Premier To Host Town Hall Meeting
The Premier and Minister of Finance, Paula A. Cox, will host a town hall meeting on Tuesday July 19, to discuss steps Government is taking to strengthen Bermuda’s economy.
The public forum, entitled, “Pulling Together to Make it Better For Bermuda”, will also feature several Government Ministers, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Senator Kim N. Wilson, the Minister of Business Development and Tourism, Patrice Minors, Minister of Youth, Families & Sports, the Hon. Glenn Blakeney, and the Minister of Community Development the Hon. Michael Weeks.
Premier Cox said, “The economic challenges both globally and here at home have caused us all to reflect on what’s important. This Government understands the burdens we Bermudians are all facing.”
“On Tuesday evening, I want to encourage as many residents as possible to come and hear about the tangible solutions that each of their Ministers is enacting, which are aimed at strengthening not only our economy, but the social fabric of our community. Each person’s opinion is valuable and I’m hoping people will attend the meeting to hear about how they can be a part of the solution.”
Next Tuesday’s town hall discussion will take place at the Warwick Workmen’s Club starting at 7.30 p.m.
Yet another in the Premier’s plan of ensuring the public is well versed in what their government is doing.
Premier Cox, they can try and knock you all they want, but since you have been in power, you have clearly demonstrated your openness and commitment to transparency.
It will pay off.
Respectfully….Yeah Yeah…after the horse has bolted, leaving us with over $billion in debt under her watch…that is a fact and not a knock…where was she as caretaker of the Treasury the last few years…now you want to close the barn door…
You want transparency, dig a little further into those major project cost overruns, disclose the real findings and prosecute those who lined their pockets…
Then, I will be glad to attend a Town Hall meeting, but until then, I will continue to slowly and legally convert my $BD to $US dollars to be safe.
Now that will pay off.
It will all be “nice talk”. What I’m seeing is our debt spiraling out of control, our infrastructure crumbling to due corruption, our education system falling apart cuz no one care about our kids, our unemployment lines growing due to poor economic planning, and an increase in gang violence (PLP=gangstaa friendly) which is ruining Bermuda’s reputation. And I’m also seeing our Transport Minister racking up thousands on the taxpayers’ tab to pay for him to watch the spaceshuttle blast off…all the while his Ministry cannot move what few tourists are coming to Bermuda.
Why not listen to what the Premier has to say, you wants us to listen to the ole boys association with their over the top, can’t understand, lecturing attitudes, waiting to get their hands behind the wheels and steer us into where? The world is facing economic down time, why wouldn’t Bermuda face the same said? Bet you the Gibbons, Barritts and Dunkleys and the new richie rick are not facing those issues – their grandchildren trust funds are just adding up the positive zeros.
So where are the likes of Paula,Rolfe and Burgess steering us ?remember the Barrits and Dunkleys do not have to steal money from us they earned it …and now we have the likes of a bank robber being payed by our premier…as her consultant !!!! how dumb is she ? that she needs Rolfe to be her consultant ?
Paula, please resign. enough is enough…
@ why not – dem r just assumptions ya throwin out bra. and de grandchildren of plp ministers r still livin in tents on de streets. hahaha ya got jokes! fall off
The last time I went to one of these a guy I used to know who’s in the party asked me if I would ask some question from a piece of paper he handed to me as “approved questions”. Please transparency what ever crumbs for the sheep is more like it….
LOL
What transparecy ?How much is she paying consultant Renee Webb ? and why is she paying Rolfe the absurd amount of money as her consultant ?
and what do you mean about their government !!!!! I thought it was our government …”great news” take the blinders off.
There are five questions that Cox should answer re. Webb:
1. What exactly is her role in Government?
2. What is her salary?
3. What Ministry pays it?
4. How long will she be on the payroll?
5. Why the secrecy?
Why is Commissiong on the payroll–period ?
I asked my PLP MP. His response was “I dont know the answers to the questions. I will ask him again when he appears on my doorstep canvassing!
Lets ask the Gibbons and Dunkleys why they have exclusive on money, cars, liquor and milk?
Yeah because obviously they are using taxpayer funds to fuund their businesses.
And if you haven’t noticed there are three other banks in Bermuda, so they don’t have the exclusive on money.
And if you haven’t noticed there are several other liquor distributors within this islane other than Burrows and Lightbourn, so they don’t have the exclusive on liquor.
And if you have a problem with the mil, then start your own dairy business instead of complaining.
Let’s face it the UBP got their share of money from the system. My people(blacks) have to learn to buy from their own people. White folk are selfish they wouldn’t buy from us, but blacks patronize white business. We could shut down the whole system if we refuse to buy from them.
Then stop talking about it and do it.
What is the “system?”
I patronize black owned businesses all the time such as Brown & Co, BGA, Alberfeldy Nursery, my landlord is black, People’s Pharmacy, Phoenix Pharmacies, and so on and so forth.
If you think that white people refuse to shop in a store because it is black owned, then you are officially brainwashed. Congrats.
Almost sounds like you are advocating for segregation again.
And like I said stop talking all your nonsense and carry through on your threats of boycotts.
Start a facebook group, get air time on Hott 107.5 and preach. No point sitting on your a$$ bitching about white people all day. Just go out and do it.
