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Retract your false stories immediately- Rhodni Skelton to ZBVI

- ZBVI News not retracting report
Public Relations Officer of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs (VIF&F) Committee Rhodni Skelton is refuting media reports that he has resigned. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Public Relations Officer of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs (VIF&F) Committee Rhodni Skelton is refuting media reports that he has resigned in keeping with his promise if Chairman of the VIF&F Marvin Blyden did not retract portions of his statement about him in the 2012 report laid in the House of Assembly on November 15, 2012.

The media house in particular is local radio station ZBVI, which reported on December 3, 2012 that Mr Skelton had resigned as P.R.O.

Mr Skelton, however, told Virgin Islands News Online that he has not done any such thing and has asked for a retraction.

“I will make one blanket statement here! I have not submitted any resignation from the Festival committee. I haven't even met with the Minister or the Chairman on the issues. Please retract your false stories immediately,” Mr Skelton stated in an email to Virgin Islands News Online.

Virgin Islands News Online also spoke to ZBVI reporter Zan Lewis, who said he had reported information conveyed personally to him by Mr Skelton at the weekend.

“He told me that on the weekend...He told me so at Scrub Island and on Sunday...I told him I was going to run with the story even though he said the Minister was not informed.”

Mr Lewis also said there was going to be no retraction from ZBVI News. “I am not retracting anything. It was in the news this morning and this midday and Mr Skelton could have contacted me if he had a problem. I tried calling him four times and he did not answer. We do not report wrong information.”

Despite a threat my Mr Skelton to resign if Mr Blyden did not retract portions of what was stated about him in a report laid in the House of Assembly recently, Blyden stated he was standing by his report.

Mr Skelton when previously contacted for a comment he said he was going to address the issue in "due course".

One of the areas highlighted as a major issue for the 2012 Festival in its report laid in the HOA on November 15, 2012 by Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn was in the area of marketing.  The Public Relations Officer was Rhodni Skelton, who is also the son of Minister for Health and Social Development Ronnie W. Skelton.

In the report, the committee blasted the public relations officer and listed his role as a major challenge and disappointment. The report stated that, “the marketing for Festival 2012 was disappointing. The Public Relations Officer was not always available to discuss matters and at time when things were brought to his attention little or nothing was done.”

Mr Skelton, in a press statement, said he was extremely disappointed, angry, shocked and blindsided by the recent media editorials, quoting the VI F&FC report as stating that he was "not always available to discuss matters and did little or nothing at times when things were brought to his attention."

The PRO had also stated he had since privately spoken to the Chairman and expressed his disappointment and has asked him to "right this wrong". He had also said he was now publicly calling on his Chairman to either stand behind his report or adjust it. 

"If, however, the Chairman sees it fit to adjust his report with regards to my performance, and make a public statement to this effect, then I will gladly and proudly continue to serve as PRO of the Festival & Fairs Committee until the end of my appointment," Mr Skelton had stated.

Mr Blyden, however, has said he will stand by his report neither will he be pressured into tendering his resignation as Chairman. He noted that the report could not be changed as it was already a public document.

29 Responses to “Retract your false stories immediately- Rhodni Skelton to ZBVI”

  • tom cat (03/12/2012, 14:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i guess dem will have to pay he to retract...he he
    • x ray (03/12/2012, 20:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      A broken vessel out of the backwards ages both Rhodni and Zan need to have their head examined
      • fight (04/12/2012, 06:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        He must be a joker why does he not sue zan and zbvi for false reporting?
  • Really??!! (03/12/2012, 14:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of acting like a baby Rhodni, why don't you tell us what you did in terms of your performance as PRO. From your comments, it seem like you ain't do a damn thing for true and you just like to run your mouth. If I know I doing my job, I wouldn't be afraid to speak up!!!
    • lame duck (03/12/2012, 20:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Zan and he sensationalized reporting will chew him out and spit him out so Skelton be careful…give him some $$$$ and he will retract
  • ratbat (03/12/2012, 15:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Action packed when lip service a chat
  • Buh-Deh (03/12/2012, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whether he was inebriated or just chiding the media, he made himself fair game when he opened his mouth. Come on your a PRO...you should know to use the statement "no comment" better than most people.
  • same old (03/12/2012, 17:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what a big joke both sketon and zan one in the same!
  • look!!! (03/12/2012, 19:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    This man needs to just get a real job where he can function. Obviously he was not functioning on the Festival and Fairs committee and he is very dysfunctional at the Tourist Board. At least he will have some real time on his hands to do something doable with his life because you can't find this man when things need to get done in the both entities where he works. So stop making this news which is no news but just trying to make him feel important when he is NOT.

