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Did Honourable Member Chris Sinckler Deliver a Terminological Inexactitude?

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Chris Sinckler, former Minister of Finance
Donville Inniss, DLP Executive Member

 

We have no doubt that we can and will grow our economy further and faster. We know we can bring unemployment down to even lower levels once we unleash the over $1 billion of foreign direct investment we have before us with projects such as the Sandals Casuarina expansion which has started, the Sam Lords Redevelopment Project which has also started, the Hyatt Centric and even the much maligned Four Seasons Project which, God willing, can get started shortly – Extracted from the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals

In his 2016 Financial Statement and Budgetary presentation Minister of Commerce Donville Inniss suggested that the application to build the 15 story Hyatt on beachfront in a UNESCO World Heritage site was reviewed by the Town Planning Department with conditions and final approval by the prime minister is a fait accompli. Have a listen from 5:40 minutes of the video presentation. 

The extract at the top of this blog was taken from the 2016 Financial Statement and Budgetary proposals delivered by Minister Chris Sinckler. The veracity of the statement can be crosschecked by watching his budget presentation. His attempt to use the above statement to defend what he conveyed about the status of the Hyatt project raises a couple observations. Either the MoF is challenged with comprehension and writing skills or he takes Barbadians for fools. It is obvious to the BU household any which way the statement is read (or viewed) that his uncertainty about the status of the projects in the pipeline was directed at ‘’the much maligned Four Seasons Project’’ and NOT the Hyatt project .   For him to feel so emboldened to refer to  ‘’God willing’’ as a disclaimer about the status of the Hyatt project rings hollow. It reinforces the growing public belief that this is a government committed to governance by stealth, an approach seemingly ensconced in the way business is done by the Cabinet of Barbados.

The BU household will resist the temptation to sully the office of the minister of finance by describing Sinckler has a pathological liar. It has become patently obvious his is a poor reaction to the onslaught in recent days by social justice advocate David Comissiong. No need to mention the disparaging remarks about Comissiong delivered by the son of a fisherman Inniss under the cloak of parliamentary privilege.

A poorakey parliament indeed!

It is instructive(?) that Sinckler’s feeble attempt to deflect criticism about the Hyatt project was shared to the media on the sidelines of the opening of another Berger King fast food restaurant. It serves as a reminder that this government gave a washpan of concessions to Cost U Less, a retailer and a user of scarce foreign – Who are the local partners in Cost-U-Less. The BU family bar a few will be able to connect the dots!

In Inniss’ contribution to the debate we are reminded he avoided calling a member of the other side a liar by retreating to the euphemistism  terminological inexactitude. The games Honourable Members play in the highest law making Chamber in the land.

To expect Sinckler’s resignation OR his sacking is a wasted expectation.

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128 responses to “Did Honourable Member Chris Sinckler Deliver a Terminological Inexactitude?”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    The Chase Files

    10 hrs ·

    Good Morning #realdreamchasers!. Here is your daily newscap. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Today Online (BT) or Midweek Nation Newspaper (DN).

    DON’T PANIC – SEPTEMBER 1 IT IS. The start of the much-talked about social responsibility levy is on course, even as a local tax specialist calls for its implementation to be postponed.Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler said Barbadians need not worry after the tax comes into existence tomorrow.‘“There is absolutely no need for any undue concerns. The effective date for the start of the tax is September 1,” Sinckler told the MIDWEEK NATION last night, as Barbadians braced for increases in prices. The minister said the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) would soon be issuing special guidance notes regarding the levy, that should make its implementation smoother. (MWN)

    PRICE GOUGING – One of the island’s largest private sector groupings is confirming that retail prices will rise above two per cent following the implementation of the National Social Responsibility Levy on Thursday, September 1. However, the Barbados Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCCI) said speculation that prices would skyrocket on the same day and that businesses would seek to profiteer was far from the truth.University of the West Indies economist Dr Troy Lorde said in a story published yesterday that not only would Barbadians pay more for goods when the levy took effect, they should also expect to see more than a two per cent hike in costs. Today, BCCI President Eddie Abed said consumers should expect price rises of between four and six per cent. (BT)

    ANSAL MCAL BUYING TWO MORE BAJAN COMPANIES – Approximately eight months after losing the bid to acquire Banks Holdings Limited (BHL), Trinidadian conglomerate ANSA McAL is about to acquire two other companies in Barbados.This comes as the company finalizes the sale of its Trimart supermarket chain.Making the announcement tonight during the official opening of the group’s latest addition to the island – the Sissons Paint shop in Wildey, St Michael – President And Chief Executive Officer of ANSA McAL Barbados Limited Nicholas Mouttet declined to give details out of fear that the deals could be compromised. The ANSA McAL Group of Companies is made up of over 60 companies across the region, employing over 950 people.Mouttet said since the investment in Standard Distributors in Barbados about 55 years ago by the ANSA McAL group, the company continued to invest heavily here. (BT)

