Musical chairs
There has been a Cabinet reshuffle, prompted by the resignation of Education Minister Terry Lister for personal reasons.
Neletha Butterfield moves to Education; Randy Horton takes her place in the Environment Ministry; and backbencher Derrick Burgess gets Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.
Giving Education to Ms. Butterfield seems like a good move. As the Government's press release about the shuffle notes, she has a degree in Business Administration and Computer Science; founded an alternative learning centre for children and adults in the basement of her home; and has lectured in English, maths and computer technology at the Bermuda College. Her work as an educator was acknowledged by the Bermudian magazine's Best of Bermuda Awards in 1993.
But Derrick Burgess at the Labour Ministry? God help us all.
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I have to seriously question the decision to place the Head of the BIU as Minister of Labour, and hence, head of Immigration.
Posted by Tiggy on 01.09.06 at 12:51
I stand corrected, Phil, "former".
Posted by Tiggy on 01.09.06 at 12:52
This country is going from bad to worse..unbelievable...Burgess..Immigration?
Posted by sandgrownan on 01.09.06 at 12:54
I can confirm that phones are ringing around the exempt companies saying "Derrick Burgess, WTF!"
I'll bet Randy is already signing those SDOs.
Posted by Expatia on 01.09.06 at 12:56
Will be lots of house sales soon, though!
Posted by Tiggy on 01.09.06 at 12:58
Neletha B as Education may have a bright side, as she has deep experience helping the kids who are left behind by the system.
Derrick Burgess as Labour is such a bad choice it hurts.
Randy H will do whatever he's told. Kiss the park goodbye.
Posted by Tiger Bay on 01.09.06 at 13:05
Derrick Fucking Burgess? Holy shit, the sky is falling. How ridiculous can you get?
Posted by loki on 01.09.06 at 13:09
P said: "His work on behalf of labour speaks volumes about the character of the man and his labour reputation will move some to criticize his selection. But in fact, it is the very reason why he was appointed. Over the years we have had outstanding businessmen serve as labour ministers and we did not see it as a problem for labour or the country. Therefore, now that we have appointed an outstanding native son with labour roots, we too, should not regard it as a potential problem for business or the country."
Pretty much sums up P's "you had your turn now it's ours" thinking. Conveniently dodges the fact that Derrick Burgess is pretty radical, and that is a huge potential problem.
Posted by Tiger Bay on 01.09.06 at 13:19
Derrick Burgess is a bloody disgrace to the legacy of Ottiwell Simmons, who was a true leader of unionised workers. Burgess is nothing more than an intellectually-compromised radical.
Posted by loki on 01.09.06 at 13:27
Guess I better write off my immigration practice!
Burgess as Labour Minister is an absolute joke!
Posted by Pitts Bay on 01.09.06 at 13:28
Actually, come to think of it, the judicial review of his decisions could be interesting!
Posted by Pitts Bay on 01.09.06 at 13:33
Following the same rationale of experience, I guess a professional criminal would make a great Chief of Police!
Posted by Tiggy on 01.09.06 at 13:35
Personally I like Neletha Butterfield as she seems very sincere and no doubt was under pressure with her decisions.
I really hope they are not giving her the "Poisoned Chalice" with the Education Portfolio deliberately.
The logical person for Education would be Horton or Butler (as sports is low man on the totem pole of political importance traditionally)
The Labour and Home Affairs post is one of great sensitivity and serious major importance for our continued success in our revenue demands.
Its hard to think who would be the best person for this one and I wonder how they made this choice, as it seems a conflict of interests really.
Posted by Bill Cook on 01.09.06 at 13:39
Even P.'s press release is cringe-inducingly vomit-worthy and cloying. I feel like I need a shower after reading that bilge.
Posted by loki on 01.09.06 at 13:39
Ayo does a pretty good job of capturing the ingenuous essence of Scott.
Posted by Angry Cahow on 01.09.06 at 13:44
Where Cahow?
Posted by Tiggy on 01.09.06 at 13:55
Right there Tiggy ---->
;-)
Posted by SmokingGun on 01.09.06 at 13:59
Tiggy
Ayo Johnson wrote the press release.
Posted by Phil on 01.09.06 at 14:02
Not for nothing but doesn't Minister Lister's stepping down as of "today"
effectively get him the increase in his pension based on the pay raises this put through this week?
And Randy Horton for the environment? I guess they're going to need a good enforcer to push through their agendas.
Posted by SmokingGun on 01.09.06 at 14:04
Another nail in the PLP's coffin.
What are they thinking?
Posted by RedOnion on 01.09.06 at 14:14
Do you think someone at Works and Engineering has ordered longer handled shovels so Cabinet Ministers can keep digging?
