The Burch is back

I can't say I was that surprised by today's news that Ashfield DeVent is to be replaced as Minister of Works and Engineering and Housing by Lt. Col. David Burch.

Mr. DeVent received the poison chalice from Terry Lister at the beginning of 2004. At the time, Premier Alex Scott's decision to give such a demanding portfolio to such a political neophyte prompted speculation that Mr. DeVent was being set up as the fall guy for the BHC and Berkeley fiascos. Mr. DeVent weathered those storms, but his inexperience has resulted in almost two years of inaction on one of Bermuda's most pressing problems: affordable housing. Despite the PLP's protestations that Mr. DeVent has not failed, the decision to replace him suggests that the government are beginning to realise just how dangerous this issue could be for them at the polls.

Lt. Col. Burch held the housing portfolio before the last election and has been raising his profile again in the last few months. He recently assumed the chairmanship of WEDCO and the BHC, and is slated to take over at the Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC) too, although whether he will now give up some of those positions remains to be seen. In order to give him the housing ministry, the Premier had to appoint him to the Senate, where he replaces Reginald Burrows.

Regarded as someone who gets things done, Lt. Col. Burch has also been criticised for a lack of empathy. He gave some indication of the direction in which he might lead his new ministry last week, when he called for a clampdown on people who keep apartments empty.

He may get more done than Mr. DeVent. But how many people will he infuriate doing it?

Comments

[loki on 25.10.05 at 19:57]

Whilst I welcome Ashfield DeVent's ouster from the Ministry, I confess that I did, and still do believe that he was put in as a fallguy for the inertia demonstrated by the PLP over housing and the Berkeley project. Col. Burch has a reputation as "a man who gets things done", but I'm not convinced that it's a well-deserved reputation, stemming, as it does, largely from his crackdown with regard to delinquent BHC tenants during his recent tenure with that organization.

I think that the government could have done far better than they have done by appointing Burch as Minister for Works & Engineering and Housing: his arrogant, agressive and dictatorial style is not well-suited, I fear, to a position that is necessarily concerned with a sympathetic approach to the environment and third-party private homeowners.

I sincerely hope that he immediately resigns his positions with both WEDCO and the BHC - being a government minister certainly is a conflict of interest with positions at quangos (quasi-autonomous-non-governmental-organizations) - doesn't really fit in with 'quasi-autonomous', does it?

[Full Fullish on 25.10.05 at 20:05]

Hey, he cut his hair too! Sorry personal pet peave of mine, especcially after taking 4 years of his orders in the regiment to do the same! ;)

[Tiger Bay on 26.10.05 at 08:21]

He'll need to resign his positions at BHC, WEDCO, and BLDC - serious conflict of interest there.

The fact that he was only given those roles a few weeks ago shows what a nervous kneejerk change this was. Let's hope the PLP delegates do the same with Alex Scott. That horse is a lame nag.

This confirms Bud's comments a few weeks ago regarding the paucity of political talent: isn't it unusual in Bermuda's history to have an unelected cabinet minister?

[Paradise NOT on 26.10.05 at 10:22]

"his arrogant, aggressive and dictatorial style"

Exactly Loki...

Does this "dictatorial" style not fit right in with Alex Scott... the man is a nightmare and should an embarrassment to Bermuda...

I am anxious to see how he justifies staying on with Wedco and the BHC...

[jake on 26.10.05 at 10:50]

I think you all need to step out of your normal roles for this movie.

Are we now going to warm to Ashfield as the fall guy and start questioning or hating Burch before he has done anything?

Ashfield had an entire Ministry to support him in achieving a successful school, greater housing, and a cleaned up BHC. He failed.

He was never suited to such a senior Ministry role and that is because his training and experience did not prepare him for it. I am not sorry to see someone leave who has not done the job. I apply the same metrics to myself when I fail. Time to go.

As for the Col. he has yet to do anything, so why question him already? Let's see what the agenda will be, and judge him by his results - I know if we look hard enough we can find some fault, and no doubt you will, but if it's ok, I would like to stick to the plot and see how he manages housing, the berkeley institute, and the BHC / WEDCO / BLDC.

