prime Minister Gaston Browne suggesting a referendum to disband the Council, stating firmly that any constitutional change would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament—a threshold the government does not currently meet. “The people of Barbuda voted overwhelmingly, and that mandate must be respected,” he declared.
John Mussington, in accepting the role of Chairman, pledged to uphold the Barbuda Local Government Act and maintain continuity in defending the rights and identity of Barbudans. “We cannot ease up in this fight,” Mussington said, urging colleagues to remain focused on delivering for the community.
The Council proceeded to elect chairs and deputy chairs for its nine committees:
- Finance Committee: Chair – Trevor Walker, Deputy – Wade Burton
- Health & Social Welfare: Chair – Wade Burton, Deputy – Sharima Myers
- Works & General Purposes: Chair – Devon Warner, Deputy – Wade Burton
- Agriculture & Lands: Chair – Jacqueline Frank, Deputy – Senator Fabian Jones
- Fisheries & Coastal Protection: Chair – Nicole Antonio, Deputy – Jacqueline Frank
- Tourism & Culture: Chair – Nadia George, Deputy – Sharima Myers
- Utilities: Chair – Melanie Beezer, Deputy – Senator Fabian Jones
- Sports & Youth Affairs: Chair – Fitzroy Warner, Deputy – Sharima Myers
- Education & Training: Chair – Sharima Myers, Deputy – Trevor Walker
Mussington and several councillors echoed concerns that the central government’s increasing scrutiny and resistance threaten local autonomy. “If this continues, we risk being dictated to from across the waters,” Mussington warned. Calls were made for a united Council to push back against external attempts to undermine Barbuda’s land rights and governance.
Deputy Chair Nadia George stressed the importance of transparent communication and youth empowerment, calling for improved dialogue between the Council and the people. “We must send a clear message to the government: allow the Barbuda Council to carry out its full responsibilities as set out in the Constitution,” she stated.
Other newly elected members also delivered heartfelt remarks. Nicole Antonio thanked voters for their trust and promised to focus on service. Melanie Beezer and Wade Burton committed to continuing the work in utilities and health, respectively. Jacqueline Frank invoked cultural pride and historical resilience, while Fitzroy Warner vowed to revive Barbuda’s sporting scene with technical training and youth development.
Devon Warner, chairing the Works Committee, outlined plans to improve community infrastructure and cleanliness in Codrington. “The process might be slow, but it continues. And we’re going to complete what we’ve started,” he said.
Senator Fabian Jones recommended the establishment of a Legal Affairs Department, while Devon Warner added that a Communications Unit is equally essential to improve public engagement. Both proposals will be reviewed at the next council meeting.
In a post-meeting interview, Chairman Mussington reaffirmed his commitment to lawful governance, community service, and communication. “This is not about personalities. It’s about the law,” he said. “We’ll continue to function and insist that the Constitution be respected.”
Deputy Chair George also laid out her vision for tourism and culture, including upgrades to the River Dock and Two Foot Bay, along with new initiatives to highlight Barbuda’s eco-tourism appeal and artisan economy.
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Is the space for the last bullet reserved for Gaston?
The people have spoken with their votes. Time for the Council to get to work.
There is a person owns a shopping center in Broward County, who wants to build another at Katel Hill.
The riot squad is on Barbuda, many stationed in surrounding bushes at tax payers expense to allow the construction if a shopping center with no known owner.
For clearing the records that Barbuda is not depending on Antigua, mussington please report monthly on tax collection that the council collects in a monthly basis and forward off to Antigua treasury so the ALP supporters can understand it’s not how Gaston portraying it to the world.monthly tax statistics printed from the council to the news papers. And congrats to mussington and his team for Barbuda.
I see Trevor Walker is keeping his hands in the money. Time for an audit of The Barbuda Council books.
He has been the Treasurer of The Barbuda Council for years and years, claiming he is most qualified to be handling the financing.
This will not be business as usual with John Mussington at the helm.
Mr. John Mussington: “may the sun be in your face, and the wind behind your back”
Wade Burton has to learn how to do his job and cannot allow himself to be swayed by MP Walker, and do nothing Devon Warner.
Hope Devon Warner learns how to pick up the trash, and clean up Codrington.
Trevor Walker, we have your number. No more taking care of few, and padding the Council’s payroll with non productive workers.
If they can’t show up to work then they should be given appropriate warning.
Time to transition those non-performers off if the Council payroll including those who are in elected position.
This will not be business as usual Trevor Walker. We will not allow your duplicity to continue. You did a very bad thing suing GOAB regarding the Paradise Found Act.
Questions for MP Walker: Why don’t you have an office ( a physical space ) where Barbudans can have a meeting with their Member of Parliament?
What do you do as an MP other than going on Observer Radio?
Question for MP Walker Treasurer of the Barbuda Council trained as an accountant?
As an experienced accountant it’s time for you to do some accounting if the money under your management.
All I’m saying Gaston Browne is still the Prime minister,and constitution can be changed where government sees it fit for national interest…
The Barbuda Council paid $50,000.00 for a so-called “HUMAN RESOURCES AUDIT” and up to now no report of the findings has been published. What can go so???
Frankly speaking, who the hell cares?
CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. John Mussington.
A…you are a one of the humblest person’s I’ve known, since. Bryson Street days, in Villa.
B…you should represent the Barbuda’s People Movement – BPM in St. John’s City West. You would be the perfect Candidate, to remove the ABLP Candidate – Gaston Browne as representative in parliament for the City West Constituency.
C…Once you do, and you are already doing it, that is a great job leading the Barbuda Council, you may even be in line to become the Prime Minister.
D…think seriously, about advancing the BPM – Barbuda People’s Movement into several of the Constituencies in Antigua. I am quite sure, that there are many qualified INDEPENDENTS in Antigua who’ll be willing and able, to join you, the BPM on the quest to, EACH ENDEAVOR, ALL ACHIEVE, not the #tit_4_tat exhibited by the politicians from both sides of the aisle in the Parliament,
Again, Dr. John Mussington – CONGRATULATIONS! Keep that keel steady!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏽Garrat Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
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