Maynard: BTC/CWC Issue Damaging Bahamians’ Psyche
By IANTHIA SMITH
Golden Isles Member of Parliament Charles Maynard said he believes Bahamians have been brainwashed into thinking that the deal between the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) is more controversial than it really is.
Mr. Maynard said as much as he led off day two of debate on the BTC privatisation in the House of Assembly Tuesday afternoon.
In fact, he said it was a plan masterminded by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) that has obviously been working as tensions mount in the country over the pending BTC/CWC deal.
He added that ever since the government made steps to privatise the state-owned company the official Opposition has played an "evil role" in the entire process, a process he said has toyed with the minds of the Bahamian people, and that he added was more then evident at those mass rallies, motorcades and protests that grabbed the country’s attention.
"They have done considerable damage to the psyche of many Bahamians," Mr. Maynard said. "They have stirred up emotions that really didn’t need to be stirred up and I think that the worst victims are the employees of BTC.
"What I don’t understand and cannot appreciate is why would you play with the emotions of the hardworking people at BTC, why would you do that? Why would you make people feel uncertain about their futures, why would you encourage them not to meet with who could be their potential new bosses? What benefit would that have to them?"
To say that the BTC/CWC issue has drawn battle lines in the country would be an understatement.
Free National Movement (FNM) and PLP supporters, BTC union representatives and workers and the general public are either for it or against it, but whatever their position they made it known with posters, bullhorns and even blood, sweat and tears.
But according to Mr. Maynard these actions are being fuelled by the PLP who he said is "behind all of the civil unrest in the country right now."
North Andros and Berry Islands MP Vincent Peet would tell you that while he has no problem privatising BTC, however, he said he does have a problem with the lack of transparency with the process.
"It appears to me that Cable &Wireless is the only winner here," he said. "Why is there a two per cent fixed operating fee to be paid to Cable &Wireless for managing BTC?
"It is highly improper for an entity to purchase another entity and then be paid to manage that new entity. This is a guaranteed amount and they get this money even if BTC doesn’t make a cent."
Mr. Peet also accused the government of "selling Bahamians’ generational property" to CWC.
However, Montagu MP Loretta Butler-Turner was quick to shoot down that thought as she claimed she has too strong of an attachment to the country to ever stand for such a thing.
"My grandfather Sir Milo Butler fought for the rights of Bahamians and (you) dare say I, who still live among my people would come in here and sell out our birthright for the Bahamians I live with and see everyday," she said.
"I am a third generation Bahamian. I don’t have to buy the loyalty of Montagu, I live among my people I have to pass them everyday. These are people that I go to church with, went to school with, that I live with, that I work with, they know me. They don’t have to worry about their MP selling out their birthright."
The debate is expected to end on Thursday.
March 23rd, 2011
jonesbahamas
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.
Showing posts with label Charles Maynard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charles Maynard. Show all posts
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Charles Maynard accused Philip "Brave" Davis of hiring bloggers to post "scandalous lies" of alleged corruption and extra-marital affairs about him
PLP Deputy accused of 'Internet lies'
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
CULTURE Minister Charles Maynard yesterday accused Opposition Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis of hiring Internet bloggers to post "scandalous lies" that link him to alleged corruption and extra-marital affairs.
Mr Davis strongly denied the allegations when contacted by The Tribune yesterday morning and said he had no idea who is behind the website in question. He added that he had no time for - and did not condone - smear campaigns or personal attacks on fellow politicians.
The post in question, published on Monday, lashed out at Mr Maynard for criticisms made on a talk show earlier this week - and also in the House of Assembly last month - alleging that criminal defense attorneys and Mr Davis specifically who "profited" from and "manipulated" the slow-moving legal system.
According to Mr Maynard, every time he publicly criticises Mr Davis a scathing story about him appears on the website, making it "obvious" to him who is driving the rumours.
"I know as a fact that Brave Davis is behind it, that the person who does this works directly for him." Mr Davis emphatically denied the accusation.
"I don't think that it's fair for me to say something in the House - generally speaking and also directed to him in terms of how I felt about what he would have done earlier in his law practice - and his way of dealing with it is to have these scandalous things on blogs.
"It was so obvious in this latest attack, yesterday I appeared on a talk show and said something about him and they allude to that (in the blog) and it makes it obvious. It's immature (and) does nothing to forward the political system," Mr Maynard said.
