PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

**Tuff Gong** · 10-23-2007, 02:34 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

If this is true, I think the PNP is right and I think once again Mr. Golding is really not acting in accordance with his stated objectives.
I had warned that the JLP run a great risk hitching its wagon to Sandals. Butch Stewart, even though he is a Patriot looks out for his own first and last.
He was featured in the Air Jamaica waste, the Sandals waste and once claimed that the then Government of Jamaica is good at borrowing money and he was good @ building hotels (when asked why would the Government build a Hotel @ Whitehouse, where he had refused to invest his own money).

Once again Mr. Golding must not kowtow to any Special Interests, no matter how much they backed his campaign or how much lobby influence can muster.

**SmoothOperator** · 10-23-2007, 08:58 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If this is true, I think the PNP is right and I think once again Mr. Golding is really not acting in accordance with his stated objectives.
I had warned that the JLP run a great risk hitching its wagon to Sandals. Butch Stewart, even though he is a Patriot looks out for his own first and last.
He was featured in the Air Jamaica waste, the Sandals waste and once claimed that the then Government of Jamaica is good at borrowing money and he was good @ building hotels (when asked why would the Government build a Hotel @ Whitehouse, where he had refused to invest his own money).

Once again Mr. Golding must not kowtow to any Special Interests, no matter how much they backed his campaign or how much lobby influence can muster.
</div></div>

Well I understand that John Lynch was or is currently a deputy director of tourism. So if there is a conflict of interest now would there not have been a conflict of interest before(even though his previous position was less senior, but still he was in a position of influence) ? Also it depends on how the JTB board is structured. I understand its a 12 person board from diverse sections of the tourism sector. But is it setup like a dictatorship or does the board get to vote on all major decisions?

Either way what I've heard on the news so far is that the tourism sector is generally applauding the decision to appoint Mr Lynch because he is someone who knows a lot about the tourism market. They want someone from inside to make decisions about their industry and not an outsider. I'm thinking the JTB head cannot act unilaterally and the board is usually made up of tourism people anyway.

As an aside I hear Butch Stewart ripping the PNP comrades from Wykeham Mcneil to Omar Davies a new one over the objections being raised over John Lynch. I am surprised since usually him try to be diplomatic. But I'm loving the whipping him dropping pon Omar Davies over the financial sector mismanagement in the 90s. Go Butch go!

**SmoothOperator** · 10-23-2007, 09:59 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

And now Butch Speaks:

404 Not Found

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/2314/26/

Head of the Sandals Group Gordon "Butch" Stewart has come to the defence of the new chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) John Lynch.

In doing so, Mr. Stewart has launched a broadside against the former government and the opposition spokesman on Tourism Dr. Wykeham McNeil, in particular.

In a stinging release, Mr. Stewart said he feels compelled to address the comments made about the appointment of Mr. Lynch, who is an executive at a Sandals related entity.

Noting that Mr. Lynch has served the JTB for 25 years, Mr. Stewart says the Opposition Spokesman's criticisms have been most unfortunate, uninformed and biased.

The Sandals boss says he believes that after 18 years in administration the People's National Party (PNP) left Jamaica poorer than when it came into office.

He argues that this can be attributed to bad judgement and inexperienced people being given serious jobs.

Pointing to former Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies, Mr. Stewart says he spent a lot of time closing banks and demonising the principals, when an experienced person would have found it very simple to fix the financial sector crisis.

Mr. Stewart says that problem ballooned into Jamaica's worst financial nightmare because of inexperience.

According to Mr. Stewart, the opposition long ago sold its soul to certain foreign investors to the detriment of indigenous ones.

He says what is unforgivable is the abuse of the small hotel sector by the former government because of the lack of planning.

The Sandals head says he wonders if there was a pact involving the former Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba, her deputy Dr. McNeil and the then chairman of the JTB Dennis Morrison or it was pure negligence and, or incompetence.

Mr. Stewart ends his release by offering to debate his statements with anyone at anytime.

**Tuff Gong** · 10-23-2007, 10:30 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SmoothOperator</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And now Butch Speaks:

404 Not Found

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/2314/26/

Head of the Sandals Group Gordon "Butch" Stewart has come to the defence of the new chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) John Lynch. </div></div>

Butch has been Poster Child of how one can benefit and even thrive under a corrupt Administration.
From the PNP destruction of the tourist Industry in the 70s ushering in the Sandals Model to Scandals Whitehouse. With the Air Jamaica giveaway thrown in for good measure.
So is tracing off of Mr. McNeil runs very hollow and only prove that he is trying to secure his pound of flesh.
One wonders if this is the price from him to drop the Sandals Law Suit against the Government.

