George Smith - former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP says that he hopes his party's supporters will see the wisdom in his words about the withdrawal of certain PLP candidates from the upcoming general election

Ex-PLP MP defends controversial letter


By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net



DEFENDING the letter he co-penned calling for the withdrawal of certain PLP candidates from the upcoming general election, former PLP MP George Smith said that in the passage of time he hopes his party's supporters will see the wisdom in his words.

Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Smith said he, with former PLP chairman Raynard Rigby and former campaign coordinator Philip Galanis, were not being critical of these particular candidates because they believed what was being said about them - but rather there is a "perception" that surrounds some of them.

"If the public perceives you to be something, that is what you are. I don't believe that anybody, principally the leader, can put affection for any individual above the good of the Bahamas, the good of the party, and I believe - since I believe the PLP is the best party in the Bahamas - we should remove as many stumbling blocks as possible. And it is not always easy to do that. Sometimes you have to ask your best friend to move aside," he said.

Mr Smith was referring to a letter that he, Mr Rigby and Mr Galanis wrote to PLP leader Perry Christie urging him to block the nominations of Shane Gibson, Vincent Peet, Obie Wilchcombe, V Alfred Gray, Leslie Miller, Anthony Moss and Picewell Forbes for fear that their nominations could hurt the party on a national scale if the varied pasts of some of them were once again highlighted during a general election campaign.

The PLP's leader went on record to express his disappointment that this "internal" letter had been leaked to the press.

However, Mr Christie said, he was not going to be distracted by this latest incident and that his party remains focused on supporting the "excellent candidates" and hardworking activists who comprise his party.

Vetting

"Each and every candidate is required to undergo a vigorous vetting process - a process that is open, fair and transparent. All voices are welcome, and the process is both balanced and inclusive," Mr Christie said.

While accepting this, Mr Smith said that a requirement not to run "tainted" candidates does not come from a fear that the FNM will gain some political mileage, but rather a belief that the people of the country ought to have faith that the people who represent them in Parliament will always put the welfare of the country above their own personal interests.

"That has to be obvious. If the public believes you are in there to enrich yourself, even if you don't, if the public believes it, they will question your activities.

"And, it's like if a fella' has a weakness in a particular area, if he is for instance a gambler, you have to be very careful how you expose him to the great temptation of money. That got one politician in trouble.

"Or if a fella' is a heavy womanizer, you have to be careful that you protect him from his own weakness.

"And some of us became victims and paid prices because of perception and that is how it is."

Mr Smith said that this advice is, of course, applicable to the FNM as well.

"They have people there who the people have had cause to question, Tommy Turnquest, and Dion Foulkes, and you have to recognise that my actions in this instance will do damage to my party," he said.

Mr Smith also highlighted, however, that he does believe in rehabilitation.

"If any wrong that I may have committed, if I was sentenced to a prison term, I would have been out long time. But I also believe that our society should be a forgiving society. So if some of these fella's would just step aside and acknowledge that my action in this particular thing was wrong, and not because it was legally wrong, it was perceived to be wrong. Step aside, and come back," he said.

Mr Smith gave the famous example of Jamaica's former Prime Minister, PJ Patterson, who was forced to resign as the Minister of Finance to later return as chairman of his party and then eventually become Prime Minister.

"I also believe that the problem we are facing in this country is, I am not sure if (Prime Minister) Ingraham and other people who call themselves leaders look at themselves and look and say am I a liability?" he laughed.

Having been roundly criticised on the talkshows for the now infamous letter, Mr Smith said people have a right to "cuss him."

But, at the end of the day he asked, "is my message right?"

May 18, 2011

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Raynard Rigby - Former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman - Urges The Opposition To Reject Baha Mar Developers 8,150 Chinese Workers Proposal For Its $2.6 Billion Cable Beach Redevelopment Project

Former PLP chairman questions the need for 8,150 Chinese workers
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net:



FORMER Progressive Liberal Party chairman Raynard Rigby is urging the opposition to reject the "absurd" notion that Baha Mar developers need 8,150 Chinese workers to construct the $2.6 billion project.

Mr Rigby, partner of law firm Gibson, Rigby and Co, questioned how the PLP could support the proposal in face of a high unemployment rate, suggesting this did not coincide with the group's ideology of being the party of the working man.

"We should reject as absurd the need for 8,150 Chinese workers. Unemployment is reaching 25 per cent. How can the party of the working man agree to such a move without causing irreparable damage to our philosophy?"

