Is Sherri L. Ortiz the next local to be forced out?
Sources close to the situation told this news site that Ms. Ortiz, who had a two-year contract with the Government of the Virgin Islands as Executive Director of the organization, was told that her contract which expired last fall, but was extended until December 31, 2011, will not be renewed.
Allegedly, no reasons were given to the officer for that decision, however, the extension given on her contract up until the end of last year was “to see the outcome of the general elections”, according to Virgin Islands News Online sources.
Ms. Ortiz, a former Deputy Financial Secretary who took over as Executive Director of the International Finance Center (IFC) from Lorna Smith OBE, the wife of Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, was allegedly told that while her contract will not be renewed for the post, she can reapply once the post is advertised. It is unclear whether the post has indeed been advertised.
Virgin Islands News Online sources have also told this news site that there appears to allegedly be two possible front runners for the post. They are Elise Donovan, who is the Financial Services Literacy Coordinator at the Financial Services Commission and Julien N. Johnson, the Operations Manager of the Financial Investigative Agency.
According to a source close to the issue, no decision has been made as yet on a replacement or no recommendation has gone before the powerful Public Service Commission. Ms. Ortiz is said to be still on the job, however, without a contract extension.
As of press time, the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. Smith and the Director of the IFC Sherri Ortiz could not be reached for comments. When contacted yesterday Sunday February 15, 2012, Financial Secretary Neil Smith said he had no comments.
Purpose of the IFCThe Virgin Islands IFC plays a pivotal role in the promotion and marketing of the Virgin Islands (VI) as a leading financial centre. Established in 2002 as part of the government's commitment to support the financial services industry, the aim of the IFC is to provide a voice to the VI's financial industry.
According to the IFC’s website, the launch of the Centre marked the final stage in the government’s commitment to international principles to separate the marketing/promotional functions from the regulatory/supervisory areas of the Territory’s financial services industry.
The International Finance Centre continues to enhance and promote the reputation of the VI as a premier offshore jurisdiction.
Big shake up in public service since 2011 General Elections
Following the 2011 general elections that saw the NDP winning with a 9 to 4 margin, there continues to be many transfers, terminations and extended leaves of public servants. Many in the community are now asking the question, if there is a witch hunt for public officers who were allegedly supporters of the now opposition Virgin Islands Party Government of former Premier Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE.
Some civil servants are also blasting the United Kingdom appointed Governor William Boyd McCleary, who is the head of the civil service, for allegedly “sitting by while there is a perception of victimisation of some public officers”.
Thus far, the Labour Commissioner Oleanvine Maynard has been removed from office, as was first and accurately reported by this news site. Her removal came days after the sacking of Ray George from the Ministry of Communications and Works, the extended leave of Kharid Fraser the Accountant General, and the denial of a contract renewal for Otto O’Neal the Cabinet Secretary. Mr. O’Neal’s last day on the job was December 15, 2011.
Also it was Virgin Islands News Online who firstly and accurately reported of the pending transfer of Dr. Drexel Glasgow from his post at the Public Works Department. The officer is expected to demit that office by the end of this month. Now, it is the pending departure of Ms. Ortiz.
Moves in the best interest of officers, media reports misleading-Dr. SmithIn a statement in the House of Assembly on Monday December 19, 2011, Premier Smith used the age old tactic of blaming the media for what he described as “deliberately misleading and malicious stories published about the reassignment or vacation leave taken by a few public servants”.
However, the Leader of Government business told the public that, “Every Government starting its term of office has the right – and indeed expects when necessary – to ask the Governor to reallocate its human and financial resources in order to meet its strategic objectives and to fulfill its campaign promises to the public”.
The Premier in the same statement went on to claim that, “In the very few instances where this Administration has found it necessary to ask that Public Officers be reassigned, it has been after discussion with the officer and I am pleased to say that in all instances the officer has stood to benefit from the change”.
The Executive Director of the VI International Finance Centre’s post is a government job that attracts a salary of $78,043-$107,071 in grade 19.
Click here to read "IFC shake-up finalised: Ortiz Out! Donovan In!"
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