Dunkley Responds To Questions From The PLP
In the Senate last week, OBA Senator Michael Dunkley suggested we expand the Economic Empowerment Zone [EEZ] throughout the island, something the PLP questioned saying “by extending the EEZ beyond Somerset, St. George’s and NE Hamilton, you take away important incentives for businesses to invest in these communities.”
As they did last week with Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards, the PLP released a statement questioning the suggestion made by Senator Dunkley saying, “As previously noted, the Opposition regularly tables questions in the House of Assembly that the PLP Government dutifully answers in great detail.”
Senator Dunkley replied saying, “While the Government might have dutifully answered questions in the House that was not the case in the Senate where questions in regards to Finance and the total revenue, total expenditure and total debt to March 31st 2011 have not been answered.”
“Now to answer the PLP directly; my colleagues and I have listened to the people and we share their concern that the whole island is in the midst of an economic downturn and we should work to empower all people; no one should be left behind,” continued Senator Dunkley.
The full statement from the PLP is below:
Michael Dunkley recently said that the UBP (aka the OBA) would make all of Bermuda an EEZ. The Bermudian people have a number of questions about their proposal.
As we did with Mr. Richards, we would like to give Mr. Dunkley the opportunity to clarify his party’s position on this important issue. As previously noted, the Opposition regularly tables questions in the House of Assembly that the PLP Government dutifully answers in great detail.
We were saddened that despite their stated commitment to transparency, Bob Richards refused to answer detailed questions related to OBA (aka the UBP) position on immigration. We are fully confident that Mr. Dunkley will be eager to let the public know about their party’s detailed positions. As such, we humbly ask:
By extending the EEZ beyond Somerset, St. George’s and NE Hamilton, you take away important incentives for businesses to invest in these communities. Do you think it is worth providing incentives for investment in these communities? If so, what will you do to promote investment in these communities?
The EEZ is designed to help historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in areas that need investment. By branding legislation related to the EEZ and small businesses “Mickey Mouse,” the OBA has made it clear that they will do nothing special to help historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and they will do nothing special to help Northeast Hamilton, Somerset and St. George’s develop.
The full statement from Senator Dunkley is below:
I am humbled that the PLP are now seeking the advice of myself and colleagues to help pull them out of the economic mess they have created.
They now realize the need for change and a fresh approach to pull us out of this prolonged downturn and create opportunity for all Bermudians.
However while the Government might have dutifully answered questions in the House that was not the case in the Senate where questions in regards to Finance and the total revenue, total expenditure and total debt to March 31st 2011 have not been answered.
These questions have been asked before, the exact same questions for 2010, and been answered so one must wonder why the silence now?
People have a right to know how much further in debt they have taken the island, how much they have spent on consultants and insiders, how government is spending hard earned tax dollars. I can’t answer these questions and government will not answer them. The people have a right to leadership that puts Bermuda first.
Now to answer the PLP directly; my colleagues and I have listened to the people and we share their concern that the whole island is in the midst of an economic downturn and we should work to empower all people; no one should be left behind.
As we change direction and climb out of this downturn, as we put Bermuda back to work and on a path to security and prosperity, all Bermudians must be involved in this process.
PLP: “We are in over our heads, can’t tell you the budget vs actual numbers because it shows we have made a giant mess so please Mr. Dunkley, tell us how to fix this! You run a successful business and all we have done is run up enormous amounts of debt with nothing to show for it. (By the way, if your ideas work, we will claim they were ours in the first place and if they don’t work, we’ll be sure to give you ‘credit’ for them!)”
Actually…if you read the release from the PLP nowhere did it ask Mr Dunkley for solutions to anything. it asked Mr. Dunkley to clarify the OBA’s position on EEZ’s. Mr Dunkley chose to be disingenuous and to word his answer in a way that made it seem like the PLP asked him for answers. Nonetheless, he made it clear that he feels that Tuckers Town needs as much financial injection as North Hamilton. Just shows that he is a little out of touch perhaps?
The PLP established EEZs to encourage the economic development further of sections of BErmuda that need financial injection. Nowhere does that mean that all of Bermuda should not be helped in some way.
Please quote the section in the “Full Statement” above where Tucker’s Town is mentioned.
