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CLICO Insurance Executive Appointed Chairman Of Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

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Leroy Parris

Prime Minister David Thompson has announced the names of members to 12 other boards

He says cabinet is working assiduously to get the various boards in place so that the essential work of government would continue apace. Insurance executive Leroy Parris has been appointed as Chairman of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, his deputy chair is Jeanette Layne-Clarke. Other members on the CBC board are Peter Boyce, Evette King, Pastor Wesley Dear, Father Clement Paul, Muriel Sealy and the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office or his nominee.

Source: CBC

We have always wondered through the years, the criteria which successive governments in Barbados have used to appoint persons to several Boards of management charged with overseeing many of our important institutions. One such agency which has been perceived by the public to have been managed like the proverbial political football is the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). We are inclined to go along with the view that successive Barbados governments have erred on the side of caution by appointing a party lackey in light of the aversion of governments in developing states to relinquish control of state owned information entities.

We do not know what qualifies Mr. Parris for the job of Chairman above someone like Janette Layne Clarke and others, but if we were to rely on our on the ground knowledge and instinct, we must admit we don’t like the appointment. Prime Minister David Thompson gained the government to some degree on a platform of bringing change to Barbados. The Prime Minister has been in the media speaking to the number of consultants hired by the past administration which in his view added no value to the running of the government. Thompson has promised Barbadians that he will be bringing people on board who add value to the business of running the government. The appointment of Mr. Parris smacks of cronyism and begs the question what value will he be bringing to managing the problem plagued CBC. What message is the Prime Minister sending to the world and in particular the Fourth Estate, by appointing a man as Chairman of the government owned radio and TV station, known more for inflicting green verbs on anyone standing close-by.

The other concerning point about the appointment of Chairman Parris is to question whether his position as head of a CLICO company which is owned by the Trinidad conglomerate CL Financial does not create a conflict of interest situation. CL Financial owns a media company in Trinidad and a short while ago, according to our source, was known to have applied for a TV license to operate in Barbados.

The CL Financial’s Media and Communications Group, CL Communications, is comprised of one television station (ieTV); three radio stations (Music Radio 97, Ebony 104 and Radio 90.5) and a video production house (Video Associates), which has been responsible for films of international acclaim – Source: CL Financial Website.

We should take this opportunity to ask the incoming Chairman if the plan to privatize CBC is still on the cards.

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108 responses to “CLICO Insurance Executive Appointed Chairman Of Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)”

  1. notesfromthemargin Avatar
    notesfromthemargin

    David,

    I wish I could say I was surprised but I’m not.

    However to be fair… it is quite easy to construct a case for appointing an individual with proven business acumen to a sensitive post such as this one. This is particularly so if you are intent on continuing with the mandate to commercialise and (ha ha ha) eventually privatise CBC.

    And the beat goes on….

    Marginal

  2. Wishing in Vain Avatar
    Wishing in Vain

    Well done to Mr Thompson on his selection of his board to the CBC, maybe at last this board will bring some sense and honesty to the running of the affairs of CBC that was so sadly lacking under the defunct leadership of the BLP.
    Where only the friends of mottley were given the green light to do as they liked to rape and pillage this countries treasury unabated.

  3. Prof C. Wren Avatar
    Prof C. Wren

    Dear David,

    You will recall the discussion on these pages over concern that CLICO’s financial support for the DLP would lead to undue influence on government policy.

    Perhaps Mr. Parris will exercise his job with strong independence, but I think the sad observation is that the opportunity of the new government to deliver a new politics appears to be slipping away.

    Lets hope it does not slip away completely.

  4. frankology Avatar
    frankology

    I will watch, hear and see. I still feel that Janette Layne-Clarke is the preferred person to lead this organisation. Experience – Yes; Management skills – Yes; Motivator – Yes; Orator – Yes. So why put a trainee behind the wheels.

  5. frankology Avatar
    frankology

    Well done to Mr Thompson on his selection of his board to the CBC,
    …………………………………………………………………….
    I was looking at Reudon Eversley to be one of the qualified person who should be on the board. Although we locked horns prior to the elections, I feel that his professional status within the media should have been utilised.

  6. frankology Avatar
    frankology

    Why the moderation, David. I am always above board.