Posted by thisgrassman on 01.09.06 at 14:44
Ever heard of 'The Peter Principle'? It theorises that man eventually reaches his level of incompetence, If P hadn't achieved it before he certainly has with these appointments. Burgess in Labour? Perhaps he can now put some pressure on Paula Cox to get the Union accounts submitted!
Posted by Ali on 01.09.06 at 14:44
Well Burgess will oversee the granting of permits for outsiders to the hospitality industry, if only so his (ex) members can climb out of servitude and finally take their rightful place in society.
Posted by Smiths on 01.09.06 at 14:45
Time to revisit the sayings of Chairman Derrick the Red.
http://www.limeyinbermuda.com/latest_news/2004/07/quotations_from.html
Posted by Angry Cahow on 01.09.06 at 14:58
First of all you have to keep it in yer pants....
Y'all know what I mean....
BUT yes...DEREK BURGESS....lord help us...
Maybe now Fairmont and MEF will have a tuffer time getting work permits for Canadians and Italians...we'll see...
But BURGESS......The GESTAPO in IMMIGRATION
Posted by Tony B on 01.09.06 at 14:59
Of all the contenders for this post why on earth would P pick the one most likely to cause serious concerns within the International Business community. It really makes you wonder what the master plan is, there has to be some sort of distorted logic behind this move as it clearly is a controversial and backward step.
I'm speechless .... well almost.
Posted by RedOnion on 01.09.06 at 15:14
Limey - just noticed the great juxtaposition of the line of bikes and the heading to this thread. Intentional?
Posted by SmokingGun on 01.09.06 at 16:03
I have no insider knowledge but If you look at the Premier's list of possibilities, given the ever-lurking internal politics, I don't think he had much choice...
Despite some lapses, Ms Butterfield was an environmental champion -- not an act Mr. Horton can easily follow.
Education could use someone with a rational take on religion -- not there yet, I'm afraid.
Posted by stuart J Hayward on 01.09.06 at 16:55
He could have gotten down on his hands and knees and begged angry renee to come back LOL!
Posted by Angry Cahow on 01.09.06 at 17:06
I am basically ok with the changes. I wouldn't necessarily have made these changes but I am not the Premier and I have confidence that he made the right decisions. If the shuffle was made necessary because of Mr Lister's resignation, then I think the only potential choices for Education were Minister Butler or Minister Butterfield. I wouldn't necessarily have put Mr Burgess in Labour & Home Affairs, but hopefully he will perform well there. Let's at least give him a chance, or rather give them all a chance before crucifying them.
Posted by ken on 01.09.06 at 17:09
Surprised Ewart didn't want to trade in his Transportation for Home Affairs and Immigration. Guess he's going to be busy with the Hospital Advisory Council. Cough Cough..
Posted by SmokingGun on 01.09.06 at 17:11
The next Ewart press release: "HOSPITAL TOURISM TO TURN AROUND BERMUDA TRAVEL INDUSTRY"
Posted by Angry Cahow on 01.09.06 at 17:14
I love this.....
P and his love affair with the church. Lister a self declared man of god resigns....because of personal reasons....???
Men who spout religion and use it to get their political agendas fulfilled should be careful when they break the religious codes of behaviour.
The shalt not commit adultery.....
and remember "heaven hath no fury like a woman scorned" !
Anyway it is all bullshit.
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in God
I don't believe in Allah
I just believe in Love
I don't belive in religion bibles and Koran
I just believe in peace and love for fellow man
Posted by Tony B on 01.09.06 at 17:26
"One of the most significant tasks that we believe Minister Horton will accomplish is the realization of a more ‘user-friendly’ culture at the Department of Planning in regard to the public that they are mandated to serve. I have every confidence that Minister Horton will do extremely well in this new post."
I think he meant "abuser friendly". Randy's such a loveable huggable bear I'm sure he's looking forward to afternoon cups of tea and sharing a little rum cake with the Wingates and the Haywards.
And Derrick Burgess is the perfect person to hold down the Labour & Home Affairs position. Come election time he'll be sure to remind his former cohorts who's got their back.
Posted by SmokingGun on 01.09.06 at 17:33
According to his quote below we are in for some major changes!
"At a public meeting of the Bermuda Industrial Union on April 8, BIU leader and Progressive Labour Party backbencher, Derrick Burgess slammed the jurisdiction's immigration policy, and was supported in his assertions by many angry Bermudians, who argued that they were suitably qualified for many of the jobs advertised by Bermuda-based companies, but that the positions had clearly been filled before they were even advertised.
