It has been over a month that Virgin Islands News Online reported that confirmed sources indicated that Ms Lynette L. Harrigan was asked to take up the post as Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC). She has not yet been issued an official letter confirming her appointment. Photo: VINO

Contacted this morning March 14, 2013, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), Mr Marvin 'MB' Blyden said Ms Harrigan's position has been approved by Cabinet and he has been furnished with a correspondence to that effect. He was of the opinion that Ms Harrigan should have now been in possession of her appointment letter. Photo: VINO/File

The call to Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Myron V. Walwyn was suddenly cut when the reporter mentioned being from Virgin Islands News Online. Photo: VINO/File

A report about Rhodni A. Skelton's performance as the then Public Relations Officer for the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee forced him to give up the post. The report, now a public document, 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 times when things were brought to his attention little or nothing was done.” Photo: My Space

This news site has been accurately advised that Ms Harrigan has accepted the position she had been asked to take up from early January, 2013 by Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn. This was following the resignation of Rhodni A. Skelton.

Today, approximately two months later and in the height of Easter activities including the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival, Ms Harrigan is actively functioning but at the office and public levels as the PRO of the committee without ink on paper to authenticate her position.

This is something persons view as a very weak sign of management of the National Democratic Party (NDP) led Government.  “If simple things such as this they are not having a hand on, then how can they convince people that they can run the BVI country effectively,” said the source.

The source said he has no doubt that Ms Harrigan was the perfect pick for the position, “If Myron (Hon.) had doubts he would have never asked her, but everyone knows that she is well capable woman because even not being in that position she has always been active in PR for things that turned out very successful,” said the source.

The question that lingers is what might be the reason for the delay in issuing of the appointment letter. “Yes people will work while they wait but when they have to do so with loose ends its an uncomfortable thing. They can be knocked easily and that’s taking advantage of a person’s human rights,” the source added.

The call to Hon. Walwyn was suddenly cut when the reporter mentioned being from Virgin Islands News Online.

Contacted this morning March 14, 2013, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), Mr Marvin "MB" Blyden said Ms Harrigan's position has been approved by Cabinet and he has been furnished with a correspondence to that effect. He was of the opinion that Ms Harrigan should have now been in possession of her appointment letter.

He said that he did have dialogue with Ms Harrigan about her appointment. 

Efforts to contact Ms Harrigan this morning proved futile but sources close to her said they were confident that Ms Harrigan had not yet received her copy of her appointment letter. Ms Harrigan had previously declined to comment on the issue.

See previous article posted on February 11, 2013

Lynette L. Harrigan in! Rhodni A. Skelton out!

-Harrigan tipped to replace Skelton as the Festival and Fairs Committee Public Relations Officer

Word just reaching this news site from its sources within the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government is that another BVI Tourist Board Official, Niche Marketing Manager Ms Lynette L. Harrigan, is expected to be named shortly as the new Public Relations Officer of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC).

According to the same sources, Ms Harrigan was asked by Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn earlier this year and she has agreed. As of post time, the status of the Cabinet Paper was unknown as a source closed to the situation told this news site that Ms. Harrigan has not received an appointment letter.

She will replace Rhodni A. Skelton, the Film Commissioner of the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission.

Mr Skelton, the son of the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, resigned after coming under fire by the Festival and Fairs Committee Chairman Mr. Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden as it related to his performance in the post, a story first reported by this news site.

Ms Harrigan is no stranger to Public Relations and has been the spokesperson for the Miss BVI Pageant Committee for many years, along with being at the forefront of the BVI Tourist Board local public relations efforts. She is also an active Rotarian. 

She has served on festival committees over the years in many different capacities.

As of press time neither Ms Harrigan nor the Minister for Education and Culture could be reached for comments.

Skelton and his performance as described by Blyden

It all started with Mr Blyden’s first report as Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC).

The report, which was laid in the House of Assembly on November 15, 2012 by Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, blasted the former Public Relations Officer Skelton 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 times when things were brought to his attention little or nothing was done.”

Mr Skelton, in a press statement shortly after the report was made public, 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."

Mr Skelton had also stated he had since privately spoken to the Chairman and expressed his disappointment and had 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.

Skelton had also said if Mr Blyden did not rescind his statement on him he would resign.

Mr Blyden had told this news site that he was standing by his report. True to his word, Skelton tendered his resignation around December of last year.