Mr Davis, on the other hand, said he had no part in the disparaging remarks made against the minister adding that he cannot control the thoughts and actions of persons who may support him.
"That's unfortunate if he thinks every time he talks negatively about me he is negatively attacked - then he ought to consider whether he should be negatively attacking me. If he is attacking me and he finds himself being attacked, just as he has supporters out there I have supporters too. I have no interest in nor will I condone negative attacks on anyone. I have no interest in running any negative campaign - we have too many challenges in our country," the PLP Member of Parliament for Cat Island and Rum Cay said when asked about the allegations.
He continued:" "I don't need anyone to respond for me...But I am heartened to know that people feel sufficiently warm about me to come to my defence if they feel I am unduly attacked. Of course I am not going to sit by idly and allow people to attack (others)."
When asked directly if the website is run by PLP operatives, Mr Davis said: "I wouldn't say that's the case." He told The Tribune that the comments posted were "crossing the line."
Among other things, the post also alleges that the minister engaged in extra-marital affairs while on official duty at the World Cup match in South Africa and benefited from alleged criminal proceeds passed down to him by his father, Andrew "Dud" Maynard, a former PLP chairman.
Mr Maynard said his father, a veteran politician, can handle the aspersions but they take a harder toll on his wife.
"From my father's point of view he's been in politics all his life and knows it gets dirty. My wife is new to politics and not very happy about it - to me it's a new low.
"It goes out into the public domain, despite the fact that it's lies, it's still something that nobody would like to be said about them."
Still it doesn't appear that Mr Maynard plans to sue the handlers of the website for defamation.
He explained that Bahamian law has not caught up with the influence of the world wide web.
He said he hopes the Ingraham administration can advance some sort of legislative reform to address these matters, particularly before the next general election when campaigns on both sides of the party divide will heat up.
July 07, 2010
tribune242
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:
CULTURE Minister Charles Maynard yesterday accused Opposition Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis of hiring Internet bloggers to post "scandalous lies" that link him to alleged corruption and extra-marital affairs.
Mr Davis strongly denied the allegations when contacted by The Tribune yesterday morning and said he had no idea who is behind the website in question. He added that he had no time for - and did not condone - smear campaigns or personal attacks on fellow politicians.
The post in question, published on Monday, lashed out at Mr Maynard for criticisms made on a talk show earlier this week - and also in the House of Assembly last month - alleging that criminal defense attorneys and Mr Davis specifically who "profited" from and "manipulated" the slow-moving legal system.
According to Mr Maynard, every time he publicly criticises Mr Davis a scathing story about him appears on the website, making it "obvious" to him who is driving the rumours.
"I know as a fact that Brave Davis is behind it, that the person who does this works directly for him." Mr Davis emphatically denied the accusation.
"I don't think that it's fair for me to say something in the House - generally speaking and also directed to him in terms of how I felt about what he would have done earlier in his law practice - and his way of dealing with it is to have these scandalous things on blogs.
"It was so obvious in this latest attack, yesterday I appeared on a talk show and said something about him and they allude to that (in the blog) and it makes it obvious. It's immature (and) does nothing to forward the political system," Mr Maynard said.
Mr Davis, on the other hand, said he had no part in the disparaging remarks made against the minister adding that he cannot control the thoughts and actions of persons who may support him.
"That's unfortunate if he thinks every time he talks negatively about me he is negatively attacked - then he ought to consider whether he should be negatively attacking me. If he is attacking me and he finds himself being attacked, just as he has supporters out there I have supporters too. I have no interest in nor will I condone negative attacks on anyone. I have no interest in running any negative campaign - we have too many challenges in our country," the PLP Member of Parliament for Cat Island and Rum Cay said when asked about the allegations.
He continued:" "I don't need anyone to respond for me...But I am heartened to know that people feel sufficiently warm about me to come to my defence if they feel I am unduly attacked. Of course I am not going to sit by idly and allow people to attack (others)."
When asked directly if the website is run by PLP operatives, Mr Davis said: "I wouldn't say that's the case." He told The Tribune that the comments posted were "crossing the line."
Among other things, the post also alleges that the minister engaged in extra-marital affairs while on official duty at the World Cup match in South Africa and benefited from alleged criminal proceeds passed down to him by his father, Andrew "Dud" Maynard, a former PLP chairman.
