Ashworth Jack Delays Joint Internal Self Government Talks

HE leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) is delaying the continuation of talks on internal self-government.

Ashworth Jack asked for the original meeting to be postponed until this Thursday, but cancelled the meeting, citing personal reasons. This places the parties past their one month deadline for talks to continue.

Jack was expected to indicate by the end of the week, his availability for a new date. The Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) Chief Secretary, Orville London, the leader of the Platform of Truth, Hochoy Charles and the Chairman of the People’s National Movement, Neil Wilson, who has been appointed to lead that party in the talks, all say they will make themselves available for any date that was chosen.

The first meeting between leaders on internal self-government, which will see a review of the THA Act, took place early in January.

Speaking about the issue of internal self-government, London says, “What you want is a situation where the will of the people is recognised and therefore all political entities and decision-makers know that this is what the majority of Tobagonians want.”

He indicated that such an approach might lead to “a system where we will be able to know that this is what the rest of the country wants for Tobago, and in those circumstances one understands the implications of not going along with the wishes of the people.”

He was also asked for his definition of ‘internal self-government’, a term that has been used in relation to the talks. The Chief Secretary responded that, “We sometimes get bogged down with labels, and once we get bogged down with labels, there is a lot of discussion as to what people think the labels mean rather than what the people want. So the process in which we are engaged is one in which we determine the demands of the people and those demands will in fact inform the legislation and you can label it after.”

London continued, “That is why I am in agreement that we should not label it federalism or we should not give it a label. Let us agree on the demands first and then at the end of that exercise, then determine into what category it falls, if it falls into any natural category.”

As for what happens after the political leaders make a decision and approach the Central Government and Parliament for support, and who will be responsible for laying the motion in Parliament, London says, “The ideal situation should be one where there is almost consensus before and it does not matter who takes it to Parliament. We obviously would have a better chance of success if it is taken to Parliament by the government. There is no reason why, for instance, it cannot be tabled in Parliament by a representative of the people of Tobago. Because if one remembers the 1976 bill was tabled by Mr Robinson who was at that point in time was a member of the opposition and very much in the minority.”

He added that, “So, in an ideal world what you would prefer to have is something that is taken to the Parliament by the Central Government in an environment where it is known even beforehand that it would be approved, and that to me is the ideal situation.

Source:Tobagodaily

Ashworth: THA to blame for Cost Overruns

Ashworth Jack: Leader of the TOP

“The PNM-led Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is passing the buck, knowing fully well that it is its own incompetence, in terms of project man­agement and delivery, that is responsible for the cost overruns and delays associated with the Shaw Park Cultural Complex.”

So stated Ashworth Jack, leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), yesterday as he responded to news that the THA had terminated its project management contract with Nipdec on the multimillion-dollar Shaw Park Cultural Complex.

The cost of the project has ballooned from $194 million to $552 million. 

Both Jack and Member for Tobago East and Minister in the Minis­try of the People Vernella Al­leyne-

Top­pin, in separate interviews, blamed the THA for the failure to deliver the project nine years after construction began.

“They have cost the country over $300 million because of their (the THA) incompetence,” Jack said.

 He added this meant less money for health, education and other key requirements.

Recalling he had warned the country about the potential for cost overruns since 2006, Jack said the pro­ject could not have been well thought out.

“The smallest child in Tobago knows that the land on which that project is being constructed is shifting land,” he said. “Everyone knew the land was moving.”

 Jack said the THA, which had to scrap the original building and do over the foundation, would have known by then about the instability of the land.

Alleyne-Toppin said the handling of the project showed the gross incompetence of the PNM (People’s National Movement)-led THA.

“Everybody knows that whole area to be shifting land, sinking land. That whole area is very unstable,” she said. The MP said when Scarborough Secondary School was built there more than 40 years ago, AP James said the school would eventually have to be moved because it would sink.

 “And we have seen that happen. Scarborough Secondary just going down into the sea. The walls have been cracking, the field that was (once) there is now all in the water,” she said, adding she played netball and taught at the school. 

Alleyne-Toppin said another problem was there was no final design for the cultural complex. 

“And that is one of the ways that people cause variations which extend contacts inordinately. They had a design that had no roof, so that they built up the whole thing and afterwards decided to find a way to put a roof on. They put on a roof that was too heavy, it had too much steel and they had to take it off and try again to put on something lighter. And all of this on a piece of land that everybody knows to be shifting.” 

