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BVIHSA Chairman denies smirking accusations

Potter

BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Chairman Ron Potter has refuted accusations that he was smirking during a recent community meeting in Virgin Gorda.

Virgin Gorda resident Laura Fox publicly rebuked Potter during the meeting, arguing that Potter’s apparent smirk showed a lack of concern for residents during a discussion about healthcare in Virgin Gorda.

“My first matter of business is Mr Potter, I need you to take that smile and smirk off your face, please, with all due respect,” Fox said to loud applause from the audience at the time.

She continued: “There is nothing more disrespectful than discussing something of such drastic and urgent nature and to have the chairman really and truly look the way that you are exuding your body posture and your mannerisms, [which] means you are not actually here to listen to us.”

Potter did not respond during the meeting but broke his silence during the Talking Points radio days later, yesterday September 9.

“That is my natural disposition,” Potter clarified while addressing the matter on the radio show. He explained that those familiar with him know that his typical expression could be misunderstood. “Elvin (radio host), you’ve known me for over 40 years. That’s how I usually look,” he said, noting that those who do not know him might assume otherwise.

However, Potter was quick to debunk the accusation, stating that he had no ill intent. He emphasised his dedication to hearing and addressing the community’s concerns.

“I was there to listen to the concerns of the community,” Potter stressed while pointing out that he refrained from responding during the meeting. The Chairman said he wanted to avoid diverting attention from the pressing healthcare matters being discussed and highlighted that he expressed condolences to the family of the deceased individual – Rovovion ‘Bucky’ Sprauve – involved in the conversation.

Potter also took the opportunity to share the BVIHSA’s efforts to address healthcare issues in Virgin Gorda. He acknowledged that there were challenges in communication and engagement with the community. “We could have been more communicative and proactive,” he admitted, agreeing that regular updates might help alleviate frustration.

In the meantime, Potter committed to improving communication with Virgin Gorda and other sister islands, promising that the Authority would be more forthcoming with information and updates.

The Chairman also mentioned ongoing attempts to secure funding to expand the Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre in Virgin Gorda. However, he explained that securing donor funding has delayed the project. Potter assured the public that efforts are still underway to raise the necessary funds.

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28 Comments

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  1. Dont mistake says:

    The man is a friendly guy so dont mistake his smile for no smirk

    Like 9
    Dislike 11
  2. nonsense. says:

    Whatever, if that was the case then what he said on the talk show should have been said he same evening. Not sit there with his mouth clamp, he SHOULD have addressed it the same night. The person was correct to call him out.

    BVI let us start to hold these people accountable. We are too passive.

    Like 18
    Dislike 5
    • @Nonsense says:

      You people like sensationalism too much. He should have been called out? For his natural demeanor? Many persons have said that is the gentleman’s everyday demeanor. So he should have sat there with a dour expression to please Ms Fx? So you sit down behind your keyboard to call down this gentleman and I can bet my last dollar, you don’t say anything, not one word to YOUR elected reps. Where was the calling out of the Minister and the rest of the Government for their lack of urgency for the people of the Territory? No care for the roads, health services or the high cost of living! The meeting was organized by the Ministry, not HSA but he went anyways because he didn’t care??? That makes sense to you?

      Like 8
      Dislike 10
    • Real VI Icon says:

      Folks it’s called decorum. Some jobs come with a lot of negative backlash whether you do your best or not. Good politicians, public servants, doctors, etc. know how to handle moments where people will be extremely emotional and rude but given the circumstances you just handle it with decorum which is what Mr. Potter may have done. If you ever dealt with someone that is grieving or agitated, they are emotional and make comments without much thought. They insult the doctors who were helping because they want a reason why this happened. They don’t understand. No good doctor would be truly offended or resort to dishing out their own insults. You wait until the moment has passed and you give a professional response. People are too quick to judge others without having all the information.

  3. oh oh says:

    wasn’t this all recorded?

    if he did smile and its recorded its too late

    just be nonchalant like we government

  4. Guy Smiley says:

    What in the Sesame Street is this. Did someone have a filter on the camera? Everyone could see that was a smirk.

    Like 8
    Dislike 1
  5. Legend in his own mind! says:

    He is truly full of himself, a legend in his own mind.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  6. LMAO says:

    SMIRKY GOT CALLED OUT NOW HE SCRAMBLING FOR DAMAGE CONTROL.

    Like 9
    Dislike 4
  7. hello says:

    Inappropriate giggling and smirking etc are part of Caribbean culture..along with not making eye contact when having a conversation..

  8. Board member says:

    Smurf fired Melito for no reason yet Vincent still keep this waste on

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  9. St John says:

    I near throw up when I heard the minister and 9th District rep say he had or has plans to visit St. John to see what they do with medical emergencies. Why on earth are at this low point of non-movement all now. So you have lived and still live VG all your life, 2nd term in office, now minister of health and you still don’t have a clue how to sort this out? Please Mr. Wheatley, clear your desk and go home. Resign. That is one part of the answer.

