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UPDATE: Hon. Walwyn’s Private Secretary fired!

- Karen Vanterpool received letter of termination this week, no reasons given, with one month's pay
Private Secretary to the Minister for Education and Culture (left) Ms. Karen Vanterpool who was asked to take vacation leave from her post has now been fired with no reasons given. She was the Private Secretary to freshman Minister Myron V. Walwyn (right).
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - As firstly and accurately reported by this news site, the Private Secretary Karen Vanterpool to the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, was sent on leave on June 26, 2012 and her vacation leave was expected to end around the end of July, 2012.

However, this week, Ms. Vanterpool received a letter terminating her services as Private Secretary, and according to well-placed sources close to the situation, no reason was given as to why. In her original letter of appointment as Private Secretary, weeks after the 2011 general elections, she was appointed "until further notice".

Both the Minister for Education and Culture and his Ag. Permanent Secretary Marcia Potter, Phd., are tight lipped on the matter and did not return calls. However, a senior Human Resources Official told this news site that "a Private Secretary cannot be terminated unless that is the express wish of the Minister....so in other words her Minister got rid of her."

Under the civil servant public sector system, Private Secretaries are directly chosen by Ministers of Government and cannot get the job unless requested by a Minister. Following the 2011 general elections in which the National Democratic Party of Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith took power and a new Cabinet was appointed, all five Private Secretaries were replaced as was expected and is customary.

One senior civil servant who wished to remain anonymous, had told this news site that, “it is highly unusual that a Minister will want his Private Secretary to take vacation leave just six to seven months in a new administration…it has never happened before…something must have gone wrong like a fall out.”

Another source inside the National Democratic Party Administration told this news site that Ms. Vanterpool had requested and received a meeting with the Premier before her termination, however, both her and the Premier remain tight lipped on the outcome of the meeting, or the reasons for her being asked to take vacation leave at such a critical time in the freshman Minister’s term in office.

While most of the former Private Secretaries, who worked for the then Virgin Islands Party Government Ministers were reassigned, some in the same Ministries, one who worked for the former Communications and Works Minister Julian Fraser RA, remains on leave and has not been reassigned for well over eight months. It is unknown why this Private Secretary was singled out for this type of treatment.

While Minister Walwyn’s Private Secretary was on leave, a Danielle Flax had been filling in as the Minister’s Private Secretary, according to a source inside the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Controversial decisions by Minister Walwyn

Only eight months after being elected, Minister Walwyn has emerged as the most controversial Government Minister in the Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith Administration. A couple weeks after taking office, he directed the now Acting Chief Education Officer Jillian Douglas-Phillip via an E-mail to ask the Principal of the Althea Scaliffe Primary School to remove a long standing slogan from the School, which had read; "Mighty Mighty Scatliffe" . The slogan is the school’s tradition used to motivate the school children most time during sports meet.

Following that, he ordered the lights at the Old Recreation Grounds in Long Bush to be removed citing safety concerns from the public, forcing the softball league to play games only in the day. The replacement lights are yet to arrive and be installed.

A few weeks ago in a statement in Parliament that surprised many in the progressive and indigenous class, he threatened to bring sanctions against the media and accused them particularly the online news sites, that if current conditions continue in the media, Government may take prohibition action. In what some described as an angry statement on July 24, 2012, the Minister said that it seems as though some news outlets are comfortable with reporting half-truths, taking things out of context and putting it into their own context and thus, distorting the truth.

The freshman Minister stopped short of pointing to any specific media reports or pointing to any media house which may have distorted news reports to support his claims or any example of such stories.

Veteran second district representative Hon. J. Alvin Christopher, speaking at the last House of Assembly (HOA) sitting on July 26, 2012, told the public that he was troubled by the statement made in the HOA by Hon. Walwyn about "sanctioning the media".

"I hear his statement and maybe at hand I understand his passion and what he is saying, but it is a matter that in a democratic society, freedom of speech - you have to be very careful," Hon. Christopher warned.

Also at the same sitting, the former Education and Culture Minister and first district representative Hon. Andrew A. Fahie lashed out at Walwyn and asked his party leader and Premier Dr. Smith to "bell that cat" for creating a culture of disrespect.

Very recently, the Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Marvin Blyden reported that the official opening ceremony for the 2012 Emancipation Celebration of the Claudette “Boopie” Smith Festiville had to be moved to Saturday July 28, 2012 to facilitate the Minister's schedule.

However, the Acting Director of Culture Brenda Lettsome-Tye reported the events would have still kicked off on Thursday July 26, 2012 with a Gospel Fest and activities as normal on Friday July 27, the usual day for well over 20 years which traditionally facilitated the official opening ceremony.

Mr. Walwyn, who is also the Minister for Sports, was in London to attend the Opening of the 2012 Olympics.

