Almost like a thief in the night the much discussed and contentious Constituency Councils (CCs) will be given life today at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre at 4.30PM. Recently when asked by a local reporter what are some of his government’s immediate objectives and priorities, Prime Minister Thompson listed the implementation of the CCs high on that list. The governments unswerving commitment to rolling out the CCs has attracted criticism from the Opposition ranks mainly as it relates to structure and process. Renewed criticism has taken root of late based on the cost associated with the rollout of the CC’s in the prevailing economic climate where government resources are known to be scarce.
This evening 6 CCs will be handed instruments:
- St. Michael North
- St. Michael North West
- St. Philip South
- St. George South
- Christ Church South
- St. James North
BU family members interested in some detail should visit the Constituency Councils of Barbados website.
BU’s position on the relevance of the CCs was highlighted earlier. Any entity which is designed to encourage a wider public participation in any democracy should be encouraged. The concern which the Opposition has voiced has merit i.e. the government to maintain popularity may use the CC’s to build a closer relationship with the electorate given the process of nomination and selection of CC members. We believe that the benefit to the people far outweigh the cons, successive governments have taken government away from the people, Thompson seems to be trying tom arrest this state of a affairs. The government appears to have an agenda which is more people-centric than its predecessor.
If we can offer advice to the Leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley it is the need to be vigilant doing the PEOPLE’s business. If there are any cases which suggest malfeasance or treachery in the management of the CC’s, such cases should be copiously documented and exposed to the public, WE will decide with our X!
The first step to the public judging the transparency promised by the Minister responsible will be to see those selected to the 6 CCs today!
73 responses so far ↓
199 // July 5, 2009 at 4:30 PM
In theory, an excellent idea provided they can be kept free of corruption!!
199 // July 5, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Get involved and keep corruption at bay!!
199 // July 5, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Instead of complaining afterwards!!
The People's Democratic Congress // July 5, 2009 at 6:03 PM
These constituency councils are going to be a total waste of time in so far as they will mainly serve to make constituents more dependent on government and government patronage; serve to further marginalize constituents away from achieving greater democratic and sovereign power in the country; serve to bring about greater duplication of roles and functions that already exist elsewhere in government; and serve to entrench partisan politics in the minds and outlooks of many constituents ( not exhaustive).
What we have previously argued on here and in our wider political activities in this country is that these councils are the antithesis of the further social and political development of the affairs of the constituents of this country.
Thus, these councils will end up taking local and national politics to new and lower than imagined depths in this country. The fact of the way how these people who will be serving on these councils have been selected is more than an indication that the setting up of these councils is a very backward and regressive step, calculated to prevent constituents and by extension citizens of Barbados from understanding that the DLP and BLP are about making sure that they continue to get between the masses and middle classes and what they desire to greater achieve in this country.
By this measure, we condemn the creation of these councils as a total farce, a mockery of the majority of people of this country, and as another opportunity for the DLP to ATTEMPT to totally mislead the masses and middle classes of people of this country.
Instead, we urge constituents and citizens of Barbados to support the People’s Democratic Congress’ policy that speaks to the fact that whenever a PDC Government is elected in this country the constituents shall be given the constitutional legal power and responsibility to debate and pass the laws of this country. For surely, this signifies real sovereign power and authority to the people of this country, NOT the wishy-washy foolishness that is being established this evening in this country called constituency councils.
PDC
Donald Duck, Esq // July 5, 2009 at 6:33 PM
They are a total waste of money at a time when the country cannot afford such things. Will the minister of Finance tell us how is he going to finance the reduction in Revenue that the country is currently experiencing as a result of a downturn in the economy.
Themis // July 5, 2009 at 7:38 PM
I was neutral on the CC’s, but after reading the impractical pie-in-the-sky gibberish by the PDC about all constituents debating and passing laws for the country, I’m tending towards support for their establishment.
Bush Tea // July 5, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Like most other ‘initiatives’ CCs will be successful (or be complete failures) depending of the manner in which they are managed.
The idea of having community committees empowered to handle some matters that would otherwise have to be left to national civil service bureaucrats cannot be a bad idea.
The intent being that those directly affected are often best placed to deal with many such matters. Modern companies also use this approach (employee work teams) with good results and significant cost savings.
Instead of being negative, we could focus on ensuring that these CCs do not just become little civil servant types with their own mini troughs.
Who knows, if they are really successful we could take away more and more from the lousy centralized civil servants who seem unable to get much done – and cannot be fired…
Wishing In Vain // July 5, 2009 at 11:23 PM
The saddest aspect of this program is that Mottley nor any of the BLP opposition supported this program and neither have they put forward any names to serve on these councils.
I am informed that they were all invited to attend this evenings opening event and I am told that not one of them attended, it is reported that only Hammy Lashley their former member now seperated from those scamps showed a face.
Instead of the clown Frizzle Forde attend and show support for a worthwhile venture, she spent her time lying and spreading mistruths about the Summer Camps , she was made to look totally out of touch when she said no camps were planned for St Thomas and moments later the camp coordinator rebuked her by listing the names of the camp venues, it would clearly seem to me Frizzle Forde that if you have lost touch with the community you use to serve then maybe your party is right to unseat you for a harder worker with some brain as clearly you appear to be lacking substance and content.
Also remember there is no Tom Adams around that you can do a favour for and in return seek a favour from, you are on your own on this one.
Sargeant // July 5, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Community Councils are the DLP’s answer to the BLP’s “Politics of Inclusion”. Same script, different actors. That’s why the BLP’s nose is out of joint, they recognise that Thompson took their template, made some minor tweaks and is now selling it as “new wine”.
Anonymous // July 6, 2009 at 5:54 AM
A naive poster, Bush Tea, wrote “The idea of having community committees empowered to handle some matters that would otherwise have to be left to national civil service bureaucrats cannot be a bad idea.”
Clearly it would be useful for Bush Tea to read the enabling legislation to find out exactly what CC are expected to do as opposed to what he thinks they could or should do.
