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John I. Cline accuses local media of ‘corrupting things’

- said the local media is not always genuine in its reporting
September 6th, 2016 | Tags: local media John I. Cline corrupt BVIHSA locals
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BVI Health Services Authority, Bishop John I. Cline has accused the local media of not always being genuine. Photo: VINO
Members of the media and other officials of the BVI Health Services Authority at the press conference yesterday, September 5, 2016. Photo: VINO
Members of the media and other officials of the BVI Health Services Authority at the press conference yesterday, September 5, 2016. Photo: VINO
The press conference on September 5, 2016 was called to announce the new CEO for the BVIHSA. Photo: Facebook/File
The press conference on September 5, 2016 was called to announce the new CEO for the BVIHSA. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Chairman of the Board of Directors for the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John I. Cline has lashed out at the media, accusing them of “corrupting things.”

This he did at yesterday’s, September 5, 2016 press conference which was called to inform the media as to who will be the new Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA.

That person has been announced as Trinidadian Mrs Paula G. Chester-Cumberbatch.

Several reporters indicated they were surprised at not seeing Mrs Cumberbatch at the press conference, however, Bishop Cline said BVIHSA thought it fit to call the meeting to make the official announcement since the media was constantly bombarding him with calls over the issue.

“You all have been harassing me for a name,” he said, “So once I got the approval from cabinet then there is no need now to wait.”

Bishop Cline was then asked if it was the media that caused him to make the announcement. “When you allow the media to lead with stories, they lead how they want and they put out all kinds of stuff, like you know, they just corrupt the whole thing. So we want to be the one to lead the story and tell our story so that you can tell the truth to the public because all the time you are not genuine to the process.”

His comments attracted applause from the few non-media persons who were present at the time.

Of some twenty-two applicants it was revealed that approximately 4 were locals and topping the list was Dr Ronald E. Georges who previously acted as BVIHSA CEO for some time.

Locals shut out?

Forever, government and their arms have been getting a serious mouth whipping for allegedly not employing locals in certain leading positions. With the appointment of the Trinidadian to the CEO position at the BVIHSA, that discussion has taken centre stage again.

Recently, respected talk show host and retired civil servant Mr Doug Wheatley said all locals need is an opportunity.

Speaking on his weekly programme the 3D Show on ZBVI 780 AM on September 2, 2016, Mr Wheatley said just like Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, fresh on his return to the territory from his studies to become a General Surgeon, was afforded a chance to prove himself, others likewise should be given the same opportunity.

His remarks stemmed from the Premier’s recent comments that local talents are “unavailable”, when questioned on the reasons why United Kingdom nationals seem to be sweeping top jobs in the Virgin Islands.

Recently, Governor John S. Duncan OBE, who also has responsibility for the Civil Service, said far too often it is found that no “BV Islander has applied for these senior posts, when we know that local people with talent and the right qualifications exist.”

Currently, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is headed by UK national Michael Matthews, Her Majesty's Prison by UK national David Foot, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by UK national Kim Hollis QC and now a Trinidadian has been given the CEO position for the BVIHSA.

28 Responses to “John I. Cline accuses local media of ‘corrupting things’”

  • welsah! (06/09/2016, 10:35) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cline, you too, want to BLAME the media for y'll constant political shenanigans. Jesus Wept! And still weeping...
  • Xxx (06/09/2016, 11:18) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why he hating on the media?
  • Entitlement (06/09/2016, 11:33) Like (36) Dislike (2) Reply
    Them so fussy over qualifications, yet what qualifications he has for his appointment. Some have lived well off the entitlement mentality here in BVI and them self are the ones bickering over "qualified" others getting anything at all.
  • Irony (06/09/2016, 12:24) Like (40) Dislike (2) Reply
    I find it ironic that the same people who continuously cry 'buy local' are the first to outsource local jobs. I'm not against foreigners having jobs in the BVI but what ever happened to 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours?' Whatever happened to looking out for one's own? Only in the BVI can locals constantly be overlooked for foreigners. If the situation was reversed and Mrs. Chester-Cumberbatch was a BVIslander, I highly doubt she'd be getting a Trinidadian job, especially with her record. I also want to point out that a few months ago a woman died at Peebles and that situation is still being investigated but here we have a new CEO fired for not issuing suspensions when a life was lost at her old hospital. What do you think she'll do here? If the reputation of the hospital is what we're trying to build then why would she of all people be hired? Do you think her own reputation would enhance or depreciate our hospital's reputation?

    The last thing I want to say is these politicians and leaders keep spitting in the faces of the people of the BVI. There is a right way and wrong way to do things and our leaders keep forgetting that they too have children and grandchildren who have to live here too. Life has a strange way of being cyclic and even if you can get away with your deeds, one day the piper will have to be paid. These politicians need to stop and think. Right now they may be thinking that they're importing these people because they can manipulate them and do to them what they want while locals won't take that crap lying down but these same foreigners might become the majority one day and when they're in charge, those esteemed last name won't mean anything and those esteemed children and grandchildren might very well recieve the same kicks we're getting now. Remember the Golden Rule.
    • whatever (06/09/2016, 15:25) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
      And when locals get anything you all cry politics or favoritism. We are our own worst enemy so please stop pretending to give a shit.
      • Really!!!!!! (07/09/2016, 13:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        @Whatever, you don't know what you are talking about. If that is the case, then you don't give a S''' either.

