Page:1 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 31st, 2020 NEWS Page:2 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 31st, 2020 COMMENTARYNEWS Competent Enough Premier Andrew A Fahie Dr.Natalio Wheatley By Kenneth Williams be a misunderstand- or supporting the govern- talked about this on their for him. Kye is from very sentence by hanging to ing, as the governor ment from the Opposition radio programme. Over humble beginnings. He life imprisonment, and in Andrew Fahie’s usually calls reports of benches the years, they wondered does what he can to help 1978, Governor Walter Virgin Islands Party clashes with the local if people were listening. people and does not pos- Wallace discharged a Government from all ac- government, rumours. The current health pan- How did they know their sess an ounce of, as we deceased body of a white counts has been manag- demic gripping the world son was listening? say, bad mind. visitor to the territory to ing the affairs of the Virgin Throughout history, God requires bold leadership. be taken out of the ter- Islands very well. Fahie has put persons in place Fahie and his Hebrew Well, it’s easy to tell. Vincent Wheatley is ritory before an inquest has been coming in for to carry out His will for boys and girls have risen Natalio is speaking to much of the same. These was completed. He did high praise by nation- different purposes to ac- to the challenges. some of the very things young men, their zeal, this against the advice als, at home and abroad. complish different tasks that his grandfather and down-to-earth nature and of the attorney general Fahie’s handling of the so that His will would be Natalio Wheatley brings his parents really believe their empathetic dealing Velma Hylton, whom he economy before and dur- with ordinary people on fired over the incident. ing the COVID-19 pan- a day-to-day basis rep- Governor Wallace was demic has preserved the resent new wine in new subsequently required in health and welfare of the The successes of the Virgin bottles. They have come court to explain his role islands. to government with in the affair. Islands have been reached by humble hearts and ill will Fahie’s government against none. They are On both occasions, closed the borders early all very well prepared for mass demonstrations at- and maintained consis- the ingenuity of its own people the jobs that they do. tended by the govern- tent monitoring of the ment and members of health services of the The people of the Virgin the opposition ensued Virgin Islands. His most - the International Business, Islands are very fortunate at Government House. recent initiative was to to have such a team at In each case, thousands access the assistance of this time. It is not to say marched against the Cuba’s coveted medical Tourism, and now planned that others might not governor. professionals to help train have done well too, but Virgin Islands health ser- we are dealing with what In 1993,Governor Peter vice professionals and advancements in agriculture. we currently have. This Penfold attempted to generally augment the is why it is unfortunate restrict Deputy Chief local health workers. that there often seems Minister Ralph T O’Neal done. a boatload of good ideas, in. Help farmers, but pro- to be discord between from meetings of the The Premier’s efforts experiences, skills and vide the tools for them Government and the ad- Executive Council, fol- have solidified all ofThe the results of the elec- love for what he does. to operate, and provide ministration building. lowing an unfavourable members of the Virgin tions on February 25th, His Grandfather, the Late road access to farmlands. court ruling against Mr. Islands’ Parliament 2019 in the British Virgin Dr. Willard Wheatley, Donkeys and mules can’t Governors historically O’Neal. But Penfold squarely behind his ef- Islands was one such made significant- imcut it in today’s rapidly sided with and acted as swiftly named O’Neal forts, as all members of occasion. provements to education changing world. God though on instructions of interim Chief Minister Parliament have support- and local finance in the says set it so that the the sitting Chief Minister, after the sudden passing ed his recent legislation Andrew Fahie’s Virgin territory. power to make a differ- recognizing that the local of Hamilton Lavity ‘H. in the parliament. The Islands Party got an al- ence is within reach. politicians are the ones L.’ Stoutt in 1995. sole challenging voice most landslide, and since His parents, Douglas who face the electorate. in the territory, appar- then his majority has and Medita Wheatley, Kye Rymer was built and The Virgin Islands ently, is presumed to increased by members believe in sufficiencyfashioned for this job. In 1973, governor Derek Constitution Order at the be the British-appointed of the opposition either and training youth for The portfolios that he Cudmore commuted a time did not speak to an governor. This might joining the government survival. For years they holds are ideally suited condemned man’s death occasion where a Chief ADVERTISEMENTCOMMENTARYNEWS The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 31st 2020 Page:3 The Virgin Islands require unity, as the march forward is dotted by travails and setbacks, but the journey is worth it. Hon. Kye Rymer Hon. Vincent Wheatley Minister could die in of- rule. But such miscon- you imagine the British planned advancements Governor using unre- Natalio and Vincent - are fice, but Penfold acted duct must be mightily removing a government in agriculture. served powers. men of valour, fashioned so smoothly and quickly grave to subvert the will because of incompe- for the tasks at hand. that it did not become of the people. tence? Voters know who Premier Andrew Fahie known that a crisis could are incompetent or who and his colleagues on have manifested itself. In August 2009, Britain are not incompetent. In both sides of the house The Virgin Islands re- imposed direct rule on the the BVI, there has never of assembly must make quire unity, as the march *Kenneth Williams is In earlier times, gov- Turks and Caicos Islands, been a cabinet of min- haste with the people be- forward is dotted by tra- the author of “At Stoutt’s ernors restricted them- transferred the powers of isters that has been as hind them for advance- vails and setbacks, but Side: My Life with selves to mundane roles. the cabinet to the British- prepared as the current ments in the Virgin the journey is worth it. H. Lavity Stoutt” He appointed governor, and cabinet. Islands Constitution The race is never for the was Principal Political In 1989, Chief Minister filed criminal charges Order to reduce the pow- swift. The Virgin Islands Advisor and Strategist Stoutt decided that he did against Michael Misick There must be an end to ers of the governor, so have always had persons to H.L. Stoutt and the not like the performance and some ministers. the presumed war be- that there would not be of strength to take on the Virgin Islands Party up to of the permanent sec- tween the government that ever-present and challenges. Fahie and his 1991 retary (PS) that he had, This was as a result of a and the governor. The imminent threat of the 3 Hebrew boys - Kye, and not only demanded British Foreign Office members of the house a different PS, but chose inquiry which went on of assembly and the ap- the one that he wanted. for months, and alleg- pointed governor. There Some may argue that a edly found signs of high needs to be partnership strong governor today probability of systematic between the Queen’s creates a safety net for corruption or serious dis- representative and the civil servants against honesty. The British also persons the people of the vindictive politicians, claimed to have found Virgin Islands elected to but others may argue that “signs of political amo- represent them. when a political party rality and immaturity, campaigns and receives and of a general admin- The territory requires a a clear mandate, the will istrative incompetence”. united front to attack the of the people must be problems at hand. honoured. On December 11, 2012, Mckeeva Bush, then Both sides must tone It seems a step backward Premier of the Cayman down the rhetoric and when after two constitu- Islands was arrested. The work for the common tional reforms since H.L. British claimed that Bush good of the territory. Stoutt, that the governor was arrested for misuse seems more powerful of a government credit The current cabinet is - challenging the local card and for importing filled with energetic men government and holding explosives. On October and women eager to work press conferences so to 9th, 2014, a jury acquit- and to serve. Britain co- do. ted Bush. opting to take over the territory could only be In the past, governors As was shown in the case a figment of someone’s never held press confer- of the Cayman Islands, imagination. That can- ences. Notices from the Bush was acquitted, and not and will not achieve governor on subjects of in the Turks and Caicos success. The People of queen’s honourees and Islands ,the case has been the Virgin Islands fought the likes were sent to the ongoing for more than for the vote, they fought Chief Minister’s Office 10 years - and this is af- for a legislature, and they for distribution. ter the UK has been try- will fight to maintain the ing Misick with a single strides that they have Governors often put judge and without a jury.