Talk Show host and social commentator Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru suggested that politically motivated appointments created a distorted image of the VI. Photo: VINO/File

In the article published on this news site on June 21, 2013 Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of creating a new political culture of rewards to people who had run and lost the election, “so it pays to lose an election and be a part of the NDP inner circle…you can still get a nice consultancy or a government job despite your qualifications,” he told the news site. Photo: VINO/File

While noting that he liked Claude Skelton-Cline and stating that he brings a lot to the table, Wheatley stated that his preference would have been to see Skelton-Cline in a role more in keeping with his Theological qualifications. Photo: Supplied

Natalio Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru said there appeared to be a caricature or distorted image of Virgin Islanders as persons who were not qualified or suited for a job while still wanting the very job. He made the comments on the Umoja radio show aired June 27, 2013.

“[There is] that caricature, that distorted image that has been created in the community that BVIslanders are people who slack off and they don’t bring the level of competence to a job that is required,” he said.

Wheatley said the image that has been created in the minds of some persons is untruthful, but many times locals don’t get the positions or were actually working outside of their area of expertise and therefore may not perform as well as they need to.

He added, “I think one of the main reasons we have Virgin Islanders seeming not to perform [in their jobs to the point where this image is being created in the minds of some people in the community that VIslanders are not performing in their jobs… is politics.”

Though he didn’t get into specifics, the commentator said he felt politics really interfered with the placement of qualified locals getting jobs that they should.

He mentioned the case of the reported pending retirement of Immigration boss, Dennis Jennings as an example and said he was hopeful that his successor would be Jennings’ deputy, Guy Hill.

“I think we have a lot of competent and qualified Virgin Islanders, but political affiliation [leads to the] person that gets the job,” Wheatley expressed. He noted that there were numerous, saddening examples of this and cited the recent Director of Ports appointment of Claude Skelton-Cline as one instance.

“I would have really liked to see the former Deputy Director at the port, Gene Creque, become the Director,” he said.

“Because of politics,” he added, “I think that’s pretty clear, my friend Claude Cline got that job.”

While noting that he liked Skelton-Cline and stating that he brings a lot to the table, Wheatley stated that his preference would have been to see Skelton-Cline in a role more in keeping with his Theological qualifications.

He suggested that Cline should have been given a position in counselling or social development instead, adding that this may have been more ideal for him.

NDP creating political culture of rewards

In the article published on this news site on June 21, 2013 Leader of the Opposition Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal accused the National Democratic Party (NDP) of creating a new political culture of rewards to people who had run and lost the election, “so it pays to lose an election and be a part of the NDP inner circle…you can still get a nice consultancy or a government job despite your qualifications,” he told the news site.

In responding to the Leader of the Opposition’s comments concerning Mr Claude Skelton-Cline and Mr Kevin C. Smith, Premier Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith stated that “professionals with abilities to render assistance to this Territory must not be shut out because of their political affiliations or the fact that they ran and lost in general elections.”

The statement went on to say that “they are Virgin Islanders and deserve to be treated rightly where they merit assumption of office within or outside the public service. Both Skelton-Cline and Smith are professionals with requisite qualifications to serve this Territory.”

However, Hon. O’Neal threw cold water on that portion of the statement. The longest serving member of Parliament in the Virgin Islands said; “I understand that Claude Skelton-Cline is a minister of the gospel and I have never heard or read anywhere that he has a background or expertise in seaports management.”

As for Kevin C. Smith, the former Postmaster General now turned small business, trade and consumer affairs specialist, Hon. O’Neal said, “I do not know much about him, but we will have to wait and see what he can do.”