She said another problem was the Fire Service did not grant approval for the building. 

Alleyne-Toppin said the THA has 34 estates in Tobago and, therefore, the Assembly had alternative sites on which a cultural complex could have been constructed. 

Jack said the same problem existed with the Scarborough library project, which was supposed to cost $28 million and was now costing $200 million. 

He said the THA had to terminate the original contract for the library as well and sought to unjustly blame the contractor.

Alleyne-Toppin also said the THA mismanaged the library project.

She said that project started in May 2004, shortly after the old library had been given a $10 million upgrade by the same THA.

Then the THA demolished the old building and began a new structure, she said.

“We have shifting dates for completion for both the library and the cultural complex. Every now and then, we are given new dates (by the THA),” Alleyne-Toppin said.

THA Chief Secretary Orville Lon­don said the decision to fire Nipdec came after the presentation of a status report by EQS Ltd (chartered quantity surveyors and construction cost consultants). 

But Jack said the THA was was­ting a lot of money.

He said London had more advi­sers who were highly paid than any prime minister in this country ever had

Sourse:trinidadexpress

Let the people decide syas Ashworth Jack.

It was made clearer yesterday that two factions remain within the Tobago Organisation  of the People (TOP).  This as a defiant TOP Leader Ashworth Jack made it clear he will not step aside from the leadership of the party until told to do so by the general  membership and not a dissident few. 

Jack reiterated that he submitted his resignation letter on February 1, 2013, which was later rejected by the party. 

At this time there remains two factions of the TOP, one led by Jack and the other led by former chairman George Stanley Beard who has called on Jack to go and the present TOP executive to resign.

TOP a Troubled Party: No response to ultimatum

Ashworth Jack, Leader of The
Tobago Organisation of the People

Political Leader of the Tobago Organization of the People (TOP) has failed to respond to an ultimatum, to meet with his members to deal with the future of the party by last week Thursday. “He has failed to communicate with us and has maintained his silence since last we held a meeting with him about two weeks ago,” stated Stanley Beard, a former Chairman of the TOP, who had been in the forefront of the revitalization of the Tobago-based party.

Jack, lawyers planning TOP’s counter-move

Yesterday’s Tobago Organisation of the People’s “next move” national executive meeting had to be put off to a date to be fixed, as party leader Ashworth Jack had to meet for most of the day with lawyers seeking advice on whether to file an ex-parte injunction against two members who took legal action against the party last weekend.

That earlier legal move, filed by members Gladstone Solomon and Trevor Gardiner, effectively halted the party’s fourth executive elections on Sunday. Solomon and Gardiner filed a High Court injunction seeking to prevent the executive elections from proceeding. After Sunday’s aborted proceedings the party scheduled a special meeting for yesterday to discuss the next move. That meeting did not take place, however, as Jack met with lawyers instead.

Sources say neither was a new date set for the crisis meeting. Reports are that yesterday there was a virtual shouting match among members both for and against Jack. “It was horrible, the worst I have seen in years,” another source said. Sources say the party remains divided and many want Jack to step down, especially after the TOP’s humiliating 12-nil defeat by the People’s National Movement in January’s Tobago House of Assembly election. Jack was unavailable for comment yesterday as he was meeting with lawyers.

Source: Guadian

Legal Actions Against TOP's Internal Election

Leader of the Tobago Oragnisation of the People
Ashworth Jack

It was Hochoy Charles in 2010 who accused the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) of rigging their internal elections to favour certain candidates. Now once again, mere days away from their internal election their executive has been faced with a barrage of legal pre-action letters. 

A news clipping carried by other media indicated that the TOP has been issued a pre-action  protocol  letter which calls for tomorrow’s  internal TOP elections to be stopped. 

Chairman Trevor Gardiner and secretary Gladstone Solomon of the TOP Hope/John Dial Action Group in a letter dated May 31st gave instructions to attorneys Bijili Lalla and Om Lalla to postpone the elections. 

The pre-action protocol letter stated: “We are instructed to request you to give an undertaking to postpone the election carded for Sunday 2nd June 2013, until the constitution is amended to provide for the ‘one man one vote’ system and all members are permitted to participate in the process. The procedural irregularity and illegal act of holding the election in the proposed manner is detrimental to the TOP and its credibility.” The letter also  stated: “Should you fail to accede to our request, we will have no alternative but to seek legal redress from the High Court for injunctive relief to stay the said election.”