    GUARANTORS MUST PAY – GUARANTORS WHO SIGNED for delinquent borrowers from the Student Revolving Loan Fund (SRLF) are the latest targets as the agency looks to recoup millions. But the agency’s attempt to touch their salaries, pensions and gratuities has outraged some who have reported that they recently received letters simply telling them the money was being taken out, while in another case the letter went directly to the guarantor’s payroll department unknown to him.Some of them said they were seeking legal advice on whether an administrator at the Government education loans facility has the power to instruct the Treasury Department to take the money without any consultation or court order.In some cases, guarantors working in, or retired from, the public service with pensions and gratuities coming through the Treasury were informed that lump sums of thousands of dollars would be deducted in one fell swoop. (MWN)

    BURGER KING BUYING LOCAL – Barbadian producers can expect more than $3 million in business to come their way this year once fast food restaurant Burger King follows through on a commitment to buy local.General Manager Ryan Walters said that $900,000 of that would be spent on local chicken.He said the combination of purchases from major suppliers and smaller ones could result in the globally-branded food outlet investing about $3.7 million this year. But he said those figures did not include what Burger King’s fifth new outlet, opened yesterday at Dome Mall in Warrens, planned to spend for the rest of the year.The fast food executive also noted that with Burger King’s plans to expand further, more money would be spent at local food suppliers.Walters acknowledged that when Burger King began operations in Barbados on January 20, 2013, 80 per cent of its supplies was imported. Now, he said, more than half of its food is sourced locally. (BT)

    BARBADOS FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION – FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA), George Griffith, has dismissed Father Clement Paul’s call for the association to apologise for the success of its programmes. Griffith, a 23-year veteran of the BFPA, said Roman Catholic priest Paul was out of his depth on the issue and had “fallen behind in his thinking with regard to social development”. The retired social worker defended the BFPA, formed in 1954, as having done a wonderful job and said there was more work to be done. He said rather than being critical of the BFPA, thanks should be expressed for the development of families and the social and economic development of the island over the years. (MWN)

    TASI EXTENDED – Government is to further extend its experimental programme of combining the services of the Barbados Transport Board and private operators of public service vehicles on some routes.A release today from the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) quoted the Transport Authority as saying the Transport Authority Service Integration (TASI) project would now run through to December 31. The TASI project, which was launched in December 2015 on the Edey Village, Christ Church route and later on the Sturges, St Thomas route, was first extended in June.Director of Transport in the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) Alex Linton said at the time that the extension would be followed closely by the addition of new routes.However, today’s BGIS release made no mention of additional routes. (BT)

    MASCULINITY AT CROSSROADS – A UNIVERSITY LECTURER has cautioned about the dangers associated with the perception of Caribbean masculinity. Senior lecturer in cultural studies at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, Dr Aaron Kamugisha, told those attending a discussion on the issue that no one is benefiting from the idea that masculinity equals overwhelming prowess and control.Contributing to the discussion on Caribbean masculinity and its impact on sexuality held on Saturday, he pointed out that many men, like others, found it difficult to have control over most aspects of their lives.As a result, he said the question was how to deal with the consequences of the associated anxieties and the violence produced. (MWN)

    GOVERNMENTS NOT DOING ENOUGH – REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE been chided by a student leader for not doing enough when it comes to financing higher education. President of the President of the Guild of Students at the Cave Hill campus, Olvine Holas, spoke of the guild’s concerns on Monday during a press conference at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies.While noting that they are thankful for the funds and other assistance being provided, Holas intimated that more could be done by CARICOM governments and encouraged them to commit more funds.“I cannot cry out to our governments enough to understand the importance of education and higher education and education of the region’s young minds so that we can contribute meaningfully in the present and in the future to the development of our Caribbean region,” he said, adding that some of the stories from students in need were “heartbreaking” and “nerve-wrecking”.

    NOT BACKING DOWN – DIRECTOR OF THE Barbados Vocational Training Board (BVTB), Henderson Thompson, yesterday admitted that Jasmine Valerie Payne was the only employee who was dismissed or otherwise disciplined between 2010 and 2013 for alleged failure to complete assigned tasks. Thompson returned to the witness stand when the unfair dismissal case brought by Payne to the Employment Rights Tribunal continued.It was earlier established that Payne depended on inputs from managers and department heads to complete the activities section of the BVTB’s annual reports and that she needed information from the audited accounts to add to the reports, which were unavailable.Thompson told the panel, which is chaired by Omari Drakes and includes commissioners Dr Hartley Richards and Frederick Forde, that the audited accounts were the responsibility of the board’s accountant. (MWN)

    WAR ON DRUGS – A local religious leader has likened illegal drug use to slavery and has committed his ministry to rescuing young people from the scourge.Pastor of Empowerment International Ministries Roger Husbands has also declared war on community drug pushers, while stressing that school must not be seen as a “chill-out spot”.Husbands made the commitment at his Roebuck Street church on Sunday, where nine boys and young men graduated from a programme run by the Drug Education and Counselling Services (DESC) of which the pastor is the founder. The church leader said he had seen the effect drug use was having on young people, blaming narcotics for driving the youth towards violence.Husbands urged all of Barbados to join in the fight against drug use and trafficking by being vigilant and reporting to the police or Crimestoppers any signs of this illegal activity in the communities.DESC is described as a faith based non-governmental organization working with young boys and girls with substance abuse and behavioural issues to help them find hope and freedom from these menaces.Husband said it has treated over 1,000 young people since it began operating some 12 years ago. (BT)

