Bradley Roberts denies conspiring with former Water and Sewerage chairman
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:
PLP chairman Bradley Roberts has denied claims he conspired with the former Water and Sewerage Corporation chairman to offer a lucrative contract to a PLP member as alleged during testimony in an industrial tribunal.
The former Minister of Works and Utilities was said by sacked Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) engineer Mario Bastian to have conspired with former Corporation chairman Don Demeritte to call off the bidding process for a reverse osmosis plant to start negotiations with BK Water Limited/Veolia, whose principal was Jerome Fitzgerald, now a PLP senator.
The deal, according to the testimony given before the Industrial Tribunal, was allegedly discussed before Mr Bastian's termination from the corporation in September, 2006. In his testimony, Mr Bastian claimed it would have cost Bahamians millions of dollars more to have gone with BK Water. However, the plan did not go ahead as the PLP government was voted out of office the following May, the tribunal was told.
Mr Roberts was unwilling to devote any time to the claims when asked by The Tribune yesterday, angrily shrugging off all allegations as false and of little cause for concern.
"It is utter BS," Mr Roberts said.
And when asked to comment in further detail, he added: "I was emphatic with you, that is utter BS!
"I never met the young man in my life, I never dealt with individuals at the corporation, the board of directors was it.
"There is nothing for me to defend myself about.
"This is like water off a duck's back for Bradley Roberts."
Mr Demeritte declined the opportunity to speak publicly on the matter as he is due to appear as a witness at the tribunal.
However the tribunal, presided over by Harrison Lockhart which met on Monday, has now been postponed indefinitely owing to the ill health of an attorney, a court official told The Tribune yesterday.
Mr Bastian claims he was wrongfully dismissed from WSC, and victimised because he refused to engage in unprofessional and unscrupulous management practices. He also alleges breach of contract and damage to his reputation.
However, Corporation officials maintain they terminated Mr Bastian's contract as he was simultaneously serving as a director of CBA Engineering Ltd, a company in direct competition with WSC.
Mr Bastian denied the conflict of interest allegation, but raised further allegations about a WSC conspiracy to waste millions of dollars paid by hardworking Bahamian taxpayers by engaging in an economically nonsensical contract with BK Water/Veolia.
He told the hearing on Monday how WSC general manager Abraham Butler gave a directive to end the bidding process and engage in negotiations with BK Water/Veolia.
Negotiations began but were stopped when the government changed in May 2007.
WSC counsel Thomas Evans, QC, said Mr Bastian was accusing Mr Roberts, Mr Demeritte, and other WSC senior officials of, "a dastardly conspiracy to rob Bahamian people of millions of dollars."
However, Mr Bastian alleged that WSC chairman Demeritte manipulated the corporation and intimidated him into providing information about Mr Butler that could lead to his dismissal as the chairman inferred that he (Bastian) would be sacked if he did not comply, and promoted if he did.
Mr Demeritte and Mr Butler reached an irreconcilable position when the general manager criticised the chairman's "unauthorised" promotion of minor staff to lucrative positions in February 2006.
The promotions soon prompted industrial action when employees learned 56 staff had been promoted twice within 12 months, while 45 were twice overlooked.
And as fights erupted between Mr Butler, Mr Demeritte and union members, Mr Butler was removed from the corporation under the PLP.
Mr Bastian wants the tribunal to decide if the corporation was justified in terminating his contract.
May 05, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Time to rethink oil drilling in The Bahamas
Time to rethink oil drilling in Bahamas
tribune242 editorial:
WORLD WAR I was supposed to have been the "war to end all wars," until 21 years later the mistakes made around the negotiating table of that war spawned World War II. Since then the world has been involved in many skirmishes of varying proportions.
A few minutes past midnight on March 24, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil over 470 miles, leaving behind an environmental nightmare that the world had never seen before -- and hoped it would never see again. The initial cleanup took three years and cost more than $2.1 billion. The deadly toll on wildlife will never be known.
As a result of the Valdez accident an unsuspecting public would no longer believe a corporation's word that its operations are completely safe.
The Alaskan disaster resulted in tighter environmental regulations being imposed on various industries. "The most important regulation attempting to protect against a repeat of the spill," said one report after the accident, "is the modern standard for tanker ships, which now must be built with double hulls, so that if the outer skin is punctured, no oil will leak."
Ostensibly the Valdez was an oil spill -- like World War I -- that was to end all oil spills of such magnitude. But then there was April 22 -- just 11 days ago -- when BP's oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, spewing out an estimated 200,000 gallons of oil a day, with still no sign of letting up. Eleven persons were killed. Ironically, the chaos erupted as the world celebrated Earth Day.
According to reports BP hopes to deploy a giant, 40-foot steel funnel within the next few days to attempt to trap much of the leaking oil at source. However, while the technique has worked in shallow water, it has never been done under a mile of ocean.
It is forecast that this spill will be far worse than the Exxon Valdez tragedy and will threaten even more extensive areas, killing wildlife, destroying beaches, and annihilating the livelihood of hundreds of fishermen, and allied businesses. Bahamians are holding their collective breath that the wind currents don't shift, sending the oil splashing on our shores.
Although, now is not the time for fingerpointing as every resource is being used to stop the flow and spread of the life threatening oil, shortly after the explosion it was suggested that BP's oil rig did not have what is known as a blow-out preventer. It was claimed that cost was a consideration. However, as the news continued to flow as fast as the oil, it was reported that although BP had the preventer, the equipment had malfunctioned.
Apparently, blow out preventers, which would have capped the spill, are mandatory in Norwegian and Brazilian offshore oil drills, but not in oil drills off the United States. It was claimed that regulation of these drills are not sufficiently strict.
This was a spill that after the Valdez was not meant to have happened. But it did.
In May last year it was predicted -- almost jubilantly -- that the Bahamas could be an oil producing company within 10 years. As far back as we can remember oil companies have been poking around in our waters prospecting for oil. So far nothing has been found. In view of what is now happening in the Gulf, it is probably a blessing, and could be a warning that fate should not be tempted.
In March, when asked about the two companies that have raised £2.4 million to increase working capital to invest in deep water drilling in the Bahamas, Phenton Neymour, minister of state for the environment, said the government was "proceeding cautiously."
In view of what is happening in the Gulf, we suggest that government turn its back on oil and think in terms of more environmentally sustainable methods to provide our needs.
Remember there has never -- and will never be a war -- to end all wars, unless it is the final war. Nor will there be an oil drilling accident that will end all such accidents. But if we don't take heed and realise that no matter what proud Man believes, it is Nature that has the last word, an oil drilling accident in these waters could be the final curtain on a Bahamas that we once knew.
