EXCLUSIVE: Dancia Penn ‘like a fly in ointment’- John I. Cline
“The talk, and coming now and presenting [herself] as a candidate at this late hour, I am not saying she is not genuine but somehow I feel this is done to mess up the political process, pull votes from here, pull votes from this one, pull votes from that one and just create what seems to be now, like confusion and that is not good for our country,” said Bishop Cline in an exclusive interview with this news site last evening, May 20, 2015.
Speak truth to power
“If you want to be a part of change you can be a part of change. All that she said tonight could have been brought to some of the legislators that were in power. You don’t have to be in no elected office to do those things. You can speak truth to power, you can give voice to Politicians and let them work on some of the things,” he further said.
Bishop Cline said he listened to the speech by Mrs Dancia Penn which he described as very eloquent and well-spoken but said that if one is to judge from her last tenure in the House of Assembly it would show that actions speak louder than words.
“Truly in her case, sitting from where I am sitting from, that is absolutely [true] because it’s under her watch the hospital which is so pivotal to the development and the stability and the vitality of this country did not go any further. For four years it sat there modelled in confusion and now she has come back to present herself to represent us and the question I must ask is, to do what?”
Being very critical to Mrs Penn, he said she was among those who gave the country Biwater. “Sat in the House of Assembly and said nothing about it. This country is saddled with a 1.2million dollar bill because they gave us something we did not ask for and we did not need.”
He alleged it was under her watch healthcare was almost put in private hands as InterHealth Canada was on the way to the Virgin Islands (VI) to run the hospital, asking for a 15-year contract to commission and manage the hospital. “If that had happened we would have had healthcare cost that none of us could have afforded.”
The touch and tag football game
According to Bishop Cline, when he listened to all the candidates announcing their intentions to contest, it leaves much to be desired. “It seems like all of us should get in the race. Like even me should be in the race because it seems like this is almost like a little football game playing touch and tag,” said Bishop Cline.
He said the politics of the country is at a very serious place and do not believe that the country can afford to go back to some of the failed leadership of the past. “And that is what I see happening in terms of those presenting themselves to lead the country.”
While repeating common talks that he has friends on both sides of the aisle, Bishop outlined a number of things he considers real development that can be credited to the current administration. “When you look at these things you cannot say that the NDP has done a bad job. They have not done a perfect job but who can?”
Why break the silence?
There were several attempts made by this news site before to pick the mind of Cline about his taste of the current political atmosphere, even to find out whether or not he was considering running for office, and he had chosen not to speak.
However, having learnt of the move by Mrs Penn, he said he felt the time was right for him to break his silence. “I think most BVIslanders want what’s best for the country and I was willing to sit on the side line and see the political process play out in a manner that I think the BVI would decide who they want to lead them.”
He added, “But when I see these kinds of last ditch efforts to sort of derail, I think the process, this is just my opinion, and pull votes from here and there,” he said he had to say something.
Meanwhile, the idiomatic expression ‘fly in ointment’ brings back memories of the 2011 election campaign when it was the then NDP Second District candidate and now Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline who labelled Penn ‘an empty kerosene pan’.
Skelton-Cline happens to be a close relative of Bishop Cline.
"The culture of disrespect which was started by a member of the NDP in the 2011 elections when he referred to our Deputy Chief Minister as an empty kerosene pan, followed by a sitting member of that government calling our Premier, then Premier and your representative [Hon Ralph T. O'Neal], an emperor without clothes...That continues to today as you would have heard the lawless rants and raves including name calling when referring to us during this campaign," Chairman of the Virgin Islands Party Hon Julian Fraser RA had stated at the launch of the VIP Ninth District candidate Elton L. Sprauve aka All Out in Virgin Gorda on May 12, 2015.
129 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: Dancia Penn ‘like a fly in ointment’- John I. Cline”
flashing fireworks fresh and lingering in the brains of the voters.
That is very shameful on the part of Dr. Smith; especially claiming to be a Christian. He has deprived many of their right to vote as well as the electorate the opportunity to learn the financial health of the country; (how much we owe, with all the borrowing and spending). It is specially important to know this information because if the country is in high debt, it means that taxes will go up in order to pay the bills. Nothing is free and the big lavish spending will have to be paid for. This affect everyone's pocket.
