ELECTION CORNER:TOP EAST CANDIDATE

Mr. Joseph Frederick of Mason Hall has replaced the controversial appointment of Vernella Alleyne Toppin as the TOP's candidate for Tobago East in the upcoming General election. 

This was announced at an emergency press conference this morning. Mr Frederick is the public relations officer of the TOP.  

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.

Jack, Toppin absent from executive meeting

Political Leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack as well as Member of Parliament (MP) for Tobago East Vernella Alleyne-Toppin were ‘no shows’ at a membership meeting called by concerned TOP members at Pan Am Building in Crown Point last Sunday.

Tobago’s Failing Health System

A viewpoint of the Tobago Organisation of the People

The PNM-led THA, who leads in Tobago’s health care system, is quickly having its credibility with the public eroded in this area. The main reason is the PNM-led THA is collective failure to credibly lead Tobago in its journey to a health care system that is safe, accommodating and comfortable, as well as one that cares for all Tobagonians, and one that is free from nepotism, cronyism, favouritism and corruption.

The latest of such blows to the PNM-led THA’s credibility in health care; is that of the hospital laundry and the recruiting methods at the newly built hospital. The hospital laundry was said to be completed in 2012 after much work and overtime cost were incurred. This was done to allow Tobagonians to perceive that the PNM was performing and could have built a building without the stigma of cost overruns and construction delays leading up to the 2013 THA election. However, a project which was needed since 2004, Tobagonians are not aware of its cost or contractor deals. The laundry has been closed since then and the employees at the institution were asked to attend work at the laundry every day. These employees were paid for doing nothing and many of them became frustrated and sought employment elsewhere.

Since then the PNM-led THA has been sending the Scarborough Hospital linens to Trinidad to be washed and sterilised. Hospital linens need special laundering as they contain a high level of bacteria, germs and fungi and must be washed and sterilised at a certain temperature to eliminate these dangerous contents. Knowing and understanding this, a hospital laundry should have been a high priority to the PNM-led THA. This building should have been completed and in operation seven years ago. In the absence of a functioning laundry at the Tobago hospital, it means that there is an increase in the cost to maintain the hospital linens. The Secretary for Health and Social Service is fully aware of the mounting cost to Tobagonians and Tobago. However, this visionless PNM has not seen it fit to outfit the Tobago hospital laundry and have it operational. This column was reliably informed that to get the linens to Trinidad it requires a truck, driver and employees. The driver and loaders are paid overtime every time they are sent to Trinidad because of the time the boat travels. In many cases the employees are anxious to return to Tobago to meet their family and friends and in many cases have to leave linens that are not completed by the Trinidad laundry when it is time to board the boat. The linens are not accounted for and in many cases the hospital does not recover these linens. This is an additional cost to Tobagonians.

Notwithstanding this, the PNM is now contemplating leasing the laundry to a Chinese company. The Tobago Organisation of the People was reliably informed that negotiations are on-going presently with this company to lease the building. The source has informed this column that the reason the arrangement has not been completed is due to the incompletion of the laundry. It is said that the company was shocked when it visited the laundry which the PNM-led THA claimed was finished. This situation has turned the entire negotiations into a tailspin. The Chinese company is now seeking to complete the laundry at a huge cost to Tobago’s taxpayers. The source further stated that the laundry is not equipped; some of the important areas like the tumbling room are still incomplete. It is been said that by the time the negotiation is completed, the company will have to re-wire the laundry as it has a lot of faulty wiring and will not be able to accommodate the machines needed for such laundry. 

What is further devastating is that this company is going to lease the laundry which was built with Tobago people’s money and charge the THA to wash and sterilise Tobago’s Hospital linens at a higher cost than Trinidad. It was mentioned that the company intends to recover its cost for the lease of the laundry in four years and will be charging higher than the market price to handle the hospital and health centres linens. It is scandalous that after millions was spent on a newly built laundry that Tobagonians have to endure this level of mismanagement and where it patrimony is given away. If the laundry is completed and its operation starts, it can certainly save Tobago and Tobagonians a huge sum of money and employ many Tobagonians. It is time for Tobagonians to start the battle cry and ensure that the PNM-led THA gets down to the people’s business and get the laundry completed and have our hospital linens laundered in Tobago by Tobago employees.

