Ashworth Jack Muti Million $$ House Completed in One Year

Ashworth Jack Mansion Located in Mt.St.George Tobago

Many Tobagonians are questioning a multi-million dollar house recently built for cash by Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Minority Leader Ashworth Jack on lands for which he has no deed.

Word is that the two storey house was a 'gift' from a construction firm in Trinidad which would have secured several million dollar contracts from the People's Partnership government. Word is that Jack's house comprises of eight rooms, a 25ft by 12 ft swimming pool, a gazebo, a kitchen, living room, dining room and library.

However Jack dismissed these claims stating "I am not hand-to-mouth," he said. "No construction firm from Trinidad built my home for free for me."

Jack, the Assemblyman for the Providence/Moriah/Mason Hall area, is the main challenger to incumbent THA Chief Secretary Dr Orville London in the January 21, 2013 THA elections.

London faces political scrutiny and possibly legal investigations over the controversial $134 million Milshirv Complex, brokered through a Build, Own, Lease, Transfer (BOLT) arrangement.

Jack confessed that the six acres of land on which his house was completed were not "fully" his. "The final transfer of the land is being completed right now," he said, adding that the land belongs to Tobago businessman Allan Warner. 

Warner confirmed Jack's story stating that Jack made several down-payments for the parcel of land , with an initial payment of $100,000 on the $1 million dollar parcel of land 12 years ago, and two subsequent monthly payments totaling $20,000. So in total, he made a payment of $120,000 with a balance of $880,000 on the land on which his palatial residence now stands.

The house was started in late 2010 after the People's Partnership came into power and was completed in 2011.

Warner also confirmed that Jack told him about one month ago, that the transfer would be settled soon.

When Jack asked about financing he stated that "My house was constructed by my brother Curtis Jack of CJ Construction, a company I have worked with for years. "And for all those who are asking questions, I work four jobs to build my house…my family has three businesses, one of which is AJ Rentals, which deals with the rentals of any and everything and also a store called 'Splurge City' which sells accessories. I also work as a project manager in Trinidad," he said, but refused to name the firm for which he works.

" …In short, I make money," he added.

Some persons have placed the value of the house within the vicinity of $4 million, Jack stated it was built at a cost of $2 million. Contributing to the cutting down of costs was Jack's effort in the plumbing and electrical works.

"I do all the plumbing and electrical work...we don't pay for that. All I paid my brother was a salary," he said.

Jack stated that the processes surrounding the construction of his palatial residence were above board, nothing that he would have declared to the Integrity Commission the presence of materials for the house since 2008.

Jack further told the media that one source of his income was from pumpkin and cucumber sales. "At one time, before I started building on the land I used to plant pumpkin and cucumber on that land, so while it is a source of income, it's not the only source," he said.

He admitted that at one time when he worked at the THA it was difficult to build his home but explained: "That changed when I got a job as a project manager with a company in Trinidad."

Speaking elatedly about his new home, Jack, a father of two daughters, one of whom is studying medicine while the other is pursuing business studies, said his home was not built in the traditional square but circular style.

"It has four bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, dining room, library, swimming pool and gazebo. I make no apology for building my family a nice home," he said.

Jack said like most Tobagonians, he plants all his seasonings, and vegetables adding, "I plant every banana and every dasheen that I eat...My favorite meal is dasheen and salt fish or steamed fish. "I am not a steak and lobster kind of person. I make no apology for that. I have two children, two girls, and whenever they come home on weekends, they work in the family businesses."

Jack in a bid to further justify his elaborate abode stressed his point by saying "As I said, I have a job as project manager, I work hard that is how my family live, we all help each other. I do not want to call the names of the companies for which I work."

Asked whether he had secured bank loans to finance his home, Jack said he had not.

"I receive a salary of $35,000 a month as a project manager, and I entered an arrangement to pay the entire salary towards the materials to construct of my home." "I am not hand to mouth," he said. "I don't have a care what people say," he said, adding that the architectural design for his home was done in 2000.

Having moved into the home about two months ago, Jack boasted that every room in the house had a spectacular view of the sea.

Jack faces a tough battle in his constituency from the People's National Movement's candidate Sheldon Cunningham. However, Jack believes that his astute management of his finances in building his house without going to the bank put him in good stead to run the affairs of the THA.

"I understand how to use money wisely…that's why I believe I can be Chief Secretary," he said.

TOP has currently named all 12 Candidates for the Upcoming Elections.

PNM presents Candidates for THA elections 2013

The screening process of candidates for the the People's National Movement in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly 2013 Elections was conducted yesterday. At the end of  it all, the PNM presented its slate of candidates who would be vying for their various seat on the 21st of January 2013.  

