Commissioner Frederick Waterman – Photo Credit: Nation
The final arguments from lawyers representing all parties in the Alexandra School Dispute have been submitted and Barbadians await the report from lone Commissioner Frederick Waterman. It is obviously the report will be delivered before the September school term begins.
There was a sense by BU during the last two weeks of the Inquiry that it was hurried along; and for an obvious reason. The first school term is scheduled to begin on the 10 September 2012 and given known timelines the Waterman Report will be late. Therefore the 64k question is – what will be the next phase of the AX Affair?
It is early days yet to evaluate the performance of the Alexandra Commission. However, BU is concerned the Commissioner made some questionable decisions which will impact the quality of the final report. For example, it is understood from our sources that the aunt of Miss X whom we reported on another blog the student in the transcript affair was to go to live in the USA to facilitate school there, was in Barbados and prepared to give evidence. BU understands she was seized with interesting bits of information as a result of her visit to the school to which Miss X was to attend and where the transcript was allegedly sent by the secretary. Our source has advised that she had proof no such transcript was received by the US school. A reasonable conclusion to be made, the transcript was never sent. We have been reliably advised that Commissioner Waterman refused to allow this witness to be called.
One would have thought if the Commissioner had access to a witness who promised to clarify if any witness committed perjury, it would have been allowed in the interest of justice.
Another issue which the BU family should be apprised is that legal counsel representing the different parties at the AX Inquiry were granted different times for closing submissions. For example, Hal Gollop who represented the BSTU was allowed 1hr 20 minutes. Counsel for the Commission was allowed 2hrs 20 minutes. Vernon Smith and Cecil McCarthy who represented Broomes spoke for 30 minutes. Counsel for Keith Simmons was allowed 1hr plus. How was time allocation determined by the Commissioner?
It is interesting though that the Alexandra School Fourth Fourth orientation scheduled for this week has be pushed back to the opening day of the school term.
Follow the COI from the beginning (in descending order):
@Caswell
Thank you for your input.I submit for your comment that both grievances smacked of conditions of service.The first issue in 2006 when Broome sought to dock the teacher’s (or teachers)pay for going on a joyride instead of attending a set forum for Teachers Professional Day (or by whatever name its known.)Secondly,the failure of Amaida Greaves to teach as paid to do,smacks of a failure to adhere to her conditions of service.In my ignorance(cf latin ignosco and not the bajan derivative)I suggest that both cases should have been properly before the PS Ministry of the Civil Service for resolution.
Gabriel Tackle
When you breach your conditions of service, most likely you would have committed an offence which would subject you to disciplinary action. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Civil Service has no role in a disciplinary matter unless he is dealing with an officer in his ministry or he is appointed to be a member of an investigatory committee by the PSC in accordance with paragraph 6 of the Code of Discipline in the Public Service.
You suggested that Mrs. Greaves would have failed to adhere to her conditions of service if she did not teach. If and only if that were the case, she would have committed an act of misconduct in accordance with paragraph 2 (q) of the Code of Discipline and could have been dismissed. As a head of department, Mr. Broomes could have suspended her and refer the matter to the Chief Personnel Officer in accordance with paragraph 4 (2) of the same code.
@Caswell
Have we not discussed this matter several times by opining on what the lack of precedent would have had?
David
There is no lack of precedent, other heads of department have crossed that bridge before
When the matter is not resolved at the level of the Ministry of Education, it would only be referred to the Ministry of the Civil Service if the matter was one of conditions of service. If the matter dealt with misconduct it should go to the CPO for transmission to the PSC who is responsible for discipline in accordance with section 94 of the Constitution.
———————————————————-
THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE—TOO MANY LAYERS OF SHIT TO GO THROUGH TO SOLVE A PROBEL,,,,,REFORM OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE IS THE ONLY ANSWER.
Agree with JUST ASKING.
…..clearly this is a system designed to for Inaction and time wasting.
It facilitates the protection of incompetents – which is needed if you have square pegs in round holes.
How we can continue to pay those people in the Ministry of Education is a joke…. What do they really do?
Hell, why not just pay every bajan a salary and hope that some of us do something useful….that seems to be the public service plan….