    In any department, the head must take accountablity for how the entire department is run. If I am in a job and cannot perform, I will be either fired or asked to resign. Do the right thing. Your salary will still be sure

    Like 10
    • @st.john says:

      As a resident of st.john, he is not wanted over here. What is he coming over here for. Our air is already messed up from the toxic smoke from the BVI open burning garbage dump.

      • St Johnian says:

        St. Joh is not the place to go to get a model. Its a disgrace in St. John. relatively no health care services to the residence. if you stump your toe, they have to take you over to st. thomas on the ambulance boat. So look elsewhere. save yourself the ferry ticket

  10. LOL says:

    Ron is just as bad as an educated accomplished person to sit down listening and dealing with these people. Ron should’ve asked them why they voted for a f**king muppet who happens to be their district rep and health minister but want to take their vexation out on him. Ron doesn’t need to be on any board, that man has set himself up well without the need for government. Let the stupid lunatics at the meetings and in those group chats run their country and see how far it goes. The people making the most noise are the ones that voted for these incompetent loons and now because they are feeling the pressure they pretend to care. Where was all this noise when hundreds of them accepted $10k and more in covid money that they knew they didn’t qualify for? BVI is not a real place, it’s a fake place full of selfish people pretending until they get what they want.

    Like 10
    Dislike 7
    • Help me understand .... says:

      So, you want to NOT hold the person accountable who is actually responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hospital—hiring, staffing, and ensuring its functionality—while placing all the blame on the representative, who is part of the broader structure but not directly involved in these daily tasks? This is where credibility collapses.

      If you’re a supporter of Potter, that’s your prerogative. But at least analyze the situation objectively. If you’re being truthful, the responsibility clearly falls on both parties. To excuse one completely while condemning the other is the height of hypocrisy.

      Like 4
      Dislike 1
      • @Help Me says:

        Ron is the Board Chairman and I agree with what the other poster said. The Chairman does not deal with day-to-day operations, the executive does, i.e. CEO and the other managers.

      • Board Chair says:

        A board is not Responsible for the day to day running of any institution. The CEO is. This is why organizations cannot function well. The chair of a board rarely is a subject area expert, so they really should not interfere in what they do not know.

  11. A Shame says:

    It is most unfortunate that a personal and totally uncalled for attack was made on the Chairman of the BVIHSA who offered himself for service to our Territory for a piddling monthly stipend.

    And now the (other) vultures, including the media, gather around for the spoil. Totally unfair to a man who is trying to make a difference among us, while so many sit back and criticise without lifting a finger.

    Remember, folks, had it not been for his management and organisational skills, our Territory would have been out of current for ages after the 2017 hurricanes. I don’t know him to have an engineering degree, but with his accounting acumen and other exceptional skills he was able to bring about Phase Five that had been the subject of much talk but little action prior to his chairmanship of the BVIEC.

    What a thankless society! Keep your head up, Mr. Chairman. Who know know, and who ane know would wonder.

    Like 5
    Dislike 5
  12. hmm says:

    Sometimes body language is all you need to understand what is going on. She said he was not in a mode to listen. Id trust a woman’s judge of non-verbal communication.

    TO me that means he does not understand the gravity of the situation where-by a person died which was possibly preventable. And to be this late into having a meeting & plan, goodness.

    Every official should have been apologetic like they one step away from being fired.

    If he goes to the funeral would he still be so jolly as his natural demeanor or would he recognize what time it is…

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  13. STUPES says:

    He’s an A**!!!!! Just like the blinking CEO down there at the hospital.

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
  14. Play the tape says:

    They should have seen the smirks on Dr Georges face but he was facing forward towards the panel. I was watching him online and I was wtf dude!! This is serious, his whole demeanor was off to me like he didnt want them to ask the panel any questions. Play the tape back!!!

  15. Staff says:

    Doesn’t look like Grage could clean this one up.

  16. No bias says:

    I got to know Mr Potter a few years ago . I honestly believe it was not a smirk . It is his expression to watd off embrassment . He meant no harm
    However, the BVI heads of departments , insult, demean, put down expatriate staff in variois positions across the boatd . They try to set up
    Those individuals by telling them they work too hard then turn around and call them lazy . That is why a lot of the outside health cate people leave or do not complete their contracts . Some of them
    Ate downright messy tomoutsid syaff . That is what Ron needs to
    Look into

    Harm

  17. Would-be Donor says:

    The real attitude problem is demonstrated by Mr. Potter’s statement here. Before talk of expanding the clinic, the existing facility and equipment needs to be used to maximum benefit.

    I have heard stories about empty rooms and equipment still in boxes, years after being delivered. Is this true? Has there been an inventory?
    Are the basic equipment and personnel, that were mentioned at the meeting as being lacking, being corrected?
    Is there new signage with emergency contact numbers?

    • someone in the know says:

      Would be donor no room is empty at the clinic…the clinic was supposed to be on 2 floors they stuff everything on 1…so everything squeeze up…now the 2nd floor roof leaking and affecting 1st floor…we need the 2 floors as promised when they open it.

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