  7. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Frankology: Your party removed the following , posting by me on their Facebook forum. 😀

    =============================
    Yard fowls are indigenous to Barbados and are threatened with extinction every 5 years. Current yard fowls have been enjoying and extended life for the past 15 years.

    I saw a news article title King Arthur giveth and he taketh away. So to my mind victimization is still alive and well. It even goes further given my views of our system of government……a system that is for nothing more than the concentration of power a system of government kept together by kickbacks, placement (yardfowlism) and corruption.

    So King Arthur giveth and King David will now taketh away.

    http://bararchive.bits.baseview.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=./pubfiles/bar/archive/2008/February/07/LocalNews/52988.xml&start=0&numPer=20&keyword=udc+two&sectionSearch=&begindate=1%2F1%2F2008&enddate=12%2F31%2F2008&authorSearch=&IncludeStories=1&pubsection=&page=&IncludePages=1&IncludeImages=1&mode=anyword&archive_pubname=Daily+Nation%09%09%09

    ================================

    Anyway it is laughable to hear “Rugged” talking about Political cleansing. I thought she was now having her say about Owen and Allen Fields past cleansing of CBC.

  8. Roger Rabbitt Avatar
    Roger Rabbitt

    Anyway it is laughable to hear “Rugged” talking about Political cleansing. I thought she was now having her say about Owen and Allen Fields past cleansing of CBC.
    …………………………………………………………
    The LOO should be the last to talk about cleansing. She loaded the UDC with plenty political lackeys who were to replace the long standing employees after the last elections, had the BLP won.
    The UDC was partly run from her constituency office. The secretary there used to call the UDC giving orders as to who should get help and who shouldn’t.
    Let them deny this one. On the 20th Dec AFTER the date for elections was announced, a board member informed the staff that a deputy was appointed which the recently fired director countered by saying that that was not so and that the board member spoke prematurely. The director then said that “at this stage it is only a recommendation and that cabinet has to approve it”. That being the case, why was the appointment made effective from Feb 1st having only being signed on Jan 17th?
    On another note, who is Henry Forde fooling by talking about integrity under his watch?
    Corruption continued unabated under his tenure. Trottie enjoyed his best days under “sir henry”.
    If anyone doubt that all dey gotta do is to ask anybody from de UDC. Trottie had absolute control on who got contracts and who didn’t get.
    Someone needs to find out about the hardwood houses built for de udc and how many are not yet occupied after nearly a year.
    Somehow I get dis feeling dat ppl like henry forde and company tink dat nobody can challenge de elitists bout hey.

  9. Prof C. Wren Avatar
    Prof C. Wren

    The point is not that “the DLP is justified to do what the BLP did”, the point is that they stood on a platform for being different, for changing that.

    I think this offer of a new politics attracted many of us. We were told there would be greater meritocracy. What we are seeing is a division of the spoils on the old basis.

    (I recally Bizzy writing a letter to the papers during the election to say that the government’s choice of contractors could have been far more political than it was and I recall that new Government minister Boyce held high office in the past administration, but maybe these are exceptions to the rule.)

    If division of the spoils is what we are going to have, it is better that every few elections there is a change of government so that the spoils are better spread, but it would have been nice for the new government to have tried to change the system of patronage as they promised. I think many really thought they would try harder to do so.

  10. Roger Rabbitt Avatar
    Roger Rabbitt

    I am not advocating that a tit-for-tat regime be instituted. I was merely pointing out why ppl in glass houses should not use stones as a weapon of choice.
    Mr. Parris may be a shrewd businessman, but in my humble opinion, he should never be chairman of the CBC. Never.
    No problem with him on the board, even deputy, but not chief. Early days yet and I shall wait and see how this plays out. Perhaps the gentleman may be satisfied with being chairman and not use his position of influence to squeeze in his company’s own network (radio & tv stations).
    We shall all wait and see.

  11. Tony Hall Avatar
    Tony Hall

    In most countries where a government changes the new PM has the right to appoint persons whom he can trust to boards. The only person who did otherwise was Mayor David Dinkins in New York. He said he wanted to be a mayor for all the people. I had no problem with that. He kept holdovers from the Edward Koch administration and ended up being doublecrossed. Mr. Parris has not even started work and he is already being criticised. Give the man a chance and if you find flaws during his tenure there I then have no problem in him being criticised.