Mr Maynard said his father, a veteran politician, can handle the aspersions but they take a harder toll on his wife.
"From my father's point of view he's been in politics all his life and knows it gets dirty. My wife is new to politics and not very happy about it - to me it's a new low.
"It goes out into the public domain, despite the fact that it's lies, it's still something that nobody would like to be said about them."
Still it doesn't appear that Mr Maynard plans to sue the handlers of the website for defamation.
He explained that Bahamian law has not caught up with the influence of the world wide web.
He said he hopes the Ingraham administration can advance some sort of legislative reform to address these matters, particularly before the next general election when campaigns on both sides of the party divide will heat up.
July 07, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, January 23, 2010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part III
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
HERE The Tribune presents the third part of its series of reports detailing how MPs say they spent the two $100,000 allocations made available to each of them for discretionary constituency enhancement projects between 2007 and 2009.
All 40 MPs were asked to provide the information, however, fewer than half did so and only one of those was a member of the PLP.
See tomorrow's Tribune for the final part of the report:
Fred Mitchell - PLP - Fox Hill:
In records provided by Mr Mitchell on how he made use of the $200,000 available to him for projects in his constituency, it is disclosed that he has so far utilised $110,416.75 of the total sum.
In a breakdown of the disbursements, it is recorded that $7,800 was paid to P C Engineers to buy ten computers for the L W Young High School.
Separate payments were made to an individual identified as Trevor Pratt of $840 towards the renovation of Gleniston Park; $1,113.75 for the renovation of Foxdale Park; $5,500 to assist with renovations to Eastwood Park, and $420 to assist with renovations to Gleniston Park.
An individual identified as Gary Kerr received $10,275.5 for a number of projects.
This total was made up of payments of $4,378.50 for renovation of Freedom Park; $4,797 for the renovation of Canterbury Park with a further $1,100, also for assistance with the renovation of Canterbury Park.
The record reflects that a number of payments were made to the law firm of Gibson, Rigby and Co from the constituency allowance.
This included $1,280 to assist with renovations to the Fox Hill Parade, another $6,720 for the same purpose, $8,062.50 for renovations to Freedom Park, a further $10,000 for the same purpose, and $18,750 for renovations to Canterbury Park. Gary Kerr was identified as the contractor for this work.
A further $21,100 and $8,000 was disbursed from the allowance to assist the Fox Hill Festival Committee, $2,205 and $8,000 for contract work to be done at the Fox Hill Community Centre, paid to Good Deal Builders and $1,030 was paid to the CWT Sales Agency for supplies for the Sandilands Primary School.
Charles Maynard - FNM - Golden Isles:
Mr Maynard said the $200,000 "went a long way in filling various voids throughout" his constituency. "Golden Isles is an emerging area and there are many amenities left undeveloped," he noted.
As such, the money was utilised to develop "from scratch" three community parks, to fund an after-school computer programme, provide instruments for the creation of a community band managed by the Carmichael Police Division, to aid the development of a picnic area in Coral Heights east and refurbish the Coral Harbour Community Park.
Branville McCartney - FNM - Bamboo Town:
Mr McCartney reported that the $100,000 constituency allowance for the provided in 2007/2008 budget was spent on refurbishing four parks in Bamboo Town: Zion Boulevard Park, Mary Ingraham Park, Seven Hills Park and Southern Heights Park.
In 2008/2009, the MP said the entire allowance has been used to develop a park in Fairview Heights, off St Vincent Road.
Phenton Neymour - FNM - South Beach:
Of the $100,000 allocated in the 2007/2008 budget, Mr Neymour said approximately $98,500 has been spent to date on the rehabilitation of the South Beach Park and several smaller enhancement projects.
Work on the park involved site clearance, including the demolition and removal of derelict concrete works and fencing, the installation of a walking track, a 30 by 30 foot elevated gazebo and sidewalks. A new constituency office sign was also purchased.
$73,990 of the $100,000 made available to Mr Neymour in the 2008/2009 budget has been spent to date, and approximately $26,000 has been allocated but not spent. From these funds, two sets of playground equipment and park benches for the Pastels Gardens Park and South Beach Park were purchased,
A contract for a 20 by 20 foot elevated gazebo for South Beach Park has been awarded but not completed. Plans are in place to contract out associated landscaping of the South Beach and Pastel Gardens Parks. This will occur upon completion of the gazebo and a nearby sidewalk in the South Beach Park, said Mr Neymour.