It is true, that an oil find in our waters would mean tremendous wealth, but it could also mean tremendous tragedy.
And as we should all know by now, money is not everything -- as a matter of fact one wise man warned that it is "the root of all evil."
May 04, 2010
tribune242
tribune242 editorial:
WORLD WAR I was supposed to have been the "war to end all wars," until 21 years later the mistakes made around the negotiating table of that war spawned World War II. Since then the world has been involved in many skirmishes of varying proportions.
A few minutes past midnight on March 24, 1989 the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Alaska's Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil over 470 miles, leaving behind an environmental nightmare that the world had never seen before -- and hoped it would never see again. The initial cleanup took three years and cost more than $2.1 billion. The deadly toll on wildlife will never be known.
As a result of the Valdez accident an unsuspecting public would no longer believe a corporation's word that its operations are completely safe.
The Alaskan disaster resulted in tighter environmental regulations being imposed on various industries. "The most important regulation attempting to protect against a repeat of the spill," said one report after the accident, "is the modern standard for tanker ships, which now must be built with double hulls, so that if the outer skin is punctured, no oil will leak."
Ostensibly the Valdez was an oil spill -- like World War I -- that was to end all oil spills of such magnitude. But then there was April 22 -- just 11 days ago -- when BP's oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, spewing out an estimated 200,000 gallons of oil a day, with still no sign of letting up. Eleven persons were killed. Ironically, the chaos erupted as the world celebrated Earth Day.
According to reports BP hopes to deploy a giant, 40-foot steel funnel within the next few days to attempt to trap much of the leaking oil at source. However, while the technique has worked in shallow water, it has never been done under a mile of ocean.
It is forecast that this spill will be far worse than the Exxon Valdez tragedy and will threaten even more extensive areas, killing wildlife, destroying beaches, and annihilating the livelihood of hundreds of fishermen, and allied businesses. Bahamians are holding their collective breath that the wind currents don't shift, sending the oil splashing on our shores.
Although, now is not the time for fingerpointing as every resource is being used to stop the flow and spread of the life threatening oil, shortly after the explosion it was suggested that BP's oil rig did not have what is known as a blow-out preventer. It was claimed that cost was a consideration. However, as the news continued to flow as fast as the oil, it was reported that although BP had the preventer, the equipment had malfunctioned.
Apparently, blow out preventers, which would have capped the spill, are mandatory in Norwegian and Brazilian offshore oil drills, but not in oil drills off the United States. It was claimed that regulation of these drills are not sufficiently strict.
This was a spill that after the Valdez was not meant to have happened. But it did.
In May last year it was predicted -- almost jubilantly -- that the Bahamas could be an oil producing company within 10 years. As far back as we can remember oil companies have been poking around in our waters prospecting for oil. So far nothing has been found. In view of what is now happening in the Gulf, it is probably a blessing, and could be a warning that fate should not be tempted.
In March, when asked about the two companies that have raised £2.4 million to increase working capital to invest in deep water drilling in the Bahamas, Phenton Neymour, minister of state for the environment, said the government was "proceeding cautiously."
In view of what is happening in the Gulf, we suggest that government turn its back on oil and think in terms of more environmentally sustainable methods to provide our needs.
Remember there has never -- and will never be a war -- to end all wars, unless it is the final war. Nor will there be an oil drilling accident that will end all such accidents. But if we don't take heed and realise that no matter what proud Man believes, it is Nature that has the last word, an oil drilling accident in these waters could be the final curtain on a Bahamas that we once knew.
It is true, that an oil find in our waters would mean tremendous wealth, but it could also mean tremendous tragedy.
And as we should all know by now, money is not everything -- as a matter of fact one wise man warned that it is "the root of all evil."
May 04, 2010
tribune242
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Conspiracy claims against Bradley Roberts and Don Demeritte
Conspiracy claims against Roberts
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
A former senior engineer at the Water and Sewerage Corporation, who was fired in 2006 for alleged conflict of interest, claimed yesterday that then PLP Minister Bradley Roberts and then Chairman Don Demeritte led a conspiracy that would have bilked Bahamians of millions of dollars.
Mario Bastian, who testified in the Industrial Tribunal, claimed that Roberts and Demeritte instructed the corporation's general manager at the time to annul the bidding process for a reverse osmosis plant at Arawak Cay, and ordered that the corporation negotiate with BK Water Limited/Veolia. BK Water's principal was Jerome Fitzgerald, now a PLP senator.
Bastian was testifying under oath before Industrial Tribunal President Harrison Lockhart.
He suggested that going with BK Water would have cost taxpayers many millions of unnecessary dollars.
Under cross-examination by the corporation's attorney, Thomas Evans QC, Bastian admitted that he had personally had no conversation with then Minister Roberts regarding the bidding process. Roberts had responsibility for the corporation.
Bastian was fired on September 4, 2006, nearly 20 years after he was hired, but he alleges he was victimized.
The corporation fired Bastian saying it had a lack of trust and confidence in him, according to the evidence. The allegation was that Bastian was an officer of a company that was in direct competition with the corporation, thus giving rise to a conflict of interest situation.
The engineer — who is represented by attorney Pericles Maillis — is claiming breach of contract, wrongful dismissal, and damage to his reputation among other things.
Bastian contends in his originating application that he was victimized by the corporation because he refused to engage in unprofessional and unscrupulous management practices.
He told the Tribunal that he received intimidating phone calls from W&SC Chairman Demeritte. The engineer claimed that at one point Demeritte called him at home and pressed him for information that could help the corporation get rid of General Manager Abraham Butler. Bastian said Demeritte told him that he had the power to promote him (Bastian) but he had to be a team player.
He also said he took the chairman's statements to mean, "If you don't work with me the highway would be your route, and so said so done."
Bastian said, "I felt intimidated in doing my job.
"If in the course of performing your job you made recommendations that were contrary to what persons in certain quarters of the corporation wanted... there was a distinct possibility that there will be repercussions."'
He claimed he told the chairman that he believed in getting promotions based on merit.
Evans submitted that there was no intimidation.
Asked by Evans why he never complained about the alleged actions of the chairman, Bastian said allegations had been made against the chairman in the past, but to no avail.
Questioned repeatedly yesterday by Evans, Bastian denied that he was involved in a conflict of interest. The engineer was a director in CBA Engineering Limited. Bastian told the Tribunal he resigned as a director after the corporation made the conflict of interest allegation.
"I elected to resign from the company (CBA). I did what any good citizen would have done under the circumstances," Bastian said. "I did nothing wrong and yet still I was penalized."
The engineer said he was angered by the allegations that had been lodged against his professional character.
He said, "Once the bullet is out the gun it's very difficult to control the damage."