  12. Personal Friends and Godfathers Avatar
    Personal Friends and Godfathers

    cro·ny·ism

    n. Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, as in political appointments to office.

    http://www.nationnews.com/story/290779605789101.php

    Family, friends proud of new PM
    Published on: 1/17/08.

    Another long-time associate, Leroy Parris, chairman of CLICO Holdings (Barbados) Limited, said: “It was a very good feeling to be here to celebrate with a very good friend of mine.

    “A lot of people do not know this but David is the godfather of my son and I am the godfather of his last daughter so there is not only a political relationship, but a personal relationship as well. Also, David is my attorney-at-law.

    “As you know, over the last 15 years I have been battered in the media for my relationship with him, but I have continued to stand by his side because a friend is a friend and friendship means a whole lot to me, not just as a political friend but a real friend.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    Tony Hall you need to understand what we are saying. In the same way Mitch Codrington who is a former Chief Labour Officer bring his skills from that background to deal with the obvious HR issues at the QEH and he is supported by Corbin who is an HR specialist, then we have Dr. Erskine Simmons who has a background of working in Africa to his post as Chair of Pan African Commission etc.

    In the case of Parris there is no obvious background on his resume which should recommend him to manage our lone government radio and tv station.

  14. Bajanboy Avatar
    Bajanboy

    The government needs to start divesting all of the state run corporations. Government has no right owning companies that can be operated by the private sector.

  15. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Is Mia “Rugged” Mottley instigating “moral panic?”

    ….and the Politics of fear continues. The practices of removing past political appointees by a newly elected government, is in 2008 being address in such a way as too suggest that this particular occurrence is somehow unusual, and can result in panic. Those who would state in public that the removal of George Edgehill and O’brien Trotman HAS LED TO PANIC IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE should be required to bring the proof of such panic. Until then it is more likely that this is an attempt to create such panic. Many in the public service understand the 5 year “dance” that occurs with their political appointments. By their public announcement at one point or the other we know that Henderson Bovell understands it, that Gabby understands it and by his utterance on BrassTacks friday 8th Sir Henry Forde understands it as well. If all the Leader of the Opposition had to say, was, that Thompson could have been a little bit more sensitive, in his approach of dismissing the UDC TWO, thereby continuing what has been common place since independence, she could have done so without the lot of long and useless talk. schuuuppssse

  16. Personal Friends and Godfathers Avatar
    Personal Friends and Godfathers

    Adrian Hinds,

    Tell it to the FOUR junior staff members at the UDC who were dismissed on FRIDAY.

    We find that it is a stretch to contemplate that four junior employees would have been fired from UDC just like that. Please put up or…

    David

  17. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Personal Friends and Godfathers // February 10, 2008 at 11:10 am

    Adrian Hinds,

    Tell it to the FOUR junior staff members at the UDC who were dismissed on FRIDAY
    ==============================

    Tell what? That political padding of statutory corporation is a reality for both party’s and their faithfuls? That such appointments are wrought with uncertainty whenever there is a change of government? You and Mia Mottley are engaging in naked moral panic, but the majority of Barbadians are not going to at this late stage of this recurring “yardfowlism” behaviour join with you in fear mongering.
    …Amazing that after all that has been written about the UDC’s abuse of taxpayers money that you think they could be any sympathy for anyone in that organization, if anything i am surprise that the current government does not think it neccesary to close the entire operation down and start fresh, but i understand that they too, and like the BLP before them have people to thank for their support at the polls. Um is the way things work in a socialist welfare state, of entitlement minded persons. What is the DLP to do?, keep BLP yardfowls in their government paid jobs and have the DLP yardfowls continue to suck salt and wind? Why i never…..

  18. Personal Friends and Godfathers Avatar
    Personal Friends and Godfathers

    “We find that it is a stretch to contemplate that four junior employees would have been fired from UDC just like that.”

    You can find it a “stretch” because it is politically convenient for you to say so. We know that it happened.

    Four junior members of staff of the UDC were dismissed on Friday because they were deemed to be “close” to O’brien Trotman and George Edghill. Many others are uncertain about their demise.