As far as I am aware, there are no reasons why anyone cannot compete with these dealers. Obviously it will be difficult, but it can be done if people pool their resources. Let’s not forget The Recorder,The Co-Op,and The Provident Bank, there are more. Problem is, Black Bermudians don’t support Black business in enough numbers. Sad but true!!
@ no way oba – cuz dey got de jump on it first…otha ppl could of done de same.
Spare me, more ill educated nonsense I see, why don’t YOU open a business(s) and compete with them ?! You’d obviously get all the Black people to buy/invest from you instead of them Right?! LOL
The solution is simple If they are doing so well then copy them by going into business Yeah Right, It takes Guts, Commitment, Hard work and some Self Belief … Got any of that?
you all milk drunk – no matter how hard we work, we don’t have the trust funds from the monopoly to jump start – with them they don’t have to bust their arse to get educated – they just hav to show up to the board meeting
@ Sad Truth,
In your frank opinion, why did the BIU Co-Op fail?
Time to VOTE OUT the PLP, the MPs didnt even think of this “Town Hall Initiative” they are so pedantic and unimaginative its truly scary. Then they surround themselves with these dead beats who bloat their egos, to get a paycheck themselves, completely useless lot.
Paula, a Cog cannot possibly understand “the burdens we Bermudians are all facing” because she earns over $200k per year, gets free housing and a company car with a driver! How many other Bermudians do you know get all this? How many Bermudians do you know who have taken a paycut whether they had an option or not? I’m self employed and I’ve taken a paycut simply because people are spending less because of E-wart and the Pee el Pee stealing all our money. Now we have Patrice Minus in charge of tourism, a job she admitted she knows very little about. I guess the Pee el Pee don’t care about tourism so they put a blank in the position of running it. Micheal Weak and Community Developement huh? Mr Weak, you are failing! Our communities are crumbling! Mr Blankeney you get an F as well. We would be a lot better off if you four quit your jobs and we left positions vacant. Things would probably run a lot better and think of the money we’d save! We might be able to make our interest payments with the money we save by not paying you! You lot are just like the weather man always getting it wrong and still you don’t get fired. We need to open up a rehab clinic for kool aid addicts so we can replace the current administration with people who actually give a sh!t about us.
Right quick for you:
1) People aren’t spending less because of anything else but a recession. This isn’t the first one Bermuda had, and it won’t be the last.
2) Stole our money: Nobody stole your money, so stop with the dumb talk. This is a modern government with accounting systems, aint no money been stolen.
3) Patrice & Tourism: Numbers this year are up, so whats your answer now?
While you Complain complain complain, you’ll find a whole lot of people in this country in a bind, they go to the government and they get the help they need.
People who give a sh*t?? You mean the people raping you everyday at the grocery stores… LMAO, give me a break!
So explain where all Bermuda’s money went and on what? While your at it please explain why the Auditor General has not given this government a clean audit yet. Then perhaps you could explain the pier up Dockyard. Why did it cost so much and why it’s broke in less then five years of it’s completion. Why was the contract not put out to proper tender? I think it went something like this a cretin construction company “was the only one on the island who was qualified for this type of work”, guess what it broke. Prices in this country are high due to our standard of living. People were making a lot of money where you were or not, you must have been in the minority cause prices are high all round basic economics law of supply and demand applied. I to hope these prices drop at the store but I think it will take some time so till then grow what you can yourself like some of us are doing now. You remark about a whole lot of people getting help from this government I find hard to believe after going through the process my self find out that unless you make less than 50K combined in a house hold (apartment qualifies as a house hold as well) you aren’t getting shit and jobs are scares so who you trying to fool. It must be election time the PLP PR team is back to full strength. Tell me they employing overseas people to blog as locals again.
LOL as far as the comment above about M. Weeks he’s is the only one I would vote for as I know him as a man of integrity even though I have seen him stoop to pier pressure to secure votes but on the positive side if he says he will get something done he will or work on it till it’s done. Sorry for the rant but as it’s been said before I have no stomach for politics or propagandists.
I have seen the word “cog” used a few times with reference to Premier Cox. I looked up the word cog and here is what it means:
somebody with minor role in organization: somebody regarded as a small and unimportant part of a large organization or system.
I consider the word COG as offensive and should not be used towards anyone, no matter what they do. One doesnot have to like everyone, but should always show respect.
LUJ .Paula Cox used the word she was only a cog in the wheel !!so how come you find the word cog as offensive ?
Madame Cox herself claimed the ‘cog’ description, others are just following her lead. All reports to the contrary, I am inclined to bet she is still just a ‘cog in the wheel’ and that Dr. Brown is still running the show from a steadily decreasing distance.
I take exception to her claiming to “understand the burdens” Bermudians are facing, since I have yet to hear that she has taken a cut of her more-than $4000 a week salary.
I also note that consultants Commissiong et al are receiving more than $400,000 a year (Gazette, July 18 headline). That sum could have kept the Sunshine League and Teen Services going. It shows me exactly where this government’s priorities lie. NOT with the people, for sure!
Looks like a whole lot of electioneering to me….