The method of recruitment is also being done to benefit a number of the PNM cronies both in Trinidad and Tobago. With the decline in private business in Tobago and the THA holding the monopoly on employment in Tobago, the THA is using it to its advantage. A hospital normally employs a high percentage of human resource to ensure it functions effectively. However, the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) under the ambits of the THA, has been using the hospital hiring practice to promote nepotism. The TRHA employed Joanne Thomas a PNM Member of Parliament as its Consultant to guide it in its recruitment drive. For years this MP has been in Tobago carrying out the desires of the PNM. Her representation for her members in her Constituency has been lacking and there are number of persons in her Electoral District that do not even know her. She has not made a compelling presentation in Parliament to date and none of her contributions has significantly helped in shaping her constituency or the country as a whole. However, she has been busy in Tobago’s Hospital making background checks on Tobagonians, interrogating them to ensure they are associated with the PNM.

Many of the persons working as Environmental Workers and as Ward Maids are on month to month contracts. They are not certain if at the end of each month, they will be allowed to continue to work. This is like a jail sentence hanging over their heads and they have to walk on a fine line. They were promised that they would have been evaluated after six months. Many of them have not been and they are waiting on the next word from the Management. They are threatened for the smallest of mistakes and are constantly reminded that they are one month to month contracts and they can be easily sent home. The PNM seems to be interested in making the hospital a voter’s bank and not totally interested in delivering quality health care. It was obvious that the PNM-led THA and the THRA employment practice is a cesspool for the sins of a badly conceived, arbitrarily resourced, and indecently operated approach to keep the PNM in power in Tobago. However, the tides have been turning and it is clear that the PNM is not making any inroads in the politics of Trinidad and will soon not be able to make such in Tobago.

Tobagonians we cannot allow the PNM to destroy our intuitions, create a dependence state and use our resources to secure political power. Let us as Tobagonians stand up and fight against the evil of the PNM and shape Tobago into developed state status. The TOP wants to congratulate Mr Jack Warner on his victory in Chaguanas West.

Source:tobagonews

TOP Chairman Resigns

Chairman of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), Lionel Coker, has  resigned from the party.

In his resignation letter dated August 6,  Coker wrote:

“I take this opportunity to inform the general public of my resignation as chairman and also as member of the Tobago Organisation of the People as of Friday 2nd August, 2013. It was indeed an honour to be of service to the organisation especially from inception, as party organiser for three years and finally as party chairman over the last year.

“As I take my departure, I do extend best wishes to the TOP as it seeks to overcome its immediate as well as future challenges.”

 While TOP leader Ashworth Jack said Coker’s resignation was because of personal attacks, when contacted, he (Coker) said he did not wish to state his reason for resigning. He said, however, that  he worked hard to build the TOP party to where it is today.

 Coker told the Express he had held back his resignation since July 24 but chose yesterday to officially confirm his decision. His resignation comes in the midst of rumblings within the party with several members calling for the resignation of the TOP executive.

On July 10, several members of the TOP called for the postponement of the July 14 proposed annual conference by the party for a second time, and pressed the executive to address the reform of the party’s constitution and all other urgent issues. The conference was later postponed. 

Jack, when contacted yesterday on the resignation of Coker, said he (Coker) was a hardworking man and wished him the best in his future endeavours. 

“Mr Coker was under personal attack by several members within the TOP,” Jack said. 

Questioned as to whether the TOP would join Jack Warner’s Independent Liberal Party (IPL), Jack said he would be foolhardy to do such. He said if such a move should happen, the TOP membership would decide on the best way forward. 

Asked for his perspective on the matter, economist Dr Vanus James called for the resignation of TOP leader Jack, not only in light of Coker’s resignation but said he should have resigned and left office when the TOP lost the January 21 THA election. 

“From day one this was always the problem. I myself have had many conversations with Mr (Ashworth) Jack. The party has to be led in a different direction than one where you just want to win office, because when you win office you still have to make policy, as the PNM is finding out today,” James said. 

James said what the TOP is going through is similar to the whipping the People’s Partnership Government and the PNM got in the recent keenly contested Chaguanas West by-election.

“The failings of all the parties, including the PNM, don’t forget, and the People’s Partnership as Warner’s victory has proven, is the failure to get those institutions to work, and you could ask of Mr Warner’s victory, is that, how do you get the institutions of Government to work for our people in such a way that I don’t need to go to the representative to get benefits,” he said. 