    NO WATER BUT HIGH WATER BILLS – It has become an all-too-familiar story for residents of St Joseph and other districts in the east and north of the island.The seemingly endless water shortages compounded by inflated water bills have tested their patience, many of them said. Having vented their frustrations at town hall meetings organized by the Opposition Barbados Labour Party, and having written to the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) demanding improvements, consumers in St Joseph said they had reached the end of their tether and were prepared to act.They are planning to take their case to the BWA headquarters in The Pine, St Michael by staging a protest there, for which they are awaiting police permission.Another vexing issue was that of water bills, which residents have repeatedly claimed were not representative of the service they received.Alleyne said she too had been receiving bills that were much too high and they all should get refunds from BWA.This is one of the issues that the residents said they would like to discuss with Minister Estwick.However, they said it was perplexing that despite their woes, the minister had yet to meet with the community. (BT)

    FENCE DISPUTE – MINISTER OF TRANSPORT and Works and parliamentary representative for St Philip North Michael Lashley has been drawn into a simmering dispute between neighbours in his community over the erection of a fence. Yesterday, Lashley, accompanied by a team from the Town Planning office, along with land surveyors, visited the disputed area at Marley Vale, where land owner Ottis Phillips has started erecting a fence around his property.While not disputing the ownership of the land, the residents called the actions of the property owner selfish and complained that it hindered easy access to their homes via a route they claimed they had been using for a considerable period.Additionally, the village shopkeeper complained that the construction of the fence would cause her to suffer a considerable fall-off in business. (MWN)

    ANOTHER MYRIE CASE – ANOTHER JAMAICAN NATIONAL is threatening to take Barbados to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) over her alleged treatment at Grantley Adams International Airport. Sonya King is claiming inhumane treatment meted out to her by Immigration Department officers over the weekend after arriving from Trinidad for a short vacation.Her cries have evoked memories of the famous Shanique Myrie saga which occurred in 2011 and went all the way to the CCJ, where she won a judgment against the Barbados Government two years later. However, in King’s case, there was no incident involving a cavity search. King’s story has already made headlines in the Jamaica Observer.The 24-year-old said she landed last Saturday night with her 14-month-old son Kaleb but was denied entry. (MWN)

    WOUNDED OVER A MAN – An ongoing feud over a man landed a woman and her friend in the District “A” Magistrates Court today, charged with wounding a third woman.Friends Melissa Alicia Haynes, 32, of King’s Village, Holder’s Hill, St James and Keisha Ianna Payne, 35, of Cemetery Lane, Road View, St Peter are charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Peta Sobers.When they appeared before Acting Magistrate Douglas Frederick today, the two pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on May 16, 2015.The No 1 District “A” Criminal Court heard that Sobers was confronted by Haynes and Payne near the Super Styles Store in the City and was struck on the forehead several times with an umbrella and beaten about the body.Sobers had to seek medical attention for her injuries.Asked by the magistrate to explain their behaviour, Payne said she had an ongoing feud with Sobers, which came to a head on board a cruise.“But the mistake I made was not to report it to the police,” Payne said, to which Frederick said: “Revenge is not a defence. If you had managed to kill this girl you would be facing a different charge.”“What is the reason for this, a man?” Frederick further queried.“Yeah,” Payne replied.Haynes, who explained that she was a friend of Payne, said the complainant had been “dropping talk and stuff like that”.However, the Acting Chief Magistrate stopped her mid-sentence saying: “You are a friend, you must be able to tell your friend to come back. You should lead not follow. You have no right being here . . . you should not be in it at all.”“What happen to the man?” Frederick questioned.“I get rid of he,” Payne answered.Frederick informed the two that they would have to compensate Sobers, which the defendants signalled their willingness to do.There were no objections and the two women were granted $1,000 bail each with a stern warning.“Stay away for the complainant; have nothing to say or do with her because we want no further allegations,” Frederick cautioned.The two are scheduled to return to court on September 9. (BT)

    CONCEIRGE DENIES THEFT – A 31-year-old concierge yesterday denied assaulting Tonya Weekes and occasioning her actual bodily harm on August 28.Shaha Ola Harte of #13 4th Avenue, North Wildey Terrace, St Michael also pleaded not guilty to stealing a $1,600 cellular phone and a $750 car key from Weekes.Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick granted Harte $3,000 bail and adjourned the case until November 28, when she will return to the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court.Harte was represented by attorney-at-law Alvan Babb. (BT)

