Norman Island - Inquiring Minds

Last month I wrote a civil letter to Dr. Jarecki advising him of the negative social media concerning the denial of anchorage to the Willy T. I suggested a temporary contract with the owner of the Willy T might give time for each party to move forward with future plans, leaving no hard feelings with the general public. I have been traveling the past several weeks and returned to discover a personal voice mail from Henry himself. I didn't expect any response at all to tell the truth. I was surprised at his pleasant tone and his message that I call him at his office that he could explain the situation. (Of course the Willy T has now moved to Peter Island so the subject is rather moot.) So today I am playing phone tag with Henry, my new best friend :-) He is to call me back and I'm not sure what to talk about. Does anyone have a question I could pass along? (No … I will not post his phone number. I doubt he would appreciate that.)

Noel,

I would simply like to hear his explanation. Just to nix any rumors that have been floating (no pun intended) around. Thank you sir.

If he does call, and wishes to explain the situation, I'll share his response.

I want to know if he sits in a chair all day petting a white cat on his lap? Does his laugh sound evil and does he have plans to control all of the BVI? Does he live in a lair?

@NoelHall

Mr. Hall, thank you for making the effort to take the high road and civil approach to understanding the intricacies of this situation. I'm a relative newcomer to TTOL and adore sailing in the BVI, but I have no personal stake in the Norman Island situation. Honestly, I'm just happy to be there enjoying all the splendor of the region, so I've got no qualms with the decision to move the Willie T; Peter Island isn't that far away.

I do, however, feel that there are many perspectives surrounding all issues and it's in our best interest to try and understand those perspectives to the best of our abilities. Frankly, I've been somewhat disturbed by the vitriol that has been expressed here, without giving due process to the person behind the decision. I understand that this is a sensitive topic for some, and rightly so, but let's try to keep an open mind and listen with the purpose of understanding, not just hearing.

I'd be very interested to learn what he has to say.

Good luck with your endeavor.

PJ

Spoke with a Pirates employee on Monday and they are already seeing decreased mooring ball revenue.

My new best friend, Henry Jarecki, did phone me from his office in New York at 6:30 this afternoon. We had a nice conversation, although in generalities. It was a very pleasant chat …. me being a complete stranger. I mentioned being anxious to get back to the islands, although at 72 years old the finish line is becoming closer every day. He stated I was just a 'baby', as he was 85 years old and still working. He also greatly enjoys the islands and asked that I inquire if he was on Norman when I visit, he would like to meet me.

Okay …. this is what he said (in summary). The issue with the Willy T was between the BVI government and the owner of the boat, not between Henry and the owner of the boat. He stated that he himself is a customer of the Willy T and has a civil relationship with the boat's owner. He does not consider the establishment to be unwanted competition to his restaurant on shore. From what he understands, the BVI government has been monitoring pollution coming from the boat into the Bight for over a year, and the suggested 'fixes' were never installed. He thinks perhaps Great Harbor on Peter Island might be a better location for handling the boat's pollution, which could be the reason for the permit to anchor there, although he does not know. He mentioned there are plans for development on Norman Island in the future, although we did not discuss.

Of course I have no way of knowing if any of this is correct. I can only confirm that Dr. Jarecki personally phoned me, a complete stranger, and in a very pleasant conversation explained the above. He did not come across as an evil 'money grabbing' individual.

Refreshing Thank You

Thank you for the perspective, it was much needed.

What did you expect him to say? " Oh yes, I have the NDP in my pocket. I have greased them for years so when the Willy T was wrecked it only took a phone call to Orlando Smith to get their sea bed license revoked. Now there is less noise in the Bight and everyone is forced to come to Pirates!"

You imply it was a waste of my time to reach out to him as you have already convinced yourself of speculation that supports you own opinion. I doubt that he took the time to personally respond to my letter, leave a voice mail, and then make a follow-up personal phone call simply to give me a bunch of bull [censored]. Perhaps I am wrong. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Jarecki)

I sincerely doubt that you are.

Of course, if there was some sort of nefarious, back-room deal made, it is hardly likely that he would admit that. Still, it would have been very easy -- even expected -- for him to just ignore an e-mail from some random stranger asking about a deal he made. The fact that he didn't do that, the fact that he took the time to respond, the fact that he went to more than a little effort to contact you, is a pretty strong indication (at least, to me) that he is not just shoveling BS and hoping that some of it will stick.

I invite the owner of the Willy T to comment on the Dr's statement.

Didn't he pay his employees while they were in the process of rebuilding after the fire a few years ago? I think that speaks a lot to his character.

Thanks for sharing Noel!

Does anybody remember what happened to Billy Bones? I don't specifically but I seem to remember them being forced out pretty much the same way?

Little history:

https://www.bareboatsbvi.com/other-islands/pirates-bight-restaurant.php

Yes, but the cost was reimbursed under his business interruption coverage just as it was for Aaron Feurstein after the Malden Mills fire. At least Jarecki wasn’t honored at the state of the union address.

So the costs were reimbursed because he is a fiscally responsible business man so that make him less of a good person NC?

And Noel, thanks for sharing!

The person who got the Bight emptied was the person who set up the company to purchase Norman, not the government, well not directly.

It has nothing to do with being a good or bad person. But It is disingenuous to take credit for something when you are not paying for it.

We will have to agree to disagree. Maybe I am missing your point.

He was thoughtful enough to get the business interruption insurance, paid for the business interruption insurance, jumped through the insurance claim process to get the claim satisfied, and then used the funds to pay and help displaced employees.

I am struggling with how this is disingenuous?

publicly taking credit for an expense you didn't actually incur is disingenuous in my book.

Definition of disingenuous
: lacking in candor; also : giving a false appearance

As I said prior, we have to agree to disagree on this subject.

Have a great weekend!

I think it was someone else who credited him for paying his employees, rather than him publicly claiming that action, ergo, there was nothing disingenuous on his part.

But, even if he did avow to it, he could have used that insurance money for any number of things instead of supporting members of his team. To find fault in it that action is absurd, in my opinion.

It's time to let go of the hate. Let's focus on the positive things instead.