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There is a disconnect between people & elected reps- Doug Wheatley

According to talk show host Mr Doug Wheatley, one of the burning issues that was brought to his attention was the disconnect that is now norm between elected representatives and the electorate in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Central Administration Complex: People feel it is too difficult to meet a Minister or Premier unlike many years ago when the Chief Ministers had an open door policy, Mr Doug Wheatley said he was told. Photo: VINO/File
Central Administration Complex: People feel it is too difficult to meet a Minister or Premier unlike many years ago when the Chief Ministers had an open door policy, Mr Doug Wheatley said he was told. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Assuming the role of the mouthpiece of the people, host of the 3-D Show, on ZBVI 780 AM on Friday February 10, 2017, Doug Wheatley, said one of the burning issues that was brought to his attention was the disconnect that is now norm between elected representatives and the electorate in the Virgin Islands.

According to Mr Wheatley, some persons got hold of him recently and “they were not too happy about life,” as it relates to the sharp contrast between the leadership of yesteryear compared with the leadership of the present age. He said those persons made reference to the former Chief Ministers Hon H. Lavity Stoutt, Hon Willard Wheatley, Hon Cyril B. Romney and former Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE, when the people felt more connected to the leadership of that time.

“They said you could meet any of those Chief Ministers in the street, engage them in a conversation. If something that was bothering you, they would invite you up to their office where you could continue the conversation. Or if you didn’t meet them in the street, but you came into town and you wanted to clarify an issue or you wanted to speak with the Chief Minister at the time, you could go up the steps of the Old Administration Building and go through to the Chief Minister’s Secretary, knock on her door and say you would like to see the Chief Minister and she would perhaps ask you to wait for a minute,” he stated.

Mr Wheatley remarked that the Secretary would find out if the Chief Minister was immediately available and 99.9 per cent of the time, unless he was on the phone or if he had someone already in his office having a meeting, he would ask for a little more time and then see that person.

When he did, that person would feel at ease and be comfortable speaking to their Chief Minister and was pleased to be given a listening ear.

“…And the person was saying, those were the good old days, the wonderful days when there was this very close relationship between the people and their elected representatives, including the Chief Minister.”

A Police State?

According to Mr Wheatley, today people feel it is too difficult to meet a Minister or Premier.

“They have said it is almost like a police state; the Ministers are ring fenced if I could use that term and the Lieutenants are the ones who engage you when you go to see a Minister. Then they would grill you as it were and then they will decide whether or not your situation merits a discussion with the particular Minister or the Chief Minister or, as it would be now, the Premier.”

He continued, “…And if they think the Premier or the Minister is not the person that you should see, they will direct you to somebody else, and some of the people feel a disconnect when that happens and they have to go through this process of telling these Secretaries what the subject of their discussion is going to be… they feel out of place, they feel like they are living in a police state, where you no longer have access to the leaders. And of course you know they are behind these doors and behind these walls, unless you pass your hand over a thing, and it turns green, then you cannot get into the office. They said it is not a good feeling and it is certainly quite different from yesteryear when the people and their elected representatives were like one, but they don’t feel that, they feel like there is a separation now and that is not a good thing.”