**SmoothOperator** · 10-23-2007, 10:42 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[quote=SmoothOperator]And now Butch Speaks:

Butch has been Poster Child of how one can benefit and even thrive under a corrupt Administration.
</div></div>

Well I do agree that Butch Stewart is mercenary, but I think the John Lynch appointment may in fact be a non issue. The man already serves as a deputy on the JTB. But yes there is some hypocrisy here Butch benefited from the PNP corruption and I don't think I've ever heard him speak out like this when they were in power.

**Tuff Gong** · 10-23-2007, 10:49 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SmoothOperator</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[quote=SmoothOperator]And now Butch Speaks:

Butch has been Poster Child of how one can benefit and even thrive under a corrupt Administration.
</div></div>

Well I do agree that Butch Stewart is mercenary, but I think the John Lynch appointment may in fact be a non issue. The man already serves as a deputy on the JTB. But yes there is some hypocrisy here Butch benefited from the PNP corruption and I don't think I've ever heard him speak out like this when they were in power. </div></div>

I do agree with you that all the Tourism Persons canvassed said yes he was the right person for the job and yes you are right he was in the #2 position before.
Of course the PNP and Butch is currently engaged in hand to hand combat, with thieves falling out among themselves, but Mr. G. must be careful not to drag the Country into the middle of this melee.

**Tuff Gong** · 10-29-2007, 12:18 AM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

Whose conflict of interest?
published: Sunday | October 28, 2007

Ken Jones, Contributor

One sniff of our public affairs and we might justifiably echo the remark of Marcellus in Shakespeare's Hamlet: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." And now the Great Danes of the PNP Opposition are barking and growling at 'Conflict of Interest' that never bothered them before. When the house was being broken the policy was: Let sleeping dogs lie; and lie indeed they did.

Nobody minds that the watchdogs are working. However, it seems the cantankerous canines are themselves suffering a bad case of 'Conflict of Views'. To illustrate the point I cite the row about the chairmanship of the Jamaica Tourist Board. This is a post that the PNP now feels is best served by someone who has no investment or personal interest in the vacation industry; and there are certain theorists, purists and nitpickers who agree because they are inherently suspicious of persons who are successfully engaged in commerce and industry.

Those who know and understand Jamaica's tourism are aware that the first chairman of the Tourist Board was Abe Issa, whose monumental achievements were responsible for the foundation on which the entire tourist business now rests. The period under his leadership is still regarded as 'The Golden age of Tourism' in which visitor arrivals rose from 86,000 in 1955 to 227,000 in 1962; and the industry's earnings increased 10-fold. At the time of his appointment he was owner/operator of two large hotels and he had a finger in many pies. That did not matter to the then PNP Minister of Trade, Wills O. Isaacs, who perceived no conflict of interest. In making Issa head of the board he remarked, "I know of no man in this country whose efforts have contributed more to our economy than Mr. Abe Issa."

Today's overzealous moralisers would have rejected Abe Issa and his valuable services because of so-called 'possible conflict of interest.' They would not have considered that this vague possibility was far outweighed by the tremendous advantages of entrepreneurship and experience. Happily, the realists prevailed and Jamaica got a most effective board, the members of which were all successful operators of some 'vital, directly participating section of the tourism business.' Tourism now faces a similar challenge in the search for enterprising and competent leadership.

Government proposes the illustrious, accomplished John Lynch for the post; and at once the PNP sees a 'possible conflict of interest'.

The Opposition has not presented an alternative or solution. However, we know how they handle 'conflicts of interest', especially when their ministers and supporters are concerned. They simply use Section 41 of the Constitution to make an exception to the rule.

The burden of Section 41 is that the seat of a member of the House or the Senate shall become vacant if he becomes a party to any contract with the Government of Jamaica for or on account of the public services. It also allows the member to get an exemption if his colleagues so determine. So it was in 1994 when the House permitted the then Minister of State for Tourism, Francis Tulloch, to do business with the Government through his firms Great River Rafting and Plantation Tours and East Hanover Development Association Ltd. No one thought it necessary to consider a 'conflict of interest'.

Also, in 1994 the Leader of the House went to the rescue of a member when his seat was threatened because his firm was engaged in underwriting Government bonds. No possible conflict of interest was perceived at that time. Nor was there anything to worry about when the brother of a minister of tourism received, without bidding, an exclusive contract to supply a government hotel with millions of dollars worth of furniture. Even now, with the furniture falling apart, there seems to be no conflict or remorse. And what about the Trafigura transaction in which a PNP minister received millions of dollars from a foreign firm to do a study concerned with matters within his portfolio? They made him quit the ministerial post but keep the Senate seat.