TOP was then given 24 hours to communicate on the way forward, and copies of the letter were  also sent to political leader of the TOP Ashworth Jack, chairperson of the elections committee Cherry Ann Rollocks-Hackett and TOP party chairman Lionel Coker. 

Only recently Justice Minister and chairman of the TOP’s constitutional amendment committee Christlyn Moore, in a letter dated May 21st to the party, expressed her reservations about Sunday’s election. 

Her letter requested: “That the election of the executive carded for 2nd June be aborted.”

In addition, TOP member Anslem Richards has also threatened legal action against the party. Richards who contested the Tobago House of Assembly election for Roxborough /Delaford on January 21, was rejected as a contestant for the position of chairman by the party citing  his financial standing within the TOP.

A portion of Richards letter which was written on May 31st states:

“Failure to honour my rights of membership as guaranteed under the constitution of the TOP will result in legal proceedings being instituted.” 

Efforts by some media groups to contact Jack and Coker proved to be futile, and calls to their mobile phones were not returned.

Ashworth Jack Rejuvenated

Ashworth Jack
 Leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People

TOP Political Leader, Ashworth Jack, appeared to be fit and confident when he addressed members of the Tobago media last Tuesday. Jack who took a short holiday after a grueling THA election campaign was in a combative mood as he fielded questions from the media. When questioned on the controversial Jack Warner issue, the TOP leader said, “Mr Warner had followed the highest standard of parliamentary democracy by resigning from his positions in Government and the UNC party.” Jack noted that this action by Jack Warner must be seen as representing the tradition and norms of the Westminster style politics we practiced over the years. Jack Warner recently resigned as Minister of National Security and as Chairman of the United Congress. He also tendered his resignation as parliamentary representative for his Chaguanas West Constituency. Warner was one of the main architects of the Peoples Partnership Government of which the Jack led TOP is a part. Warner was faced with mounting allegations concerning his time in FIFA, specifically Concacaf.

Jack has led the TOP to victory in 2010 general elections in Tobago when the TOP won the Tobago seats. However, with the PNM taking all 12 seats in the THA election in January, Jack’s political leadership took a big hit, but he appeared to have put that psychological blow behind him as he spoke to the press last Tuesday. He told the Tobago News after the press conference that the TOP was still a major political force on the island and once the internal elections were settled, the Party will be more active.

He also took the opportunity to correct a press report on his stolen gun and cash, which occurred recently at his home. He said, “contrary to the reports which stated that $15,000 was stolen from his home, it was in fact $1500.

Source:Thetobagonews

17 Year Old Beaten by Police

THREE men who were held and questioned in connection with the theft of Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack’s loaded 9-millimetre pistol and cash have been released with no charges laid against them.

But 17-year-old Junior Melville, one of the trio held by police since Wednesday, said he was released yesterday only after being beaten by the police.

Melville said he was held around 8 p.m. on Wednesday by three police officers, who accused him of breaking and entering Jack’s house at Mt Grace and stealing his pistol, 15 rounds of ammunition and cash. That is when he claims the beating began.

“And the officer started to beat me, he put the handcuff on my hands and he start to choke me on the ground, he kick me in my face. He take off the handcuff, he take it and hit me in my head,” said Melville.

“They  beat me, they buss my eye, they hit me a gun butt in my eye. You could actually see the  blood on my jersey still remaining there. I just come out of prison,” he added. 

Melville said he asked for food and something to drink but received nothing. And a phone call, which is usually granted to those in custody, was also denied. 

“I ask them for something to eat...they was not feeding me. They was not giving me nothing. I call the police officer, I asked for a phone call, he tell me this is not a hotel. I went and sleep, I wake up...it had some kind of water in a bucket, he throw it on me.”

Still a student at Scarborough Secondary School, Melville said he will never feel the same again about the Police Service as he remains traumatised.

“If they could do this to me, they could do this to anybody else. Even underage people. If you come in there, is the same way they treating you at the Scarborough Police Station and Crown Point.” 

Officers confirmed that no charges were laid against the three men held in connection with the break-in at Jack’s home and enquiries are continuing into the matter.

On the beating accusations by Melville, Assistant Commissioner for Tobago Heflin George said he was only made aware of the matter when the Express contacted him and he would ask Senior Supt Garfield George if a report was made and further investigations will be carried out.