Mr Rigby added that the party should only throw its full support behind the Cable Beach redevelopment if the current deal is the same one the PLP left on the table when they lost the general election in 2007.

Over the past few weeks, key members of the PLP have been meeting with trade unionists, Baha Mar officials, and stakeholders in the construction industry in order to formulate an informed position on the current deal.

However, Mr Rigby thinks the party should expand its discussions to public forums in order to glean a clear consensus on party supporters' concerns.

"The views of the unions and other civil groups do not represent the views of the PLP. This is a matter of national importance and the PLP should be taking the leadership on this issue by talking to the Bahamian people ... talking to them and not at them.

"We therefore should go throughout the country seeking the views and opinions of the Bahamian people, that is what a responsible opposition would do that is serious about winning the next general election. This cannot be a deal made in a dark room with the selected few," said Mr Rigby in a letter sent to PLP Leader Perry Christie, a copy of which The Tribune obtained.

The lawyer also cautioned officials in the party to analyse whether the Chinese involvement in Baha Mar will truly benefit the country in the long run, drawing examples with this deal and the Hutchinson Whampoa port, operated by a Hong Kong shipping giant.

"We must assess the Chinese involvement in this deal by looking at their impact in Freeport in the tourism product? Have they assisted with bringing Chinese tourists to Freeport? Have they demonstrated that they are resort/hotel savvy? It seems that the product in Freeport has declined and that no leadership has been brought by the Chinese. How do we know that the same dilemma won't occur at Cable Beach," he asked.

He also criticised statements made by Obie Wilchombe, leader of opposition business in the House of Assembly, who said there is "no chance in hell" that the party would abstain from voting on government's Baha Mar labour resolution.

"I thought that this was a mistake as it came too early in the development of the party's strategy," said Mr Rigby.

Last week, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham tabled a labour resolution which would pave the way for the approval of work permits for 8,150 Chinese workers on the Baha Mar project in the House of Assembly.

Parliamentarians are expected to vote on the resolution later this month.

September 13, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

The Privy Council Rules that The Court of Appeal Erred when it Determined that it Did Not Have Jurisdiction to Hear The Appeal of Holy Cross Member of Parliament, Sidney Stubbs against His Bankruptcy Order issued by a Supreme Court Judge

"The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council] thereafter assumed to itself all of the powers exercisable by the Court of Appeal and decided to hear my appeal on its merits," said Mr. Sidney Stubbs

The order of bankruptcy was set aside.  The lordships also made a further pronouncement that I may now take my seat in parliament." said Mr. Sidney Stubbs

 

Stubbs Wins Privy Council Appeal

  

 

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

4th May 2005

 

 

Bringing an end to more than a year of legal troubles, The Privy Council ruled on Tuesday that the Court of Appeal erred when it determined that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal of Holy Cross Member of Parliament Sidney Stubbs against his bankruptcy order issued by a Supreme Court judge.

"The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council] thereafter assumed to itself all of the powers exercisable by the Court of Appeal and decided to hear my appeal on its merits," said Mr. Stubbs, who spoke at a news conference held at the office of attorney, Valentine Grimes, one of the MP’s advisors.

Mr. Stubbs also said, "The court found that the adjudication order was bad on the face of the record as the debtor summons was not severed within the time limited by the rules.

The order of bankruptcy was set aside.  The lordships also made a further pronouncement that I may now take my seat in parliament."

 

Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Raynard Rigby, who also attended the press conference, told reporters that Mr. Stubbs is expected to return to the House of Assembly as early as Wednesday after the Speaker of the House has been formally notified of the Privy Council’s ruling.

Mr. Stubbs, who had remained silent throughout the legal ordeal, indicated on Tuesday that he was relieved that the matter is finally behind him.

"It was a humbling experience," he said.  "I’m not a gushy person so I can only say that I am happy that it’s over, and I’d like to thank God that it’s now behind me."

Mr. Stubbs also expressed gratitude for the support he said he got as he fought the bankruptcy order issued by Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Thompson in March 2004.

"One of the things that sustained me through my year-long ordeal is the good graces and support of the people of Holy Cross," he said.

"I have gone to households in all 10 polling divisions and also in the new area, Hope Gardens.  I’ve spoken to members of the Holy Cross community…Never once was the question ever raised by the majority of people of Holy Cross that Sidney Stubbs should go."

He acknowledged that there were detractors in Holy Cross who wished to see him lose his seat, but he believes that the majority of his constituents were hoping and praying for an end to his legal troubles.

