31 responses to “Mr Richard Sealy MP Meets With Organisers Stokey Woodall & Friends”

1. 

   YUM YUM I like it!

   November 27, 2007 at 8:51 pm

   
   

   You mention RUN BARBADOS as if it is some sort of show piece for the BTA!

   In fact this is a sorry excuse for a running festival which receives very little PR. It has been almost totally trashed by inept BTA organisation.

   I am running the half marathon on Sunday, but I think the numbers this year will be shamefully low! The BTA changed the route this year with NO consultation at all. The new route is boring as sin!!

   I see RUN BARBADOS dying out within the next five years!!!

   The BTA and government need to realise the value of all these niche activities in generating extra tourism revenue amongst people who would otherwise not come near to Barbados.

   Will they ever learn?!

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2. 

   Adrian Loveridge

   November 28, 2007 at 5:13 am

   
   

   YUM YUM I like it…

   Please read ‘New Event in Run Barbados Series’ Nation Today by Sherrlyn A. Toppin.

   ‘The Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) has spent almost $400,000 to promote and stage this year’s Run Barbados Series’.

   ‘At a Press briefing yesterday, Sports Tourism manager, Gregory Armstrong said the aim was to raise the bar this year and attract more sponsorship for the event which had been beset by challenges in that area in the past’.

   You mention that the course route has been changed, isn’t there an organising committee that discusses these things with the BTA?

   ‘Sports tourism marketing executive Winston Carter also announced there was an almost 100 per cent increase in prize money across the board’.

   Is Richard Sealy now OFFICIALLY the Shadow Minister of Tourism?

   Yum Yum,

   I don’t question what you have said, but it does not seem to confer with this news article.

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3. 

   From Porters with Love

   November 28, 2007 at 9:54 am

   
   

   Thanks BU for putting out the release.

   Adrian, I made to understand this to be the case.

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4. 

   YUM YUM I like it!

   November 28, 2007 at 1:14 pm

   
   

   Adrian

   Just take a look at:
   http://www.runbarbados.org

   WHERE has all that money gone????

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5. 

   YUM YUM I like it!

   November 28, 2007 at 1:15 pm

   
   

   The count-down time isn’t even correct!

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6. 

   YUM YUM I like it!

   November 28, 2007 at 1:17 pm

   
   

   Look also at:

   http://www.reggaemarathon.com

   This is the site for the Marathon in Jamaica, which is on the same day!

   See any difference?

   Barbados should be ashamed!

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7. 

   YUM YUM I like it!

   November 28, 2007 at 1:22 pm

   
   

   Sorry the Reggae Marathon is the day before!

   But the point being that both races compete for the same athletes.

   You’ll notice that the Jamaicans have stolen our banner “Come for the run, stay for the fun”

   They also have an accurate countdown clock!

   The midnight mile is a lot of nonsense by the way. They should concentrate their attentions on the existing races which are woefully poorly supported as it is!

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8. 

   Leviticus

   November 28, 2007 at 4:29 pm

   
   

   Richard is shadow International Transport Minister which includes pleasure yachting under the Harbour Master’s jurisdiction. Isn’t he?

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9. 

   Adrian Loveridge

   November 29, 2007 at 5:22 am

   
   

   If you are correct, I hope Mr Sealy will use the time available until the next election to FULLY acquaint himself with ALL aspects of the Barbados tourism product and evaluate every potential opportunity to maximise the benefits including RunBarbados.

   In the 34 years history of our hotel the only Ministers of Tourism I have seen on our premises are the late Peter Morgan and Sir Harold St. John.

   Perhaps if we were even closer to a golf course it would be different!

   Mr Sealy, you have an amazing opportunity to take this country’s tourism sector forward. I hope you are a good listener.

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10. 

    Wishing in Vain

    November 29, 2007 at 12:06 pm

    
    

    I agree with you Adrian here it is that you operate a hotel and the Minister refuses contact with someone contributing to the development of his Ministry what does that say about Lynch?
    I wish David and his entire team well in the upcoming elections, the corruption and the arrogance must cease and it will only cease with a changing of the players of Gov’t.

    I would highly reccomend that Mr Sealy make an effort to contact you to gain a first hand view into the industry that you live by.

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11. 

    lowbattery

    November 29, 2007 at 11:28 pm

    
    

    any one ever visit the other islands and see lil uns tooling round in a moses with a 15 on the front? lets be real. here, getting i a boat other than the harbour master is reeserved for fishermen, and … well….
    and all of a sudden we should cater to the “boating fraternity of the world”?
    how?
    by proving low cost labour?
    by using government money to subsidise and enrichen a few?
    both parties are bereft of a menaningful natrual resurce preservation program, or even awareness.
    have any of u been out the back of st. lucy and see the garbage we dump off the edge of the island, and how nasty it looks?
    and the coast guard/police….
    doan let me start…
    whenyour boat goes missin, at least the coast gard try to put out the word…
    police, unless u priveledged, (and in which case u boat inn gine get teef, ANYHOW), don’t even investigate……
    ask who know.
    any how dick say doan complain.
    i inn complaining.
    wait till de riots start.

