Governor Designate: I Will Take A Pay Cut
Following comments made by former Premier Dr Ewart Brown yesterday [Mar.22] Governor-designate George Fergusson — who will be our new Governor in May 2012 — said he would expect to take his share of any public service pay cut.
Dr. Brown spoke at the 50-50 Caribbean Conference held in the Cayman Islands yesterday, presenting a paper on “Is the UK-OT Relationship Based on Mutual Interests? Bermuda and the Uighurs Case Study.”
Speaking on budget cutbacks, Dr Brown said there has been “hue and cry all over Bermuda and other nations for leaders and public officials to voluntarily take a decrease in salary — to lead by example.”
He said Bermuda’s Parliamentarians voted themselves a pay cut, union workers have been asked to take cuts, certain public services have been reduced, a few social programs have lost funding, but not once has he “heard even a whisper that the $1.6 million annual outlay that goes to Government House should be cut back.”
“Is there no moral obligation for the British Governor to lead by example, and volunteer to take a pay cut? Oops, I forgot. The British are superior,” said Dr Brown.
Mr Fergusson was appointed Governor of Bermuda in succession to Sir Richard Gozney who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Sir Richard will leave in May 2012, and Mr Fergusson will take up his appointment in the same month.
Mr Fergusson joined the FCO in 1991 from the Northern Ireland Office. His last overseas posting was as the British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa, and Governor of Pitcairn. He was previously Consul-General in Boston; and also served as Head of the Foreign Policy Team in the Cabinet Office Secretariat.
A statement released by Government House this afternoon said, “Further to the comments in the media following former Premier Dr Ewart Brown’s speech of 22 March at the Caribbean 50/50 conference in the Cayman Islands, the Governor-designate, George Fergusson has asked that the following statement be release on his behalf.
“The Governor-designate is clear that as a member of the Bermuda Public Service, he would expect to take his share of any public service pay cut.”
I cant wait for the comments on this one ….
me too. Welcome to Bermuda your Excellency, you in for a great ride, When the PLP win the next General Election be on the lookout for a Col. Burch. He will be your worst nightmare once he regains power. I am sure you know him well by now and have been very well informed of his actions while he was in office. Together with Dr. Brown these two individuals could cause havoc in this community.
The Governor of Bermuda from December 2007 is career diplomat Sir Richard Gozney. His 2011 salary is $231,800 paid by the Bermuda Government. His perks include the use of a BMW 750Li, the same make of car used by Premier of Bermuda.
What’s your point MD? The Queen owns this land. We, as subjects are tenants of this land, we pay no rent, we pay no rent, the Governors salary is not rent.
Thanks to no other than Dr. Brown for bringing this to the table. Don’t agree with him on many issues but the damming blogs on here and RG just shows how the OBA supporters, mostly whites hate a Black intelligent man. Like I said I am NOT a plp supporter but was disgusted to see all the vile comments.
What color am i TBT? And let me know the color of others on this thread. Welcome to Bermuda Truth, where a lot of Black Bermudians hate a “Black intelligent man”
Have you noticed yet? Every post defending DB referres to him as an intelligent black man. Its the plp tactic to drive that into peoples head by way of repetition. NEWSFLASH! We know the man is intelligent, its his morales, values and intentions for this country that we question.
Coming from someone who really supports no party.
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRFOWa6T8g1QkA9nLTFBCokZ5IuFqdEs4PfrhPNPCQGBDTL2veQ
There you go. Don’t drag it out for a year, than show up in front of the Union and hope every-one forgot. Have the nerve to not even have a definitive answer; go back twist a few arms and come back with a lousy 5% for individuals making over $100,000. Act like it was all your idea and demand the Governor to do the same. Hahaha, what a joke, hope he takes the same lousy 5% the Premier suggested for her $200,000 a year.
And YES, Dr. Brown is an intelligent man. This was NEVER the issue when he was Premier. See what being intelligent can get you.
Now we know who the real Government leader is, and it’s not Premier Paula Cox. If the PLP win the next election, out she goes, in comes the old regime and out go IB. Instant Third World.