Source:trinidadexpress

TOP Youth Arm calls on Executive to Resign

Several members of the Tobago Organization of the People (TOP)  youth arm are not happy with the present leadership of party chairman Lionel Coker.

 The youth members are calling on the entire executive of TOP to resign with immediate effect and an interim executive be appointed in place to take the party to the next internal election.

 “We are also asking that the entire youth arm executive demit office forthwith and a date set for the internal elections,” they said yesterday.

 Members of the youth arm met at TOP headquarters in Tobago on Saturday, thrashing out a number of internal issues within the party. Following the meeting, a letter was drafted and submitted  to the executive of the party, highlighting their concerns.

“It is with a heavy heart that we find ourselves writing to you this day as you may already know that a number of us within the youth arm have requested a meeting with you all to deal with several issues that exist within the youth arm of the party,” the letter stated.

“Mr Kevon McKenna would have written to the chairman regarding this, whose response was shocking to many of the members, as it was revealed that, in accordance with the ‘constitution’ of the party, many members who paid money and worked for the party at various levels were not really members and as such we seek clarity on the following:

At the first meeting of the island council, when Mr (Ashworth) Jack submitted his resignation, the ‘youth’ of the youth arm’s names were listed on a document stating that ‘we’ the members of the youth arm want Mr Jack to remain as leader of this illustrious party. The majority of us at that moment were not even financial or enlisted members of the party (in keeping with the constitution) but this document was endorsed by the signature of the youth arm president.

 “If the signatures of this document were not of legitimate members of the youth arm, then does this not illegitimise the document requesting Mr Jack to remain as leader? Then maybe that decision should be reconsidered,” the letter added.

“It seems as though only certain members have a say within this party.  The PNM has programmes and an attitude to encourage our youth to join them. It appears the TOP is now a dictatorship as democracy is now only a word to you honourable members,” it concluded. 

Source: trinidadexpress

TOP Internal Elections

The Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) is about to rise up and get on the move after suffering a crushing defeat in the last THA elections. The Ashworth Jack led Party which secured over eleven thousand votes in the last THA election but failed to win a seat is still part of the Central Government.

At a Party news conference last Tuesday at its Old Market Square headquarters, he, Political Leader Ashworth Jack and Party Chairman Lionel Coker fielded questions from media representatives. It was Party Chairman Lionel Coker who revealed that “the TOP will hold elections for eleven posts within the Party on Sunday June 02, from 9:30am at the Rovannel’s Resort.

According to Coker, “the election will be held on a one man, one vote basis and nominations for posts will on May 13, 4 pm. The eleven positions which will be contested are, chairman, Deputy Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary/treasurer, assistant relations and communications officer, education and training officer, membership and mobilisation officer, women development officer and youth development officer.

“The term of the political leader is due to end in 2014, so that post will not be contested,” Coker explained. The TOP Chairman further indicated, “The TOP will meet before the internal elections on Sunday May 26 from 3pm at the Mason Hall Secondary School. He explained that “this meeting will be the start of the Annual General Meeting of the Party, which will conclude with the internal elections the following week.” He made it clear that, “it will be at the Mason Hall meeting when the Party will ratify the Party’s constitution to make the ‘one man one vote’ an integral part of the voting process.”

Coker said that the TOP will be connecting with the Tobago public after the Party’s Internal elections are over.

Source:Thetobagonews

After two months, Tobago at a standstill

It is two months since the THA Elections, and Tobago is at a standstill, courtesy Chief Secretary Orville Delano London. Meanwhile, he has turned his back on the most vulnerable within our society, the CEPEP, URP and Development workers, who voted solidly to ensure that he remains Chief Secretary. The result of the elections was 12 nil, which means that he is free to deliver on all his promises to these workers. However, once they reelected him, he has declared war on these very workers.

