O’Neal criticises appointment of NDP election losers
BVI News Staff - Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 at 6:37 PM
The Ministry of Communications and Works has contracted Claude Skelton Cline to provide consultancy services for port development.
Leader of the Opposition Ralph O’Neal says its seems that under the current administration that when “someone runs for council and they lose, they get a highly paid post”.
Two candidates, Claude Skelton Cline and Kevin Smith who ran unsuccessfully for the National Democratic Party (NDP) in the second and third district respectively, have since been given top positions in government.
O’Neal’s comments were made as he reflected on the work of the current administration which, on May 6 would have spent six months in office.
“This is something new now, and I do not see how that balances with the rumour they have going around, that the previous government spend the money and there was nothing left, so many contracts could be given and promises made for others. It must be some money coming from somewhere so that I am sure has citizens concern,” O’Neal said.
Commenting on whether he is satisfied with the work done by the government so far, O’Neal said: “You won’t say they are doing badly, but you got to make sure that these things and the promises made will be promises kept. The cruise ship dock that was on the board for sometime, and you know we had a commitment from the one cruise line. I don’t know if that is being continued but they were interested in extending the dock, that is good news.
“Now the extension of the runway; one minister said it is a done deal, so it’s no use the people objecting to that. Now the extension to the cruise ship dock was something that the people wanted and the government is working towards that. The extension of the airstrip; this proposal was given by the government and said it’s no good of arguing. This has been agreed to and this will be so, and then we hear now that they have to do the investigation and the research and the various environmental tests. We have to hear what they come up with. Will they come up with the real facts, because you get some of these environmentalists who come and do what they think will please the government or people, and you don’t want that to happen. You want them to say whether the thing will be lasting or whether they should go ahead, so we will wait and see what happens.” he said.
Kevin Smith has been named business development liaison for two years to provide help for the reestablishment of a Business Bureau to provide development assistance to entrepreneurs.
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49 Comments
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Ralph, I totally agree with you. But I have to ask, what qualifications did a certain young lady (who worked for the Tourist Board) possess in the field of tourism?
What in the world made her qualified for the job? Nepotism perhaps? Does she have a college or university degree in marketing? Somehow I don’t think so. How about a hospitality management degree or a degree in anything at all? No, I thought not.
Pot calling the kettle black really. But after all is said and done, you are right about this. It just seems funny coming from you.
sigh, wasting tax $$$$ on people not qualified who were not elected, while raising taxes on the BVI people is wicked. Time to stop staying quiet. Make them stop wasting your tax $$, make them stop loading debt on, make them stop selling out the BVI.
what ah thing Bwi is them North Sound people is wa have him there sayin he non sense I don’t know why he don’t stay home leh his wife cook he food and put he foot up in ah one chair he pocket done fat wa more he and his wife want meh son I from here so you can’t fling me no where,let Doc.Smith and his team do his thing whe ur get in this thing for….
I agreee with th former Premier! And where is the money coming from. Gov/t cant be that broke in truth is they giving out contracts to all their friends and family. People open your eyes. The truth is the truth no matter who saying. This is a bad practice NDP has started. Even if VIP was doing it two wrongs dont make a right…they need to show that they know how do things. As far as i can see we just getting more of the same.
i agree too and he forgot to mention the smith girl that ran in the ppa
Missey a country cannot just stop and say well we dont have any money so we not putting in place our people who we want to push our initiativies. Every government throughout the world has a right to put in place who they feel is most competent to achieve their mandate) no government wants to fail! remember taxes are generated everyday, the treasury is never dry! as you noticed there were a few costs savings initiativies started so revenues are being generated ther maybe companies willing to invest which the government is not at liberty to disclose as yet as contratcs are not completed and still in the negotiating stage! You may have generous people /companies will to donate either for personal reasons, or just for good governance (who knows)apparently there seems o be alot going on behind the scenes to generate revenue and move the economy forward….Its just that U are not at libility to see or aware of whats happening! so its fine for you to speak from where u stand….I’m only sharing a thought! what I would suggest is judge them on whats done after the 4 years! 6 months is no time to see any realy progress, as they are still trying to make sense of where they r which is pratical, so in all honesty no once can judge progress on 6 months..
If VIP was doing the same things and the then opposition (NDP) sat back with their tail between their legs then it is the NDP that failed to do their jobs. Ralph is doing exactly what he is supposed to do as leader of the opposition. The government should be working for the people so we the voters should be happy thats someone speaking out against what wrong doing. Wrong is wrong whether its VIP, NDP,PPP,HIP, RIP or UP’s
Didn’t Picko Pickering help build that mess up in Purcell? And even now, after a small drizzle he is there ready to clean up the mess after the flood he created. So don’t just call three names. Didn’t that medical school consultancy fiasco go to somebody of the same last name never to be heard from again on the issue? Call it what it is sour grapes!
Oh yea, how we forget Picko! LOL!!