But Evans suggested that the reason Bastian resigned from CBA is that he wanted to distance himself from a clear conflict of interest.
Bastian however, insisted that the corporation was unable to show any clear conflict of interest.
Evans said that Bastian was accusing the then minister, chairman and other senior officials at the corporation of "a dastardly conspiracy to rob Bahamian people of millions of dollars."
Asked to explain why he accused Roberts of conspiracy, Bastian said the instruction that came through the general manager was that the minister and chairman had given a directive to end the bidding process and engage in negotiations with BK Water/Veolia.
"This was not a standard process," he told the Tribunal.
Asked if he had relied on a hearsay statement from the general manager, Bastian repeated that he had received instructions from the GM and negotiations commenced with BK Water/Veolia.
He claimed that the chairman and other management personnel "manipulated" the corporation.
During his testimony, Bastian said BK Water never got a contract. He told the Tribunal it was because there was a change in government.
Evans said parts of Bastian's testimony were irrelevant.
What the Tribunal has to decide, he pointed out, is whether the corporation was justified in terminating Bastian.
Bastian told the Tribunal that there were clear instances of conflict of interest situations in the corporation, but he was the one singled out and his matter was not even a conflict of interest.
But Evans said whether or not other people who were guilty of conflict of interest were dealt with has no bearing on Bastian's matter before the Tribunal.
Maillis, however, insisted that Bastian was marked and that was part of the victimization.
Evans said he had a problem with Bastian going on a witch-hunt about others allegedly in conflict of interest situations.
President Lockhart then noted that there is a line of authority in industrial law that seems to suggest that the singling out of an individual who may be a part of a group of individuals seems to be unfair.
Pointing to what he suggested was a conflict of interest, Bastian said Simmons Manufacturing (which manufactures shoes) supplies boots to the corporation. The owner's wife is a manager at the corporation, he pointed out.
Evans submitted that the corporation had a relationship with Simmons Manufacturing long before Daphne Simmons was hired, but Bastian insisted this was not the case.
Bastian also claimed that he was blacklisted by the corporation after he was fired, in that the state-owned entity refused to add him to its list of approved engineers. He said he suffered severe mental and economic stress. Bastian told the Tribunal that he is currently unemployed.
Roberts and Demeritte do not have legal representation at the Tribunal. With Bastian repeatedly raising very serious allegations against them, it is unclear whether they will seek representation to defend themselves.
thenassauguardian
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
A former senior engineer at the Water and Sewerage Corporation, who was fired in 2006 for alleged conflict of interest, claimed yesterday that then PLP Minister Bradley Roberts and then Chairman Don Demeritte led a conspiracy that would have bilked Bahamians of millions of dollars.
Mario Bastian, who testified in the Industrial Tribunal, claimed that Roberts and Demeritte instructed the corporation's general manager at the time to annul the bidding process for a reverse osmosis plant at Arawak Cay, and ordered that the corporation negotiate with BK Water Limited/Veolia. BK Water's principal was Jerome Fitzgerald, now a PLP senator.
Bastian was testifying under oath before Industrial Tribunal President Harrison Lockhart.
He suggested that going with BK Water would have cost taxpayers many millions of unnecessary dollars.
Under cross-examination by the corporation's attorney, Thomas Evans QC, Bastian admitted that he had personally had no conversation with then Minister Roberts regarding the bidding process. Roberts had responsibility for the corporation.
Bastian was fired on September 4, 2006, nearly 20 years after he was hired, but he alleges he was victimized.
The corporation fired Bastian saying it had a lack of trust and confidence in him, according to the evidence. The allegation was that Bastian was an officer of a company that was in direct competition with the corporation, thus giving rise to a conflict of interest situation.
The engineer — who is represented by attorney Pericles Maillis — is claiming breach of contract, wrongful dismissal, and damage to his reputation among other things.
Bastian contends in his originating application that he was victimized by the corporation because he refused to engage in unprofessional and unscrupulous management practices.
He told the Tribunal that he received intimidating phone calls from W&SC Chairman Demeritte. The engineer claimed that at one point Demeritte called him at home and pressed him for information that could help the corporation get rid of General Manager Abraham Butler. Bastian said Demeritte told him that he had the power to promote him (Bastian) but he had to be a team player.
He also said he took the chairman's statements to mean, "If you don't work with me the highway would be your route, and so said so done."
Bastian said, "I felt intimidated in doing my job.
"If in the course of performing your job you made recommendations that were contrary to what persons in certain quarters of the corporation wanted... there was a distinct possibility that there will be repercussions."'
He claimed he told the chairman that he believed in getting promotions based on merit.
Evans submitted that there was no intimidation.
Asked by Evans why he never complained about the alleged actions of the chairman, Bastian said allegations had been made against the chairman in the past, but to no avail.
Questioned repeatedly yesterday by Evans, Bastian denied that he was involved in a conflict of interest. The engineer was a director in CBA Engineering Limited. Bastian told the Tribunal he resigned as a director after the corporation made the conflict of interest allegation.
"I elected to resign from the company (CBA). I did what any good citizen would have done under the circumstances," Bastian said. "I did nothing wrong and yet still I was penalized."
The engineer said he was angered by the allegations that had been lodged against his professional character.
He said, "Once the bullet is out the gun it's very difficult to control the damage."
But Evans suggested that the reason Bastian resigned from CBA is that he wanted to distance himself from a clear conflict of interest.
Bastian however, insisted that the corporation was unable to show any clear conflict of interest.
Evans said that Bastian was accusing the then minister, chairman and other senior officials at the corporation of "a dastardly conspiracy to rob Bahamian people of millions of dollars."
Asked to explain why he accused Roberts of conspiracy, Bastian said the instruction that came through the general manager was that the minister and chairman had given a directive to end the bidding process and engage in negotiations with BK Water/Veolia.
"This was not a standard process," he told the Tribunal.
Asked if he had relied on a hearsay statement from the general manager, Bastian repeated that he had received instructions from the GM and negotiations commenced with BK Water/Veolia.
He claimed that the chairman and other management personnel "manipulated" the corporation.
During his testimony, Bastian said BK Water never got a contract. He told the Tribunal it was because there was a change in government.
Evans said parts of Bastian's testimony were irrelevant.
What the Tribunal has to decide, he pointed out, is whether the corporation was justified in terminating Bastian.
Bastian told the Tribunal that there were clear instances of conflict of interest situations in the corporation, but he was the one singled out and his matter was not even a conflict of interest.
But Evans said whether or not other people who were guilty of conflict of interest were dealt with has no bearing on Bastian's matter before the Tribunal.
Maillis, however, insisted that Bastian was marked and that was part of the victimization.