68 Responses to “UPDATE: Hon. Walwyn’s Private Secretary fired!”

  • FBI (09/07/2012, 07:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She is the Minister's step mother, which you have failed to point out. He has to take her back.
  • voter (09/07/2012, 07:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well saw if he do tis to he step mommy how will he treat me and you!!! Wah ah ting to tell dey queen
    • DarkVader (09/07/2012, 08:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      VIP ministers did worst to closer persons to them. The minister would not just send her on leave for no reason. NDP government does not work like that. Before you all bury the ministe, find out what was the reason..sometimes the closest persons to you can cause you your death...
      • @ Darkvarder (09/07/2012, 09:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You are so right Sometimes the closest person to you choose to hide a lot of things from you that's important and so significant. Moreover, because the person is close don't mean you don't have to watch your back. Sometimes they are the very ones that you have to keep your eyes on and your ears open for.
  • fish market (09/07/2012, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Me naaa get between mother and child....
    • she the cat mother (10/07/2012, 00:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mr. Myron seems arrogant to me. He Needs to humble.
      • Well Sah (03/08/2012, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Bell that cat!!! His arrogance is stink. NDP camp can't be happy with this negative publicity. Seven months in and all this crap. this could have been handled differently. Take care dem done fire he as Minister of Education and replace him with Marlon...school children say.
  • jok (09/07/2012, 09:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I dont get it, if they are entitled to changed their private sec. of they want what is the problem if he is thinking about doing so? Isnt this the norm? Sometimes these things are not worth to be on the news.
  • BREAKING NEWS (09/07/2012, 10:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If she was a VIP, you would of heard ooooo and critic (same person blogging under different names) talking pi...!!
  • round and round we go (09/07/2012, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What could she have done so bad to be removed? You need to take it easy we are seeing your true colors. a word to the wizzzzzeeee .........
  • HOME GIRL! (09/07/2012, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry but this will break up the family. These two ladies are cousins! OMG!
  • mother hen (09/07/2012, 13:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino ago too much! She is an ndp and still being vitimised
  • Edmund (09/07/2012, 15:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ayo need to stay far from this family melee
  • talk girl talk (09/07/2012, 15:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    a lesson for these Ministers look for both loyalty and competence...
  • Whats the big deal? (09/07/2012, 16:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the woman went on vacation. where is the conspiracy?
    • ta ta (09/07/2012, 23:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      what happen in darkness will come to light keep on your knees in prayer Karen
  • the moorings (09/07/2012, 17:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    you all will soon see who myron is...see he started already...he sent home my co-worker for a bottle of water
  • Half the story..... (09/07/2012, 19:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Besides, she was NOT getting her job done!
    • HELP HELP HELP (10/07/2012, 01:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Karen girl zip it as school children say shut mouth don’t catch fly….leave Myron to GOD.
  • Citizen (09/07/2012, 23:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was wondering what took Myron soo long to get rid of her. Check her track record everywhere she goes.
  • land mass (10/07/2012, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The minister bring her he can move her but how come no one mention how fraser former private secretary still at home?
    • handed down (11/07/2012, 01:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well the wicked people still got Frazer former private sec still home but what do not get some of them senior civil servants will catch them children.
  • Full Blast (10/07/2012, 09:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A leopard spots follow them every where they go....what makes y'all think he's has changed because he's minister? lol
  • gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (10/07/2012, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think Ms Vanterpool is in the best position being gone. At least the Lord save her from going up the BIG HOTEL with the funny man.
  • Ah saw (10/07/2012, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well the pot calling the kettle black. Myron get rid of her saying that she wasn't no good. Hell gate will never close.
  • what a pity (10/07/2012, 15:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Miss Vanterpool the best thing happen to you because the corruption of the man would have only put you in the big house up Balsum gut.
    • HELLO!! (03/08/2012, 22:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wha best thing? She was a pig!! could not ask her anything with her stinking attitude. She was the same at Inland Revenue and Cable and Wireless. 100 people cant be wrong about her...now she out pretending like she is a saint...who know knws..
  • In time (10/07/2012, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That lady got thrown out in the nick of time so don't worry deary you will soon see that God blessed you rather than Myron was coming after you. What that Minister use for bad, the Lord will use for good.
  • Not again (10/07/2012, 16:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You mean the NDP come back with this stupidness again. They hired Glover Park last time as a party then hired therm to write speech for them as a government and up to now we still don't know if our tax money paid for everything. Now Myron come with this same foolishness paying the same speech writer in his Ministry that he used during his campaign with our money? Man this is sickening. It looks like once the NDP does something wrong, then and only then wrong is made right. And I am an NDP but tired of all this money going to these consultants after the NDP told us that we BROKE!