Right before the elections, these workers were told that their jobs were secured, and if they voted for the TOP, the TOP would send them home. What they did not tell these workers was that the PNM would have no use for them after the elections. Today they are all feeling the pain. They are receiving notices of separation left, right and center. In addition, hundreds have not been paid for as much as four fortnights, and are threatened with instant dismissal should they publicize the situation. This situation is driving some of these workers, many of whom are single mothers, to actually become temporary prostitutes in order to feed their children and also send them to school, while Emperor London fiddles. Today, this Organization would like to let all these workers know; single mothers in particular, that the Tobago Organization of the People is standing in their defense and would ensure that their most important heritage; their vulnerable offspring are well protected, by ensuring that the Orville London led THA pay them all that is due to them; their front pay as well as back pay which will enable them to put food on their tables and send their children to the best schools, just as Orville Delano London would want for his children. In addition, we will work to ensure that their election promise of continued employment after election is kept.

What we find to be very interesting and vexatious, is that whilst this level of pain is being inflicted upon the poor, the Chief Secretary has moved with great dispatch to fix cousin Anslem.

If it is so necessary to pay cousin Anslem $60,000.00 per month for him to work along the current finance Secretary, then it simply means that one of the two, or both, are collecting money under false pretense.

As if this is not enough, he also moved with dispatch to bully the Prime Minister to Amend the THA Act to allow his two partners to become Independent Councillors. When that fell through, moving true to form, a suspicious, unholy, unchristian, unjust, unconscionable, and unclean arrangement is being made with the MDD, where close to $25 Million of public funds would be paid to an affiliate of this political entity that is parading as an NGO whose pseudo name or alias is “Center for Development and Democracy”. What is very interesting is that the half of a dozen principals in this Center, are the same as in the MDD. The TOP says that this is scandalous. The reasonable questions to ask are;

Is this close to $25 Million, pay back to the MDD for their open support in the just concluded THA Elections?

How can the Orville London led THA agree to give close to $25 Million of public funds to a political entity or its affiliate?

The TOP has absolutely no problem if the MDD has to be paid $25 Million or even $100 Million for its pound of flesh, because in our view the MDD worked very hard to ensure a PNM victory, so if they have to be paid then so be it. All the TOP is saying is, it must not be with Public Funds. Especially at a time when CEPEP, URP and development workers are not being paid, and the back pay to workers at the Quarry and other areas has been outstanding for so long. We wish to put the Chief Secretary on notice, just as we did with Milshirv, to bring the project to a halt, and which is now before the Courts. This document will be sent to the Attorney General for further action. Enough is enough.

Source:Tobagonews

The Top is Alive and Well

Reproduced unedited

A month has passed in the life of Tobago Organisation of the People after its defeat at the polls in the THA election. Nevertheless, the TOP can assure Tobago and Tobagonians that the TOP would remain the alternative government to the THA and relevant to Tobago politics despite the results of the polls on January 21st 2013. The PNM won all twelve electoral seats in Tobago. It was the first time in the history of this institution called the THA that any political party won all twelve seats. This was not the result that supporters of the TOP expected after witnessing the type of campaign executed by the TOP, the level of support the organisation received day after day and the cries by many Tobagonians for a change from the PNM regime and the need for a new organisation to manage the affairs of Tobago.

The TOP fought a good fight in which it brought all the issues of Tobago to the fore-front. The TOP led by Ashworth Jack, brought Tobago to the brink of internal self-government and identified in clear details through its manifesto how it would have managed Tobago through this new arrangement. The PNM as it always did prevented Tobago and Tobagonians from achieving internal self-government and self-determination on the merit that it was not a Tobago document. The PNM argued that it was not the right time to offer Tobago internal self-government and self-determination. This has placed Tobago and Tobagonians in the same position it has been since 1889.

However, the democratic process ensured that the majority’s choice about which political party and regime they wanted to manage Tobago. The Political Leader, the Executive members, supporters and members of the TOP respect the voice of the majority and are willing to continue to work with every Tobagonian. The TOP has recognised that despite its best efforts the majority of Tobagonians decided not to accept its proposals and vision and went along with that of the PNM. In this regard the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP), has to congratulate the PNM on its resounding victory, and hope that it will manage Tobago in the best interest of the people who voted for the PNM; and those that voted for the Tobago Organisation of the People. It must be noted that we are all Tobagonians and the people of Tobago, despite their political affiliation must be treated fairly and with respect.

In spite of the human emotions that may arise in this situation, we are certain the TOP will bounce back and will return stronger, bigger, better and ready to develop Tobago and take Tobago and Tobagonians to where all Tobagonians would like to see Tobago in the future.

