Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:12 hours 58 min ago
New Chaguanas mayor in bitter row with CEO
Published: 28 Oct 2009
Chaguanas Mayor Natasha Navas, the self-confessed “Barbie” of local politics, is now embroiled in a bitter dispute with her Chief Executive Officer William Mark.
Navas is also the butt of sneering criticism from her predecessor Dr Surujrattan Rambachan. Navas has written a tough letter to the long-serving Mark, expressing her “loss of confidence in your good office.” The Mayor, who completes her first 100 days in office Saturday, charged that certain heads of department who fell under Mark’s “direct stewardship” have “failed to act upon directions passed in the corporation.” She further stressed the officials “have failed to provide status reports or explanations to the corporation or to the mayor in writing.” Navas detailed the charges in a three-page letter to Mark, in which she directed him to “address them with your subordinates with the greatest urgency.” The contentious issues include garbage disposal, flooding, finance and the work ethic of employees.
The hardline approach from the mayor has reached the Ministry of Local Government, where a top-level meeting, involving key stakeholders, was held. This is one of several major issues in which the mayor has become entangled in the tentative first days of her administration. In an interview, Navas stated, however, that she was only doing her duty to t he corporation and burgesses. “The CEO is there to implement the policy of the corporation,” she said, “and he is expected to do that.” But she downplayed reports of a tiff, saying that “we have a professional working relationship.” About the accused workers, she said: “There must be discipline and production.” Rambachan, however, charged that certain employees were being “attacked and written up to the Permanent Secretary. Navas said her major success was “creating a bond” between the three political factions in the corporation. “We are working together for the betterment of the people we serve,” she insisted.
But this declaration flies in the face of reports of deep divisions among political protagonists in the corporation and UNC Councillor Gopaul Boodan’s criticism last week that Chaguanas “is a pig sty.” Boodan slammed the corporation was negligent in garbage collection. Navas said when she took up her post, there were problems with garbage contractors and the financing of that function. She said that took sometime to sort out. Now, she said, she had a working system and emphasis was being placed on certain districts, including Felicity. But, Rambachan said there are “mounds of garbage” across the borough and that “for the first time in six years, there was no clean-up for Divali.” Asked about a major flood in mid-September, Navas charged that “there was no drainage plan when I took office.” But now, she added, she was working on “a long-term solution to flooding.” Rambachan stated, however, he had undertaken a preventative cleaning campaign, which included de-silting fall-out drains and Honda River.
The mayor denied reports of victimisation of certain employees and accompanying low worker morale. But Rambachan retorted with a query about the status of female cleaners who were displaced early in Navas’ tenure. Quizzed about reports of 16 corporation committees, the mayor said she had simply reactivated what previously existed. “Only one new committee—City Status—was added, and that would look at taking Chaguanas into a city in the next two or three years,” she said. But Rambachan said that there were, indeed, 19 new committees, while there were only seven under his watch. The chairman of each committee is paid $700 a month, and some councillors chair several committees, according to the former mayor.
.....ah yes, the Barbie of
.....ah yes, the Barbie of municipal politics....fair of face but faint of intellect....poor thing way above her head...a desperate search for scapegoats....where's Jack when you need him most?.....
Nice hatchet job Ken. You
Nice hatchet job Ken.
You and Suruj work together on the morning radio programme. He is your partner!
The sympathetic tone favouring Suruj and twisting of the facts as well as the bias against Navas is evident from the first sentence.
You now have even less credibility than when you left the Probe which you managed into the dust.
Navas is working the the budgetary request prepared by Rambachan in which HE cut the number of garbage collection days. Councillor Boodan, Deputy Mayor Nagessar and Rambachan know this.
Silt build-up in drains do not occur overnight. It is the result of lack of cleaning and maintenance over the six years Rambachan was in office.
If the CEO is not cooperating, not doing his job or sabotaging the council then he should be fired. He is a public servant and should not be engaging in partisan politics as he is doing. If corporation workers are not doing their jobs then this should not be accepted as it benefits no-one, least of all the tax-payers who pay their salaries.
It is this kind of dishonesty and un-Statesman behaviour from Rambachan that made him the most disliked Mayor during his tenure.
