‘Best man for the job’ | John Samuel is new college board chairman
Businessman and former election candidate for the governing Virgin Islands Party John Samuel is the new chairman of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College Board of Governors.
Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley described Samuel as the best man for the job when he made the announcement during the college’s 26th graduation ceremony held at the Multipurpose Sports Complex in Road Town on Thursday.
“As a former Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Communications and Works, as the owner of The Auto Spot as well as Jocelyn Maritime Training and Consultants, he is the perfect person to help the college bolster its offerings in areas critical to the local job market,” Dr Wheatley said.
“I have every confidence that he will lead the college to even greater heights as we approach the 30th anniversary of the founding of this institution,” added the minister whose statement comes as a number of longstanding members were axed from the board.
Two new positions added to the board
In the meantime, the minister said two new positions were introduced to the board — a faculty representative and a student representative.
“This is something that the faculty has been passionate about for many years, and I am grateful that I am able to introduce this,” Dr Wheatley said.
He said these two appointments are in keeping with the principles of shared governance, adding that he is confident the institution will benefit from the additions.
The Education Minister then applauded those who served on the last board of governors such as Dr Charles Wheatley and former NDP legislator, Eileen Parsons.
“Thank you for your years of tireless service in this institution, and you can be sure that you will be given the celebration that you deserve perhaps in our 30th-anniversary celebrations,” Dr Wheatley said.
He further thanked other previous board members such as Derek Dunlop, Henry Jarecki, Cromwell Smith, Authur Richardson and Kenneth Baker who remained part of the team.
Happy to serve
Meanwhile, Samuel, who delivered his first address as the new chairman, said he is happy to serve.
“It is a privilege and an honour for me to assume the chairmanship of this cherished institution and I express my sincere thanks to the Minister of Education Dr Wheatley for extending to me the invitation and opportunity to again serve my beloved country in such an important and essential capacity,” he said.
Samuel served as an advanced marine navigation instructor at the college more than 20 years ago.
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Yess clean it out VIP!!! Love ayo
I though we were promised the end to fare of victimization on campus VIP? But the more things change the more they remains the same.
Too many ndp left on board Showda got to go
As a BVIlander I am ashamed at the ignorance of some of our silly people like my friend Zack here, who can’t seem to grasp that a country this small cannot divide itself along political lines, we will all lose in the end.
These types of statements are shameful. We talk and write about separating the different nationalities who reside in the VI, but it is OK to displace people in their jobs or roles because of political issues/gains in a small community such as this.
Best man for the job OR best man on the VIP trolley.
Premier do better and break the cycle of persons on a party committee/ticket being appointed to boards just because …it is an obvious you scratch my back I scratch yours.
Do you not realize you have voters who support you who are more qualified for these positions?
Similarly to an election, get qualified persons to apply for these posts rather than puppets.
Look at the BVI Ports Authority new Chairman, I thought it was a joke at first. These people cannot be serious.
I agree with you 100 percent!!!
What happen to the Candidate for the Third District that has Doctor in front of her name??? She is More than qualified for the position!!!
It is amazing to me how many times the “best man for the job” for any public post is always a failed political candidate for whichever party is in Government.
Quid pro quo. Clearly serving on boards is strictly political; one serves at the pleasure of which government is in power. If NDP is in power it appoints mostly supporters to boards and if NDP is in power, it does the same. This practice is not in the best interest of the services. Members may not give a 100% for they may be gone by the next election. Short term attitude creeps into board operations. Some positions are inherently political but board membership should not be. Board membership should be voluntary with staggered terms and HOA should vote on all vacancies. If members serve on a voluntary basis without pay as is done elsewhere, what would be the level of interest? Tribal politics is ruining the BVI. If you are a member of the tribe, you good. It is about self interest, not country’s interest.
While there are some voluntary boards, those like BVIEC, BVIPA, BVIAA, BVITRC and others are paying boards, sometimes with members getting around $700 and chairman around $1,200 to meet once per month. I would say while it’s not a flush of cash, how many people do you know can make that a month by attending one meeting, especially if the Territory isn’t benefiting from whatever they’re doing?
@@QW, do members have to be at schedule monthly meeting to collect the supposed $700 or $1200 or it is paid for just being on the board? $700 or $1200 per hour for serving the community. If you got to be present to collect, bet the attendance is good. It is a bad idea and counterproductive to politicize board membership. Peter Principle, ie, promoting to a level of incompetence is probably common place on boards.
…and in-laws on these boards (where is the experience)
They just the paparazzi at the ports of entry …no business skills or etiquette
““As a former Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of Communications and Works, as the owner of The Auto Spot as well as Jocelyn Maritime Training and Consultants, he is the perfect person to help the college bolster its offerings in areas critical to the local job market,” Dr Wheatley said.”
So tell us now how this ties into being the perfect person with no expertise in the educational arena.
My blinders off …the rest of you better start seeing what time it is.
And build up. Some of you are so ignorant. John is an educated man. A college board chairmanship doesn’t require being a Ph.D.. It is about business skills. A scientist no matter how smart often times don’t give a rat behind about operations or bottom line. They are too focus on theory, teaching, research etc. to be bothered with debit and credits, hiring or developing long range business plans. You need business persons at the head not pure academicians. I encourage you to think outside of the box.
I encourage you to get out of the box from merely thinking outside of it so you can see what the rest of us are seeing.
Your vision is obscured.
I hope the country see who all getting the 1000 jobs
VIP loyalists alone
ALL THIS IS IS A POLITICAL REWARD
The VIP keeping their promises to their losers just like they trying to keep promise to our Caribbean neighbors. But not to worry, you all notice how quiet the winners are, the Shiite soon hit the fan. Some of them biting wire, trying to stay calm…keep watching.
He always look so disgruntled? Bitter does not suit you, you lost the election but you can try again next time.?
Excellent pick to chair many boards, but wrong board although i think he will do well – Just think he was best suited for another board but i think i full well understand why he was not chosen for that particular board.
I thought Chairman of Port Authority would have been a better fit, since his background is that area.
EXACTLY! Look who they put as Chairman of *****, a pool guy who now sells food out the back of his vehicle? Not downing the fellow but come on, let us be serious here and get with the program. Our… matters are very serious and quite a remit, how can we just drop someone in that slot simply on the basis that they’re a loyalist. Sometimes I feel that was deliberately done so that the ‘Advisor’ can have his way but as the old people say, “time alone…”
Some of these people are on more than one Board…the Immigration Board and Ports Authority Board.
What is the population of the BVI again?
Premier stop using GOD as a defence to wrong-doing. God does not condone foolishness.
Since he is in maritime why was he not giving the ports manager just asking i am not too educated
He’s one of us when the New Port Authority boss from St Lucia came you guys never kept any hustle about him
Former VIP D-6 candidate John Samuel may be the VIP best man for the job but is he the best fit, best qualified for the job? Boards are now place holders VIP supporters or whatever government is in power. If one expresses one’s personal political choice quietly and secretly at the ballot box, it seemed one is branded as the opposition. Service delivery is sure to suffer with this practice.
and the cronyism continues
Yes he is one of us and y’all are eating him up like that what will you all do to others bitterness and hate in you all locals heart
Look like dem kick Ms. P, Dr. Charles Wheatley…..etc to the curb. Well sah! Cronyism, nepotism, tribal politics……etc in plain day light. BVI gone to the Blood Hounds. It is nearing the point of no return.
If this man only know.
Qualified workers that have been there for ages , must be feeling insulted .