13 Responses to “There is a disconnect between people & elected reps- Doug Wheatley”

  • blacker (11/02/2017, 12:20) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    yo gotta be white in tola to get attention
  • Xxx (11/02/2017, 12:23) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    they see only who support them!
    • --0 (11/02/2017, 21:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      that is true. I can't vote but I tried to talk to my representative on an issue and I was basically ignored. And I am white so that is not an issue. (nor should it be).
  • District 8 (11/02/2017, 13:43) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon. Penn is always available mingling with his people. The other day I saw him serving grill fish at a party. Actually he was the chef of the day. Every time I visit the eight district he is seen with his people.
  • Binocs (11/02/2017, 14:12) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    They will speak and meet you,but will not support you,because they felt you didn't support them at the polls.
  • Monsters Inc. (11/02/2017, 17:03) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    It takes more than connecting with who support you to run a country. It's a sad thing but elected members do just enough to garner votes and victimize those who don't support them. The NDP is best at this. After two terms like the US president an elected member needs to go look a job like everybody else or they will become monsters and people will think like Omar became a Cookie Monster, Fraser became a stubborn arrogant Monster, Orlando became a lazy lying monster, a few became disrespectful monsters, Myron a vindictive monster, Mark a crooked monster and then you have the pretentious and backdeal greedy monsters as examples. It's easy to get fool off because the ultimate thing for these monsters is greed and power even if it means kissing your ass until they win. We can do them a favor by thanking and voting them out. They will be better off, the country will be better off. We are to be blamed for creating Monsters.
  • wize up (11/02/2017, 19:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    money have divided the territory: the love is here still but the unity is gone: "I will really love to help champion your cause" but I can't afford to loose my bush cutting contract. It is now common practice for those holding political electoral office to use their office for personal gratification: gone are the day when the people stood up: I remember witnessing my first demonstration in Road Town somewhere back in the late 60s/early 70s(we had unity then)....all we do now is talk and talk about the same things over and over and over then sit back an expect good results(keep the faith because it got worse to get)
    • Left Is Left (12/02/2017, 09:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      This one's for you @ at you wize up. TRUMP IS GREAT - TRUMP IS GOOD.Like it or LEAVE
  • So true (11/02/2017, 22:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Wheatley you on the money. Disconnected true statement. Not enough up date on how the country running. People have issues no listening ears and so many under pressure. Yes yester year are not the same as today but our present elected representatives' need to take some time to meet with people under different settings. They will not be able to meet and listen to every one. Like i heard on the radio days ago one of the ministers was going to be in office on a sister island and stated the time. I could not help but to wonder and ask my self how many persons can he see in that short space of time.

    Really and truely they have a difficult task but dont forget the people who gave you the task. They are your employers. So try your best no one is perfect but all we can do is try. You cant please every one..
  • Political Observer (PO) (11/02/2017, 22:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The electorate needs to look in the mirror for the root cause of the disconnect between them and elected representatives. They go to the polls on Election Day and then go in hibernation. Even if they are feeling underserved and neglected by their representative(s), they are very reluctant to act, hoping that someone else would. And that someone else also has the same attitude and desire. In the the end, you got the gulf between elected members and their constituents. Elected member are embolden, for they know that the electorate will not do any thing so there will be no negative consequences for their behaviour. What is causing the electorate to behave this way?

    Political patronage and social status is much sought after. Government is a direct and indirect employer. Elective members are influential in who get what and when. As such, the electorate is afraid if they speak out the faucet will be turned off so they go along to get along. The elected members got them on a string like puppets. No one wants to sacrifice so nothing happens. Additionally, elected members divvy up/out who serves on what boards. If the electorate wants to narrow the disconnection gap between constituents and the elected members, they must change. They must hold elected members responsible and accountable. The electorate got to sacrifice but will they? Doubt it. Thus, political patronage will continue to carry the day.
  • gate keeper (13/02/2017, 18:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does anybody honestly believe the government didn't know about this??
  • wish (13/02/2017, 20:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    I really wish they could just come out completely both parties this question that has been on my mind for a while why we that here in the BVI don't get tax back like everyone else all the other Caribbean countries get back tax but we don't us get back tax the UK get's back tax but we don't at all we don't get support either from them hardly I should say why do we as people from the BVI keep electing these people I don't understand I don't see them helping us at all I see them wasting money our money even they people money that's not from here I think its time we kick them I mean look at our roads our roads is sh*t mashing up people ride look at our school they cant provide fans for the school not even toilet paper or even clean water to drink we supposed to be getting coupons we supposed to be getting help from them like wealth fair there is nutting really we are getting from them I think its high time next election we as the people of the BVI make our demands or we not voting plain out simple time to take matter into our own hands I think we as the BVI forget how much power we have over them without our vote they would NOT BE ELECTED NEXT ELECTION I WILL SPEAK UP I HOPE I WOULD HAVE MY PEOPLE SUPPORT



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