LOL
No need to…he said all of Bermuda should be empowered. In my mind, that means that no one area should get preferential treatment. Therefore Tuckers Town should get the same economic empowerment policy as Court Street…
That’s is called spin at it’s best. Even you said “Nowhere does that mean that all of Bermuda should not be helped in some way” I agree Tucker’s Town does not need the help but what you imply is not the intent or are you getting at what type of person lives in Tucker’s Town ie race or wealth or both otherwise why did you single out Tucker’s Town? Simple question really.
LOL
There are businesses in Tuckers Town??
No matter how much political rhetoric is involved on behalf of the OBA, it is indisputable fact that the economic realities that placed the communities of Somerset, Dockyard and North Hamilton in an historic economically disadvantaged state, practically ignored for many years, started long before 1998.
In this regard, Mr. Dunkely’s and the OBA’s answer is counterintuitive – if there is a historical disadvantage to certain communities, then by not recognizing this, or even worse, ignoring this fact and treating all communities as equal in terms of their current economic vulnerability, and proposed economic incentives to aid these vulnerabilities, will only continue to maintain the historic inequity and disadvantage of the disparaged communities in question. By continuing to ignore the realities of the historic disadvantages that segments of Bermuda’s community have had to undergo, by effect, Dunkley and the OBA would actually be working against their stated aim of empowering all people and leaving no one behind.
Add this to the fact that the EEZ designation is designed to aid existing economic zones where small businesses are concentrated such as Somerset and North Hamilton, not just broad areas of residential occupation, suggests that Dunkely and the OBA do not grasp the concept and its intended benefits to the businesses that need this help most.
Well Said Mr. Chapman!
Mr Chapman,
I could not have responded any better, well said and important factors were highlighted.
Not sure that either of your replies could be more disingenuous yours or haha. No where did Mr Dunkley mention Tuckers Town he only rightfully referenced all of Bermuda. You mention Somerset,Dockyard and North Hamilton and I would ask you how the people from those areas have benefitted from the Dockyard Pier overspend, the cement company rip off or the TCD debacle and collosal overspend? right no one other than a few insiders of the Government…and while you are at it please mention that the PLP is the Government who forced thru the SDO at Tuckers Point(Tuckers Town) which I am also sure will have little to no benefit to the people of Bermuda but will to a select chosen few.
Of course we wouldn’t be needing any EEZs if the larcenous behaviour of Dr EB and fueled by Paula the cog hadn’t impoversihed the island to the extent that it is now. What David seems unable to unsderstand is that the horrific mismanagement of the economy forces up the tax burden on the poorest who are least able to shoulder it – these are the disadvantages that are faced in Bermuda now, not the legacy of other eras.
Hey Mike and Bob don’t say a thing until you negotiate a healthy consultancy fee and don’t forget the MD’s 10%!
“The EEZ is designed to help historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in areas that need investment. By branding legislation related to the EEZ and small businesses “Mickey Mouse,” the OBA has made it clear that they will do nothing special to help historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and they will do nothing special to help Northeast Hamilton, Somerset and St. George’s develop”
What about business at Somerset Bridge? Southampton? Warwick or all the others? Are the other Parishes not suffering? Are they doing better? Getting more investments than the ones in the EEZs? Will the PLP do nothing special to help everybody else? Or do they just pick and choose who is more worthy?
They pick and choose who is going to vote for them.
LOL
The fact that Dunkley was left the only dairy on a small island by his grandfather hardly qualifies him as a successful businessman. Does anyone even no how successful Dunkley’s is, it’s profit margins, it’s operating cost etc. anyway?
Translation 2 your comment is incorrect and I will extend an invitation to you to call me and arrange to come visit our operation whenever you have some free time. It is a private business so there is no obiligation to share any company information but I am happy to show you around and you can see for yourself and ask questions. By the way…we employ almost 100 staff and when I started working here we had about 25. I am even happy to have you come and watch the 2 am shift if you are busy during the day! I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Dunkleys is VERY successful.