Hey Soupy….sounds like more “Electrocutionz’……
Sorry…just couldn’t help myself to another Coxareeta…..
Oh Great! the person who is largly responsible for getting Bermuda in the huge financial mess that is in is going to have a town hall meeting & wants to talk about ideas to get out of this $1b plus hole.
Whats more, she wants to bring along her Ministers, none of them have a clue about running a business, to pitch their ideas.
I’ll just sit & watch the tide rise. Seems like a much more productive activity than going to this propoganda, er town hall, meeting.
No go and ask real questions. Hold them to account.
LOL
Ok, so the same Old Team of People since 1998 will give us a different result?
They will strengthen the Bermuda Economy in the midst of the worst global enconomic conditions that not even the best minds in the US, UK or Eurozone can overcome, since 2007 Crisis.
It will be interesting to see whether these People are approachable and more friendly when they are removed from Office.
Nice to have a town meeting for Bermuda, but really you gotta be kidding ay Warwick Workman’s club that holds less than 400 people. What abou the rest of us Bermudians and those who don’t have transport?
Town hall meeting with the premiere? must be election time soon…
What a total joke. For 13 years the PLP have been proudly boasting they are the Peoples’ Party and the Opposition are the Business Party. Having destroyed business by their policies designed to appease their supporters they are now holding Town Hall Meetings to portray how they will bring the economy round. Business was OK until the PLP Government decided to get involved as they have done with Tourism. There is no Plan for Bermuda except for “what stupidness can we come out with today” to appeal to our voter base. There is no one in Government with the expertise to bring business back to life having killed it. They are not business people. They do not understand business.
Warwick Workmens Club is so open and friendly to whites (HAHA). I wonder why hardly any will attend???
Read: Planned that way so PLP can moan that whitey stayed away!
PLP continues its race baiting. They can’t grow up obviously.
Cog is pathetic
So where should the meeting be ? BAA ? The Yacht Club? Don’t you get it ? The fact that you don’t care that WE, the majority (hello), might not be comfortable at your spots is EXACTLY why we’re where we are in this country. Get a fckn grip. You are not the rulers anymore. Discomfort as a minority is natural. ask the Black Americans…they know all about it…..
Ever hear of Ruth Seaton Hall, dummy? Too white?
What’s wrong with Warwick Workman’s club? I live in the area and see plenty of white Bermudians and Expats feeing totally comfortable ‘hanging around’ the premises while waiting for their takeout from Upper Crust.
Its the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts and yes, I have heard of it. Last time I went there I was surrounded by ya’ll…that was for the Bermuda Festival. That’s what it takes to get you there.
@ HMMMMMMMMMMM You honestly are a racist PIG and nothing else. Get over yourself, grow up, and get out of your cave of self-loathing and spit. You are such a crystal-clear prime example of our troubles. It’s a good thing you are just ONE person. The aggressive forward racism in which you act upon merely discredits your arguments. Probably UNEDUCATED also.
I don’t believe Hmmmm is uneducated at all. He/she is actually one of the more articulate posters on this site.
Now your assumption that he has a “genetic predisposition” towards whitesis probably right on.
One argument for the lack of whites at so called “black events” can be the not so hospitable manner in which whites are received at these events. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the amount of times that I have been posed with the question, “white boy, what you doing “round here” or “you don’t belong ’round here white boy” or “go back around the Yacht Club (despite none of my family members have ever been members and the only time I have been inside was when I worked as a bartender once” or “we don’t wasnt your kind “round here” or my personal favorite is getting slapped up and robbed because “my ilk are not welcome in these parts.” True stories.
I am not a pig.
@ hmmmmm – and who d F said you lot were rulers. no body a ruler in dis country, pink, white, purple, black, brown, yellow, green…ya spoutin de same thing by sayin dat der. um spose to feel sorry for ya bout sumthin?
Once again race injected Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm can’t we all just get along.
LOL
@Hmmmmm yes I get it. You obviously don’t. I open my eyes and see the crap this Government pulls everyday. Divide the races, fool the uneducated, and they will continue to vote PLP.
Ask yourself who are the worst people off in Bermuda today? Let me answer that for you: It is the poor, uneducated, dis-advantaged blacks who voted for the PLP back in the 90s. They were made a promise of a better day. They got screwed.
People like you unfortunately still can’t see it. So go ahead and attend the meeting. I won’t. I wouldn’t if it was at the Yacht Club either.
Warwick is open to white as well mate you and hmmmmmmmmm cut from the same cloth or something come down off your high horse man. Remeber realy work requires you get messy and Bermuda is in a mess help clean it or move on.
LOL
Cedar beams, Like most people of your Ilk, you don’t go to anything put on by blacks. It must be led by a white person, or it is considered irrevelent. Things haven’t changed. Black folk need to wisen up. Personally it doesn’t mean a hill of beans to me whether or not white folk attend or not. The Premier is trying her best to put the country on the right track. The whole world is having problems right now, not just Bermuda. I guess cedar beams don’t follow the media. He prefers to belly ache about everything that the PLP does. Cedar beams, PLP will get back in again, because we realize that the OBA is just the UBP warmed over.
As a successful lawyer in Bermuda’s once vibrant International Business Sector, our Premier once embraced the Balanced Scorecard, Performance Appraisals and ongoing Training and Development of all key staff, like herself, in the organisations where she did perform very well.