199 // July 6, 2009 at 6:01 AM
Anonymous, I’m not in the business of defending ‘Bush Tea’ as he’s probably no more deluded than many, or most Barabadians (yourself, included, perhaps?!!) but, would n’t it have been a good deal more helpful if you’d also explained what, in your opinion, they’re intended for and save us all a lot of work!! It’s amazing how the simple, common-sense activities so often elude Barbadians!!
Anonymous // July 6, 2009 at 6:20 AM
199
you were being premature and rude (as usual).
Here are the core functions as stated in the relevant website
http://empoweringcommunities.com.bb/
* Build relevant data bases on the Constituency.
* Identify the priority needs of the Constituency.
* Make recommendations to Central Government for Programmes and
Projects for the Constituency.
* Assist Local Organizations to build capacity.
* Refer Residents to relevant Government Agencies and the Private
Sector for support services.
* Assist where required in the delivery of designated services.
* Facilitate the flow of information to and from Central Government.
From the above I don’t think the central government is going to be relieved of any its duties anytime soon.
199 // July 6, 2009 at 6:23 AM
Sometimes it’s necessary to be ‘rude’ to get a simple fellow to do the simple thing he should have done in the first place!! Now that you have, congratulations!!
The People's Democratic Congress // July 6, 2009 at 8:08 AM
The faster the broad masses and middle classes of people of Barbados resolve to get the rid of the DLP and BLP from out of the parliament of this country, the better it would be for the national good, esp. if there are other parties that have great potential to win government in this country and that are very committed to the right ideologies, methods and programs for the development of the national and parochial affairs of the people of Barbados.
Well, realize that both these old traditional parities held a special session each on yesterday Sunday, 5 July, 2009, in the afternoon to, et al, test for the extent and quality of support that would have been forthcoming from their respective members and supporters, for their parties and their schemes. With regard to the DLP, there was the launch of these totally unnecessary unwarranted constituency councils at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, and with regard to the BLP, there was a nomination meeting to have a candidate represent it in one of the St. Michael Constituencies in the next general election.
Well, understand, too, that the turn out at each event involved some of the same members and supporters of these parties that have previously benefited, that are and will continue to benefit or expect to benefit from government largesse, loot or patronage. And realize, too, that at these events there were representatives of media houses that continue to benefit significantly from the largesse, loot or patronage of government.
Therefore, those particular events spoke to the indulgence of those persons in attendance with primarily “what is in it for me” predispositions, attitudes, etc. and, mind you, NOT to those with “what is in it for the country, the people, the public” predispositions, attitudes, etc. Sadly enough, those with the former characteristics would have had to out- number those with the latter characteristics.
However, what continues to be of great distress to the PDC though, and esp. as it relates to the event at Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, is that we have in Barbados a DLP government that continues to TAX the incomes of the relevant people of this country, and that will use some of these ill-gotten proceeds in a corrupt way to advance the personal interests of those who will form part of these councils and who will be paid monies out of these same proceeds. Such behaviour is abominable, dastard, and outrageous and certainly has NO place in a country that wishes to become more and more developed as times goes by.
With regard to the other event, at Welches, St. Michael, there was the nomination of Mr. Arthur Holder who will seek to become part of a government that will itself continue to steal portions of the relevant incomes of the relevant people and businesses and other entities in Barbados. While we strongly affirm that Mr. Arthur Holder is no thief, will NOT become one, and thus is of reputable character, to believe that he will seek to become part of a BLP government that will be about stealing countless portions of the incomes of the relevant people and others in Barbados, should have been a non-starter for him and all the other candidates that will represent the BLP in the Next Election.
That those who will become future candidates of the DLP and BLP ( whosoever they are) have decided – like all previous DLP and BLP candidates in the past – NOT to speak out about such thievery by the state shows that they are largely about themselves and their ambitions, esp. money ambitions, and NOT so much about what is RIGHT OR WRONG, ethically, morally or politically, and NOT so much about what great causes should be vigorously pursued on the behalf of the people of this country.
As a matter of fact, the broad masses and middle classes of people of Barbados should seek to remove both these DLP and BLP factions from out of the parliament of this country, and reject ALL these DLP and BLP candidates that support TAXATION at the Next Election.
Indeed, there can be no proper and further development of the constituency affairs of this country if at the centre of government of Barbados there is already in existence a culture of thievery, thuggery and banditry (a la TAXATION), that in turn is part of the basis of this doling out of government largesse, loot and patronage.
Thus, given that such abominable behaviour exists at the centre of government, it will certainly exist at the centre of the parochial affairs ( constituency councils) of government and the society, to the greater disgust of the broad masses and middle classes in Barbados. Therefore, unless TAXATION is removed from the political and financial landscape of this country, there will be NO real development of constituency affairs of this country, mind you!! Certainly, a future PDC Government will remove all TAXATION from the political and financial landscape of this country in order to help properly develop the national and sub-national affairs of this country.
So long.
PDC
Enuff // July 6, 2009 at 10:07 AM
“TRADE UNIONISTS Robert “Bobby” Morris and Walter Maloney, media personality Patrick Gollop and former educator and men’s rights advocate Ralph Boyce were among the 78 members of the first six Constituency Councils launched yesterday.” – Nation Newspaper
____________________________
The above is quite instructive.
RE Engineer // July 6, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I usually do not comment on political topics. However, is it my imagination or is the current administration doing its best to form as many ’secure’ government jobs for as many of their supporters as possible by increasing costs everywhere? I am unsure if it is a good thing or a bad thing. Spending has increased (significantly) for everything from camps to public transportation, with little or no improvement in my opinion. Is it a case of redirected funds, creation of redundant positions or a yet to be revealed increase in productivity? Why was the initial estimate for improving the BWA’s service first $50 million then $150 million now $800 million. Why did the cost of the constituency councils go through a similar evolution. Maybe I am ignorant about these things but it all seems rather bizarre to me.