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12. 

    Anonymous

    November 30, 2007 at 10:33 am

    
    

    Let us hear more about that cheque that Owing collected and put towards his personal bank account?
    He seemed very shocked, stunned and dumbfounded when confronted by the announcement in the house.
    Tell us about the perceived corruption with the awarding of the PRISON project and how VECO was awarded this contract when locals quoted US $ 67 million and your awardee did it for US $ 142 million is there also any truth to the rumour making the rounds that the local group was asked to pay an agent of the gov’t the same one who collects a commission on each vehicle imported into the island for the gov’t, not sure why this is but it is.
    Tell us more about how that BATH became such an expensive bath?
    Tell us when that building will be completed at NEWTON?
    Tell us what is the real plan for GREENLAND and how much more you intend to throw away in one project?
    Tell us why you are so closely connected to known and proven Fraudster DANOS in the 3 S ROAD WORKS project?
    Tell us why you have chonsen to corrupt the reputation of the blp even further by bringing ASSCOLL on board?
    Tell us why we are to be happy with you allowing ASSCOLL a free hand to divert public funds to a sickly and abused venture called HARDWOOD HOUSING?
    Tell us why should we be happy with a Deputy Prime Minister that is devoid of morals?

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13. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 1, 2007 at 10:47 am

    
    

    “I also wanted to say [I look forward], with the keenest possible anticipation, to welcome you again the same time, same place next year to celebrate the Independence of this country.”

    How sick does one get to plead with those invited to an official gathering to vote for this rapist of our treasury to permit him the opportunity to return to office to rape us again even more.

    Reports reaching me state that both events held by the ruling party were rather low keyed events with little or no flair and style but the event held at Wildey House last night by the DLP to celebrate Independence with their party loyals and members was a resounding success, a massive turnout was recorded in the thousands, with great music, food, drink and a great speech delivered by the leader of the great party the leader of the Opposition Mr David Thompson.

    If by a show of numbers alone it clearly suggest to me that we are on the verge of a great moment, when finally we can extract ourselves from the mire that this blp admistration has driven us into with no way of getting us back out of it.

    To get back on track we need new and fresh thinking to get ahead and this new and fresh thinking cannot and will not come fromn this present clan, they are too preoccupied with filling their bank accounts and corruption and having to try to cover their tracks this in itself is a full time job based the extent of their stealing and their fraud.

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14. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 1, 2007 at 11:44 am

    
    

    Prosecution wants max for Kott
    10 TO 121/2 YEARS: Defense is seeking less than three years in prison.

    By LISA DEMER
    ldemer@adn.com

    Published: December 1, 2007
    Last Modified: December 1, 2007 at 03:24 AM

    Prosecutors want to put former House Speaker Pete Kott away — for more than 10 years.

    The defense says less than three years is plenty.

    A federal jury convicted Kott in September of three felony charges: conspiracy, bribery and extortion. He was acquitted of wire fraud. Jurors found that he was bribed by executives with oil field services company Veco Corp. to push a version of an oil tax favored by North Slope oil producers.

    Kott’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7, and prosecutors filed their recommendation to the judge on Friday. Defense lawyer Jim Wendt said his recommendation should be filed today. He expected to ask for a range of 33 to 41 months.

    “It’s an adversarial system. They argue for as much as they think they can possibly get. The defense argues for the minimum amount. Everybody knows that,” Wendt said.

    A decision will be up to U.S. District Judge John Sedwick, who is presiding over all the corruption cases so far.

    Kott, 58 and Republican, represented Eagle River in the Legislature for seven terms, including one as House speaker. He now lives with his girlfriend in Juneau.

    During his trial, prosecutors played dozens of secretly made recordings for jurors. On many, Kott came across as a heavy-drinking ally of Veco. But the defense claimed he was just a hard-working blue collar Republican, a man who got on his knees laying hardwood floors for a living, someone who didn’t ask for handouts.

    Prosecutors are seeking double the sentence handed down to convicted former state Rep. Tom Anderson, who reports to federal prison Monday. And their recommendation is far above the four to six years they initially estimated Kott might face.

    Now they say Kott should get about 10 to 12 1/2 years, several more than what a U.S. probation officer suggested. They argued to the judge in a memorandum that he deserves more time because he took multiple bribes and was an organizer of a criminal conspiracy.

