Ascension : Letter - Island Council Election
Submitted by The Islander (Nathan Prince) 26.04.2007 (Article Archived on 10.05.2007)

Dear Governor, I refer to the press release concerning the Ascension Island Election and wish to express disappointment in that the deadline date for nomination of candidates was not extended further to allow more people,

Islander encouraging people to stand and furthermore the details of the perimeters Council would be expected to work within...

I do not agree with the options you are reviewing to involve those living and working on Ascension in putting their views to you.  Views can be heard and disregarded and at the end of the day it will be the Management of Government and Users and finally yourself as Governor who makes the decisions.  These policies will no doubt involve funding and that source will be from income tax paid by the workers of Ascension.  This is not a democratic process and should not be allowed.

We are all well aware of why the last Council came to an end but we must move on and I am of the opinion that there are two options opened to you. The first option is to try and  encourage people to stand for election for the good of the people who work and reside here. The second option is to repeal the Ascension Island Council Ordinance, cease taxation on income and return Ascension to a working Island as it was before Income Tax was introduced.  At least we will all know where we stand.

I will be sending a copy of this letter to the media for publication.

Yours Sincerely

Georgina Benjamin