Wrongdoing

The Opposition's position on 'conflict of interest' indicates the need for us to examine the question as it relates to Jamaica, a small island in which business acumen, technical expertise and willingness to give public service do not abound. In addition, 'conflict of interest' by itself is nothing more than opportunity for possible wrongdoing. Honest persons do not fall prey to this or any other criminal temptation.

The crook who wishes to exploit and benefit from power and position will always find ways and means to indulge his selfishness through embezzlement, extortion, graft, bribery and other forms of corruption. Life has to go on despite these possibilities; and I fail to see how we can justify a crusade against possible conflict of interest while meekly accepting actual corruption and human rights abuses that have been suffocating the country.

Jamaica has long suffered because governance has been left to professional politicians, many of whom do not qualify to hold responsible positions in any progressive private enterprise. The captains of commerce and industry are often scorned, despite the fact that it is largely by their efforts that productive jobs are created, goods and services provided and the bulk of taxes paid to enable Government's viability.

I have long criticised the fact that organised labour has been forced, more often than not, to play a minor role in government here; and I applaud the fact that the present administration appears to be formulating a good mix of labour, capital and the professions. I absolutely refuse the companionship of those who base their judgment on the shallow perception that successful business people, creating wealth and employment are only looking out for themselves and should not be trusted. This is a manifestation of mental slavery and it is time for Jamaicans to break free of this chain of backward thinking.

Ken Jones is a veteran journalist and general secretary of the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20071028/focus/focus1.html

**evanovitch** · 10-29-2007, 03:50 AM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tuff Gong</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Whose conflict of interest?
published: Sunday | October 28, 2007

Ken Jones, Contributor

One sniff of our public affairs and we might justifiably echo the remark of Marcellus in Shakespeare's Hamlet: "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." And now the Great Danes of the PNP Opposition are barking and growling at 'Conflict of Interest' that never bothered them before. When the house was being broken the policy was: Let sleeping dogs lie; and lie indeed they did.

Nobody minds that the watchdogs are working. However, it seems the cantankerous canines are themselves suffering a bad case of 'Conflict of Views'. To illustrate the point I cite the row about the chairmanship of the Jamaica Tourist Board. This is a post that the PNP now feels is best served by someone who has no investment or personal interest in the vacation industry; and there are certain theorists, purists and nitpickers who agree because they are inherently suspicious of persons who are successfully engaged in commerce and industry.

Those who know and understand Jamaica's tourism are aware that the first chairman of the Tourist Board was Abe Issa, whose monumental achievements were responsible for the foundation on which the entire tourist business now rests. The period under his leadership is still regarded as 'The Golden age of Tourism' in which visitor arrivals rose from 86,000 in 1955 to 227,000 in 1962; and the industry's earnings increased 10-fold. At the time of his appointment he was owner/operator of two large hotels and he had a finger in many pies. That did not matter to the then PNP Minister of Trade, Wills O. Isaacs, who perceived no conflict of interest. In making Issa head of the board he remarked, "I know of no man in this country whose efforts have contributed more to our economy than Mr. Abe Issa."

Today's overzealous moralisers would have rejected Abe Issa and his valuable services because of so-called 'possible conflict of interest.' They would not have considered that this vague possibility was far outweighed by the tremendous advantages of entrepreneurship and experience. Happily, the realists prevailed and Jamaica got a most effective board, the members of which were all successful operators of some 'vital, directly participating section of the tourism business.' Tourism now faces a similar challenge in the search for enterprising and competent leadership.

Government proposes the illustrious, accomplished John Lynch for the post; and at once the PNP sees a 'possible conflict of interest'.

The Opposition has not presented an alternative or solution. However, we know how they handle 'conflicts of interest', especially when their ministers and supporters are concerned. They simply use Section 41 of the Constitution to make an exception to the rule.

The burden of Section 41 is that the seat of a member of the House or the Senate shall become vacant if he becomes a party to any contract with the Government of Jamaica for or on account of the public services. It also allows the member to get an exemption if his colleagues so determine. So it was in 1994 when the House permitted the then Minister of State for Tourism, Francis Tulloch, to do business with the Government through his firms Great River Rafting and Plantation Tours and East Hanover Development Association Ltd. No one thought it necessary to consider a 'conflict of interest'.