Mr. Grimes indicated that the technical issues involving the case and the ruling will be made public by Mr. Stubbs’ legal team when it returns from London.

It was on the basis of Mr. Stubbs’ appeal before the Privy Council that the House of Assembly in March granted the MP an additional six months to pursue his bankruptcy matter.

The extension came after a previous one that was granted last September expired.

Just last week, Supreme Court Justice Sir Burton Hall annulled Mr. Stubbs’ bankruptcy order after determining that the MP had come to a satisfactory scheme of arrangements to pay his creditors.

 

Those creditors included Gina Gonzales, Felix Bowe and Colina Insurance Company.

There had been some people, particularly those in opposition, who had been bracing for a bye-election in Holy Cross.

Last week, FNM Leader Senator Tommy Turnquest explained to reporters that the reason why a map was hanging on a wall inside the party’s Mackey Street headquarters was to remind the FNM on a daily basis that it is poised to recapture Holy Cross if an election were called.

The FNM also went as far as nominating former Holy Cross MP and FNM Chairman, Carl Bethel as its candidate for a bye-election.

Mr. Bethel, for his part, ran advertisements advising Holy Cross constituents to register to vote.

During debate on a resolution to grant Mr. Stubbs a six-month extension last September, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had said that the government was seeking to raise a "dead corpse" and he advised the Christie Administration to bury its dead and move on.

But government officials insisted that Mr. Stubbs had a constitutional right to appeal and were intent on helping him fight the bankruptcy order, which came after a series of debacles, he had been involved in.

On Tuesday, Mr. Stubbs also thanked Prime Minister Perry Christie and PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby, and many others, for their unwavering support throughout his ordeal.

Mohamed Harajchi is Disgusting

Iranian businessman Mohamed Harajchi: “A Disgusting Little Man”

By Candia Dames

Nassau, The Bahamas

candiadames@hotmail.com

12/08/2004

Calling controversial Iranian businessman Mohamed Harajchi “a disgusting, little man”, CEO of Jones Communications Wendall Jones on Wednesday denied claims that Mr. Harajchi helped finance his business in the early 1990’s or at any other time.

Mr. Jones also said the government should revoke the permanent residency status of Mr. Harajchi.

“He is an unfit person to be a permanent resident of The Bahamas and as far as I am concerned anybody who is prepared to go to the lengths that he is going to destroy the good name and reputation of officials of the Government of The Bahamas should have his permanent residency revoked.

“Now, I don’t know whether or not the Government of The Bahamas is minded to do that, but as far as I’m concerned, I’ve never come across a foreigner in The Bahamas who was more disgusting than this little man on Paradise Island.”

Mr. Harajchi at a press conference earlier in the day lashed out at Mr. Jones over an editorial published in The Bahama Journal on June 23, 2004 in which the paper questioned the truthfulness of his claims that he donated many millions of dollars to the Progressive Liberal Party for its election campaign in 2002.

The editorial said, “We are absolutely flabbergasted at suggestions that Mr. Harajchi –directly or indirectly - funneled some $10 million into that party’s coffers.  We simply do not believe that is true. While we know that donations were made, it is absurd for anyone to suggest or believe that Mr. Harajchi would give any organization in this country $10 million.  We do not believe that he is that generous.”

PLP National Chairman Raynard Rigby also denied that Mr. Harajchi had given the party anywhere near that much money.  Mr. Harajchi did not produce documents to prove his claim, giving reporters only copies of a cheque where he made a $100,000 contribution.

At the press conference called primarily to discuss his contributions to the PLP, Mr. Harajchi sidetracked, telling reporters that he gave Mr. Jones money to help support his communications business.

He also distributed copies of a cheque in the amount of $3,000 dated April 27, 1991- that was made out to Mr. Jones, who heads radio Love 97 and the Bahama Journal.

“Mr. Wendall Jones asked ex-Minister of Sports Norman Gay to come and see me and I said no problem- and Mr. Jones came with Mr. Norman Gay and he told me how hard the newspaper life [is] and if I can assist him in the financial side,” Mr. Harajchi claimed.

“I said no problem and I helped him twice, once in the form of cash and once in the form of cheque…[A few weeks ago] I was reading his paper [which] said: Harajchi put up or shut up.  I was disappointed.  I said how [could] Mr. Jones tell such a thing?  He came 10 years ago to my home, asked for assistance, I did and now today he is putting such a thing against me.”