Mr Ashworth Jack did the honourable thing and tendered his resignation to the party and decided to make way for new leadership. However, all the organs of the organisation rejected his resignation, including the organisation’s Island Council which is the highest decision making body of the organisation outside the TOP Annual General Council. Each organ decided that Mr Jack should remain Political Leader of the TOP. While many on the outside may have another point of view, it is the members and supporters of the party who make the decision on who the Leader is. They have decided that they want Mr Jack to continue as leader and the organisation is giving him its full support in the restructuring efforts.

Mr Jack has been very instrumental in building this organisation and has made a lot of personal sacrifices in bringing the TOP to where it is today, as one of Tobago’s major political forces. Mr Jack is also one of the most experienced politicians in this country and his knowledge, experience and abilities will certainly assist the TOP in its rebuilding drive. The party is moving on and has started putting its house in order for the upcoming general election which is due in the next two years. The TOP is confident that with its eleven thousand plus voters that this can form the foundation for its rebuilding.

The Tobago Organisation of the People wants to sincerely thank the eleven thousand plus persons who supported the plans and visions of the TOP. The TOP will continue to represent you outside of the House of Assembly as we will continue to follow all that is taking place and remain the watchdog of Tobago. We will never turn our back on you, we will continue our commitment to you, and we will be defending you and Tobago with our lives. The TOP will continue working towards Tobago’s freedom, we will continue working towards Tobago’s internal self-government and self-determination. So as we can build a better and stronger organisation that has a significant role to play in Tobago’s future, we renew our commitment to Tobago and Tobagonians.

Source:TheTobagoNews

TOP's political "licking" stars in San Fernando Jouvert

THE Tobago Organisation of the People's (TOP) failure to secure a

single seat in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election, was the

main topic at this year's Jouvert celebrations in San Fernando yesterday.

People's National Movement (PNM) candidate Hilton Sandy's

controversial "Calcutta" statement and allegations related to an

alleged incident between San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali

and his girlfriend, were also popular portrayals.

Large crowds gathered at Harris Promenade, San Fernando, long before Muradali declared the proceedings open at 6.25 a.m.

San Fernando West Member of Parliament Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan wished patrons a safe Carnival.

But it was not until 20 minutes later that spectators got a glimpse of the first individual to cross the main judging point.

Tyrone Nanan portrayed "Me Pad-nah ship", as he tugged along a yellow boat behind him.

He was followed by the first band, D' Playboys, which delivered a presentation of politics and social issues.

The masqueraders portrayed "Ah gone blind looking for leadership", "Ah map from London,

De broom from Tobago...It's a clean sweep" and "Machel New Cell #1800 Lock Up". Defending champions, De Blue Boys, led by Dave Ramsingh presented "Happiness Killing We".

The band has been in existence for the past 30 years and have been winners of the San Fernando Old Mas competition on several occasions with their many creative portrayals.

The band presented 43 individuals including "Calcutta Ahoy", "Tim Gopeeson put up ah stall - Hot Doubles, plenty pepper and planass", "De Mayor have me love struck", "Volney begging for his job back", Max Ready to change", "London Real Ha-Pee", "Kamla Topless in Tobago", "Mach-L and Kern-L sharing ah cell" and "Sandy foils the Calcutta invasion".

The band's presentation for Queen of J'ouvert was titled "Verna Farce - I in charge of the Cabinet....My Cabinet of Substance Made Me Queen". Masquerader Sheila Jackson portrayed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with liquor cabinet attached to her back.

De Blue Boys king portrayal was titled "Rowley Ready to be Prime Minister".

Oma Panday, wife of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, was among the masqueraders. The pan competition was also judged at Harris Promenade, with San City Steel Symphony and Junior Sammy Group of Companies Skiffle Steel Orchestra among the early participants.

Mayor Muradali along with several San Fernando City Corporation councillors, joined San City Steel Symphony on stage during their presentation of Lord Kitchener's "Iron Man".

Muradali said funding for Carnival celebrations in San Fernando this year was $2 million, a 100 per cent increase. And he promised that winners of the competitions held in San Fernando would receive increased cash prizes.

Muradali said for the first time in many years, Carnival bands would be judged at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Security was tight at the four judging points - Harris Promenade, High Street, Coffee Street and at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) south campus.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

TOP in Sando Jouvert

The failure of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) to secure a single seat in last month's Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election was the main topic at this year's Jouvert celebrations in San Fernando on Monday morning.