Source:Trinidadexpress

Ashworth Jack: Gun, Ammo, Dollars Stolen

A man of no fixed place of abode in Tobago remains in police custody, being questioned in connection with the disappearance of Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack’s  loaded 9 millimetre pistol, 15 rounds of ammunition and $15,000 in cash.

The items were stolen from Jack previous home, at Jack’s Avenue, Mt Grace, on Wednesday, sometime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

According to police reports, around 10 a.m., Jack, who currently lives in Mt St George, went to his original residence, placed the loaded firearm in one of the bedrooms and after doing some chores he fell asleep. 

When he awoke around 3 p.m. the firearm was discovered missing, along with 15 rounds of 9 millimetre ammunition, and the cash.

Jack went to the Scarborough Police Station where a report was made. Officers visited the scene, dusted for fingerprints but nothing was lifted.

Acting Sgt Glenville Wilson of the Scarborough CID is conducting enquires into the matter.

According to police officials, the suspect remained in custody as investigations continue. The man was observed in the area before the items went missing.

Source:Trinidadexpress

Jack is Back

Political Leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People
 Ashworth Jack

Political Leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People Ashworth Jack has made a re-entry on the scene. Jack, speaking at the biweekly briefing informed the press that he was out of the country for business and a long overdue vacation. “I am back and I am ok,” Jack stated, as he sought to put to rest speculation and rumours about his health including being in a coma and suffering a stroke. 

Jack commented on several issues at the national level and from his comments, he left no room for assumption about the TOP’s present role and continued support for the People’s Partnership Government. Jack commented on the Defence Bill and saw no problems with soldiers having police powers to help with the “unacceptable crime situation.” Jack stated that crime should not be politicized and supported the Government’s decision on the bill. When asked about the Minister of National Security, Jack Warner, and his current woes, Jack said that he “finds no evidence as yet” pointing towards any guilt of the Minister. He however, believes “if he (Warner) is guilty, he should face the consequences as anyone else.” Jack steered clear of the matter because he believed that he too was in a similar predicament prior to the election about the construction and financing of his house.

“There is rouge in everything, there is no perfect profession,” Jack explained as he commented on the statement by Prime Minister Kamla Persard-Bissessar regarding journalists. “The police, media, teachers and politicians are all products of the society, and some go outside the norm” Jack stated.

Jack commended the operations of Caribbean Airlines and the Port Authority for their operations over the weekend. According to Jack, both Organisations “out-did themselves in an attempt to ease the travel,” between the two islands. He noted that Caribbean Airlines added four additional flights and there were additional sailings of the T&T Express and Spirit to accommodate traveling passengers. Jack credited the People’s Partnership for this effort, but saw it unfortunate that the work at the Scarborough Port is unfinished.

Source: Tobagonews

Ashworth Jack Continues as Leader of the TOP

In a media interview today Ashworth Jack made the long awaited announcement of his political future following the THA Elections.  

Ashworth Jack Leader of the
Tobago Organisation of the People

The leader of the TOP announced today that he would continue on as the leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP). After the humiliating defeat of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Election in which the People's National Movement (PNM) won all 12 seats, there was widespread speculation and calls for him to resign from being the leader. 

In his concession speech on the night of the historic elections, Jack accepted full responsibility for the outcome of the election and also promised to make a decision on his political future within 48 hours. It took longer than we expected, with Jack stating that he had to consult with all arms of the party and hear their views. He also wanted to consult the other members of the Partnership.

Having satisfied such criteria Jack called a media briefing to announce his decision. Jack indicated that he would have submitted his resignation as leader of the party but there was resistance to accept it, especially from the youth and women's arms.

He further noted that an Island Council meeting was held Monday night and the party he formed asked him to withdraw his resignation.

As a result of the party's position  I withdrew my resignation, Jack stated. Therefore Jack has been cleared to continue as leader of the TOP. As such Jack would  continue to lead the party in Tobago and be its main representative within the People's Partnership coalition government.

Jack to Announce His Political Future next Tuesday

Ashworth Jack the leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) is expected to break his silence about his political future. Party sources have indicated that this would be done next week Tuesday. In a brief interview with the T&T Guardian last Wednesday, Jack confirmed he was still meeting with members of the TOP to discuss his future.