We ask her to go back to her Corporate roots and focus on having the best people for the job, if she rids herself of the following Key Executives, due to their poor performance, or lack of ability with the major portfolio’s they have been given to manage, she stands an incredible chance of being re-elected and silencing her Critics, once and for all.
The Appraisal ratings are as follows:
- Paula Cox (No Comment – Election will tell)
- Derrick Burgess (No Comment – Election will tell)
- Kim Wilson, B+
- Walter Roban, C-
- Michael Scott, C
- Terry Lister, B-
- Patrice Parris-Minors, D
- Jennifer Smith, D
- Mike Weeks, D
- Neletha Butterfield, D-
- Zayne DeSilva, B-
- Wayne Perinchief,C
- Glen Blakeney, D
- Laverne Furbert, F
- David Burt, B+
- Renee Webbe, F
- Scott Simmons, F
Dont believe me, ask your Public, Party Supporters, the Union and of course our beloved Talk Show Community.
Lets get back on track with Good Governance, Performance, Re-Setting the Dial and all that there good warm and fuzzy stuff that sounded so good in November 2011. Time to now DO, not just TALK.
all oba members get an F for failing to resign and have by elections. including furbert and darius – won’t vote for them especially dunkley
Screw the by-elections. I say lets just have an election and get the inevitable over with. This sh*t just ain’t good for the country or anyone in it. We already know what the outcome will be, so lets just get the formalities out of the way.
Why wouldn’t you support Dunkley?
@School Teacher as a fellow educator i have to agree with your ratings. Most of these persons have been in the game long enough to get their grades up but just aren’t meeting the mark. They should know better. it’s shamefully really.
Go back to school and learn the difference between the past , present and future . I wonder who and how you were evaluated cause if it were up to me , and with the crap you just wrote for the world to see believe me , come November 2011 You would be more than a few months into looking for a new career . And to think you thought you were so clever ..
School Teacher,
Of course these are your very own ratings. As they are not a true nor fair representation of the MP’s performances. I would have to question by what measures did you come up with such ratings? It seem like it is based upon your personal dislikes, rather than a fair unbais, valid measure of performance. For example, if your boss, rated you as a lawyer who falls at the botton of class and poor performance in every area. Oh course you would want to know what criteria he used to measure your performance. Lets be fair and if you evaluate someone’s performance attempt next time to leave out your political views and bias assumptions. I am sure that rating that are done with such bias are never acceptable. As a lawyer, I would have thought you had more better judgement regarding evaluation of individuals performance and the various types of criteria that are used.
Please tell me your resigning….
Interesting—-on what basis did you grade Webb? What does she do for the Government?
Dear Rockfish,
Force, sorry, lobby your OBA or PLP MP to ask questions in Parliament for full disclosure of Renee Webbe’s TOTAL Compensation, including but not limited to Consulting Fees and on that basis you can assess why we give her a failing grade. Actually now that you mention it and since the Premier mentioned “value for money and resetting the dial” Ms Webbe actually gets an F- -.(i.e minus 2) send her to resit her exams and re-read the value for money textbook.
Trust me when her TOTAL Compensation comes to light the other MPs will want much more than $168k and a Car.
Notice I keep stressing TOTAL Compensation (i.e. not just base salary, or base consulting fees, include business class travel expenses, allowances etc, etc, etc, etc and any income where Ms Webbe is benefical owner of any company with any separate consulting arrangements with the Government of Bermuda.
School Teacher
The UBP/OBA also hired consultants. So why do we always questions this government regarding the consultants they hire? I do recognize that there is also a decrease in hiring consultants. Is it because of the 2 individuals, that some preson may dislike due to their political allies or affiliations. Only difference is that this government attempted to hire more of their own people as consultants, and less foreigners. There is no secret regarding who consultants are. This information is available at the government information services department. It is also listed within the various departments of which the individual works. So there is no secrets there !!!! Just sounds like plan fighting for votes by the UBP/OBA to discredit the government.
@specialgirl4you.
Contrary to what you would have us believe, the complete list of Government consultants is NOT readily available. I tried to have a look at it and was given the run around.
Sort of like MP Jackson being denied entry to Lefroy House!!!!
Bermuda is currently the best place in the world to be a nihilist. We will literally NEVER get over the racial tension that exists here. We (blacks & whites) pass each other in the streets, wave and smile, but secretly resent each other, and will vote purely on our pride rather than in the best interest of the country.
This is a problem we can never overcome. Tensions are too high, and hypersensitivity will keep us in gridlock forever.
Our children will all become gang members/drug addicts. Rich whites will barricade themselves in gated compounds, sipping champagne while we shoot each other in the streets and let self-loathing continue to engulf our sense of identity. It is THEIR fault…it is OUR fault…EVERYONE is to blame. Greed/entitlement on both sides of the racial coin, from the individual to the Government level, has destroyed our ability to socially and economically rehabilitate Bermuda. We are through.
We need to look deep inside ourselves and admit these things, rather than continue this monotonous bickering and pretending that there is a solution, when in fact there is not. Being honest with ourselves and admitting our illogical, yet deeply-embedded racist attitudes will allow us to observe ourselves impartially, and eventually become comfortable with how pathetic we are as Bermudians.