    • Hater (03/12/2012, 20:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      My name is what you are..hater! Everybody who has to do with the TB knows that Rodney is the person you go to to get things done. He also did his job very well on our festival committee. So hya and stop hating the guy.
    • for truth (04/12/2012, 01:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      How do you know? You work with him at TB and also on Festival? He is probably the only person who name aint get call with the nonsense at TB over the years. And he does good with the Film thing. So what your point.
  • zip it (03/12/2012, 20:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well look bacchanal!!!
  • LB (03/12/2012, 20:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Really - Read his staterment and you will seewhat all he did!

    But if Zan call him 4 times and he not answer, how can he run such a story. I would think Rodney would need to confirm if he resign or not. The fact that he did not hear from Skelly, means he did not confirm his story. This is just like Zan. That's why Ralph don't answer him at all!
  • Ironic (03/12/2012, 21:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    From what i have heard this guy seems to be a big joke in government. He is a privilege brat that doesn't do any work in any position that he holds. Hope they all stop acting like kids.
    • really (04/12/2012, 00:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Nonsense. Just ppl who are full of envy and don't know this dude. He is not like the rest Skelton. Actually grow up in Rock or Cruce or something. So he not spoiled or anything. Really down to earth guy. Not because they sit behind a desk in a office means they are doing any more work than Rodny who I think works in the field. You all just need to stop trying to bring down the young man and get out of your little stereotyping box. The guy does excellent work wherever he goes. I knew him from Trade Dept and he made a big difference there. Since he left it hasn't been the same. Oh and also from Citco. Real straight foroward guy.
      • Ironic (04/12/2012, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I agree many people do say thing out of Envy but there seems to be a stigma about him being lazy, either way you could right i wont take that away from him but the mare fact that there is this social back and forth seems extremely unprofessional and in essence contradicts your assessment that they/him are very straight forward because they cant even seem to agree on what they said....a real shame for such professional individuals.
  • liar (04/12/2012, 00:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But he don't work government dodo head! Tourism isn't government. Check your facts there and if you got that wrong then maybe your story on Skelly wrong too.
  • poltrics (04/12/2012, 07:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is turning into another comedy.....
  • king (04/12/2012, 07:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here we go again...two another circus clowns to make matters more volatile than it is already on the festival committee report.....I mean.....REALLY ZAN and ROHODIE??
  • Janet Williams (04/12/2012, 07:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I can't stand that ugly due from st vincent zan!
  • tent city (04/12/2012, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If zan & rhodni eh mad...dem eh far.
  • ccc (04/12/2012, 09:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shame on Zan, he is looking for Fame.
  • ........... (04/12/2012, 09:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    But I thought he said he was going to resign if MB didn't retract some of what he said, and MB didn't, so technically you have resigned......lol. I think "retract" is this dude's favorite word. I also think that he's just looking attention. Why don't you just resign like you promised to and Zan will be right....HA
    • what (05/12/2012, 02:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      He have a right to resign or even change he mind if he want to! And to do it in he own time!
  • radio 1 (04/12/2012, 14:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    two big children who are begging for attention.
  • devil (04/12/2012, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lay the table VINO....It is going to be chow time soon
  • vvvvvvvv (07/12/2012, 17:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This shows the importance of getting things RIGHT the first time


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