People's National Movement (PNM) candidate Hilton Sandy's controversial "Calcutta" statement and allegations that San Fernando Mayor Dr Navi Muradali abused a female companion were also popular portrayals.

Large crowds gathered at Harris Promenade, San Fernando, long before Muradali declared the proceedings open at 6.25 a.m.

San Fernando West Member of Parliament Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan wished patrons a safe Carnival. But it was not until 20 minutes later that spectators got a glimpse of the first individual to cross the main judging point.

Tyrone Nanan portrayed "Me Pad-nah ship" as he tugged along a yellow boat behind him.

He was followed by the first band, D'Playboys, which delivered a presentation of politics and social issues.

The masqueraders portrayed "Ah gone blind looking for leadership", "Ah map from London, De broom from Tobago ...It's a clean sweep" and "Machel New Cell #1800 Lock Up".

Defending champions De Blue Boys, led by Dave Ramsingh, presented Happiness Killing We.

The band has been in existence for the past 30 years and won the San Fernando Old Mas competition on several occasions with its many creative portrayals.

The champs presented 43 individuals, including "Calcutta Ahoy", "Tim Gopeeson put up ah stall—Hot Doubles, plenty pepper and planass", "De Mayor have me love struck", "Volney begging for his job back", "Max Ready to change", "London Real Ha-Pee", "Kamla Topless in Tobago", "Mach-L and Kern-L sharing ah cell" and "Sandy foils the Calcutta invasion".

The band's presentation for queen of Jouvert was titled "Verna Farce —I in charge of the Cabinet... My Cabinet of Substance Made Me Queen".

Masquerader Sheila Jackson portrayed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar with a liquor cabinet attached to her back.

De Blue Boys king portrayal was titled "Rowley Ready to be Prime Minister".

Oma Panday, wife of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, was among the masqueraders.

The pan competition was also judged on the Promenade, with San City Steel Symphony and Junior Sammy Group of Companies' Skiffle Steel Orchestra among the early participants.

Mayor Muradali, along with several San Fernando City Corporation councillors, joined San City Steel Symphony on stage during its presentation of Lord Kitchener's "Iron Man".

Muradali said funding for Carnival celebrations in San Fernando this year was $2 million, a 100 per cent increase. And he promised that winners of the competitions held in San Fernando would receive increased cash prizes.

The mayor said for the first time in many years, Carnival bands would be judged at Skinner Park, San Fernando.

Security was tight at the four judging points —Harris Promenade, High Street, Coffee Street and at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) south campus.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

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. 

TOP and Certica Orr "Apologise" or be Sued .

Certica Williams Orr Candidate for Plymouth/Goldenlane

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) liaison officer Moses Thomas is demanding an unequivocal public apology within 48 hours from Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) candidate for Plymouth/Goldon Lane Certica Williams-Orr for statements made at a public meeting at Mt Moriah.

Williams-Orr claimed Moses, who had made a complaint to the Integrity Commission with respect to Ashworth Jack's house, was out on bail on fraud charges. She also said he was a beneficiary of a contract which was not tendered for to the tune of $75,000 to "cut, clear and remove bush, clean and unclog drains at Milford Court".

"Let me make it abundantly clear, I have no fraud charges, I am not out on bail. I am a happy young man, living comfortably, working very hard. I have my own business. I didn't take pumpkin and cucumber to build my house," Thomas stated yesterday. He said if there was no public apology within the stipulated time, "is races to the courthouse".

He said he had asked his attorney to write to the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to obtain a copy of the tape from the radio station which aired the comments. "I am going to sue Certica Orr and the entire TOP," he said, adding that he was not prepared to let this matter pass like this.

He said he was part of a company, R and M Sanitation and General Contracting Company, which he tendered for three micro projects in Milford Court and got those projects since 2008. He said he was a partner in the business and became full owner of the company in 2012.

"Tell the TOP that if they want war, I will fight from top to bottom every one of them... Tell Certica when she wants to talk about people, let her talk to her leader first. Unless and until he could tell the people of Trinidad and Tobago how he got his house, how he built it, who the materials came from, where the monies came from... leave me alone. They barking up the wrong tree," Thomas said.

Also contacted yesterday for comment on Williams-Orr's statements about him, Goslyn Loraine said he was not disturbed by her statements.

