Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Paul A. Hewlett in! Patrick O. Harrigan out!

-Ag. Director of Youth Affairs & Sports forced to take leave; could be out for over 6 months
After being appointed in January of this year as the Assistant Director of Sports in the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Paul A. Hewlett (left) will be in charge of the Department while Mr Patrick O. Harrigan is on a long vacation leave. Mr Hewlett is said to be a favourite of the controversial Education and Culture Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn. Acting Director of Youth and Sports Patrick O. Harrigan (right) is expected to proceed on leave from today March 6, 2013 after being asked by the Ministry of Education and Culture via a phone call to take leave. The officer is also to pick up his letter from the Ministry today. He has been acting in the post from 2006 and it is unknown if the officer will return to the Department after his long vacation leave. While out he will be replaced by Paul A. Hewlett aka Paul on the Ball. Photo: VINO/File
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports will be headed by Mr Paul A. Hewlett while Acting Director Mr Patrick O. Harrigan is on leave. It is not clear, however, whether Mr Harrigan will be back. Photo: VINO/File
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports will be headed by Mr Paul A. Hewlett while Acting Director Mr Patrick O. Harrigan is on leave. It is not clear, however, whether Mr Harrigan will be back. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Yet another indigenous Virgin Islander has experienced the demeaning, insulting and undignified treatment of being in today’s civil servant under a National Democratic Party (NDP) Government.

This time it’s the Acting Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Patrick O. Harrigan. It’s this news site’s understanding from its many sources inside the Administration that a meeting was hastily called yesterday March 5, 2013 by the Human Resources Manager of the Ministry of Education and Culture to announced to staff that their Acting Director Mr Harrigan will be proceeding on vacation leave effective immediately.

This was allegedly hours before Mr Harrigan received a telephone call from the Ministry of Education and Culture on the same day to advise him that he is to proceed on leave using up his many vacation days and “he must come to the Ministry to pick up his letter.”

In the meeting of yesterday, it was announced that new comer Paul A. Hewlett aka ‘Paul on the Ball’, the Assistant Director of Sports, will be in charge of the Department until further notice.

Mr Harrigan, who has racked up well over 150 vacation days, had asked from last year to go on vacation to reduce his days but was not allowed allegedly because of staffing issues. This is according to a Ministry source close to the situation.

The Government has a policy for staff to take vacation or lose them; however there are many other senior civil servants with much more days than Harrigan who have not been forced to take leave.

Will Harrgian return to his post?

During the staff meeting called by the Ministry of Education and Culture, a staff reportedly asked if Mr Harrigan will be back to which the Human Resources Manager of the Ministry reported “she don’t know”.

Last year controversy erupted when an attempt was made to send the Commissioner of Customs, Wade Smith on a long vacation leave.  He reported hearing it on the streets before he was officially advised. The government then pulled back on their actions with Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, who is the Minister for Her Majesty’s Customs, claiming that he was not aware. 

The same Ministry source told this news site that Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn is well aware of Harrigan’s vacation leave and approved Mr Hewlett to be in charge of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports until further notice.

There is also confusion over posts, as Mr Hewlett, who was appointed Assistant Director of Sports in January of this year, is in the substantive post of Mr Harrigan. However, Mr Hewlett was not given an acting appointment but an appointment and has resulted in technically having two persons in one post, according to a Ministry official.

Mr Harrigan has been acting in the Director of Youth Affairs and Sports post from 2006 and it was claimed that a recommendation was made for him to be confirmed to the post, however, the officer has never appeared before the powerful Public Service Commission.

It remains unclear whether Mr Hewlett, having now been assigned to head the Department upon the pending vacation leave of Mr Harrigan, will give up his other public committee roles. Mr Hewlett is the Public Relations Officer for the Virgin Islands Horse Owners' Association and the BVI Athletics Association. He is also a co-host of 'Sports Desk', a TV sports programme on JTV and often appears on ‘Sports Talk’ on a local am radio station.

Last week this news site accurately broke the news that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture, another indigenous Virgin Islander, Mrs Carolyn O’Neal-Morton has been forced out and is expected to retire in April 2013. She was placed on special assignment from the Ministry in 2011. 