BROWN the PUPPETEER…PAULA the PUPPET…BIN KNOWN DAT…ENJOY the SHOW..
I wonder why Paula Cox, thought she could be a leader !!! she is a whimp.
I also think the old regime will kick her out…. the we “had to deceive you ”
regime are getting ready to take over….
The P.L.P. have some great candidates….Rolf, Walton and Mark !!!!and we need not forget about the head @#$%^& in charge !!!!Zane…… all of doc Browns yes men can you imagine what the world will think of bda ? bar keep I will have another double if you please……
With the way he’s talking one would think HE made the decision to take a pay cuts. Shaking Head is right.
We all know whose idea it was and dont forget the world is watchin’….2012 Be Prepared Be Ready…
Brillant, great that Dr Brown raised such a critical request. The Governor is now following through with this suggestion. Just wonderful !! Because of the‘Colonized Mentality of many Bermudians, they would not would believe tha such a request should have never been mention. This is the because of years of living as a colonized people.’
Specialgirl – you need to reread your post to see the irony in it.
Specialgirl – took the PLP a year and mounds of public pressure to do the right thing.
Specialgirl, can you actually put one coherent sentence together?
If the answer is yes, grunt twice. If no, just let some dribble fall from your lip.
I wonder if the new Governor, George Fergusson, is related to Pat Ferguson of Royal Gazette fame. I know their names are spelt differently, but I also know that the deratives of Trimingham are “Trimms”, Mings and Inghams. I wonder if there is a connection.
One thing is for certain, Mr. Fergusson is the first Governor to admit that he is “a member of the Bermuda Public Service”. Note, he did not state that is a member of the Bermuda Public Service Union.
Lavern, you have reached the bottom of the barrell with that comment.
I forgot Lavern, have you thought about calling 236-3770 M.A.W.I lady you need some help….
Forgive them my Pepper for they KNOW NOT what they DO….
keepin it real, why do they not what they do ?
puppets only move and talk when orchestrated by the puppeteer…otherwise they are inanimate objects with no real purpose in life …is how i see it…
It’s official Laverne…we now have to life up the barrel to see you under the bottom…..you’re havin a laugh aren’t you? you’re not that stupid are you?
If you take a look britain wants control of this island a full scale world war is just around the corner they need this island. Anotha fact our new govenor spent years in northern ireland. Do you no what goes on in northern ireland riot capitol of the world. Sounds like they have plans for bermuda. And northern ireland faught for their independence for thousands of years and still haven’t gotten it to this day. We dnt own nanything in bermuda this land was found for the crown we just got dragged along for the rride.
See how far out there you are …we’re trying to save the oldest british isle from extinction and you are worrying yourself about whether you can get a lineage report or DNA samples…hahahahah
oh and by the way update your racist handbook to the new millenium…its NOT about COLOUR….its about CLASSES…and there is ONLY 2 classes the RICH and POOR…..And we all know which class Dr.E.Brown is in ….is he in YOUR CLASS Ma’am….?
Why is the government spending $2,000,000 a year for empty offices overseas LaVerne?
You won’t answer, i know. You’d rather make stupid comments. That’s your level, and you should stay there.
THIS IS NO WAY TO BRING PEACE …TRUST ME.
Asking a relevant question is wrong?
Why don’t you make the same remark to LaVerne?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfDjL837dCE
After watching that video, all I can say is ‘Oh my Lord!’ What is wrong with that woman?
I’m all for black rights and despite what many think, blacks HAVE been done wrong by. I believe it has to be righted-even today. There is no ‘moving on’ until the FINANCIAL injustices are righted (e.g. the original Tucker’s Town owners were ripped off of multi-million land-IS THAT RIGHT?!)…however, LaVerne is not the face or voice of black Bermuda. She is the definition of an angry black woman. She needs to stop, take a deep breath and actually THINK before she types or opens her mouth!
Wonder how Ewart Brown is related to Gordon Brown….. Brown is spelt the same?
Pat Ferguson is Black and White like me. Evenin Pat!
And if he is????? Your point is what?
