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Hunt is on for new Complaints Commissioner!

-Three candidates have made the final list; Former PS Shelia N. Brathwaite, Sister Islands Coordinator Vincent O. Wheatley & former Ag PS Arlene Smith-Thompson
Three candidates have made the final list for Complaints Commissioner of the Virgin Islands; former Ag PS Arlene Smith-Thompson, Sister Islands Coordinator Vincent O. Wheatley and former PS Shelia N. Brathwaite. Photo: VINO/File
Elton Georges, CMG, OBE, a long time former Deputy Governor, is the first and only person to hold the post of Complaints Commissioner of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Elton Georges, CMG, OBE, a long time former Deputy Governor, is the first and only person to hold the post of Complaints Commissioner of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The search is on for a new Complaints Commissioner, one of a handful of constitutional posts in the civil service under the Complaints Commissioner Act, No 6. 2003.

Word reaching our news room from sources within the National Democratic Party (NDP) regime is that out of almost 11 applications, including a few from overseas, three persons have been afforded interviews.

The three on the final list who were interviewed are former now retired Permanent Secretary and Chairwoman of the National Parks Trust Board Mrs Shelia N. Brathwaite, current Sister Islands Coordinator and former school teacher Vincent O. Wheatley as well as former Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works and who now works as a senior officer in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs Arlene Smith-Thompson.

According to the same sources, a high-powered interview team was assembled to conduct the interviews. Those included Deputy Governor V. Inez Archibald, local Attorney Gerard St. C. Farara QC, and Chief Executive Officer/ Managing Director of the BVI Financial Services Commission Dr. Robert A. Mathavious.

It remains unclear who was recommended for the post, however, this news site will bring you in the know as soon as that information is received.

Office of the Complaints Commissioner

It was in 2009 that the Virgin Islands had its first Complaints Commissioner (CC) where persons were able to lodge complaints against Government departments and other statutory bodies.

Elton Georges, CMG, OBE, a long time former Deputy Governor, is the first and only person to hold the post.

Mr Georges, at a ceremony to announce his appointment a few years ago, told reporters that his vision for the office was to aim towards improving the overall quality of the public administration, management and service, "As officials become more aware of investigations and reports that flow from those recommendations they become more aware of the standards they should strive to achieve when serving the public,” the new CC had said.

The key roles of the Complains Commissioner include: to consider complaints relating to matter of mal-administration by a department of Government and or public authorities by conducting independent and impartial investigations; to report on the complaints considered, including a summary of how they have been resolved, the Commissioner's findings and the recommendations made; to appoint mediators where necessary to help resolve disputes and to promote public awareness of the role of the Complaints Commissioner.

The CC role is also to encourage all public officers and authorities to respond constructively to complaints made directly to them.

The post has been advertised and readvertised and it is believed that Mr Georges has been anxious to retire.

The Complaints Commissioner is a government post in the salary grade of 19 with a range of $102, 233-$107, 071.

31 Responses to “Hunt is on for new Complaints Commissioner!”

  • ... (14/01/2015, 11:18) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    well saw ting to talk people retired an want to come back
    • Online Now (14/01/2015, 15:49) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
      No retired folks.
      No foreigners.
      No VIP.
      No NDP.
      No whites.
      No Island people.
      Not him.
      Not her.

      Which way do you turn now?
      • @ Online Now (15/01/2015, 08:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Sorry and your point is?
        • Online Now (15/01/2015, 11:52) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
          My point is anytime someone is chosen there are dissenting voices. Look at the blogs! We have become a Territory of complainers/whingers!
      • Ha! (15/01/2015, 09:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        You're right. We can go by the animal shelter and hire a few horses, dogs and parrots. That should make them happy..
  • Forget She... (14/01/2015, 11:18) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply

    The woman is not partial

  • SV (14/01/2015, 12:05) Like (21) Dislike (15) Reply
    Arlene is the best candidate for that post
    • top class (14/01/2015, 13:17) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
      no sah vincent is the best candidate sit back and relax you see he get that seat.
    • @@@@@ (14/01/2015, 13:52) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
      tis between Vincent and Shelia
      • yellow (14/01/2015, 14:22) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
        The Job is Vincent own for the taking but then again with NDP it will be a load of potriclsk
  • ABC (14/01/2015, 12:38) Like (31) Dislike (11) Reply
    None of them can fill Elton shoes
  • who will it be? (14/01/2015, 12:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some districts we have a little saying that goes like this. Mek it Pan out which means leave it alone, it will work itself out.
  • watching (14/01/2015, 13:13) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply

    A.... does not like people

  • Hmmmmm (14/01/2015, 13:15) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply

    A..... would be the worst person to have there

  • nbc (14/01/2015, 14:07) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Appointing either of the ladies or that fellow would be no different to appointing that lady as Attorney General. Back to the drawing board please. The NDP would like to silence Georges but in this case he is the lesser of two evils.
    • lmao (14/01/2015, 15:03) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply

      You do realize that Georges is retiring from the job and not being forced out right? The man has said clearly that he wants to leave but will hold on until they find a replacement. Not sure what silencing you are talking about? Even when the Complaints Commissioner does his job it's a problem. 

      • nbc (15/01/2015, 19:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If I know Georges he would have no difficulty in accepting a request to hold on for another six mths and he would have good reasons for delaying his departure. Is the Accountant General still around? Is the Education Department still in existence? And you have the gall to ask "what silencing you are talking about?"
  • overqualified (14/01/2015, 15:01) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    Vincent will be best. Point blank.
  • dog (14/01/2015, 15:29) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    the much needed position won't work unless elected officials respect the position.
  • ..... (14/01/2015, 16:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    that woman think she better than people

  • Inside Edition (14/01/2015, 16:19) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
    Vincent is the best candidate
  • born here (14/01/2015, 17:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets see if ndp hires a local
  • bow tie girl (14/01/2015, 19:01) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    The pay does not look bad...who do I have to sleep with to get this job?
  • the realest (14/01/2015, 19:07) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    vincent was my teacher in high school and he is a very fair person, but the problem is that the people of the Bvi are not the ones making the decisions, the one that are making the choice may want someone on there side so that they can get away with anything
  • wize up (14/01/2015, 21:09) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    wheatley i am giving you the job
  • zac (15/01/2015, 08:07) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The post should be abolished if they are looking for savings
  • LAW (15/01/2015, 11:48) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
    Which one of them have the back ground and knowledge of the Law to fully handle this job.
    All of them are "yes sir" kind of people, and that's what the government looking for.


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