85 Responses to “Paul A. Hewlett in! Patrick O. Harrigan out!”

  • CLAP CLAP CLAP (06/03/2013, 08:55) Like (10) Dislike (66) Reply
    They need to take him out for good. He running a muckery down there!
    • Shara Parlin (06/03/2013, 09:15) Like (6) Dislike (25) Reply
      Ha ha ha he he he bouy VINO keep out of that!!! good for Patrick he is an NDP and the snake bite he...plus dem over looked Freeman another NDP so leave them wid dem civil war boss
      • move on .com (06/03/2013, 11:26) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
        There is good and bad in all!!!! VIP use to do the same thing to civil servants.

        Pelt the first stone.
      • @ Shara Parlin (06/03/2013, 21:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Shara girl i agree with you NDP left to their own devices they have now turned on themselves......
    • BVIslander (07/03/2013, 08:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

      it will be interesting to see what happens with paul in charge and dean working in the same office. btw what is dean's job in that department? another waste of money i say! paul as i was made to understand, is no longer the PRO of the bviathletic association. dean allegedly did not want to give up the work for paul to do and so dean is doing 2 jobs in the athletic association. that is why the bvi is in a mess and why the athletic association will always be a 1 man show. ignorance!

    • Kylie (06/06/2013, 07:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      What a mess..........this is an employee relations matter that needs to get resolved "professionally" not in a public forum.
      Whatever ever external opinion is staff should be tightly performance managed with a supporting paper work trail. I do have to ask as to why this amount of annual leave was allowed to build up in the first place. Sounds like like the situation should not have been allowed to happen in the first place. What ever happened to HR confidentiality.......My advice.... Mr Hewlett stick to the day job until they get their house in order. I hope that it has a positive outcome
    • Kylie (22/06/2013, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hope that someone has a paper work trail or Patrick should put in a counter greivance. If he can evidence that he wasnt allowed to take leave due to being short staffed watch out.....its not good to be implying he is to old to do the job either.....ageism... I hate to see any government dept wasting tax payers money but you are in deep water if this guy can stack a paper trail against you. I would also sue for charactor deformation because everything is in a public forum.....stick to washing your dirty laundry at home.....not in a public forum. Whoever has stuck to HR legislation and having a paper work trail will win this battle. But beware if this chap can evidence against you as a long standing employee what ever your opinion maybe...your in a whole lot of trouble !!!!!! Does the HR manager know what they are doing ????
  • willy wonka (06/03/2013, 08:59) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Its not what you do, is how you do it. I mean hope you don't cut off ur nose to spite your face. NDP pulling pulgs left right and dead center!
  • Mr. Vigilante (06/03/2013, 09:03) Like (9) Dislike (27) Reply
    Weed um out! Patrick time is up. We need people with passion and vision for sports. Paul on the ball is a great pick. Not knocking Mr. Harrigan he tried his best, but we got to renew our self. Ndp you guys are on a role, just becareful in the mean time. Cause the Narrator said more story ah come. Vino you guys the best!
    • first part of your blog (06/03/2013, 09:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Do not insult my intellligence with your deceptive hogwash!
  • church (06/03/2013, 09:05) Like (13) Dislike (27) Reply
    In order for the LORD to "help us"...we must first do what HE has instructed!

    2nd Chronicles 7 : 14 ~ "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and WILL forgive their SIN, and WILL HEAL their LAND."

    It's NOT too Late to REPENT, and turn from our wicked ways and evil practices Minister! Peace!
  • POPE (06/03/2013, 09:11) Like (12) Dislike (76) Reply
    Myron from Antigua, Paul from Antigua, the PS from Jamaica, how can a local like Patrick survive up in that place???
    • GoonSquad (06/03/2013, 09:55) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      and you from Negativity-City! Patrick did 38 years, more than enough time to gain full retirement. The sports division has been stagnant for years. I commend him but he can only go as far as his mind will allow him. So because someone supported the present government means the government is obligated to keep them in a position no matter what? I thought this whole process was about country and not self. Its the HR department which is under the governor are the ones who send home persons, not the elected officials..and I am sure all of us knows HR does what they want because they report to the governor not the elected ministers..
      • TO: GoonSquad (06/03/2013, 10:39) Like (14) Dislike (20) Reply

        TO GoonSquad; you breathing real brimstone and fire these days with your normal NDP fart and piss.