Why are the council members appointed by the minister if this is to give a voice to the community as a whole? Seems like it would be in place to increase the political divide of a given constituency. Seems like a way of saying come to our side for a chance to get stuff done quickly and effectively, if not may God help you. Who better to determine you political persuasion than those who reside closest to you and interact with you most often? Takes away the political anonymity from the whole process doesn’t it? Why not have them handle your desires and decide priority needs?
David // July 6, 2009 at 10:10 AM
It is instructive in our view if all the members of the CCs can be listed.
Veritas // July 6, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Why was the initial estimate for improving the BWA’s service first $50 million then $150 million now $800 million.
*****
In each case I heard the Minister or Prime Minister identify what projects he was speaking of. The $800 million Prime Miniter David Thompson was referring to relates to all the projects the BWA would have to undertake over several years to resolve all of its capital needs.
The $50 million was for the mains replacement and the $150 was for the mains replacement plus the Reverse Osmosis Plant!
Can’t you read?
Enuff // July 6, 2009 at 4:45 PM
@ David
I think the modus operandi is clear and in full effect, whether they are listed or not is now irrelevant.
Enuff // July 6, 2009 at 4:50 PM
@ Veritas
None of those projects are new, NONE!!!
Yet a 60% increase is being imposed to supposedly help fund capital projects; while on the other hand Minister Benn preaching conservation. Does less use not equal less income??
Veritas // July 6, 2009 at 4:57 PM
It is instructive in our view if all the members of the CCs can be listed.
*****
But they are listed in today’s Advocate newspaper page 5! Come on.
The People's Democratic Congress // July 6, 2009 at 5:56 PM
It is clear why these foolish constituency councils will NOT lead to the progressive development of the affairs of constituencies in this country.
Just look at the chair and deputy chair people already and one would see why. Almost all those persons reported in the Daily Nation, 6 July, 2009, are party hacks: That great joker, Mr. Robert Morris, among them.
Those names that we readily recognized do really make these councils look already like supine inefficient statutory boards. What nonsense and a waste of time and energy of the people of this country – these foolish constituency councils. It is time to certainly rid this country of both DLP and BLP.
PDC
David // July 6, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Here are the names of the 78 CCs members!
Carson C. Cadogan // July 6, 2009 at 7:31 PM
My biggest problem with the CC’s is the number of old people on them from what I saw on tv.
Why not give the youth a chance? Most of these old peole are already in the “departure lounge”.
I am sure that the youth have much to offer.
Enuff // July 6, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I rest my case!!!
David // July 6, 2009 at 11:32 PM
@Enuff
No hope of giving the CCs a chance?
Ready-Done // July 7, 2009 at 5:31 AM
Ms. Avril Greenidge
South District, St. George
Ready-Done // July 7, 2009 at 5:56 AM
Ms. Avril Greenidge of South District, St. George is the nicest woman i ever meet, she is so cool, nice, caring, pleasant and every thing good, i know a lot of young people would be more interested in helping with the government if she is the face they will meet.
I cant vouch for the others but i hope the other candidates are at least halve as nice.
Australia has such ‘councils’ and they are working wonders as the councils allow the government to focus directly on what the people want.
When dealing with pubic issues, dealing with a proven, sincere person, (that you know) make the process much more appealing to john public.
Most educated Australians Love their councils. Australia is a nice place.
Currently getting help with implementing a project from government is a pain in the ass for most people, they either don’t have the time, the endurance or the know how.
The council would be a big help because the lay person could go to the council (someone respected from the neighborhood)with the lay persons view of a pubic problem and/or the solution and the council will then decide if it could be done and translate that lay persons view to one which the government can move on.
+
If it works for Australia it works for me.
The People's Democratic Congress // July 7, 2009 at 7:09 AM
Now, many Barbadians would have come to know the names of those persons who are supposed to serve on these absolutely unnecessary and unwarranted constituency councils. And, such persons would have got to know too that the induction ceremony would have taken place for those councillors at the launch of the councils on last Sunday.
But, who would believe that with these many Barbadians and others including the PDC having got to know these and other things, there could NEVER have been perceived by them and the PDC NOT A SINGLE A WORD OR STATEMENT AS TO WHERE THESE COUNCILS WILL EACH MEET; WHERE THESE COUNCILS WILL BE LOCATED, in the recorded TV Broadcast on CBC TV 8 the following Monday night, or subsequently on the CBC TV News, VOB, CBC Radio News, in the Nation Newspaper News, or via word of mouth?
Could any right thinking persons in Barbados, right now – including these councillors themselves and the Minister responsible – imagine this shocking scenario?; that there has been NO APPARENT PUBLIC information given as to where these councils will meet and the structures identified for their meetings. Are they going to be meeting in churches, schools, rum shops, sheep pens, in the councillors homes, etc? We in PDC must ask: where the hell are these councillors going to be meeting? Where? Where are those constituents with, say, social or constituency problems going to go to meet with these councillors to discuss their business? Where?
Which government properties have been already privately identified for housing these councils? Which government properties would therefore have to be physically transformed from their present states to conditions suitable for the locating of these councils, assuming that no government buildings have already been transformed for the purpose of housing these councils? Who will the contractors be to do the works that have NOT been done but which would be necessary to help bring about the physical transformation of these properties?
Assuming that all of these councils will NOT be meeting in government buildings, questions will have to be therefore asked as to which private property owners are they going to be leasing or renting from to hold those particular meetings and to conduct the business of the councils and those respective constituents. Who would these persons be and where are these properties going to be?
Further questions will therefore be asked as to what will be the terms and conditions of any arrangements that will provide for the leasing or renting of any properties for the purposes of the holding of any meetings, or for the purposes of conducting of the business of these “already existing” councils or any ones to come in the future? Did these and other relevant types of questions come up seriously in the parliamentary debate on the relevant Enabling Act?
Finally, from the public information gaps that now exist relative to the above issues and questions, it can really and truly be seen that these six constituency councils are far from being properly established contrary to many impressions being given by many others. What a joke, indeed!!
PDC
David // July 7, 2009 at 7:26 AM
@PDC
We are sure the project manager in his address indicated the permanent secretary will be addressing the issue in the coming days how the CCs will get mobilised.