    Perhaps you also consider it a “stretch” that the man appointed by prime minister David Thompson as chairman of this country’s only television station is also his close personal friend and godfather of his daughter. Can you spell CRONEYISM?

    If Owen Arthur had done this, BU and BFP would be talking about “corrupt” government controlling the media in Barbados.

    We have to dismiss your last comment because you obviously have not read this article with a sober mind. What are we doing in this article? Are we not critical of the appointment? What do you want from us, blood?

    David

  19. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Personal Friends and Godfathers // February 10, 2008 at 12:12 pm

    “We find that it is a stretch to contemplate that four junior employees would have been fired from UDC just like that.”

    You can find it a “stretch” because it is politically convenient for you to say so. We know that it happened.

    ==============================

    No sympathy given. Barbadians need to seek jobs base on qualification and merit, and less on the cronyism that now pertains. At some point the current party faithfuls who are getting their filled will have to give way to thoses who now have to make way.

  20. frankology Avatar
    frankology

    So King Arthur giveth and King David will now taketh away.
    …………………………………………………………………….
    That is a poor statement. Think before you write muh brudder.

  21. frankology Avatar
    frankology

    I am not advocating that a tit-for-tat regime be instituted. I was merely pointing out why ppl in glass houses should not use stones as a weapon of choice.
    ……………………………………………………………………..
    This behaviour by incoming parties is nothing new under our Parliamentary system. We might not like the removal of past boards, but we must be honest with ourselves, that things will be changed, if you like it or not. This scenario should not be associated with victimisation, but protecting your management structure.

  22. frankology Avatar
    frankology

    Frankology: Your party removed the following , posting by me on their Facebook forum.
    ……………………………………………………………………..
    Adrian: To be honest, what that have to do with me. I am not a member, a supporter or a consultant with the party. Can’t say that about you and your partners. In future, I will just be ignoring such partisan writings from you and your propaganda friends, and focus on the enlightenment of the Barbadian public pertaining to things that I see wrong regardless to party, personality or business.

    By the way, stop changing the subject and deal with the observations by posters. This is a forum, not any particular party newsletter.

  23. Bush tea Avatar
    Bush tea

    But wait….
    wanna people serious?!?

    What wrong with with Leroy Parris?
    He too Black and Bajan?
    He is some sort of convicted criminal?
    Who wanna expect David Thompson to put as chairman – Obrien? or Bizzy?

    what the so and so I hearing at all?

    Here is one of the most successful Black Bajan businessmen ever…. whose main crime seems to be that he is a supporter of Mr David Thompson?!? …and he did not major in English.

    I am sure I must be missing something…

    …now If the man go there and do a lot of foolishness – or even a little bit… I will be the first one in his neck – but how do we judge a man by his verbs?

    They got some sweet talking geniuses like the same Sir Henry who got a lot to say now – where the *** he was when all the thiefing was going down?
    He could explain the nonsense with the UDC consultants etc bout there?

    …and David, I shame on you too… You just did a piece on Light and Power – not a boy questioned the integrity of the white boys running that place – or even how come it is always run by white boys – but I guess they use the right colour verbs….. Leave the man!!

    Give the man a chance – he may well turn out to be the best thing EVER for CBC ….and that in no real challenge – how could he possible be worse that the recent lot that was up there?

  24. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    frankology // February 10, 2008 at 12:34 pm

    So King Arthur giveth and King David will now taketh away.
    …………………………………………………………………….
    That is a poor statement. Think before you write muh brudder.

    ————–When i look at my statement, your reply and this other statement of yours below
    ————–

    This behaviour by incoming parties is nothing new under our Parliamentary system. We might not like the removal of past boards, but we must be honest with ourselves, that things will be changed, if you like it or not. This scenario should not be associated with victimisation, but protecting your management structure.
    ————————————
    ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; I have to assume that you are taking issue with some non-issue like grammer or spelling and not with it’s truthfulness.

    Is this better?

    ….What King Arthur “gaveth” King David will taketh away.

  25. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Bush Tea,

    Leroy Parris was made chairman of CBC because he is the personal friend of David Thompson and the godfather of David Thompson’s daughter. David Thompson is also the godfather of Leroy Parris’ son.