'It's quite obvious the system isn't working for us. I've seen adverts that were tailor-made for someone (arriving) at the airport or who is already here,' Mr Burgess claimed."
Posted by googlybda on 01.09.06 at 21:39
Googlybda,
I think many Bermudians will agree wholeheartedly with Derrick's quote but that does not mean that Derrick intends to close the borders. Personally I would like to see a Minister take a very close look at the way jobs are advertised. I would like to see a Minister get a very clear understanding of the employment skills required in Bermuda across all sectors. That way decisions can be made with some degree of knowledge.
I am not implying that its the same across the board but I am very certain that there are many jobs that are filled by expats where Bermudians are eminently qualified yet the way the job is advertised only the current person can continue to fill the job.
I am in no way, shape or form anti-foreign worker because I understand that foreign labour is a requirement in order for the Bermuda economy to operate, nor would I support a programme where the Department of Immigration forces employers to hire Bermudians just to say there is a Bermudian employed. I do not hold the notion that just because one is a Bermudian does not entitle him to a job. However, I think it is important that Bermudians have a fair shot at filling positions when they are qualified, especially if it is climbing the corporate ladder.
Further I would not support a programme that terminates a work permit to make way for a Bermudian because as long as one has a valid work permit he should be treated as a Bermudian would be treated with regard to job security.
Do you not feel that where Bermudians are qualified they should be given a fair opportunity? There will be ocassions where Bermudians are competing for jobs with foreigners but if the level of expertise is comparable I believe the Bermudian should get the job. Is there something wrong with that?
Wording advertising to suit a particular person is not a new occurance and I think it is fairly easy to determine which ads are for positions where a work permit is up for renewal.
Whether you like it or not he is the new Minister of Labour and Home Affairs. How about we try something new, let's at least give Derrick the opportunity to get into the Ministry and establish a track record before passing judgement.
Hey, look at it this way, if his performance measures up to your expectations you can refer back to this thread and say, "I told you so." On the flip side he could prove to be a very effective and efficient Minister but we won't know until he has had the opportunity to show his wares.
Posted by Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 01.09.06 at 22:40
Time to sell up and ship out!
Posted by noVote on 01.09.06 at 23:15
Guilden,
There's only one word for that post.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-MEN!
You nailed it.
Posted by The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 02.09.06 at 00:17
Does anyone else get the feeling that they are watching the deck chairs being moved around on the Titanic?
Lets see how many more MPs can be retired/thrown out & collect a Ministers level pension?
Just what was Mark Pettingil's potential constituants telling him the other day!!!???
Come October we will likely see Dr Done Deal as P. Time for another Cabinet shuffle. More new Ministers in charge of mega million dollar ministrys. More people who have trouble managing their own personal finances never mind a history of succesfully runing any business venture.
When will it end?
Posted by VB on 02.09.06 at 08:57
Actually Guilden/Elvis, I'd rather NOT wait to speak out against the appointment of this jackass as Minister of Labour, Home Affairs & Public Safety. We've already had eight years of listening to his semi-coherent and frequently bigoted drivel, and I don't need another eight years or, indeed, eight weeks to know all I need to know about this guy. Though fond of masturbating his ego in front of the news cameras, he has neither the intelligence nor politcal nous for such an important position. He's also a bigot, and the chief proponent of the 'Bermudian' = 'black' mode of thinking. Whilst dear Randy may have cost the government a small pile of cash in legal costs paid out to plaintiffs because of his refusal to listen to the advice of government's own legal advisors, surely he's more suited to the Ministry than, Lord help us, Derrick 'Fucking' Burgess (C) Me.
Posted by loki on 02.09.06 at 09:10
Lokes,
look at what Guilden has said in his post. I agree with you (although not quite as vehemently! *grin*) about Mr. Burgess and this posting, but what Guilden has said in his post is right on the mark when it comes to advretising for jobs.
This should be looked at.
Posted by The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 02.09.06 at 11:19
Will Burgess now insist on rightfully hiring Bermudians in the Tourism industry ?
I mean at least Burgess doesn't work for Fairmont..but i guess..it doesn't matter much, cos if you grease....you will get what you want...
Dale Butler was resposible for Training at MEF...I see he has trained/hired tons of Bermy's in their restaurants.....NOT :(
Last time I looked in Little Venice the waiters are now almost all waitresses and come from Czech Republic / Russia et al..
Oh c'mon y'all know how politicians have their hands out...It's called "PAY to PLAY".
I wonder where you deposit/wire money into their accounts?
Posted by Tony B on 02.09.06 at 12:08
Immigration policy is already paralysing international business in Bermuda and participants in the industry are actively pursuing strategies that minimise dependence upon this jurisdiction and its indigenous work force.