    RUM THIEF REMANDED – An unemployed man confessed that it was he who stole a bottle of rum from a friend’s shop on August 28.Vincent Tony Smith of Ellis Village, Halls Road, St Michael pleaded guilty to stealing the alcohol valued $41.75 belonging to Angela Eversley early sunday morning.In outlining the case to the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court today, Sergeant Martin Rock said Eversley was asleep when she was awakened by a knock on her shop. She got out of bed, looked out and saw Smith, who she knew as Fire, and another man standing outside her window.The second man ordered some eggs and after serving him, she turned away. That was when Smith pushed his hand through the dispatch window and took a bottle of Old Brigand Rum.Soon after, the woman went after Smith and took back the bottle, which was half-empty by then, from him. He in turn chased her, took away the rum and offered to pay for it. When he was asked to address the court today, Smith admitted he was wrong to steal the alcohol but said that when he offered to pay for the item, the woman refused.Smith, who has previous convictions, added that he also gave “a shot uh rum to the fella who buy the eggs but he went long”.The magistrate explained that the complainant operated a small business and could not afford such losses. The court ordered a presentencing report, remanded Smith and adjourned the case until September 26. (BT)

    SERIAL THIEVES WALK FREE BECAUSE PROSECUTION DIDN’T PHOTOCOPY FILES – Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick today dismissed a three-year-old case against two St Michael men after the prosecution had no file with which to start the matter. Kemal Mario Straker, of Lot #15, Clapham Park, St Michael and Kirklan Joel Bowen of Wildey Main Road, St Michael were charged with robbing Saskia Wiltshire of a bag worth $39.40; a $1,600 Samsung Galaxy tablet; $700 BlackBerry cellular phone; a $25 flash drive; a $60 make-up kit; a $25 purse; a $23.99 book; a $25 phone charger; and five pens worth between $20 and $60.The two were also accused of robbing Daran Gall of a $250 iPod, a $400 cellular phone and $10.They were previously granted $10,000 bail each, however Straker is currently on remand at HMP Dodds on other charges.When the case came up for hearing today the prosecutor said while his office was in possession of a file, they encountered some difficulties in making copies for the accused men.The magistrate argued that there was sufficient time to get the documents copied and dismissed the case. (MWN)

    $3000 BAIL FOR CARPENTER – When Sherman Troy Hinds went before Acting Chief Magistrate Douglas Frederick yesterday, he pleaded not guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting serious bodily harm on Mark Farrell on June 4 this year.The accused, from Edgecliff, St John, is a carpenter.There was no objection to the 40-year-old getting bail and this was granted to him in the sum of $3,000.Attorney Samuel Legay acted on behalf of Hinds, whose matter was adjourned until November 17 when he will again go before the District ‘A’ Magistrates Court. (BT)

    KINGDOM ARTS – Bringing modest fashion to the modern age were the talented designers in the fashion segment of this year’s third annual Kingdom Arts Festival. Joining together under the theme Thankful, designers Sharon Callender, Khala Hurdle, Rachel Clement, Lester Welch, Sheldene Brathwaite, Ruth-Ann King and Katrina Martelly expressed their spirit of thankfulness through their various designs.A festival with Christianity as the foundation, Kingdom Arts not only sought to showcase the talents of people in ministry that are artistes, designers and entrepreneurs, but also develop and teach, resulting in consistent growth both inside and outside of the festival. (MWN)

    That’s all for today folks. Shalom! #thechasefiles

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @Alvin

    Did you even try to understand the point made?

  3. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    I have to marvel at how easily my fellow Barbadians are sidetracked. This discredited administration imposed a 2% tax which will eventually be passed on to the consumer. But rather than being honest two ministers sought to deflect criticism of their action by introducing a price gouging red herring, in circumstances where not one price has been increased, and the gullible among us starts to abuse importers and retailers.

    This is the level of dishonesty that is now part and parcel of what the Government is about. The thing is that they think that they are clever, when in truth it only shows that they are totally unsuited to hold public office.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    Intended to make the same point yesterday when his interview with VoB was aired yesterday. There is also his simplistic analysis by not factoring that the levy will cost the consumer more than 2%.

  5. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Yesu efffing Crist,whey dis azole of a man Alvin come from.You old fool,you think Sicnkler want you to defend what he meant.Yesu Christ man,when you use DV you give a date or a specific time. viz….I will see you tomorrow dv.In Barbados one doesn’t say I will see you tomorrow god willing,only an Islamist or Muslim say that meaningless foolishness and then chop off somebody hand or head like the philistines they are.

  6. ac Avatar
    ac

    Wuuna Bees here on BU trying to cover Mia a..s but wunna doing a poor job cause until she tell the electorate how she plans to make barbados a better place all the hog wash attacks on govt not going to save Mia from losing

  7. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    Canada just signed on to Chinese bank….you go with the folks who have access to huge amounts of international funding, you do nit want oetty oeople sucking at your treasury or pension fund.

    Braxil impeached it’s president and the first thing the new president is doing….searching out international investors and reforming the pension fund.

  8. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    ……”you do not want petty oeople sucking at your treasury or pension fund.”