Vote PLP…it won’t make a difference either way, but at least with them we know that armageddon will come swiftly, as opposed to letting the OBA drag out the inevitable for the next five years while pilfering the treasury to ensure that their overprivileged children will have enough money to flee the country when the race riots start.
‘race riots’??!! do you think this country is a third world place in Africa?
Bermuda has one of the highest GDP per capitas in the WORLD (number 1 in 07)..
Why try and be pessimistic like this when we should be excelling. There is soo much potential we still have. Once the violence ends, and it will, we can finally get back on track to the higher standards we deserve.
Bermuda has always had a weak government, everyone knows that. Yes race is a HUGE problem here, but it always has been. We have gained success with our tensions and poor governments, so what makes this time any different? Just because some pathetic scrawny losers think they can shoot up people doesnt mean they are going to ruin a country. Bermuda lacks serious patriotism, and without this, we only hinder our success.
The only thing I see Bermuda has lost is the ablity to seek ideals ins’t we settle for less just because that is basically what down has suggested which will not help at all.
LOL
How ignorant… I thought you were going somewhere with this at first.
#1 The OBA’s “overpriviledged chrildern” ALREADY have enough money to flee the country… hence the “overpriviledged”… So you dont have to worry about them pilfering the treasury to get off this sinking rock.
#2 THERE IS NO TREASURY FOR THEM TO STEAL FROM YOU A$$!!!!!!!! WHY?! because your beloved PLP has taken ALL OF IT.. Let me help you understand… IT’s not the “rich white man” stealing the countries money. The rich OBA, UBP, BDA folk have not had control over the national purse since 1998! So what exactly do you have against them? What exactly have you gained over the past 13 years while YOUR elected leaders are living in the lap of luxury while you take pay cuts?
#3 The PLP’s overpriviledged kids will be the ones fleeing on the treasury’s dime.
You are a fool to believe that there was nothing Bermuda could have done to prepare for the recession… Do you know the first time Gov’t dept’s were asked to reduce their budget’s was 2011/2012 fiscal year. Not when we saw the recession happening in the US and UK in 2007/2008.
The PLP are nothing more than the new aged 40 thieves
4 once i agree wif de govermint on dis 1,
town hallz r n effectiv way 2 get GUYZ talkin bout important issuez like d econmy, internatural bizniss, pubic service unionz, tourism, d environment, corn curlz, immgration, my uncle susan, social rehablitation, corruption, soshal security, wut 2 do wif grennies when dey get 2 old, transprtation, communty developmint, oatmeal, healthcerr, BOATmeal (oatmeal, but 4 boats), justice, youth afferrs, nashinal security, n of course, which MP has d boastiest toenailz.
My mortl enemy Brunch-Niqua wuz tellin me dat back n de day, at d height of d space race between d USA n de soviet Younion, bermy politishins called a town hall 2 discuss whetha or not GUYZ shuld develop a space program. D premier at de time (Brunch-Niqua told me who it wuz, but i caneen remember…i think hiz name wuz Incredible-Barge). NE WAYS, she said dat dis particulr town hall was very well-attnded n constructiv. D premier RLLY RLLY wunted to hear public opinion on d matter…First he wuz like “alright LOOK U BIES…why do YOU guyz think we shuld get a space progrm???” 1 bredren in d crowd wuz like “CUZ space shuttles R so boasty dat I caneen sleep at nite!” n got rapchuriss applaus. Anotha ace chicken wuz like: “cuz deyn GUYZ culd sit off on de MOON, dun!” (dat comment got a mixed respons…sum guyz were like “d moon is MUG n so R u!!” n othaz were like “NO WAY DUN, I’d ratha be on de moon deyn de Erth!” Den thingz got out of control…
BASCLLY, d town hall meetin had 2 b canclled bcuz GUYZ were so divided on there opinionz bout d moon, dat dey startin beatin d JOOKS out of each otha n throwin chairs at de premier. D nonsens spilled out on 2 de streets n started a riot which destroyd $629.3 million dollaz worf of proprty n infrastructre. Needless 2 say, d issue wuz neva raised again.
Jus think…if guyz culd hav bin civil bout d issue n implementd a space program, dere wuld prolly be Bermudians on Jupiter rite now, n dat wuld be boasty. WUT UM TRYIN 2 SAY IZ dat as long as guyz don’t talk about d moon, Town halls get resultz, bie! WAKE UP, PPL!
Wow! @ down with the ship…100% spot on. There’s always much ado about nothing…sort of like a rocking chair. A lot of motion but no progress. We are stuck in an unending holding pattern. On that note, I am just trying to live a peaceful life, doing unto others as I would have them do unto me and loving my neighbour as myself.
Is Bernews owned by the PLP now? Why isn’t there any coverage of the Dockyard Pier fiasco?
Something smells fishy…
Bernews did the best we could operating from the waiting room of Johns Hopkins ICU, while our writer Larry Burchall [and my Dad] was undergoing open heart surgery.
I generally work around the clock, and my Dad works extensive hours, but this past week threw us for a loop, and I did what I could, but my Dad was my priority.
