VINO responds to Lorna G. Smith’s FB letter to our Esteemed Chairman
Mr. Willock does not write for VINO
It has been long established that the Chairman of the Board for the parent company that owns Virgin Islands News Online; Advance Marketing and Professional Services the esteemed Julian Willock does not write stories for the news site.
Yes we do have some four reporters employed!
In fact for the past 4 plus years of the site’s operation Mr. Willock has never written a story, notwithstanding that from time to time he will pass on information given to him by the public to the news room.
Or at times when sensitive articles are published on the news site Mr. Willock may do his own checks and verifications to ensure that VINO maintains their long cemented history and record for accuracy and objectivity.
While preparing this statement we consulted with Mr. Willock as it was an attack on him and the news site. Therefore, we know our news room can speak for Mr. Willock as while he served as a Permanent Secretary like Mrs. Smith did, he had always looked up to her as a mentor and someone that he wanted to follow in her professional footsteps.
So it was unfortunate to read of her erroneous claim on Facebook that Mr. Willock had intentions to vilify Mrs. Smith.
In fact in speaking to Mr. Willock he recalls when he went to the Water and Sewerage Department as the Director the first speaker at his staff meeting was Mrs. Lorna G. Smith. Then when he became Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works his first motivational speaker at his staff meeting was again Mrs. Lorna G. Smith.
This alone can speak volumes to the respect Mr. Willock has for her and how much he admires Mrs. Smith in her professional capacity. So perhaps Mrs. Smith needs a moment to reflect on their relationship history and not allow malice, politics and bad advice from her newfound friends to cloud her judgment and react based on misguided emotions.
Dr. D. Orlando Smith - his record
As for Dr. Smith while we know that he has a right to defend his wife Lorna his own Administration has a history of hostility to press freedom, with one of his Ministers spending the first year in office after the 2011 general elections doing nothing for the people, but attacking the online news sites. The National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration has the legacy of bringing and passing a Bill in the House of Assembly to silence the press and this also speaks for itself.
A Cyber Bill we may add that has been condemned by the International community, the Media Unions in the region and the local populace therefore no one was surprised of his own attack on Virgin Islands News Online.
There has never been a debate about his wife Lorna's stellar contributions to the Virgin Islands, as she worked under both Virgin Islands Party and NDP Administrations and was a model public officer that was known for her creativity, getting things done, productiveness, and professionalism.
Mr. Willock brought to our attention that during his own civil service career he worked closely with Mrs. Smith on Public Sector Reform, where her solid achievements still prevail today in bringing about long overdue reform to modernise the civil service.
However, it was sad to see the Premier in bringing attention on his Facebook page to his wife’s open letter to our esteemed Chairman Mr. Willock took the opportunity to play the usual old, dull, tired, boring and divisive politics that have become the signature of his NDP Administration that has left the country socially and morally bankrupt.
If he had demonstrated leadership he could have simply explained to voters, taxpayers and all concerned how much we are saving by hiring his wife from 2012 under the “arrangements” and list her accomplishments/achievements to both the Financial Services Sector and the Ministry of Finance.
The Board of Directors of Advance Marketing and Professional Services, the news room and Mr. Willock have no personal issues with either the Premier or the First Lady, however, we stand by our story published on July 10, 2014 ‘Is Lorna Smith wife of the Premier a government consultant?’
Most readers will agree that the story published by VINO was fair and balanced and sought and received comments from the relevant government officials including the Premier himself and his Acting Permanent Secretary.
We humbly and politely suggest that before the first family Mr. & Mrs. Dr. The Honourable D. Orlando Smith get too emotional with routine checks and balances which is the role of the media in all democratic societies, and the people’s right to know, especially, once their hard-earned taxpayers monies are being spent, they will live up to what they both promised us; they “have nothing to hide.”
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36 Responses to “VINO responds to Lorna G. Smith’s FB letter to our Esteemed Chairman”
BAM!!! LOL!!!
Madam First Lady, with all due respect a lady of your stature and in the position you are currently in as "First Lady" DOES NOT RESPOND to allegations made by anyone who may find it worthy of writing a story about you. You let the facts speak for itself by letting those responsible for the different departments you are representing address the matter of any concerns of your involvement with them.
You posting on Facebook justifies that there is reason to seek information on your involvement with any entity of Government which you do not see "First Ladies" around the world doing on contractual basis. You are one in a million who will ever be paid for services while being "First Lady" as a consultant to her own husband who is the Premier of a country. This is a blatant "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" whether you like it or not in the eyes and on purse of the public and just like all politicians who must declare all of their government asset and interest before being seated. I am 100% sure you are not apart of your husband declaration of interest and assets with the Government of the Virgin Islands.
I don't believe anyone envy your position but there is room for concern of how this current administration is operating that calls for immediate investigation and it is the MEDIA right to seek such information but as the person involve, you can easily counteract by NOT responding directly.
I have a question and hope you can answer it on your Facebook since you already made an unnecessary public statement.
1. Who seeks who?
(A) Is it you that go job hunting just like all of us out here looking for work and because of being "First Lady" you get preferential treatment for the job?
(B) These entities come to you seeking your services on their behalf?
If the answer is (A) well again I believe that you should consider the perception it have on you as "First Lady" doing what you do and getting paid is a (CONFLICT OF INTEREST).
If the answer is (B) well let these entities defend your hiring for service and keep your mouth shut and fingers to yourself or on your work you are hired for.
My advice to you is NOT to get caught up with addressing allegations with the media because you will always loose. Freedom of speech and freedom to investigate any matter that involve the public purse.
Just to let you know that I am PROUD to be a BVIslander but take heed that the WORLD is watching us and have access to these statements made.
Vino writers do the stories that catches everyones attention and that is what sells.
Look at the other media houses like the Beacon! Does Russell write for them? Yet he is the Chairman of the Tourist Board and that place is in a MESS. So why attack our esteem Chairman Mr Willock?
Just tell us how what you are doing and how much you are milking we the people for. After all your Hon. Husband said in a recent Press Conference that he can't help everyone but he is surely helping your pocket. Or is it both of you all pockets? You are married so you are considered ONE!
Come on First Lady, FEEDOM OF THE PRESS. THIS IS NOT CUBA OR VENEZUELA OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THAT DON'T HAVE THIS TYPE OF FREEDOM AND THE MEDIA IS CONTROL BY THE GOVERNMENTS.
she need pastor c for rehabilitation.
Da was somebody name Alcohol talking da man!
Don't believe every ting ayo read. For all you know it is another conspiracy theory by the NDP.
NOW WHO COULD THAT BE?
ALCOHOL make you do things that you can not justify after so please drink responsibly! LOL LOL LOL