Recent press articles show that some IB's are establishing potential alternate HQ sites elsewhere.
Many are also pursuing a policy of moving everything that doesn't absolutely have to be in Bermuda to other locations.
Similarly expat employees that are impacted by 6 year work permit limits are simply being moved to other international offices and roles in Bermuda not replaced.
These responses will only accelerate and become more commonplace if immigration policy hardens further.
It's hard to see how anything other than a hardening of policy could occur under Derrick Burgess given his track record in the BIU.
All of this will ultimately hurt Bermudians. As these strategies are pursued by IB's, the skill sets required of staff in Bermuda will become more specialised and steadily less accessible to Bermudians.
Furthermore there will be fewer opportunities for younger Bermudians to gain experience in Bermuda to move into the remaining specialist roles, as developmental roles that might previously been maintained here will no longer exist in Bermuda..
The Titanic analogies above resonate with me. Very soon we will know whether we are merely in an ice-field or have now actually struck an iceburg!
Posted by Kate&Leo on 02.09.06 at 12:43
Re: Ms. Butterfield + Education
Having some first-hand experience with a budding, Govt.-run school (NOT Berkley!), it seems rather odd that Lister up & bails. Even though the statistics about our Secondary schools have been HORRIBLE, he was instrumental in rebuilding the old Orange Valley School...now called the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy...for Special Needs children, filling a huge void for many. Yet strangely there has been NO flag-waving about it in the press or from the Party at all?????
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Lister is gone. Neletha has the right pedigree for Education & I believe, given the proper support, she CAN make a difference.
Love
ODW
Posted by OnDeWata __/)__ on 02.09.06 at 13:22
The person who is in charge of Labour & Home Affairs must be able to tip-toe through the icebergs of both Guilden and Kate&Leo's posts.
As much common sense as Guilden's post makes so it is with Kate&Leo's. Ultimately IB will do what is in the best interest of the company. If we were shareholders with a capital investment in a company we'd expect nothing less. If we are lucky we will have people working in these companies at a high enough level who will wield enough clout and have developed enough compassion for Bermuda to try to keep it in the equation. The only way to do that is to have either "truly qualified" Bermudians or get rid of the 6 year term limits.
Posted by SmokingGun on 02.09.06 at 13:31
As I have said in previous posts - ref SG's comments about - 'truly qualified Bermudians' don't need immigration policy to hand them jobs.
If they are truly qualified, then it shouldn't make a jot of difference to them whether they have status or not. Employers will want them on board for the right reasons...because they will be the best at the job.
Quite frankly I'd be insulted if I got a job for any other reason!
Posted by noVote on 02.09.06 at 15:44
I'm afraid that executive entrusted with billions of dollars of capital don't display compassion for Bermuda.
They may play the game of good corporate citizenship whilst it's expedient to do so, but at the end of the day they are beholden to their shareholders, analysts and a ruthlessly brutal market.
The shennanigans at Immigration in recent years is costing these businesses literally $100k's and in some cases $1m's dollars either in direct costs or opportunity cost.
These impacts are even more extreme for start-up business's, who with the reputation that this jurisdiction is getting will probably pick Cayman or Dublin instead!
Posted by Kate&Leo on 02.09.06 at 15:50
noVote - not sure if you agree with me or not or maybe you misunderstood what my point was.
I agree with what you say but my point is that we need people in high places that have a deeper compassion for Bermuda as a whole and not just to make hay whilst the sun shines. We can only get that by having either a Bermudian who is totally trained, qualified and experienced, and there are some, or we need to help make sure the ex-pats that have been here and gotten to know and love Bermuda are here for the long run. And there are some of those as well.
Posted by SmokingGun on 02.09.06 at 15:53
Just to add confirmation to what has already been written, and "yes", Dublin is in the frame for a couple of companies I deal with. There may well be others.
Kate is spot on on all counts.
Guess it's Guiness not D & S from now on in.
Posted by Martin on 02.09.06 at 16:25
Would it be appropriate to point to a few of these adverts that are obviously tailored Guilden to see what you mean because I have looked through todays paper and don't find any that stick out. I
did see a great one though for SOUSA'S Landscaping:
We are seeking young Bermudians between the ages of 16-21 years old, who would like to pursue a career in Horticulture with Bermuda's leading Lanscape Management Company
If You...
. Want to start a career versus a job
. enjoy the outdoors
. are not afraid of work
. are not sqeamish about getting dirty
. are prepared to be punctual
. are willing to listen and learn from the best
. are well mannered
. are motivated and enthusiastic
THEN CONTACT US!
I think that's the tailoring we all should adhere to!
Posted by googlybda on 02.09.06 at 16:34