That was a joke Onions! Don’t get any ideas….
@ JUST ASKING | September 1, 2012 at 11:47 PM |
What do you mean by “REFORM OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE”?
The Public Sector has been allegedly going under ‘Reform’ for so many years it is now superannuated and needs to be sent to another correctional institution of higher discipline.
The excessive weight carried around by this behemoth is the main reason why there is so much sluggishness, inertia and blockage in the system. Only a stomach bypass resulting in a 25% to 30% reduction in weight can improve the life and performance of this organism.
This reduction- whether done locally or imposed from overseas -will make all parts of the system wake up in order to justify their existence or be part of the fat to be removed from the lumbering body.
The Barbados economy and so-called educated society just cannot afford anymore the size and presently configured public sector. Especially in light of the changing economic order and the need for a new social contract between its citizen and State. Why would a so-called highly educated people still want to rely on the State for so many of its welfare wants? What about self reliance and entrepreneurship? What is our mirror Image? Is it one of State mendicancy? Where is the Pride & Industry?
millerdeanuki wrote”What about self reliance and entrepreneurship? What is our mirror Image? Is it one of State mendicancy? Where is the Pride & Industry?”
Where is the m oney going to come from to finance the entrepreneurship?
BizzyCowJerkham an sons?
Lotta long talk but wunna betta work with wha wunna got. startin wid agriculcha to replace imports.
my boy Lewis crash on de firs lap so I gine an practice my Salmon fishin skills in case I have to spen de res a muh life in Canada eh!
@Caswell
“other heads of department have crossed that bridge before”
But didn’t you tell us earlier that in those cases the suspension was either overturned or ended up under litigation? erego no successful precedent to date?
@miller and asking
A look at the public sector reform site and the associated white paper will make your hair cringe. One wonders what the hell has been going on over the years apart from alot of nothing. The proposal and document is fantastic. The implementation is far from stellar and the wastage and inefficiencies up to this day are embarassing.
@bushie
“How we can continue to pay those people in the Ministry of Education is a joke…. What do they really do?”
a very valid question.
Observing
You should learn from the mistakes of others. If other heads of department used the wrong procedure, all other heads have to do is to avoid the mistakes that others have done.
@ Hants | September 2, 2012 at 8:24 AM |
“Where is the m oney going to come from to finance the entrepreneurship?”
“Lotta long talk but wunna betta work with wha wunna got. startin wid agriculcha to replace imports.’
These two statements made by you, although contradicting each other, just happen to be just different sides of the same entrepreneurial coin.
So let’s settle for a common interpretation of entrepreneurship within the coming local economic scenario: Necessity is the Mother of Invention. Sounds like a new idea to you, Hants?
The likes of “BizzyCowJerkham ans sons” have had their days in the setting Sun of land deals, golf courses and concrete.
Survival is the new kid on the block. May the devil take the hindmost!
@caswell
The fact still remains. No successful precedent has been set, far less when the head of department is the principal of a school..
@ Observing
…don’t mind Caswell yuh…!
There is no such thing a a correct procedure when it comes to addressing indiscipline in the public service. ….It is heads the boss lose, and tails the union wins…
What ever is done…there is a rule or procedure or precedent waiting to prove it wrong…..especially if Caswell is “the union”…
The ONLY action that guarantees NO PENALTY is INACTION….. Which is what most public servants excel in…
Bushie
You are not being fair to me. There are more than enough procedures and precedents in the Public Service. The problem is that senior managers are either promoted or recruited to their without being given any training in management, and in most cases they do not even know of the existence of the relevant disciplinary rules. Many managers in the Public Service are appointed because of party affiliation, lodge, familial connections, friendship or sex. They are hardly ever appointed to their post because they merit the position. As a result, when they encounter someone who knows the rules, they are often out manoeuvred. You cannot blame me or any other union official who equip ourselves with the tools to do our job.
Shortly after we formed Unity Workers Union, I was asked to represent two young ladies who were accused of dismissible offences according to management. When they informed the Human Resources Department that I would be representing them, they were told to get Dennis Clarke from NUPW to represent them and they would only get a warning if they apologised. The Human Resourse Director had encountered me twice before and did not enjoy the experience. The young ladies abandoned me and only ended up with warnings on their files.