This is why we should have Local Government Elections - so we could have removed not only Rambachan but Boodan and Nagessar as well for their lack of performance, arrogance and un-Statesman behaviour.
ahh sunil ramjitsingh. If
ahh sunil ramjitsingh. If what is said is untrue then report Mr Ali to the Media Complaints Authority - but you should also disclose the fact that you are an employee of Ms Navas with a personal axe to grind from not having been employed by Mr Ali at the Probe. Instead of spending time defending the indefensible, get the woman to do something positive. She started off all hot and sweaty and now realised that the job of mayoir needs work - not skin teeth. As Jack Warner's employee you should be doing a better job of promoting her - but then bs can only get YOU so far too!
.....ah yes, the Barbie of
.....ah yes, the Barbie of municipal politics....fair of face but faint of intellect....poor thing way above her head...a desperate search for scapegoats....where's Jack when you need him most?.....
Dr. Rambachan intention is
Dr. Rambachan intention is to make Mayor Navas job very difficult but he should be going after the Councillors and Alldermen who kicked him out and elected Mayor Navas. Austin Jack Warner was very instrumental in having Natasha Navas elected as mayor but Rambachan is keeping far from Jack because he sees Mayor Navas as a soft target . From the Day that Mayor Navas was sworn-in , Panday and his minions vowed to give her hell and the minions included Dr. Rambachan and Sen. Wade Mark . Within the next 3 years the Borough of Chaguanas will become the City of Chaguanas and Mayor Navas did the right thing by establish a Committee to deal with the change of status . The Mayor must be tough with those employees who want to sabotage and frustrate her efforts to improve the Borough of Chaguanas . the Chief Executive Officer is duty bound to carry out the policies of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation which headed by Mayor Navas . My advice to the mayor is to fire him if he is not doing his job , satisfactorily .
It should be remembered that when Dr. Rambachan was leaving office as mayor , some of the staff openly wept and they are being encouraged to sabotage Mayor Nastasha Navas .
ATW-Barbados .
POOR JACKO
POOR JACKO -
Poor Jacko they only picking on him and he did not do anything.
Yuh right he didn't do
Yuh right he didn't do anything ....only got Navas elected and then hang she out to dry.
....very astute observation
....very astute observation from overseas...this poor novice finds herself in a milieu of 'kuchur' wherein her subordinates have 1001 ways to thwart her best intentions....
Jack & Barbie sitting on a
Jack & Barbie sitting on a tree,
K I S S I N G...
First comes the publicity,
Then comes the treachery,
Now comes Barbie standing alone under de tree.
Welcome to politricks Miss Navas,
Now that de honeymoon over you'll see the true colours of those close to you.
http://www.dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
BURY MIH IN TRINIDAD wen ah
BURY MIH IN TRINIDAD wen ah ded
I fully endorse these comments. Rambachan should continue to stay with the UNC albatross and keep out of Chaguanas Borough's business.
Seems the honeymoon is
Seems the honeymoon is coming to an end. If Navas is going to get the job done and get positive results for the citizens of Chaguanas, hats off to her. Without sufficient information, you don't get the full picture. Maybe Navas has a rough management style, but people have been giving her a rough ride from day one, not that she did not attract undue attention to herself. I take it she called in CEO Mark and had a quiet discussion with him and gave him an opportunity to carry out the Corporation's instructions before issuing such a strongly worded missive. You can't change a culture overnight.
Prince , Mayor Navas never
Prince , Mayor Navas never had the luxury of a "Honeymoon" because from day one , Panday and his minions made it very clear that she was not going to have an easy time as mayor of Chaguanas . Mayor Navas has the support of Austin Jack Warner , the MP for Chaguanas West , she is also a beautiful woman and vows to do an excellent job , therefore , her detractors will not succeed - she will leave dust in their faces . Even the deputy mayor is trying to make life difficult for her . If any member of staff at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation do not do what they are paid to do , fire them !!!!
ATW-Barbados .
Agree 100%.Fire them and get
Agree 100%.Fire them and get your team players who are willing to work for the people on board.
Wiggins, it's early days
Wiggins, it's early days yet. She still needs to prove herself, but she must make sure she's on her own agenda.
