Minister & Opposition On Minister’s Roof Repair
[Updated with Minister's response] Questions have arisen from the Opposition as to whether staff from the Ministry of Public Works were dispatched to Minister Patricia Gordon Pamplin’s residence after her roof sustained damage in Hurricane Gonzalo, and questions have also been asked about where the materials used came from.
In a statement issued yesterday, Senator Diallo Rabain, the Senate spokesperson for Public Works, said that allegations of a “OBA Minister exploiting her position for personal benefit, while thousands of Bermudians were without power or had their roofs damaged, must be addressed immediately.”
A general look at some of the roof damage around the island after Gonzalo
Terming it an “abuse of position,” a statement from Senator Rabain said that workmen from the Ministry of Public Works were “dispatched to Minister Patricia Gordon Pamplin’s residence” after her roof was damaged during Hurricane Gonzalo, and also alleged that the materials used at the private residence were “taken out of the government inventory.”
Bernews has attempted to seek a reply, confirmation, or denial, directly from the Minister herself, the Ministry of Public Works and the OBA, and while all of our attempts both yesterday and today have been unsuccessful, we will update if able.
Update 4.10pm: We just spoke with the Minister via phone, and will have her comment up shortly.
Update 4.17pm: The Minister confirmed that she lost part of her roof during the hurricane, and that tarps were put on her roof on Saturday night by one of the teams that was helping island-wide, but they didn’t hold, and she eventually experienced flooding in her house.
The Minister said that she mentioned it to her PS, and W&E came to assess the situation on Thursday evening, and on Friday, W&E put plywood over a section of the hole in roof. On Sunday evening, more of the ceiling collapsed, leading to the Fire Service putting tarps over the roof again.
Minister Gordon-Pamplin explained that at this point, no one has done any actual repairs to her roof, as the roof has not yet been fixed.
She got the first estimate for the work from a contractor, with a second estimate to be done tomorrow by another private contractor, with both estimates to be submitted to the insurance company. The Minister said she plans to have a private contractor do the repairs.
The Minister added that the service and the tarps were available to everyone, and she didn’t get any special privileges that everyone else wasn’t entitled to, and in addition, she said she told her PS to send her a bill, just to cover the time W&E staff took to assess her roof and place the plywood over it.
Update 8.27pm: A Ministry spokesperson said, “Minister of Public Works, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, today confirmed no roof repairs were undertaken at her home by members of the Department of Public Works.
“On Saturday, following Hurricane Gonzalo, while the Minister was inspecting the Causeway and the Hospital with the Premier, the Permanent Secretary went to her home and after seeing the damage called the Bermuda Fire Service, as would be the case with any other citizen.
“The Fire Service was unable to assist so the Bermuda Regiment was called but could not attend until the next day so the Permanent Secretary asked a team from the Ministry who had been working with the Regiment, to put some tarpaulin on the roof.
“When the rain came a few days later the tarpaulin failed and part of the ceiling collapsed causing extensive damage to the residence and rendering the property a health and safety issue. The Permanent Secretary asked staff from the Ministry to secure the failed tarpaulin.
“The Minister did not wish for assistance from the Ministry, but when she was advised that there were two people already there to assess replacing the tarp at 6:30 in the evening on Thursday, the Minister directed that she be billed for anything that the Public Works staff did to reinforce the tarpaulin. By the time the replacement tarps arrived, it was too dark for the workers to go back onto the roof.
“On Friday morning staff members from Public Works returned to reinforce the tarpaulin and in the process they placed a half sheet of plywood over the hole in the roof and did not place the additional tarpaulin over the roof.
“The Minister’s home was again flooded on Saturday and Sunday, and another part of the ceiling collapsed.
“The Fire Service was called in on Sunday to reinforce the tarpaulin and a private contractor will be doing the repairs to the roof, as soon as the quote is approved by her insurance company.
“It is worthy of note that there were some 300 tarp assistance requests during the two storms, the Minister’s being one.”
If true, resign. If not say so ….. the silence is deafening
This brings this to mind about a certain wall having been built along Southshore, (near John Smith Beach) but I can’t recall a certain individual ever resigning because W & E did the repairs
well we all know it’s ok for those individuals to do it.