  

Ashworth Jack, Leader of the
Tobago Organisation of the People

Jack in his concession speech told the media that he took full responsibility for the TOP's defeat, adding that the party will assess where it went wrong and all decisions regarding his future role in the party and politics in general would be under consideration. He further stated that he would make a decision regarding his political future within 48 hours. To date more than a week later, there have been no public statement about his future as leader and about his political career. 

There have been many calls for Jack to step aside, with some saying his defeat was a clear sign the Tobago electorate had rejected his leadership and he should allow someone else to lead the party forward. However, there have been no public calls or statement from the TOP membership. 

Party sources said a meeting of various members took place on Wednesday, with the leader Jack admitting that various members and groups within the TOP had requested to meet with him and he had agreed. However, he indicated that he did not want to make any comment about the meetings only that he had already met with the TOP's Youth Group members and the Executive. 

On Monday the last of those meetings is expected to be held, after which TOP will hold a news conference on Tuesday, where Jack will address his political future.

London staying out of TOP business

Orville London, Chief Secretary of THA

People's National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council leader Orville London does not want to add his voice to the calls for Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader Ashworth Jack to step down following the 12-nil thrashing of his party in last Monday's Tobago House of Assembly election.

"...one of the things that I am trying not to do is to interfere in the business of the TOP and its leader and I really hope I am not tempted or persuaded to do anything otherwise," London said yesterday.

He spoke with the media during the PNM's victory motorcade throughout the island. London assisted in the organising of buses, maxi taxis, trucks and cars as the motorcade left the Scarborough Market car park, along the Claude Noel Highway, through Signal Hill, Patience Hill and across Tobago.

On Saturday, the PNM held a thanksgiving evening at the Scarborough Esplanade.

Asked who should be the next President of Trinidad and Tobago, London said the person should be someone of integrity who inspires trust and is not considered or perceived to be partisan.

"But I think the most important criteria has to be that person is an individual who you have confidence in, is going to be non-partisan and sufficiently detached from the politics.

"That the decision which he or she makes, even though you don't agree with them, you will know that they are not motivated by anything political or influenced one way or the other," said London.

On Saturday, London met with economist Dr Vanus James with respect to Tobago and the way forward in terms of governance.

He said talks were frank, interesting and his suggestions were quite productive.

"Some recommendations were made which we are looking at and, of course, over the next couple weeks I will be talking to other leaders and basically hoping to come up with a consensus."

London also sought to dispel any notion of the PNM forming a coalition with other political parties.

"What we are saying is that people maintain their independent identity, but we all work together in the interest of the people of Tobago."

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

Ash-Worth more than Nothing?

Ashworth Jack, Leader of the TOP
photo by O.J.Noel

More than forty eight hours have passed since the 'Red Wash' of the THA's election, and still no word from the dejected TOP Leader Ashworth Jack. Jack in his concession speech told the media that he took full responsibility for the TOP's defeat, adding that the party will assess where it went wrong and all decisions regarding his future role in the party and politics in general would be under consideration. He further stated that he would make a decision regarding his political future within 48 hours.

It is now five days after the humiliating defeat of the TOP by PNM, and by all means it might be a part of history that Ashworth Jack would probably like to forget as PNM made double history, claiming for the first time the seat of Providence/Mason hall/Moriah and dished out a 12-0 beating on their competitors. 

The silence of the former Minority Leader has been astoundingly deafening as he has failed once more to keep his word and provide a statement/s on his future. Perhaps he needs much more time to reflect on what went wrong, as he himself admitted shock over the results stating that he could not say offhand what the party did wrong. It should therefore be no wonder why he has taken more than 48 hours in his evaluation of the results and of his own political career.  One thing is sure, the party might be down but it isn't out, Jack may have to be dethroned, but his experience can only be invaluable to the party he founded. 

Worry not folks, Jack might still be in the pack, as a stalwart of politics it might be fitting to say Ash is worth more than nothing. 

Blame Me: Ashwoth Jack Considers Political Future

Ashworth Jack

IN 48 hours, political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack will make a decision on his political future.

Jack, speaking at the TOP's party headquarters at Scarborough last night at around 10.35 p.m., conceded defeat and extended congratulations to the People’s National Movement (PNM) and his political opponent, Orville London. 

Jack, who looked tearful, said he accepts full blame for the TOP’s convincing defeat.