The People's Democratic Congress // July 7, 2009 at 7:55 AM
To: David
From: The People’s Democratic Congress
It is okay to play with words or obfuscate or engage in circumlocution!!
But, we certainly listened to the CBC TV broadcast last night. And, NEVER did we hear anything as to WHERE THESE COUNCILS ARE LOCATED OR HOUSED, OR EVEN WHERE THESE COUNCILS ARE GOING TO BE LOCATED OR HOUSED. NOTHING OF THE SORT WHATSOEVER.
Similarly, we have neither seen in the newspapers nor heard on the radio news nor via word of mouth, any thing as to WHERE THESE COUNCILS ARE LOCATED OR HOUSED, OR EVEN WHERE THESE COUNCILS ARE GOING TO BE LOCATED OR HOUSED. NOTHING OF THE SORT WHATSOEVER.
Talk about constituency councils taking root!! Bunkum. It is more like the government has put the cart before the horse, somewhat.
PDC
The People's Democratic Congress // July 7, 2009 at 10:01 AM
As a political party, we are practically theoretically spiritually exposed – to varying degrees – to many areas of life inside and outside of Barbados: politics, government, sociology, philosophy, history, religion, languages, law, finance, business, health, “natural” science, technology, the arts, culture, sports, entertainment, etc.
There is also another area in which we are in similar ways as the above exposed to, and to a little extent, and this is metaphysics.
Because of this knowledge in this area, we will ask some commenters to clinically examine the picture on page 4 of the Monday, July 6, 2009, edition of the Daily Nation, and see what they make of the WAY HOW Mr. Chris Sinckler was properly esoterically captured looking at Mr. Thompson. Did this suggest all was well between these two DLP leaders at the time or just before the moment of capture?
Did this capture of that “reptilian” “serpentile” look of Mr. Sinckler signify that “an attack” – not physical though – by Mr. Sinckler is being made or is about to be made on a rather unsuspecting but pedagogic looking Mr. Thompson. And, what about the cool bland mood of the chap, Mr. Shawn Wilson – one of the members of whichever council it is – who was captured standing a little aware of but NOT totally oblivious to what was happening at the time between those two leaders who are obviously NOT or have NOT been seeing eye to eye on many things.
Well, some years before Mr. Mascoll had left the DLP, we were able to “discern from” a picture that was published in the Daily Nation Newspaper at the time, and that showed Mr. Mascoll and Mr. Thompson sitting down together at a table and eating at the DLP headquarters at the party’s lunchtime address, that Mr. Mascoll did NOT appear to feel entirely comfortable with Mr. Thompson and therefore that there was serious friction between the two of them. Well, history has recorded that Mr. Mascoll and Mr. Thonpson had a falling out, which ultimately led to Mascoll’s retreat out of the DLP into the BLP.
However, this Monday Daily Nation Newspaper picture with Mr. Thompson – A LEADER – and Mr. Sinckler – ANOTHER LEADER – does NOT signify any retreat, but either a rising or potential bid by Mr. Sinckler – A SMALLER MORE AGGRESSIVE LEADER – to ultimately attack the BIGGER MORE SEDATE leader ( of the party ), and attempt to take over more of the party or the party itself some time in the future, primarily for the BIGGER leader’s doing some thing wrong politically to Mr. Sinckler ( perhaps this stems from the demotion Mr. Sinckler got ), or for his NOT sufficiently managing many of the affairs of this country properly, or signifies that Mr. Sinckler is thinking about such a political attack, or signifies that he has been attacking – verbally – the bigger leader mainly privately for primarily those two reasons mention just above.
What ever aggression from Mr. Sinckler this picture captured it is clear that it is very personal and stretches into the political realm and that there is disquieting discord between these two men even at that constituency council launch event. But, believe it, Mr. Sinckler will be stopped or invited to stop by others – esp. top leaders – in the DLP camp if such an attack or attacks are to come publicly into fruition.
Finally, it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But, a training or exposure to certain fields is also needed to read the picture and the large number of words contained therein. Certainly, the PDC have members who are so equipped to do so.
Moreover, what have we said to the people of thiscountry many times before: we have said that both the DLP and BLP must be kicked out of the parliament of this country, and that if real greater and proper development of this country and the masses and middle classes is to be achieved, the DLP and the BLP must be replaced by parties that are far more comitted to the further and greater development of the affairs of Barbados this country and the masses and middle classes of people of this country. Thank you.
So long!!
PDC
Wishing In Vain // July 7, 2009 at 10:41 AM
PURE DISJOINTED CRAP,
Moreover, what have we said to the people of this country many times before: we have said that both the DLP and BLP must be kicked out of the parliament of this country,
I am yet to see any evidence that you or the blp understands the needs of the electorate of Barbados in 2009 and forward so therefore neither one of you are likely to take the reins of office for a while to come.
PMAN // July 7, 2009 at 11:33 AM
The idea of participation of the constituents in decision making that affects them is fundamentally sound. In order for the councils to be effective, the government must provide information which the council members can use and be capable of using for analytical purposes. I suspect that neither of these conditions can be guaranteed in the present set up.
Barbados is full of educated yes-men and women who will suck up to persons with power or money. Too many of think that this approach will help us to get through in life.
The government needs to set aside a sum of money to hire a pool of experts . such as engineers, architects, accountants etc, that should be randomly selected(much like the jury system) to provide support to the constituency councils.
With a government(generic) that likes to hide information and without good expertise on the councils,my fear is that with the CC we will continue our practice of “follow the leader”without much concern for issues such as efficiency in the use of resources and impact of projects on the lives of the broad masses of people in the societies.
Information and analysis must be provided to prevent the elites from blinding the masses with their brilliance while their friend loot the treasury.
We need the correct mix of commonsense from the common man and real expertise from trained professionals if the CC idea is to work properly
David // July 7, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Isn’t Senator Gilkes a BLP appointed Senator? We note that Senator Gilkes is Chairman of of the St. James North CC which is a BLP constituency i.e.Rawle Eastmond. We find this most interesting.
