|
|
|
|
Feb
11
Written by:
Godfrey Smith
Friday, February 11, 2011
News of the double firing of scions of two Belize City, UDP families from their board of director positions at the Belize Tourism Board by the Minister of Tourism, Manuel Heredia Jr., beggars political analysis.
At first, the nagging question about the termination of Deputy Chairman of the BTB, Mr. Santiago Castillo Jr, and director, Stanley Longsworth Jr., was whether the prime minister knew. When it became apparent that the PM was standing by his minister’s decision, the relevant question became: why had they been fired?
Their fall from grace defies conventional political thinking because both men are from respected, old UDP families and both were – by their accounts – merely insisting on the (supposedly) defining principle of Barrow’s administration: accountability.
The Castillo family was once a significant financial contributor to the UDP. While their contribution may have become insignificant given the emergence of new funding sources, they reportedly still contribute to the maintenance of the party headquarters.
The Longsworth family, though never a major contributor, has always been a consistent, reliable donor to the upkeep of individual UDP politicians especially during their dry wilderness days in opposition.
Even if the combined financial contribution of both their houses is now insignificant, the old rules of politics dictate that they should have been allowed to save face and accorded an honourable exit. The peremptory nature of their discharge suggests that Mr. Barrow feels confident enough financially to treat their old money and old family brand with contempt.
The matter is worthy of some public interest because when big party men are fired by their own party it usually suggests something has gone wrong. The last time a government fired big party men was when the PUP fired its DFC Board of Directors during its last administration following financial scandals and pressure from the unions; the party had its back pinned firmly against the wall.
Mr. Barrow’s endorsement of the firings introduces another significant shift in the political culture of the UDP-in-government: high profile men with family names to protect can be disrespected and discarded even in the absence of wrongdoing or scandal.
If indeed the men were fired because they were reluctant to be “yes men” it is another glaring instance of Mr. Barrow’s double standards and selective application of his (now highly suspect) inflexible commitment to accountability.
The circumstances of Mr. Castillo’s firing, in particular, are interesting. He, unlike Mr. Longsworth, was appointed to the Board on the Prime Minister’s recommendation and so, by conventional political thinking, ought not to have been fired except with the consent of the prime minister.
It cost the then Minister of Culture, Marcel Cardona, his ministry when he fired Barrow appointee, Diane Haylock, as President of the National Institute of Culture and History in 2009 for failing to disclose a contract she had signed to the Board or to the minister. Mr. Barrow – counter-intuitively – relaxed his insistence on accountability, unfired Ms. Haylock and later fired the minister.
Belize’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Kamela Palma, whose political value to the UDP is almost assuredly less than either Mr. Castillo’s or Mr. Longworth’s was absolved of her sin of sassily back-talking a bureaucrat (with even less political pedigree or value) and reinstated as high commissioner.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Castillo and Mr. Longsworth could understandably expect to have a Cabinet review of their situation if their only fault was to prick the floating bubbles of ministerial desires in the boardroom of the BTB.
Mr. Castillo was a good fit in tourism: well known businessman, sports enthusiast and sponsor, jovial and affable; but outspoken, as he could afford to be. He, to his surprise, received his letter of discharge (forgive the pun) from a messenger. His services were no longer needed; the minister confirmed that he had been “removed”.
Mr. Longsworth was also a good fit: youthful, with direct, relevant experience and knowledge in cruise tourism and a transparency man. The minister’s justification of a supposed conflict of interest on the part of Longsworth because his family business has an interest in the outcome of the local tender operators’ negotiation with Carnival Cruise Lines is an obvious whitewash.
Any board member who faces a genuine conflict of interest situation declares it and removes himself from the relevant discussion and decision-making. Lois Young was not made to resign over the fact that as Chairman of the Social Security Board she presided over that Board’s decision to purchase $50 million worth of shares from Telemedia, a company on whose board she served as Secretary and represented as attorney.
In any event, Longsworth had no conflict. His father, the senior Stanley Longsworth, had long removed himself as lead negotiator on behalf of the local tender operators.
With the PM’s reported benediction of his minister’s decision by Channel 7 news, even if the matter is reviewed at next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting it is unlikely that there will be a reversal of the decisions.
Minister Heredia delivered the treacherous blow. What was unexpected was that the PM would stand by and watch them go down, leaving them to exclaim as they fell: “Et tu, Barrow? Then fall Santiago and Stanley.”
Copyright ©2011 Godfrey Smith
18 comment(s) so far...
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Corruption, corruption, corruption……..never ending. “Grab what you can, while you can” mentality of both the PUP AND UDP government.
Ditching one of the most experienced minds at the executive level of tourism, to give someone else a “chance”?? YAH ALLAH, we are in a mess.
Do yourself a favour Herredia (no “Honourable” or “Minister” title uttered from my lips/fingertips) – RESIGN.