“In the next couple of days, I will meet with the executive of the TOP to assess what has happened and I will assess my own future in terms of the politics,” he said.

Asked whether this meant he will bow out of politics completely, he said, “I have to speak to the party and, based on how the rest of the party feels, I will make a decision based on that. I would not want to become an albatross around the neck of the party, if that is how the party feels I will gracefully deal with it.”

For 16 years Jack had been the representative of the people of Mason Hall/Providence/Moriah, he lost his seat yesterday to the PNM. He last served as the Minority Leader of the THA and boasted during the election campaign that he had turned down an offer of a position as a government senator to become the next chief secretary.

Asked if he expected to lose his seat, Jack said he was “shocked” by the outcome, but democracy prevails. 

“I think if you asked me personally what we did wrong I wouldn’t be able to tell you off-hand, I think we did everything that I think was necessary for Tobago’s development and the people have spoken, in a democracy we have to respect the views of the people,” he said.

“Let me also say to the chairman and the rest of the organisation, I take full responsibility for whatever the outcome of this election is. I blame no candidate, I blame no member of the executive, I blame no other member of the party, I take full responsibility as the leader of the party for the results of this election,” he added.

He reiterated that the future of the TOP will be determined by whatever decision he makes in two days.

“For every victory, for every defeat there are lessons to be learnt,” said Jack. 

Before Jack’s arrival, shock and disappointment were all over the faces of supporters of the TOP’s camp.

The TOP office was visibly not prepared for any celebration in contrast to the PNM camp, located a short distance away. TOP supporters were glued to the television set, and as the preliminary results came in, sadness grew.

Even before the final vote was counted, supporters of the PNM were out in the streets dancing, ringing bells and celebrating sweet victory- in front of the TOP’s office.

TOP chairman Lionel Coker told the Express the party is willing to work with the PNM for Tobago’s development.

The TOP’s aggressive advertising campaign dwarfed the PNM election machinery, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and several government ministers endorsing the TOP, a coalition partner in the ruling People’s Partnership.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

Ashworth Jack's 4 Million Dollar House Referred for Investigation by the Integrity Commission

Ashworth Jack's House 

The controversial issue of the house built by Ashworth Jack, political leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), has for the second time been put in the lap of the Integrity Commission.

And this time around, the commission has taken notice and has asked its director of investigations, Richard Frederick, to discuss the issue and obtain all information and documents in the matter.

The first request to the commission to probe the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Minority Leader's assets by Tobagonian Moses O Thomas was reported by the Express in November last year.

Thomas had in October 2011 made an official query to the commission about the land on which Jack had built his home and a vehicle purported to be owned by Jack.

Thomas, the field liaison officer for the Chief Secretary of the THA, had asked the Integrity Commission to review Jack's declaration of income, assets and liabilities for the years 2001-2008, saying what he saw were "very inconsistent declarations".

Thomas had also asked the commission to probe ownership of a vehicle (Toyota SUV PCR 5066) which he said was not owned by either Jack or his business AJ Rentals.

The commission at that time had dismissed Thomas's request for an investigation, and the commission's chairman, Ken Gordon, had told the Express that Jack would not be investigated unless and until a request came to the commission as an official query.

Dissatisfied with the commission's failure to probe Jack, Moses subsequently called on Gordon to step down. Gordon did not.

Unlike this first outcome, however, fellow Tobagonian Goslyn Loraine has over the past month raised the issue of the acquisition of the land and construction of Jack's house with the registrar of the Integrity Commission, Martin Farrell.

In a letter dated December 18, 2012, Loraine, a political activist and co-ordinator of the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) in Tobago, raised four concerns to determine whether Jack had acquired his property by "fraudulent or corrupt means".

He also raised allegations of "inducements" being used for political favours. Jack had dismissed speculation in an exclusive Sunday Express story last year that his multimillion-dollar house in Hillsborough, Mt St George, was a political "gift" from Trinidad.

The commission, in its response to Loraine, dated January 3, 2013, invited Lorraine to tell all in a meeting with its director of investigations, Frederick.

The letter, signed by Farrell, stated, "In an effort to adequately respond to your requests, the commission invites you to meet with its director, Investigations, Mr Richard Frederick, at 10 a.m on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at the Office of the Integrity Commission."

According to Farrell, "This meeting is intended to obtain from you all information/documents in your possession which may establish the allegations made."