Pat
Please wish him a speedy recovery! Sending much love and healing energy his way.
Do you accept you failed in your constitutional duty as finance minister to manage the public purse effectively and efficiently?
Do you accept you ignored all warnings about the impending financial crisis and failed to prepare adequately?
Do you accept that that failure to plan accordingly and reign in spending has led directly to vast cuts in public services and loss of jobs?
Do you accept you failed in your duty to question your colleagues and prevent massive overspending on capital projects to “friends” of your predecessor?
oh..what’s that….silence…..I can almost hear the tree frogs chirping in the night.
What I want to know is when will the Premier, MPs, Senate members, and other top government officials take pay check cuts like the rest of us. They have two, three, and in the case of Michael Dunkley, 99 rent revenues (the max number of rental units one person in Bermuda is allowed to have), own businesses, and have investments both locally and internationally in addition to the pay check I as a working adult give them. So why again can’t they shave off even $50,000 from the money we pay them? They claim to understand the struggles Bermudians go through. I have no idea how you can understand yet do nothing besides point the finger of blame at the past Premier or other politicians. You consider yourself above the average person because you have multiple sources of revenue at well over $10,000 a month yet expect us to make the sacrifices. When you can make sacrifices like the average citizen and bring yourself down to our level, I as a young Bermudian will consider trusting you. However, that would be doing away with our capitalist society; can’t blend the line between the rich and the poor, now can we?
And to Sen. Smith who states Government constantly has people criticizing them, you’re a public figure who is supposed to be representing our best wishes. What did you think would happen when those wishes aren’t being met, we’d send you ice cream and a thank you note? If you don’t want criticism, don’t be a leader. Also, I as a young person do not appreciate government’s competence and accountability. One person blames former Premier Brown, another blames race, another blames this, and so on in the Bermudian Blame Game. That doesn’t sound like accountability to me. You signed up to be a public servant, you agreed to take on the responsibility, it’s now your problem to fix. After all, that’s what we voted you in for after you promised you’d do it. Also, that ship dock we overpaid for, why is it falling apart after 2 years of existence? Doesn’t sound like competence if it’s falling apart one Cat 1 hurricane and 2 yrs of normal wear and tear later. If this government continues to cut the funding to the services that help the average person but spends our money on half-done jobs and unnecessary things like renovation of the Premier’s residence (for the third time since before Brown who didn’t even live in it), they will have a riot on their hands.
A-men, dude.
I think you should re-post this this on the RG website, where MPs such as Dunkley and Laverne Furbert frequently comment. That way they’ll hopefully see it.
“On Tuesday evening, I want to encourage as many residents as possible to come and hear about the tangible solutions that each of their Ministers is enacting, which are aimed at strengthening not only our economy, but the social fabric of our community. Each person’s opinion is valuable and I’m hoping people will attend the meeting to hear about how they can be a part of the solution.”
Uh Oh…..Hold on to your wallets. The above is just PLP Code for we’re going to screw you just a little more and in the end we’ll all prosper. This will go on until the country is bankrupt and all the PLP “leaders” join the ex-premier in Martha’s Vineyard.
School teacher who gives a rat’s pee pee about your ratings. You claim you are a successful lawyer, in whose eyes? Like I Said before, the PLP will get in again because people realize that the OBA is just the UBP warmed over.
Tell em like another poster said the other day:
WE WOULD RATHER SUFFER UNDER A BLACK GOVT THEN PROSPER UNDER A WHITE ONE!!!
Scream it from the roof tops and from the hills.
Say it loud and say it proud: I HATE WHITE PEOPLE!
You can’t read.
Spikes you are correct that PLP will get in again in the upcoming election. So why bother having a town hall meeting? Personally I don’t care what party gets in – as long as they don’t screw the Bermudian public of which I am one. The PLP has screwed us all.
When the last race card has been dealt and race is no longer an issue – you and the rest of the PLP will have zero, nada, nothing. The PLP is all about race – and that is the only guarantee they can give you. That is also why the meeting is at a place like WWC.
Say what you want about the OBA. At least they want to attract all races. PLP is only interested in dividing the races – it works for them so well. As I said before, the poor uneducated disadvantaged blacks are the ones who have been most harmed by the PLP. Yet they still flock like sheep. So sad.
Cedar beam whom do you think you are fooling? Whites don’t care about working together with blacks. Black people in this country have bent over backwards to work along with white folk. In the area of sports, religion, employment, housing, politics etc. in sports whites prefer to pick an area that blacks are not interested in ie rugby, sailing. An Englishman sleeps and dreams about cricket in England. But here in Bermuda he has no interest to play because all or most of the stars are black. As I said before white folk don’t want to be a part of anything unless they are in control.
I don’t know what part of Bermuda you have been living in but I feel so sorry for you. I have seen it the total opposite of what you have experienced and have written about. I wish life could have been different for you. It is not like that all over.
The Premier is a successful lawyer, I am a School Teacher.
Um, School Teacher said the Premier was a successful lawyer, Spikes, you should enrol for School Teachers GED program so you can learn to read proply see Bie!
I think you mis-read – the sucessful lawyer was Madame Premier, not School Teacher.