Its becoming increasinly hard for me to take these statements seriously when i have to read things like “UBP (aka OBA)”. It sounds petty and childish and is not helping you to prove your point. I struggle to try and grasp which one of your elder statesman is approving of this type of writing, it makes you sound elementry. I understand the point that you are trying to make but we the general public just witnessed the founding of the OBA a few months ago, we are well aware of where it comes from and its members, we know the history. We do not need these silly reminders from you of it. Its starting to feel like you think we the public or stupid and easily fooled and dont know what happened last week, and we are not. I really dont understand how you expect to gain votes by doing such, cut it out. I expect my government leaders to ac accordingly.
moving on to the actual point that is being discussed, i understood and fully supported the move to help out the North East Hamilton Empowerment Zone, it was plainly clear that this area was being left behind. What I must question however is the growing of this area to such points as the Towne of St. Georges. “historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs” in the town, really? I mean they might be disadvantaged now that you took away their cruise ships but they are hardly historically disadvantaged. Why not help the entreprenuers that are trying to set up shop on Ord Road, that area needs investment and i think a postive, prospering busienss will go far to help move that area forward. I name that area because it is one that i know but im sure we can all think of such areas where lots of good can be done as such i would support expanding the Economic Empowerment Zones. If the critiria we are going to use for expanding such zones is “historically disadvantaged” area then im sorry those areas just dont fit the bill.
Senator Dunkley says and I quote “I am humbled that the PLP are now seeking the advice of myself and colleagues to help pull them out of the economic mess they have created.”
Is he really serious, are people that gullible and naïve?!?! I was once an avid PLP supporter but my political views have changed drastically!! I take every word that any politician says, no matter which party they represent, with a grain of salt. I thought our people were more educated than this, are our people so dumb that common sense isn’t so common anymore!! Yes the PLP did spend a lot of money especially under Dr. Brown, but you can’t sit here and tell me the UBP/OBA or whatever their calling themselves now days wasn’t in on the whole over spending nonsense!! I’m sure it lined their pockets just like the business owners in the PLP too because they’re the ones that wrote the stinking book!! Until people realize that party politics is smoke and mirrors then we’re ALL doomed!! It just upsets me when people say the PLP created this mess or the UBP started the ball rolling back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s and then they can’t figure out that both parties work for the same interest. We need to stop voting on party lines and start listening to people’s campaign platforms and vote the person in that isn’t working for special political lobbyist. If you really look at it deeper than you can ever imagine you’ll realize that the PLP and the OBA are leading us in the same direction and that is a TOTAL EXPLOSION of our way of living. You can’t form a new society without destroying the old one first and that is exactly what is happening now! Ask yourself one question, do you really believe that the government MPs genuinely care about you or your future???? I’ll sign out with quote to think about and it states “POWER CURRUPTS, AND ABSOLUTE POWER CURRUPTS ABSOLUTELY”!!
St. George’s wasn’t disadvantaged until the PLP got their hands on Bermuda. Dunkley’s right that the whole island is in trouble now because of the PLP. They should be answering for their actions not those proposing solutions.
SMH! PLP Statement: “UBP (aka the OBA)”…..Sounds like the PLP consultants and speech writers are DESPERATE to resurrect their former campaign of “a vote for the UBP is a vote for white slavery”…..there is nothing else they can defend their own hideous record with – so they MUST distract the people, make it emotional and continue to promote this UBP connection, albeit totally false, as much as possible. Gotta play that race card with a poker face. But we KNOW what ya ain’t got! Obvious. Pathetic. Thought Paula was above all this…..things were going to be different???
but is it not true? arent the UBP and BDA inherently the same Party?
Is it not inherently true that the PLP would characterize any opposition unless it came from itself the UBP Ver 2.0 Rolf Commissiong stated as much way back that that was how it was going to be during the “Big Conversation”. All this proves to me is that they do not feel themselves that they can run on their record thus far to win the swing voters that actually vote.
LOL
who cares as long as they are not the PLP….The PLP has become what they always accused the UBP of being…confused? time for a change as you have failed miserably…please just go away….
we all know what happened a few months ago, this country doesnt suffer from Short Term Memory loss nor are we stupid however it would appear that our politcal parties are growing ever more childish.
yes, they are deeply connected. I think the BDA was dumb (or impatient) to merge, they had a chance to be an authentic shift and let it go (unless that was the plan all along).
The questions I have for @haha is does the PLP really need to keep pointing this out? Is that the level of dialogue we want from our leaders? It’s sort of childish, no? Or are they just plucking an emotional string that they rely on? I mean other than being voted out 13 years ago and losing all the subsequent elections what has the UBP done for us lately?
