UPDATE: Gregory W. Adams is new Chief Planner
He is expected to commence his job on April 2, 2013, according to this news site’s sources close to the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Government.
Mr Adams, the son of Permanent Secretary in the Premier's Office Rosalie Adams, has finalised his package with the Human Resources Department and will be on a two-year contract.
The indigenous Virgin Islander will replace Mrs Marva Titley-Smith who retired last year.
Controversy erupted over this post when a United Kingdom national was placed in the Deputy Town Planner spot over many other qualified locals.
Ronald Beard, who had passed the government retirement age of 60, also enjoyed the support of his appointment as Deputy Chief Planner from United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary.
Efforts to reach the new Chief Planner, Mr. Adams were unsuccessful.
See previous article posted on February 12, 2013
Gregory W. Adams to be named new Chief Planner
Indigenous Virgin Islander will replace UK contract officer who is over the retirement age!
Word just reaching this news site from our team of reporters and many sources around the Virgin Islands is that indigenous Virgin Islander Gregory W. Adams is expected to take up the post of Chief Planner in the Town and Country Planning Department.
He is expected to fill the vacant post in the coming weeks following the retirement of Mrs. Marva Titley-Smith.
The post became controversial after United Kingdom appointed Governor William B. McCleary endorsed a UK national, Ronald Beard, as Deputy Chief Planner. Mr Beard, who is over the retirement age of 60, is now the Acting Chief Planner.
Many in the community believe the appointment should have never taken place since there were about three Nationals qualified at the time to take up the post. Many were watching to see if the current Government would have overlooked locals yet again for the post.
The Town and Country Planning Department comes under the Premier’s Office, and Mr Adams enjoys the support of Premier Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith.
Another local, who was considered, was Earl K. Forbes who is also qualified and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Urban Planning Management.
Adams’ qualification
The incoming Chief Planner is an experienced and qualified architect with extensive knowledge in planning and project management. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and a Master‘s Degree in City and Regional Planning.
Mr Adams, the son of Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Rosalie Adams, also has a Certificate in Public Management and AICP certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners. Mr Adams is also the owner and architect of Onyx Ventures Ltd.
He is a former Chairman of the Building Authority and Chairman of the BVI Ports Authority.
Functions of the Town and Country Planning Department.
The Town and Country Planning Department, according to their webpage, provides the following services to the general public:
• Advice on development ideas, concepts, applications and planning issues;
• Processing development applications;
• Processing change of use applications;
• Processing subdivision applications;
• Processing advertisement applications;
• Monitoring and controlling development activities;
• Preparing development studies;
• Civic planning projects;
• Compiling statistical data on development in the territory; and
• Producing maps of data in graphic form
The Chief Planner is a government job that attracts a salary of $62,900-$92,150 in grade 17.
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61 Responses to “UPDATE: Gregory W. Adams is new Chief Planner”
when earl come from under fraser @$$ then he might be somebody with sense. until then he get what the duck get.
why you don't come shut me up. you know anything about me? lol...because I diss your emperor fraser you upset? come shut me up man let me pump some lead in your deadbeat @$$
But from what some of the staff said he was hardly in office most of the time whether he was engage in private work or government these are things people look into before they try and put we as humans into big position to run our country.
Congratulations Gregory!
Hopefully, he will not be subjected the same abuse and demeaning treatment Mr. Beard has had to endure at the hands of the likes of Ms. L... and senior government officials.
I don't envy him his position. But he stands a better chance of success than poor Mr. Beard. So let's send him our best wishes. The people are depending upon him to make wise decisions in our behalf and to have the fortitude to deal with and survive undue political pressure, whilst seeing to it that our laws and building codes are properly supported and enforced.
Therein lies the problem, where too many persons seem to think that "qualified" cannot equate with or be complemented with "born here". Until, all of you accept that some "born here" are also "qualified" and some "qualified" are "born here" this discussion will continue. Why is it now, that we aren't supposed to enjoy the fruits of this land, simply because we are born here?
As former chairman of both the building and ports authority, he has already shown his orientation towards development and expansion with controversial projects. And, along with implementing the laws (parking for all new buildings ??) There should also be a requirement to consider the overall image of the territory, which means including preservation and environmental concerns. Unfortunately, these two pieces always get short end of the stick. I can understand why the premier chose him over someone with urban planning management experience and who is not directly related to anyone close to the premier.
AMEN!!
Thank you Mrs. Lake!
Please be objective in your position, making decisions based not on who the person is, rather what is in the best interest of our beautiful Virgin Islands. All the best to you.
The TCPD "advises on development ideas, concepts, applications and planning issues"- that should be tempered by natural surroundings and context for a better product-- not just ones that stand alone isolated like a beacon or monument to both builder and architect.
As was mentioned in an earlier post, you will serve yourself well by actively seeking out the mentorship of Mr. Beard. He comes with a wealth of experience, and importantly, contacts. Give him the respect that is due to him, from one professional to another.
I wish you God's blessings.