    As the government sees it, Kott in effect took three bribes: a promised job as a Veco lobbyist or consultant, talked about in 2006 and earlier; a $5,000 payment in 2004 that Kott testified was a truck loan still unpaid; and three other benefits that Kott received in 2006, which prosecutors count as one bribe for sentencing purposes. That last item includes $1,000 cash, a political poll for Kott that cost Veco $2,750, and an inflated flooring invoice for $7,993.

    What’s more, prosecutors say, Kott was “a critical organizer and manager within the larger conspiracy.” Then-Veco chief executive Bill Allen, who has pleaded guilty to bribery and testified against his old friend Kott, placed high value on Kott’s role, they say.

    That’s clear, they say, from a June 6, 2006, secretly recorded telephone call between Allen and Jim Bowles, president of Conoco Phillips Alaska. Allen told Bowles that he was using Kott and then-Senate President Ben Stevens to kill the tax bill, which at that point was too high for the industry.

    Beyond that, prosecutors say, “Kott attempted to evade responsibility for his crimes by blatantly lying to the jury about his actions down to the very last vote he took as a legislator.”

    They go on:

    “It cannot be disputed that Kott’s crimes, particularly given his past leadership role as Speaker of the Alaska State House and his long tenure in that body, have struck a severe blow to the public’s faith in the Alaska State Legislature and their elected leaders.”

    The government also is seeking a $16,473 fine, which totals the amount of the corrupt payments, and three years probation.

    So far, in the multi-pronged federal corruption investigation, three former legislators have been convicted by juries, two Veco Corp. executives and a former lobbyist in Anchorage have pleaded guilty; a fourth legislator is awaiting trial while the government appeals a ruling on evidence. The investigation is continuing.

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15. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 2, 2007 at 3:15 am

    
    

    This matter is simply not a laughing matter it hits at the very core of our democracy.

    This was a vile attempt to confuse the voters of Barbados at election time, to corrupt the vote and hope it favoured them.

    I say quite clearly that this worthless beast mottley needs to be fired and FIRED NOW Owing, you need to act with haste and show the public you were not part of her scam to railroard our democracy, this is one time you will get my full unwavering support, she needs to be shown the door with speed.

    Our democracy is more vital and valued than mottley and we need to save it from being corrupted.

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16. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 2, 2007 at 3:30 am

    
    

    What a complete load of nonsense mottley was flying up in our faces with, it is just yet another distraction another piece of smoke screen and fireworks politics being tried by she and her party of goons.

    This is yet another example of mismanaged events in the Barbadian landscape, It certainly appears to me that this blp is devoid of ideas and corrupt to the very core a tired party of misfits headed by a thief.

    When mottley could hoist this news upon the goodly taxpayers of this nation as a case of take or leave it politics, with no regard to the voting norms of this island but in her warped disgusting sick mentality to distract and confuse the people at election time, this is as about as disgusting and as dishonest as it can get, masterminded by a moraless beast and bastard.

    Now tell me where else, and in what other part of the world a cabinet member can be this dishonest, and this much of a misfit in so many various roles as minister, that it could still maintain a job as minister?
    This latest example is clearly one that ought to make it realise that it needs to the honourable thing, and it ought to resign with immediate effect, this is a poor example to be setting and failing having it resign. I am calling on the PM to fire it instantly for bringing the creditabilty of his cabinet into question, yet another example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

    It is with much regret that I state that mottley needs to go, or to be fired not only for this blunder but so to for her inept handling of the Ministry of Culture where when she was the minister she installed a whole batch of lesbian friends to run the affairs of CBC and they did so in great style with great losses at the expense of the taxpayers of Barbados, Edutech another multi million dollar fiasco that is yet to deliver any goodness to our children now it is being revemped to curtail the ongoing losses, the CWC fiasco where our misfit created a system where Pakistanis where asked to send their passports to India to secure a visa, think about that, two war torn countries being asked to resolve their differences for the sake of this inept clown mottley, then we had the home of ICC Dubai being told to courier their passports to the UK for Visas only problem is that the people of Dubai are not allowed by law to ship their passports around by DHL, FEDEX etc, just another example of its inability as a minister of cabinet.

    This reversal surely must beg the question just when will Owing react to his various ministers gaffs, and how will he react?
    This is no trivial matter because had this event been allowed to happen it would have hit at the very core of honesty in politics, this was a direct attempt to side track our democracy in this country and it ought to be addressed in head on manner and it mottley must be fired, failing to so will brand Owing and the rest of the blp as kidnappers of our treasured and valued democracy.

    VOTE OFF
    Published on: 12/2/07.

    by CHRIS GOLLOP

    THE REFERENDUM ON A REPUBLIC will not now take place at the same time as the next general election.

    Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Mia Mottley said that while Government remained committed to having a referendum, a decision had been taken to postpone such a vote following concerns raised by the Electoral & Boundaries Commission (EBC).

    “In light of a number of concerns raised by EBC chairman Philip Serrao and after more in-depth consultation over the past two days, Government has decided not to proceed at the time of the general election with a referendum on whether a Barbadian should be the country’s Head of State,” Mottley told the SUNDAY SUN.

    Last Sunday on Starcom Network’s Brass Tacks On Sundays, she said Barbadians would get to vote yes, or no, on whether or not the country becomes a republic, whenever they voted in the next general election.

    Yesterday, Serrao confirmed that the EBC had advised Government that the electoral process could be “compromised” by trying to undertake a joint vote at this time.

    “I have indicated to Government that after careful consideration I am satisfied that the management of the entire electoral process could be seriously compromised by any attempt to hold simultaneously, a general election and referendum at this time,” he said in a statement.

    Among the main concerns raised were the physical and human resources to conduct the joint exercise.

    “Instituting parallel voting to accommodate the referendum would cause serious congestion in some polling stations and put significant strain on limited personnel and physical resources, between the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. voting period, with the potential to compromise the right of some Barbadians to vote.

    “In addition, election laws require a ballot paper to be in a particular form, and the addition of a referendum would require separate ballot papers and boxes, additions that could confuse voters and shift the attention of election officials from their primary purpose of conducting a general election,” he said.

    Concerns

    In a telephone interview, Mottley said Government acknowledged the concerns of the EBC chairman and had decided to defer any referendum vote at this time.

    “Given these concerns, and notwithstanding the fact that we recognise the significant cost saving that could be achieved by holding a referendum on the same day as the general election, we feel compelled to accept the recommendations of the chairman of the Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” she said.

    “Consequently, Government has decided that it will not proceed with the matter as a single process. However, this Government remains committed to the principle of having a Barbadian as the Head of State.”

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17. 

    Anonymous

    December 3, 2007 at 11:48 pm

    
    

    See an exchange below the same arrogant idiot at it again.

    I wonder if she and Alleyne are still on the drugs and if he has finally repayed the monies to the client account that he stole.

    One would have thought she would be willining to look listen and learn before becoming such an arrogant idiot.

    BASED PURELY ON YOUR PERFORMANCE OF YESTERDAY I AM CONVINCED THAT
    WE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO YOUR UNCOUTH MANNER ON FUTURE
    CALL IN SHOWS GOOD RIDDANCE TO YOU.

    IF SIMPLY BECAUSE I SUGGESTED THAT YOU MISHANDELED THE MODERATION
    OF YESTERDAY’S SHOW AND YOU REACT BY BEING AS VILE AS YOU ARE I WOULD CERTAINLY SUGGEST TO YOU TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION SOONER
    RATHER THAN LATER IT MAYBE A TERMINAL ILLNESS, IF IT IS NOT, MAYBE A GOOD DOSE OF GOOD MANNERS WILL ASSIST YOU IN YOUR REHAB.

    I AM NOT SURE FOR WHAT REASON YOU FEEL IT NECESSARY TO BE AS UNCOUTH AND AS UNMANNERLY AS YOU DISPLAY BUT TAKE MY ADVICE A LITTLE HUMILITY GOES A LONG WAY IN BUILDING GOOD LONG TERM
    RELATIONSHIPS.

    PEOPLE LIKE YOU GET DECIMATED BY PEOPLE LIKE ME !!!!!YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY A
    MOST ARROGANT IDIOT BASED ON THE ABOVE COMMENT.

    SO BUGGER OFF !!!!!AND UNCOUTH AS WELL.

    IT IS A TIME TO RECONSIDER YOUR MANNER AND STYLE AND GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARDS AND REDRAW YOURSELF, AS IN THE PRESENT FORM IT IS SADLY LACKING MORALS AND ETHICS.

    I HAVE NO REASON TO ISSUE ANY APOLOGY TO YOU BECAUSE YOUR ACTIONS
    WERE DISHONEST AND ARROGANT AND YOU PERFORMED POORLY IN THE ROLE
    THAT WAS ASKED OF YOU.

    YOU SEEM TO HAVE YOU HEAD SO FAR UP MOTTLEYS PANTIES THAT YOU CANNOT SEE THE LIGHT OF THE DAY MAYBE IF YOU WERE TO GET YOUR HEAD OUT YOU MAY SMELL THE ROSES INSTEAD.
    THE NEXT SHOW OUGHT TO FEATURE YOU AND EZRA ALLEYNE TO DISCUSS THE MERITS OF DRUGS AND THE USE OF CLIENTS FUNDS IN ATTORNEY’S OFFICES YOU WOULD DO WELL TO MODERATE A PROGRAM DEALING WITH SUCH.