Evans said he had a problem with Bastian going on a witch-hunt about others allegedly in conflict of interest situations.
President Lockhart then noted that there is a line of authority in industrial law that seems to suggest that the singling out of an individual who may be a part of a group of individuals seems to be unfair.
Pointing to what he suggested was a conflict of interest, Bastian said Simmons Manufacturing (which manufactures shoes) supplies boots to the corporation. The owner's wife is a manager at the corporation, he pointed out.
Evans submitted that the corporation had a relationship with Simmons Manufacturing long before Daphne Simmons was hired, but Bastian insisted this was not the case.
Bastian also claimed that he was blacklisted by the corporation after he was fired, in that the state-owned entity refused to add him to its list of approved engineers. He said he suffered severe mental and economic stress. Bastian told the Tribunal that he is currently unemployed.
Roberts and Demeritte do not have legal representation at the Tribunal. With Bastian repeatedly raising very serious allegations against them, it is unclear whether they will seek representation to defend themselves.
thenassauguardian
Monday, May 3, 2010
Senior Justice Jon Isaacs addresses controversial bail issue
Judge addresses controversial bail issue
By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
While acknowledging that every person accused of committing a crime is entitled to apply for bail, Senior Justice Jon Isaacs said Saturday he would have no difficulty denying it to a person accused of a serious crime if the case is tried within a reasonable period of time.
Isaacs was reacting to the government's declaration in the Speech from the Throne that it will bring an amendment to Parliament which would further restrict the right to bail for people charged with serious crimes, and to limit the circumstances under which bail may be granted.
"The only difficulty I would have is if persons are left to languish in prison for inordinate periods of time," said Isaacs, who was speaking during a panel discussion on 'Crime and its effects on our community', which was held on the greens of Super Value food store in Winton Estates. The panel discussion, which was attended by scores of Bahamians, was a part of the police and the Eastern Community Association's Fun Fantastic Festival.
"If persons are brought to trial within a reasonable period of time I have no difficulty with them remaining until such time as they face their accusers," Isaacs said.
Isaacs told The Nassau Guardian following the panel discussion that in most cases accused criminals are left in prison for long periods of time before their cases come to trial.
"That's where I have a problem," he said.
Asked what he considers a reasonable time for a case to come before the Supreme Court, Isaacs said every case has to be evaluated individually based on the evidence.
Thomas Evans, QC, who was also a member of the panel, said he considers two or three years to be a reasonable amount of time.
"But the reality on the ground is that you're [not] getting a case through the system until about five or six years," Evans said.
During the panel discussion, Isaacs recalled one case where four individuals were on bail for 16 years before their case went to trial.
"Imagine if you will if those persons were not allowed on bail for 16 years," he said. "Imagine their sense of grievance. What would the community offer by way of compensation? There is no redress for a person who has to spend time at Her Majesty's Prison awaiting trial."
Acknowledging that crime is spiraling out of control, Isaacs said he understands the society's call for harsher measures.
"There are those who advocate no bail for those accused of crime and harsher punishment for those convicted of offenses," Isaacs said. "While there may be some efficacy in the effort to deter persons from committing certain offenses by the imposition of stiff penalties, when one seeks to deprive those alleged to have committed offenses of their liberty without the benefit of a trial one has overstepped the permissible bounds of response to crime unless one is willing to ensure such persons receive trials within a reasonable time."
The government noted in the Speech from the Throne that a number of people who commit crimes do so while on bail pending trial for other offenses. That fact has led many Bahamians, over the past several months, to advocate for the complete restriction of bail for those accused of serious offenses.
Isaacs added that the court cannot pay attention to the whims and fancies of the community.
He pointed out that it would be hard for the government to undo what has already been done.
"What happens when you create a precedence - you cannot re-shut the door. Once that floodgate is open, the water is going to go through. Having allowed bail for one you must then consider bail for all," he said.
Isaacs added that it is not an easy decision to grant bail for people accused of serious crimes. Isaacs noted that when considering bail, judges have to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident, the offense, and the prosecution's reasons why a judge should oppose bail.
He said the main reasons why bail is denied is if the accused is considered a flight risk, or if there is reason to believe that the accused will re-offend while on bail.
"But if no such evidence is produced to the court at the time when bail is being considered then there is no real reason to keep the person in custody," Isaacs said.
Evans had similar sentiments.
"I would suggest that [the accused] ought not to be given bail if there is evidence to suggest that he is likely to commit offenses while he is on bail because what that does is jeopardize the right to secure people in society and the protection of the law and the security of the [alleged victim]."
Evans compared the job of passing judgment on an accused criminal before the court convicts him or her to walking "a very tight rope".
"It's very difficult to do," he said. "I know a little about that. It's a very difficult job. The bottom line is this, the society cannot be left out in the equation. What we have in our country now is a situation where we're almost overrun by criminal activity. The numbers are startling — 28 murders in the first four months of the year. It's astounding."
He pointed out that the prosecutor would have to prove why bail should be restricted for an individual accused of a crime.
"So once the prosecutors do their job in that respect then perhaps the courts will be persuaded to say, 'look given the facts that I have before me, given the circumstances of this particular case, I have to deny this man bail because otherwise there is a likelihood that the protection of the law and the security of the society is going to be compromised by his release'. But you can't expect the judge to do that if you can't prove it before him. We don't run kangaroo courts around here."
May 3, 2010
thenassauguardian
By KRYSTEL ROLLE ~ Guardian Staff Reporter ~ krystel@nasguard.com:
While acknowledging that every person accused of committing a crime is entitled to apply for bail, Senior Justice Jon Isaacs said Saturday he would have no difficulty denying it to a person accused of a serious crime if the case is tried within a reasonable period of time.
Isaacs was reacting to the government's declaration in the Speech from the Throne that it will bring an amendment to Parliament which would further restrict the right to bail for people charged with serious crimes, and to limit the circumstances under which bail may be granted.
"The only difficulty I would have is if persons are left to languish in prison for inordinate periods of time," said Isaacs, who was speaking during a panel discussion on 'Crime and its effects on our community', which was held on the greens of Super Value food store in Winton Estates. The panel discussion, which was attended by scores of Bahamians, was a part of the police and the Eastern Community Association's Fun Fantastic Festival.
"If persons are brought to trial within a reasonable period of time I have no difficulty with them remaining until such time as they face their accusers," Isaacs said.
Isaacs told The Nassau Guardian following the panel discussion that in most cases accused criminals are left in prison for long periods of time before their cases come to trial.
"That's where I have a problem," he said.
Asked what he considers a reasonable time for a case to come before the Supreme Court, Isaacs said every case has to be evaluated individually based on the evidence.