  9. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Recall, when questioned about not presenting alternative policies to Barbadians prior to the 2008 general elections, David Thompson responded by saying he WILL NOT HELP the BLP by ISSUING his PLANS and PROPOSED POLICIES. This led some of his supporters to believe “it is more likely that he does not have any detail plans to address the vague emotional things that he has been harping about.”

    If we take Thompson’s above comments into consideration, and juxtapose them with the present state of the Barbadian society and economy, perhaps in actuality, the DEMS did not have any detailed plans about how they would go about managing this island.

    And especially against the background of accusing their critics of not “bringing solutions,” the DEMS should hang their heads in shame, because after 8 years, they have not been able (or are incapable) of developing viable solutions to solve Barbados’ problems.

    Shiite, anyone noticed recently that Sinckler and Central Bank Governor, Dr. Delisle Worrell seem to be singing from two completely different hymn books?

    However, in true “Donald Trump style,” Sinckler “PLAGIARIZED” certain aspects from the IMF’s recommendations to Barbados, into a economic policy document called “Barbados’ Home Grown Policies,” for which he is SHAMELESSLY claiming credit.

    And as such, the AC yard-fowls may have a point……. perhaps Mottley should “tell the electorate how she plans to make Barbados a better place,” lest she treks a similar path of destruction the DLP has taken over the past 8 years.

  10. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    How is it that the Hon Member and MOF Chris Sinkler has the time to cut the ribbon at another new Bizzy King burger joint?

  11. Due Diligence Avatar
    Due Diligence

    @David August 31, 2016 at 3:31 PM #

    “Re Paradise Beach aka Four Seasons

    Suspect that the Chinese are coming!”

    Who else could it be?

  12. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    All the investment we are getting is in the sickening fast food business.Chefette now about to open it 15th branch.Burger King following.Fast food = sudden death.

  13. Anonymice - TheGazer Avatar
    Anonymice – TheGazer

    “NO WATER BUT HIGH WATER BILLS”

    This was in Trinidad and Tobago playbook of the early 1980s. I don’t know if they have improved, but I know we have gone backward.

  14. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Yes , David. We know that the 2 % levy will have additional costs but the thing is even when costs fall we do not usually see a corresponding reduction in prices. The government may be unscrupulous but it is my experience that so too are the businesses.

  15. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Again mixed messages being sent by the Government. Fast food is killing us, the Minister of Health says as the Minister of Finance cuts the ribbon at yet another fast food restaurant. One on every corner seems to be the aim. (Of course easier access will further encourage the lazy to turn down the pot.) They can’t legislate what people eat. They can’t stop fast food joints from opening. But they do not have to cut the ribbons and the Minister of Housing does not have to speak glowingly about the success of the salt and grease shops and encourage them to “corner the market” and sell more death. These guys seem to have no master plan. Each ministry seems to be operating independently without connecting the dots to form the whole picture. Is this a competition between ministers or a cooperative effort to benefit the country?

  16. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Also David, these businessmen usually put up the prices on old stock even before the effects of new levies are felt.

  17. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    Donna…total competition between the ministers to see who is the most stupid, who can outdo the stupidity.

    It’s really up to bajans to stop eating the unhealthy, death providing fast foods coming out of the restuarants, it’s weakening them, making them obese, cook more, …leave the fast food for the tourists…they are used to it.

  18. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Donna
    These guys seem to have no master plan.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Seriously Donna. Tell us where you have EVER seen a JA with a master plan…?
    ‘These guys’ simply run off in whatever direction their albino riders point them… braying loudly…

  19. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    I wish VOB would spare us the crap that emanates from the mouth of this pussy for a moderator…fortunately I don’t have to listen to a hopeless,stammering,stuttering,incoherent,
    poor rakey,clueless,pizpoor sumbeetch idyut.

  20. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Or as Paul LePage, governor of maine,arriving at a well known bajan rum shop verdict,would describe him as a choksutter.

  21. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Here is my suggestion for election posters:

    “50 YEARS OF PROGRESS

    Opening of new Chefette and new Burger King in Barbados!
    Evidence for a thriving economy. High quality food and high quality jobs for Barbados!”

  22. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Re: foreign currency reserves:

    Do the Central bank reports indicate any capital flight from Barbados to Florida and Switzerland? And what about paying for the Credit Suisse loan?

    How do those two factors influence the level of reserves?

  23. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Bajans still waiting to hear where the $300million gone to since April 2013.Maybe the bees will have to include the CB in its COI as first order of bizness.

  24. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/09/01/house-to-discuss-four-seasons/

    This just proves that government had no right becoming involved in 4 Seasons dcam…keep taxpayers and pension funds out of the hands of these crooks, let them find theur own loans and pay them back themselves.

    As this commenter said:

    ” Veroniva Boyce
    Veroniva Boyce
    September 1, 2016 at 5:54 am
    House to discuss four seasons: TAX, TAX, TAX & TAX! Nothing to discuss, the development project that was a pure scam a no way product and wunna fell for it as usual hook line and sinker. Wunna only got to hear the word money and wunna under starters orders without any thought by the time wunna realise it’s a scam the crooks gone with the funds and moved on to another victim. Wunna will never learn.”

