Hold elected leaders responsible, not Governor
Although some sections of the community constantly call for the Governor to intervene and make changes in areas that are overseen by elected leaders, political commentator Cindy Rosan has posited that many residents would frown upon such a move.
Rosan expressed that view during a discussion on Tola Radio where her co-host Floyd ‘Heritage’ Burnett questioned the role of the Governor, saying he does not do much to solve the many social ills that residents are facing, such as poor infrastructure and inaqaute water supply.
“I’m not saying he (Governor) should create chaos but there are ways he can advocate or show his concern for the basic needs and struggles of the community and he’s not doing it,” Heritage posited on the October 2 airing of the Morning Braff show.
However, Rosan said in her view, elected leaders have a bigger responsibility to the people and should face more pressure than the UK’s representative. Moreover, she said BVIslanders have traditionally scoffed at governors who were deemed to be too involved in areas that fall under the remit of elected leaders.
Rosan referred to former BVI Governor Augutus Jaspert, saying many residents scoffed at his actions when he tried to hold elected leaders accountable for many things that did not fall under his purview.
Jaspert was also hailed by some residents when he revealed that he was concerned about the conduct of th Andrew-Fahie administration, after many persons had lodged reports of victimization and intimadation after speaking against the Fahie government.
“Our most recent example is Augustus Jaspert – that man involved himself so much int he local community that he became the enemy. [People said] he was too involved, he had too many questions,” Rosan debated. “I think it was because he was young and didn’t want to act like he was on vacation, he literally got involved in the community. But a lot of people and the news cycles didn’t like it and they built a picture about his involvement in the territory.”
In response, Heritage held the view that Governors generally use their powers when it’s in their favour but rarely advocate to improve the welfare of residents.
The matter of the Governor’s role in the BVI has always been a contentious one.
There are some who believe that a BVIslander should hold the post. But there are many who believe that a UK representative should should continue sitting in that office as they are impartial and act as a bulwark against abuse by elected leaders.
There are also those who believe that Governor John Rankin and those before him don’t do much to improve the security of the territory. However Rankin has repeatedly stated that though he is responsible for national security, the funds needed to implement changes are controlled by elected leaders.
He also continues to emphasise that residents have a major role to play in the safety of the territory, adding that they need to share more information about criminal acitivity in their communities.
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Cindy is correct and who don’t like it can simply kick hot rocks in open toe shoes. All 13 members should be held accountable for their actions.
CHUPES
We did not elect the Governor by vote. We elected 13 J..s by vote and they are the ones responsible for the failure of the territory, not the Governor. Blame game is the norm in the BVI.
Oh please…Hold both accountable including you with the fellow and the money to pay the bank for the house.
I enjoyed the discussion between Heritage and Cindy. It was respectable and thought provoking and I appreciate that level of discourse. Hold the strain Cindy they can’t keep you down. Heritage is my boy. Next.
What you need to do is STFU and go take a short walk off the pier. Make sure you step in the deepest part of the water so you can Bob and flare while trying to get out. HELPPPPPP!! I WALK OFF THE PIER AND CAN’T SWIM, HELP MEEEEE. LOL.
All these paid advertisements.
I am totally in agreement with your comment. The Governor was not elected by the people. The people are the ones that knowingly elected a bunch of incompetent people to lead the Territory.Stop laying the blame on the Governor.
In the independent countries, the governor is replaced by the governor General. To my knowledge there is not much that they do in the overall running of the country. The elected leaders are who hold the steering wheel. We need to stop holding the governor responsible. I think we are letting these other guys off the hook when we lambaste the governor.
None of them are less accountable than the other. All of them have portfolios. They all need to be held accountable.
Premier is the leader of the elected LEGISLATURE.
Governor is the UK representative of King Charles III and the head of the EXECUTIVE branch of the BVI.
Chief Justice Janice M. Pereira is the head of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the head of the JUDICIARY.
Obviously the weakest branch is the elected legislature.
Finally some good words from my cousin Cindy
Though elected members must be held accountable to job performance, so should the head of the country, its defacto rulers, imperials and majesties.
Additionally, none should be head of state but one that is duly elected by the people.
Any other arrangement is not democracy, but disguised hypocrisy.
Yet our people are satisfied with it.. It is quite clear to many, that we must emancipate our minds from such blatant dictatorship and get to the 21st century, where some semblance of democracy must be demonstrated by the UK.
This current colonial model is a relic of the past and is not representative of what modern people should be living under.
Many want to see the end to UK passing rules governing a people not like them or of them.
The time has come to see the end to whyte UK domination over a people who are the descendants of human beings that toiled for centuries to make for them the country, lifestyles, riches and standards of living they enjoy today.
This season of Tola Radio is really good. Cindy and Heritage is doing a excellent job. The one that bit the hand that feed messed up big time.
This woman is a piece of work. You come from under Lorna skirt and now want the public to believe that you are independent on this issue.
However, Rosan said in her view, elected leaders have a bigger responsibility to the people and should face more pressure than the UK’s representative.
HOLD ALL RESPONSIBLE. The Governor has done some irresponsable sit and wmevery body head in the dam sand.
The blame game is the normal in this place. Everyone lays the blame on everyone else but themselves. You guys is just as much to blame as the ones you put in those seats. Oh well, you guys have to deal with it for the next three and a half years.
But I do agree with your notion
Where is the money she got from demion? Old cr**k
The only thing the Politicians knows how to do right is sit on a plane and post pictures of where they travel. They never come back with useful information. These jerks travel all over the place on the taxpayers dime. Let them start paying out of their own pockets for travel expenses for themselves and whom they have traveling with them. They make enough money off the peoples back. LET THEM PAY THEIR OWN TRAVEL, HOTEL AND FOOD EXPENSES.