If they had allowed me to represent them, they would not have been warned or anything because neither them, the Human Resourse Director nor Dennis Clarke realized that the offences for which the young ladies were charged did not exist.
Government needs to train their managers.
millerdeanuki wrote, ” Necessity is the Mother of Invention. Sounds like a new idea to you, Hants?
I am well aware of “the idea” but I have also heard of “Investment capital required to finance the r&d of “inventions”.
Man Caswell, do you think that Bushie is unfamiliar with your reputation and abilities? You are a legend in your own time. Bushie’s point is that, like Saul on the road to Damascus, you need a conversion to the other side.
The problem with the union side is that it is not using best talents for productivity …quite the opposite usually.
National productivity NEEDS to have persons of your brand of competence working on the side of productivity. Let Sir Roy and Dennis represent the down trodden….
Saul was a class act too, but it is only when his talents were unleashed on the “right” side that he was able to achieve true productivity and gain major results.
Bushie could just see you running the Water Authority ‘den….or the Transport Board…. Not a boy could slack….
@ Hants | September 2, 2012 at 4:34 PM |
What about the capital so easily found to underwrite the recently concluded soap opera from which only entertainment value was extracted? How did you, a keen member of the viewing audience rate the locally produced show up North with the “investment” capital ending up in the deep pockets of legal buddies and compensation for loss of high office to a forlorn secretary?
What about the forex used to finance the many junkets undertaken by these pygmy politicians with a misplaced sense of importance about themselves on the world stage and whom no one notices, sought after by the media or cares a hill of beans about.
BTW, the recent tour of Canada to drum up business, how did things go from your end? See any people queuing up to invest in R&D in Bim even under the guise of an IBC?
JUST realize that the whole of Barbados is full of un-informed, cell -phone dependent jokers who seem oblivious to their own plight unaware of reality and living in their own stupid world. Good Friday could come on Sunday they would not even notice. Thsy are ripe for exploitation by whomsoever will and the Trinidadians have sensed it like a predator senses a prey in distress and ready for the taking. Ask David Seale from Rl Seale if
@millertheanunnaki | September 2, 2012 at 6:00 PM. “……..compensation for loss of high office to a forlorn secretary?” I am a bit slow this morning (must be senility). I don’t understand what you are trying to say there. Help me out? For the rest of it, agree, except about the “legal buddies”. Commission (Government) would have chosen its counsel (Govt pays), BSTU its counsel (BSTU pays), Broomes (with his union) his counsel (union pays). I MIGHT be wrong and will try to verify, but all those legal charges would not, I believe, fall on the Commission. As for Keith Simmons, well I would think that some government agency would have paid for his counsel, but cannot state that with any certainty. If you can shed light on this, be my guest.
Nonetheless, I agree with you, to the extent that I believe that the COI started as a good idea, but will likely end as a farcical and biased waste of taxpayers’ money. But it is ever so in Barbados and, until we change the culture of thought, will remain so. My blood runs cold when I think that, but for the grace of God, these jokers might be teaching my grandchildren.
@ Amused | September 3, 2012 at 6:19 AM |
You will have to show me the cannon ball that shot Lord Nelson or the torpedo that sank the Cornwallis before I accept your analysis of how the legal bills will be divided up for settlement.
Are you telling us that the BSTU and Jeff Broomes legal representatives will not be drawing from the taxpayers’ pot?
One can understand why the BSTU would be willing to see this salem type trial take place to string up Jeff to public ridicule.
But one would be surprised and even taken aback if Jeff Broomes or his Union would have agreed to this kangaroo exercise at his or the union’s own expense. It would be like an accused man paying the police money to find sufficient evidence to convict him.
So the initial down payment of $600,000 (approx) is going only to help cover the upfront fees for the CoI and the legal and secretarial assistance? And presumably to pay for the rental of the gymnasium and the daily food and drink catering.