Just as a point of clarity LaVerne, can you remind us how much pay cut Union officials have taken this year?
Laverne Furbert,
Are you related to Chris Furbert???
HaHAhAhAhahhhaAAa cljhdvlh…..bie u crak me up!!
yes
Hey, Just keeping it Real!!!!!
Names are spelled the same…..and at times they both sound VERY ANGRY……..got to be related, in it???
You Know!… i wonder sometimes …how many people would run for parliament if their backrounds were investigated and results made public ..good or bad whatever it may be….jus like ur buddies across da pawn…no leaf left unturned ….which is only right if we bermudians are to trust you with,…. OUR LAND & MONEY!!…NOT YOURS!!
In all seriousness, they are cousins.
Now that is an inspirational, selfless act. Hardly the act of someone thinking he is so superior. Rather me thinks, one might be extremely haughty and arrogant to think only he had the solutions to all of Bermuda’s problems and none of the blame! You had your chance, Dr. Brown. If the average Bermudian, young or old,black or white, can really say they are better off today than 10 years ago or 5 years ago or even 1 year ago, then let him vote PLP again! The whole “colonization” issue is only to add fire to the “race” card and baffle with B.S. and blind the voter to the real issues.
“He said Bermuda’s Parliamentarians voted themselves a pay cut, ”
What a load of BS….. Government took a pay cut because the unions had them by the …. Hmmmm’s…. If they didn’t get consessions from the civil service government would be broke!
Gov’t IS broke.
They ARE broke. The Finance Dept is running over 180 days in arrears for some payments. Don’t even think about getting a phone call returned to explain why.
if you dont watch this video then you deserve what ever comes your way …http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsTuKluGaZ4
Does that sound familiar ..? (names are changed to protect the innocent)..hahaha
No Keepin’it Real, These guys are just Actors on the global stage reaching to a specific audience. Humanitarians throughout the world do the real work for our planet.
So what was wrong with what was said? It was all TRUE! White men have stood up and said the exact same thing! Why is it only a problem when a black man says it?
Well, how about watching THIS…coming from President John F. Kennedy’s own mouth over 40 years ago. It’s the speech the so-called ‘conspiracy theorists’ swear got him assasinated. In any case, listen CAREFULLY to what PRESIDENT Kennedy himself said,and tell me how it’s any different to what Louis Farrakhan said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhZk8ronces
The difference is that Farrakhan has been behind a lot of controversy and mischief.
LOL
Correct me if I’m wrong …….. But didn’t the ministers under Dr. Brown’s rule take a massive pay INCREASE ????
If that’s true, then the same ministers taking a pay cut are still being paid a lot more than they were to begin with!!!
Massive. Way more than the previous gov’t. But they workmuch harder with better results, so no complaints.
Oh dear. It appears that the new Governor Designate has very quickly shown his “superior attitude” as alleged by Dr. Brown! How so?
Well, as pointed out by Larry Burchall in his column in this week’s Bermuda Sun, it was back in January 2011 that the BIU and BPSU/TUC suggested that Cabinet Ministers should lead the way and take a pay cut. The Minister of Finance flatly rejected that idea, but 12 months later the same Minister finally proposed that Ministers and Parliamentarians SHOULD take a 5% pay cut. It took 15 months to complete what Larry calls a “flip flop”.
So how has the Governor Designate demonstrated his “superior attitude”? Well, it took him all of 24 hours to confirm that he would have no problem “taking his share of any public service pay cut”. By any reckoning this guys attitude is far superior to the attitude displayed by our Government who had to dragged, kicking and screaming, to accept a 5% pay cut.
Somehow, I suspect that Dr. Brown didn’t quite mean it that way!
Boy!
Suddenly the world has become uncharacteristically altruistic.
Next thing you know drug dealers will be offering discounts!
Brown never took a pay cut, in fact he benefited his pockets and his cronies and then laughed off into the sunset. WHAT A HYPOCRIT.
The question all of us should ask is “If Dr Brown did not raise this subject, would the Governor have taken the pay cut”. It was clearly a “reaction” to the speech. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but we should keep in mind the sequence of events clearly.