Prince , agree with you that
Prince , agree with you that it is early days for Mayor Navas and it is for that said reason that she cannot go on her own at this time eventhough , she is learning , quickly - even seasoned politicians need plenty support . The Panday clique is against her but the PNM and the RamJackWin members of the CBC , along with Jack Warner are supporting her . Many of the political veterans were once "new kids on the job" , too .
Prince , it appears like there will be no Local Govt Elections in T&T before the next General Election . Mayor Natasha Navas will prevail and remember that the finest steel , passes through the hottest fires .
ATW-Barbados .
The mayor is incapable of
The mayor is incapable of doing the job of Mayor. It is not her fault. She is neither qualified nor capable. The fault lies with Jack who put her there and surrounded her with incompetents who cannot help her - all they can do is play victim - this and that one attacking her..... it is true performance beats old talk everytime. That is not just a slogan, and the sooner Jack realises it, the sooner he could remove the albatrosses he has saddled her with. Sadly, Jack is buying the same PR that Sunil and Company are selling, as they must in order to keep their lofty jobs. Do an assessment Jack and judge them! You would see how you set this lady up!
Madame Mayor Navas: You are
Madame Mayor Navas:
You are damned if you do; and damned if you don't. You are not the first woman in public office to get herself in a 'tizzy', and you will not be the last.
I have worked with many women bosses, and I can tell you that I have had the experience of working with a couple who were 'bosses from hell', and I would like to think that you are not a clone of any of them. I give you the benefit of a doubt.
You are new in public office, and to start with, your appointment was a questionable one for many. You were not given a red carpet welcome, and a crown and scepter when you entered.
You have to work to get the respect of those around you, and 100 days is a short time for you to operate with a 'heavy hand', as this will only make it difficult for you to function effectively and efficiently. A bit of advise - 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.'
Madame, you signed on to this job and you aim to prove that This New Mayor was going to 'clean up' and get your house in order. That's a big task - a tall order for anyone, especially a novice. But you must remember that you cannot do so over-night. We hae a 'culture' in this place that has taken deep roots and utter professionalism and sensitivity will help you wade through. Top notch communication skills will serve you well.
As on-lookers, we do not have all the finer details, but as an overall, I would say, that perhaps you are beig a bit too quick to the draw. Take a few steps back and review your performance, and where necessary, work on mending fences, as it will serve you well. If you want to stay in office for a while, you will have to grin and bear it sometimes. Your journey has just begun and there is a long road ahead for you. So don't be too hasty, and in a hurry, to do it all, NOW.
As a woman you may have to work twice as hard as a man to prove yourself, and to get the respect The Mayor deserve.
Gardenia
Eh????
Eh????
Someone flagged Gardenia's post? I do hope it was an error.
La Diva
La Diva & Others : - I have
La Diva & Others : -
I have attempted to be very professional with my comments. I have slighted no one, but I have highlighted some of the obvious. Perhaps, someone is afraid of reading the truth. And to this person I say we in T&T cannot continue to live and operate under 'Cave Age' mentality. This is a complex issue and I have relied upon my 'wealth of knowledge and experience' to put forward a 'progressive' and unbiased commentary.
I AM SURE THE GUARDIAN WILL MAKE AN HONOURABLE DECISION AND LEAVE MY COMMENTS IN. I think it is viatal. We cannot be like the 3 monkeys: SEE NO EVIL - HEAR NO EVIL - SPEAK NO EVIL.
I have not indulged in any of these 3 vices.
Thanks folks ...............Gardenia
Can't be anything else.
Can't be anything else.
...flagged for stressing the
...flagged for stressing the obvious.....
...flagged for stressing the
...flagged for stressing the obvious.....
And I would add: "Humans are
And I would add:
"Humans are ambitious and rational and proud. We don't fall in line with people who don't respect us, and who we don't believe have our best interests at heart. We are willing to follow leaders, but only to the extent that we believe they call on our best, not our worst" (Rachel Maddow)
Peter, your input today is
Peter, your input today is quite pertinent to this case at hand.
I hope this young person takes note of it.
However, it is also pertinent overall to our leadership in this country. We will follow up to a point, may be longer than we should, but eventually we come to the realisation that Enough is Enough - and No More. Thanks,
Gardenia
Gardenia, that was some
Gardenia, that was some well-balanced maternal advice to the young lady mayor. Hope somebody draws it to her attention. I'm sure she'll live and learn with some experience and good advice.