It also pointed to the Integrity in Public Life Act, Chapter 22:01 and to Section 34 A, which "stipulates that the commission may, on receipt of a complaint, reject same if it is not supported by evidence of a probative value".

While it did not outrightly reject Loraine's complaint, the commission sought to give an explanation of what constituted "evidence" and explained that "broadly defined (evidence) is the means from which an inference may logically be drawn as to the existence of a fact".

The commission said it was "anxious to investigate all allegations of corrupt or fraudulent conduct, however, it can only do so when supplied with information upon which a reasonable inference of such conduct can be founded".

The Express contacted Loraine in Tobago, but he indicated he had not yet met with the commission on the issue.

He explained that he needed more time to provide the information and the request for the meeting came at short notice.

"I have received correspondence from the commission and I am to get back to them on the next possible date for a meeting," he said.

Loraine said he was a bit surprised by the commission's request for him to provide documented evidence since the issue of Jack's house was in the public domain.

He said, too, that the meeting was unlikely to take place before next Monday, January 21, when Tobagonians go to the polls to elect a new executive to lead the THA for the next four years.

Jack is seeking to unseat incumbent People's National Movement (PNM) Chief Secretary Orville London.

The third party in the race is the Tobago Platform of Truth (TPT), whose leader is Hochoy Charles.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

Ashworth Jack Pledges To Review All Contracts.

Leader of the TOP
Ashworth Jack

Much as its allies, the People's Partnership,  the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) has pledged to review all contracts that were awarded during the period of dissolution of the Assembly and the January 21st Elections. This was articulated by the leader of the TOP Ashworth Jack. 

Jack beaming with confidence of victory stated that he had received reports that the Peoples National Movement (PNM) were hastily renewing contracts and issuing new ones to their party supporters. A new TOP administration within the Tobago House of Assembly (THA)  would review all contracts those renewed and those which were new. 

One media house claimed that they have been inundated with calls from concerned THA employees in several divisions, complaining of being swamped with a large amount of Executive Council notes for these contracts. “We are fully aware of this issue and I could tell you that once we get in office, every one of those contracts being awarded at this time would be reviewed,” declared Jack. 

Information reaching a specific media house stated that one of the new contracts awarded was one to develop housing lots at Courland in Black Rock. 

London: Jack Was Cheating

Ashworth Jack at the THA Debate 2013

The conversation of the controversial issue surrounding Ashworth Jack's possession of "Notes" for the historic political debate in the THA elections 2013 continues to surface at political campaigns. yesterday at the massive meeting in Roxborough Orville London, Leader of  the PNM Tobago Council and member for Scarborough/Calder accused Jack of being a cheater. 

London stated that the rules were that none of the leaders would walk with Notes. However, he was taken aback at how Ashworth Jack was able to quote Central Statistical Data off his head. "All schoolchildren understand, you come to exam, you cannot carry notes into exam, but they don't care," he said. He continued saying that Hochoy, knowing that kind of man Ashworth to be, looked around his head and saw the green paper on  Ashworth Jack's desk. Stating that for someone who is aspiring for the highest office, he came to the Debate and expected to cheat his way through. 

This morning Hochoy Charles corroborated London's account of the incident on a program on 91.9 FM. Stating that Ashworth Jack indeed had "green paper" on his desk which he eventually put away in his jacket pocket after the call was made for no notes. 

Ashworth was giving names at the PNM campaign as Thief Secretary and Cheat Secretary. 

Jack: I’ll fight to the last for Tobago Freedom

Ashworth Jack, Leader of the TOP

Ashworth Jack, leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), began his political address to villagers in Glamorgan, Tobago East, on Saturday night with the opening verses of Psalm 121 from the Bible. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills. From whence cometh my help? “My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth.”

Glamorgan, decribed by residents as “country,” reportedly has a strong Christian presence. On the dark junction at Sheep Pen Trace and George Street, under Miss Voris Shop, owned by a Seventh-Day Adventist, Jack, in the trembling tones of a pastor delivering a sermon, addressed a lively group of some 400 TOP supporters dressed in bright yellow party jerseys.

Waving TOP flags and glow sticks, hooting horns and blowing whistles, they responded to Jack like a congregation in a church. Jack said it was three-and-a-half months ago he was inspired to use the psalm. “But I didn’t know what direction God was leading. “The last three or so weeks, I recognised God never makes a mistake. “I have had to endure, with a smile, maybe what one other political leader, Mr Robinson, has had to endure.

