Mather, Skelton to share office due to limited funds
Due to the inadequate funds that each elected leader has been allocated to set up and run their offices, Territorial At-Large Representatives Stacy ‘Buddha’ Mather and Ronnie Skelton have decided to use the same location as they seek to make the best use of their allotment.
Speaking on Tola Radio earlier this week, Mather said each elected representative has been given $60,000 per annum for office expenses and an additional $6,000 that they can use to assist residents at their discretion. He said these funds aren’t enough to give the kind of assistance people need, so he is forced to find creative ways to make the most of those resources.
“The Leader of the Opposition (Ronnie Skelton) — he and I are looking for an office together because we have to be smart about it,” Mather explained. He said the inadequate funding stems from discretionary funds being rerouted through the Social Development Department (SDD) due to abuses that occurred when they were managed by members of the House of Assembly.
“In terms of the $60,000, whatever is given, we have to work with it. We put ourselves against a wall and we have to pull ourselves off that wall. What they (the UK) are trying to force us to do is fix the legislation and the paperwork that needs to be fixed and then we can move forward,” Mather added.
Elected leaders have been complaining about their inability to assist persons in need now that they are no longer given $125,000 in discretionary funding. Since the Commission of Inquiry recommended that the funds be managed by the SDD, the government gave roughly $2.4 million to assist needy residents this year.
However, it was recently revealed that only $800,000 of that amount has been disbursed, which means less than half of the money has been given to persons in need. The slow disbursement has been blamed on inadequate staff at the SDD to manage the discretionary funds that are now being channeled through that office.
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Politics is not for everybody. I voted for you Mather but I regret it. I have not seen you since and I have not seen you do anything of importance either. I wasted that vote.
He and Skelton is two waste of time.
Talk, I have to agree with your comments as I also held out great hope for Mr. Mather but he seems to have settled into a comfortable role for politicians which is to do nothing and talk less.
these 2 opposition members stay home in the BVI and do something.
$60k seems quite high annually for a small office at $5k/month. Maybe they all should work remotely from their nice homes.
Regret is a joke!
I still trying to figure out where this country really wants to go with these jokers.
My highest respect for Hon. Mather. What the BVI people need to admit, There are some people who decide to run for Politics for their own selfish, wicked greed with no care nor concern about the masses in the Territory. People like Hon. Mather, Hon. Dr. Karl Dawson and Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith are Honest, caring people who mean well for the people of BVI. BUT they are caught in between with the Corrupt, wicked and Evil Bunch who are quite the opposite. Good people go into Politics with good intentions like these three but only when they reach in there, they realize that the intention of the wicked is stronger than their good intentions. Politics by itself is not a dirty game. It’s the activities of the Politicians that makes it seem dirty. Hon. Dr Karl Dawson, Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith and Hon. Stacy Mather mean well for this Territory BUT they are among too many Traitors, Evil minded and corrupt Associates. Case closed.
Mather is one of the biggest waste of time, he can do nothing to help any one!!
Add Minister for education, premier and district 4 to the list.
The first 2 on your list know this already so they are just as bad.
How is your current Goverment (who holds the purse) helping you? What are you doing to help yourself.
How far can $60,000.00,p.a. go to assist a population of approximately 30,000?
Its 13 x $60k and is for office expenses, not aid.
Office running cost are rent, salary, supplies,communication set up cost. Rent cant be more than $1,000, salary $2,000, office running expense / phone and internet$1,000, that leaves $12,000 for furniture and computer. And the money cannot be used for anything else. Get to work sir.
I think no matter who gets a seat in the government, you all will still complain. That job is not an easy job at all, so therefore I will neve think about running for a district representative. By the time these people here done with your name, you will be stained for your entire life. I sure most of you who speaks negative about most of those politicians, if giving a chance you wouldn’t do any better, because when the pressure hits them they would run like thieves.
Where will you find office space to rent for $1,000.00 in BVI?
Rent 12x 1,000.00 = $12,000.00
Staff salary 12 x 2,000.00 = $24,000.00
Phone & Internet 12 x 1,000.00 $12,000.00
Computer & furniture $12,000.00
Stationery
Electricity
Water
Incidentals
Got to give him credit. Yall say he hasn’t done anything but when he was helping babysit some of yall kids while you was at work . During the summer n after school at times some of yall wasn’t complaining
I see some ungrateful people who say they ‘voted’ claiming that after we all know how slow government is to get things moving that are not in their best interest (PAC); especially funding the opposition! I also acknowledge the fact that many are out of touch with the reality of renting suitable (accessible) office space and the cost of: outfitting/renovating an office space and hiring staff. $60k will only go so far and you all act as if it is a lump sum given one time per annum – get a grip! The staff would need to able to research policies, draft documents etc. you think that person(s) would work for peanuts?
So far the opposition have not wasted public funds; unlike the ministers!! Ask Kye, Sharie, Vincent and Natalio about what monies they’ve spent and how they’ve spent it you clown brigade! The Monaco trip cost how much yuh said…waiting….and my jeep need front end parts….holla at me with that money
If there are so many complaints something must be wrong? This is the first government that we have had so many complaints about. Premier give Lorna premiership, MCW move let Mather sit in and ME&C move let Dawson sit in. Dawson can be deputy.
I agree with you 2000% But don’t forget some people will kill for POWER. We have too much Crime in BVI as it is.
Cant you see none of the politicians can make a move to help the people who are in need without the UK crew crying corruption?