        All the move that was made since the NDP got in, all the elected politicians had a DIRECT hand in it…and I mean ALL.

        Myron the communist dictator knew about Harrigan vacation and Paul coming in. It was the same Myron who supported Paul for the post.

        So go hush your paid blogger r@$$ as nobody studying this $h1t you keep writing full of lies and NDP propaganda on all online sites. . You are so misguided and must stop posting things on here just because they are the reality and against your party.

        You have to realise God made the rain to fall on the good and the bad days and he will bring deliverance to those now being oppress by this Government because the NDP is in power….

        • old man (06/03/2013, 11:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
        • GoonSquad (06/03/2013, 13:04) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
          WA like I step on someone toes..LOL..you have your party to defend and I have mine to defend You replied to my post so that means you reading them and it sank in your brains. Money is not everything. Think I like the rest like you who gets paid? Me misguided? You need to apply that to you and your friends who continue to lash out at the NDP government even when they are doing good. I am not saying they are the best but they better than who was there before. As far as I know these news lines are for whosoevermay want to blog. You have your views and I have mines. It was all good and well when VIP made their switches when they were in power but it's evil when NDP make their changes. Talk about one sided..
          • we the people (06/03/2013, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            to GoonSquad: Cant work dat way padner!!! right is right
            • others too (07/03/2013, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
              but the freeman lady from Torola and she got over look...Ms. Decastro from here and she got over look....muss me go on?
        • really REALLY vip and ndp (07/03/2013, 21:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          no matter what party is in we will be at war with each other and that's what they want when vip was in the people cry now ndp in u cry a new party came u block them out do u really think any party care about the people
      • @ goonSquad (06/03/2013, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
        Yawn! What SOTTISHIDY! Yawnnnnnn!!!!!!
    • cell phone (06/03/2013, 10:06) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Double edged sword, while I agree some of these waste needs to go why is it than only locals getting the shaft?
    • Supporter (21/08/2013, 10:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Paul is not from Antigua, get your facts straight OR stay out of it!!! Thanks.
  • Attentive (06/03/2013, 09:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All who are rejoicing now need to take note. They need to wonder what their fate will be. Do they expect to be treated better than Carrie or Harrie?
    • old glory (06/03/2013, 10:11) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
      VIP WILL RULE AGAIN! You NDP guys will ensure that by your INSENSITIVITY & BULLYINGS! You guys WILL lose!
      • Carter (07/03/2013, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        We will be going through this same ritual in coming years, we sure have a short memory with it comes to the VIP. Anyone wants to place a bit?
  • ... (06/03/2013, 09:22) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yeah, yeah! i heard the assistant sec in the Ministry is next to be out but ronnie will tek um
    • tell teh truth (06/03/2013, 10:10) Like (5) Dislike (17) Reply
      Look! I respect Mr. Harrigan as an 'ole' timer and all~! But you done know the Youth and sports department needed some life in it and we waz not getting in from Mr. Harrigan.
  • mAN uP (06/03/2013, 09:50) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    LOLz! I can just imagine this Myron man how he pushing around people
    He must remember he has children and business and the world spins.
    • judge (06/03/2013, 21:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      please take your political hats off and then try to analyse the situation
  • bam see (06/03/2013, 09:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Karma is a B@*#& remember what he did to Mr. Levy. Lord have mercy.
    • civil servant (06/03/2013, 10:44) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      I just begged the Lord to strike me down because I feel so disgusted by what I see and read about the civil service and how people are been treated.
    • True (06/03/2013, 17:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Isn't it though? Now Mr Levy shining despite not being appreciated in BVI.
  • ABC (06/03/2013, 09:57) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    The foreigners have taken over the country and now they are taking over the Government; what is next.
  • tretretrete (06/03/2013, 10:24) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sickening how you people turn everything into a political or religious war, the man had an excess of vacation days, many other people were forced to take theirs (if you're a civil servant, the one thing you noticed over the past year is people taking their accumulated vacation days before they lose them). Granted some positions in some departments are currently set up where the officers can’t be relieved so conveniently and that shouldn’t be but, some idiots here actually go as far as recognizing him to be an NDP affiliate and are so blinded by their hate for one party they'd go as far as to say NDP turning on their own, RATHER than noticing that the process is simply not bias towards a particular person or party (thus ndp's, vip's, pop's etc...are being sent on vacay at their respective depts earliest convenience). We should seriously consider EXILE for all virgin islanders who appear to be against our country just because they're with a certain party....its treason i tell you, they would rather we die than see progress under a government thats not their favorite!!
    • bat man (06/03/2013, 10:48) Like (4) Dislike (33) Reply
      Judgement day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Even the NDP bullies like Myron--but before that our judgement day will be the next elections
    • .... (06/03/2013, 21:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hmmm,