Then I can judge him and the PLP Government. (and so can you)

[Nicolette on 26.10.05 at 11:17]

That's my question - he's unelected - how does this fit in with the continual PLP statements of democracy being the cornerstone of our foundation? (Sen Roban on Friday October 14, for one example).

[silencedogood on 26.10.05 at 11:27]

FF--no kidding. I seriously enjoy watching him on the news. Not because of what he's saying (I have no clue about him), but because he reminds me of Dr. Hibbard on the Simpsons when they have the flashback to the 80's when one of the kids is born. I can hear that laugh "he he he". Hilarious.

Should we tell him that Stevie Wonder only has that hair because he is blind and people are cruel? I keed, I keed.

[Adjustah on 26.10.05 at 14:01]

Like him or not, Campers, he's the best man for the job right now. I don't see anyone else volunteering? Hmmm? Anyone? No?

He should sever his ties with WEDCO and BHC, though.

And elected or not he's not stupid enough to go around threatening media censorship like the rest of the buffoons. Uh, hullo, Communism? This is 1989. You lost, over...

[loki on 26.10.05 at 14:51]

"Like him or not, Campers, he's the best man for the job right now. I don't see anyone else volunteering? Hmmm? Anyone? No?

He should sever his ties with WEDCO and BHC, though.

And elected or not he's not stupid enough to go around threatening media censorship like the rest of the buffoons. Uh, hullo, Communism? This is 1989. You lost, over..."

The reason this man is not fit for public office can be summed up with six words: "We don't care what you think."

[Combat Banker on 26.10.05 at 16:03]

Say what you will about the Colonel Ladies & Gents, but Adjusta is right: He is a man who will get the job done.

He is intelligent, organized, and efficient, and focuses on the problem and not the person. That will never get him elected, but every government needs men like him. If not more like him.

Personally I think he needs to volunteer to head up the Civil Service. Sort them right he will.

[Full Fullish on 26.10.05 at 18:17]

I firmly agre with both Adjustah and Combat Banker on "C" (Can I call him C?)

He won't win any popularity contests, however he does tend to get the job done, I attribute that to his previous regimental career.

He probably will piss some people off, but I bet he gets things turned around, IMO this was a good move and was long overdue! DeVent was WAY over his head with W&E&H. If he was setup to be a fall guy then that's pretty sad on the PLP's part, and it shows they aren't interested in actually fixing anything, just hinding from problems.

But your right, he should come out of Wedco and anthing else that can be considered a conflict of interest....

And they say the regiment isn't doesn't do any good......

[SmokingGun on 26.10.05 at 18:24]

What is it with these Ministers of W&E?
They're all "Hair today and gone towmorrow".

[Tim Taylor on 26.10.05 at 19:25]

I find myself in agreement with a couple of the comments previously posted here - the appointment of Senator Burch is a very clever move on the part of the Government and will almost certainly work. The reason is that the Senator is not, has never been, and never will be, a successful politician. He has yet to be elected to anything. This is good. He doesn't have to be constantly checking on his polls, he just has to get the job done. And he probably will. He's been around the block enough to know the right people and how to cut through the (forgive me) crap. Poor Ashfield was, basically, thrown to the lions. Put in charge of the Instant Death Ministry with a sackful of noble intentions and zero experience was, at best, a cynical move by the Party. In another Ministry, say, Community Affairs or similar, Ashfield's zeal, compassion and humanity would have made him a superstar. I think he was handed the short end of the stick.
Let's wait and see what the Senator proposes, and does, before we start getting on his back. You might not like him, but give him a fair shake, okay? I don't think you'll have to wait too long. The Government has, I think, realised that the issue of unaffordable home ownership and unforgivable rents could be an Election-loser, and have brought in the big gun. Hopefully he will demonstrate his (insert obligatory military-type pun) calibre.

[loki on 26.10.05 at 21:30]

"The Government has, I think, realised that the issue of unaffordable home ownership and unforgivable rents could be an Election-loser, and have brought in the big gun."

Which is a problem in itself - this government has had nearly eight years to do SOMETHING about housing, but has done bugger all in this department. Yes, it will be a vote loser, but it's sad that the problem is only addressed as part of a cynical ploy for votes. If they were sincere, they would have put aside party lines and worked on the UBPs affordable home ownership initiative, which was introduced in 2003. If they were sincere, they would have forced the BLDC to hand over land at Southside to get the BHP project up and running. I just don't see any sincerity with this government. None.

