UPDATE: Expat Stephen Payne appointed Exec. Dir. of Recreational Trust!
This news site can now confirm that Stephen Payne, a Barbados national with Virgin Islands immigration status, has been appointed to the post of Executive Director of the Trust. He will be assisted by two deputies- Cliff W. Williams and former legislator Elvis J. Harrigan, who will be responsible for the western and eastern end of the main island of Tortola.
His appointment has the backing of Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, and a majority of the members of the Recreational Trust, including its Chairman Roy Barry.
Neither Mr Payne nor Mr Barry could be reached as of press time for comments.
One of the applicants, Devon Osborne, speaking exclusively to Virgin Island News Online said he is disappointed that he is unable to get a job in his own country. He pointed out that he has been jobless since the National Democratic Party (NDP) took office and has been knocking on all doors for possible employment but to no avail.
Noting that he was interviewed for the job, Mr Osborne said he couldn't say that he was the best applicant for the job since he didn't know the qualifications of the person selected nor what the Trust was looking for.
He also added that he wished Mr Payne well on his appointment and that he would also be available to assist in anyway possible, even if in a voluntary capacity.
Meanwhile, another applicant Mr Roy Garraway when contacted said he didn't have much to say only that "It pays to have friends in high places."
Mr Garraway confirmed that he was also called for an interview.
See previous article posted on March 7, 2013
Controversy looms over Recreational Trust Exec. Director’s pick!
-Would a Barbados national be given the job over a Virgin Islander?
It was over ten months ago that Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn brought the Recreational Trust Bill to the House of Assembly (HOA) with major amendments.
While debating the motion, the Minister told the public that the new Bill amends the existing ordinance, which was passed in 1966. Additionally, he explained that the Bill shifts the responsibility of appointing members of the Board from the Governor to the Minister for Education and Culture.
One of the most important provisions that of an Executive Director
Minister Walywn, in debating the Bill, claimed that he had gotten pictures from someone from Virgin Gorda on a sporting facility. “I was quite appalled at the conditions of the grounds with the garbage”. The question is who do you call? Can you call a Chairman of the Recreational Trust who perhaps has another job somewhere else to look at these things?
In defending the new created post of Executive Director of the Recreational Trust, provided for in the Bill, the Minister told the HOA that if you don´t have somebody there watching over the facilities 24/7 “to make sure that all things are in order we are going to have some problems, so the Executive Director position is very important to the proper functioning of the Recreation Trust.”
Cliff W. Williams or Stephen Payne?
However, some four months since all interviews were conducted by the Recreational Trust to make a recommendation to the Minister for Education and Culture to fill the post of Executive Director, to date no one has been appointed.
Controversy looms as it’s this news site’s understanding that Minister Walwyn was backing local sports figure Cliff W. Williams while some members on the Recreational Trust were backing Barbados national Stephen Payne.
There remains conflicting reports as to who was recommended to Cabinet where the final decision is to be made.
It is this news site’s understanding from a source close to the situation that Mr Williams’, who appeared to be the front runner in the early stages, name may have been placed on hold after allegedly new information came to light claiming that he had legal matters in the United States of America.
The same source told this news site that to pacify Mr Williams, who was reportedly “promised the job”, he was allegedly offered a Deputy Director’s post. This has put Mr Payne as the new favorite.
The same source told this news site that even if Mr Williams’ name was withdrawn for whatever reasons there were other locals who applied for the post including former Legislator Elvis J. Harrigan, Roy Garraway and Devon Osborne “so it will be a shame if an expat is appointed.”
When contacted by this news site Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Dr. Marcia Potter said she was “off on sick leave and could not comment on that”.
Chairman of the Recreational Trust Roy Barry said he couldn't comment either, as he was off island.
Minister Walwyn could not be reached for comment.
There are also reports that if Minister Walwyn does not comply with the recommendation of the Trust to appoint Mr Payne, one or two members could allegedly resign from the Recreational Trust Board in protest.
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125 Responses to “UPDATE: Expat Stephen Payne appointed Exec. Dir. of Recreational Trust!”
Xxxx tenant
Never again..........yeah right?
Peace
A Tortolian is Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court and is based 'down island'. Hush your dumb a$$!
The Chief Justice job is not governed by a labour code that says this or that county is preferred. The BVI is the biggest contributor to the OECS court and system, so we done pay for Janice 10 times over.
The BVI have clear laws that locals must get first preference just like all the other Caribbean islands have.
So go from here with your old, dull, tired boring blog chatting piss and hogwash. The judicial system is apart of the OECS free movements which we have signed on to...we have not signed on to free movement of labour.
Get your facts right air head.
BVI jobs should be for qualified B V Islanders
Who ever you are, you should keep stupid opinions to yourself. From your comment on the subject, seems to ne that you are on the wrong medication.. If you don't fully understand the topic being discussed, please don't comment. This comment made you look very unintelligent.
The question needs to be asked which is when will our local people rise up and take back our country?????