Mr Neymour added that all works were procured in the government tendering process under the Ministry of Works, unlike many of the projects commissioned by other MPs using the constituency allowance funds.
January 21, 2010
01212010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - part I
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part II
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part IV
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
HERE The Tribune presents the third part of its series of reports detailing how MPs say they spent the two $100,000 allocations made available to each of them for discretionary constituency enhancement projects between 2007 and 2009.
All 40 MPs were asked to provide the information, however, fewer than half did so and only one of those was a member of the PLP.
See tomorrow's Tribune for the final part of the report:
Fred Mitchell - PLP - Fox Hill:
In records provided by Mr Mitchell on how he made use of the $200,000 available to him for projects in his constituency, it is disclosed that he has so far utilised $110,416.75 of the total sum.
In a breakdown of the disbursements, it is recorded that $7,800 was paid to P C Engineers to buy ten computers for the L W Young High School.
Separate payments were made to an individual identified as Trevor Pratt of $840 towards the renovation of Gleniston Park; $1,113.75 for the renovation of Foxdale Park; $5,500 to assist with renovations to Eastwood Park, and $420 to assist with renovations to Gleniston Park.
An individual identified as Gary Kerr received $10,275.5 for a number of projects.
This total was made up of payments of $4,378.50 for renovation of Freedom Park; $4,797 for the renovation of Canterbury Park with a further $1,100, also for assistance with the renovation of Canterbury Park.
The record reflects that a number of payments were made to the law firm of Gibson, Rigby and Co from the constituency allowance.
This included $1,280 to assist with renovations to the Fox Hill Parade, another $6,720 for the same purpose, $8,062.50 for renovations to Freedom Park, a further $10,000 for the same purpose, and $18,750 for renovations to Canterbury Park. Gary Kerr was identified as the contractor for this work.
A further $21,100 and $8,000 was disbursed from the allowance to assist the Fox Hill Festival Committee, $2,205 and $8,000 for contract work to be done at the Fox Hill Community Centre, paid to Good Deal Builders and $1,030 was paid to the CWT Sales Agency for supplies for the Sandilands Primary School.
Charles Maynard - FNM - Golden Isles:
Mr Maynard said the $200,000 "went a long way in filling various voids throughout" his constituency. "Golden Isles is an emerging area and there are many amenities left undeveloped," he noted.
As such, the money was utilised to develop "from scratch" three community parks, to fund an after-school computer programme, provide instruments for the creation of a community band managed by the Carmichael Police Division, to aid the development of a picnic area in Coral Heights east and refurbish the Coral Harbour Community Park.
Branville McCartney - FNM - Bamboo Town:
Mr McCartney reported that the $100,000 constituency allowance for the provided in 2007/2008 budget was spent on refurbishing four parks in Bamboo Town: Zion Boulevard Park, Mary Ingraham Park, Seven Hills Park and Southern Heights Park.
In 2008/2009, the MP said the entire allowance has been used to develop a park in Fairview Heights, off St Vincent Road.
Phenton Neymour - FNM - South Beach:
Of the $100,000 allocated in the 2007/2008 budget, Mr Neymour said approximately $98,500 has been spent to date on the rehabilitation of the South Beach Park and several smaller enhancement projects.
Work on the park involved site clearance, including the demolition and removal of derelict concrete works and fencing, the installation of a walking track, a 30 by 30 foot elevated gazebo and sidewalks. A new constituency office sign was also purchased.
$73,990 of the $100,000 made available to Mr Neymour in the 2008/2009 budget has been spent to date, and approximately $26,000 has been allocated but not spent. From these funds, two sets of playground equipment and park benches for the Pastels Gardens Park and South Beach Park were purchased,
A contract for a 20 by 20 foot elevated gazebo for South Beach Park has been awarded but not completed. Plans are in place to contract out associated landscaping of the South Beach and Pastel Gardens Parks. This will occur upon completion of the gazebo and a nearby sidewalk in the South Beach Park, said Mr Neymour.
Mr Neymour added that all works were procured in the government tendering process under the Ministry of Works, unlike many of the projects commissioned by other MPs using the constituency allowance funds.
January 21, 2010
01212010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - part I
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part II
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part IV
tribune242
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