The People's Democratic Congress // July 7, 2009 at 7:07 PM
David,
Mr. Peter Gilkes is a DLP government Senator. Politically, he is so low-keyed and a virtual unknown that we in PDC were actually surprised to see that such a person was appointed to be a government senator last year. We were asking ourselves and others: what did he do ever so much to justify appointment to the Senate.
A simple Google search, though, would in fact show that he is government senator. Surely he must do more to up or strengthen his contributions to Senate debates and deliberations, in order to get greater attention and publicity from the media in Barbados. If NOT so, he will continue to be recognized by many persons in Barbados as a virtual political unknown and bench-warmer in the Senate.
PDC
Wishing In Vain // July 7, 2009 at 7:10 PM
The opposition has two persons sitting in Senate and they are the ever missing Liz Thompson and I can’t find my wife Kerrie Simmons.
Senator Gilkes is a Gov’t appointed Senator, that appointment is quite amazing, there maybe more in the mortar than is in the pestle, I would suggest.
ROK // July 7, 2009 at 7:17 PM
It is a pity we are so polarised that such nippicking can be done on the CCs. There has been much latitude here by the DLP in choosing the members of the CCs.
The first thing that must be noted is that Government cannot set up anything that does not fall under its control and under the rules of transparency. There has to be particular characteristics to anything Government sets up.
Each CC is set up like a Board or Corporation of Government. People were chosen in the same manner as if they were boards and instruments were issued to each person as an individual to serve.
They will be governed by the Act which set them up and that will be their ultimate Bible; like a constitution. Any rules or policies must not exceed the limits of authority set by the legislation.
Hence, each CC is a creature of Government and when you look at the petty behaviour in this blog, would it be expected that many BLP supporters would be part of a CCs?
As a matter of fact, it would be in Government’s interest not to have strong BLPites on the CCs as this may prove disastrous; and it would reciprocally be advantageous for the strong BLPites to stay away and therefore could not be blamed for any failings of the CCs. Therefore the distance is mutual.
Once this field is set, Government will have no choice but to use any person(s) which it deems to be capable of executing the mandate of the Government to deliver effectively on the CCs. There are a lot more political party neutrals than they are party faithfuls. Check the election returns and you will see that less than half of the population in Barbados actually vote.
Government is therefore seeking people who are interested in the community. Therefore, even if a BLP person is chosen that person would be chosen on the merits of their demonstrated interests in their community. You can’t take this away from a person who wants to serve.
I have seen in the past, BLP supporters working under a DLP Government and vice versa and have seen these persons serve with dignity; ask Capt. Watson of the Barbados Landship about his encounter with Basil Forbes.
In the final analysis, B or D we are all Bajans and entitled to serve with whichever Government is in Office; that is the essence of a liberal democracy; when it comes to national contributions, party is of little significance.
@PDC I like to encourage people to do things even when it is against what I may believe because many interesting things come out of what is not the ordinary… I will therefore say to you that you need to study the politics. Do not spit in the air to let it come down in your face.
If in the next 2 terms the CCs become popular and deliver to the constituencies, would you dismantle them if the people vote you in? How then would you be able to defend your stance at this time? Where is the credibility?
Knight of the Long Knives // July 7, 2009 at 7:22 PM
I shudder at the thought of this under a BLP regime. Imagine some of these people will be being paid as much as Ministers.
ROK // July 7, 2009 at 7:26 PM
@David,
I should say that the nomination made by BANGO was accepted and we see that another BANGO member is a dep. chair of one of the CCs.
Many of our members serve on Boards and Statutory Corporations under both Governments.
David // July 7, 2009 at 7:40 PM
@ROK
Conceptually we see the CCs as facilitating a greater participation from the PEOPLE on the ground. We are pleased to read your NGO is involved. If this CCs business does not work because of partisan posturing the PEOPLE will only have themselves to blame.
On the matter of a DLP Senator appointed to Chair a BLP constituency run by Rawle |Eastmond does this mean that there is a rift? We would expect to hear a statement from Mia Mottley on this appointment because it represents a abnormal position.
Wishing In Vain // July 7, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Who says that Mottley is even aware or cares about what is going on??
She has her hands very full, just staving off the assaults for her position by Dale Marshall, Owing See Thru and George Pain..
This could well be payback for the scant treatment passed out to Rawle and even the very recent show of uncouth style by having Skeete, Sandra Husbands, and Dale and Pain openly canvassing for a seat that the gentleman openly said he was seeing his term of service out but yet they speak of him as if no longer exist.
The worst case must be the idiot Husbands who openly stated how much money she spent in the constituency recently, if she wants to buy votes so be it but do it very discreetly and keep it to herself what she has spent on the people of Sion Hill.
ROK // July 7, 2009 at 8:19 PM
@ David, I am not about to get into party business but what I would say is that Rawle is a people’s person and also committed to the party. I have seen him resolve conflicts between the two by asserting himself within the party while reserving the right to propagate on behalf of the people.
He has a very strong personality and deals with these issues with ease although I have seen him struggle in Parliamentary debate to resolve the two.
I doubt that there is a rift and it may be quite possible that he has successfully argued that it is his constituency and having a person who he can relate to as Chair is definitely in his electoral interest and possibly the party’s. If this is what he did, consider it a master stroke.
Wishing In Vain // July 7, 2009 at 9:12 PM
On the matter of a DLP Senator appointed to Chair a BLP constituency run by Rawle |Eastmond does this mean that there is a rift? We would expect to hear a statement from Mia Mottley on this appointment because it represents a abnormal position.
I do agree with you David, I would love to hear Mottley make some comment on this development, it is not something that she can sweep under the carpet and hope for it to go away, it is a certain slap in her face and the face of the BLP.
The People's Democratic Congress // July 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM
“@PDC I like to encourage people to do things even when it is against what I may believe because many interesting things come out of what is not the ordinary… I will therefore say to you that you need to study the politics. Do not spit in the air to let it come down in your face.”, commenter, Mr Roosevelt King, of BANGO, in a 7.17 pm, July 7, 2009, blog.