Mr. O’Oneal please STOP the PETTY NONSENSE and talk about real issues at hand. Come on man election has been over long time ago.
When u all was MILKING the treasury payine ZOE< RONNIE AND RAY nothing was wrong with that right.
Help us find ways to put money back into our treasury that what important right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All of you need to go sit down and leave my NDP government to there Job and i vote in the 7. From the Premier to the back bencher just do what you all have to do. I am with you all 200%.
You help all of us find a way and lets stop find consultancy for people. Only two real consultancy yo list. ronnie was a regular appointment, on a board, that don’t pay the kinda ah money like a consultancy. anymore names yo have there? list the ones in place now, and we looking at payment, it look like, who getting what and so. nah be shy now. tis time to stop feeding people one side and look at both sides.
You got to excuse my poor old cousin Ralphie. Things not so good now,so just pray that he enjoys his retirement from active politics. It is just the reality that is kicking in. He is not able to accept what is happening.
Maybe Ralphy is a hippocrite. But he is basically right. There is no sane reason why Pastor Claude, who knows nothing about shipping or ports, should have been given that consultancy on a big salary. And as for making OJ in charge of small business development… ! Shameful that the VIP used to do it. Shameful that the NDP carried on doing it. My country bleeds.
Who do you think should’ve been tapped to revamp the small business bureau? When OJ is done with it you all will eat your words for lunch, memba ah meh seh suh!!!
How quick aau jump when or own is appointed to certan positions. When VIP was in power they bring all kind of criminals here and give them consulting and other positions..It was fine for them to do it.Now NDP choose to do the same but use our own people and you hearing all this un-necessary blah blah blah. Uncle Ralph time up and he needs to just enjoy the balance of his life serving God.
ralph gysm !
I do not like this “But they did it too” mentallity in the BVI, it is very stupid and idiotic. Just because VIP did it before does not make it right or just that NDP do the same thing after they say the wouldn’t…it is that simple. Having said that, what is done is done, he is focusing on issues he ought to have during the appointments of such issues….right now we have other issues such as proper maintenance of our sister islands of which the opposition leader is suppose to be representing in the House of Assembly and the runway extension project and the maintanence of tortola.
I agree with you, So because VIP did it too people expect that we should turn the other cheek when NDP do it and at like its all fair. Well here’s a shocker for the sheep VIP got voted out by a wide margin for their failures. That was their judgement for their bad deeds. If NDP continue this tit for tat game they too will have their day of reckoning.
Y’all keep stressing over former Premier…He’ll come to many of y’all funeral. Keep calling him old…I sure you all notice that young people going faster than the old.
Ralp damn well know he did not left any money in the treasury. For the 40 years vip in power they only thing they brought on this country was hardship and more suffering.
VIP had two different leaders in its existence!!! Do not get it twisted, Lavity and Ralph and two completely different people/leaders overall. In my opinion, the last 16 years of VIP leadership is questionable!!
the ndp turned around and did the samething they accused vip of doing…..two wrongs cant make it right
Don’t you realize that no matter what NDP does you will have something to say? If X get it you will ask why Y didn’t get it. If X and Y got it, you will ask why L,M,N,O,P weren’t considered. If X,Y,L,M,N,O,P are all given an opportunity, oh it’s too much, I thought we were broke. If only X and Y get the opportunity, it’s a party payback. There’s no pleasing people like you critic, that’s why nobody studying you all. The only thing that will please you is when you get what you want and what you want may not necessarily be right, RIGHT??
…….SPEECHLESS!!!
we still waiting for the report from ZOe on the FSC and Tourist Board ting! –
Bowy ah tell u…what a ting in dis lil lil BWI…..what a ting!
When Ralph hired Ray George, Ronnie Lettsome and Zoe anybody told him anything? He is really losing his marbles I can see!!!!
MR Oneal please stop being so petty
and talk about the real issues.
I’m on the waterfront every day and sometimes two or three times a day the ambulance come there to pick up sick and wounded to take to peebles hospital
it is so heartbreaking to see some of those patients being treated like cargo ande here we have a DISTRECT REP a man of the soil a man who cares for his people a man who has been MR VIRGIN GORDA for the last 40 years and can’t see it fitting to build a proper health care facillity on VIRGIN GORDA my god
ralph i second you
You always behind so you must second him.
funny man got some balls you better not start for we tell what you told the messenger on your 3 day in office
I don’t have a messenger sir so you got the wrong person hahaha!!!! Touched a button eh?
I wish the NDP would stop playing around and expose these jokers for all they did when they were in office, and see who ends up in jail!!! I dont know why they playing around with them, and that pisses me off.
Neither side will expose the other cause in some way, shape or form they are ALL ‘in bed’ together.
Agreed. This was a major mistake of the NDP administration, as was VIP in the previous admin. Errors in judgement can and do happen, it is what is done to correct and rectify, is what is important now. There are alot more deserving and capable individuals that should have taken these posts who were not in a political position to cause harm.