By John on
Friday, February 11, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Corruption, corruption, corruption……..never ending. “Grab what you can, while you can” mentality of both the PUP AND UDP government.
Ditching one of the most experienced minds at the executive level of tourism, to give someone else a “chance”?? YAH ALLAH, we are in a mess.
Do yourself a favour Herredia (no “Honourable” or “Minister” title uttered from my lips/fingertips) – RESIGN.
By John on
Friday, February 11, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Corruption, corruption, corruption……..never ending. “Grab what you can, while you can” mentality of both the PUP AND UDP government.
Ditching one of the most experienced minds at the executive level of tourism, to give someone else a “chance”?? YAH ALLAH, we are in a mess.
Do yourself a favour Herredia (no “Honourable” or “Minister” title uttered from my lips/fingertips) – RESIGN.
By John on
Friday, February 11, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Godfrey - I just discovered your blog, of course because I have a personal interest, re: my cousin Stanley, Jr. I think your description of him is most apt. Belize -- under any party -- should embrace and appreciate people like him. As you say, "a transparency man." Holly
By Holly Edgell on
Friday, February 11, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
I have been a strong supporter of Manuel Heredia from long before he was appointed Minister of Tourism so it is most perplexing to me to hear about him “firing” Santi Castillo from his position on the BTB. Santi’s role on the BTB was not as a promoter of tourism but rather as a financial advisor/overseer of the BTB’s financing. In fact his acute business perspective and discipline was a great asset in reducing the million dollar debts of the BTB to the present positive position of better than two million dollars; and this even in the midst of the current economic recession in Belize and worldwide. If Santi’s tight fisted management of the BTB finances was so displeasing or resented by the powers that be, the professional thing to do was to ask for his resignation from his appointed position on the board. The tourism industry taxpayers expect and deserve an explanation.
If the people do not lead, the leaders will lead us astray, again and again.
By Mike Heusner on
Friday, February 11, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
I have been a strong supporter of Manuel Heredia from long before he was appointed Minister of Tourism so it is most perplexing to me to hear about him “firing” Santi Castillo from his position on the BTB. Santi’s role on the BTB was not as a promoter of tourism but rather as a financial advisor/overseer of the BTB’s financing. In fact his acute business perspective and discipline was a great asset in reducing the million dollar debts of the BTB to the present positive position of better than two million dollars; and this even in the midst of the current economic recession in Belize and worldwide. If Santi’s tight fisted management of the BTB finances was so displeasing or resented by the powers that be, the professional thing to do was to ask for his resignation from his appointed position on the board. The tourism industry taxpayers expect and deserve an explanation.
If the people do not lead, the leaders will lead us astray, again and again.
By Mike Heusner on
Friday, February 11, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Transparency my a**!
As a tourism stakeholder was always disgusted that the BTB could find money to sponsor the BTB/Santino's Classic, but always short on marketing $$. Also, multimillion dollar contract for fulfillment by the Castillo Miami office?
By Don Quixote on
Saturday, February 12, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Don,
even if what you say is true,the public is still entitled to know whether both men were fired because they were insisting on curtailing wastage.The question of how his family member may have gotten a fulfillment contract is a separate issue. Beliizeans are fond of blurring issues, getting personal and avoiding the relevamt issues. Do you know whether he participated in the BTB deliberations about the award of the fulfillment contract to a family member in Miami? Deal with the issue at hand and stop being so quixotic.
By sancho on
Saturday, February 12, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Don,
even if what you say is true,the public is still entitled to know whether both men were fired because they were insisting on curtailing wastage.The question of how his family member may have gotten a fulfillment contract is a separate issue. Beliizeans are fond of blurring issues, getting personal and avoiding the relevamt issues. Do you know whether he participated in the BTB deliberations about the award of the fulfillment contract to a family member in Miami? Deal with the issue at hand and stop being so quixotic.
By sancho on
Saturday, February 12, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Could it be that Santi and family are now disposable given the new war chest $ cource: BTL? The Castillo money is chump change to the coffers at BTL. Santi should have taken heed after Oscar (RIP) was dumped and ignored.
By Voter on
Saturday, February 12, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
i think barrow will be asking "et tu, vega?" pretty soon!
to follow up on your issue on campaign financiers, fundraising . . .
quick question:
godfrey (or anyone who knows), how much campaign financing does it take to run a competitive area election in belize? on average...
i mean, we're talking about elections where registered voters total maybe ~175K; constituencies that total maybe ~6K??
For reference: Obama spent about $750M and got about 69.5M votes, for an average of $10.50 per vote.
See details of his spending below:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/expend.php?cycle=2008&cid=n00009638
Interestingly, big ticket expenses like Travel (forgive my pun), fundraising, and Media coverage are moot in Belize.
