UPDATE: Esther Georges Out! Lynda Varlack In! as NPT Deputy Director
Word just reaching our news room is that the former Human Resources Manager in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Ms Lynda Varlack, is now the new Deputy Director of the Trust.
Ms Varlack started her new appointment a few weeks ago.
This information was confirmed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Mr Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley.
The Chairwomen of the National Parks Trust Board, Mrs Sheila N. Braitwaite, was contacted for comments, however she referred this news site to the Director of the Trust, Mr Joseph Abbott-Smith. The NPT office was contacted, however, we were told that both Mr Abbott-Smith and Ms Varlack were out of office.
See previous article posted on June 5, 2012
NPT Deputy Director Esther Georges sacked!
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Word just reaching this news site is that long time Deputy Director of the National Parks Trust (NPT) Rev. Esther Georges, has been allegedly relieved of her duties.
This decision is expected to take effect at the end of June 2012 and was reportedly taken by the National Parks Trust Board headed at the time by former Chairwoman Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe, now Speaker of the Virgin Islands House of Assembly.
While the information about her end of tenure is still unfolding, it is alleged that she may have had a major difference of opinion over the handling of the 50th anniversary celebrations and how the issues of accountability and procedures were carried out.
Virgin Islands News Online’s sources close to the situation have also informed us that Mrs Georges has hired a lawyer and the matter may end up in court.
Rev. Georges, who has been at the NPT for a number of years and is well known for spearheading the annual popular flower show, said she had no comments on the matter.
Efforts to get a comment from former chairwoman Mrs. Scatliffe-Moses, current chair Sheila Brathwaite and NDT Director Joseph Abbott-Smith were futile up to press time.
NPT 50th Anniversary concert a financial flop-over $700K deficit
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr. the Hon. Kedrick Pickering whose portfolio includes the Trust, reported to the public that the NPT had incurred a deficit of $731,684.60 from its 50th anniversary concert series which was held last year and that his Administration has registered its discomfort with the financial performance of the event.
The concert which was held at the Queen Elizabeth II Park grounds in Road Town, the VI’s capital city, saw the importation of a stage and featured international artiste Ali Campbell, the former lead singer of UB 40 and the world-renowned nine-time Grammy-award winning singer and songwriter, John Legend.
Dr. Pickering told the House of Assembly on February 14, 2012 that the show incurred expenses of $828,623.10, but generated revenue of $96,938.50. In-kind donations of goods and services according to Minister Pickering, was estimated at $111,207.
"The facts I presented here are very disappointing and I would like the record to reflect our general discomfort with the performance of this event. Additionally, rest assured that the lessons learned are duly noted...” Dr. Pickering stated in the HOA.
National Parks Trust
The National Parks Trust (NPT) was established in 1961 as a statutory body responsible for parks and protected area and now falls under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour. Over the years the NPT has developed from a voluntary organization to a fully-staffed operation, overseen by a Board of Directors and managed by Director, Joseph Smith-Abbott and a staff of over 30 persons.
The National Parks Trust currently manages 21 National Parks which include 20 terrestrial parks, such as Sage Mountain and the remnants of a Caribbean forest, and one marine park, the famous Wreck of the RMS Rhone. Several parks are comprised of smaller, uninhabited sister islands such as Great Tobago, The Dogs, and Fallen Jerusalem.
The Parks management regimen includes preservation of all flora and fauna within the parks, maintenance and constant upgrading of facilities, such as trails and picnic sites, to ensure a pleasurable visitor’s experience and to facilite scientific research.
From the inception of the Trust in 1961, reforestation has been one of its major goals with the re-planting of trees at Sage Mountain and Gorda Peak National Parks. The annual Arbour Day celebrations have resulted in the planting of hundreds of mahogany and cedar trees throughout the Territory.
The Trust is also deeply involved in maintaining the Territory’s biodiversity and has led several projects to restore or rehabilitate the Territory’s indigenous species.
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57 Responses to “UPDATE: Esther Georges Out! Lynda Varlack In! as NPT Deputy Director”
E......is just paying for the BS her son did at Peebles............
Miss Varlack, all the best to you. I trust that you will be fair to your staff, and that you will aim to further the best interests of of the NPT.