Thomas Evans, QC, who was also a member of the panel, said he considers two or three years to be a reasonable amount of time.
"But the reality on the ground is that you're [not] getting a case through the system until about five or six years," Evans said.
During the panel discussion, Isaacs recalled one case where four individuals were on bail for 16 years before their case went to trial.
"Imagine if you will if those persons were not allowed on bail for 16 years," he said. "Imagine their sense of grievance. What would the community offer by way of compensation? There is no redress for a person who has to spend time at Her Majesty's Prison awaiting trial."
Acknowledging that crime is spiraling out of control, Isaacs said he understands the society's call for harsher measures.
"There are those who advocate no bail for those accused of crime and harsher punishment for those convicted of offenses," Isaacs said. "While there may be some efficacy in the effort to deter persons from committing certain offenses by the imposition of stiff penalties, when one seeks to deprive those alleged to have committed offenses of their liberty without the benefit of a trial one has overstepped the permissible bounds of response to crime unless one is willing to ensure such persons receive trials within a reasonable time."
The government noted in the Speech from the Throne that a number of people who commit crimes do so while on bail pending trial for other offenses. That fact has led many Bahamians, over the past several months, to advocate for the complete restriction of bail for those accused of serious offenses.
Isaacs added that the court cannot pay attention to the whims and fancies of the community.
He pointed out that it would be hard for the government to undo what has already been done.
"What happens when you create a precedence - you cannot re-shut the door. Once that floodgate is open, the water is going to go through. Having allowed bail for one you must then consider bail for all," he said.
Isaacs added that it is not an easy decision to grant bail for people accused of serious crimes. Isaacs noted that when considering bail, judges have to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident, the offense, and the prosecution's reasons why a judge should oppose bail.
He said the main reasons why bail is denied is if the accused is considered a flight risk, or if there is reason to believe that the accused will re-offend while on bail.
"But if no such evidence is produced to the court at the time when bail is being considered then there is no real reason to keep the person in custody," Isaacs said.
Evans had similar sentiments.
"I would suggest that [the accused] ought not to be given bail if there is evidence to suggest that he is likely to commit offenses while he is on bail because what that does is jeopardize the right to secure people in society and the protection of the law and the security of the [alleged victim]."
Evans compared the job of passing judgment on an accused criminal before the court convicts him or her to walking "a very tight rope".
"It's very difficult to do," he said. "I know a little about that. It's a very difficult job. The bottom line is this, the society cannot be left out in the equation. What we have in our country now is a situation where we're almost overrun by criminal activity. The numbers are startling — 28 murders in the first four months of the year. It's astounding."
He pointed out that the prosecutor would have to prove why bail should be restricted for an individual accused of a crime.
"So once the prosecutors do their job in that respect then perhaps the courts will be persuaded to say, 'look given the facts that I have before me, given the circumstances of this particular case, I have to deny this man bail because otherwise there is a likelihood that the protection of the law and the security of the society is going to be compromised by his release'. But you can't expect the judge to do that if you can't prove it before him. We don't run kangaroo courts around here."
May 3, 2010
thenassauguardian
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Malcolm Adderley, Melissa Sears - and PLP smears
Melissa Sears and PLP smears
tribune242 editorial:
FIRST IT was Malcolm Adderley, now it is Melissa Sears, and today as the years roll by the PLP party seems to have forgotten its purpose for existence, reminding us rather of the Grand Inquisitor in Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamzov.
This powerful soliloquy in the Russian novel is a deep, philosophical argument about God, free will and morality.
The Grand Inquisitor berates Christ for giving man the impossible burden of freewill, rather than security. He says that the so-call gift is no gift at all, rather this freedom to choose is a devastating, impossible burden.
People, said the Grand Inquisitor, should have been given no choice, instead, like automatons, they should just shuffle forward according to the will of their Creator.
"Nothing has ever been more insufferable for man than freedom!" concludes the Grand Inquisitor, a belief that seems to be gathering ascendancy within the Opposition party. Rather, like the Grand Inquisitor, the PLP offer their members security -- not freedom of thought. As long as they toe the party line, they will remain secure in the party fold. But get out of line and the Grand Inquisitor turns vicious -- out to destroy any idea of free will.
This tendency did not start recently, under what the electorate was duped into believing was to be a "new" PLP. It started way back in the days when Lynden Pindling returned from England, joined a party that he did not start, and quickly took over.
Malcolm Adderley, who, in the first week of this new year not only walked out of the PLP, but resigned as MP for Elizabeth, reminded his former colleagues that once upon a time in the distant past their party had the "distinction of being built by the blood, sweat and tears of hardworking men and women of humble beginnings, proud of their commitment to uplift the well being and standard of the people."
However, under the Pindling leadership, the party had lost its way. One man's dream replaced the dreams of the many, and for those who did not follow slavishly, political oblivion was the price they had to pay for having a mind of their own. Some of them, like Carlton Francis, a competent teacher, had difficulty finding a job to support their families. Mr Francis certainly was not acceptable in the government's educational system from which he had come and for which he was eminently qualified. Then there were the Dissident Eight, followed by Ed Moxey, and many others who didn't make the headlines, but certainly felt the pain of rejection and vicious scorn.
For seven long years Malcolm Adderley suffered stoically as MP for Elizabeth, until exasperated, he shook the dust from his sandals and walked out. In his farewell speech to the House, he talked of the souls of those who had sacrificed so much to build their party, but would ache as a "result of the venom and ill will that is displayed almost on a daily basis on any member who tries to correct its ills." He talked of the back-biting whispers and disrespect shown him.
And now it is the turn of a young woman, Melissa Sears, who like Mr Adderley was spotted by the party as a rising political star, and invited to join. Recently, for personal reasons -- not political -- she decided to step down as vice-chairman of the PLP. She made no fuss, she gave no interviews, she tried to keep a low profile so as not to embarrass her party. Persons close to her speculated that she had resigned because of disparaging remarks made by Opposition Leader Perry Christie. Mr Christie vehemently denied that he had made any such remarks. She remained silent.
And now the vicious party hacks, using the sophistication of the electronic age, are spreading unfair and untrue rumours to destroy this young woman. It is understood that this vehicle is being financially underwritten by two party hefties, one allegedly a sitting MP. We are not surprised by one of the names mentioned, but, if true, we are certainly surprised by the second. We gave him credit for being smarter than that.
The latest smear was imbedded on the cell phone of an FNM MP, allegedly from Ms Sears. It was an obvious trap. The MP knew that it was not from Ms Sears, because they did not have the type of relationship that was being suggested by the caller. All the sender wanted was for the MP to incriminate himself by falling for the bait, and answering the call. Instead, instinctively knowing that there was a plot afoot and guessing the source, he submitted it to the authorities for investigation. It is now being said that there is no room in the PLP for a strong woman. We say that as long as the Grand Inquisitor controls the party machine, there is no room for a strong man. The others will remain, tip-toeing around in craven fear.