@ Clafe – BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Bermudians on de moon! LMFAO!
Any way you slice, the last thirteen years have proven that the PLP aren’t capable of running the government. They just aren’t capable. They have ruined this country, yes the UBP did some of the same things BUT they ran the country well! And at the end of the day, THAT IS WHAT MATTERS.
You guys are ridiculous to keep making excuses for poor poor governance, it will only further hurt your family and businesses. The PLP is the boy that cried wolf!
Got it wrong My two cents. The PLP are not the boy that cried wolf. It’s the Three Little Pigletts that blew our house down. Hog jows anyone?
and you thru the baby out with the water for the old baggage of the white elitest!
For years we heard the Urban Myth (In reference to the PLP and Black People that … cannot manage, don’t own business’s, have no business sense …. “… they are hopeless and incompetent and if we ever vote the PLP into power they will destroy the economy and ruin the Island….”
Obviously most of that is BS as we know with good education, proper training … Black (anyone) can manage and own a business’ ….
They where however correct with the final bit though, the PLP have shown gross Incompetence, and have helped just as much as the often cited recession to destroy the economy and ruin the Island, sorry the proof stares us in the face everyday!!
Own It!!
Red man, own what? name one country in the world that is not having financial problems at this time. All of the super powers are having problems. The UBP did not involve themselves in any social programs. That is why they got kicked out of power. They had very little concern about the average guy. They were more concerned about maintaining their control of their business interest. I held a position where I could observe the money that they pumped in to the UBP to keep them in power. They want the PLP to fail.It is similar to the situation in America, they want President Obama to fail. He is a brilliant man, but they would try everything in and out of the book to bring him down, even if it means making the country look bad. They don’t have anyone in the Republican party who can match him. Don’t say Palin, buchanan, or Trump. Not good enough to clean Obama’s shoes, but because he is black they blame him for everything. Black people are tired of this crap, the smart ones anyway. They even made him prove his citizenship. How damn disgraceful. When anyone mentions the racist approach that is being used, the first thing they say, you are playing the race card, when they are holding the whole damn deck. PLP will be returned I am positive.
Spikes,
They must own and accept that it is their (PLP Govt.’s) responsible for the poor decisions and their reckless use of the public purse as to why we are in the state we are in. If you think that the UBP where in power solely because they had ‘money pumped into them’ you are fooling yourself. The UBP stayed in power for thirty odd years for several reasons, partly because they ran successful economies (over employment) remember that?, they had a very good political machinery in place, canvassing (mostly volunteers)etc.. the PLP have NEVER been good canvassers, it seemed as if they just expected to be voted in, the PLP self destructed on more than one occasion (infighting/the expulsions being one)handing the reigns back to the UBP almost by default,the dual seat system,The fact that the PLP was for so long extremely left wing in a very conservative society, (we still are) they had to change and bringing themselves more to the political center.
The fact that many want(ed) them to fail has nothing to do with where we are today so you need to come of of that tack. I agree that Obamma is in a similar and an even worse situation, it is truly sad to see the lengths that the Republicans … go to but that’s politics. Here the PLP can steam roll (and Does) any legislation it wants quite different from what Obama has to deal with, even the Senate here can only delay legislation.
Social Programs? spare me, the UBP did have social programs in place you could argue that they just didn’t have enough of what the public needed or wanted. I’m sure there was an element of, who will we pay for it? so too many where probably under funded, Free schooling, pensions, and the plethora of things for young people plus many of the others that still exist didn’t start in 1998 you know.
Frankly I’m not interested in Obama or the Republicans as I live in Bermuda, obviously how America performs directly impacts us so having a good president etc… is obviously important to us and the wider world. That is no excuse as to why the PLP have made a hash of things here is it?! I do agree with your comments on the Republicans slate of candidates though, sheesh!!
As a Black Man I agree that the comments mentioned earlier where/are deeply offensive to me as well and as I mentioned anyone can do anything with the right education, training, experience but it is the PLP who have screwed up the economy, made poor decisions … not all Black People.
So what if ‘The White Man’ and some others (Spare Me!!) wanted them to fail the Govt just needed to heed good advise (even from the UBP) make sensible decisions and look after the people of Bermuda, sadly they haven’t always done that have they? They thirst for power just like the (old) UBP, its called Politics. Of course the Opposition is looking to make you look incompetent and point out your failings, it’s the Westminster System of Government, no body wants to be in the opposition forever as you go into politics to be Government right?! The sad thing as it is the Govt who have been the ones giving them (and others) the ammunition (lots of it) needed to snipe at them, sure some/much is unfair depending on your view point but some/much is fair and that the PLP Govt. Must Own it!!
Ask yourself this when there was a deepening recession that was strangling business’ both local and International, tourism … why did the Govt not act more responsible to the people of Bermuda. All the Social Programs that you seem to think that they put in place need what to exist? money!! Well if the Govt was so concerned about us surely they would have done a better job managing the economy knowing that those wasted millions would be needed someday, instead it was waste waste waste, overspend after over spend, junket after junket.
On That Surely the must Own It!!
