Where is Claude O. Skelton-Cline? Why is he so quiet over Ports scandal?
Background to Claude O. Skelton-Cline
Mr Skelton-Cline, an indigenous Virgin Islander and Pastor who was living abroad, returned home around 2009-2010 to make his contribution. He lived and worked for many years in Detroit, Michigan. His last employment before returning home was as an Executive Assistant to former Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick.
Mr Kilpatrick resigned in his second term as Detroit Mayor after being convicted on state felony counts, including perjury and obstruction of justice. If that was not enough, Mr Skelton-Cline’s former boss was also in 2013 convicted on 24 federal felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud and racketeering, and was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison.
Mr Skelton-Cline contested the 2011 general elections with the National Democratic Party (NDP) in District Two. He lost to former Legislator J. Alvin Christopher in a four-way race. Mr Christopher earned 423 votes to Skelton-Cline’s 339.
Following his election defeat, he was hired on a close to $100,000 a year contract as a consultant with the Ministry of Communications and Works where he had special over-sight of the NDP Administration’s plan to expand the cruise ship pier project.
In 2013 he was appointed as Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority on a three-year contract that ended last year December 2015. According to an NDP source, he requested a renewal before the June 8, 2015 general elections after the Ports Board had already advanced an early recommendation.
However, he was reportedly told by Communications and Works Minister Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and reportedly other Cabinet Ministers to wait until after the 2015 elections.
To date, his contract has not been renewed and he is now unemployed, even after his NDP party won the elections in a landslide.
Why is Skelton-Cline so quiet?
Several persons close to the contract renewal situation confirmed that while a decision has not been made by Government there is intense lobbying about addressing Mr Skelton-Cline’s issues. There are demands and threats allegedly being made to resolved the matter.
It is also reported that Mr Skelton-Cline no longer enjoys the support of the Communications and Works Minister Hon Vanterpool on the contract renewal matter. The Minister has been tight-lipped on his position.
It is this news site’s understanding that at some point the former Managing Director will speak via a press conference in an attempt to clear his name.
There are reports that there has been little or no communication between himself and the current Acting Managing Director Alfred ‘Al’ Henley, who Mr Skelton-Cline was a big supporter of in his quest to secure the post at the BVIPA.
Supporters of the religious leader also feels that he was thrown under the bus, as he helped to deliver the Ports Project for the NDP that also assisted them to have something to show for their successful re-election bid.
Our newsroom will say tuned on the unfolding details of this saga and the future of Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline.
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49 Responses to “Where is Claude O. Skelton-Cline? Why is he so quiet over Ports scandal?”
As a child growing up in our islands, the elders use to say, “God helps those who help themselves.” Why do we continue to turn a blind-eye and look for answers outside of ourselves? Is it because it is less painful to accept “fiction” over the truth? Anyone with a “teaspoon of conscience” can discern our actual problems. “We are our worst enemies!” The only reason I continue to live abroad because I too, have been ignoring the grim reality.
One, we have a group of people on the islands whose hands are in everything; thus, the excessive degree of conflict of interest.
Second, the strategic placement of unqualified, inexperienced individuals for self-interest purposes; and as a consequence, any proper procurement practices would be irrelevant- the deals, the ciphering of funds, payments for undervalued work through businesses owned in some instances by the same group or affiliates.
Thirdly, it is not so much the price tag of $82.9mm- thus far- for the BVI Cruise Pier Development Project that is in question. It is the lack of transparency and accountability- and with these lacking, it will most certainly leave room for corruption. Follow the money trail; and even further, investigate the companies involved and evaluate the value for the work as it relates to the comparable marketplace. Cannot be ignored any longer!
Do we intend to completely “destroy” the future generations of our people and make them suffer for our actions or in-actions for that matter?
Thank You!
As leaders, you will never get ahead until your people are behind you - no and I’m not talking about your followers, it's the people that helped you to get where you are. Not forgetting, one of the benefits of being an indigenous BVIslander or having strong connects - we condone or fortify wrongdoings as we feel it's our right or privilege to trump the gag order on your 3rd cousin, mother's friend, sibling’s stepbrother, or party affiliate.
Politicians, you were elected by the people, for the people of this territory to lead and serve under good governance and practices - you don’t toot your horn, drum your beat with earbuds in amplified mode as soon as you get your elected seats. Power is a privilege given under guidance of the laws of lands and yes, ethic and principle for the betterment of great service, development, social welfare, economic gain, empowerment and sustainability. As many of us see it, you are bankrupting us, you are injecting poisonous venom of your greed, selfishness inefficiencies, disloyalty, favoritism and ignorance. The people are angry, feeling hopeless and disadvantaged.
Sadly, by your rulings, we are winning on a territory of greed, bitterness, gluttony, envy and mistrust. We are edifying about self by any means necessary and without conscience, creed or character. I am frankly sick and tired of living to pay by virtue of exploitable taxation to repay the Queen’s purse and others, for monies which were stolen by individuals without fear of engaging in dubious activities - the revolving mismanaged projects or overrated and overpaid consultancy services. When are we going to stop allowing these types of malpractices or illicit behavior? Is it fair that we, the average citizen /resident have to hemorrhage daily due to the government’s ill practices and their lack of attention to the obvious under these flawed systems? The QE II Park, Peebles, road restructure/resurfacing, water woes, sewage system, Cruise Pier and possibly the airport expansion - can we ever do anything right - can we ever begin and finish a project within reasonable time frame and budget?? Is it that even impossible?
Should we now expect to see a hike in PAYE or similar created tax bracket (as done with NHI to recoup the overspending on Peebles & exorbitant fee increases at the ferry terminals under the guise to recoup for the never-ending Pier project) to gradually level these legit allegations? Wait for it. Should there be a full and thorough investigation on all these allegations? YES! Should this be done at the highest level and externally, i.e., Queen’s order? YES!
I have a problem with lying by omission and I’ve been around long enough to know when a lie is neither white nor bright.