      You are one of the very few people on this site with common sense. The thought process of these people is simply dumbfounding...
  • Vino Reader (06/03/2013, 11:30) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    VINO can you find out what this man is suffering from? I can't believe his colleagues and friends will allow him to continue wrecking himself.His family heads' must be down. hmmmmmmmmm
  • Music (06/03/2013, 11:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has Mr Harrigan himself complained? Why has he been Acting for 6 years? Shouldnt that tell you something? There is nothing wrong with sending staff off to use up some of their long accumulated leave - a break is good for everybody. Some staff dont like to go away for fear of their job not being there when they come back, or something fishy being found, or it being realised that they were not very good at their job. I know it is common for civil servants to stack up leave in the hopes of improving its value, and the service is not good at succession planning, ie having deputies who can run the department whilst the top person is on leave. This has been the same under all governments and governors and something should be done about it. In other countries you cannot stack up leave like that.
    • south sea (06/03/2013, 12:25) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      Walwyn remember man cannot live by power alone....your day is coming
  • tretretrete (06/03/2013, 12:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    DeCas... need to go as well. She is too curry favor and only look out for her friend.

    • Puddy cat (06/03/2013, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yea that DeCas is trouble,before she go and clean up her back it full of garbage
      • ... (06/03/2013, 20:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        To the two of you who on here blogging about DeCas and don't have the balls to say the name you need to put a sock in your mouth. (A dirty one too) Seems like the two of you need to go home and clean your back yards as well as the inside of your houses and your mouths that obviously needs airing. When you have nothing but untruths to tell on people hiding behind your keyboard and monitor say nothing at all. Go get a life please.
    • The Judge (06/03/2013, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "Break the teeth in their mouth, O God; tear out, O Lord, the fangs of the lions!" Romans 12:19
  • tretretrete (06/03/2013, 13:26) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    It has been a common practice for persons to stack up their leave, however you are given the option of using it or losing it. Mr. Harrigan wasn't given that option, he was just put on leave. Didn't anyone even consider that Mr. Harrigan would have prefered to loose some days rather than stay at home. If he was to have a vacation did he make any arrangements for it? Who gives a DAM not the minister for sure. If he did Mr. Harrigan would have been called in and the discusion would have taken place.

    This government is too DAM insensitive that is their problem. Mr. Harrigan was the holder of the position Paul was confirmed to so how could he be put in that position and not act. People wake up and smell the coffee, these double standards has got to stop. Myron remember what goes around comes around. Myron remember you have a wife, a woman and children. God don't like ugly.
    • Linky (06/03/2013, 13:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr Harrigan has a mouth. Doe he have a problem? That's the big question nobody cares about.
  • Puddy cat (06/03/2013, 14:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hummm what you say a wife, woman and children I thought it was something else..............keeping writing I'm enjoying the writing
    • open wide (06/03/2013, 15:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Remove the words honourable when addressing some of thoes ministers. Some of them in politics, has not been honourable, since the 2011 elections.Those words are a mockery to many B V Isladers.
  • ccc (06/03/2013, 14:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    Where is Inezzz in all this? Hiding behind the NDP and doing dem dirty work