The Prince - Thanks: - But
The Prince - Thanks: -
But someone apparently too offence. They have flagged my 'words of wisdom'. Win some loose some.
Remember I told you that I have been through WW-1 and WW-11.
Enjoy your day my friend.
Gardenia
Gardenia, I'd rather think
Gardenia, I'd rather think it was an error & somebody pressed the wrong link.
Rubbish! The Mayor is not
Rubbish! The Mayor is not being attacked because of her gender - she is incompetent. Nobody forced her into the position - she chose to be Mayor. Nobody made her belittle the CEO and the workers of the Corporation - she sought to blame them when her incompetence became manifest because she has to answer to Jack!
People need to stand up and tell the Mayor the truth, and she has to be able to be big enought to recognise and accept the truth. She has done a poor job thus far and mamaguying her will only make it worst.
Welcome to the hell-hole
Welcome to the hell-hole that is the Ministry of Local Gov't., Madame Mayor Navas. There is not a single CEO of any Municipal Corporation who has the gumption to get his staff, both senior and junior, to get off their lazy butts and get the job done. Forget about disciplining anybody, since the process is so tardy that you may demit office without the matter being resolved.Blame Jack for putting you in this nasty situation, and please try to keep your sanity.Hazel, it is time for you to step in or another one will bite the dust.
The Mayor in her first 100
The Mayor in her first 100 days in office must be given credit for attempting to bring change,order and accountability to Chaguanas and the way the all boys club operate.Instead of giving her support so all can benefit, the sneering criticism directed towards her is done by those who are inept and dastardly against a woman being in charge,giving orders and direction to the egos of those who do not want change in a corrupt system.Hats off to the Mayor, change begins at the top,those who are stubborn to change or create road blocks to change,must be weeded out,while free thinkers and innovators who are team players should be brought in.
Stop making excuses for her
Stop making excuses for her demonstrated lack of performance! It has nothing to do with gender. So because she is a woman we should ignore her faults? Rubbish! She has isolated workers, including the CEO, who is a most ameniable person. She has been unable to deliver on any of the promises she made and she keeps making new ones. Stop blaming everyone Madam Mayor. The fault lies with the person in the MIRROR.
Diva, a flag woman that
Diva, a flag woman that makes her, waving the flag of democracy in T&T. Wave yuh flag, Gardenia, Girl!! It should give you comfort that you're probably the 'most read' poster on this Guardian blag/blogline.
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Fyzabadbutlertown -
Fyzabadbutlertown - Friend,
Keeping a low profile, I see. Good to know that you are still keeping an eye out for us. Nice to know that what I have to say still can get people's attention - good, bad and indifferent. Today's article needed an unbiased commentary, and I attempted to do so.
Listen, I am not bashful - I will wave any 'flag' they ask me to wave, if it could bring back sanity to this poor and suffering country. We are hanging by a thread. But I still believe that there is light at the end of he tunnel. Thanks.
Gardenia
'Is this the face that
'Is this the face that launched a thousand ships?'
I don't know much about Greek mythology and Helen of Troy and the Trojan War, but I do know that former Mayor Dr S. Rambachan's is a near impossible act to follow. Face it, he's a management guru par excellence, a perfectionist but an individual with a human face who is committed and devoted to and passionate about his work, family, community and country. Even his political enemies in POS and Chaguanas seem to acknowledge his greatness, so much so that, upon his 'overthrow' they even held a great drinkup and eatup in Kampo Restaurant to celebrate the event!!
Hence my humble advice: don't try to replicate his achievements. Create your own path and cut your cloth to suit your own style.
I heard him lament that the Chag. Corp. appears to oppose or is refusing payment of gratuity which may be due to him. If that is accurate, then it reeks of spite and bad mind. Remember the adage: 'what goes around, comes around'.
Let's hope that, respectfully, you do your duty faithfully and forget about the windmills and the Trojan horses.
And just maybe, Barbie may be the doll of choice in Chaguanas this Christmas?
ajfyzabadbutlertown
Erm. But where are the
Erm. But where are the facts? This is all 'he said, she said'. Could we have some facts, please? That might allow for informed discussion.
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