Amused, you stint of living in the UK has not only broaden your potentially liberal mind but has also embedded a growing sense of humour (from watching too much UK TV). A psychological development path I would wish more Bajans to follow and extricate their psyches from the rigid religious cocoon of a mindset which militate against any subtle appreciation of the British sense of humour instead of referring to them as “MAD”.
You must learn to read between the ironic cultural lines. Now here is a riddle to solve, Amused: A CEO of an agency- mandated to develop and promote the arts and culture to make Bajans learn to laugh at themselves like a form of psychological ‘pick-me-up’- is removed from high office by a ‘lowly’ graduate from the Hitler Youth Brigade whose brain is so close to the ground that even you Amused would walk on, accidentally or otherwise.
But being a committed party member some form of alternative financial accommodation was arranged before the end of the term for secretarial services rendered.
Now have a good laugh at the expense of your humourless Bajan friends! “Ev’ry skin teet ent a laugh”, ya hear!
Miller surely know how to ..RIP, RIP RIP,RIP..(calypso).LOL..this is a real one
Miller
Section 24 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, Cap. 112 makes provision for the payment of all or any part of the expenses reasonably incurred by any person in connection with his representation before the commission out of money voted by Parliament for the purpose. The only requirement would be that the commissioner would have to recommend the payment. I believe that since the commissioner would have certified that some people and bodies had sufficient interests to be represented before the commission, he would have no option than to recommend their payment.
Rest assured my dear Miller, all those lawyers would be paid out of public funds. I hear that the junior lawyers would receive $1000.00 per day: Queen’s Counsels would receive a bit more
@ Caswell Franklyn | September 3, 2012 at 12:27 PM |
I was of that view that the lawyers for all sides would be remunerated handsomely from the taxpayers’ pockets. This is the way it will be.
It is Amused who proposed otherwise and which I queried. Maybe he is looking for the torpedo that sank the Cornwallis to knock down Nelson from Broad St.
BTW, can we rest assured that the $600,000 is the first and last instalment for this just concluded event or should we wait for the deus ex machina or coup de grȃce when the big man of the land signs the warrant for broomsey’s execution, figuratively speaking of course?
There better be something positive n tangible coming out of this Inquiry…..either Jeff goes or teachers and Board, et al be separated or both\all.After this spend which is seemingly exceeding $1.2Mil….moneys we could have put to better use..Govt can ill afford another BLUNDER…not at an elections time…we await to see..strategy unfolding.
@old onion bags
positive AND tangible?
Mercy me, you are asking for alot!!
Not to bother about the significant sums to be made by the legal teams.They will have to pay up all outsanding taxes first and be up to date on all statutory impositions and then be taxed to the hilt on the residual,so in the final analysis quite a substantial sum remains in the treasury.Not quite the cup of tea of these gladiators so called.
@ Gabriel
They will have to pay up all outsanding taxes first and be up to date on all statutory impositions
*****************************
In all fairness… you need to qualify this…you mean “any BLP lawyers”……like you have forgotten the FAMILY FIRST POLICY…let’s not all fall for a Trojan ploy…..
@ Gabriel Tackle | September 3, 2012 at 3:36 PM |
“They will have to pay up all outsanding taxes first and be up to date on all statutory impositions and then be taxed to the hilt on the residual…”
To whom and since when does this laudable procedure apply? Certainly not lawyers and many professionals especially those keenly associated with any incumbent administration?
A phone call or two to some timid wormlike unprofessional bureaucrat works wonders and lubricate the wheels of injustice and corruption in this incestuous little island.
If most lawyers and doctors in private practice pay income tax then all prisoners pay. Filing losses or very low assessable incomes is a specialized art form practiced only to obtain the necessary tax clearance where required.
One is prepared to put one’s head on the proverbial chopping block and contest that up to this day Leroy Greenverbs has not paid any taxes on that gratuity ($3.3 million) that passed through his lawyers hands but destined to the man’s account as confirmed by the forensic audit report.
If the man could be subsequently engaged as a consultant to this administration do you think your statement applies to him?