"My record speaks for itself," he said, adding that he was not a candidate in the THA election.

He said when he wrote to the Integrity Commission on Ashworth Jack's property, he was merely exercising his right as a citizen of this country.

"I think I am an old household name in Tobago and co-ordinator of URP for the past five years," he said.

He said there were no incidents to support the charge Williams-Orr made about his running of the URP on the island.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress

Concrete Proof: Jack Lied About his House

Ashworth Jack Standing by his Ally Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar

He has never admitted it, but the Express has been provided with documents revealing that United National Congress (UNC) financier Super Industrial Services (SIS) provided both material and labour to help build Ashworth Jack's house in Tobago.

Responding to queries in a press release dated December 11, 2012, the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader had stated that "the work was done by CJ Construction, a firm owned by my brother (Curtis)".

He added that the two had worked together on his first home at Mt Grace, and also on "this present construction".

Jack had also pointed out in his statement that he and his brother had kept costs down, "as we did a lot of the work ourselves and got 'lend hand' from a number of construction persons with whom we have had a longstanding relationship".

In an interview published on December 9, 2012, Jack was asked outright whether SIS had built his home, but he had dismissed it, saying: "I am not hand-to-mouth. No construction firm from Trinidad built my home for free for me."

At that time, he had also indicated he had been holding down four jobs, one of which he said was with a firm called Phoenix Welding and Fabricating Ltd, where he was a project manager.

Express investigations subsequently revealed the company was a subsidiary of SIS.

For some time now, the acquisition of the land on which the TOP leader has built his house and the subsequent construction of his two-storey house, complete with swimming pool, have been the subject of queries as to how he was able to afford it.

In an interview with the Sunday Express last month Jack said he had planted cucumbers and pumpkin, and the sale of these food items was one of the sources of income to build the house.

Jack has stated the transactions on his house were above board and he has publicly denied it was a "political gift" from party financiers.

The Express has been provided with invoices for materials and work sheets of SIS workers from way back in October 2010—five months after the People's Partnership won the general election in May of that year.

At least one of the documents shows where materials provided for the construction job "were not charged to the job".

Among the items under this arrangement were a backhoe, a fork-lift and a labourer "to fill sand into 14 jumbo bags".

This document was dated Friday, November 19, 2010, labelled "Tobago".

The same document shows an entry dated Monday, November 22, 2010, for a "40 foot trailer and truck to transport fill sand to Port of Spain Port" for a period of "10 hours".

At the bottom of the document is a handwritten note addressed to someone named "Lisa", advising her that "Mr Lalla said Ashworth needs this urgently as they are out of stock". The note went on to instruct: "Make sure and confirm the booking for today."

Krishna Lalla is the general manager of SIS.

At least 11 invoices sent to the Express revealed that a number of items were provided from Point Lisas Industrial Hardware Ltd, of Pacific Avenue, Point Lisas, and billed to SIS to the tune of $45,266.42.

The items included treated lumber, gypsum sheets, construction buckets, PVC pipes, bulk bags and shovels. One invoice, dated 25/11/10 Job Number SI0000100737A, specifically listed the job description as Tobago, and even though the others did not clearly state such, they all bore the same job number.

The work sheets recording the workers' attendance identified several dates in November and December 2010 when the workers were on the job. They also listed the names of six workers along with their worker ID numbers and the check-in and check-out times for work, which were from 7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The supervisor for the project was identified in the documents as Tom Khan, who in an interview with the Express last year had referred all queries to SIS's offices at Couva. 

On one of the work sheets dated November 23, 2010, there was a handwritten note addressed to "Mr Lalla", stating, "Please note Balgobin (one of the workers listed on the work sheet) said he is keeping a stock, as Ashworth confirmed with Curtis that more manpower would be coming up next week".

On that same document was a query by Lalla over "high meal vouchers".

The Express contacted Lalla two days ago, but did not get beyond formal introductions, as he quickly hung up the phone when told it was the Express calling.

The Express also tried for a comment from Jack on this new information yesterday before the launch of the University of Trinidad and Tobago campus in Scarborough. His response was: "I have no further comments to make on my house."

Pressed further, he maintained: "Let me make it absolutely clear, my house is built by me."