Mr Adderley blamed Mr Christie for allowing PLP hacks to torture him right out of the party. It would probably be nearer the truth to speculate that Mr Christie is as afraid as his colleagues to have the smear-mongers on his case. After all the website has also given him a good flaying when it has suited those behind it.
If someone does not become more responsible in that party and respect the thoughts and opinions of others, that same irresponsible website is going to be the funeral site of the PLP.
April 30, 2010
tribune242
tribune242 editorial:
FIRST IT was Malcolm Adderley, now it is Melissa Sears, and today as the years roll by the PLP party seems to have forgotten its purpose for existence, reminding us rather of the Grand Inquisitor in Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamzov.
This powerful soliloquy in the Russian novel is a deep, philosophical argument about God, free will and morality.
The Grand Inquisitor berates Christ for giving man the impossible burden of freewill, rather than security. He says that the so-call gift is no gift at all, rather this freedom to choose is a devastating, impossible burden.
People, said the Grand Inquisitor, should have been given no choice, instead, like automatons, they should just shuffle forward according to the will of their Creator.
"Nothing has ever been more insufferable for man than freedom!" concludes the Grand Inquisitor, a belief that seems to be gathering ascendancy within the Opposition party. Rather, like the Grand Inquisitor, the PLP offer their members security -- not freedom of thought. As long as they toe the party line, they will remain secure in the party fold. But get out of line and the Grand Inquisitor turns vicious -- out to destroy any idea of free will.
This tendency did not start recently, under what the electorate was duped into believing was to be a "new" PLP. It started way back in the days when Lynden Pindling returned from England, joined a party that he did not start, and quickly took over.
Malcolm Adderley, who, in the first week of this new year not only walked out of the PLP, but resigned as MP for Elizabeth, reminded his former colleagues that once upon a time in the distant past their party had the "distinction of being built by the blood, sweat and tears of hardworking men and women of humble beginnings, proud of their commitment to uplift the well being and standard of the people."
However, under the Pindling leadership, the party had lost its way. One man's dream replaced the dreams of the many, and for those who did not follow slavishly, political oblivion was the price they had to pay for having a mind of their own. Some of them, like Carlton Francis, a competent teacher, had difficulty finding a job to support their families. Mr Francis certainly was not acceptable in the government's educational system from which he had come and for which he was eminently qualified. Then there were the Dissident Eight, followed by Ed Moxey, and many others who didn't make the headlines, but certainly felt the pain of rejection and vicious scorn.
For seven long years Malcolm Adderley suffered stoically as MP for Elizabeth, until exasperated, he shook the dust from his sandals and walked out. In his farewell speech to the House, he talked of the souls of those who had sacrificed so much to build their party, but would ache as a "result of the venom and ill will that is displayed almost on a daily basis on any member who tries to correct its ills." He talked of the back-biting whispers and disrespect shown him.
And now it is the turn of a young woman, Melissa Sears, who like Mr Adderley was spotted by the party as a rising political star, and invited to join. Recently, for personal reasons -- not political -- she decided to step down as vice-chairman of the PLP. She made no fuss, she gave no interviews, she tried to keep a low profile so as not to embarrass her party. Persons close to her speculated that she had resigned because of disparaging remarks made by Opposition Leader Perry Christie. Mr Christie vehemently denied that he had made any such remarks. She remained silent.
And now the vicious party hacks, using the sophistication of the electronic age, are spreading unfair and untrue rumours to destroy this young woman. It is understood that this vehicle is being financially underwritten by two party hefties, one allegedly a sitting MP. We are not surprised by one of the names mentioned, but, if true, we are certainly surprised by the second. We gave him credit for being smarter than that.
The latest smear was imbedded on the cell phone of an FNM MP, allegedly from Ms Sears. It was an obvious trap. The MP knew that it was not from Ms Sears, because they did not have the type of relationship that was being suggested by the caller. All the sender wanted was for the MP to incriminate himself by falling for the bait, and answering the call. Instead, instinctively knowing that there was a plot afoot and guessing the source, he submitted it to the authorities for investigation. It is now being said that there is no room in the PLP for a strong woman. We say that as long as the Grand Inquisitor controls the party machine, there is no room for a strong man. The others will remain, tip-toeing around in craven fear.
Mr Adderley blamed Mr Christie for allowing PLP hacks to torture him right out of the party. It would probably be nearer the truth to speculate that Mr Christie is as afraid as his colleagues to have the smear-mongers on his case. After all the website has also given him a good flaying when it has suited those behind it.
If someone does not become more responsible in that party and respect the thoughts and opinions of others, that same irresponsible website is going to be the funeral site of the PLP.
April 30, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Bahamas Government Debt To Worsen
GOVT DEBT TO WORSEN
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
A rising government deficit and persistent revenue vulnerability will continue to drive government debt up in the near future, according to international credit rating agency Standard & Poor's, which says in a report that government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) will climb to more than 50 percent by next year.
The report fleshes out the details of the agency's initial assessment of the Bahamian economy and the fiscal and monetary conditions revealed late in 2009.
While the expanded report points to increasing debt levels — as did the initial assessment — all the news is not so gloomy.
As it regards unemployment, the agency projects that joblessness will drop from 14.5 percent this year to 12 percent next year. A further decline to 10 percent is projected in 2012.
But S&P said foreign direct investments will slow further this year, and it repeated previous projections that the economy will likely decline by 0.5 percent in 2010 and grow in 2011 for the first time in three years. The growth next year is expected to be 2 percent.
While debt levels are projected to remain pressured in the immediate future, the agency made the point that current government debt levels temporarily provide some space for fiscal weakening compared to similarly rated countries. Compared to many of its peers, The Bahamas' debt levels are in a favorable position, the report noted.
"We project debt levels to rise, but domestic markets will provide most of the financing," said S&P.
The agency projects that general government debt — which stood at 32.8 percent in 2006 — will climb to 49.5 percent this year, move up to 51.9 percent next year and increase further to 52.4 percent in 2012.
Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing noted last night that the new report provides a more comprehensive story on what had been published by Standard & Poor's late last year.
Regarding the debt projections, Laing said the government will be able to comment more fully on what its views are on where the country will likely be when the budget communication is presented next month.
Asked whether there is cause for concern as it regards debt levels, he said, "Any sound fiscal management program rests on wanting to control debt to the extent possible. In fact, nobody would borrow if they didn't have to, but where it is necessary it has been a part of the government's fiscal program for some time.
