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Gov’t should get involved in Foxy’s controversy – Bishop John I. Cline
On Monday October 14, 2019 the public had a shock of their lives when at a press conference called by then Director of Operations of Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, David Dietrich, they were let in on a major family feud that resulted from Dietrich assuming a position of authority over one half of the family business and trying to force the other half to sell out so he could assume a position of authority over the entire business.
This matter has upset many, as expressed on blogs and social media commentary, and the popular call was for Dietrich to leave the family to work out their differences. The business is owned 50/50 by Philliciano O. Callwood MBE aka ‘Foxy’, aged 82, and his wife Theresa Callwood aka ‘Tessa’, who is in her 70s.
‘National interest’
When word of the planned press conference got out, several members of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB), including Director Sharon P. Flax-Brutus, showed up.
The issue was no doubt one of national interest and confirmed when several government ministers made it their duty to attend the press conference, including Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), Junior Minister for Trade and Investment Promotion Honourable Sharie B. deCastro (AL), Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL) and Representative for the Second District and Opposition Member, Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull.
It has been expressed by Mrs Callwood and three of their children- Justine, Dean and Gregory- that since Dietrich appeared on the scene approximately six years also he has coerced the elderly Callwood into believing that the family has been bleeding his resources and convinced the cultural icon to give him full power of attorney over his interest of the company.
Since then it has been nothing but chaos behind the scenes and introduced to the world on Monday last.
This is not sitting well with many Virgin Islanders and other persons familiar with the family and business.
Unfortunate situation
And, according to Bishop John I. Cline, the government of the day should step in to save the territory’s tourism product.
Foxy’s on Jost van Dyke is known the world over as one of the top places to visit for New Year’s celebrations and hundreds of persons, including celebrities, flock to the island during that time of year.
Foxy’s is also regarded as one of the best places to visit whenever vacationing in the VI and sees a steady flow of guests throughout the year.
“I think that somebody should get through, I think that it is even a place where the Premier can intervene or assign somebody to help negotiate because Foxy’s has become one of the major tourist draws for the BVI and to have it embroiled in such controversy, I don’t think it’s good for us.”
The ‘man of the cloth’ said the fiasco that the Foxy’s brand and the Callwood family are in is unfortunate.
Regarding Foxy and his siding with Dietrich over his own family, Bishop Cline said: “He may have his cognition but it just seems so lopsided to me.”
Bishop Cline was also of the opinion that the situation has gone wrong because the Callwood family is the one who is being marginalised by an outside force on the side of the primary business owner. “And I can’t see any good in that. I can’t see any good in Foxy himself turning against his family, his wife, for this outsider who just came along five years ago when they have been building this business for over 40 something years. It just does not add up for me.”
Meanwhile, more than 40 residents of Jost van Dyke have already signed a petition for Government to investigate Mr Dietrich.
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22 Responses to “Gov’t should get involved in Foxy’s controversy – Bishop John I. Cline”
Isnt it just a few months or weeks ago that he and Tessa was celebrating their 40th anniversary and singing the praises of each other? Foxy must be coming down with some kind of brain problem, or the weed going the wrong place.
Please Bishop get your oil and pray for that man, and pray for your government to get involved in things that really matter to the people. Not this family issue for God sake!!!! Government stay our of this.
Plus he was fired Immigration should throw his rope on his back cause he is trouble
leave the man alone G****! You more con artist than him , your wife caught you in bed with a woman on jvd ... and you have to remember your wife is not from here also ... government don’t have anything to do with this!
I find it odd that the family wants david removed from the Territory before he can show what he has found? If the family has nothing to hide then they would want to go to court too. Ask yourself which side is acting guilty. Usually everyone wants their day in court but not the family. Something isn’t right here.
Lesson learned.for us all.Business between family should be treated formally with written contracts.
I there is an issue of legal ownership of the company then again this should be settled in the courts.