Redman hit the nail on the head. I would love to see any PLP person try to disput this comment supported with actual facts. Now the question is do we continue to vote the same way we always have or do we vote the PLP out and then in four years back in in cycles. We as the people of Bermuda need to keep politicans motivated to keep our interests at heart. We know already in our history that keeping one government in for too long is not optimal for us as they start to expect to win based on nothing but who they are and not on their ideals …………….
LOL
Germany
Folks tell me the are just fed up with the current situation and are tuning out thats a big problem for any election
Party more serious that all the passionate bloggers.
I personally think the PLP would have done very well if Brown & Burch were not a part of it. From day one these two individuals hacked and hacked away the fabric of our society.
So Madam Renee Webb had made a re-appearance as CHIEF ADVISER – EU RELATIONS under the guise of Paula Cox…..
Another Consultant on the Books……and likely to be an expensive one!
Renee lives in or near to Seattle Washington……which means she has to fly to Bermuda or the EU for meeting…..makes no sense
I’m now puzzled as to what that expensive London Office is doing….can that office not represent Bermuda on EU Relations?
I just did some digging….that office is headed by Kimberley Durrant, a former court clerk…..one of EB’s cronnies…….another waste of Tax Payer Dollars. In that case I would see why Paula needed to appoint Renee as an Advisor.
See that’s another problem that the PLP Government bring to the table…..They hire their inexperienced supporters in roles that float high above their ability and then they find themselves in a situation of having to hire another person to support that persons weakness…..as in the case of hiring Renee.
Paula Cox, it’s time to get real and lift that cloak of transparency!
The Renee Webbe Scandal is the next Dockyard/ProactiveGate, lets wait and see how long it takes our transparent government to put a few layers into Renee’s pay and benefits To HIDE the total cost to the taxpayer.
Its funny how when the truth hits the Press how even the most staunch PLP Supporter will still support The Party.
hats off to the Premier as both she and Brown quickly realised PLP voters were gullible and EASILY tricked or entertained.
Watch for the upcoming spin ball – another bullet in the mail from the white man, discredit Mike Dunkley for firing a black employee who stole a carton of milk, 5 more TIEAs, a trip to Russia or Africa to sign an MOU on Takaful Financing that will never go past the 3 tranactions already completed.
As a black PLP supporter i must say we are so politically immature as a group the UBP really shoudnt have given us the vote – Governors Martonmere, Sharples and the Oligarchy should have simply increased our comforts more, instead of creating social and racial strife to make us believe in the management ability of a bunch of trde unionists, and blacks who only ever really craved for acceptance, hence the obsession with titles – Honourable, Minister, Leader, MP, Don, Dame.
Hopefully our next generation take time to read about Bermuda, its history and the vital role they have of not repeating our mistakes, obsession with race as the reaon for all failures or sucesses.
Wow is all I have to say here. I see what your saying right till this:
“UBP really shoudnt have given us the vote – Governors Martonmere, Sharples and the Oligarchy should have simply increased our comforts more, instead of creating social and racial strife to make us believe in the management ability of a bunch of trde unionists, and blacks who only ever really craved for acceptance, hence the obsession with titles – Honourable, Minister, Leader, MP, Don, Dame.”
I think that all of us are politically immature not just the PLP supporters. Those that escape the immaturity are either dround out by the immature and are the one driving us over the edge.
LOL
She was waiting for Brown to leave.
Madam PM,
Too bad you did not get someone else to do your research (not digging). Obviously, you couldn’t do it that is why you have the wrong information. In Bermuda, Kimberley Durrant was a Law Research at Supreme Court. She was working under the guidance of their Judges and Lawyers. Many of them previously have held that position, It is known that Kimberley finished tops in London’s best law schools including Oxford University and is the only person featured at the University’s website.
I know that you’ll be surprise to know that young Bermudians can really archieve. The have brilliant minds. Persons like you always think negative; hence today’s problem.
Again you have mis-information, the wrong facts. Remember that the Past Premier (you can ask the present Premier)only wanted to surround himself with with strong intelligent persons; hence not YOU.
Once you have Kimberley’s education and qualification you can have a discussion. Until than be quiet.
Remember great minds talk about ideas
Average minds talk about events
Small minds talk about people.
I have no time to waste on wrong facts. Therefore I will not be responding to you.
3rd Eye
Spikes: People who blame Obama for everything because he’s black are racist for sure. That is the unpleasant thing we call politics. PLP does exactly the same thing everyday. They blame whitey for everything. In both cases it is racist, and in both cases they are easy targets.
PLP offers absolutely nothing for whitey and they prove it everyday. That is why you won’t see whitey at the meeting. Not because whitey is racist, but because they have been selectively eliminated. It works well for PLP. As I said in a previous post, when blacks realize they’ve been had and the last race card has been dealt – PLP will have nothing else. Then, and only then, will we see change.
Peace
Great Premier COx,
You have made everyone aware of the up coming meeting. This type of response means that you have got persons attention !! Persons are engaged in talking, even though the level of discourse may be of a lower standard. It is good that you are working and talking with the people to move Bermuda forward. Stand firm and do not allow the nay-sayers and political pundits worry you. They will say anything if they believe it will win their party a place at the house on the hill. Well done !! Hang in there !! !!
As there are only two parties that is guaranteed that they will be in the house in some capacity.
LOL