In response to the statement, Mr. Jones said, “Mr. Harajchi knows that what he told the Bahamian public or the media was an untruth.  Mr. Harajchi never, ever contributed to the funding of my business.  What Mr. Harajchi did in 1991 was to pay my communications company $3,000 for services rendered.  At the time, he was seeking to purchase Resorts International, which later became Sun International.”

Mr. Jones said Mr. Harajchi failed in that bid because the then PLP government felt that he was not the fit and proper person to be granted a casino license.

“Mr. Harajchi needed public relations services which we provided and indeed we used The Bahama Journal to print a number of stories on his businesses, both here as well as in Europe,” Mr. Jones said.  “Mr. Harajchi as far as I am concerned is a disgusting, little man who has been going about this country impugning the reputation of businesspeople as well as government officials, making scurrilous and malicious remarks that he knows are untrue.

“The average Bahamian must see just how ridiculous his claims are. Mr. Harajchi and people of his ilk must know by now that I am un-bought and un-bossed.”

He added, “Mr. Harajchi has never, ever had to give me money for anything other than professional services.  Indeed, Mr. Harajchi called me wanting me to support his position with the governor of the Central Bank in his ridiculous claims against the governor of the Central Bank and invited me to a dinner in Europe, which I refused to attend.

“He gave me his number saying where he was going to be in Paris at the time I traveled to Europe- and I refused to use the number or to attend any dinner with Mr. Harajchi because I know the kind of individual that he is.”

Mr. Harajchi maintains that Governor Julian Francis revoked his license for Suisse Security Bank & Trust three years ago after he declined to do a favour for the governor. It is a claim Mr. Francis has vehemently denied.

The Governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in The Bahamas Defends Against, 'a do-nothing government' Perception

This Ruling PLP Government really is a Do-nothing Government, says Tommy Turnquest, Leader of the Official Opposition, Free National Movement (FNM) Party 

PLP On The Defensive

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

21/04/2004

Fearing that its record as a government has become distorted, the Progressive Liberal Party has launched a comprehensive public relations initiative to correct what it feels could be a damaging perception.

"I believe that once people look at the facts and once people have the benefit of having access to the facts and they review those facts with an objective mind, they will come to the conclusion that this is perhaps the fastest starting government in the history of The Bahamas," said Raynard Rigby, the party's national chairman.

That was a claim Free National Movement leader Senator Tommy Turnquest would probably find laughable.

"This really is a do-nothing government," Mr. Turnquest declared Tuesday, while speaking with the Bahama Journal.

The PLP will take a ministry-by-ministry approach to the advertising campaign, Mr. Rigby said.

"I think the way you judge [whether we are the fastest starting government] is by looking at the first 23 months of this PLP government and by looking at the first 23 months of the FNM government.

“If you do that comparative analysis, we believe that the evidence is overwhelming, is compelling that this PLP government is much further ahead after 23 months in government, than the FNM was," he said.

Mr. Rigby said that the government is not facing a PR crisis as it carries out a "very responsible" campaign.  Once again he asserted that all is well with the governing PLP.

But Mr. Turnquest thinks otherwise.

He said the PLP "is obviously running, trying to counteract the prevailing feeling in this country, but they need to do it with factual information."

"I think the Bahamian people have been disappointed with their performance," he added.

Already, the PLP has started running radio ads informing listeners that it has constructed more than 500 houses since it came to office on May 2, 2002.  The ad says this compares to the more than 700 houses it claims the FNM constructed in 10 years.

"If [Housing Minister Shane Gibson] continues, in our first term, it is likely we would have built by far more houses than the FNM built in 10 years," Mr. Rigby said.

"If the minister can build all of those houses, it tells us he must be doing something.  He's not sitting at his desk twiddling his thumbs.  He's working for the Bahamian people."

But Mr. Turnquest found it "curious" that the government has chosen to start the campaign by focusing on its successes in housing.

"We intend to answer them in great detail," he said, revealing that his party plans to hold a rally at the R.M. Bailey Park on May 3.  It is the same night the prime minister has set aside for his second forum with the media to answer questions on national television.

Mr. Turnquest believes the government has a long way to go to change the negative perception held by some Bahamians.

"It is very clear to me and to thousands of Bahamians that the government is losing support and that people are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the PLP government," he said.  "They are not satisfied that sufficient attention and focus is being paid to governance.

"The PLP is now trying to counteract these claims by putting on advertisements and while that is good for radio stations and newspapers...that doesn't explain away their inactivity in terms of what they are doing."

Only two days ago, Prime Minister Perry Christie made a move of his own to set the record straight.