“And I’m saying to you brothers and sisters, it has made me stronger, it has made me better.” After the loud hooting and whistling subsided, Jack told of the source of his ordeal—his critics. Listing the criticisms against him, he recalled the incident at the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election debate last Thursday night, in which he was accused by Platform of Truth leader Hochoy Charles of walking with prepared notes.

 “After the licking of their life, they say I thief the debate,” Jack said. “Everyone was told you can take your notes, that’s why they gave you a notepad and a pen. “You know the joke about that. Everybody in T&T knows I don’t need notes to speak no time.” Noting that he spoke in front of thousands of people at political meetings, he asked: “Why do I have to look at a notepad for two has-beens?

“When they asked me to debate, I said bring it on. I fear God. I know no other fear.” A supporter shouted: “Glory.” Moving on to the issue of internal self-government for the island, Jack said he would fight with his last breath to bring freedom to Tobago. He said the PNM, now saying it will not support the Government’s internal self-government bill, never wanted that for Tobago. He said in 1977, a motion for internal self-government was watered down in the THA to the County Council Act.

“In 1996, another motion was voted against by Orville London (THA Chief Secretary and his political rival).” Jack dismissed various explanations by London for the rejection of the motion saying it was a calculated thing. He attacked THA assemblyman Hilton Sandy for his statement that there is a ship anchored in Calcutta waiting to sail to Tobago.

The statement has been deemed racist and allegedly refers to the UNC-dominated People’s Partnership coalition Government of which the TOP is a part. “If we are not careful, the racial boogey will come to Tobago and swallow every one one of us,” Jack warned. “There are people walking around with Bible here saying Indians want to take over Tobago.”

At the end of his speech, he presented the first copy of the TOP’s manifesto, which outlined the party’s plans for Tobago for the next four years. Glamorgan is in Tobago East, held by the TOP’s Vernella Allen-Toppin, Minister in the Ministry of Social Development. Villager Simeon John, 93, holding a TOP flag and glow stick, said Glamorgan is a traditional Opposition seat.

“Everybody in this village know who they are voting for,” he said. John predicted Sandy will lose his seat in Roxborough/Delaford over his alleged racist Calcutta statement. Several TOP music trucks passed by on the Windward Road while the meeting was going on. TOP pins, glow sticks, flags, horns and whistles were distributed to villagers at the start of the meeting, which they waved, and hooted.

Another TOP meeting was held at the same time in the nearby village of Mt St George, which Jack also attended.

Reproduced from Tobagonews

22 Thousand Million Dollars A Lie Says London.

Political Leader of  PNM Tobago
Orville London

Ashworth Jacks' infamous description of THA's fiscal allocation over the 12 years of administration has been described as misleading by the Tobago Political Leader of the PNM, Orville London. The political leader is now calling on TOP and the PP members to desist from misleading the public of Tobago on the amount received by the assembly over the 12 years. ." He further noted that all one has to do is add the allocations for every fiscal year for the past twelve years and the amount received would be known."All you got to do is to add all the monies that were given to the THA between fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2012, add it up and you come up with a figure and the figure is not $20b, in fact they gone to $22b He said.  He further stated that the way the TOP is proclaiming this false figure is insulting to every Tobagonians intelligence. 

London said this misleading information has been spoken of by the TOP and PP members on their platform and in advertisements for the January 21 election campaign. He then stated that the figure the Assembly received up to fiscal 2012 was just $16.39 Billion.  and the first quarter receipt for fiscal 2013 brought it up to a little less than 17 billion, which is why they have been speaking of $17 billion on their platform.

London continued to break down the figures stating that of the  $16.39B which the Assembly received up to the end of fiscal 2012, $13.54b was for recurrent expenditure and only $2.58b was in fact development funds.  "In other words the THA would have received an average of $240m per year for development," he added.

London said: "When you take 12 years and accumulate it in that kind of manner the numbers sound big but when you break the numbers down one would understand the circumstances under which we operated and the challenges which we had to face because basically we would have averaged for development, this is, all the major and not so major development projects in Tobago from the princely sum of $240m."

London then choose to educate the people of Tobago that of the $16B or $17b, $8.8b was spent in wages, salaries and benefits to Assembly employees over the years and that was an indication of the contribution the Assembly had made to the quality of life of the people of Tobago.