  25. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Sinckler is a genius.

    He “anticipates” every downgrade and is “not suprised” by any recession. A true candidate for the next Nobel Prize for Economics.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    > Agree with your comment wholeheartedly, NCDs on the rise yet we have our > political ‘leaders’ glamorizing the opening of fast food restaurants. Why > does a MOF who presides over an ailing economy have to attend the opening > of a Fast food outlet? We know the answer, it is all about who has the > money to contribute to the campaign kitty. >

  27. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    It’s small island politics.We are not punching above our weight any longer.We are getting punched below the belt by barefoot ignorant politicians who can’t make the connection between the 2% tax and the supposed QEH crutch equivalent to millions of taxpayers dollars to accommodate those riddled with NCD’s compliments of the Fast Food Brigade led by Bizzy Haloute and the Colonel.

  28. Frustrated Businessman aka 'Nation of Laws' my ass. Avatar
    Frustrated Businessman aka ‘Nation of Laws’ my ass.

    Donna September 1, 2016 at 10:33 AM #
    Also David, these businessmen usually put up the prices on old stock even before the effects of new levies are felt.

    Donna, where do you think the cash comes from to buy restock items and pay the import taxes to land them? From the Trini banks extending overdrafts to cover Stinkliar’s stupidity?

    It is amazing to me how many people don’t understand the difference between cash flow and profit. It matters very little how much profit is made on current stock if there is a cashflow shortage to buy new stock. That makes the business untenable.

    Unlike business people in Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana and countless other places, Bajan businesses have spent billions of dollars in savings and new borrowings over the past eight years to maintain facilities, plant, equipment and employees, when reason screamed ‘cut and run’.

    BU posters seem to refuse to understand that BDS has ALWAYS been run and has certainly been BUILT by commerce, the asshats in parliament have simply facilitated for 375 years and taxed to increase social services.

    The purpose of Gov’t is to LEGISLATE, REGULATE AND FACILITATE, NOT OPERATE.

    That is the difference with this cabinet, they have introduced a level of corruption never seen before in this country that chases away the honest and only facilitates the equally corrupt. That will be the lasting legacy of this DLP administration.

    BUT, we are mostly still here and still supporting an economy that, on paper, should have collapsed five years ago (and many predicted it would).

    There will be no economic recovery under Fumble’s Fools, their departure will be like the throwing of the ‘ON’ switch for our economy, even if Gearbox was the new PM.

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @Frustrated Businessman

    The simple point being made is that the 2% went into effect yesterday on pre levy inventory. There should be no increase as at 1 September as advertised by one large company. This has only served to be a distraction from th real issue.

    On Fri, Sep 2, 2016 at 11:19 AM, Barbados Underground wrote:

    >

  30. Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right - INRI Avatar
    Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right – INRI

    While I am repeating the much belaboured topic, I would wish if only for one moment to place in sights the issue of remedial? action on those acts of corruption that besiege us perennially

    The following is an excerpt from an Article on Voter Fraud.

    While I speak to specific topic that is quite near to our collective hearts and which will feature again in the coming months, I post it here to give a context for why the consecutive ministers feel that they can do what they like, when they like for as long as they like BECAUSE NO ONE IS GOING TO DO THEM A PANG!!!

    “Robert Monroe Wisconsin, pleaded no contest to 13 counts of voter fraud, making him the worst duplicate voter in state history, according to Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney Bruce Landgraf.”

    “The judge in the case rejected Monroe’s claim that he was insane at the time, concluding that Monroe’s mental state did not prevent him “from appreciating the wrongfulness of his votes or from conforming his actions to election laws.”

    “Monroe will serve up to a year in jail, in addition to a suspended three-year prison sentence, five years’ probation, 300 hours of community service, and a $5,000 fine.”

    So on the one side of the coin we have as FBM aka Nation of Laws my Ass stating what the true nature of our problem is “the incompetent ministers” operating in the business and commerce and getting rich as opposed to effecting their respective enabling mandates

    We are going to be in this perpetual cycle because there is no one who is prepared to say to these criminals, WHEN YOU BREAK THE LAW, we are going to prosecute you and lock you up.

    Be you politician tekking bribes or businessman giving bribes, FULLSTOP!!!!

    THis is all plaster on a gangrenous sore, we swapping one for the other one

  31. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    Get real Boss…

    So if you have a house that you bought 10 years ago for $1/2 million and the market causes the value of such houses to rise to $3/4 million today …you will maintain the value of yours at $1/2 million because ‘that is what you paid for it’?

    Well not stinking Bushie…

    By imposing the 2%, STINKLIAR and our Shiite government (NOT BUSINESS PEOPLE) have effectively revalued all stock on the island effective September first. Any businessman kind enough to continue selling at old prices would have to be some kinda philanthropist or “kellman-economist”…

  32. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Sorry, Frustrated, you will not be able to fool me on that one as I am not a layperson in this regard. What are you doing with the profits? Distributing all without making provision for increased costs? Piss poor management then.