Also, in 1994 the Leader of the House went to the rescue of a member when his seat was threatened because his firm was engaged in underwriting Government bonds. No possible conflict of interest was perceived at that time. Nor was there anything to worry about when the brother of a minister of tourism received, without bidding, an exclusive contract to supply a government hotel with millions of dollars worth of furniture. Even now, with the furniture falling apart, there seems to be no conflict or remorse. And what about the Trafigura transaction in which a PNP minister received millions of dollars from a foreign firm to do a study concerned with matters within his portfolio? They made him quit the ministerial post but keep the Senate seat.

Wrongdoing

The Opposition's position on 'conflict of interest' indicates the need for us to examine the question as it relates to Jamaica, a small island in which business acumen, technical expertise and willingness to give public service do not abound. In addition, 'conflict of interest' by itself is nothing more than opportunity for possible wrongdoing. Honest persons do not fall prey to this or any other criminal temptation.

The crook who wishes to exploit and benefit from power and position will always find ways and means to indulge his selfishness through embezzlement, extortion, graft, bribery and other forms of corruption. Life has to go on despite these possibilities; and I fail to see how we can justify a crusade against possible conflict of interest while meekly accepting actual corruption and human rights abuses that have been suffocating the country.

Jamaica has long suffered because governance has been left to professional politicians, many of whom do not qualify to hold responsible positions in any progressive private enterprise. The captains of commerce and industry are often scorned, despite the fact that it is largely by their efforts that productive jobs are created, goods and services provided and the bulk of taxes paid to enable Government's viability.

I have long criticised the fact that organised labour has been forced, more often than not, to play a minor role in government here; and I applaud the fact that the present administration appears to be formulating a good mix of labour, capital and the professions. I absolutely refuse the companionship of those who base their judgment on the shallow perception that successful business people, creating wealth and employment are only looking out for themselves and should not be trusted. This is a manifestation of mental slavery and it is time for Jamaicans to break free of this chain of backward thinking.Ken Jones is a veteran journalist and general secretary of the Farquharson Institute of Public Affairs.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/glean...us/focus1.html </div></div>

while i can appreciate the sentiment of this statement, i wud say that the proof is in the pudding....across the board, i see people in the various newspapers tawking about taking this an that industry to a new level, wen the truth of the matter is, that those same people have abused an misused the opportunites and positions they have enjoyed....

it is to be wished that this is a new day but with the same old people in the play, chances r slim ...and with no funds with which to operate, chances r almost non existent...

world situation is such that Ja is in a wuss shape fi real...

**Tuff Gong** · 10-29-2007, 04:57 AM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

LOL.....fool-fool Danny Buc speaks!

<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Danny Buchanan criticises Stewart</span>

BY Garfield Myers Editor-at-Large South/Central Bureau [email protected]
Monday, October 29, 2007

Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth - General-secretary of the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) Donald Buchanan yesterday accused Sandals Group chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, of hypocrisy and of being "self-serving" following the latter's strong defence of the Government's decision to appoint Sandals' executive John Lynch as chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Reiterating his party's position that "there is a direct conflict of interest" between Lynch "being a paid servant of the Sandals Group and holding the position of chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board", Buchanan argued that Stewart had made the very same point when hotelier John Issa was appointed chairman of the JTB in the 1980s.

"Butch Stewart in the 1980s raised that very objection when John Issa was appointed chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and we are very surprised and think it is very hypocritical of 'Butch' Stewart for him now to change his position," Buchanan told journalists following the PNP's Region Five annual general meeting at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS).

"In fact, we regard it as self-serving because John Lynch is his (Stewart's) servant why he is behaving in this way." said Buchanan.
A war of words has developed between Stewart, who is also the Jamaica Observer chairman, and the PNP, since the Opposition spokesman on tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill, criticised the decision of the new Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government to appoint Lynch to head the JTB, claiming it would lead to "a conflict of interest".

Lynch is the executive vice-president of the Miami-based Unique Vacations Inc, worldwide representatives of the Sandals hotel chain.
In a lengthy and strongly-worded statement last week, Stewart described McNeill's position as "nasty and despicable". The Sandals head also accused the former PNP Government in which McNeill served as a junior minister of having "left Jamaica poorer than when they came into office".

Stewart claimed the PNP Government had been guilty of "sheer lack of judgement" and of "putting inexperienced people into serious jobs" - which he claimed led to such failures as the meltdown in the banking and financial system in the late 1990s. In tourism, Stewart said the former Government had been guilty of "reckless and haphazard so-called development."