We all know that it is very important to hold the government accountable. We can not excuse the actions of one govt,and give a free pass to another. This behavior is unacceptable by Minister Gordon who acted in a pit-bull fashion towards Dr. Brown before the entire facts were presented. This is an abuse of power by a Minister who is now pushing the blame directly on her PS. We must politically mature and attack the issues regardless of were our political beliefs may fall. This bill came after this matter was put in the public domain, thus telling us clearly that “Minister was caught out on this one! ”
This matter suggest the minister should acknowledge all and step down from office.
@Sally, you seem to be the one attacking like a pit-bull now, without knowing the facts.
Are you barking up the wrong tree!
Sally, this is why they OBA loves their supporters… Because in their (supporters) eyes they can do NO wrong.
Can you explain why she should resign?
She was one of over 300 Bermudians who received temporary assistance from W&E in the form of tarps and plywood.
Rabain should resign immediately for lying to the public by stating that the Minister had her roof fixed using slate from the Government stock.
But in your eyes they can do NO wrong.
Or let me guess, Ian, your mythical global recession excuse caused Rabain to lie. Go back to sleep fan boy.
she did nothing wrong you idiot…smh. your the same in your eyes d PLP can do no wrong. shut up
Sally, she didn’t do anything wrong. You clearly have not read the story.
A wall? Whole houses were built with aromatic closets.
What about the house in flatts, it was unethical but nnt illegal.
We should honor and respect the leaders of this country, they should be given first preference whatever. These are the honorable MP’s running our country.its amazing what 14 years can do.
No offence but you can’t say that with certainty just because they’re allowed to attach the title to their name. Being honourable is earned through actions not just a given position.
Obviously those checks from the OBA keep coming in to Ray.Who is probably now their most highly paid blogger. Imagine, all he has to do is stay at home and attack the PLP all day and get paid for it.
He’s come a long way…
read this article: http://jonnystar.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/abuse-of-power/
Obviously, the minister has lost all her self imposed integrity. Zap, it’s all gone.
Coming from Starling? Riiight. His comment is full of assumptions and half-truths. Trying to make something out of nothing.
After de license plate F!@#up her credibility is SHOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No chance. They wouldn’t be there yet.
A valid concern and abuse of power if true. I hope this isn’t true.
The Minister added that the service and the tarps were available to everyone, and she didn’t get any special privileges that everyone else wasn’t entitled to, and in addition, she said she told her PS to send her a bill, just to cover the time W&E staff took to assess her roof and place the plywood over it.
I’m sorry Ray, but I have to ask, what is your point? Are you suggesting that those who have the ability, and or means to pay should be given preferential treatment? I would hope not, but that’s the way that your statement is coming across to me. Please clarify.
What I’d posted had been copied and pasted from a statement that the Minister has stated in the first article…(The above article has been altered from the original article where I’d copied from)
she was not give preferential treatment, the same service was available to anyone who needed assistance, didn’t you hear anything after the storm, who to contact, where to get tarps. She is a member of the public just like you, just because she is a minister does not mean she can’t be afforded the same courtesy. Get your head out of the sand and stop trying to look for anything to grumble about and maybe come up with some suggestions on how to get this island back to where it was twenty years ago.
How on earth do you draw that conclusion? You’re just being totally ridiculous. The fact is, she got no advantage due to her position. She was entitled to help like everyone else.
@ Really ref. to below letter. Re-read the article. Now how do you come to this conclusion?
“Are you suggesting that those who have the ability, and or means to pay should be given preferential treatment? I would hope not, but that’s the way that your statement is coming across to me.”
I know how to lie as well!!
maybe help was given to enable the minister to directly engage in coordinating services for the benefit of the broader community, nonetheless,a statement from the Govt, W&E or the Minister would be very appropriate at this stage so we can stop guessing without insight.
That’s a huge reach…
IF these “allegations” are proved true,then the Minister should immediately resign and pay for all costs and materials,the Police should be involved with Senior Officers.
If they turn out not to be true then the PLP member responsible should resign (although of course it is anonymous).