While speaking at the opening of the Golden Sun Development, a new housing project near Golden Gates, he dismissed what he called "little silly distractions" being put forth by "silly people."

Mr. Turnquest said he was disappointed by that comment.

"He must not use intemperate language when talking about Bahamians," Mr. Turnquest said."  Bahamians have a right to criticize particularly when his government is doing nothing."

Senator Edison Key Resigns From the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)

"I'm just looking for a bright future," says Edison Key

War In PLP - Key Leaves Party

By Candia Dames

candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

24/02/2004

Claiming that forces within the party have launched an all out war to decapitate him politically, former Senator Edison Key has resigned from the PLP.

"I see this situation getting worse each day and I figured maybe this is the time to just give it all [up] if that's what they want," Mr. Key said in an exclusive interview with the Bahama Journal Monday.  "I was in my bed and this came to me that maybe I should just relinquish my ties with the PLP for the time being."

He added, "Let them do what they want to do, maybe they're better off without me."

Mr. Key's change of heart comes exactly one week after the Journal revealed in an exclusive report that he had resigned from the upper chamber on January 10.

Last Monday, when asked by the Journal if he intended to resign from the party, Mr. Key said, "I've been a part of the PLP from 1970.  I've been through all the struggles and trials and tribulations.  I ran here in Abaco when you [would have been considered] an outcast to even identify with the PLP, especially a white man in an all white area."

He said then that he would not leave the party.

But he said Monday that things have changed since last week and that some members of the party have lined up to throw daggers at him.

Mr. Key said in a letter to PLP National Chairman Raynard Rigby that, "This decision has come about due to the unfortunate chain of events that have occurred over the past 20 months culminating in my resignation as Senator in the new Progressive Liberal Party Government, effective January 10, 2004.  Kindly convey my very best wishes to all Stalwart Councilors when next council convenes."

Mr. Rigby said in a release to the press last night that, "As is the custom, the letter will be forwarded to the National General Council of the party and to the leadership council."

He added, "It is with regret that we have received Senator Key's resignation.  It is most unfortunate.  The party will continue its work in Abaco and the rest of The Bahamas."

Mr. Key reiterated to the Journal Monday, "It creates deep pain, it goes right to the soul and that's what I've felt for the last year and ten months under this administration.  I really feel sorry for them because it seems that they have no direction and no director.

"Maybe that's saying it pretty harsh, but I think it's time for the people of The Bahamas to wake up and get a government that will give The Bahamas back to the people.  It's now become a government that's become almost a dictatorial system and it's time for a change"

But he insisted that now was not the time to reveal the contents of his letter of resignation from the Senate, a copy of which he said has been sent to Senate President Sharon Wilson.

Last Thursday, Mr. Key told the Journal that his meeting with the prime minister "went well" and that he had a "frank" discussion with the nation's leader.

He said, though, that he feels that he no longer belongs as a member of the party so he has opted to pull out.  But he said he was not prepared to align himself with any opposition party because the Free National Movement, in particular, is also facing a leadership crisis.

"I'm just looking for a bright future," said Mr. Key, who was in Nassau on Monday.

When asked whether he thought there was a viable alternative to the PLP, the former Senator said, "If there were a strong opposition, the PLP [would be] in trouble.  But even the opposition needs [to get] it together.

"You see, I know how to fight the opposition, but I never had any ammunition to fight the PLP.  I have no bullets that can penetrate the PLP.  It's like shooting one of your own family.  You don't do that.  I'm talking in a political sense now."

The Journal also asked Mr. Key what it will take for him to rejoin the PLP. 

He said, "Hope and help - and help and hope that really means it, [a leader who] says what [he] means and means what [he] says.

"Good leadership."

Asked if he may consider joining an opposition party in the future?  He said, "You never know.  The king dies, a new king comes up."

Mr. Key also said he was hurt by a column that was published Sunday on bahamasuncensored.com, a website that is the offspring of fredmitchelluncensored.com, which says its views do not represent the views of Minister Fred Mitchell, his Ministry or the Government of The Bahamas.

The column states, "The PLP, like most other parties, has its hardliners.  There is a herd instinct.  And so not withstanding the fact of all the history that has gone on before, the immediate reaction of too many was to denounce him, to remind him of his race, and to tell him as impolitely as possible go about his business.

"Then there are those who have impugned his motives by saying that the real reasons are economic and the fact that certain personal benefits did not come to him.  But all politics is about personal benefit of one kind or another.  Another set urged the PLP to cut Mr. Key off at the knees, decapitate him politically if it could be done.