"In an extraordinary economic climate there's some extraordinary borrowing. We now have weathered the worst of it so we're now seeking to return to levels of borrowing and deficit spending that are more in keeping with what has been our objective in times past. So to the extent that we have no difficulty servicing our debt there is no concern. To the extent that we want to ensure that we don't continue to grow the debt to a place where that could be a problem one is always concerned to do that."
According to the report, the general government deficit rose sharply and likely will average 4.7 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. General government deficits averaged 1.4 percent of GDP from 2000 to 2007.
The report explained that increased spending against a narrow revenue base, which has declined amid the economic recession, led to larger deficits.
S&P said the higher deficits reflect government policy to alleviate the social impact of the economic recession and to support growth. The report points to the government's unemployment benefit program, the temporary jobs program and accelerated capital works projects.
The agency said, "Deficit financing comes predominantly from domestic sources, a credit strength for The Bahamas. The structure of the debt remains favorable, though it has recently relied more on foreign debt. Domestic debt accounted for 90 percent of total debt in 2007, which declined slightly to 88 percent in 2008 and further to 80 percent in 2009."
S&P pointed out that the government had hoped to receive between US$200 million and US$300 million in proceeds from the sale of a 51 percent stake in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company in the first half of 2010 to alleviate financing needs.
"However, the government has once again postponed the privatization following seemingly disappointment with the bids and prices offered at the end of 2009," the report said.
The ratings agency said it expects foreign direct investments (FDI) to remain low in 2010.
"FDI totaled US$600 million during the first nine months of 2009, compared with US$1 billion in full-year 2008," S&P said. "We expect FDI to slow further in 2010 as tourism projects progress slowly."
The report said FDI projects that appear to have staying power are those that eventually will serve high-end customers or a niche group of tourists, as well as those that will provide residential tourism products.
The agency said, "Once buoyant prospects for a major expansion of tourism projects, totaling more than US$10 billion over the next five to 10 years, are more subdued."
In the report S&P repeats a controversial statement it made in a previous report.
It said, "After posting real GDP growth of 5.7 percent in 2005, momentum slowed sharply and then the economy contracted. In 2007, the increase in real GDP was a mere 0.7 percent as growth was interrupted, first by the elections and then by the new administration's protracted period of reviewing contracts after it came into office in May 2007.
"The review of $80 million worth of contracts and the eventual cancellation of a $23 million public contract for the straw market negatively affected investor sentiment and brought substantial disruption to the contracts' activity."
It noted that the straw market project did not move back on track until December 2009, when the government signed a construction contract.
As noted in its summary release at the end of 2009, the agency placed The Bahamas' sovereign credit rating at BBB+/Stable/A-2. This compares to the A-/Negative/A-2 rating it gave in November 2008.
Regarding the December 2009 rating, S&P said, "The stable outlook reflects Standard & Poor's expectation that the government will gradually reduce its fiscal deficit and will maintain a generally stable external financing profile. We do not expect The Bahamas' tourism product to improve sharply until the U.S. economic (and U.S. consumer) recovery has consolidated."
April 30, 2010
thenassauguardian
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
A rising government deficit and persistent revenue vulnerability will continue to drive government debt up in the near future, according to international credit rating agency Standard & Poor's, which says in a report that government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) will climb to more than 50 percent by next year.
The report fleshes out the details of the agency's initial assessment of the Bahamian economy and the fiscal and monetary conditions revealed late in 2009.
While the expanded report points to increasing debt levels — as did the initial assessment — all the news is not so gloomy.
As it regards unemployment, the agency projects that joblessness will drop from 14.5 percent this year to 12 percent next year. A further decline to 10 percent is projected in 2012.
But S&P said foreign direct investments will slow further this year, and it repeated previous projections that the economy will likely decline by 0.5 percent in 2010 and grow in 2011 for the first time in three years. The growth next year is expected to be 2 percent.
While debt levels are projected to remain pressured in the immediate future, the agency made the point that current government debt levels temporarily provide some space for fiscal weakening compared to similarly rated countries. Compared to many of its peers, The Bahamas' debt levels are in a favorable position, the report noted.
"We project debt levels to rise, but domestic markets will provide most of the financing," said S&P.
The agency projects that general government debt — which stood at 32.8 percent in 2006 — will climb to 49.5 percent this year, move up to 51.9 percent next year and increase further to 52.4 percent in 2012.
Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing noted last night that the new report provides a more comprehensive story on what had been published by Standard & Poor's late last year.
Regarding the debt projections, Laing said the government will be able to comment more fully on what its views are on where the country will likely be when the budget communication is presented next month.
Asked whether there is cause for concern as it regards debt levels, he said, "Any sound fiscal management program rests on wanting to control debt to the extent possible. In fact, nobody would borrow if they didn't have to, but where it is necessary it has been a part of the government's fiscal program for some time.
"In an extraordinary economic climate there's some extraordinary borrowing. We now have weathered the worst of it so we're now seeking to return to levels of borrowing and deficit spending that are more in keeping with what has been our objective in times past. So to the extent that we have no difficulty servicing our debt there is no concern. To the extent that we want to ensure that we don't continue to grow the debt to a place where that could be a problem one is always concerned to do that."
According to the report, the general government deficit rose sharply and likely will average 4.7 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. General government deficits averaged 1.4 percent of GDP from 2000 to 2007.
The report explained that increased spending against a narrow revenue base, which has declined amid the economic recession, led to larger deficits.
S&P said the higher deficits reflect government policy to alleviate the social impact of the economic recession and to support growth. The report points to the government's unemployment benefit program, the temporary jobs program and accelerated capital works projects.
The agency said, "Deficit financing comes predominantly from domestic sources, a credit strength for The Bahamas. The structure of the debt remains favorable, though it has recently relied more on foreign debt. Domestic debt accounted for 90 percent of total debt in 2007, which declined slightly to 88 percent in 2008 and further to 80 percent in 2009."
S&P pointed out that the government had hoped to receive between US$200 million and US$300 million in proceeds from the sale of a 51 percent stake in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company in the first half of 2010 to alleviate financing needs.
"However, the government has once again postponed the privatization following seemingly disappointment with the bids and prices offered at the end of 2009," the report said.
The ratings agency said it expects foreign direct investments (FDI) to remain low in 2010.
"FDI totaled US$600 million during the first nine months of 2009, compared with US$1 billion in full-year 2008," S&P said. "We expect FDI to slow further in 2010 as tourism projects progress slowly."
The report said FDI projects that appear to have staying power are those that eventually will serve high-end customers or a niche group of tourists, as well as those that will provide residential tourism products.