But yesterday, Buchanan said his party rejected "completely" the "abuse and despicable remarks about members of the People's National Party."
Said Buchanan: "We think that Butch Stewart is out of order and must put himself in line because the People's National Party is the major political organisation in this country. It is the most respected and beloved political organisation in this country and the people will not take kindly to Butch Stewart getting out of line and making his caustic and nasty remarks about the leadership of this party."

[url]http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20071028T200000-0500_128806_OBS_DANNY_BUCHANAN_CRITICISES_STEWART_ .asp[/ulr]

**Q3210** · 10-29-2007, 05:39 AM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

Danny Buck in typical denial and the mind that thinks of Jamaica last and PNP first.
Look what pride can do. Makes a man no more than a whore.

**Tuff Gong** · 10-29-2007, 01:26 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

So, were John Issa and Vin Lawrence not conflicted?

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Dear Editor,
It seems to us that our country is very 'conflicted' about what is a conflict of interest, and people invoke the notion when it is convenient to them. For example, we cannot understand what all this hoopla is really about regarding certain appointments to Government agency boards - note the recent naming of John Lynch as Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) chairman.

People in our age group will remember that in the 1980s, John Issa, the head of SuperClubs, was a member of the Senate, chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamaica Vacations, Jamaica Reservations, St Ann Development Company and a director of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC). If that was not a conflict of interest, what really is a conflict of interest?

We also recall that in the 1990s up to recently, Dr Vin Lawrence was chairman of Air Jamaica, the Bauxite and Alumina Trading Company, Jamaica Bauxite Mining, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, Petrojam Refinery and Clarendon Alumina Production. He was at the same time executive chairman of the UDC, as well as the principal of Jentech Consultants Ltd in his personal capacity. If that was not a conflict of interest, what really is a conflict of interest? we ask again.

Taking the past into consideration, namely those gentlemen who carried out public service in ALL capacities, with or without 'opposition', how can any sane person dare to think that a conflict of interest exists with John Lynch's appointment as JTB chairman, merely because he holds an executive position at a Sandals-related entity?

Either we are missing the real essence of the matter here, or there are some people in relatively senior positions who simply don't understand the concept of conflict of interest. Or worse yet, perhaps they choose not to understand the concept when it suits them.

Helen and David Walker
St Andrew
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/h...CONFLICTED_.asp

**Q3210** · 10-30-2007, 01:28 PM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

The PNP are most subversive whether in or out of power.
They are most corrupt when in power and in denial when out of power. They are a cult unto themselves.

Not one player in the tourism industry has complained about John Lynch`s appointment, except for the cry babies in the PNP who will bawl at everything that the JLP Govt. puts in place.

**Tuff Gong** · 11-02-2007, 11:02 AM

Re: PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

Memory is failing poor Frank Pringle

Friday, November 02, 2007
Dear Editor,

It was Shakespeare who said, "Ambition should be made of sterner stuff." I would like to rephrase this to say, Criticism should come from sterner 'stuff' than Frank Pringle, whose dislike for John Lynch is legendary.

Pringle's comments on Mr Lynch, in what appears to be a deliberately one-sided and unprofessional article on page A3 of the Sunday Gleaner, October 28, 2007, must have been based on memory failure. He makes reference to meeting with me in 1986, at which time I was supposed to have complained about some matter of a conflict of interest. I had no such meeting with him and that "recollection" could only have been conjured up by his fevered imagination.
If the writer of the article, Miss Janet Silvera, had done the right thing and tried to get my side of the story, I would have been able to disabuse her of such fallacy.

People who know me over these many years know very well that I say what is on my mind and I don't speak out of the two sides of my mouth. If I'd had a meeting with Frank Pringle I have no fear of admitting to that.

In the two or so meetings that we have ever had during his tenure as shadow minister and later as minister of tourism, I certainly never had the kind of relationship with him that would have led me to even consider expressing my thoughts with respect to any board appointment and conflict of interest matter.

Frank Pringle may have received complaints on this matter oh so many years ago, but certainly not from me.

I say to Mr Pringle the same thing that I will say to anyone who may challenge John Lynch's appointment as chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board: Let the proof of the pudding be in its eating, and cast your judgment not in anticipation of a man's performance, but after the man has performed.

If one used this approach to assess Frank Pringle's performance as minister of tourism, one would most likely come up with nothing more than dithering and pomposity from an individual who thrived on mediocrity.
Criticism, I say again, should come from sterner stuff.

Gordon 'Butch' Stewart
Chairman
Sandals Resorts International

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/h...ANK_PRINGLE.asp

PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

PNP opposed appointment of new JTB chairman

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

ads