Are you people blind or dumb? The story quite clearly states Senator Diallo Rabain.
Ok. So since it wasn’t true, the lying git should resign.
Cedar Beams…
You can’t be serious?? Repeating something over and over doesn’t make it true.. Ask Santa Claus
@Impressive………..
So Quigars story wasn’t true either?
How about Bermuda Cement Co deal, that never happened?
Or TCD contract – that contract went out to tender?
Hmmm well then what about Bda Emissions Co, to was not given to a friend instead of going out to tendor?
Oh wait , I guess Berkely Mega School was never given to Proactive, a company with zero construction experience, and I guess that project did not go 60+ million over budget!
You mean we didn’t have $800 million in unaccounted for monies belonging to the people of Bermuda!?
You mean, DB didn’t have to deceive us???
Perhaps the Grand Atlantic Development was a good idea and there was a long line of people waiting to buy them?
I’m confused @Impressive. Tell me these are not all facts! Help set the record straight.
That story was not even true, was already disproven.
As is Rabain’s “story”. Totally disproven.
PlP B******* about every little thing that the oba due. When plp was in power u neva saw oba attacking them like a bunch of bullies. Grow the hell up Diallo
I think the use of taxpayer resources is the concern of the opposition and people of Bermuda. If this isn’t true, then she, the OBA, or her ministry need to state so. Then the PLP need to check where they are getting their info from, if it didn’t come from them actually seeing so.
Ewart Brown used W&E (if I remember correctly) to do some work at one of his businesses. But he paid for their services. I see no wrong in that or if Minister Pamplin did so as well. But using her ministry to work on her private residence for free would be wrong.
Using government workers after back to back storms for personal means, whether you are paying them or not, is still a Major PROBLEM
300 people “used governmemt workers” after the storm.
What a LIE
This bie’ is a young man attempting to make a name for himself but in reality, “he’s a two bit punk in a three piece suit”
Mrs. Patrica Gordon-Pamplin is well versed in “Politics” and the Oppositions / P.L.P ways of manipulation them that are vulnerable.
Pamplin is a liability to the OBA. Blunder after blunder…
Having said that, I don’t think she is doing this stuff on purpose. I just think she’s a little thick.
Mr. Ray,
Please have some sensitivity to your labels. You call Mr. Rabain a “bie”. Not appropriate. He is a man. We have long passed the days of calling a man “bie”. You did show the respect to the Minister by calling her Mrs. Pamplin. That same courtesy should be afforded to Mr. Rabain. Also, the comparison to a “punk” is a bit much. Regardless of politics, this man is someone’s son, someone’s husband, someone’s father and someone’s friend. He deserves to be treated with dignity.
And shame to all readers/posters for not pointing this out.
Thank you.
Ms. Poli Tician, my apologies to you if you were or are upset for my remarks but that’s how I view the “young man”.
Maybe you haven’t lived in Bermuda all of your life but a boy up until he is in his late years of life will always be called / known as a bie’ and that’s the truth.
Now as far as he being someones son etc.etc. maybe he too should consider them points prior to making statements? “What’s good for the goose is also good for the gander” correct?
For your information, I have lived here my entire life. But I still find the term offensive. Always have and always will. When are we going to stop excusing some of our poor habits by passing them off as Bermudian? Go overseas and try greeting someone as ‘bie’. It would not, and would never, be appreciated.
I will concede that he should have been more thoughtful in his assertions, but I will not concede to demeaning him by calling him ‘bie’ and ‘punk’.
“Go overseas and try greeting someone as ‘bie’. It would not, and would never, be appreciated.”
That’s probably because it is a Bermudian cultural trait.
Alot of Americans also don’t understand the use of teh word mate between two men.
That doesn’t mean we should alter our vernacular in order to appease another country.
RELAX!!! Male Bermudians refer to each other as “Dat bie” or “You bies” all de damn time!! It’s not like he was referred to as a BOY!!!
You must either have a very short or selective memory, or you where not a resident of Bermuda over the past 10 years.. or just maybe, you only see and hear what you want to,,
What planet you lived on during the PLP reign?
That particular minister was the pitbull of attacking the PLP on ‘integrity’ even-though she hoodwinked the public into thinking she had some. Now the real PRG is standing…not pretty is she?
