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‘Governor has failed the VI’ – Sam Henry

Commentator Julio Sam Henry believes that the current Governor of the Virgin Islands, William Boyd McCleary, has failed the Territory of the Virgin Islands and has questioned his role under the current political administration. Photo: VINO/File
Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru agreed with Henry and stated that he was not in favour of “heavy handed colonialism” where there is a Governor that comes to tell local people what to do. Photo: VINO/File
Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru agreed with Henry and stated that he was not in favour of “heavy handed colonialism” where there is a Governor that comes to tell local people what to do. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Commentator Julio Sam Henry believes that the current Governor of the Virgin Islands, William Boyd McCleary, has failed the Territory of the Virgin Islands and has questioned his role under the current political administration.

“The Governor to me, this is just my personal opinion, has failed this country, has failed people of this country. He hasn’t done anything,” Henry said while speaking as a caller on the Speak Out BVI radio programme aired on May 13, 2014.

Henry complained that the Territory has seen a series of laws introduced that go against the will of the people and are not for the people. “Show me one law since he’s been here that this government put in place that the people could jump up and say we have some recourse in whatever situation – none.”

He reasoned that the Territory now has the biggest secrecy laws and ‘whistleblower’ laws that are against democracy, “We don’t have any protection,” he stated.

Henry questioned what the Governor has done besides being involved with disaster management and putting policies in place for the Territory. “The government should listen to its people, but what is your role Mr Governor?” Henry asked.

“All that is needed. It’s necessary but the bottom line is that our people right now feel worse off when it comes to democracy in this country. They feel they have no help. They have nobody to protect them.”

According to Henry, when people to go down to the Complaints Commission, they are opening themselves up to more scrutiny because when valid complaints are made, it allows politicians to find out and record who is complaining.

He said they in turn put measures in place where residents are not on their team can’t get anything while they work with those who are on the team.

Co-host of the show, Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru agreed with Henry and stated that he was not in favour of “heavy handed colonialism” where there is a Governor that comes to tell local people what to do.

“The situation we face is we have a great majority of people whose opinions are not being represented by the political class,” he said.

34 Responses to “‘Governor has failed the VI’ – Sam Henry”

  • bob marley (14/05/2014, 08:12) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    "A foolish dog barks at a flying bird"
  • wize up (14/05/2014, 08:19) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    STOP blaming the OUTSIDERS and stand-up as citzens of the virgin islands: "WE" are so divided as a people so we have lost our power: stop pointing-fingers and as citzen stand up for our rights !!!!!!!
    • trrefdrfds (14/05/2014, 11:36) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! We are divided but always finding a scapegoat. It's always the fault of Teacher, Police, Lawyer, Magistrate, Politician, Governor, it's never our fault. People in the BVI only speak out when they don't get their way. They never speak out about the real issues affecting the Territory. If they get a contract, then they're on the talk show defending Government. When things go downhill, same person is on the airwaves bashing Government. Where is the principle? Is that something of the past? Come on man we are too petty as a people. Same Sam had a petition going around when Supa Cop had his issues. Where is the petition for better schools? Where is the petition for better roads? water? sewage treatment? Where is the petition for the kids that were abandoned in East End and many others like them? Why haven't we heard from Sam, Sowande and the rest of the Black Panthers on these pressing issues? I'll tell you why. It's because to deal with the real issues, you need real ideas and you have to do real work. It's easier to sit on TV or radio talking about how everybody else is so wrong, rather than doing something yourself. They don't deal with real issues because it doesn't give them the political capital and emotional grand standing that they so love. That's why. These guys need to hang it up. Courtney, Edmund, Sowande, Scatliffe, Sam. NOBODY will vote for you, NOBODY! You all have been talking for years and still not saying anything. Get up and actually DO something for a change and maybe, JUST MAYBE people may take you all seriously. Until then, keep up the horse and pony show, it's good comedy and gives the media sites something to take up some space on their page.
  • Kingfish (14/05/2014, 08:26) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is it the Governor's duty to enact laws ? no, that is the responsibility of our elected officials.
  • xxxxxxxx (14/05/2014, 08:26) Like (14) Dislike (25) Reply
    i must agree with sam this governor is a waste of time
    • Agree (14/05/2014, 15:53) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      He is working for the USA. He is busy tring to extradite our people.
  • ndp (14/05/2014, 08:29) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am not a racist
  • virginislander (14/05/2014, 08:49) Like (24) Dislike (5) Reply
    The governor and his wife are good people sam, " emotions fuel most arguments but facts brings conclusion" show me one instance that The Governor has failed us as a Country..
    • RAM (14/05/2014, 17:53) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      The governor is suppose to be about good governance. Accountability, transparency .......... do you want more.
      We waiting to see who is coming next. Maybe a woman or a first black UK governor. Food for us to feed on.
  • Online Now (14/05/2014, 09:00) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    How can you complain about wanting autonomy and self rule and then turn round and complain that the Governor hasn't done anything? Blame the politicians not the Governor. Just sounds like someone looking for something to talk about and going for an easy target.
  • apple pie (14/05/2014, 09:45) Like (9) Dislike (16) Reply
    Just like the ndp the governor must go!
  • No OBE (14/05/2014, 10:14) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sam- you just lost any chance of an OBE
  • please (14/05/2014, 10:43) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    can you imagine the story if the governor refused to allow into law a bill that was passed in the house of assembly. There would be absolute uproar calling for independence. It is our politicians that we voted in not the governor that we should be criticizing. If the politicians vote in favour of a bill what is the governor to do?
  • Yes (14/05/2014, 10:50) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply

    Sam the Laws are not against whistleblowers. You need to read for yourself and stop falling for nonsense. The Laws outlines the exact process by which information should be put out. Cayman Islands are passing laws to protect whistle blowers but it will not be a free for all law. The law simply outlines how information can be shared etc. We have processes in the BVI. If someone think an official is up to wrong doing, they go to the Governor, FSC, FIA, RVIPF, Complaints Commissioner etc. They have multiple avenues. You all want people to be able to bring copies of confidential documents to VINO for publication and you think that is freedom, but it's not. Until Government gets a real lawsuit in their a.. for their civil servants doing nonsense, we won't understand what time it is. There's freedom and there's also the LAW. Does your 'RIGHT' to know trump the 'RIGHTS' of others who have the 'RIGHT' to confidentiality depending on what the situation is? 'RIGHTS' are not a one way, black/white street.

    • LOL Wrong (15/05/2014, 08:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      While you make a good point you now have to read between the lines and deal with the harsh reality! Elton George who is now leaving will tell you himself the Complaints Commissioner's off is a Toothless Tiger Organization. Make the mistake of going to the police and before you get out of the station someone is calling the same person you are complaint and exposing you!!!

      The people of the Virgin Islands will have to stand for something but no one man can do it himself. In the US investigative reporters from the Washington Post, New York times and even 60 min spend years researching and investigating a lead to expose government officials. The Government officials read it in the news and then are forced to react to suspicions they had all along.

      Unfortunately we do not have any real investigative reporters, but if we did according to your memo the investigative reporter would have to go to the Gov? Then to Gaskin office to report the corruption in the bvi ports? Then he(Gaskin) goes to the port to inform his Government and friends that so and so is exposing them? Gaskin sits on the Board at the ports!

      How stupid is it to have the head of the port clueless and the deputy clueless and taking on a multi Million dollar project? I am not against development I am against the clandestine way in which this project is moving forward and the secrecy that has surrounded this project.
  • civil servant (14/05/2014, 11:57) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
    Shame on the governor on how he treated civil servants
    • What if... (14/05/2014, 16:14) Like (1) Dislike (8) Reply
      This governor needs to negotiate with the police offices instead of making a SCAPEGOAT out of them and giving Morris his powers
  • BVI and US (14/05/2014, 12:39) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    The Governor did something while he was here yes. He signed incorrect documents for the Extradition of BVI Citizens to the USA.
    • Woosa (14/05/2014, 13:19) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
      Exactly what he did, signed a whole bunch of nonsense. He needs to be gone himself!
  • insider (14/05/2014, 14:17) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    And he illegally fired civil servants and violated the law
  • Free Them (14/05/2014, 15:05) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    He only spurred into action, because when self-interest is being threatened. A selfish reason to take action on major issues, when he was appointed to serve the people and not himself!
  • time will tell (14/05/2014, 18:50) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    It really breaks my heart when I read who ignorant and uneducated to simple facts like how the Government works my fellow country men are!!! Really, really sad.. The Governor cannot refuse to sign a law that has been approved in the House of Assembly by the relevant majority of votes. Further, the BVI was behind ( by decades) by not having a Secrecy Act. Obviously Julio really knows very little about anything. If he did, he would know the rest of the Caribbean waits for the BVI to act then copy or legislation sometimes word for word (typos included) just to be good graces with the UK and the rest of the world. Might Sparrow sang " Education, Education is the foundation. Our rising population need good education". Somebody please help this man!!!
    • need (14/05/2014, 22:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Laws before going to house of assembly has to go through exco first whee he is the chairman and can stop it from going exco. Also even if it is passes in house of assembly until he signs it is not law. You need to know the laws of this country before you come on here calling down the man.
      • @ need (16/05/2014, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Your just as bad. I suggest YOU find out the truth and then comment. The Governor can't stop no bill that goes to exco. Find out who is responsible for making laws and what the powers of the Governor really are. Then have a conversation with Sam, since you want to support him, so he could stop embarrassing you and all of us with this incorrect nonsense all over the web.
  • Common Sense (14/05/2014, 21:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some elected Government officials helping improve or hurting and raping the V.I

    1. Raise the Passport fee from $50 up to $125, and your not getting extra years, and no its not including a waiver either, so after all that you still got to pay more just to be able to use the passport to get out of here.

