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Talk show hosts slam Premier Smith for hitting back @ Hon Turnbull

- said Hon Turnbull has a right to defend his district
Talk shows hosts Richard C. de Castro, left, and Claude O. Skelton-Cline, right, are not impressed that Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), centre, found it necessary to hit back at his own National Democratic Party (NDP) Backbencher Hon Melvin M. Turnbull over his criticism of Government's lack of cleanup assistance in Cane Garden Bay. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show hosts Edmund G. Maduro, left, and Donald E. de Castro, right, also believe Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, centre, had a right to speak up for his district. Photo: VINO/File
Talk show hosts Edmund G. Maduro, left, and Donald E. de Castro, right, also believe Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, centre, had a right to speak up for his district. Photo: VINO/File
Cane Garden Bay, one of the main stop for tourists to the Virgin Islands, was among the hardest hit by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 but seems to have been getting the least attention by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. Photo: VINO/File
Cane Garden Bay, one of the main stop for tourists to the Virgin Islands, was among the hardest hit by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 but seems to have been getting the least attention by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) has once again come in for public chastising on his published rebuttal to his own National Democratic Party (NDP) Backbencher and Second District Representative, Hon Melvin M. Turnbull.

This time it was from talk show host Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline and his guests, all talk show hosts, Mr Donald E. de Castro, Mr Richard C. de Castro and Mr Edmund G. Maduro, on the show Honestly Speaking, aired Tuesday December 12, 2017 on ZBVI 780 AM.

When Premier Smith took the time “to clear up the misrepresentation of events in support of our clean-up and recovery efforts” in a Government Information Services (GIS) press release, issued December 11, 2017, it was an act that Mr Skelton-Cline called an “almost attempt to shoot your own soldier.”

The four men were at the time discussing the present situation in the Second District, primarily Cane Garden Bay. It was on December 6, 2017 that the Second District Representative, Hon Turnbull, publicly stated that government was not doing enough to help the restoration process in his district. “No one has come to Cane Garden Bay to help with clean-up from a governmental standpoint,” Hon Turnbull had said.

‘He has a right’

The men concurred that “he [Hon Turnbull] has a right to assert his stewardship in defending and seeing about the well-being" of his constituents who sent him there to represent them.

Mr Skelton-Cline continued by saying, “he has a right on our behalf to speak loudly and clearly that this is wrong, because while you are there funding Brandywine [Bay] and funding what’s happening at Long Bay with the same tourism product, when Cane Garden Bay in particular and the whole Second District from Jost van Dyke to Brewers Bay is the hub for the cruise and overnight [tourists], and the most destroyed, and you have not extended any real meaningful help.”

“If you look at Cane Garden Bay, the whole businesses cannot function, and with the businesses non-functional they are not paying taxes,” said Mr de Castro (Richard).

The Second District Depresentative has said in the past, “I will not allow for the businesses in Cane Garden Bay to set up tents to serve any of our tourists. We have a standard that we have to uphold in this territory of the Virgin Islands.” Most of the main businesses in Cane Garden Bay remain closed.

Also closed is the Cane Garden Bay beach, the main tourist attraction in the district. In a GIS press release dated December 7, one day after Mr Turnbull ridiculed the government for accepting cruise ships and not assisting CBG businesses to be ready for the tourist season, it is stated that the “beach is closed for recreational use until further notice due to poor water quality.”

The release continued to explain that the swimming water was contaminated with a high bacterial content that could have resulted from the run off of heavy rainfall recently and the non-functioning sewage treatment plant in the area.

Mr Skelton Cline was quick to note that none of the communities in district two have received electricity.

2nd District still without power

“The pumps that are supposed to pump the effluent are non-functional because they don’t have electricity and all that stuff is going to the beach,” Mr de Castro (Richard) added.

The GIS release also stated that “the water quality at Smuggler’s Cove and Long Bay, Beef Island beaches are of excellent quality.”