ROK, the unvarnished fact remains that these constituency councils are a total waste of time and energy of the people of this country. They will certainly NOT provide for the constituents of Barbados to achieve and exercise greater democratic and sovereign power in this land. And, they will surely NOT make constituents get closer to the centres of power and authority in this country. Therefore, quite sadly, they will NOT ONLY help serve to further marginalize and degradate constituents more than they were before, BUT will ALSO help make them more dependent on government for largesse, loot and patronage.
So, this supposition that you have that these constituency councils could in the next two terms become popular and deliver (importantly?) to the constituencies, you must surely perish and perish fast. For, these constituency councils in Barbados are and will NEVER EVER be successful at helping to achieve any fundamental national social political and other objectives of this country. Verily, they have NOT been designed to do so, politically, structurally and functionally.
But, are these councils what we – the vast majority of Barbadians – really want for our country and ourselves? After Errol Barrow, among relevant others, would have helped to make sure that the masses and middle classes were greater and better educated in this country? Is this the kind of ignorant foolishness – these joke constituency councils – that the vast majority of progressive thinkers too in this Barbadian society would wish to ideally have for our society at this juncture.
So, study what politics related to these constituency councils what? Nonsense!! For, it is mainly those who are into NGO politics – the politics of peddling project proposals, of genuflecting towards welfare and grant funds, and of feigning community power and using that illusion as so-called leverage to advance the interests of those who are into that kind of politics mainly – that would largely commit themselves to such unnecessary foolishness – these joke constituency councils. It is substantially that kind of politics that these councils have been designed to cater for, ROK.
Therefore, people like Mr. Aaron “Buddy” Larrier, and Mr. Roy Raphael, specialists in this kind of politics – that will mainly see much value in these councils through those kinds of lens that reflect a very low class subservient kind of politics. Certainly, the time for this kind of low class joke politics should have ended long ago. For, this kind of degrading politics is hardly getting Barbados anywhere.
So, ROK, what spit up in the air and let it come down in your face what!! That kind of thinking is pure gutter foolishness!! This is surely the time for greater emphasis to be placed on high class strategic sophisticated politics in this country – a type of politics that deals with ensuring that the masses and middle classes are a lot more empowered and enfranchised in this country, using the right political, social, and other ideas, methods, policies and parties; that deals also with Barbados becoming a just, egalitarian and world class society; and that deals with making sure that many of these local structures and processes that are still severely exploiting our masses and middle classes, that they are once and for all totally removed, in some cases, and are substantially reformed, in some other cases.
So there you have it, Roosevelt, we in the PDC will NEVER EVER support these constituency councils. What we would support is any thing that would allow for the greater empowerment and development of our masses and middle classes in this country. That is why any time a PDC Government comes into existence in this country constituents will be able to debate and pass the laws of this country.
PDC
The People's Democratic Congress // July 7, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Readers,
In the first line, fifth paragraph, please read as “Therefore, it is people…” .
PDC
Gear Box // July 7, 2009 at 10:43 PM
T’ank de lard ‘constituents’ don’ determine wah medicine I should tek at night befo’ I go ta sleep or wah diet I should stick tah…
AAAAAAAAghhhhhhhhhhhh
ROK // July 7, 2009 at 10:56 PM
@PDC
Well in the end, a man has to know for himself how to live his life and how to perceive other people. My only question to you is exactly what are you doing?
For your information, I don’t peddle project proposals and neither does BANGO. However, if that is how a man perceives is the way to go to get what he wants, well that is his thing.
What are you peddling? I don’t think that you could live a life too far removed from the system, so however you getting your money to survive, you using the system too. You dare to condemn a man for using his own initiative to use the system.
So blow it up. Stop living! Or come down to earth. Right now, you blowing real hot air.
ROK // July 7, 2009 at 11:06 PM
@PDC
“This is surely the time for greater emphasis to be placed on high class strategic sophisticated politics in this country – a type of politics that deals with ensuring that the masses and middle classes are a lot more empowered and enfranchised in this country…”
Skipper, I tell you that you need to study the politics. Nothing “sophisticated” don’t include the masses. Sophisticated is about the elite and a certain pattern of behaviour that looks down on the masses.
Even your terms you can’t get correct and you trying to talk down to others and degrade people. You think that politics is about boldly calling names and degrading people? I leave you to yourself.
You have your agenda, but rest assured you don’t have the last mouth or the last set of fingers and I surely ain’t going to stand silently and let you pull me down trying to get out of the crab barrel.
ROK // July 7, 2009 at 11:25 PM
@PDC
“So there you have it, Roosevelt, we in the PDC will NEVER EVER support these constituency councils…”
Neither will the BLP… So how are you any different? We are not going to lie down and play dead because a particular party is in office or any party for that matter. We will work with whichever party forms the Government because capturing Government is not our thing. We dealing with people, especially the vulnerable. Our role is about working with the stakeholders to make it better for the vulnerable.
We have our role. Government has their role. Private Sector has their role. You have yours. Your role is to criticise the CCs and our role is to work with them and if you were in Government whatever you came up with we would work with too…
and the reason for working with Government is that Government is not and probably will never deliver everything, even yours and it is up to us to make the inputs, even if they are only inching along towards that ultimate goal of self-empowerment. To sit and do nothing would be to wait for disaster.
Themis // July 7, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Why are we on about a DLP member heading a constituency Council where a BLP ma ember is the incumbent? Did Rawle select him? And PDC, how can a whole constituency pass laws?
Anonymous // July 7, 2009 at 11:35 PM
The Senator was proposed and nominated by Rawle Eastmond one can only assume as an act to rub salt in the leader of the opposition’s open wounds.
The People's Democratic Congress // July 8, 2009 at 2:05 AM
“Skipper, I tell you that you need to study the politics. Nothing “sophisticated” don’t include the masses. Sophisticated is about the elite and a certain pattern of behaviour that looks down on the masses.”, commenter, Mr. Roosevelt King, in an 11.06 pm, July 7, 2009, blog.