Don’t know much about this new governor but I must say I LIKE THIS GUY. Checkpoint! Obviously England is watching and listening. PLP your move. Madame Premier time to request that Inquiry. Good Governance should not come in small steps. It will not be a waste of taxpayers money to finally know the truth about the overspending, mismanagement of the public purse. The PLP government has been riddled with over run projects, bailout of the BIU incompetence, questionable practices relating to the awarding of Government contracts, fraudulent behavior of certain people , creation of top jobs for friends of Cabinet, and last but not least,sinking the country into DEBT. PLP have not been good stewards.
Welcome Mr. Governor!!
The Premier requesting an inquiry???……….The sound of tree frogs………right after a good rain tree frogs……………
EB you just got b—— slapped! Welcome Mr. Governor.
Government Ministers voted themselves a 5% pay cut. They are asking the rest of Government workers to take an 8% pay cut. Union officials are not taking any pay cut.
I am sure the union leadership will ‘lead by example’ and share the pain. Right LaVerne? Can you confirm that LaVerne?
Of course a 5% paycut after voting themselves a 100% pay rise a few years earlier doesn’t really amount to much now does it. And the paycut’s not really a paycut – they’ll actually be taking home MORE pay then before.
PLP – still taking more for themselves and sticking it to the people.
This is a most welcome move by the Governor Designate, I commend him for his quick response to the suggestion made by former Premier Dr. Brown. I must point out to some of those who have posted in reply to this that, Dr. Brown’s statement spoke more to the fact the while people often called on the Parliamentarians to take a pay cut, nobody even considered to ask the Governor to do the same, not so much as to if he would take one or not.
@Pepper Premier Cox is a strong Leader and she has nothing to worry about. Nobody within the party will be making any such attempt as you have suggested. She carries a great deal of support and backing from the party she leads. In my view and opinion.
@Makai I hope you are right about noone challenging Ms Cox, but I think you’ll find that there are at least two stepping up to challenge her right after the election.
well thats a big slap in the face Brown isnt it? tell me PLP how does this feel that the white boy is looking better then you now??? STAND up and be counted…
The Governor Designate is a career diplomat who outfoxed Brown by neutralizing the comments before taking office.
He was probably advised by the FCO to take that course of action.
Funny. They do it and its “outfoxing”. The Government does it and its “yielding to pressure” or a “flip-flop”. Admit it, they got called out by a superior politician and realized they had to come clean and early. Now, how long will my polite Premier take to bring the legislation to cut his pay?
No, it’s the government who got called out by superior policitians. The opposition was suggesting a 10% pay cut a year ago. Cox’s repsonse, until now, was that she didn’t think there was any value in a “symbolic gesture”. But now she’s making full use of a symbolic gesture, whereby she actually gives up nothing at all.
Kind of ironic.
Still no word on how much of a cut Union Officials have taken.
Brown for Premier!!!! Arugh!!!!! Careful what you ask for!!!!!
Paula’s weak!!!
Hey LaWerne why you shade the truth so much?
LOL nice one Bernews
The fact of the matter is no one raised this issue before Dr Brown did publicly. The Governor designate had virtually no choice but to accept Dr Brown’s suggestion. If the present Governor had volunteered to take a pay cut and announced it 3 months back, it would have made him a hero….any action now can only be seen as a reaction to Dr Brown’s speech and because there was no other option but to take the pay cut. How can that be seen as a political victory for the Governor or the Governor designate??
But there was another choice…b!tch about it for a year like the plp did…come again
Like anyone else in the private sector of the position overseas. The Governor(DES) was offered the job with the pay and accepted it, maybe he has financial obligations, i think the Governor should call Brother Furbert, 2 days into the job and their cutting his pay. If i was him i would contact the Queen and demand a SUB.
Corr. After accepting the position of Governor- not (2 days into the job)
I’m glad the Governor is joining the ranks of those willing to take pay cuts.
Now who”s missing? Oh yes, the Unions themselves. Come on BIU, BPSU and the others, honor your “United We Stand” motto. Somehow I feel their superior attitude will show through and they will refuse.