    This is the same David Thompson who was preaching about something called “integrity” a couple of weeks ago.

    Obviously he never had any himself.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Bush tea your slip is showing we think. Again we ask what skills or value Parris is bringing to the job. CBC is a problem plagued company which calls on someone with good HR skills and management ability. The reality brother tea is maybe that CLICO must have pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the DLP campaign. To whom much is given much is expected.

    On the subject of Barbados Light & Power do you deny that it is a well run company? As you correctly stated we wrote a piece and no Barbadian in the blogosphere came out to challenge anything the company stated. So who is on a witch hunt?

  27. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    frankology // February 10, 2008 at 12:58 pm

    Frankology: Your party REMOVED THE FOLLOWING POSTING by me on their Facebook forum.
    ……………………………………………………………………..
    Adrian: To be honest, what that have to do with me. I am not a member, a supporter or a consultant with the party. Can’t say that about you and your partners. In future, I will just be ignoring such partisan writings from you and your propaganda friends, and focus on the enlightenment of the Barbadian public pertaining to things that I see wrong regardless to party, personality or business.

    *****By the way, stop changing the subject and deal with the observations by posters. This is a forum, not any particular party newsletter.********

    ——————How is your addition Frankology?———————

    The words “REMOVED THE FOLLOWING POSTING” where proceeded by comments that to my mind where on point to BU article, and therefore makes your accusation of changing subjects erroneous. Your errors in judgement are well documented. 😀

  28. Avatar
    Anonymous

    It is very obvious.

    Parris is an insurance executive.

    CBC runs this country’s only television station.

    Can anyone spell MEDIA CONTROL?

    Can anyone spell CRONEYISM?

    I’m glad to see that BU can spell “POLITICAL LACKEY”.

    Time for change? Time for people to wake up and realise they have been lied to. It will be business as usual.

  29. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    David // February 10, 2008 at 1:50 pm

    Bush tea you slip is showing we think. Again we ask what skills or value Parris is bring to the job. CBC is a problem plagues company which calls on someone with good HR skills and management ability.

    On the subject of Barbados Light & Power do you deny that it is a well run company? As you correct stated we wrote a piece and no Barbadian in the blogosphere came out to challenge anything the company stated. So who is on a witch hunt?
    ============================

    David unless you would have had the same views of Allen Fields appointment and whom Parris replaces, you need to join Bush tea on the list of slip showing men. 😀 as far as i am concern one business man for the next, as CBC can do with some private sector management concepts. If there is hope that CBC can at least pay for itself or better yet turn a profit so that the people of Barbados can keep more our money in the treasury, I am all for Parris, just as i could not find any real good reasons to object to Allan Fields appointment.

    Adrian you need to do a search of BU using the key words ‘Alan Fields” to get our view of the man.

    David

  30. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Anonymous // February 10, 2008 at 1:55 pm

    It is very obvious.

    Parris is an insurance executive.

    CBC runs this country’s only television station.

    Can anyone spell MEDIA CONTROL?

    Can anyone spell CRONEYISM?

    I’m glad to see that BU can spell “POLITICAL LACKEY”.

    Time for change? Time for people to wake up and realise they have been lied to. It will be business as usual.
    ==============================

    So what should the people do????? All i see here is an attempt at prophecy. So you know accusation of Media control are not new.

  31. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    There are plenty demonstrated practices of the Media organizations owned and Chaired by persons not experience in the media field. The corporate world has long moved away from having as a requirement that employers have a vocational degree or experience in the field that they work in, unless it is some speacialist field that demands such thru neccesity or requirement of law. There is no requirement of substance that makes experience in Media and absolute require to chair the board of such an organization.

  32. Tony Hall Avatar
    Tony Hall

    It is amazing how persons on this blog are getting heart attacks about Leroy Parris’ appointment as chairman of CBC. Wake up and be real. At least he is not a hypocrite. He knows what loyalty is about even though some of you are berating him for his alleged lack of proper use of the English language. So what!! He can’t be that bad having reached where he has in his chosen profession.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Tony Hall we don’t mind if you challenge us on our opinion. not so long ago we were all on this blog and others clamouring for change and a new way of doing things. We were all talking about yardfowlism and cronyism. Not we are happy a few weeks later to revert to the old way of doing things.