Let me tell you all something. Running for politics is not easy. If a major party asks me to contest elections on their ballot it means that they along with their supporters have faith in me. They see that I can bring something to the table. So, I have my career and they want me to throw that away to run for politics. I will be a big idiot to not have a Plan B!
While it may not seem ‘right’ let’s look at the reality of things. If they asked me to leave my job to run for politics, my first question is what will happen to me if I’m not successful in my seat. If they think I’m capable to be a part of their Government and potentially a part of Cabinet, then they should think I’m competent enough to serve in a senior capacity in their Government. SIMPLE!!!
The bottomline is, you will NOT get quality candidates to commit to joining a team without certain things in place. Answer honestly, how many of you will quit your career to run for politics without certain things being made clear to you, with all possibilities thought out? It’s easy for us to sit back and talk, but how easy do you think it is to run for politics? That’s why it happens. The question we should ask is are we getting value for money? The answer should be clear within the next few years.
Wrong. These individuals appointed, ran and the public spoke. Some decision maker may still feel they are capable however the public at large has spoken – which is more importantly in the political arena. In placing these individuals into positions like this, violates trust and ethical boundaries. Of course the public will be unhappy about it. Those positions should be left for grooming the next potentials, not the losers.
You can stop there bout wrong. Regardless of who is elected, especially in this small Territory, we will have those issues. The bottomline should be accountability and I will not be quiet just because I’m a supporter, I’m looking for value as well!
I have no issues with who is hired. Once they are competent and we see the results we all need to move forward and grow and revenue is generated….It could be Eggie and yellow dem hire to run ports and the small business bureau, once they are comptent and know what they’re doing and we see meaningful growth.
When you are running for politics you should be financially bouyant! If you cannot afford to run and not an established citizen in this community you dont consider running for elections. This is how the seed of corruption begins. Award of contracts to cronies and friends and other persons as a reward for a deed done during election. This is third world mentality through and through. If this kind of mentality is ruling our politicians they we in trouble.
When running for elections in other countries many of the candidates are people with money. Their lives dont stop if they are not elected. They move on. We need to be honest with ourselves about running for elections. I as a taxpayer am not paying my taxes for gov’t to be doing this crap.
So you are saying if I’m well educated, experience and have great vision and plans for this country. As long as I’m not financially well off I shouldn’t run for Elections? LMAO!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me?
Cut the BS! Corruption only exists because we the people choose to turn a blind eye, don’t blame politicians, blame ourselves! We are the ones that make the most noise but still head to the polls in record numbers to support the very ones causing the problems. If we get our act together the system will change itself, they will have no choice but to. This is not Cuba, we have elections every year! The fact that obviously corrupt candidates were being elected for decades despite their known deeds speaks volume about the attitude of the people here!
So money or money not, we are the system and if it’s corrupt then we all have a problem. How about that? I agree with the premise of your post but in reality it doesn’t hold water. HL Stoutt and TB Lettsome to name a few, to my knowledge, were not filthy rich when they FIRST entered the political arena but did great things for this country. Funny enough, the reason why most people didn’t want NDP to win is because majority of their candidates fit the ‘well off’ title, now we back peddling!
And by the way, from the looks of it I can’t speak for Claude, but NDP didn’t do OJ any favors! Look at the mammoth task he has on his hands for a measly $90k a year? Please!! That man could demand much more than that WITH PERKS in the private sector! I call that giving back to the country, what favor? Absolute rubbish! That man has vast experience as a former manager in the FInancial Services Sector so cut the rubbish, he wasn’t ‘huttin’ for no job, I know that! They put him there because they know he will not fail.
The country broke when it comes to making ends meet for “ordinary” citizens but they finding money and making jobs available for the party members and supporters and that’s a fact.
Well I am in agreemtn with this issues. I felt that they should not have gotten such a big job for not winning in the election! The community was not pleased about this they started on the wrong foot with this one. In other areas they are not doing bad but the jobs for Smith and Cline is not right.
So I agree that the VIP aforget about their losers as they never get to run under the ticket again but….
Zoe Walcott, Ray George, Ronnie Lettsome, off the tip off the iceberg did none of these people get high paying jobs after losing their election races?
Old man go sit down & be quiet.
for real!!! what the flipmode is he talking about! same backward mentality no wonder we in the jam we in right now!
IS A PITY SOME ONE LIKE YOU WOULD NEVER GET OLD. THANK GOD YOU WILL LIVE FOR EVER. A JACKASS LIKE YOU. HON RALFH BRAIN IS LIKE A CLOCK. WHAT ABOUT YOUR LITTLE PEAS BRAIN?
Ronnie had a big contract? for where? tell us. Zoe contract was for how long? tel us quick
Didn’t Zoe get some big consultancies and her husband some big construction contracts when she lost? Didn’t Ronnie Lettsome get a big Port appointment when he lost even though he had no experience?
Ralphy…go sit down!
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