The areas holding newcomers under the PNM are: Mason Hall/Moriah, Bacolet Mt St George, Buccoo/Mt Pleasant, Canaan/Bon Accord, Lambeau Signal Hill and Bethel/Mt Irvine.

The Names chosen comprised of  season veterans and buzzing fledglings, experience and youthfulness.  

The candidates presented were :

Orville London - Scarborough/Calder Hall, 

Hilton Sandy - Roxborough/Delaford, 

Claudia Groome Duke - Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden

Godwin Adams - Plymouth/Golden Lane

Hayden Spencer - Belle Garden/Goodwood

Tracey Davidson Celestine - Parlatuvier/L'Anse Fourmi/Speyside

Joel Jack - Bacolet/Mt. St. George

Jomo Pitt - Lambeau/ Signal Hill

Handel Beckles - Bethel/Mt. Irvine

Huey Cadette - Canaan/Bon Accord

Sheldon Cunningham - Providence/ Mason 

Ancil Dennis- Bucco/Mt. Pleasant

Hints of Head on Collision between Jack and Orville.

Ashworth Jack, Leader of the
Tobago Organisation of the People

As the major parties go through their final preparations in the selection of candidates for the Tobago House of Assembly's election, there is word that the incumbent chief secretary Orville London may have to face off with Ashworth Jack, leader of the opposition. Jack made it clear that London is running scared following the talks around that he is running for the Scarborough/Calder Hall district in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election on January 21."There is talk that I am running in the Chief Secretary's seat … and that is his biggest fear as political leader," the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader said. 

Meanwhile London seemed not to be disturb by this rumor and had this to say "Let him come,". London further added "Anybody has the choice to run in which ever seat he wants, and if he is that way inclined I have no problem with that." He admitted that while the  TOP would had made a good showing winning four seats in last election, the momentum might have shifted as the  dynamics of 2010 elections were different.

Jack who currently represents the Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah district, also got a heads up that he might have to face former comrades such as former TOP Assemblyman Dr Hughvon des Vignes, or political stalwart Hochoy Charles. However, Jack laughed off this possibility. when pressed about being in "deep waters" with other political parties and not just PNM, jack commented saying "They could all come". He said: "Hughvon could come; Hochoy could come, I am not worried. I don't know why anybody would think that I have anything to fear. Just look at the figures in the last election and you will see that I got the highest figures."

It may seem that if any of these rumors are true Tobagonians are in for a political treat and heated battle in the up coming elections January 21 2013. 

THA Elections Carded for January 21 2013

The stage has now been set for what might be the greatest battle ever fought for the coveted seat of power in Tobago. The THA elections has now set for January 21st 2013. Nomination date would be December 31 2012.  Tobagonians once again has been tossed in election mode during the Christmas and Carnival period. How much of the political issues would actually influence vote, would be a variable for political analysts to examine and measure.

The two major parties to contest the up coming election would the People's National Movement and the Tobago Organisation of the People. The PNM would be by no doubt locked in a fierce battle with a member of the PP government the TOP.  The other major party contesting the election is The Platform of Truth lead by former Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles. At present, the Tobago PNM and the TOP are considered the front runners in the campaign. The PNM has eight seats while the TOP controls four seats in the House.

Already, both parties have been mobilizing and heavy campaign is expected be seen within the next month. They have all expressed confidence in securing victory.  

Tobago Electoral List Questionable

On November the 01st the Express released an electoral list that placed the Tobago electorate above 46,000. The express stated that the EBC indicated that of October the 1, 2012 forty-six thousand, one hundred and twenty seven (46,127) voters were registered to vote in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election in Tobago. This figure by all means have been deemed alarming and quite questionable as it relates to the demographics of Tobago. 

The Central Statistical Office's (CSO) preliminary count of the 2011 population and housing census as of the 9th of January 2011 placed the Tobago Non-Institutional population at fifty three thousand, four hundred and eighty seven (53487), the institutional population-seven hundred and ninety one (791) and the street dwellers were twenty one (21). For the purposes of this article we would focus on the Non-Institutional population and Institutional population inclusive of correctional and penal institutions, which would be our only limitation.  In addition to this, research have indicated that in the 2011Census the population below 18 years was Fourteen thousand, three hundred and nine(14,309). 

Given that the above information is factual, one must now use simply arithmetic or statistics to question the reliability of electoral list.  If we sum both the under 18 (years) population and the electoral population it places the population of Tobago some 11.34 percent higher than the 2011 preliminary Census count, a figure of 60,436.  This indicates that a total of six thousand, one hundred and fifty-eight (6,158) persons would have either become eligible to vote due to a change in age or through the three (3) month defined eligibility enshrined in the THA act. However, further research indicates that the population age seventeen (17) in the 2011 Census was only eight hundred and seventy seven (877), leaving us with a difference of 5281 from the 6,158 figure stated above. Thus, we are left to believe that the remainder 5381 would have in the majority been migrants to Tobago. 