Please, first of all, Mr. King, do NOT refer to us as skipper. We are the People’s Democratic Congress – a party of many, many people that are committed to the fullest development possible of the affairs of the masses and middle classes. Plain and simple.
With regard to the matter of our use of the term sophisticated, you are really fooling yourself that any thing of sophistication does NOT include the masses; that sophistication is about the elite; and that it is about looking down on the masses. Pure unadulterated waffling piffling nonsense.
A simple check with Dictionary.com would give some definitions of “sophisticated”, a term used by us in the above statement-
1. (of a person, ideas, tastes, manners, etc.) altered by education, experience, etc., so as to be worldly-wise; not naive: a sophisticated young socialite; the sophisticated eye of a journalist.
2. pleasing or satisfactory to the tastes of sophisticates: sophisticated music.
3. deceptive; misleading.
4. complex or intricate, as a system, process, piece of machinery, or the like: a sophisticated electronic control system.
5. of, for, or reflecting educated taste, knowledgeable use, etc.: Many Americans are drinking more sophisticated wines now.
For your information, we used the term sophisticated in the sense of 1), 4) and 5).
And the term low class has been used to mean banal, crude or unrefined in a political sense.
Surely, these terms and their definitions are NOT being used herein in the very erroneous way that you are naively but insensitively projecting them to be used – according to your own beliefs. Moreover, you are deliberately making a crude and childish error in believing that these terms are herein being used in a sociological sense, when in truth and in fact they are merely being used – in a strictly political academic sense – to indicate the marked differences in the essence – as well as the forms and relatives – of two specific but contrasting types of politics practiced in Barbados. Thus, these two types of politics have little or nothing to do class and its inherent relatives. For, many social elites do very much study and practice low class crude politics, whereas some other elites do study and practice high class politics. And, whereas many of the masses and middle classes do study and practice high class politics, many others do study low class politics. So, go and do some proper analysis of what we have put forward.
“For your information, I don’t peddle project proposals and neither does BANGO.7, 2009.”
You seem guilty of some thing. No one here made mention of you, Mr. King, or BANGO!! But, do NOT think that if we had the evidence that you or BANGO were involved in such banal politics we would NOT name you or BANGO.
“You dare to condemn a man for using his own initiative to use the system.”
Indeed, it is NOT that very wronged presumption of yours that we are really concerned with. So, some others might know what it is: that there are some councillors who will be – to some extent – using these constituency councils to promote the type of banal politics ( low class politics) we talked above even though it is being officially said that these councils will be used for entirely different purposes. That is what we are referring to: the deception, falsity and recklessness of those councillors who will go outside of the mandate of the councils and do such things that will be consistent with the whatever misuse there will be of these councils. Therefore, it is entirely foolhardy and contemptible to describe such behaviour “as a man using his initiative to use the system”. But what system are you talking about anyway? We are talking about the constituency councils!! Could you possibly be so early – well before these councils could properly get off the ground – condoning or defending such likely deliberate inappropriate misuse of these councils? One wonders what will become of BANGO then in such a sense?
But, what is clearly reprehensible and downright obtuse of you is that you have wrongly accused us of trying to pull you down. This is an absolute indication that you might not know your brain from your head, which, regrettably would be a form of abnormal pathological sickness. How could you in your right mind accuse us of trying to pull you down, when in truth and in fact we stayed clear of any imputation that you are part of this low class politics being practiced by many NGOs. Truth is, you may need to be retaught basic reasoning, comprehension, and evaluation skills.
“We are not going to lie down and play dead because a particular party is in office or any party for that matter. We will work with whichever party forms the Government because capturing Government is not our thing. We dealing with people, especially the vulnerable. Our role is about working with the stakeholders to make it better for the vulnerable.”
You say “we” three times in the immediately above quote. But the PDC does NOT know who you are referring to. Who are you referring to? Certainly, our focus in the above statement is on the incongruity, irrelevance and impotence of the constituency councils, NOT the NGOs and that type of politics that we mentioned. And, you are true to some extent in regard of the latter observation – that our ROLE is to criticize these councils.
So, finally, we wish to reiterate that these foolish constituency councils are going to be a total and absolute waste of the time and energy of the people of this country. Instead, what the broad masses and middle classes of people of Barbados should do is to support the PDC’s policy that whenever a future PDC Government comes about in this country constituents shall be given the constitutional legal right to debate and pass the laws of this country. Thank You.
So long.
PDC
Save Mullins Bay // July 8, 2009 at 5:59 AM
Gee, I have an idea Peter Gilkes and the St. James North CC can cut their teeth on – the removal of the groynes at St. Peter’s Bay Villas – http://shar.es/6NTL – .
ROK // July 8, 2009 at 7:13 AM
@PDC
Well skipper, I suppose that all o wanna sit down and write in unison and that everybody has the same thoughts and write the same sentences the same time.
I realise that it is a waste of time dealing with you when you don’t understand the jargon and use of terms. What does the term comrade means. Check the dictionary. When used politically what does it conjure up?
You just ain’t ready.
Wishing In Vain // July 8, 2009 at 9:14 AM
ROK is this PDC the same one that struggled to save their election money in each constituency they contested a seat in ?
Further they could not get even their own family to vote for them??
What dream world does this clown live in when he writes this pure and utter crap -:
The People’s Democratic Congress – a party of many, many people,
What people ???
Who People??
Where People???
Themis // July 8, 2009 at 10:49 AM
My thoughts exactly, WIV. A party of many many people? If so, they certainly are not loyal to their party. Did PDC get as many as 50 votes in all the elections which they have contested?
199 // July 8, 2009 at 12:36 PM
ROK, I ‘m aware that Barbadians can be ecentric at times, but why did n’t you was the soap-lather from off your face before u took that photograph?!! I’m British an so caan quite onstan it!!
199 // July 8, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Sorry, that should have been ‘wash the soap-lather from your face….’
See, I AM, human, afterall!!