  • open wide (10/07/2012, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms. Karen when are you going to break your silence??? we want to hear what really went down....
  • The Scales (10/07/2012, 23:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm sure Ms Vanterpool would like to thank all those who are concern by way of calls and comments, for now she's on vacation until further notice. God is her strength and all should read Ephesians 6:10-17.
  • victory in Jesus (03/08/2012, 09:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well me bouy dere goes Myron again
  • ooooo (03/08/2012, 09:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    my god!!! this man fired his own stepmother? i wonder if she wasn't going along with the program?...no wonder he wanted to muzzle the media...maybe he wanted it tight-lipped?
  • hog city (03/08/2012, 09:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    let the cat out of the bag karen
  • Movements (03/08/2012, 09:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ummm...so what's the big deal? A minister fired his secretary? And? Should he keep her there even if she's not performing in the manner he wants her to? I don't understand what the big deal is? lol
    • clear the air (03/08/2012, 10:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      if you were out of work with a car loan and a house to pay for you would have wanted it to be a big deal...she from here and got to eat just like Myron
      • DarkVader (03/08/2012, 22:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        So because she has all of these things to pay he should keep her and let her continue to destroy his ministry? She should have thought on all of those things and realize she must humble herself and know how to speak to people and what to say to people...
  • sigh (03/08/2012, 11:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    FAMILY & BUSINESS DOESN'T MIX!!!!!
  • family fight (03/08/2012, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What’s the fuss he got the right to fire her backside yes…as the article said, her letter gives no time frame as the further notice came!!! Myron is a bad man
  • K (03/08/2012, 11:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wellsa. How much times could one person get fired???????? Damn
  • Eagle Eye (03/08/2012, 11:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't forget what he did to Bevis for the graduation
  • scareface (03/08/2012, 11:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "every dog has his day"
  • what (03/08/2012, 14:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron is a DIR......SS that man will not be in for the next election .......
  • No Name (03/08/2012, 16:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well Myron. You could bet there wouldn't be another 4 years for you!!!
  • keep the faith (03/08/2012, 20:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kk leave him to god
  • Sick And Tired (04/08/2012, 08:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There He Goes Again Myron is Such An Attention Whore !!!! Yes I Said It An Attention Whore !!!! I am sick Of logging on to read the news online and his Big Head Splatter All Over This Site in Some bull Shit. Big Man don't you see your other NDP Peeps are humble and not in The Light Like you. Dr. Smith Watch Out He Is coming for your Job.....Myron Is A poor Excuse for Your Party....Look At them Demon Yellow Eyes On him and that Smile/Smirk On his Face This Man Is Dirty He treats his Staff Like Shit both in the Ministry And in his Private businesses talk that talk , People Of the BVI We need To Get This Fool Out Of Office Immediately !!! I for Sure Will Not Vote For his ASS when Election Roles Around Jus Sick and Tired of this Fool And You Went to And IVY League School Well You Need To Go Back To School and Revised Your Education....And Your the Most Hated Man In the BVI Slow your Role Big Man Slowwwww Your Role....He get little Power and Feel Its All About Him. As For miss V hold Your Head Up High Gal......When One Door Closes Another One Will Open hang in there. trust Me Mark my word This Ignorant Fool Will Crumble Also His Ministry, so be glad your are out of the Foolery and Corruption that the school children say goes on in there............Let we do this thing he says.... that right Get this Jack Ass Out OF Here.............Now !!!!
  • dem say (04/08/2012, 08:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's hope he helps her find a job and the fighting holds...
  • Bling Bling (04/08/2012, 10:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Myron's ego is above himself and Ms V so it's no way any woman or man trying to serve God would be around him for too long.... The person filling in will run before he gets rid of her....watch and y'all will see.
  • rip (04/08/2012, 10:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Walk slow and correct myron
  • Moo Cow (04/08/2012, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Private Secretary? Hmmm.... What really qualifies one to be a private secretary? Many of them seem to be overpaid especially those who can't write a simple message or a speech for their Minister. The Hon. Walwyn has his good reasons for terminating Ms. Vanterpool and the two of them will sort it out. This politically appointed private secretary thing is a sore point in the public service where certain persons are pushed up in grade 13/14 with big salaries but really can not function. Why should my tax money be going towards this foolishness? It's been too many times that I have seen people in the lower grades pulling the weight. Governor's Office, DG and HR need to look at this blatant nepotism!
    • high time (05/08/2012, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      all the mouth you got why you do not apply?? Myron has a vacancy now let's see what you can do from hiding behind the computer
  • who next? (04/08/2012, 16:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's hope no one has to fire he
    • long rope for some (06/08/2012, 23:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the school children say you will hear as time longer than twine
  • Vg gal (05/08/2012, 09:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Useless! Called several times to set an appointment and never got a call back.
    • stop (06/08/2012, 23:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      stop lie on the poor child because you want to justifie your wickedness.
  • Two Cent (06/08/2012, 01:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    KAREN KEEP THE FAITH!


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