24 Responses to “Talk show hosts slam Premier Smith for hitting back @ Hon Turnbull”

  • vip (13/12/2017, 09:26) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mitch needed to do like Andrew and just work with the community and clean up. Firstly, the 2nd District isnt cane carden alone and with all the businesses down there why aren't they further along with recovering? Everything doesn't have to be Government. The premier had a right to respond to the nonsense as he is the leader of the ruling party and Premier. There is a big difference between man and boy and we will see very soon.
  • one eye (13/12/2017, 09:31) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mr. ZZZZZZZ wake up, but to late shall be there cry
  • Socrates (13/12/2017, 09:47) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Dr. Hon D. O. Smith Premier, why? Why r u in verbal public debate with the Hon Turnbull? Should have just let action(s) speak for you. Is Hon Turnbull still in the NDP caucus? If so is he having a conversation with caucus and is anyone taking him seriously? Did he have to go public to attention and service for his district? In any event, Doc has to exude confidence, earn and command respect, lead strongly from the front and carry a large “wupping” stick-use it. Doc needs to focus on public health and safety, meeting basic needs, borrow money to revitalize the economy, rebuilt schools, maintain & reconstruct roads, rebuild ports, restore electricity, create and sustain jobs, preserve and protect the environment, rebuild health facilities, rebuild/reconstruct institutions( ie prison), restore water, provide more social services, rebuild tourist attractions........etc. These critical needs should be keeping Doc busy so where does he find time to respond publicly to Hon Turnbull? Time is precious so prioritize and optimize it. A political leader should be quick to listen but slow to pull the response trigger. It is not about rationalizing criticism but taking the right action to prevent/minimize valid criticism. Doing the right things, not just doing things right, dulls criticism and gets the electorate on one’s side. Doc came to power with a huge reserve capital but how much of it, if any, he has left? Has he depleted it?
    • Starz (13/12/2017, 11:21) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
      There was no debate. Mitch said the Government never helped him and the Premier reminded him that this was false and that in fact the Government did help and they did with other districts. People chastise the Premier and call him soft for not standing up for himself and correcting false information and now that he is doing it he is being bashed still. The real question is why isnt Mitch able to get the businesses in cane garden bay together to start moving things forward instead of waiting on govt.
    • Personally (14/12/2017, 13:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am appreciative of being given the opportunity to know Mr Turnbull,' s character. He has no record to speak of, so being made aware of his personality goes al long way in judging his suitability as a representative in the BVI Government.

  • wize up (13/12/2017, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    all this talk and the country gone down the hill: at this most of them featuring political issues and rightful so however the social fabric of our communities are being left untouched...
  • BVIslander, USA (13/12/2017, 10:46) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Maybe Doc need to come up to the East Coast for a few and taste some of the Frigid cold blast we are having.
    • Chantell (13/12/2017, 11:40) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Excuse me, what the heck is your point??
      Reading, thinking and reasoning are absolutely fundamental.
      • Yes (13/12/2017, 22:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Hahaha. I think the blogger just wanted people to know that they are a bvislander in the east coast of the USA. Other than that, makes no sense at all! But it is good to laugh so we must take it however it comes.
  • question (13/12/2017, 11:28) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    When you put all these talk show hosts together, what accomplishments do they have between them that warrants them this 'voice'?
    • MEC (13/12/2017, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      Good question. The answer, NOTHING. Just spewing out hot air. Ever heard of the dumb leading the blind? Well here they are.
  • Alfredo (13/12/2017, 11:35) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    You know, when you're going over the airwaves people should exercise a certain level of responsibility. Here you have what amounts to a pack of losers who couldn't possibly win a seat in the government they now criticize. You just cannot defend the youngster in CGB when he himself is out of line. It would have been more appropriate for him to have voiced his concerns about his district directly to his leader/party in-house away from the media.
    Now, here comes a pack of complainers who have not and do not contribute anything constructive to the betterment of the country attempting to justify an inappropriate act.
    Please note that in my location we have not yet rec'd electricity or phone service. There is no vendetta against any particular community. We're all in this together. Please quit with the useless diatribe.
  • tretretrete (13/12/2017, 11:38) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Doc doing good but as usual the wind bags,empty barrels and the losers wanting to hold on are there nipping and gnawing. Doc should take a holiday fo tru. Come to the US. Let's go skating at Rockerfellow Center and take in the endless array of theatre entertainment. You earned it Doc! May the Blessings of the Universe and your departed ancestors continue to guide you.
    • Love (13/12/2017, 13:01) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      Hmmm this is all about you - not related to the issue at hand.
      A total waste of effort.
    • Yes (15/12/2017, 18:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      at least Doc still have a job, when January roll around, see how much loans and foreclosures it fone have. People losing jobs in droves!
  • obsever (13/12/2017, 14:46) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr Claude Skelton Cline buried himself alive..If he is planning on running for politics his career has just ended..Those talk show host never got their money back when they run for office so if Claude thinks having those 3 dead horse men on his show will help ,he just lost the election..Claude come of the radio go from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke and help the people..History will show u talk show host don't Win elections so if you planning to run come of the radio and mix with the people..
  • clan (13/12/2017, 16:29) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    don't bash the messengers. use your God given common sense and listen to what is being said, you may even learn a ting or two. Reason and comprehend. We are demanding good governance and proper representation regardless of party affiliation.
  • 2nd district strong (13/12/2017, 17:18) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let me say this all the cleaning that was done in CGB was spearheaded by Hon Turnbull and he continues to do so. Rotary organized a clean up once and helped to remove some of the debris from along the roads. Mr. Graeme McCallum and his team has been in the CGB area helping to clean up. The residents have been doing what they can. I must commend Melvin Hodge and his son Kirby and his high mac driver Feebles (don't know his real name) who was on the road the day after the hurricane to help clear the roads. Solid waste comes thru once in a great while picks up one or two loads and then you don't see them for weeks. Come on is this what the Premier is referring to that the government is helping the second districe?

    . How come it was so convenient for the press release to come out one day after Hon. Turnbull spoke up. We the residents of the second district put him there to speak on our behalf and that he did. So he is being chastised for it. All I can do is shake my head. Keep Working Mitch we got you.
  • Talktalk (14/12/2017, 10:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    These talk show hosts need to focus on more important issues for the people like, "Where is the Auditor General?"


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