    On Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:35:06 -0400 KIM YOUNG
    kimjyoung@caribsurf.com> wrote:
    WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU DO NOT INTIMIDATE ME AND I WOULD
    STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU GET YOUR FACTS STARIGHT AND NOT
    HIDE BEHIND FAKE HOTMAIL ADDRESES AND MINDLESS STUPIDITY.
    PEOPLE LIKE YOU GET DECIMATED BY PEOPLE LIKE ME.

    VOB IS MODERATED BY PEOPLE WITH ALL KINDS OF SUBJECTIVE
    OPINIONS I AM TOLD. THE NATION IS WRITTEN BY PEOPLE WITH
    ALL TYPES OF POLITICAL PROCLIVITIES AND PERSUASIONS. COME
    FROM BEHIND THE VEIL OF ANONIMITY AND MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN.
    I AM NOT AFRIAD OF YOU AT ALL. YOU REPRESENT THE ULTIMATE
    IN COWARDICE AND DO NOT USE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS AGAIN. BY
    THE WAY, A DOCUMENT MY GOOD FRIEND MADE AVAILABEL FOR
    BALANCE. THANKS VERY MUCH
    MY POLITICAL BELIEFS ARE NOT AND WILL NEVER BE AIRED ON
    ANY PROGRAM. AS FARE AS FACEBOOK GOES, I CAN AND WILL AND
    DO WRITE WHAT I FEEL LIKE.I WILL TRACE THIS ISP AND REPORT
    IT AS A THREAT.

    SO BUGGER OFF
    Dear VOB,
    It is utterly amazing that you and your admistrators could be so warped in your judgment to setup this scam that you created today by allowing an active and working member of the ruling party to sit in the chair as moderator of your program today, I honestly believe that you owe it to all your listeners to make a public
    apology for your gross misconduct and neglect for fairplay and honesty in the media.
    Today’s show was poorly moderated by your moderator but it is only now I am learning exactly why you did what you did, having committed this scam it backfired in your faces in no small way.
    You must give utmost respect to Mr. Greaves for enduring the show for as long as he did because had it been me I would have walked out and left you standing.
    You have loss much respect in my eyes and so to in the eyes of the general public.
    Regards

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18. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 3, 2007 at 11:50 pm

    
    

    The radio station and the moderator set about to deceive the listeners by not revealing their bias and strong party affiliations from the outset of the program, this I consider to dishonest on their part.

    As for Mr David Thompson’s intervention it was timely and caustic to that clown on the receiving end my compliments are also extended to Mr Stephen Lashley who took Gollop to task and after which Gollop resorted to low uncalled for nasty comments meanwhile the so called moderator was unable to take control of the moment.

    Even though the show was a resounding success for the limited DLP representation that it had in the studio, with the goodly gentleman Mr Greaves having to leave early, and even with a moderator who was strickly blp biased and a party faithful in the studio, the matters that counted went in the favour of the DLP despite the blp and VOB to side track honesty in this matter.

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19. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 3, 2007 at 11:53 pm

    
    

    Adrian Hinds
    My feelings exactly and do not attempt to suggest to me that this was an unexpected event they knew exactly what they set about doing.
    —————————————————————-
    Yes clearly this is the case. I have for weeks now, known that Kim Young was an active BLP member, as her face book activities demonstrates.

    After Owen Arthur was featured in the Nationnews paper holding a fork as if it was a shovel. I updated my profile status to read “Adrian Hinds is planning to teach Owen Arthur to Fork”

    As early as thurSday of last week Kim Young had updated hers to read She will be moderating Brass tacks and she know she will get cuss”

    I thought surely this is a Joke, never the less i did not dwell on it so much so that i did not tune into the Sunday programme at the start, in fact I sat at my computer to watch American football when i was suddenly reminded of Kims comment, so i tuned into VOB to see if in fact she was telling the truth.

    There she was as suggested, so i listen with interest to her voice to see if i could match it to her her picture, and as it progress it was obvious that this Lady was intent on wearing her party affiliation in the moderator seat, it was so blatantly obvious, and i wondered if the listening public was given the opportunity to put her comments that context?

    I called the couple people in Barbados to ask them if they heard the beginning of the program and while they said they did, they were not confident in determining if Ms. Young had indeed introduce herself as BLP member or not and suggested she most likely did not. Since i have asked and no one has responded i decided to believe until otherwise stated one way or the other, that she did not alert the public to her close relationships with the BLP and therefore this makes her attempt to moderate a partisan political issue, suspect, for perpatrating a fraud, on the listening public.