Lets not forget when Dr. Brown had W&E rebuild the wall that fell down at his house.
and lets not forget Mrs. Pamplin’s comments regarding that!
Because it was done at a weekend at a private business owned by the premier.
Yeah that wasn’t done immediately after a hurricane hit Bermuda
If this is true, then how does this resonate with what the Minister said about Dr. Brown in 2010? Seems to me like the OBA were always quick to call corruption, presenting themselves as the good guys when in reality ….
I’m not for either tricking party but the minister did ask to be invoiced for whatever had to be done. FFS plp stop picking at any and everything, it’s getting boring.
The amount of things I saw the plp do should be highlighted. How about that or would you and your crew deny it Diallo?
If the Minister was invoiced and paid it then I don’t see the problem.
It’s a problem if she had it done before everyone else. But it could be excused if W&E showed up not knowing it was her house. I really doubt W&E would be so kind to an OBA minister in the first place.
Either way, it was in the aftermath of a hurricane. Tarps are gonna go up even if it is a Minister’s house.
The PLP are just looking, and desperately might I add, to “get” the OBA.
yea but she only offered to pay after the fact. What is she paying. lets see the cheque.
she wasn’t going to and now throwing her PS under the bus.
She cannot possibly be that stupid. If she did this, then she ought to resign for stupidity just as much as abuse of power and misuse of public resources. You know somebody gonna tell on you. Seriously???? SMH C’mon OBA – you know better!
But since there was no abuse of her position, it’s Rabain that should resign.
I think you underestimate her. She just might be that stupid…
Quick question for you petty/ petticoat……pundits whether you be Oba/ubp or Plp supporters or no supporters of any political party or government at all….?If you were the minister of Public Works or any Government Portfolio and you were damaged by Hurrivaine Fay or Fahey and Gonzola or Gonzales or whatever ……as a minister ,,,would you sit at home with no lights,,,,roof damaged…water pouring in through the rain ,,,furniture being damaged and house insecure with the means to do something about it….?????What would you Do….???? Just testing your intelligence …..just asking….hmmmmmm guess I wont get an honest answer from you…..
And you’re calling your fellow Bermudians ‘petty’ with a post like that?
Pot, meet kettle!
Firstly, I wouldn’t have compromised my position as Minister of that particular department, especially since Ministers and senior officers of the Civil Service (i.e. Permanent Secretaries) are expected to “LEAD BY EXAMPLE”. If Civil Servants are to create a culture within the Service that reflects the core values of impeccable service, accountability, efficiency, productivity and SOUND ADVICE, why not the Minister and P.S.?
I would have called the Fire Department first, then I would have called on family (i.e. in this case, her son and/or his father) and the neighbours for assistance.
After all, “Official resources should not be used for your personal or private pursuits or interests.”
Wow, that wins the prize for most incoherent post of the day! I guess Ray Ray and Terry are on vacation….
Hey Diallo…she’s got invoices mate. Go look for a fire somewhere else!
Show us the invoices, we can’t just take her word for it. Prove it.
Simple – if true, Pamplin should AT A MINIMUM be removed as Public Works Minister and possibly out all together. If not true, Rabain should resign from the Senate immediately.
I would say apologies are in order but apologies from politicians mean nothing…
Abuse of power and position and also unethical if true.
I think a lot of people would like to have have a chat with the Permanent Sec of W&E …. funny how that happened and the men then turned up to put up tarps …. trying to wriggle out of it.
Like they turned up at 300 homes. Rabain should tesign.
WOW !!! Folk are so quick to jump to conclusions and most of you have already “tried and convicted” Mrs. Pat Gordon Pamplin. Why don’t all of you that have already found her guilty wait for the rest of the story to come out – give W&E or the Minister or the Party a chance to even respond to the question – which BTW is a HEAVILY STACKED AND BIAS question from the get go from the PLP! But why am I not surprised.