The crux of the matter therefore is, that the electoral population or list remains in many persons opinion a bit exorbitant in relation to the demographics of Tobago. There most be some way of reconciling the Census Population (which can only change through births, deaths or  migration) the electoral list/figure and the under 18 population. A huge jump in the electoral population as it relates to the 2011 population Census can only serve to put distrust in the hearts of Tobagonians and doubts in the minds of Politicians. Tobagonians must question who are these 5281 persons who are now eligible to vote, where did they come from?  and to which constituents are they registered to vote.

Voter Padding have always been a concern in almost all elections within Trinidad and Tobago. Therefore, we must take all precautions to address the issue in an effort to build confidence in the election process. As such, no effort should be spared in eliminating electoral wrong doings and boosting the confidence in the EBC. 

There are 12 electoral districts in Tobago: 1. Bacolet/Mount St George 2. Belle Garden/Goodwood 3. Bethel/Mt Irvine 4. Black Rock/Whim/ Spring Garden 5. Buccoo/Mount Pleasant 6. Canaan/Bon Accord 7. Lambeau/Signal Hill 8. Parlatuvier/ L'Anse Fourmi/ Speyside 9. Plymouth/Golden Lane 10. Providence/ Mason Hall/ Moriah 11. Roxborough/Delaford 12. Scarborough/Calder Hall.

Tobago House of Assembly Dissolved: No Date Set for Election.

Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly
 Orville London

The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has been dissolved today paving the way for the election due in the island. However,  Orville London  the Chief Secretary  has not given the date of the election, as the election is not constitutionally due until January 2013. 

The London led administration has been at the seat of power for the THA since 2001 after unseating the Hochoy Charles led administration. In that election the PNM won eight of the 12 seats in the THA. The party repeated its success in 2005 with 11 seats. In 2009, it lost some ground to the new Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), winning eight seats. 

TOP have made several calls to the PNM led administration to call the THA election. Ashworth Jack the Minority leader and leader of the TOP has joined the coalition government led by UNC leader Kamla Persad-Beissessar.  The Prime Minister has openly called for the election as her government attempts to win the Tobago elections securing both the central and THA seats of power. 

The PNM and TOP are the major parties within Tobago, and have both indicated their confidence in winning ahead of the elections. 

Jack: PNM must Account for Neglecting Tobago

Ashworth Jack: Minority Leader of the THA

Ashworth Jack said on Saturday the days are numbered for Orville London, the Chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), as he supported a call for the THA election that is due early next year.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar made the call one week ago after the leader of the People's National Movement demanded fresh general elections. The Prime Minister responded by telling Rowley if he is so interested in an election he could have one by just telling London to make the call.

That caused Rowley to strike back at Persad-Bissessar stating that she has no right or jurisdiction to make such a demand. On Saturday the leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) asked why.

Speaking at a People's Partnership Pre-Budget rally in Changuanas Jack asked why it was OK everyone to demand an election but the moment the PM did the same "they vex". He said an election is due in Tobago soon and whether they call it now or later the result would be the same - the end of the PNM rule in Tobago.

Jack said London has a lot to answer for including a multi million dollar land transaction in which the THA bought lands for $12 million and within days leased it back to the same people who sold it. The lease, he said, is for 199 years at a rate of ten dollars a year. He also wondered how a project in Bacelot climbed from $199 million to $250 million.

The THA minority leader said the PNM has a dismal record of achievement in Tobago despite spending billions of dollars in the 12 years since it has been in office. 

He also said the PNM has been blocking progress on constitutional reform. He said he is looking forward to a bill for self government going before Parliament to see whether PNM leader Keith Rowley would block it. Rowley has threatened to withhold support for bills that require special majorities, which includes any bill on constitutional amendment.

reproduce from Jyoti Communication. 

The Belief of CityLimer and Many Other Tobagonians

This is the cry of citylimer as well as many Tobagonians who are at this time already frustrated with the state of affairs of this Country. I wonder if his last statement would be the reality of the Tobago House of Assembly Elections.