We should vote OBA just to show the PLP that they can be voted out too. Then we might get some accountability around here. The UBP once ruled as if there by divine right and the PLP seems to have adopted the same attitude.
Agreed
LOL
my expressions exactly.
who cares? The UBP left an island in 1998 with a cash surplus, full employment, a booming economy and the second highest standard of living in the world. Sure, the Island had its problems then – some of them under the surface, some of them in your face but that’s life. Now we are faced with a massive deficit, high unemployment, a shrinking economy, high crime, blatant racism and inexcusable intollerance towards those that look different than us that starts at the very top of society. Want more of where we are headed? Vote PLP. Want a change – vote for the opposition – what ever it is you want to call them. Want to do nothing? great – just stop commenting on these posts!!!!!
amen.
Have you ever thought that the reason we had a surplus may have been because the UBP invested next to nothing into the infrastructure?
haha that is not correct as the PLP did not take over a crumbling infrastructure or economy. Cedarbridge opened in 1997, just go back and research the projects that were done.
Mr Dunkley,
Not only did you not answer the questions the PLP asked you, you also missed the point on what I wrote.
How much did the UBP invest in infrastructure of our country for the last 15 years of their reign? Housing, Hospital, Social programs, etc.
And if you want to use CedarBridge as your crowing glory, Lord help us all. The UBP destroyed the education system. That’s one thing the PLP did inherit.
But then again, you are the OBA now, so why would you want to defend the UBP’s governing tactics?
exactly, the OBA doesn’t have to answer for the UBP of the past. That said, think, just a few key ones the did in the last 15 years they were government:
Movement of Bus Depot from Hamilton to Devonshire
Making East Broadway a 4 lane road instead of three
Movement of Bda college from Roberts Avenue to new Paget location
Tynes Bay incinerator completed
KEMH new surgical wing, emergency ward, ICU, Hostpice etc competed
National Sports Centre built
Public parks created(think Paget Marsh, Warwick Park, Shelley Bay park)
Cedarbridge Built
Westgate Built and Casemates closed down.
Dockyard restored to become a tourism destination
Those i just thought of off the top of my head. They spent money and they did it for the best interest of all of us. Sure there were some that may have helped themselves a little too (appears to be a government thing to do) but they spent wisely and we were all a better off for it in the long run. But, as you wisely noted, the OBA is not the UBP. You can not compare teh UBP successes of yester year to what the OBA may be able to do it the future… The UBP had the privilege of starting with a good deck of cards to play – whoever wins the next election has a crap hand to work with. good luck to them!
@ Hudson
There is a common misconception about Government cash surpluses.
The Government has had outstanding debt for an extended period, albeit a lot smaller in 1998. At that time (and continuing with the PLP), there a current account surplus. Therefore we were able to cover all of our recurring expenses from regular revenues and only borrow for capital projects.
Bermuda does not and did not have (for example) $20m or $30m put aside to be used at its own discretion. The only exception would have been the sinking fund but that money was designated for debt repayment and could not be used for general purposes.
Thanks for your clarification – you’re right about the debt being a lot smaller in 1998 – it was miniscule compared to where it is now. I notice Haha didn’t have anything more to add…
As long as the sheeple keep getting sheared and drinking from the koolaid fountain….everything will be “EEZ-Y”…..
Enjoy today …..
Both parties tip their hand is this one.
The PLP with their use of “UBP (aka OBA)” is childish and reveals they are unwilling to engage in a real debate, i.e. there may be some merit to the EEZ suggestion (see below).
The OBA/Michael Dunkley with his “humble” comment is equally petty. Then he doesn’t answer question anyway, probably because he doesn’t have an answer. Remember this is a guy who thought he could win in Dame Lois’ backyard.
Suggesting the whole island becomes an EEZ ignores why the EEZs were created in the first place, as David Chapman points out above.
Pulling parts of the EEZ strategy out and applying it to all small businesses for a specific amount of time might be a good idea. But that would mean doing some research, defining a clear strategy with pros, cons, budget implications etc. You know, producing an actual plan as opposed to blurting out an idea, and who has time to do that when there’s ‘opposing’ to be done (or maybe it’s just posing).