[Tiger Bay on 27.10.05 at 07:49]

Five ministers of housing in 7 years: one of whom is the Premier, two of whom have been David Burch. Say no more.

I find it worrisome that David Burch will continue to host his radio show. Die ist propaganda mein herr.

[Wickering Banker :-) ----: on 27.10.05 at 10:23]

A very good move by the PLP. Burch gets things done. Rough - but ready.

He might not care what we think, but he tells it like it is.

[Dis-illusioned on 27.10.05 at 11:13]

I have read the comments posted and I agree, Col. Birch will get the job done. He will walk into a "Ministry of Glory".

Berkley-done.
Housing is rumored receive budget, this year now scandle is a thing of the past.
Senior Home well under way.
Building projects in DOP.
Quangos joining to free up land.
Implimented RO
Fabian in the past.

As people remember Ashfield's predicessor, I expect no one will remember Col.Birch's and his contributions.

[Full Fullish on 28.10.05 at 10:06]

Did anyone hear "P"'s speech last night? I only hear a snipit of it on the news this morning. It was along the lines of "If other ministers don't pull their weight, they will be next to go", followed by "We have never had such a strong cabinet", followed by his comments on the PLP possibly voting him out "I want the PLP to stick together, blah blah blah" (read puh-lease don't vote me out of office!)

I find it ironic that he's making threats to remove MP's from cabinet all the while there are rumours to remove him as well....To quote another Scott "what a tangled web we weave..."

[savedcut on 28.10.05 at 15:22]

Full,

Did you also catch his plea to the people to get involved....

After what he just did to Ashfield DeVent.....would you be rushing to get involved?

[thisgrassman on 31.10.05 at 13:29]

You know in the war the movies where you see some fighter plane get picked off, goes into a stall, then flips over into the death spin - making the archetypal whining, droning, aircraft in distress noise that ends with a splash of flame and a smudge of smoke…………..well this is the PLP housing plan. They have stalled and are now in death spin. It is entirely appropriate the Lt. Col. steps into this military metaphor to heroically wrestle, white knuckled, teeth grinding, the joystick as the ground rushes up at terrifying speeds.

[Full Fullish on 31.10.05 at 14:33]

Savedcut -
Sorry I only just saw your post. Yeah I did, I feel like a bloody slot machine the way my eyes are still rolling from the dribble that's been escaping his lips, not unlike air escaping a deflating balloon!

I shudder to say this, but I have more faith in Burch than the rest of the MP's to get housing back together. He still pisses me off the way he address people, but he will probably get it done.

As far as rushing to "P"'s side to get involved.....Um does "Et Tu Scott!" mean anything? I hope he doesn't handle all of the cockups like this or he'll soon be out of ministers.....

[jake on 04.11.05 at 16:56]

I notice the new attacks on the Col. by Hester. It is the same new theme of "what has he done?" that someone raised here. Hmmmm.

One thing I can say, is that his record speaks for itself both inside and outside of the Army. He actually earned his "gets done" reputation
by being known as a person to lay out a plan and hold his people and himself to that plan. It is never comfortable and the interview in the Col.'s office without coffee was a famous thing.

I have every belief that he will bring the same to this job.

[tilti on 18.04.06 at 13:24]

I've said before that I am not afraid to give praise where praise is due, so I'd like to point out that Burch's brief comment about making recycling mandatory is an excellent initiative. Bermudians creat more garbage per capita than New York and the recycling here is dismal. In Kingston, Canada, where I live if a household produces more than 1 bag of garbage a week they have to pay to have it picked up. In my house alone we fill two boxes of recycling every week that would otherwise have gone to a landfill,

[ken on 27.07.06 at 21:02]

Also credit to Col Burch for the collaborative effort with Trinity Construction to build 56 new units in Southside, 2 and 3 bedroom condos to be sold for $450K and $525K to first time homeowners. This initiative, in addition to the 96 at Loughlands being built, should hopefully provide families with homes and ease up the rental market.