Already, two Tobagonians—Moses O Thomas and Goslyn Loraine—have written to the Integrity Commission, asking for an investigation into Jack's house and land, especially since he is yet to file his declarations for the years 2010 and 2011, as required under the Integrity in Public Life Act.

The commission has since asked Loraine to provide evidence and he is yet to do so.

The TOP is seeking to unseat the incumbent People's National Movement in Monday's hotly contested Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election to lead Tobago for the next four years.

The TOP controls the two Tobago seats in the Parliament and is seeking to further its political gains with the Central Government.

Jack, who is seeking to become Chief Secretary of the THA, continues to enjoy the support of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has publicly defended his home, saying that when she was building her own at Phillipine, in which SIS was also involved, she too had come under scrutiny. 

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. 

Election Debate at Magdalena Grand Tomorrow

Economist Dr Ronald Ramkissoon will act as facilitator during tomorrow's Tobago House of Assembly election debate at Magdalena Grand Hotel, Lowlands, Tobago.

Former head of Trinidad and Tobago Transparency International Victor Hart and economist Hayden Blades are the two questioners chosen to pose questions to the participants drawn from the three participating parties. It begins at 8 p.m.

In a media update yesterday, the Trinidad and Tobago Debates Commission announced that it received confirmation from all three political parties--People's National Movement (Tobago Council), the Tobago Organisation of the People and The Platform of Truth.

Though the idea of the debate was made public early in December, there was no consensus on the moderators until just before 7 p.m yesterday evening.

Chief executive officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce Catherine Kumar, who is also the project manager for the debate, said 15 names had already been proposed and rejected by the three parties participating in the Tobago House of Assembly election on January 21 before the final names were decided.

Hart, in a telephone interview, was already preparing for today's debate rehearsal set for 5 pm.

"I have given my consent to put my name forward to the debates. I am optimistic that the debate will come off. I am getting myself ready. I heard my name was one of three that will be featured if the debate goes on as expected," he said.

Blades said he was told that his name was nominated.

"I was approached, but I understand that all the parties are yet to agree on the moderator or moderators," he said.

"There is a lot of preparation to put in place. There has been a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, it's very volatile."

Blades said the Chamber launched the idea for the debate early last month and was still unable to confirm moderators more than three weeks later.

"It is reflective of the nature of politics but people have to put their cards on the table. There is no plausible reason that the parties, if genuinely interested, could not come to an agreement. It is disconcerting," he said.

In a telephone interview, Tobago Organisation of the People leader Ashworth Jack confirmed that those two names were proposed to him and he agreed to both.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress.

London: I Will Resign As Chief Secretary, If Jack Warner Brings Evidence.

People's National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council Political Leader Orville London said he is prepared to resign his post if the allegations made against him by United National Congress (UNC) chairman Jack Warner turn out to be true.  

Last Thursday Warner, addressing Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) supporters at the Cyd Gray Stadium in Roxborough, Tobago said the THA Chief Secretary was the owner of a gas station and seven houses. There were also accusations of financial mismanagement and secret PNM deals.

Addressing a crowd of supporters in Delaford Friday night, London challenged Warner on the statements.

"If Jack Warner could bring a shred of evidence to show Orville London owns a gas station or that Orville London owns seven houses I will resign as Chief Secretary immediately and withdraw from the election. But I am saying to Jack Warner, if you cannot prove that, and you come to Tobago and tell that to the people of Tobago, you are not fit to be a public official and you should resign," London said.

"If I have lands then it must be recorded somewhere. If I own a gas station then somebody must know. So I repeat to you Jack Warner and Ashworth Jack if you hearing, carry the message, tell him I am prepared to resign in the morning if he brings the evidence but on the other hand, if it is proven that he has come here to deliberately mislead Tobagonians then he should step down," London said.

London said his fellow PNM officials did not mess with public funds, and one of the things people could say about him was that he did not mess with public funds and if he knew anyone who was doing so, he would get rid of them .

He said since the leader of the TOP cannot be Chief Secretary, his opponents are trying to bring the office of the Chief Secretary down to the level of their leader Ashworth Jack.

London said one of the tragedies of the union between the UNC and the TOP was that the TOP was bringing the bad habits of the UNC to Tobago.

Today the PNM will hold its second round of presentation of candidates at Market Square around 3.30 p.m.

Reproduced from Trinidadexpress