I have another question – did people wait “for the rest of the story” about Dr. Brown and the border wall at Brown Darrell which in that instance, bordered public property – a major thoroughfare for which the government retained some responsibility to see fixed…did people wait for the story? Or did they jump to their own attacks? People – demand more of your electorate…this tit for tat politics is very petty and does nothing to return our country to greatness….ps. Minister, you need to resign…not necessarily because you abused your position but because of your ethically challenged and hypocritical nature of your response. You attack EB like a pitbull then do the exact same thing…and we are supposed to be okay with that? The twists your tongue gets in every time you speak will not help you out this time…We deserve so much more.
Forgive the people if we didn’t trust him. After all, he is the one that told his fellow supporters and friends “I had to deceive you”. We chance did the rest of us have of ever hearing the truth from him?
yep like you and her did with the PLP -
Pretty fair response from the Minister. She’s a shade smarter than some of these Aalskans like to think !
Can’t trust Alaskans.
If she were smart, she wouldn’t have had a publicly sponsored maintenance crew perform works at her home.
Why not? She is a member of the public like anyone else. She got no special treatment. Rabain is a liar and should resign.
Ha! The PLP looking for smoke.
I think Diallo needs to resign his post now.
they so desperate
I predict the next election to be the nastiest ever.
@unbelievable – it has to be the nastiest because the plp are starved of a platform with any substance and will have to rely on lies,race-baiting,innuendoes and criticism of the current government with an equal and greater measure of amnesia of their previous maladministration.
PGP does not seem to have done anything wrong. If the same service was available to the general public for free and she has offered to pay for the time and materials anyway, what part of this is wrong?
I would like to see the bill and a proof of payment!!!js
As the PLP cogs for their invoices and proof of payment? Berkeley? Dr. Brown? Etc.
Just because there was perceived corruption in the previous Gov. in no way justifies this Government being allowed to bend the rules. The wife of Caesar must be above reproach. The OBA campaigned on transparency, honesty and clean politics and must now tow that line 100%. Whether or not there was a tarp put on etc. she should have been smart enough to know that she needed to distance herself 1000% from the Ministry when it came to fixing her own roof. Rookie move Ms. Pamplin, rookie move
Much a do about nothing, but I really hope this sends the a message to all in Government. You will get away with nothing… the previous Govt got away with everything, but that was yesterday and the people do not trust anyone in Government anymore. You must act above reproach – that is just as simple as it gets.
Even when you’re not trying to get away with something, take the path that leaves no room for interpretation, or assumption. We really just don’t need the distractions.
It sure did not take long for the PLP tp start nitpicking after the hurricane.Instead of trying to help people that needed it they waste time and energy starting unsubstantiated rumors.I say it is time for the OBA to stop trying to Be concialatory and tell it like it is.Minister Richards at one time said this was going to happen and so far they don’t seem to have the intestinal fortitude to do it.
She abused her position and any sensible person can see through her BS. Premier Dunkley every time you try to build the OBA house better one of the members comes along and knocks a brick out. We promise not to be the PLP and either way it does not look good among the voters. It’s time for a cabinet shuffle my friend.
She got the same treatment as 300 other people who used the service.
This is so damn trivial!
Is this the plan that the PLP has to regain power? I just hope that those complaining the most will be just as critical of their own when and if they return to public office. However I’m not holding my breath on that one!
Ah but the difference is, when someone criticizes PLP they are being racist! Therefore, PLP never really answers the criticism, they just call the race card – and case closed.
The PLP messed up Bermuda.
This story wins hands down…..the true expressions…..clutching at straws…tilting at windmills…fishing without bait……whistling dixie …..jumping the gun…..gasping in desperation and all the prizes for wishing and hoping ….of the year….clap…..clap…..clap…!What a bunch of meat heads…!
Where do you hang your clown shoes at night Takky?
The minister is also a Bermudian resident who deserved to have one of the emergency agencies come to her aid including the department of Works and Engineering. Maybe we need a couple more hurricanes or an earthquake for some Bermudians to learn how to show some compassion to their fellow Bermudians. All those complaining about this and other trivial things make me sick. Get a life!
Could not agree more with you!
Funny how Government has time & money for all these other projects in an instant yet one project that has been outstanding for almost as long as they have been in power still only has a band aid fix……..
