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Guy M. Hill & Wendell M. Gaskin retired; 2 outspoken civil servants

- Both held senior posts, that of Deputy Financial Secretary & Deputy Chief Immigration Officer
Former Deputy Financial Secretary Wendell M. Gaskin, left, and former Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Guy M. Hill, right, have retired after more than 30 years in the civil service. Photo: Facebook/VINO
Central Administration Complex: Mr Wendell M. Gaskin spent some thirty-eight years as a civil servant, ending his career with a number of years as the Director of Internal Audit and then that of Deputy Financial Secretary. Photo: VINO/File
Central Administration Complex: Mr Wendell M. Gaskin spent some thirty-eight years as a civil servant, ending his career with a number of years as the Director of Internal Audit and then that of Deputy Financial Secretary. Photo: VINO/File
Immigration Department: Mr Guy M. Hill spent some thirty years in the civil service, working at the Immigration Department. Photo: VINO/File
Immigration Department: Mr Guy M. Hill spent some thirty years in the civil service, working at the Immigration Department. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While it might be harder in the Territory to get elected officials to retire, civil servants continue to retire yearly.

It was this year 2018 that two prominent, outspoken and sometimes controversial civil servants retired, after more than 3 decades of service.

The two officers are former Deputy Financial Secretary Wendell M. Gaskin, who retired in February 2018 after thirty-eight years, and Mr Guy M. Hill, the former Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, after some thirty years.

Wendell M. Gaskin

Mr Gaskin ended his career with a number of years as the Director of Internal Audit and then that of Deputy Financial Secretary. In addition, Mr Gaskin also served as President of the Virgin Islands Civil Service Association, the body responsible for lobbying for the rights of officers.

In 2016 the National Democratic Party (NDP) ousted Mr Gaskin and reassigned him to a new unit in Government.

Mr Gaskin was never afraid to speak his mind and also stood up to residents who tried to speak ill of him. He also had his battle with the House of Assembly’s Public Account Committee when one member, who was not happy with his approach on some matters, called for his head.

However, Mr Gaskin always stood his ground and today is a retired officer. He has taken up post retirement employment with an agency in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI).

Guy M. Hill  

Mr Hill, an indigenous Virgin Islander, spent some thirty years in the service working at the Immigration Department. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Sociology.

Many have said Mr Hill was one of the most qualified officers in law enforcement in the Territory after years of experience with law Enforcement agencies in the United States of America.

However, he was passed over some three times for the post of Chief Immigration Officer, although he acted in the post for a year- around 2013 to 2014- under the NDP government, but they turned around and never confirmed him but instead had him replaced.  

Additionally, Mr Hill, who was not afraid to uphold the immigration laws and placed emphasis on fair law enforcement, was also outspoken and left the Department with his integrity intact.

Mr Hill retired last month from the service after some 30 years.

22 Responses to “Guy M. Hill & Wendell M. Gaskin retired; 2 outspoken civil servants”

  • pat (26/04/2018, 14:59) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    They will be missed for different reasons
  • Resilient (26/04/2018, 15:12) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you both for your services to the Virgin Islands.
  • civil rights (26/04/2018, 15:30) Like (41) Dislike (5) Reply
    I like Hill he is not for sale doc and his Gang could not get him to sell out the country so they moved him
  • Yes (26/04/2018, 16:16) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    No more badwords in the service
  • BestFriend To The End (26/04/2018, 16:16) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    Trust I respect him on and off the job. When it comes to his work I would never question it. Sometimes people would try to push you to a point to break you down, but in the end Mr. Guy Hill held on an i respect for working so long in Government, sad to see him leave.
  • Not2Sure (26/04/2018, 17:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Happy retirement not hapay reden
  • Interested (26/04/2018, 17:26) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you both for your dedicated service to this territory.
  • wize up (26/04/2018, 17:36) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    both Victims of the system(victimization): did good work
    • BRAD BOYNES (26/04/2018, 22:36) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      I would imagine they retired in their own call. I know Hill did. Stop being snutty and malicious.
      • wize up (27/04/2018, 12:53) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ my boynes: don’t you know that you can be frutretd out of a position: Mr Hill is the most suitable person to head the immigration in the territory( how much longer should he be acting) just saying.....some of our people will frustrate you and frustrated until you just throw your hands up and leave: those two guys one need to defend them because they did well.....
  • foxy (26/04/2018, 20:16) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Then people wonder why our country is in this hole it's in. They send home all the good people who were doing their jobs
    • BRAD BOYNES (26/04/2018, 22:39) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      For you information Hill DID NOT get sent home.
    • ex-worker (26/04/2018, 23:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      they need to send home cabinet secretary the woman term has expired. we need to remove snd replace that one for sure
  • yardee (26/04/2018, 20:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nuh betta herin, nuh betta barril......
  • Pier park (26/04/2018, 22:39) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    The two of you all going to run for politics
  • Political Observer (PO) (26/04/2018, 23:01) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Guy and Wendell are two victims of political correctness. They refuse to say how high when politicians say jump and paid the price for it; they were shown the door prematurely, albeit with their dignity. A government that seeks only concurrence is a stagnant and poor performing government. A government that frowns on robust debate is a poor performing government. Political patronage, tribal politics, Cronyism, going along to get alongism is ruining the BVI; it is ruining the public sector. Two talented Virgin Islanders are being shown the door prematurely. Sad.
  • Guy is a great Guy.. (27/04/2018, 04:21) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Guy would have done a good job as Labour boss since they didn't want him to head immigration. He is a defender of the law and a believer in humanity and human rights....Right now the people are suffering and denying and losing their rights under both labour and immigration.. Imaging my Co worker had a morning appointment at immigration shows up ontime and leaves at 530pm. Then they telling us that all is well...I had an issue with labour concerning my Job every time they promise to call me.. 4 months still waiting on that call. I gave up.. Then they telling us that all is well..... Keep your head up Guy.. Sad though that politicians can kill the calling of a person... Get your personal labour and immigration consulting firm going. U will do well..
  • US Special Agent (27/04/2018, 09:23) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    I had the opportunity to meet and work with Mr.Hill since 2004 when I met him at a law enforcement conference in Miami. I found him to be very professional, competent and knowledgeable of his position and area of responsibility. Had a great sense of humor and was always ready to assist. I will miss him dearly. Good luck Mr. Hill in you future dealings in this this life.
  • Not the Same kettle of fish (27/04/2018, 14:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    They may have both retired, but they are two different kettle of fish. One could not be manipulated and the other, you go figure.
  • Forbidden Truth (28/04/2018, 06:45) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    How does people work for the government that long and the government does not recognize their years of service? These men spent half their lives in/working for government. Hmm. Shame on who's respobsibility it was supposed to be to have had them recognized.
    Thanks for your service Mr. Hill and Mr. Gaskin.


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