  • 2cents (06/09/2016, 13:06) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    My locals that are qualified to fill many of these post please don't let not getting appointments harden your hearts as we all know the amount of underhandedness and wrong doing going on so when the lord has clean the landscape for you all to shine time will tell. Them who they are bringing in will have to pack up and leave with heads hanging with shame when dirty laundry is aired.
    • Exactly (07/09/2016, 13:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is the reason why I encourage the young people with Degrees to try and get away from this place and seek employment in the US. They will stand a better chance. Companies in the US love fresh blood. They welcome young blood because the younger bloods brings good ideas and help the Company to move in a better direction. Every time you turn around, they are giving the positions to a outsider. You have to look out for your own first. Cline, you should have nothing to say because you are sitting pretty.
  • My Heart hurt and bleed for Nurses. (06/09/2016, 13:43) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    Clyne and his Cronies including the CEO. Done nothing substantial for nurses and Doctors. They leave no Legacy.. Tell me why should a foreign nurse be serving us and still getting immigration time after ten yrs. OMG. Where is the heart, where is the love, where it is the conscience? A nurse after serving for 6 yrs should be given resident status automatically, these are the representation nurses are not getting... From day one a foreign police becomes a resident, there jobs are not much more dangerous than nurses, they are expose to criminal and violence. Nurses are expose to sick people and diseases..
    • son of the soil (06/09/2016, 15:38) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
      Be grateful for the job and you're being paid. We don't owe you anything.
  • church (06/09/2016, 14:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why he mad?
  • THE ACCOUNTANT (06/09/2016, 15:25) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am beginning to wonder, does this man and the Governor have something in common? They must be hiding something from us.
  • what a mess (06/09/2016, 19:05) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    The governor, the premiere, and John Cline also are not capable for the positions that they hold. Locals have been. Holding their own for years. Now things are good all of a sudden they are not qualified to hold such post? They need to give up their post so someone else who is qualified can take it up
  • the truch (06/09/2016, 19:06) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    the fact is no company has to higher locals unless the government forces them to and the government will not do that. The only advise is get educated and try to compete on the world market because the BVI gov looking out for them and those ..... not me and you
  • God don't sleep (06/09/2016, 20:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is he who know the beginning and the end the man have a plan. What is it? The answer is succession planning next Health CEO will be a local. It took years for the board to learn succession planning. What a mess! Doctor G next round you Will sit in that position.
  • old (06/09/2016, 20:38) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I have to say John I cline you need to leave the media alone and pray for them. That your job Or You more corrupting. Than them mine your mouth
    • Keep it Real.. (07/09/2016, 06:25) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      I will name two locals who are very qualified for that Position.. Helen Frett and Gracia Wheatley, I'm sure almost everyone has someone they can add to that qualification list. Then again locals cannot be pushed around and bossed around they will tell Cline their minds, Most employers are trying to avoid that so it's a better deal to hire an outsider, who will be more co-operative and advance their agenda, good or bad. Like or dislike.
      • Yes, yes and yes 100% (07/09/2016, 13:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Keep it real.., the two above mentioned ladies are very much qualified to fill that position. I would not take the B:;;:;it from the dictators anyway. I would just sit back and watch the rope unravel. One day the dictators is going to need the service of the people they kick to the side.
  • Bohannon (06/09/2016, 21:35) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Recently, Governor John S. Duncan OBE, who also has responsibility for the Civil Service, said far too often it is found that no “BV Islander has applied for these senior posts, when we know that local people with talent and the right qualifications exist.”

    So is what happening to guy hill being done out of spite and hatred? Hmm.
  • Protocol (06/09/2016, 22:27) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    All Chairs of Boards should each be given a crash course on the protocol for handling HR matters before they commence their term of office.
  • Charley Rose (07/09/2016, 05:49) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI Health Service is in need of a revamping. The head of the department needs to be replaced and the government must be honest and inform the country of what is taking place. Too much secret in the government. Thanks to VINO for informing us.
  • Dear Mr. Minister. (07/09/2016, 06:21) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I've been an Advocate for the past 5 to 6 yrs for the health services to be returned back to the ministry control. Appoint a health Czar to the ministry with responsiblity for all health services including the Hospital, who reports to the Minister through the PS. I think we will be more efficient, more accountable and much more economical. For example the New hired CEO Make her the health Czar attached to the Ministry and done away with the board. These boards are not effective and they are very costly....
  • yes (07/09/2016, 09:01) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    B.V.I Landers just like to talk, talk, talk and no action, stand up for your rights stop have the government bringing in people who cant even give them a vote.
  • resident (07/09/2016, 11:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will she be worshipping at New Life? Hope there is someone in place to understudy her.
  • next (07/09/2016, 12:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next premier coming from the uk and next ceo for hospital coming from the uk
  • Citizen (08/09/2016, 04:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    He is saying the media is corrupting things but from hi statements he is...... Only in BVI he can have that position.If qualification is the key and not friendship he can only be there in this territory nowhere else.

  • ???? (08/09/2016, 15:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come after vetting 22 applications all of a sudden 2 of the final 3 applicants were not under qualified or at least the suggestion made that they were. Are we suggesting that the process to select the new CEO was flawed or rigged against local from the start. School children say thing to talk....


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