No special treatment they say… How many people who lost their roof had a PS to direct the situation where when the Regiment wasn’t available W&E are called on a dime???? Also the initial band aid fix is acceptable but we’re talking about repeat returns to this same house using public resources when there still where/are people who haven’t even had a first response from government aid, by that point it’s up to the home owner like everyone else out there to secure a private contractor. Now think, if you’e the minister of W&E, how hard is it to arrange for a bill for yourself after the fact you have been caught with your hand in the public cookie jar???
Only problem is, that isn’t what happened.
The PLP just throw out accusations and wen proven wrong they go silent again until the next one.
There needs to be consequences for this silliness.
All of these elected officials are the same no matter what party they belong to PLP or OBA/UBP. Favours are what they thrive on. So please let’s stop fooling ourselves(Joe-public) they all do it. And this to shall past until the next scandal. I wish they would help come up with some real solutions to our problems.
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.”
December 14, 2010: “Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Shadow Minister for Works & Engineering, said “The revelation that Works & Engineering staff is doing major repair work on a wall owned by former Premier Brown says the cronyism and favouritism practiced so shamelessly by the former Government continues today.”
Yesterday [Dec 14] in the House of Assembly, Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said he had been contacted by area residents who wanted to know why public funds had been spent to have a crew rebuild a wall situated on private property over a weekend. The wall in question is situated on the Brown Darrell Clinic property, which runs parallel to South Shore Road near John Smith’s Bay. Works Minister Derrick Burgess said the repairs were necessary in the interests of public safety, adding: “Dr. Brown has agreed to pay for that wall.”
Ms Gordon-Pamplin continued on to say that “It makes no difference that Dr. Brown says he will pay for the repair work. Clearly, his commitment to do so was made only after the public outcry.More to the point, why was Works & Engineering staff fixing a private wall in the first place?”
“Has Government changed its policy? Is the public now able to get Works & Engineering to fix repairs at private homes? Can people get their own walls fixed? How about driveway paving? Landscaping?”
“The most shocking side of this sorry mess is the Government’s insensitivity to the economic crisis that is hurting big and small businesses across the island. By agreeing to fix Dr. Brown’s wall, the Government took business away from small contractors who could have used the work. Dr. Brown and Works Minister Derrick Burgess, who is also the Deputy Premier, should apologize to the public for this specific “oversight.” Further, to hear Ministers trying to defend an indefensible position with distortion and spin is shameful.”
“Beyond them, the Premier has once again allowed bad practices to happen under her watch. It is inexcusable. We note she did not comment on the situation when she had the opportunity to during Monday’s House of Assembly sitting. We urge her now to step forward as the Government leader to explain how this unacceptable situation came about.”
So does that mean the 300 other people who received tarps and plywood also abused their power?
Can anyone else have their wall fixed by W&E despite if there wasn’t a hurricane/storm/act of God that destroyed it?
W&E did not fix her roof as it still has tarps and plywood covering the hole that she noted private contractors have been hired to fix.
However, W&E fixed Dr. Brown’s wall completely (not a temp fix) despite there not being a storm while also apparently not even considering in paying private contractor to do so.
Rabain lied about her use of Government stock slate and should duly resign as he is now a proven liar.
So in one instance, the premier got W&E to do work at a weekend at his private business. He used his position to get work done that wouldn’t otherwise have been done. For his private business.
In the other instance a minister got emergency assistance at her house after a hurricane, just like 300 other householders in Bermuda. She got nothing that anyone else wouldn’t have got.
Is it me more or don’t MP’s, Parliamentarians and gov workers in general have to pay taxes????? just saying if they do they should be able to utilise the services available to the public just like everyone else. No Pamplin shouldnt get special priviledges because she is an MP but she shouldnt have to be subject to undue penalties either.
For GOD SAKE PEOPLE IT WAS A HURRICANE! get over it…
Hurricanes , Earth quakes and volcanoes do not tend to distinguish what Caste , coin , sect or political leanings you may have.
The fact the roof was hammered and that she tried to get someone, somewhere, to help, i think , is plain common sense .
If i am a simple man who works with my hands i would probably ask some help from people i deal with on a day to day basis , that is honestly how i see that.