    Let us see how this plays out :-0

  34. Bush tea Avatar
    Bush tea

    David,

    You have not yet explained how you are able to prejudge a man performance?

    ..as I said, maybe I am missing something… but I have seen all types of ‘experts’ given posts as chairman before (and I mentioned the highly admired Sir Henry) and the results have been pathetic at best.

    I have seen some unqualified (NON UWI) persons perform miracles as leaders….

    I have problems with prejudging – based on what? friendship with Thompson?
    Who would you trust to execute your policies if you were Thompson? highly qualified persons who you did not know or who were not your friend?

    …and what will you say if Parris does a great job?I know I will pi** all over him and Thompson if he fowls up – but I cannot find a reason to prejudge him …

  35. David Avatar
    David

    Bush tea let us repeat because you seem to have acquired a bit of what TG and Frankology suffer from at times…lol.

    Let us use another angle which we know you will understand. We want to join David Commissong and others asking for transparency in campaign financing. How much money did CLICO and other companies fork out for the DLP campaigns and how many prinicpals from those companies who contributed now occupy senior posts on various boards in Barbados.

  36. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    David // February 10, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    Tony Hall we don’t mind if you challenge us on our opinion. not so long ago we were all on this blog and others clamouring for change and a new way of doing things. We were all talking about yardfowlism and cronyism. Not we are happy a few weeks later to revert to the old way of doing things.

    Let us see how this plays out :-0
    =============================

    ha ha ha the change that Barbadians voted for was to remove the BLP. It cannot be more than that. How much change do expect when the same systems, mechanism, are in place? How do you expect the DLP to be fair and non-partisan with these appointments when it’s supporters do not expect and or will not tolerate such? How do you expect Thompson after having certain documents from the Ministry of Finance when he was the Minister, find their way into the hands of the then BLP opposition only to see his former permanent secratary in that ministry of finance become a Minister of government in a BLP government? The reality is that insitutions of government and those funded by government that can break or make the government will always have oversight by persons that the governing party can trust. Lets deal with realistic change, not pie in the sky dreaming that does not or cannot get us meaningful and honest government.

  37. Thistle Avatar
    Thistle

    I really have to laugh when people berate Leroy Parris for his lack of knowledge of the English language and his use of poor grammar, when so many so-called journalists in Barbados display use of the same poor grammar, or worse! What I do know is, that with Jeanette Layne-Clark as Parris’s backup, good use of English and English grammar will be the order of the day Thank God for that.

    Thistle we agree because we are not so big on grammar more so getting the message across. The part we mention about green verbs should not be used as a red herring. We have written some more substantive objections to why the appointment should be questioned. If we were in the USA many appointments we take for granted would have to be subjected to the rigour of a Senate Committee or the media even.

    Oh well what do we know,

    David

  38. Prof C. Wren Avatar
    Prof C. Wren

    Dear David,

    I admire your even handedness. Better that we aspire to better things than become immune to it.

    I like your analogy with the US. Not always ideal, but it does save Americans from the worse excesses of patronage.

    Perhaps you have found a role for the Independent Senators.

  39. Thistle Avatar
    Thistle

    David,

    I think you’re a bit thin-skinned. I wasn’t even thinking of you when I made the comment. You are not by any means the only one who remarks on Leroy Parris’s lack of good grammar, so don’t get so jumpy. I am in total agreement with you on your main point, however, but I am willing to give the man a chance, to see how well (or not) he succeeds in that post.

  40. Bush tea Avatar
    Bush tea

    Ok David,

    I get the point (you really hurt me with the comparison with Frankology though..LOL)

    But the article should have raised that issue rather that the specific appointment.

    I also do not know which of the other appointees supported the DLP’s campaign- and indeed, who could be appointed now and that not be an issue? The problem with Parris is that he has always been upfront and direct…(which I like).

    Have we not heard that most business people in Barbados support BOTH SIDES? (I had ‘Lowdown’ for that pick LOL)

    Even if Thompson appointed the great Bush tea to chair a Board… how do you know what I contributed to his success and what he may now be repaying?