  33. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Pieces your reference to voter fraud in the US opens a can of worms which the likes of Freedom Crier would normally spill across the blog. Your point was to highlight that there is a grave penalty to pay for such misdeeds…and that there is no such sanction or even threat of sanction facing our political cretins.

    So to forestall here the mighty right wing voices, whose comrades have lodged ‘so called’ voter fraud prevention restrictions all across the Southern US (Texas, SC, NC) and other states, let me note that Robert Monroe Wisconsin’s actions would make up an infinitesimal fraction of less than 1% of any Presidential election.

    In fact his actions and others like him are often in local elections. And with these type of gargantuan jail sentences that’s the only place where the reward would be worth the risk.

    And to extend this tangent one last degree. Just recently SCOTUS struck down (actually was split 4-4 so the previous appeal court ruling stood) provisions enacted by North Carolina to suppress voting. In their detailed ruling the Appeals court had room to say damning words like: … all five restrictions “disproportionately affected African Americans.” And that, the provision, “retained only those types of photo ID disproportionately held by whites and excluded those disproportionately held by African Americans.”

    Let’s be thankful the DLP aren’t being so bold faced to ‘gerrymander’ provisions that restrict a batch of BLP supporters in a riding.

  34. Frustrated Businessman aka 'Nation of Laws' my ass. Avatar
    Frustrated Businessman aka ‘Nation of Laws’ my ass.

    Donna September 2, 2016 at 8:37 AM #
    Sorry, Frustrated, you will not be able to fool me on that one as I am not a layperson in this regard. What are you doing with the profits? Distributing all without making provision for increased costs? Piss poor management then.

    What profits Donna? Are you so stupid as to think any LEGITIMATE locally-owned businesses in Barbados is making money? The Trinis may be making money by shifting capital around but they certainly aren’t making money from BDS operations. Even Sandals can’t make money in this market and they are getting a free ride.

    The last eight years has been about SURVIVAL. We have stuck with it because we expected a two to three year turnaround like our last two recessions. Instead we have suffered a gov’t-induced eight-year economic coma. Too late for most, once committed the only option is to stay the course.

    I started my post by mentioning cash flows which obviously are too complicated for most to understand as your response stands proof. I’ll try to be simpler: if you do not cover future expenses on current sales you will not have the cash in hand to pay for that future stock. Current selling prices therefore have to increase, regardless of what caused the increased cost of future stock.

    At the end of the day, regardless of whether this ‘price gouging’ claim is political distraction or not, any good or service is only worth what the market will bear. We will see how that turns out.

    The fact is that the people tasked with extracting this tax still haven’t agreed how to do it or how to waive it. It should have been implemented as an increase in VAT for which systems already exist but that would have been too politically damaging.

  35. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Where are Sinckler´s adivers from? Venezuela, Zimbabwe or North Korea?

    We just need to watch Venezuela to see what happens if a government tries to run the economy.

  36. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Frustrated,

    I have prepared many a cash flow statement in my time and I do understand your argument. It would hold plenty of water except for one thing – you guys do the SAME THING IN GOOD TIMES. So you do not have any currency in the trust department.

    If the levies had been lowered by two percent tell me what would have happened.

    So…. I am not ” too stupid” to understand your argument. Just not stupid enough for you to talk down to in the typical manner of your kind.

  37. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    In short, MR. Frustrated when you repeatedly cry wolf when there is no wolf, when the wolf shows up nobody will believe you.

  38. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Not a good analogy, Bushie.

  39. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Done plenty of juggling in my time and never did we raise prices after our initial costing and pricing had been done on old stock. Went shopping at a customer friendly establishment yesterday and the prices had not been changed. That establishment would NEVER do that. And yet it flourishes. But then again, everyone who knows the owner would vouch for her humanity and her lack of Bushie’s albino-centricity.

  40. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    What are you talking about Donna?

    The only difference in Bushie’s analogy is that it places David the ‘house owner’ into the shoes of the businessman….
    If you brought a case of sardines for $2.00 each on the 30 August and Bushie wanted to buy some from you on the 30th Sept (when the new supermarket price is $2.10 each)…… will you be selling it for $2.00 each?

    …to then have to ‘find’ $0.10 each just to replace your stock?
    If you say ‘Yes’ then you may have gone to school with Stinkliar….. Business is not about being sentimental…. it is about being practical – else you just end up broke…

  41. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Tron
    We just need to watch Venezuela to see what happens if a government tries to run the economy.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Don’t follow Frustrated B with that theme about Government not running anything. …
    The problem is not with ‘government running the economy’ it is about IDIOTS trying to do so…

    Businessmen ran our economies for centuries before independence…and ordinary Bajans smelled HELL. When Barrow and Crawford took on the role, it brought SALVATION for the vast majority of Bajans.

    What has happened is that instead of appointing our brightest and best to run things, we have allowed our ‘useless, crooked and dumb’ to get hold of Parliament.