PLP
“By extending the EEZ beyond Somerset, St. George’s and NE Hamilton, you take away important incentives for businesses to invest in these communities. Do you think it is worth providing incentives for investment in these communities? If so, what will you do to promote investment in these communities?”
Senator Dunkley
“Now to answer the PLP directly; my colleagues and I have listened to the people and we share their concern that the whole island is in the midst of an economic downturn and we should work to empower all people; no one should be left behind. As we change direction and climb out of this downturn, as we put Bermuda back to work and on a path to security and prosperity, all Bermudians must be involved in this process.”
Does Senator Dunkley think that we are so stupid that we would not realise that he did NOT answer the questions? All of that talk with no real answer. SMH They really have no plan.
Get a radio show man.
LOL
Actually, do you know that Somerset and St. George’s were never even part of the EEZ when it first began? When the BSBDC set up the EEZ, in conjuction with the Government, it was initially targeted to help small businesses in North East Hamilton only. The program was then expanded to include businesses in Somerset and St. George’s. I wonder if people or the Government were protesting back then when it was expanded? If it could be expanded the first time, why not now?
I think many people do not understand what the EEZ is all about. It is an incentive program that helps Bermudians starting out in small business, by aiding them with funding (grants), arranging good interest rates with the banks for small business loans, and giving customs duty deferments to these businesses who seek to import goods and products.
But not everyone is eligible to be an EEZ business. You are ONLY eligible if this is your first and only business, and your gross payroll does not exceed $500,000, and your business sales and revenue is less than $1 million. So to those who made comments above suggesting that Dunkley wants to expand the EEZ to help people in Tuckers Town, you are way off the mark – those people would not even qualify for EEZ status.
I agree with those who commented above that there are small businesses in other parishes who could benefit from being an EEZ business – so why can’t they be included? The PLP is inferring that, by making the EEZ all inclusive, you are somehow taking away incentives from the three existing EEZ zones. But that is not necessarily the case. They will still have their EEZ benefits that I mentioned above. I think that expanding the EEZ would open up these benefits to other deserving small businesses that need it. Small business help to stimulate the economy as well as provide healthy competition. So this may be something worth looking into.
Well said. Appreciate the information you gave out on EEZ.
So many people criticize the opposition for not offering any solutions, but remember it is not up to the opposition to offer solutions, it is up to the government to come up with the solutions. Put it this way. You applied for a job, and didn’t get it. The person who did get the job calls you and asks how to do the job. What would your answer to him be? I don’t blame the Milkman one bit for not answering the question. If you want is solutions, then vote for him. If you want to be spoonfed more Pee el Pee bullsh!t, then vote for them and while you’re choking it down you won’t notice their hand in your pocket snatching your money away.
Any Opposition that wants to be seen as a credible alternative to the current Government should take a stance on issues. The only stance the OBA takes is ‘that they will have a meeting and come to a consensus” or “let the people decide”. To be a leader, you must lead. It doesnt mean dictate, but it does mean you have to have a stance on the important issues. The OBA just doesnt have this.
@ yes mate you don’t get it. Your example is a poor one. If you apply for a job and don’t not get it then you have nothing to do with that company so you would have every right to decline when asked for advice on how to do the job.
This is more like a case of someone applying for a job as a manager and not receiving that job but given the assistant manager job. The assistant manager then makes every attempt to challenge the managers decisions and criticise him on every move, yet when asked how he would do it differently has no answer.
The opposition is paid to work on behalf of the people and if they feel that the decisions made by the PLP are wrong then they should have a viable alternative that they could present so that all cards are on the table and the best decision can be made. By your post it seems like you agree that they should tell the people piss off you won’t get anything from us unless you give us the most seats in the house.
Remember they were elected as well and just because their party did not win doesn’t mean that the only job they should do is make a fuss about every issue without being able to come up with solutions. The PLP is not asking for them to do their job their asking them to show what they are about on the issues. You can find something bad in every idea and it seems as if the opposition focuses on the bad part of everything as if all of their ideas would be perfect but when challenged on them have nothing to offer.
Question: Does Michael Dunkley have a life outside of politics? I am sick of seeing him on tv, newspapers, internet, hearing him on radio…really… does he own a business? He is so boring, all he does is continue to oppose someone else’s idea. GET A LIFE!!!!