Premier defends wife’s appointment
BVI News Staff - Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Governor Boyd McLeary stands with Lorna Smith as she poses with Royal Warrant announcing her being awarded with the OBE. * File photo
Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith has defended some of those persons who have received contracts since his government came into office.
His wife Lorna Smith was one such person he referred to.
The Premier made the comments while he was making final statements at the end of the radio programme, NDP Radio, last night.
He said: “We’ve been criticised for some of the contracts we have given out. Basically contracts have been given out so that we can get the work of the people done and I must say that we have been pleased with the results so far. I also want to say that among these contractors it was said that my wife Lorna was also given a substantial contract. I want…”
It was at this time the host of the programme, Eileen Parsons, intervened and said: “Dr. Smith you take it from me, I was going to say that these people are saying these things, it is not true. They even say I got a contract to be chairman of the National Dress/National Song Committee – things that we are giving our free service. And your wife was not sitting down and waiting on a contract from government. If she gives her service she gives it gratis, so I don’t even think we need to go that way. I would say, as old people use to say, ‘let the donkeys bray’.”
Dr. Smith however continued by saying: “I think it is important to say that; you and many other people really want to contribute to help the progress of this country and it is unfortunate when people make those allegations.”
Since taking office, Culture Minister Myron Walwyn said it is important that the BVI gets a territorial song and dress which will further enhance the territory’s cultural identity, and this effort will be spearheaded by Parsons.
Meanwhile, the Premier has given the public assurance that although the territory is facing difficult times because of the global financial situation, his government is working hard to make sure that the economy is revived so that everyone will have a better standard of living.
Copyright 2012 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
31 Comments
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one question,
YOU TING DEM GIVE OUT OBE’S FOR NOTHING…..MAKE A SEARCH ON GOOGLE FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE RECEIVED SUCH A PRESITGEOUS AWARD AND YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THEY ARE ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE RENDERED DISTINGUISNED SERVICE AROUND THE WORLD!!!
A WELL DESERVING APPOINTMENT FOR A ELOQUENT INTERLECTUAL WHO’S SERVICES ARE IN DEMAND THE WORLD OVER…..NOW TAKE THAT AND COOL IT! Possibly Mrs. Smith can enlighten us all and name some of her Clients around the globe???
I hope the finance situation get solved soon, this is bring in a lot of violence in family’s and people.
Uncle Ralph installed his daughter at the tourist board and look what good came of dat.
It would be nice if some of us would just put our politics aside and let this government govern and improve the economy. The election is over. Time to move on.
With respect to the Premier’s wife, I personally see no problem with her appointment. She is uniquely qualified in the area in which she has received her contractual work. It just so happens she is the Premier’s wife.
Unfortunately, whenever the spouse of an elected leader gets a position in their government, it’s always scrutinized, which is not in and of itself necessarily a bad thing. But with Mrs. Smith appointment, I don’t see anything untoward whereby we need to get their undees all twisted in knots.
Her appointment as been transparent.
We do not have some shady dealings here as far as I can determine. And I doubt the Premier who is conscious of these things will participate in any such shady dealings in such a small community as ours knowing every eye is on his every move.
lorna is so sexy in that pic, she looks 18…. hmm doc better watch out before mi make a move
Yes, Love the wig!!
AT THE END OF THE DAY,, THE RICHER GETTING RICHER AND WHO POOR GET SCREWED ,, DOESNT MATTER
the NDP is notorious for committing conflict of interest.
russell as chairman of the tourism board
premier’s wife getting contracts
and all party candidates get highpaying positions
IN A TIME OF RECESSION
Ray George former VIP candidate, hired and paid with tax dollars to represent Biwater.
Ronnie Lettsome former VIP candidate, hired at the Ports Authority (to do what?)
Zoe McMillan, former VIP candidate, given two consultancy contracts one for small properties and another to do with FSC, no reports from either. She was also involved with the drag racing nonsense
Sherri Ortiz appointment at IFC – VIP
Allan Parker appointment at BVIEC – VIP
Fiona Forbes’ appointment at TRC – VIP
Collin Scattliffe appointment at TRC – VIP
Neil Blyden appointment at tourist board – VIP
Hadassah Ward appointment at Tourist Board – VIP
Willock appointment as PS in MC&W, fastest move from acting to permanent – VIP
Maynard’s appointment as Labour Commissioner – VIP
Vincent Oneal appointment at Ports Authority – VIP
…..And that’s not even all! Compare those above to the ones NDP have appointed thus far and see how it compares!! NONSENSE!
yo lie..ndp is who put vincent there
Ok, if you want to argue that, go ahead. But what about the rest? LOL!!! There are many more civil servant shifts that occured under VIP. I’m not trying to be funny or poke fun at the people I mentioned. I just want to point out your hypocricy!!! It was okay for VIP to shift around the service and boards as they see fit, but it’s a war on civil servants when NDP does it. HOG WASH!! Go drink your bottle and go sleep now, Dora doesn’t come on until 6:00pm
correction mr vincent oneal was hired by the n.d.p five years ago
But only Ray George and Zoe I seeing here who were on consultancies. The others were regular appointments whether to boards or offices. We expect situations like those. But the consultancies man. You sure what you said bout ray and zoe? go check again nah.
Lorna is one of the most outstanding citizens in the BVI. she has contributed immensely to the development of these islands. Her qualification and resume speaks for itself. some of us critising have only baked tarts and breed as the only contributing factors to the economy.
You sound very foolish about those who only baked tarts and bread. Isn’t that a honest job. Thank God for those people or many of us would starve. So stop being so snobbish. Everyone makes a contribution in his/her own way to this community.
kmt said “breed” and meant it! Not bread. Some people do just breed and not contribute much more to society
people just bad mind
I thought Lorna worked for the IFC, and so drew a substantial Govt salary? Or am I wrong about that?
Used to. Regardless, many talking can’t hold a candle to her. Lorna is a consultancy company that was doing good when VIP was in power. This woman has been involved with the business sector and in government service before Doc was a politician.
Doc should be glad that they’ve stooped this low and can only talk about his wife. It means he’s doing a damn good job running the country, if that’s what they can find to talk about. While we talking about contracts, why nobody asking who provides security for Water and Sewerage. Critic, you know who got that gig? LOL!
VIP was no better. they appointed their own people too.
Dr. Smith tell them you are the GOT DAMN PREMIER!….I give WHOMEVER I want a contract as long as that individual is QUALIFIED for said contract.
thank u
“whats in the darkness it must come out to light”
so much darkness in the VIP that God had to come from heaven and said ‘let there be light’ cuz it was so dark lol
So is that unfair??????
we will catch him one day with his lies….time longer than twine
and how many times have we caught ralphie and fraser lying?
Fraser lie about water, cable, telephone, stop lights, road paving, marina, fencing. The easy question would be to ask what he hasn’t lied about. This man sent a letter to the voters living in USVI just before 2007 elections telling them NDp had set aside $30million to pay CCT and the investment club because they were a part of it.
When he and his party won elections that year and was a part of cabinet, someone asked him for proof of this serious allegation. He stuttered, mumbled and jumbled, not a word came out. You want to talk about LIE?
LMAO Reaaaalll tallkkkkk… tek dat critic
pleeeese
if he so lie, the twine dont have to run out b4 u catch him. catch him now!!!!!!!!
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