Comments on: Dr Derrick Binns Named New Cabinet Secretary

By: Big Whoop

Big Whoop — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 23:21:54 +0000

His wife is also a government employee…isn’t that a conflict of interest???

By: Big Whoop

Big Whoop — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 23:20:05 +0000

That was stopped a few years ago. I’m pretty sure it’s in all departments. I was a government employee and when this was stopped, the head of our department paid for our lunch out of her own pocket because she felt staff deserved it. Maybe your manager is also doing this and the staff aren’t aware and think Gov’t is still paying for it? I’m pretty sure a stop was put to it in ALL departments.

By: Ex Civil Servant

Ex Civil Servant — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 18:56:35 +0000

Well sounds like you should report that to your Controller. Civis know that is agains Financial Instructions.

By: another ex-employee

another ex-employee — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 17:36:33 +0000

Ex-employee is correct, this was not a good appointment.

Dr. Binns lacks the conviction to make difficult decisions, and has shown himself to be more interested in protecting his salary and career than representing the public interest. Appointments such as this are exactly why the civil service is in the state it is. We need people who are serving the public, not themselves.

By: jussayin

jussayin — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 14:28:24 +0000

congrats uncle derrick!

By: swing voter

swing voter — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:42:43 +0000

when you’ve been through the system of terror on even superficial levels of bureaucratic nasty bull-s**** Robert, let me know, I’m sure you’ll change your perception of the CS …..and by extension your perception of me.

By: X man

X man — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 12:23:59 +0000

lol – this is the same fella that messed up the Prison System –
He tried all these crazy untested ideas at WestGate and almost everyone failed. [ lol ]
I hope he does a better job here!

By: umm..

umm.. — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:52:42 +0000

mid six figures? since when? and what ‘real world’ are you referring to? did you not read his qualifications? he went to university for 10 years to get his PhD (mostly on scholarship) and has worked tirelessly ever since to get to the position he is in today. I’m not sure what type of performance you’re looking for but to me that sounds like he has over performed in every situation imaginable. It’ll get hot in the kitchen, and if anybody can handle it, it’s him. Sit back and watch.

By: John E. Thorne

John E. Thorne — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:45:11 +0000

Congratulations Derrick.

By: Ripped off

Ripped off — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 22:31:02 +0000

Some of the Civil Servants retiring or about to,are getting $200,000 + golden handshakes and $6,000 per month pensions.We taxpayers are paying for this.Look at the economic state and the future prospects for Bermuda,and think that some of those aforementioned are partly responsible.In the private sector that would not happen.The Premier needs to grow a pair and do what is right,before we become another Greece.
As for Mr.Binns,a better person could not have been found!

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:56:47 +0000

That comment was directed at swing voter.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:56:02 +0000

You’re such a negative person, nothing good to say about anyone .

By: Bean Counter

Bean Counter — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:17:49 +0000

Ours is and has done every year I’ve been here. Up to $50 each plus the rest of the day off.

By: ex-employee

ex-employee — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 21:10:46 +0000

Well I guess you all don’t know Dr. Binns, he is a joke(and that’s been nice) he has NEVER done a dam thing for his staff, he makes the money, kiss the a@#es, I promise you all he didn’t do nothing for us!! if you don’t believe me call his current departments you may all be surprise……Dr. Binns be a man and do right by your people if you really care! then again you don’t cause its been 4yrs and you never listen to us.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:56:23 +0000

Mid six figures? Ahhhh, ummmm, math tutor anyone?

By: swing voter

swing voter — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:35:09 +0000

yup double the pay, double the benefits, double the pension. Job for life CS has a better deal than even the private sector….and I gotta pay for alla dat. Where else in the world can a government CS Accountant or Permanent Secretary make mid 6 figures, fat pension and benefits…. only in Bermuda ;-( sad part is most of these fat cat CS characters won’t make it in the real world where performance counts. Yeah dress me up for work and I’ll look just as good as he does and perform on par or even better, for half the cost in salary, benefits, pension.

Good Luck to you Sir, its gonna get hot in the kitchen!

By: dont believe...

dont believe... — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:32:45 +0000

GOOD LUCK PS BINNS….

By: Taxpayer

Taxpayer — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:20:27 +0000

An excellent choice!

By: raptor

raptor — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:01:04 +0000

When I was in government, the staff all contributed their own funds to pay for Christmas lunches.

By: citi zen

citi zen — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:00:31 +0000

yes everyone want to know.

By: Rad Mamma

Rad Mamma — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:47:05 +0000

Have Government Departments ever had Christmas lunches paid by the taxpayers?

By: J Starling

J Starling — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:28:39 +0000

Congratulations to Dr Binns, he’s taken up a huge portfolio at a difficult time, especially with the possible reforms outlined in the SAGE Report. Interesting times.

Bernews, is there any news about who is taking over as PS for the Ministry of the Environment & Planning?

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:14:54 +0000

Very good decision. Dr. Binns is very professional. Congrats

By: Provide Examples of Results

Provide Examples of Results — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:07:10 +0000

Knows how to get results? Please provide some examples. From my experience he does not have the fortitude required to achieve a an increased standard of service within the public sector, and was simply appointed because he’s ‘served’ his time. His track record with the Ministry of Environment & Planning is questionable, and there are several examples of him unable to hold senior civil servants accountable for lack of results. I stand to be corrected.

By: Bean counter

Bean counter — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 17:33:04 +0000

A good appointment. Perhaps the first move he could make is to stop Government Departments having Christmas lunches paid for by the taxpayer this year.

By: Ex Civil Servant

Ex Civil Servant — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 17:18:59 +0000

This is very refreshing. Dr Binns is highly respected and he knows how to get results!

By: HOORAY

HOORAY — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 16:42:06 +0000

Congratulations Dr. Binns.

By: RJ

RJ — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 16:37:48 +0000

Well, he’s certainly qualified. Best of luck to Dr. Binns in this role.