    …so are you calling for all political contributions to be made public knowledge?

    ..for Political campaigns to be funded by the taxpayers only?

    …or for appointments to be made ONLY from non-supporters?

    ….all Bush tea ever wanted was honest, competent and accountable work from those appointed to high office – or lock them up…

    Bush tea we are surprise by now that you have not detected that we will write an article pushing one angle only to blindside our BU family with another viewpoint. it is our way of making sure you are awake! We agree that Lowdown Hoad would be a good pick for the post of Chairman at CBC, talk about a good communicator!

    David

    …and I feel that we have some locking up outstanding. If Thompson would do THAT, then I would feel confident that those appointed now would put their best feet forward -or decline the appointments if they know that they cannot cope….

  41. MICKEY MOUSE Avatar
    MICKEY MOUSE

    Adrian Hinds you are writing without the benefit of comprehension. The issue is not that Rugged spoke of insensitivity in describing what you call the five year dance. The issue is that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet did not employ either Trotman or Edghill, the UDC Board did. So neither the sanctimonious PM nor Cabinet can fire people they did not employ. All that has been achieved by this rush to be vindictive is the wrongful dismissal of a man with a five year contract who is being paid over $16 000 a month. To make mater worse when he claims compensation for our new Cabinet’s irresponsible act, we the tax payers will have to fork out nearly a million dollars as Edghill is only in the third month of his five-year cotract. Cabinet Ministers should have to pay that money out of their pockets. I for one am fed up with the crap these people fed us about a new way of doing politics

  42. David Avatar
    David

    Mr. Thistle first thing, we can’t afford to be thin skinned in the business of blogging. Having just made it through a hectic period with the abuse and accusations being hurled from the political campaign just done, we think we are the opposite:-)

    The next point is to pick you up on the point that you understand the thrust of our article. Do you really? How do you respond to our concerns about a possible conflict of interest given CL Financial’s role in the media industry in the Caribbean. Also the point of transparency in campaign financing? Are you not interested to know how much our companies in Barbados donated to the government including CLICO? Don’t you think the level of patrimony we all complain about can be better monitored if we were to strip away the mystery our campaign donations?

    When you address those concerns you can talk about giving somebody a chance. We don’t think that what we are asking for is pie in the sky at all. it is doable but we need to have the will to it.

  43. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Lots of crazy people blogging. I am with Bush tea on this one. But I guess nothing so exciting has happened in the last few weeks so we are all going crazy with this.
    What wrong with Leroy Parris? He barely get a pick and wunna lambasting he before he even get in the Pine. Wow.
    The Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt after being freed of enslavement there.
    It takes a really strong man/woman to know that one cannot please every body all of the time. Ease up off a gov’t that ain’t even a month old. The time will surely come to rightfully cuss it out. It ain’t come yet.

    Anonymous at BU we believe that an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We prefer to complain, agitate and advocate from early rather than wait until later when the the inevitable rot is sure to set in…lol.

    David

  44. Thistle Avatar
    Thistle

    I think that Bush Tea and Anonymous have answered you more capably and relevantly than I can, David.

  45. Baje@Foreign Avatar
    Baje@Foreign

    BU,

    I have to disagree with you on this one.

    I cant understand why you are upset about the Leroy Parris appointment! Give the man a chance to do his job and if he messes up, then by all means lets have a go at him. I am not sure that I understand or agree with the reasons you put forward for your stance because it seems as though you are mixing the issues and confounding the situation.

    If you had said that Mr. Parris has no qualifications nor experience to be chairman of CBC…..and you had brought proper evidence of this….then I would be backing you up 100%. But your reasoning seems to run tangential to the main point. Insurance industry media control, and the fact that he is an avid supporter of the PM seem to be your main grounds. I will deal with the last point first.

    I dont know about you, but if I wuz PM I would NOT…I repeat would NOT be deviating too far from the past practice of putting my supporters in key positions. Lets be grown men and women here….that is the system and it will not change anytime soon. If you can come with a clear alternative then tell me!! I would not want to be worrying if my chairmen and women would be supporting the position of my administration. So by convention…..supporters get first pick. What I would add, is that they also need to bring some expertise and experience to the table in order to be considered. So it is a thin line and a delicate balancing act that need to be performed. Based on what I know of Mr. Parris, I would think that as a succesful business man, he can make an attempt to turn the operations of CBC around and make it a viable operation. Ms. Layne-Clarke and others on the board are there to bring the journalism, broadcasting and other expertise to the table so that if you look at the board in its entirety, it is a pretty good mix.