    There is NOTHING wrong with a COMPETENT and transparent government competing with private business in some areas… to ensure that best practice is maintained…

    For example there could be a government supermarket chain that offers the best possible prices WITHOUT SUBSIDIES to keep private ones in check…. This is easily possible where a meritocracy and modern management practices are in place.

  42. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    No Bushie, it may call for an adjustment and a bit of juggling but it can be done and is being done by some who are by no means going to go broke. When costs drop do sales prices drop with them? The businessman must take the tough with the smooth just like everybody else.

    They can do what they want because I will be cutting down to NECESSITIES to make up for the difference. They ain’t going to get ONE CENT extra outta me!

  43. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    rough

  44. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Question,

    How have these hard done buy businesses been operating these past eight years? Have the businessmen been investing personal assets into the businesses? How is it that they still manage to remain in operation?

  45. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    hard done by

  46. Frustrated Businessman aka 'Nation of Laws' my ass. Avatar
    Frustrated Businessman aka ‘Nation of Laws’ my ass.

    Donna September 2, 2016 at 10:28 AM #
    Done plenty of juggling in my time and never did we raise prices after our initial costing and pricing had been done on old stock.

    In that case you are indeed stupid. For the sake of others I will try again.

    So after you maintain your current price, receive your payment and realise you do not have enough cash to cover the importation of the new goods due to increased pay-at-port costs (unlike VAT which immediately reclaimed and then paid again at point-of-sale), you have two choices: borrow the difference or go out of business. The profits you made on the current sale cover direct and operational expenses, they cannot be spent again to cover increased costs.

    Bajan businesses have no more borrowing power, which is why the banks are flush with cash. Declare bankruptcy, close your doors and go home, NIS will take care of your workers; if they’re not broke too.

    Sometimes I really wonder how many people in this country have a fundamental grasp of basic economics. I’m not referring to the type of economics you need a certificate on a wall to prove your mastery of, I’m referring to the type of economics with which informally-educated people have operated rumshops for generations. Obviously Stinkliar, Fumble and Worrell don’t, maybe they are representative of 99% of our population who live on credit.

    Either way, the tax increases over the past eight years were never meant to recover the economy, the business tax cheese disappeared with business profits. Stifling of the economy has only served to preserve ForEx as I’ve posted for years on BU. We can’t have economic recovery without ForEx investment and the DLP thieves have also chased that away with their propositioning.

    So at the end of the day it comes right back down to business facilitation which this gov’t has failed miserably at unless bribery is involved. In order for someone to pay for anything it must otherwise be impossible to get, it’s what determines the prices of mangos and strawberries in BIM. I’ve posted that for years on BU as well.

    There will be no economic recovery under Fumble’s Fools.

  47. Frustrated Businessman aka 'Nation of Laws' my ass. Avatar
    Frustrated Businessman aka ‘Nation of Laws’ my ass.

    Donna September 2, 2016 at 11:09 AM #
    Question,

    How have these hard done buy businesses been operating these past eight years? Have the businessmen been investing personal assets into the businesses? How is it that they still manage to remain in operation?

    And that right there is the recurring miracle of BDS business: we all want to stay here and will do whatever it takes to remain in business, including mortgaging our assets to the hilt at the risk of bankrupting our children who also want to stay here. Unlike Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad where successful business people take flight at the first sign of trouble (like last night at Lucky Horseshoe Warrens).

    Now you’re starting to understand why BDS is different from the rest of the Caribbean.

  48. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @Bush Tea

    I agree that government operations are necessary when it comes to public servives like electricity, water and waste management, since private economy does not work in the case of monopoly goods.

    I interpret your other suggestion on supermarkets that government should enforce competition in the private sector where the market does not consist of monopoly goods. For food, I would recommend to get Aldi into the market. A liter milk for 2 BBD and a bottle of sparkling water for 1 BBD.

    However, we have to agree that Frustrated knows much more about the economy than the ministers and their advisers.

  49. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Frustrated B,

    What you don’t understand and what I probably shouldn’t tell you but can’t resist is that sometimes my submissions have an ulterior motive and should not be taken at face value. Sort of like an Australian sledge which unsettles the batsman and reveals his true nature.

    Haven’t answered my question which still is – what happens when costs fall. What I am trying to point out to you is that if you behaved differently in times of plenty profits we would be more inclined to believe you when you are actually making none.

    If you are investing your own assets it is because YOU CAN SEE THE BENEFIT OF STAYING HERE. Besides, you would have grabbed these assets from your customers in times of plenty anyhow. So put them back in if you want to stay! No sympathy from me!

    Bushie,

    There are profits, more profits and most profits. Aiming for the most profit is not always desirable. Not raising your prices immediately would not always mean that one would go broke. One’s cash flow situation would take a hit and profit would also be less but that does not mean that one has to go out of business. It all depends on of the health of the business.

  50. Well Well & Consequences Avatar
    Well Well & Consequences

    I understand rents have suddenly skyrocketed on the island, I am sure salaries have not, so the landlords must be praying for long stay visitors and wealthy tourists…. bonne chance avec ça , la cupidité est un enfer d’une chose .

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