    If this is indeed the case she should be ashamed of herself.

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20. 

    Such Stupid Comments

    December 4, 2007 at 10:14 am

    
    

    Does Maxine McClean, Tony Marshall and Peter Wickham declare their political affliliation with the DLP? WIV come down off your alledge high horse and answer. Have you declared your political affiliation? I can declare mine. I am a member of the DLP that is why I know for example that TONY Marshall was and is on the DLP Campaign Management Team. That is why I know that Peter Wickham was a member of the Young Democrats and has only pretended to resign from the DLP when he took over CADRES. He is still closely affiliated with the DLP.

    If that team of DLP jokers, all of whom are TOM PEE stooges, that came on the Call in programs are the ones to represent us should the DLP form the next Government God help us. Chris Sinckler. Stephen Lashley, Leroy McClean, Patricia Innis — WOW the y were so impressive in thier weak submission that I actually thought they were intellectual.. afterall it is said that it takes a wise man to play a fool’s part and thier were extremely convincing in that role.

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21. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 4, 2007 at 10:49 am

    
    

    If you are upset by the destruction they did to your moderator and your goon Gollop fear not as there is more to come.
    Have you and your gang of crooks not yet learnt that a very large part of your parties demise results from your gross arrogance and corruption?

    When you swallow this and choose to swallow your pride and get back to some humbleness, and return some of those ill gotten monies to the treasury life will be much better.

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22. 

    Anonymous

    December 4, 2007 at 11:49 am

    
    

    KNOCK ON WOOD THE FACTS ON HARDWOOD HOUSING

    “….Hardwood Housing Factory Inc. is A GOVERNMENT-OWNED company with EGFL holding more than 90% of the shares.” Minister of State, Clyde Mascoll, in a letter dated October 10, 2007 to Opposition Leader, David Thompson, on Prime Minister Owen Arthur’s instructions.

    Hardwood Housing Factory Inc. is an example of the BLP’s arrogance and contempt for YOU. It’s a serious matter. You ought to be concerned. Millions of your tax dollars are being spent willy-nilly without accountability. It’s only when the BLP is put under pressure, that you get disclosure.

    If David Thompson hadn’t raised the flag by calling for an independent forensic audit at Hardwood Housing Factory, you would’ve never known it’s a GOVERNMENT-OWNED company. All along, citizens were led to believe by Clyde Mascoll that the owner is a “poor little black boy” whom Government was facilitating.

    In just one year of operation, Hardwood Housing Factory has gobbled up almost US$2 million of public financing through the Enterprise Growth Fund Ltd (EGFL) – the basis of Government’s ownership. The so-called “owner’s” investment was $100,000 representing “the value of the equipment contributed and his sweat equity”. Source: Indicative Term Sheet dated Nov 9, 2006.

    Clyde Mascoll has more explaining to do. He needs to give FULLER CLARIFICATION of the nature of his association with the company. Saying “I hold no office or shareholding in the Hardwood Housing Factory Inc.” doesn’t satisfy legitimate questions which remain unanswered. He needs to explain, for example, why an employee would have reason to tell the CEO “nothing will make me compromise the trust that God, MR. MASCOLL and the Board has placed in me”.

    When Mascoll announced the establishment of the low income housing project on September 5, 2006, it is also interesting he chose to use “WE” in talking about the factory instead of “THEY”. There are four instances where this was observed in the Nation story of September 6, 2006. Here are three: “WE are going to meet within the next two months or so with the carpenters and masons, and this is a project for small people…. “ “WE are now in the process of developing, along with the BIDC, a formal arrangement where the necessary financing would be accessed.” “The masons will put down the foundations and WE will then install on the predetermined foundation….” Don’t you find this baffling?

    In the Sunday Sun of January 21, 2007, Albert Brandford, who comes across in his writings as a loyal Mascoll lieutenant, wrote the following about Mascoll’s role in Hardwood Housing Factory. “…. HE has been able to CONCEPTUALISE AND EXECUTE a vote-catching Hardwood Housing project, in three months, and which, according to media reports, is on course to deliver houses – acknowledged as one of the island’s most pressing social needs – to many Barbadians, including his own constituents in St Michael North-West.”

    Mascoll’s repeated use of “WE” when he announced the project, as well as Brandford’s firm assertion that “HE” (Mascoll) was the one who CONCEPTUALIZED and EXECUTED the project, raises serious questions about Mascoll’s involvement. A Government minister’s job is not to CONCEPTUALIZE and EXECUTE a private business project. His role is to serve the public interest. It is a serious conflict of interest. Interestingly, Mascoll has never challenged Brandford’s description of his active role. Doesn’t it seem inappropriate for a minister of the Crown? Barbadians are interested in hearing THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.