Toppin and Baker have sold their soul and conscience for a mess of potage/political-personal agrandizement. I believe that they have no intention of continuing to live in Tobago among the people after all this fiasco of BASHING TOBAGONIANS.PEOPLE NOW IS THE TIME TO DUMP THIS UNC TOP REGIME BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.Trinidad cannot wait for 3 years - which is too long for many. Lets start the destruction of this ABOMINABLE REGIME NOW. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Tobago/THA must govern Tobago. The time is now if we miss this opportunity to Govern ourselves within the Constitution and we allow outsiders/UNC TOP to undermine/violate the Constitution we will forever regret it. Do not be fooled by propaganda and temporary gratification of gifts/money/cell phones rob you of your rational thinking and you end up being confused into doing STUPIDNESS. VOTE PNM THE ONLY PARTY WHO CAN DEVELOP THIS COUNTRY INCLUDING TOBAGO. PNM WILL WIN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION YES PNM WILL WIN BECAUSE THE COUNTRY IS FED UP OF PP.

Tobago Needs a Choice: It Feels Like De Ja Vu All over Again.

Reminiscent of the reality of 2000

Former Chief Secretary, Hochoy Charles, and

Current Chief Secretary, Orville London

It feels like de ja vu all over again. 2001 former Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles was nailed to the political cross at the Tobago House of Assembly's (THA) election by a revived PNM. Even the UNC, led by a vicious Panday took a throw of the spare that seemingly wounded the NAR. The Ring Bang, Ring Bang, ADDA ADDA Ring Bang scandal, brought to its knees a mighty party that ruled Tobago for almost twenty (20) years. Today, it might be more than ideal to concur with the adage of ‘what goes around comes around’. London, the individual who broke the ADDA scandal and the person who ensured that the perception and the evidence of such stayed alive in the public mind, has now become the emphasis of a very similar scandal.

For over 10 years, Tobago’s PNM mantra has been “Protecting Tobago’s Heritage”.  And even as the lessons of over 10 years have not been learnt, and on the heels of an Executive action, which Tobagonians doesn't believe would protect our heritage, the PNM is facing the same axe that slaughtered the NAR for yet again another financial adventure. The MILSHIV project have been the public conversation in Tobago lately, and with unsatisfactory and hifalutin explanations, the THA seems to be impotent in articulating financially the immediate derived benefits of such an arrangement. The purchased of 3 acres of land for 12 million dollars, the lease to a synthetic company at 10 dollars for 199 years, and rental of a building at $15.61 per square foot per month over a 20 year period for a building totally 83000 sq. ft. seems to be a sour taste in the mouth and a bit hard for Tobagonians to digest as something of sound financial judgement. The ramifications of which would be discussed in a subsequent article.

The MILSHIV project, might be the final nail in the wooden cedar coffin of the PNM, draped and compounded with numerous criticisms of mismanagement and excessive delays in the hospital project, the library, the bus terminus, port and airport expansion, the THA campus, cultural complex, a growing, expanded tertiary educations sector, a growing and on-going agro/manufacturing sector, and the list goes on.

To see Tobagonians were blinded by the glitz and glitters promised by their “saviour” PNM, none of which have materialized over the past 10 years and which I must hasten to say would not materialized before elections or soon thereafter.  Tobago inhabitants still awaits the promise of Housing for all and Millionaires for Tobagonians as promised by the PNM in 2000. What has now become a chorus of rhetoric, verbalized at deafening decibels can only be described as preposterous.  Petty allegations levied at Central Government, blames of disrespect and attempts to further perpetuate the divide of Tobago’s population by race, ethnicity and party politics has become the order of the day.

But who suffers? The People of Tobago Suffers. Tobagonians are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tobagonians are left without a “real” choice. Tobagonians must now accept hogwash from these mindless puppets who formulate themselves into something resembling parties but are really Gangs of criminals, dressed in suits, who should be locked away for a life time.  There is no doubt that the PNM is bereft of Vision just as their accused; the NAR of 2000.  The ideas purported by those in power and those vying to attain power, continues to remind us all of how incapable, unqualified and powerless these mindless puppets are in moving Tobago forward.

The song Haiti I’m sorry comes to mind, and so let me change it and say Tobago I’m sorry. Yes, I feel sorry for Tobago and its inhabitants. As a young Tobagonian, I somehow have come to the resolve that I should accept the fate that Tobago would not realize its true potential perhaps in my lifetime, given that we continue to recycle our political garbage. Politicians that we have discarded as defected and useless reappear in our honourable house as new and improve, only to repeat the said mistakes of the old. Tobagonians are indeed a disadvantage people. Not only are we disadvantage constitutionally, but we are also disadvantage in the choices we have in these recycled, second-hand, reprocessed, balls-less politicians. I urge Tobagonians to consider carefully your options.  We are indeed tossed between a rock and a hard place and sadly we as a people must now choose between the lesser of two evils. At this epoch, let me contend that Evil is Evil, I cannot choose the Lesser of or Greater of any Evil.

Time for Tobago to have a “Real Choice”.