It was alleged that Claude had problems in the USA before running home…. Who NOW holds a BIG position in government. I don’t usually post on these blogs… but right is right…. Something smells fishy with this whole thing!!!
The big question is WHEN Mr. Williams had problem???? Was he remanded????? USA and UK have different laws and he can be appointed if they wanted too….
Cliff has travelled the world representing the BVI in various events …. And now they’re choosing a Barbados national over him… Them quick to do research on BVI islander… How you all aint research Payne…. Do a full research before making decisions… Ask him why he lost his JOB Clearance Thomas Ltd. Lol lol lol!!!!
This government needs to come out!!! Them doing pure $h&t in there!!! NDP let me down BIG TIME!! $h&t with shame!!!
Cliff my boy.... Them going to get whats coming to them...
This is the reason why the BVI cant grow!!!!
Thats all folks!!!
What is important is who would get the job done. We need someone responsible and have accountability. Not someone who want to collect pay check and dont work. Which is one of Tortola biggest criteria.
Why blame Myron?? It's the lame r@$$ supporters and cliff with is mess in the states
If the trust feels that Mr Payne is capable to do the job then its Mr Payne. If they feel that Mr Williams is capable to the job then its Mr Williams. The point is whoever the trust feels is capable of doing the job then that's who will do it. Atleast Mr Payne has lived in the territory, by choice, for over 10 years and isn't one of just come expats who coming to "steal" your jobs...really people?! Let's be happy that there's a movement afoot to have the facilities managed.
People are good enough in the bvi to act and whether they are doing a good job or not, they are never good enough to get the position permanently
He is a BORN BVI ISLANDER!!! PAYNE married a BVI Islander.... So wa belonger you talking about.... You wa start confusion!!! Get your facts together BOSS!
Me Too, you are on point here. The reality is that WE have to share the wealth and stop treating each other like $h1t
Poor C. Willo never stood a chance when the deck was stacked against him like this.
Once them board members rush the Minister telling him about the matters in the states it was over for him as Myron is not a leader that can stand up for anyone but he self and cronies.
How many others are slotted for exclusion before this NDP Government is brought to its end?
Do our politicians imagine that important people around the World are aware of the --- that goes on in the BVI?
We bvi landers need to face the fact that we does want the high positions high paying jobs and we show high interest wen we getting these jobs and as we settle down in them we tend to neglect them and the people that we work for. So if the foreigners can do the jobs give them a chance and we the locals will wake some day.
First of all, this matter is not personal to Stephen or any specific expatriate. The core issue is one of the national’s entitlement to defend his God-given right to be FIRST IN HIS OWN COUNTRY.
BVIslanders are not Xenophobic. In fact, we love all expatriates who are like the Ruth of the Bible. We embrace and help the ones who proclaim, your people will be my people. Do not try to walk beside or in front of us; your place is behind us. God has already given you first place, but you left it at home.
“Vicky” , God has given BVIslanders the right to determine our own destiny whether or not we succeed or fail at messing it up. He has given every other human the same right in their own country. It should be no small wonder that the BVI is blessed and all who chose to migrate here from their so-called successful homelands, thinking they can do better, are better, are more aggressive, and smarter than BVIslanders, should return to their own homeland and make the difference there and not here. But they cannot, and will not be allowed to by their own people, because their kind possess an Un-Godly competitive, spirit of Cain which is ever struggling to outshine, walk in front and takeover Abel.
The Caribbean expats who flee to the BVI because they need to eat, are very much the Abels in their homeland. The truth of the matter is, their own countrymen would sooner see them starve than help them to survive. Their educated leaders are either so corrupt or myopic, that they do not have what it takes to help their country overcome their economic hardship despite their self-proclaimed knowledge and the natural resources that God has given them. The less educated ones, not so much unlike their white collar counterparts, in true form of Cain, murder their brother, prevent him from getting work or even deny him a real chance to advance in life. So in desperation, they leave home.
But in coming to the BVI, they are not free from the cancer which dwells in their countrymen they left behind—not all, but the good expatriate is in the minority. So they come and they criticize. They come and seek to visit the same Un-Godly competition on our humble people. They scheme, they plot, they plan. They seek to use their bodies to takeover our husbands and wives. They connive and lie on the job to sidestep us on the way to the top. They marry our locals for convenience sake knowing full well there is no real love. They kiss the feet of all who are in positions of influence to achieve their desired end—Cane must outshine Abel!
Don’t look down on BVIslanders. We are not like expats. We do not want to be like expats. God intended us to be the loving, caring people that we are. The ones who do not say an eye for an eye, but rather, we turn the other cheek. The ones who, like Abraham, continue to give the best land to Lot and are content to take the remnant. And that is partly why we are blessed. We will not murder our brother for the slightest quarrel. Don’t mistake our meekness for weakness. For the meek shall inherit the earth! This is part of the legacy that our Almighty God has bestowed on the BVI. And that’s why we will love and serve Him.