Please tell me who are the New deputy Educational officers that were oppointed recently . B U T KEEP QUIET you are well rewarded maybe cousin walter maloney will get another too—sell out d workers we will promote you —-Caswell spoke of this relationship the the BUT leaders being promoted /using the union to help they party nd themselves —CEDRIC your wife got one sometime ago you may get another one
Annemarie BURKE also got one –well lucky girl –well she maybe by the Coast watching the waves or the funds
@erice
In ignorance of the beginning of your comment, I have to ask you what I asked Caswell…when or how has the BUT sold out its members (for promotion or otherwise)? Feel free to be as explicit and go as far back as you like…
@Caswell Franklyn | September 3, 2012 at 12:27 PM. I understand that you are correct as to payment of legal fees and I defer to you on that point. I am not sure of the amount, but will, for the sake of argument, accept your statement that juniors are paid $1,000 per day, while QCs make more. Therefore, it would appear that both juniors and QCs are subsidising the Commission. A junior in Barbados would expect to bill their time at a rate of $250 per hour minimum and to bill 8 hours a day minimum. A QC would bill their time at upwards of $1,000 per hour and likely will for 8 hours a day minimum. And please, no one start screaming and carrying on – this is reality worldwide. In the USA, a senior will charge anything over US$1,000 per hour, in Canada it is CDA$1,000 per hour and a top British QC will charge anything over £750 per hour. So, on a worldwide basis, Barbados counsel are a very good deal. BUT, these counsel have been subsidising the COI.
UNLESS, as is most likely, they have agreed that any shortfall in their usual fees will be met by the various essential parties making representations. In other words, BSTU would pay the shortfall for Hal Gollop, BTU for Messrs Smith and McCarthy (both QC) etc.
@ Amused | September 4, 2012 at 3:35 AM |
” In the USA, a senior will charge anything over US$1,000 per hour, in Canada it is CDA$1,000 per hour and a top British QC will charge anything over £750 per hour. So, on a worldwide basis, Barbados counsel are a very good deal.”
The comparison of fees is not complete unless a comparison of the quality of professional service rendered in return for these fees.
Would you be so bold as to make just a comparison in quality of service?
Do you think what lawyers both junior or QC (soon to be KC) offer as ‘service’ in Bim would be accepted in the UK?
Many of the lawyers in Bim would have been struck of the roll in the UK or have a very limited practice probably working in the depressed areas offering legal aid, citizen’s advice or dealing with immigration matters. Certainly not practising at the Bar or in Chancery Lane.
Many of them would have been locked up too for swindle and fraud.
when I was attending school years ago, there were some really good teachers who were willing to engage all children and help them to learn and understand, today there are still some of those teachers, but the ones who just is teaching to get a pay check and a good retirement fund, are the ones who makes the education system remain old and boring, without change, thats why so many kids are being kicked out of school at 14, so sad.
@millertheanunnaki | September 4, 2012 at 7:27 AM.
“Would you be so bold as to make just a comparison in quality of service?” Certainly not. Can’t! Not until the courts afford them the opportunity to practice law by firing the Registrar and a lot of the judges and getting the scheduling of cases properly dealt with so that the Constitution is not constantly being breached.
“Do you think what lawyers both junior or QC (soon to be KC) offer as ‘service’ in Bim would be accepted in the UK?” Unlike you, I do not have a direct line to God, so am unable to agree “QC (soon to be KC)” bit. On the rest, the UK universities and colleges turn out thousands of solicitors and barristers every year, to the extent that only about 6% or 7% manage to secure employment in the legal world. Of these, there are a goodly portion, not unlike Barbados, where law is a family business, and therefore talent is not of any real consideration. So, I would say that junior counsel would likely do as well in the UK as here. As for the QCs (and long may they remain QC as opposed to KC) apart from a very few (among which very few, I number Hal, in response to your comment on BU on another matter) they would not stand a hope in hell and, indeed, most would probably have to seek alternative employment, like selling computers.
“Many of them would have been locked up too for swindle and fraud.” Unfair. The vast majority of attorneys are honest, hard-working people. Like any other profession, they are brought down by the few crooks.
Nanci—ask Mr.Greaves Headmaster at Alleyne School how many children he kicked out of school —and these kids have move on to do well yes some have fallen into crime —-i agree with what you have said
@ Amused | September 5, 2012 at 2:38 AM |
“The vast majority of attorneys are honest, hard-working people. Like any other profession, they are brought down by the few crooks.”