    2. Health insurance "BUPA" smh twice, insurance you pay monthly all year for coverage, yet they only provide you coverage once you meet a deductible of 250 per year, this is a full time insurance company with only part time care, plus its not accepted every where.

    3. Rent we know their not responsible for this one but their seem to be no regulation, some land-lords renting for some ridiculous prices that they themselves can't afford to live in, yet when they get in tenants they still trying to raise rent

    4. New Fees At Peebles On The Way; $10 Per Hour Fee To Tackle Long Stay Patient Problem, Do they think people like staying in the hospital, what is the world coming to, now I know it have some ppl that don't pay their bills I understand that but $10 per HOUR plus you still charging for meds

    5. Raise departure tax from $5 up to $10 for locals and &15 visitors, and a year hasn't passed yet but they already raised it again, and you still have to pay tax on the items you buy when your coming back, Now I know they say its to fix the ports and I'm not doubting that but when the ports are fixed its not coming down and we all know it, plus stop me if I'm wrong but aren't we highly dependent on Tourism, so tell me seeing that we haven't built a mall, team park or some other tourist attraction why would I want to spend extra just to come here. lets be real your just trying to get ppl that shop St Thomas to stop

    Now here is a rough estimate based on the old departure tax (DT) and a variable of 50 passengers so the estimate at the bottom maybe off by Hundreds or Thousand since every boat trip isn't full with 50 passengers

    Old departure tax -(TIMES)- 50 passengers
    (5*50= 250)

    50 passengers on one boat DT -(TIMES)- 3 Boats (NS, SF, TFF)
    (250*3= 750)

    3 Boats DT -(TIMES)- 3 time scheduled trips
    (750*3= 2,250)

    Total DT in one day -(TIMES)- 7 days a week
    (2,250*7= 15,750)

    A weeks DT -(TIMES)- 4 weeks in a mouth
    (15,750*4= 63,000)

    Plus keep in mind we still have to pay tax on what we buy, now we know they still have to pay employees, bills like electricity, and water, and buy paper and ink plus make revenue, so even if I kind of could agree with the first raise of the departure tax, I could never agree for the second that's just being greedy.

    All I want to know if some of these Government officials actually talked about all this and planned them out are helping where all the benefits to the V.I ppl that voted for them because our salaries aren't going up but everything else is.
  • WHENCE U CAME (14/05/2014, 21:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THOSE 3PEOPLE CAME FROM THE CAYMAN ISLANDS TO TURN TORTOLA UPSIDE DOWN ONLY IN THE BVI A MAN COULD ASK FOR HIS OWN XTENTION AND GET IT BECAUSE HE WANT TO FINISH HIS DIRTY JOB TO GET GOOD NAME THE BROWN ONE LOOKING FRIENDS WITH THE USA AND THE BLACK WOMAN WANT JOIN THE BAND WAGON ALSO
  • Common Sense (14/05/2014, 23:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Government doing its people terrible raising the cost of Passport, Waivers, and Departure tax. They don't regulate nothing but taxes, the cost of living is too high already the price of food, gas, electricity and shelter (rent) are going up. Health Insurance (BUBA) is a joke, your paying insurance all year but only covered once you meet your yearly deductible of $250 and if anything happens to you before meet your deductible you pay full price, even though your still paying insurance. I wish I could see the good or sense in raising prices or fees and taxing people left, right and center while not increasing their salaries, your raising the cost of living and you know it. NDP = Not Dependable People or Never Descent People
  • who? (15/05/2014, 10:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who can I public officers turn to for help given this grave injustice ?

  • on wards (16/05/2014, 12:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a teachable moment for the entire nation uless we rid the BVI of Mr. McCleary
  • Serpico (17/05/2014, 06:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He has constantly refused to Deport white people convicted for crimes in the Virgin Islands.
  • show (17/05/2014, 15:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. McCleary has Nothing to show for it but the memories.
  • tt (18/05/2014, 17:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is sad but we nuh have no good public figures no more to look up to nor does our youths have any role models in their lives in the BVI


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