Now the Ndp must be saying to themselves: "What de hell went wrong wid we brains?"
Dancia is a woman with outstanding credentials...and is running on the eternal premise of: "Country above self".
She will create a big problem for NDP. First, she will get her regular voters as if she was running in the 8th. Those that support her, will also support 3 of the VIPs At-large. which means less votes for Ndp At-large. In the 9th are are over 1600 votes up for grabs. Again, she will do very well there.
I like her explanation of what she has been doing during the past 3.5 years: "that she never left the people and that she has been doing some Introspection, learned a lot and grew in her spirituality" is heart warming
In the end, Dancia is a Vip. She attended Vip launch of All Out as well as the Vip launch at the Band Stand last Saturday night in Road Town. She will merge with the Vip and once again become Minister of Health so she can continue with the work she already started.
This of course would be a big, big problem for Cline,and it isn't any wonder that he is about to have a nervous breakdown because his scampish acts will be brought to light.
"Not everyone that says Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom"
The disrespect you have shown Ms. Penn has been noted previously and again now. One would have hoped that a man of the cloth would know better than to stoop so low as to use disparaging remarks, but every profession has its' detractors, and the church is no different.
The date for the SNAP election was only announced 14 days prior to Ms. Penn's announcement. Why would you be surprised that she had not yet declared? As with several others, Ms. Penn believed there would be more time.
It seems to me as though "someone" is more than a little threatened by Ms. Penn's entrance into the race. If she were truly just a "fly in the ointment", you wouldn't have bothered to comment.
Given the NDP's abrupt dissolution of the House, it ought not to come as a surprise to anyone if there are nominees come Nomination Day of now undeclared candidates. Mrs. Penn-Sallah's declaration is certainly within that 'reasonable' period left by the NDP for campaigning.
I just cannot wrap my mind around the good Bishop's outburst.
Do not remind the people of the BVI of your rude @$$ nephew Claude Cline Skelton he called her an empty can of kerosene , now you have to refer to her as "a fly in ointment" . This lady is a well respected woman more respectable than you and your nephew put together dont's go there all you going to do is make things bad for the other nephew who is loved by many. DANCIA YOU GOT MY VOTE!!! way to go woman!!
On Man.
It is the woman's constitutional right to want to defend her country. Why didn't he talk about the injustice and bad mindedness of the administration to call this snap election? Mrs. Penn is a woman of class that in spite of the snap election she will want to jump in and make a positive contribution.
It is amazing and I am now beginning to wonder why are they all on the back of Fraser and now Dancia? This seem to me like they are 2 forces to reckon with and those ones criticizing and saying all manner of evil are afraid of them, Frazer and Dancia.
My People of the BVI, don't be fooled any more by the loud noise and scare tactic. They already said action speak louder than words, but all their loud talk ent matching their action. Remember that is how they got you last time, by making you scared, and they said last time that if VIP got back in they would cut down and send home civil servants, now they saying Fraser lie, but I wonder what was it then, when they said it? VIP ALL THE WAY!!!! Including Dancia, ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!
It is a shame to hear somebody like John I. Clyne speak like about a person who has contribute significantly to this country for justice and freedom. He is doing so because he fully well know what she said in her message last evening is the truth. The massive corruption, abuse of office and conflict of interest is in the BVI Health Services Authority of which he is the chairman of the board. Yet ppl cant see this BVIHSA workers cant get their hard earned increments while ********** walked away with millions from the gov't treasury sanctioned by the Premier and the Health Minister. Dancia chook him in his side with pin why he is now attacking her so the truth don't come out. John I. Clyne u is a Wolf in Sheep Clothing and everyone knows that. This NDP Gov't has condoned all kind of wrong doing. All these sort of corruption happening and the governor turning a blind eye. We need 2 investigate the governor and as for JIC a guilty mind needs no accuser.
'Bishop', are you coming unhinged a bit? No worries, Please take a seat and GTFOH! I hope an investigation into your affiliations with Gov. Treasury is initiated. Sick of you now man.