By Belizean in Foreign on
Sunday, February 13, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
This is a typical example of how "Cow know weh weak fence deh". Barrow knows he can push around Marcel Cardona, but he dares not push around Heredia! Likewise Vega can do as he pleases!
By SAID OLIVER WILBERT BARROW on
Monday, February 14, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
The UDP has a horrible record of supporting their own-this has not changed and in fact, it seems that it has gotten worse. The article is correct, old reliable supporters are seeing the new loudmouths being all of a sudden important though they just came on the scene and it is sad when the UDP will realize it too late. For example, Joe and Fonzo, created by Barrtow attack their own like cannibals. The tougher UDP businessmen and suuporters, though unfazed, take it, keep their cool, and wait until they come begging again. For now all the pro poor policies seem to forget that midle class who actually pay their property taxes, trade licenses, create employment, and furhter pay income and business taxes. UDP-take warning-there are lots of people watching criminals being rewarded with jobs and perks precseily for being despicable-it is almost like they extort the government, and if they do go to jail, they get dental, religious and other perks that the true, good poor people dont even have acces to. Put them in jail, and make them break stones all day -it is punsihment, not rehab.
By Lisa on
Friday, February 18, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
i agree! put all the udp in jail! make them break stones! bangles dem!
alas, belizeans like to talk like a developed country, but act like a student council.
only in belize . . . 300,000 people, 31 parliamentary representatives??? 1 for every ~10,000 people? shit, add to that "city councils," and it's clear to see that belizeans are OVER-Represented by politicians that have competing ideas and power grabs.
Shrink the f***ing government, get rid of these a$$holes.
By dutty espat on
Friday, February 18, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Interesting perspective as always Godfrey.
I had the unpleasant experience of working with a Board that had no balls, the approach seems to have been 'if the minister wants it, we have to do it. Or else!'. The national interest took a very distant second to ministerial caprice. To hold a divergent view, no matter how constructive, was to invite your own doom and sadly the little boys on the board shivered at the idea of being erased.
I too don't buy the story given by Manuel. Look he has the absolute right to remove any member of his Board and exercising that right ought not to attract the ire of the Belizean public save it counters the national interest. In any event the Minister must not compound the poor decision by lying to the Belizean people. I don't know about you but I am getting real tired of politicians lying to us. I think that the next politician that lies to us ought to be put in front of a firing squad, lord knows that the BDF could use the practice.
I love you Belize
By Major Jones on
Friday, February 18, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Very well placed reporting on the many issues that are cripling our nation, Godfrey. I like in particular, the following TWO with reference to the dismissal of Santi and Stanley Jr. It also bears upon that of the ousting of the Honorable Marcel Cardona; Standing for truth and honesty. To quote you; " If indeed the men ( Santi & Stanley ) were fired because they were reluctant to be " Yes men " , it is another glaring instance of Mr. Barrow's double standards. " - - Quote; " The old rules of politics dictate that they should have been allowed to save face and accorded an honorable exit ". I AM SO FAMILIAR WITH THIS TREATMENT BY MY OWN PARTY. Hence their irreparable downfall.
By Hector David Silva Sr. on
Saturday, November 12, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Very well placed reporting on the many issues that are cripling our nation, Godfrey. I like in particular, the following TWO with reference to the dismissal of Santi and Stanley Jr. It also bears upon that of the ousting of the Honorable Marcel Cardona; Standing for truth and honesty. To quote you; " If indeed the men ( Santi & Stanley ) were fired because they were reluctant to be " Yes men " , it is another glaring instance of Mr. Barrow's double standards. " - - Quote; " The old rules of politics dictate that they should have been allowed to save face and accorded an honorable exit ". I AM SO FAMILIAR WITH THIS TREATMENT BY MY OWN PARTY. Hence their irreparable downfall.
By Hector David Silva Sr. on
Saturday, November 12, 2011
|
Re: Et Tu, Barrow?
Very well placed reporting on the many issues that are cripling our nation, Godfrey. I like in particular, the following TWO with reference to the dismissal of Santi and Stanley Jr. It also bears upon that of the ousting of the Honorable Marcel Cardona; Standing for truth and honesty. To quote you; " If indeed the men ( Santi & Stanley ) were fired because they were reluctant to be " Yes men " , it is another glaring instance of Mr. Barrow's double standards. " - - Quote; " The old rules of politics dictate that they should have been allowed to save face and accorded an honorable exit ". I AM SO FAMILIAR WITH THIS TREATMENT BY MY OWN PARTY. Hence their irreparable downfall.
By Hector David Silva Sr. on
Saturday, November 12, 2011
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer
Flashpointbelize.com reserves the right not to publish comments that may be deemed libelous, derogatory or indecent. The views expressed in the comments are not necessarily those of Flashpointbelize.com.
Offensive or abusive comments will be removed.
|
Find:
|