    THE CREDIBILITY FACTOR

    “I look forward to a no-confidence motion tomorrow, Mr. Thompson. I have more credibility than you in Barbados and I will continue to have more credibility than you do….” Clyde Mascoll, Nation, October 15, 2007, speaking about the Hardwood issue, at Perry Gap.

    Mascoll is clearly living in a dream world when he speaks about his credibility. Look now at how he puts his foot in his mouth and takes his credibility further below zero. On September 6, 2006, the Nation reported:

    “Mascoll credited Barbadian Anthony Murrell with the concept, after the latter had supervised the building of 500 houses in Grenada in six months after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan.” David Thompson investigated and found the figure of 500 was inaccurate.

    Here’s Mascoll’s explanation now. “….the issue of whether he (Murrell) built 500 houses in Grenada or not was “neither here or there” (Mascoll’s words). Source: Nation, October 15, 2007. No, Mascoll! The figure is relevant. It’s what you used to establish the builder’s credentials and to justify the project. Credibility is based on consistency. You cannot be serious about your credibility when you made a definitive statement a year ago and now say it is “neither here or there”. IT MATTERS! If you cannot give and keep your word on a simple issue, it raises questions as to whether Barbadians can seriously take anything you say at all.

    TERMS OF ECFL INVESTMENT

    For putting money into Hardwood Housing Factory, ECFL established certain requirements which the company must meet. Where certain specified breaches occur, ECFL says it “shall be entitled to demand repayment in full of all outstanding monies due regarding the class ‘A’ shares (covering its investment) and to take such action as may be deemed necessary to protect its interest”.

    Such action would apply, for example, “if any creditor shall take action against the Company to enforce payment of monies due to such creditor.” The evidence suggests Hardwood Housing Factory came close to breaching this requirement. Up to August 28, the company had issued bounced cheques totalling $33,000 for various services. One cheque, for the sum of $4,262.60, was written to the Comptroller of Customs. Management has acknowledged there were cash flow problems. Could some of Hardwood’s business practices have been contributing to the problem? Read on.

    HARDWOOD’S BUSINESS PRACTICES

    Clyde Mascoll recently told us that Hardwood Housing Factory is a GOVERNMENT-OWNED company. As junior minister of finance, he shares responsibility with his “boss man” – Owen Arthur, the minister of finance – to ensure the sound and proper management of public finances. Back in July, a month before the bank declined to honour the cheques, concerns were expressed about certain business practices. These concerns are documented. It would be interesting to hear what Mascoll has to say about them. Will he say these too are “neither here nor there”?

    The charges were as follows:

    There were sites where work was taking place but the sales department had neither a record of these sites nor receipts for any monies deposited in the company’s bank account for the said work.

    There were persons who were being paid by the company for doing work which the company had not record of.

    If such allegations were made against any other government-owned entity, it would be enough to justify an official audit of the company. Taxpayers would demand no less. As a government-owned company, Hardwood should not be treated differently. A strong case exists for an independent forensic audit of Hardwood Housing Factory.

    A situation also exists where equipment used by the company – truck, stone mixer, bobcat, excavator, generators – are owned by the minority shareholder rather than the company itself. The minority shareholder acquired the equipment through lease arrangements with Simpson Finance and Consolidated Finance and, in turn, leases them to the company. Mascoll said this arrangement results in “savings of approximately $44,000 per month to the company”. He did not give details of how this is achieved.

    It is alleged that Hardwood covers the cost of maintaining the equipment. Normally under arrangements of this kind, those costs are borne by the owner of the equipment. Just over a month ago, both finance companies wrote the owner, bringing to his attention that payments were in arrears. One company even mentioned the possibility of repossession if the issue wasn’t promptly resolved.

    After one year in business, what does Hardwood Housing Factory have to show? SEVEN HOUSES built in the New Orleans for the Urban Development Commission (UDC). Initially, there were cost overruns of $248,000 on this project but the figure was later revised downwards to $129,000 by the UDC. Draw your conclusion!

    Mascoll has complained that “THE LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF LAND” to build houses, has hindered Hardwood’s ability to deliver on its promises. It is refreshing that a member of the Owen Arthur administration has finally admitted the folly of the BLP’s land policy of aiding and abetting the sale of Barbadian land to the highest bidder who increasingly is foreign.

    In the case of one St Peter land owner who was approached, readiness to make land available for low income housing was tied to Town Planning approval of other lands for “high end development”. Hardwood Housing’s experience shows how much the BLP’s ill-advised land policy is having the effect of forcing middle and low income Barbadians out of the real estate market.