  • Sigh (06/03/2013, 16:27) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    ITS NOY ONLY MYRON ALONE WITH CHIDREN WIFE AND WOMAN. NINTY FIVE PERCENT IN THE OF THEM IN THE HOUSE OF REPERSENTIVE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT.LORD HELP US ALL.THEY COULD TALK ABOUT FAMILY THE LAST ELECTION BECAUCE THET DIDNT HAVE ONE WHAT A SHAME.
    • bay yute (06/03/2013, 20:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I suppose the NDP Politicians would not be going to civil servants to get votes next elections.....
      • tell the truth (07/03/2013, 23:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        terrible timing...whenever an NDP government is in they give tis fool the shrift...last time 2003-2007 they put Robert over he….when they lost he had Fahie to kill but at least them had he acting…

        Now NDP back the fool got the kick in the rear yet again this time with Paul...boy come out from among them
  • son of the soil (06/03/2013, 19:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I dont like how these island man infiltrated our political arena and now replacing our locals with expats
  • vip (06/03/2013, 19:57) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    All patrick has to do is get with his family and vote them out...vote vip all the way
  • Locals Gone (06/03/2013, 20:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    This guy Walwyn full speed like he want a medal for the minister who let go the most. Hmmmm time will tell for him!!
  • BYE BYE (06/03/2013, 21:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ..sorry folks like we gone to de dogs !!!!!!
  • insider (07/03/2013, 05:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look partrick myron do not want you deman get the message!
  • farmer brown (07/03/2013, 06:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    One of the problems is that we never get to hear the actual "candid and robust discussions" about how to get a government that truly respects the people of the BVI.
  • Supporter (07/03/2013, 07:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP..please be careful. It not what u do but how u do it. U r killing u cause. god help my Government.
  • wise-up (07/03/2013, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    when the "street fighting" begins; i will be moving to Alaska
  • school child (07/03/2013, 08:28) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am sick and fed up of this kind of treatment of locals and I am sure I am not alone
  • fly on wall (07/03/2013, 10:13) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Late arrivals at the office, absenteeism, non-functionality, procrastination, frequent sickness are only some of the attributes of P.H. While I do not agree with replacing him with a non-BVIslander, I believe it is in P.H. and the Government's best interest for him to retire and enjoy the rest of his years.
    • . (07/03/2013, 12:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      fly on wall: HR best practices dictate, and many Labour Departments enforce, a program of progressive discipline and performance evaluations to enhance performance and manage shortfalls in job performance. Say what you like, most of these ministers have been educated and have travelled. Are we really to believe they know nothing about performance evaluation and progressive discipline? Labour should not allow termination without documented progressive discipline (written, explicit warnings).
  • passion (07/03/2013, 14:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor civil servants
    • next elections (09/03/2013, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      As sure as there is a God above, Mr. Myron day is drawing near!....and nearer each passing day............please hurry Lord Jesus
  • plane crash (07/03/2013, 14:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The way some of you love VIP & NDP, nothing will ever improve
  • eat cake (07/03/2013, 15:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well we can’t say this one tis pure politics....all the civil servants involved are NDP supporters- Patrick, Alverlinder, Paul on the ball and of course Myron so let them eat each other alive.
  • delight (08/03/2013, 10:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I cannot believe I am doing this, but I am with the minister on this one
    • Village Girl (08/03/2013, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      "DELIGHT" you idot siding myron wid he gutter behaviour!!!!
    • evil (10/03/2013, 21:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      delight; sounds like you to stupid to know what foolishness myron has done to teh country since the last election
  • Queen Mary (08/03/2013, 20:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sad, shameless, and cruel.

    walwyn need their head examined
  • from here (09/03/2013, 02:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    im glad from mr.harrigan.
    nuff said.
  • drop (09/03/2013, 07:04) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a spinless bunch the other members of the NDP are. I cannot believe that not one of them has the integrity to call Myron out and put a stop to this absolute lack of good governance!!
  • over night (09/03/2013, 19:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am not surprised what they did to Harrigan ... the level of incomptence and ignorance encountered by the NDP and that edication Minister is mind blowing.....



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.