ROK // July 8, 2009 at 3:47 PM
@ 199
hahahahahahahahahaha. I never thought that I would ever see such quality fun coming from you; LOL!
ROK // July 8, 2009 at 3:50 PM
@WIV & Themis
Why you two driving so much nails in the man coffin? Ease up. The boards got in too much nails and getting weak. We don’t want the body to fall out before he get to bottom. LOL!
David // July 8, 2009 at 4:28 PM
That was a good one ROK!
199 // July 8, 2009 at 4:44 PM
ROK // July 8, 2009 at 3:47 pm
@ 199
hahahahahahahahahaha. I never thought that I would ever see such quality fun coming from you; LOL!
******************
ROK!! u know me!!
Laaaaaadddddddddddddddd!!!!
David // July 8, 2009 at 6:17 PM
We scraped this blog from Speaking Up which is operated by BU family member ROK! Interesting perspective from the NGO practitioner.
Wishing In Vain // July 8, 2009 at 11:51 PM
It appears that Mottley has gone DUMB and MUTE on this subject in the public’s eyes, I wish I were a fly on the wall when she found out that Rawle Eastmond nominated a DLP instead of a BLP person to Chairman of his Constituency Council in St.James North, it must have been a slap in her face and the faces of Pain, Husbands and Marshall as well as a slap in the face of their party in turmoil the BLP.
Wishing In Vain // July 10, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Mottley what say you ???
You lack of a voice is amazing to say the least !!!!!!
Wishing In Vain // July 10, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Promises which we made
7/10/2009
The Democratic Labour Party is strong on keeping promises which we made.
On Sunday, July 5, 2009 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, we saw the roll out of the first six Constituency Councils. The fulfilling of this manifesto promise is yet another testimony of the commitment to building a better Barbados.
We have canvassed the views of thousands of Barbadians over last 14 years who felt alienated by the inept policies of the Arthur administration. These views informed us of the need to reconnect the Government to the people and we intend to do such. The importance of bringing Government closer to people is not a political gimmick, as we seek out alternative ways of securing a new model of good governance that is relevant and people centred.
We all had ringside seats and witnessed the destruction of our social fabric while the Barbados Labour Party designed a system to uplift the
political cronies of the Barbados Labour Party. A future Barbados will witness a renewed effort at involving more participation by people in the
management of their own communities. We acknowledge the importance of this approach as a key ingredient in fashioning an agenda that moves the process forward.
We will not be side-tracked by the efforts of the Opposition to bastardise every attempt by the Thompson-led Government to bring transparency and accountability to the table. The fear of this twin approach to good governance is what scares the Opposition.
Our Councils reflect Barbadians from all walks of life who understand the importance of voluntarism. There is no fear of victimisation on the parts of people who sit on the Council as they proudly accepted their scrolls of appointment to serve.
There can be no doubt as we continue to focus on delivery that we have placed people at the centre of our development agenda. To this end, we have equally witnessed the overwhelming show of support for our National Camp effort. We have seen over 9 000 young people reporting for the Ministry of Youth’s Summer Camp programme. This activity spans the entire island from St. Lucy to Christ Church. The Camp programme, as announced last year by the Prime Minister, is yet another promise that we have fulfilled. The Government has allocated six million dollars to ensure that the nation’s children are nurtured and cared for. We have placed a high value on our future by investing in our young people.
These elements in our policy agenda essentially separate us from the model of governance adopted by the last administration. We have added a face to our policy agenda, as we understand that growth should not take place without development. We acknowledge the development of our human resource capital as crucial to repositioning a future Barbados. A future Barbados can be assured of policies that are inclusive of the people’s participation. We can no longer fashion a development agenda on the economic paradigm that the Barbados Labour Party subscribed to.
The Democratic Labour Party will design a Government that works for the people through their input. The error that the Barbados Labour Party made was to follow the prescription blindly of “market fundamentalism”, which has set us back as people. We will determine the level of Government intervention and when we allow the dictates of the market to rule. However, we will not throw caution to the wind and hope that output is positive; we intend to have a design that ensures a positive outcome. Together, we can build a better Barbados.
cat eyes // July 11, 2009 at 5:54 PM
ROK take it from me. Do not waste your intellectual energy on PDC unless you need non productive stimulation. What does he peddle? you asked. He peddles socks on Bolton Lane. PDC comprises of one frustrated elite school drop out who makes himself a daily nuisance.He had neither to confidence nor intelligence to do as you have done. His self fulfillment is in taking pot shots at progressive people, cursing God and waiting to die.
Wishing In Vain // July 12, 2009 at 8:42 AM
The Constituency Councils are one step closer to a reality after the launch, then a seminar on all matteres pertaining to the management and running of these councils held yesterday.
Great show of faith in the ordinary people to help other ordinary everyday people along the way.
Well done Mr Chris Sinckler, Mr David Thompson and well done to the DLP for having the visions and the strength to press ahead with this very, very worthwhile venture to enpower our citizens.
May they serve the people of Barbados well.
ezzyfair // July 14, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Though it can be argued,the establishment of CC is a good concept, it can also be said that it is merely a political front. All of the constitutions that have been chosen are seats known to fluctuate to either party. So i ask, is the CC aimed at bettering communities or scoring political points.
David // July 14, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Is it possible that it could be both?
Aren’t these guys politicians?
ROK // July 14, 2009 at 3:56 PM
@ezzyfair,
You have to make up your mind. It is either a good concept or merely a political front. It certainly can’t be both at the same time, or can it?
Wishing In Vain // July 15, 2009 at 8:33 AM
But David I was waiting for you to let the Barbadian public know of the latest development going on within the BLP camp????
I have not seen you publish anywhere the very recent development from the BLP camp, as recently as yesterday the former leader was in recruitment mode and has openly stated his intention and desire to regain the leadership of HIS party, the first step to doing so will be his assault on the post of Chairman of the party and this will take place during their conference in September sometime, he has opening stated this to be his intention as in his view Mottley killing the party.
He has also made personal calls and visits to those persons trying to get them to sign onto to his program to regain his standing.