    A MODEL EMPLOYER?

    As a government-owned company, Hardwood Housing Factory has an obligation to be a model employer. If a government-owned company disrespects workers, doesn’t it send a wrong message to private enterprise?

    In just one year of operation, here’s are blemishes on Hardwood’s image as an employer.

    Charges of sexual misconduct against a manager.

    Charges that employees are shouted at and abused.

    Employing workers whose immigration status was not in order.

    Being accused by the Barbados Workers Union of violating International Labour Organization Convention 94 regarding fair practices.

    Keeping a dog inside the factory in violation of the Factories Act and pressuring workers to clean up the mess.

    SOLID CASE FOR PROBE

    Going by available evidence, a solid case does exist for a probe, including independent forensic audit, of Hardwood Housing Factory. This isn’t only David Thompson’s fight. It’s YOUR fight. Demand accountability from the BLP! Tell Owen Arthur it’s time to demonstrate real leadership instead of running away from calls for accountability.

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23. 

    frankology

    December 4, 2007 at 11:58 am

    
    

    Wow! What a mouthful concerning this Hardwood, we the public, need to have this matter fully ventilated and those involved dealt with accordingly. But, how on earth these things are happening and we have facts or fiction as submitted on this above submission, yet we are hearing the author of the No-confidence motion speaking of ‘dealing with it in his own time’. We the public need immediate action and stop the procrastination.

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24. 

    frankology

    December 4, 2007 at 12:31 pm

    
    

    That submission sound like the actual script for the No-Confidence motion.
    If it is a high crime and misdemeanour action, the content of the opposition leader’s motion should not be in the public domain. This would be an insult to our parliamentary system. I will wait to hear if Mr. Thompson submission resembles this motion.

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25. 

    Straight talk

    December 4, 2007 at 12:46 pm

    
    

    Frank:

    No more procrastination, Thompy says the No Confidence Motion is to be debated this afternoon.

    Tune in at 1.30 pm.

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26. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 4, 2007 at 2:03 pm

    
    

    Least you forget it was Mr. Thompson that confronted your PM Owing with the release of the cheque in the House of Assembly.

    Trust me had the low life Owing had the chance to do the same thing to Mr. Thompson he would long have done so.

    So your suggestions are airy fairy in their nature, remember that it was owing not Mr. Thompson that spluttered, sweated and stuttered when exposed about the illegal nature of his actions.

    Let’s face it you and your party will go down in the history books of this island as the gang of crooks that has stolen the largest volume of funds from the taxpayers and the ones involved in the largest collection of Fraud, let us not forget your propensity to align with international crooks such as VECO and the PRISON, DANOS and the 3S ROAD WORKS PROJECT, JOHNSON AND WASHINGTON with the 2,500 SLOT MACHINES COMING IN THRU THE BACK DOOR, with Owing and Nicholls are intimately involved in this process.

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27. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 4, 2007 at 2:30 pm

    
    

    And we off and running both on RADIO AND TV, the house is quiet as a mouse.

    Mr Thompson is delivering his Motion of No Confidence.

    Let us wait and see who on the gov’t side will abstain from this vote.

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28. 

    Fred

    December 5, 2007 at 11:44 am

    
    

    Is it not funny when you have two brothers one rich as ever and the other stuggling like ever, then one who is stuggling and has just been evicted from the building which he rents in Lower Estate.

    The other brother has meanwhile amassed millions thru arrangements like the one that took place in Jamaica with the JAMAICA KICKBACK AGREEMENT with DANOS the builder of the flyover project and Kott with VECO the PRISON builder.

    Who are we referring to in this scene none other than Owing and his brother Richard Arthur.

    Owing is sitting pretty while his brother is sucking salt, no wonder he was so eager to get him nominated to run for the seat in St.Lucy, maybe he was trying to set him up, to give him some of the spoils of his gov’t.

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29. 

    Wishing in Vain

    December 6, 2007 at 6:51 am

    
    

    Today if I remember correctly is the day that the crook involved in the VECO bribery scam Mr Kott will be sentenced.

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30. 

    From Porters with Love

    December 27, 2007 at 9:53 pm

    
    

    My advice to you Mr Lynch instead of hiding behind people, all you need to do is to take the phone up and call me and I am quite prepared to tell you all the details of who Stokey communicated with, during his numerous trips to Barbados to try to arrange the tour and arrival of these boats.

    He tried for 8 months with no success whatsoever, I would suggest that you extend a letter of apology and an invitation for he and his company to make ammends for the lack of effort during their last visit.

    Over to you the ball is now in your court !!!

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31. 

    and this website

    February 20, 2013 at 2:33 am

    
    

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on ϿезϿлϿϿаϿ.

    Regards

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