We had intentions of visiting Sanibel and Captiva islands and then coming up the coastline, but hearing about "Wilma" we decided to stay put in our villa and weather the storm, so to speak.
We were very fortunate and just had high winds and torrential rain for two days, and the temperature dropped quite a few degrees, but the people on the Gulf didn't have such luck, terrible flooding and excessive damage to their houses, and I do believe a few people lost their lives.
I do think that the Floridians are learning everytime a hurricane hits, after the devestation of Katrina, they realised that maybe they were not as prepared for such a disaster, but with "Wilma" we saw the army and endless lines of trucks with food etc going to the coast. Hotels further North were all prepared for evacuation, and giving free rooms for all, after listening to the weathermen talking at great lengths I can only see this getting worse as the years go by.
After all I have said we shall still go back and visit the U.S.A. each year, it is like a second home to us and the people are so friendly to the Brits, maybe California next year. We had a wonderful and relaxing holiday, and thank-you all for having me in your thoughts.
After reading all the posts it sounds as though I missed a really good convention, that was my only dissapointment as I would have loved to have seen everyone.
I'm relieved you checked in and happy to hear that your vacation wasn't ruined by Wilma. We have all been concerned about everyone who was in the Hurricane's path. I'm happy to hear you'll be coming back to visit. We have a lot of beautiful sites to see here in the US that don't get Hurricanes.
many thanks for replying, good to be back, and I would like to send my best wishes and thoughts to everyone who was caught up in Hurricane Wilma, sounds like Lisa and Jack had it bad too.
I didn't realise that it hit that side of Florida so hard, just thought it was the Gulf, that took the hit badly.
Well now I am back and posting again folks, just lets hope for Florida that it is nearly out of hurricane season, and let the fun start with Thanks-Giving.
Looking at FPL's map of estimated power restoration after Hurricane Wilma, it looks like Boca Raton may be among the last areas to have power fully restored. Jack and Lisa could be without power until November 13th!!
Hope that they are o.k. must be terrible not having power, makes you realise how vunerable you are in such situations.
Still no internet access so I cannot check email and have a hard time checking the site. So bear with me until my internet access is restored. I called Adelphia today and there is still no estimated time for being restored.
At least the sewers are no longer backing up in the streets of my neighborhood, that was by far the worst part. We were hit very hard but were also very prepared.
We've missed you!!! You must have stories to tell us about your hurricane experience. I hope your internet is back up soon. Glad to hear everything is getting better.
Thank you everyone for all your concern, just about an half hour ago we got our internet access back!!
It is a very sad day for the people of Solomon Islands who expected leaders to whom they entrust their power will exercise that power to make decisions in the best interest of the future generation of this country, its development, provide the opportunities for people of this nation to have access to better social services, economic infrastructure development to support economic development and growth providing employment opportunities for our people.
The main obstacle to this is corruption that is syphoning/ diverting billions of public funds that should bring this about enriching just a few people.
It was a big disappointment to the people of Solomon Islands who were assured by the DCCG government under the leadership of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in 2015, 2026 and this year that this was their flagship reform policy.
The least he could have done is let the Bill go though its second reading and call for a vote on it to be passed or not.
This way Solomon Islands citizen will know what the issues are from the Members of Parliament point of view.
This action more or less confirmed that what the public thought that they are voted into the parliament and will be there to represent us is totally wrong.
They probably see that as hilarious as indicated by the allocations on the next bill that they discussed, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
The discussions that pursued and revelations by the Minister of Finance on the floor of parliament as to the practices that Members of Parliament are involved in we can now confirm that they are there for the money.
Obviously, our leaders have not learned from our most recent past, fundamentally, attributed to the failure of successive governments leadership to implement effective or just policies and strategies to develop the country’s human and natural resources.
Government Leadership, failed its people. It ignored addressing the issues that are of importance to them.
Whilst its people are of the firm belief that only when Solomon Islanders benefit from development, when people are the centre of development, when policies and strategies underpinning this firm belief are being championed by those with whom we entrust our power, can their issues be addressed, it is not to be.
People are no longer the centre of development nor do they benefit equally from the exploitation of their resources.
Through the votes that they took in parliament the leadership we have has no intention of improving the social and economic status of Solomon Islands.
The government’s policies are in paper but, it is not based on social and economic analysis of local and observed data, and nor are they committed to seeing these papers and talk through.
What we have are leaders that are in politics predominantly to divert the flow of public funds and other material benefits to themselves, their families and supporters.
They are highly skilled in spotting opportunities to use their political office, or position in Public Sector, for these ends and have no shortage of persons ready to assist them, domestically and overseas.
Unfortunately, decisions in parliament with regard to the Anti-Corruption Bills continued to be influenced by the group of leaders whose over-riding goal is to stay in power to maintain the flow of benefits to themselves and their and cronies.
Yes, civil society, Institutions of Integrity of the government and Transparency Solomon Islands have worked together to empower our citizens with the correct information, to hold institutions and leaders accountable.
In the absence of a dedicated independent body to support citizens’ voices, space and activism, the helplessness we see in our people will continue and may explode if not addressed.
Transparency Solomon Islands still believes that the Anti-Corruption Bill, the Whistle-blowers Bill and the Freedom Of Information Bills are a step in the right direction to make a difference in good citizenry and urge those members who did not support the withdrawal of the Anti-Corruption Bill to continue representing those who voted you in and the Prime Minister to continue to negotiate for the passage of this bill through the parliament.
That is our power and our work is not complete after the election. During the four-year election cycle we have a duty to play and that duty is holding those we elect accountable so stand up and be counted.
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