    Regarding the first point, I suppose that if there is any hint of a conflict of interest regarding tv licences, that Mr. Parris would remove himself from this position when the time comes. Now….it is not an issue.

    So in conclusion BU, I think you are jumping the gun here a bit and I agree with some of the other bloggers who said you are prejudging the man and the situation. Give the people a chance to do some work before you bring the doom and gloom forecasts. You are not on very solid ground on this one I am afraid.

  46. born and bred Avatar
    born and bred

    David,

    I agree with your last comment entirely.

    I don’t think the issue is Leroy Parris, his credentials, or colour but his extremely close relationship with our Prime Minister and his Company Affiliations vis-a-vis political contributions.

    It’s time Bajans start discerning and thinking and stop with all the “old talk”.

    There are a heck of alot of other issues that can and will impact on the governance of this country negatively if “friends” are placed in high places, no matter how competent the friends maybe.

    The country voted unanimoulsy for change and sadly there can be and will be no change as long as this type of behaviour continues.

  47. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    MICKEY MOUSE // February 10, 2008 at 3:20 pm

    Adrian Hinds you are writing without the benefit of comprehension. The issue is not that Rugged spoke of insensitivity in describing what you call the five year dance. The issue is that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet did not employ either Trotman or Edghill, the UDC Board did. So neither the sanctimonious PM nor Cabinet can fire people they did not employ. All that has been achieved by this rush to be vindictive is the wrongful dismissal of a man with a five year contract who is being paid over $16 000 a month. To make mater worse when he claims compensation for our new Cabinet’s irresponsible act, we the tax payers will have to fork out nearly a million dollars as Edghill is only in the third month of his five-year cotract. Cabinet Ministers should have to pay that money out of their pockets. I for one am fed up with the crap these people fed us about a new way of doing politics
    ==============================

    ….Well help me to understand what i am failing to comprehend. I did see in the same nationnews article that “Mia” express alarm at how the UDC two were terminated, and in another paragraph where she is recorded as to have saide that the PM cannot fire them. So they have been fired and not fired?????? are they truly gone or not? Was i wrong in reading past articles that Hammie Lah as a Minister would have erred in firing Obrien Trotman before Owen reinstate him? and how is it that an appointment such as the one given to Mr.Payne required Ministerial aprroval? Help me to understand these things.

  48. samizdat Avatar
    samizdat

    Can someone please explain to me what the difference is between the Chairman of a company and its Managing Director?

    Is it that the Chairman make all the important policy/recruitment etc decisions while the CEO just follows instructions?

    Who is “head’ at the PAC now, for example: Tafari or this new Chairman?

    Same question for NCF. It Estwick still the boss?

    Forgive the ignorance of these questions….

  49. notesfromthemargin Avatar
    notesfromthemargin

    Samizdat

    The Chairman provides leadership to the board who’s role is to set policies to safeguard and promote the interests of the share holder(s).

    The Managing Director has the job of implementing the policies set by the board.

    You guys really didn’t think that the politicians were REALLY going to change things did you? Let’s be real here, these board positions go to people that the shareholder (Government) trusts. That is automatically going to mean a party faithful.

    Given the history of the relationship with Thompson, Leroy Parris was SURE to end up in at least one board chairmanship (he may well get more). I’m surprised that it isn’t something like the port or airport.

    I wouldn’t read more into this that what it is.

    Marginal

  50. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I feel contented(good word) that somehow, this blog and the commenters are not going to sit idly by and let any gov’t do foolishness without pulling them up.
    It will then be up to said gov’t to do the right thing after being chastised. My advice to the new kids on the block is to take it easy. Do not rush the brush. Let me know about all the things the former kids on the block did; good and bad. You owe it to me.
    By the way, I have finally thought of a moniker I can live with. From now on this anonymous will be Sam Gamgee, my favorite character in the LOTR trilogy! LOL.

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