You will have a very hard job convincing Bajans of that. When we see the ‘few’ crooks behinds bars where they belong like other common crooks we will listen to you. Most Bajans are god-fearing people and believe every word that is ascribed to their sweet Jesus:
“Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” Luke 11:46
Most lawyers survive only because of an archaic legal system that protects the cartel interests of lawyers. Many legal transactions involving civil matters such as the purchase and transfer of property, administration of wills, filing for divorce and recovery of small debts could be performed by educated lay people without recourse to solicitors as prevail in the UK. Form filling and paying the relevant fees to the appropriate statutory agencies are NOT the sole province of lawyers.
No. I don’t have a direct line with your god. On the contrary, I don’t believe he exists as portrayed in the source book of your belief. . And if your god existed most likely it would have to be a ‘she’ and not a ‘he’. Unless you view the Sun as male and the Earth as female then we can see eye to eye.
What is a fact of life is that all of us will die sooner rather than later. So what do we do here in Barbados? Continue to award the title of QC on a lawyer who has done his political sycophantic time when a King- either Charles or William- is ‘soon’ on the UK throne. Unless Lizy intends to break her great-great grandmother’s record, if she lives that long. What about when Bim becomes a Republic as promised by both political parties before its 50th year of Independence from the same British monarchy? Don’t you think it’s about time to stop hanging on to the coattails of a parent who abandoned you 46years ago to seek a haven in the CCJ? Its time you hearken to EWB’s advice and stop loitering at the gates of the Old Bayley and look at your own image in the CCJ mirror. “If you want justice stay away from Coleridge Street” and now also Walrond St. still rings true, and more than ever today, Amused!
So could now we could understand why Karen stood hog tied when BSTU called out their teachers and could not get BUT support in backing the strike action….A PICK at MOE, of course….President still ….is that not a conflict of interest ?Is these sorta appointments that put AX in its position today. Physical D shud learn sum ting bout planting from MOE….
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Any of you with school age children should see if this web site can help.
Would like to hear some feedback about the meeting this morning called by Minister Jones. So far BU is hearing that there is some confusion in the minds of many teachers the purpose of the meeting.
If you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.
Thomas Szasz
@David 3:54
Based on what was reported to me (or not reported) I think you summed it up quite well. confusion and no purpose. lol
@onions 9:09
the BSTU didn’t get support from alot of people, unions and quarters. Why single out BUT? I’m moved to ask though, is she still President?
a student brought to mr broomes’ attention that mrs greaves was not teaching them. if at the end of the inquiry, this is the conclusion that she should be disciplined, i am sure that this situation will go to the SG’s office where a decision could be made for for her to repay the govt. i know of one instance when for some reason a public officer was overpaid, the error was noted and subsequently arrangements were made for repayment. the public officer on advice from her union demanded that not one cent would she repay. that was the end of that, nothing was deducted until she got her gratuity 10 years after the incident and discovered that the $8.000 which she was overpaid by previously had be deducted. the same could very well happen to ms greaves who refused to teach, yet collected a salary.
Congrats to Karen Best…good riddance to ms Greaves husband… wimp
@islandgal
If you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.
Thomas Szasz”
Thomas Szasz was called doubting Thomas. he never gave God a chance…too bad for him…what a waste
@Amused | September 4, 2012 at 3:35 AM |
“… And please, no one start screaming and carrying on – this is reality worldwide. In the USA, a senior will charge anything over US$1,000 per hour, in Canada it is CDA$1,000 per hour and a top British QC will charge anything over £750 per hour.//”
the quality of representation in the US, UK and and Canada is by far way superior to that given in Barbados…do u not read or view the internet? in barbados a ‘thiefin’ lawyer NEVER ends up in prison. they are just pretend checks and balances here. in the other countries, those attorneys know that the system does not care about family name as is dome here. so don’t compare the mediocre crap given to clients in barbados. to the quality of services received in the international countries…as far as i am aware, the majority of lawyers in barbados are damn crooks. if they had confidence in their profession, why do they ‘thief’ from the hapless?