The agency said, "Once buoyant prospects for a major expansion of tourism projects, totaling more than US$10 billion over the next five to 10 years, are more subdued."
In the report S&P repeats a controversial statement it made in a previous report.
It said, "After posting real GDP growth of 5.7 percent in 2005, momentum slowed sharply and then the economy contracted. In 2007, the increase in real GDP was a mere 0.7 percent as growth was interrupted, first by the elections and then by the new administration's protracted period of reviewing contracts after it came into office in May 2007.
"The review of $80 million worth of contracts and the eventual cancellation of a $23 million public contract for the straw market negatively affected investor sentiment and brought substantial disruption to the contracts' activity."
It noted that the straw market project did not move back on track until December 2009, when the government signed a construction contract.
As noted in its summary release at the end of 2009, the agency placed The Bahamas' sovereign credit rating at BBB+/Stable/A-2. This compares to the A-/Negative/A-2 rating it gave in November 2008.
Regarding the December 2009 rating, S&P said, "The stable outlook reflects Standard & Poor's expectation that the government will gradually reduce its fiscal deficit and will maintain a generally stable external financing profile. We do not expect The Bahamas' tourism product to improve sharply until the U.S. economic (and U.S. consumer) recovery has consolidated."
April 30, 2010
thenassauguardian
Friday, April 30, 2010
Ex-Progressive Liberal Party vice-chairman Melissa Sears is the focus of repeated attacks by PLPs on the Internet and in the political sphere
PLP 'bid to smear ex-chief'
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
PLP operatives are allegedly continuing a vicious smear campaign against one of their own colleagues, The Tribune has uncovered.
Having recently resigned from her post as vice-chairman in the Progressive Liberal Party, Melissa Sears has become the focus of repeated attacks by PLPs on the Internet and in the political sphere.
In their messages, some party supporters have sought to sully the former vice-chairman's reputation and have gone as far as to cast a cloud of suspicion over her friendship with a sitting FNM Cabinet Minister.
Yesterday, a source close to Ms Sears actually distanced himself from the party's official messaging on the issue, claiming he did not want his planned statement on the matter to be associated with what "the rest of the party" was seeking to do.
Ms Sears, he said, will make any statement she feels is necessary if and when the time comes.
In the meantime, however, the vice-chairwoman's resignation is continuing to be used as a political football among two of the most prominent warring camps within the party.
The attacks against Ms Sears has left some within the organisation to question the amount of damage this issue will ultimately inflict upon the party.
It has also left others calling for a shift in the messaging of the PLP and a "much needed change" in the way "sensitive matters are handled."
As it relates to the attacks on Ms Sears' name The Tribune was reliably informed that a current PLP Member of Parliament was the actual genesis of those reports.
In fact, we were made aware yesterday that an operative within the party was successful in transmitting a lurid text message to the Cabinet Minister's cellular phone seeking to disguise the message as a legitimate one from the former vice-chairwoman.
This message, it was said, would then have been posted online to embarrass Ms Sears and the Minister; destroying any possibility for the fledgling politician to ever return at any level of influence in the PLP.
It is understood that this message, has been forwarded to the relevant authorities to ascertain its origin for further investigations.
These attacks, along with others, have left some right-thinking PLPs disgusted with the way the party has handled the resignation of Ms Sears.
Instead of seeking to coax the party supporter into re-thinking her decision, it was said that some within the organisation immediately went on the offensive and tried to "ruin her politically."
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Erin Ferguson, the political commentator and TV show host said that having known Ms Sears for a few years as a native Grand Bahamian himself, he was disappointed in the way the party was handling this "great young talent."
"This is just another example of the PLP displaying their ability to misuse and mishandle excellent young talent in the Bahamas.
"Melissa Sears has shown she is grounded in family, church, and community, and she is certainly a woman that serves as an example to any young woman as to how to go about serving your country as a good citizen. It's unfortunate in my opinion that she has been put through the political wringer of the PLP," he said.
Mr Ferguson added that countless other young people have been put through this unfortunate process and many others have refused to even engage these political parties as it is an "absolute waste of time."
April 29, 2010
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
PLP operatives are allegedly continuing a vicious smear campaign against one of their own colleagues, The Tribune has uncovered.
Having recently resigned from her post as vice-chairman in the Progressive Liberal Party, Melissa Sears has become the focus of repeated attacks by PLPs on the Internet and in the political sphere.
In their messages, some party supporters have sought to sully the former vice-chairman's reputation and have gone as far as to cast a cloud of suspicion over her friendship with a sitting FNM Cabinet Minister.
Yesterday, a source close to Ms Sears actually distanced himself from the party's official messaging on the issue, claiming he did not want his planned statement on the matter to be associated with what "the rest of the party" was seeking to do.
Ms Sears, he said, will make any statement she feels is necessary if and when the time comes.
In the meantime, however, the vice-chairwoman's resignation is continuing to be used as a political football among two of the most prominent warring camps within the party.
The attacks against Ms Sears has left some within the organisation to question the amount of damage this issue will ultimately inflict upon the party.
It has also left others calling for a shift in the messaging of the PLP and a "much needed change" in the way "sensitive matters are handled."
As it relates to the attacks on Ms Sears' name The Tribune was reliably informed that a current PLP Member of Parliament was the actual genesis of those reports.
In fact, we were made aware yesterday that an operative within the party was successful in transmitting a lurid text message to the Cabinet Minister's cellular phone seeking to disguise the message as a legitimate one from the former vice-chairwoman.
This message, it was said, would then have been posted online to embarrass Ms Sears and the Minister; destroying any possibility for the fledgling politician to ever return at any level of influence in the PLP.
It is understood that this message, has been forwarded to the relevant authorities to ascertain its origin for further investigations.
These attacks, along with others, have left some right-thinking PLPs disgusted with the way the party has handled the resignation of Ms Sears.
Instead of seeking to coax the party supporter into re-thinking her decision, it was said that some within the organisation immediately went on the offensive and tried to "ruin her politically."
Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Erin Ferguson, the political commentator and TV show host said that having known Ms Sears for a few years as a native Grand Bahamian himself, he was disappointed in the way the party was handling this "great young talent."
"This is just another example of the PLP displaying their ability to misuse and mishandle excellent young talent in the Bahamas.
"Melissa Sears has shown she is grounded in family, church, and community, and she is certainly a woman that serves as an example to any young woman as to how to go about serving your country as a good citizen. It's unfortunate in my opinion that she has been put through the political wringer of the PLP," he said.
Mr Ferguson added that countless other young people have been put through this unfortunate process and many others have refused to even engage these political parties as it is an "absolute waste of time."
April 29, 2010
tribune242
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)