No plans or solitions on how to move the country forward
Let her jump in the ring. Them want to be in ting? When the 8th reach, I hope them could take it. She aint getting in. I wonder if S**** went to the Gambia lately. Them say he ting strong, but we got some prayer warriors going to bruk down the place and all our ancestors coming to join us and ensure deliverance from the hands of people who don't have the best interest of our country at heart.
And why don't they respect anyone who isn't with them what sort of superiority complex is that?
I wonder if Mitch will address this attempt to assassinate Dancia's character. NDP is looking very bad right now.
What was so bad in what he said???? People just want thing to talk
let him run it until him tongue come out.
dancia is like a fly in ointment your PASTOR john cline is like a fly in vomit
Let your voice be heard at the polls! By the way, thanks Bishop for giving Dancia the push to victory.
I am truely saddened by this. We have a Territory to build and such comments coming from someone like him is disappointing to say the very least. I will sympathize with him and utter the very words Jesus himself used on the cross "Father forgive them for they no not what the do".
In closing I wish to commend Mrs. Penn-Sallah highly for entering the race as i am confident that she well bring balance back to the House and be a voice to the many who are voiceless in there own country.
"A fly in the ointment" is a term NOT a disrespect you idots.
We his wealth will take him with out having a faithful and true relationship with Christ who he continues to speak about. He fist need to be cleansed.
I rest my case, it is in God hands.
Why, maybe it's because you can't read. if you did and has some level of intelligence, you would be better informed.
You will get just what you ask for on June 8th, A bunch of loosers with no vision.
Leave it to dem they will destroy anything that is good. The Musicfest is a prime example. I can never vote for his nephew Mitch all because those Cline clang have absolutely no respect for people. its what comes out your mouth that defiles you.
only defending the people that have been giving him and his family contracts and jobs. He is only being loyal. No need to kill him.
i warn ayo about those greedy c****s
Iris O'Neal clinic. You think I stupid.
Yes it is okay to call Dr.Smith a liar, Myron funny Island man and the list goes on. What the hell is Dancia Jesus??/ Is she above scrutiny?? Hell no!. Not a thing wrong with what John said. She sat in the house and watch corruption year in and year out, said Bi water was the best thing happen to BVI and did nothing...John don't mind the noise they too damn petty here.. Sad to say these are the same people who come to you looking help..
Quote Biblical Meaning and Other Meaning
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour. (Ecclesiastes 10:1) For five centuries, 'a fly in the ointment' has meant a small defect that spoils something valuable or is a source of annoyance.
If the division continues we as a people we will be destroyed. Divide and Conquer stop now, may God forgive us all.
If my people who are called by my name would humble themselves and pray turn from their wicked ways, we will hear from heaven and the lord will heal our land.!
... for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; (but Bishop someone in church offended me can you speak with them...'for thou that judgest doest the same things' my child.) The Devil uses the word of God to control the church body all the time.
The mere use of the word fly suggests a pest. Mr. Cline could have simply said spoiler but he used this terminology which on the face of it is extremely offensive as it uses the annoying and germ spreading pesky fly. Not good choice of terminology for a distinguished and accomplished daughter of the soil. The Bishop is obviously threatened by her presence because his businesses have benefited a lot from this administration. He has a lot to lose.
As a voter I am thrilled that we have another viable option to the party alternatives. As a voter I am thrilled that this Woman's speech was thoughtful, visionary and based on bringing back integrity to a broken system. Can she get the help she needs to enact ethics legislation to govern the way the people's business is done that is another story. Most of these politicians like the way things are as the system favors their unethical behavior. Good initiative and that alone is why many will vote for her. Many including me.
Fly in the ointment. This figurative expression is not a compliment on any continent, in any culture, in any religion, in any country.....etc. The comment about the Hon Penn-Sallah is rude, despicable, degrading, and denigrading. It was sexist. Edmund Maduro, Dr. Hannibal ....etc just declared that they are running at large but you are as quiet as church mouse. What is it about Dancia that is causing you nightmares?
Are you afraid that her candidacy may over turn the apple cart and truly be that fly in the ointment that peep your card? Run Dancia Run!
A man of God casting judgement, creating and broadcasting other person name falsely to destroy that person integrity is a bad reflection of Godly character. That person art to pray for peace and righteousness. Also, pray for good governance in a government.