Dilbert retires among ministries’ CS reshuffle

| 11/07/2013

LEONARD (234x300).jpgCNS): The deputy governor has confirmed that Leonard Dilbert has now retired from the civil service but all other staff have been accommodated in the newly aligned government ministries and portfolios without an increase in headcount or job losses. Dilbert had been the premier’s chief of staff, a position created by McKeeva Bush when he held that position, but he had been left out of the reshuffle when the new PPM government took office and reshaped the ministries and portfolios to accommodate the additional two cabinet ministries, as per the 2009 constitution. Franz Manderson confirmed Thursday, however, that Dilbert had asked to retire after 25 years of public service.

Meanwhile, in an email to CNS Thursday, the deputy governor also noted that he was hoping to soon resolve the situation regarding two other senior civil servants who have been on the government payroll for the past four years but who have not yet been given posts. Deborah Drummond, the former deputy financial secretary, and Diane Montoya, a former chief officer, were both left out of the ministerial reshuffle after the UDP election victory in 2009. They have since been receiving salaries but have not had formal posts.

Manderson did not indicate what his plans were but he said he was hopeful of addressing the situation “in the short term”.

Confirming Dilbert’s retirement, Manderson said he had accepted the former chief of staff’s request and his last day was 4 June, as he thanked him for his many years of service.

During his tenure Dilbert served on the team that produced the framework for the Cayman National Cultural Foundation, led the work that gave rise to the establishment of the National Drug Council and played leading roles in the Cayman Islands’ (and the region’s) first ever National Assessment of Living Conditions, the Porter-Groome review of the Cayman Islands’ educational system and the Allen & Clarke Report on the health system and wellness in the Cayman Islands.

Dilbert is a well respect and published poet and he will be using his retirement to further his literary work. Dilbert said he would continue to work to “broaden and deepen public and corporate understanding, ownership, and enjoyment of the many opportunities and blessings available to us in this community, especially through the language of the arts and crafts.”

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  1. 4 Cayman says:

    Did some one say Ken and Roy got posts in government? If so, what positions?

  2. Anonymous says:

    So funny how ppl are to discredit individuals like like Lenard ! The man contributed to these islands just as good or better than the caymanian a we currently have in the most senior position in government . This island is a hot mess

  3. Anonymous says:

    Very interesting seems premier Alden bring in his own people who are less qualified either acaymemically or experienced in public administration. What are Roy Tatum and Keneth Bryan qualifications other than signed up ppm members. It rust that these two have not been given civil service jobs as political payoffs while avoiding the legal provisions of the public service management. Law.. I guess they are the seem as Leonard appointed by Cabinet. Does Moses have any family left to put on boards.

    THE MORE THINGS CKHANGE THE MORE THE REMAIN THE SAME CAYMAN XXXXXX

    • Anonymous says:

      Roy is the new Richard. This political appointment as Senior Political Advisor/Analyst is not new and it is viewed as exactly that – a four-year political appointment for a party member to work with the political aspect of governance. Barbara held this post under Kurt, and Richard both before and after her under McKeeva (and then under Julianna/Rolston when McKeeva was booted out with five months left on Richard's contract). None of them are hired on open-ended contracts.

      I'm not clear on exactly what position Kenneth Bryan has though? I've heard from some that he is the Premier's Personal Assistant but I am not sure if this is correct. That position has been vacant for some time since the former PA took a new job as PA to the Deputy Governor, but it is a civil service position and would have to be advertised and allow for a competitive hiring process if someone were to be offered a full-time open-ended contract. If Kenneth is doing this kind of job perhaps he is also on a four-year politicalappointment contract and the role has been tweaked?

      I wonder if Alden will also have his own Press Secretary (Charles Glidden was in this post as another four-year political appointment by McKeeva in the Premier's Office) or if Kenneth will do this type of work as well?

      It would be nice if the party of transparency could please confirm these political appointments to the public.

      • Anonymous says:

        I know Roy and I can guarantee to you he won't be sending any suspicious faxes. 

  4. Anonymous says:

    There is a lot of "hate" in these post which is something we as Caymanians need to avoid. Regardless if you like Lenoard or not, it is never easy to live through such a public discussion on your working life. We all wondered what the job was ??? and no one could really tell you including himself. But that said, he does derserve the respect of "thank you" for whatever service he once provided …. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Huh? Why? We are still trying to figure out what public service he actually did provide.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I think we all recognise that these "accomplishments" are patently fictitious, particularly the reference to his having been involved in the formation of the Drug Council. The bit about the poetry ("well respected and published poet") is yet another example of the make-believe that goes on here in Cayman where you can be anything you want to be. Marvellous creative writing, though. Top marks, CNS!

    • Anonymous says:

      News flash my friend!! The whole world is more gritty and less pretty than written up. That's entertainment. 

  6. EJ Thribb (17 ½) says:

    So. Farewell then,

    Leonard Dilbert.

    The only one in Cayman's Gowermint

    Who understood the proper use of

    Antidisestablishmentarianism.

    And if you had slipped

    it into one of McKeeva's speeches

    you might have been remembered

    for something.

     

    • Anonymous says:

      I have a better one Thribb:

      Mr Dilbert has laboriously done his best

      Now he's off to have a rest

      So leave him alone, he's going home

      To rest from doing his best.

      • Anonymous says:

        Mr Thribb writes for Private Eye so we know he is a talented poet. But you, 8:17, are a bright new talent of whom we ought to hear more so it is hoped you will write under your real name next time, as Thribb does.

    • Anonymous says:

      Everybody noes antidisestsabwhateverism is just a fancy science word for DNA. 

  7. Anonymous says:

    he will be laughing all the way to the bank with the fat cat pension he will be getting

  8. Jenny D says:

    What a load of Croc others pushing out capable Caymanians from their jobs to fill with loyal party cronies need to go also. Others involved with on going court cases should think twice about  being return to Gowerment too our i guess thats how it goes around this place now!!!!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Happy retirement Mr Dilbert. You made some wrong decisions but tried your best.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Good. Time for all Bush cronies to go.

  11. Marcia A says:

    Make it a double ??? Scotch He is not the only one that should be retired.All those who are out there hiring people in jobs that could be filled locally need to go too in regards to returning certain folks that have been involved in conduct which could be deemed criminal in nature just because they are party faithful they and those responsible for this simply need to be terminated without payouts too. but alas this it how goes in these little islands run by political favoritism.

  12. Anonymous says:

    I seriously don't understand Mr Dilbert's contribution whilst in the civil service; he is a poet…how does a poet become chief of staff? maybe i am naive in my understanding…anyways all the best in your retirement…at least youare man with a conscience…

    • Anonymous says:

      There once was a guy from Cayman
      That was good riming stuff he wuz sayin
      Big Mac made him pope
      Wit plenty long rope
      Then ‘retired’ when that rope was a frayin

  13. Disabled says:

    What a load of Happy Horseshit – apart from his poetry – has he also found God ?

  14. Anonymous says:

    Have they found space for Ms Drummond and Mrs. Montoya yet? Government needs them and they should be put in positions to help since they were put on leave on full salary.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hopefully Premier McLaughlin has more sense and humility than Premier Bush and puts those experienced ladies back to work. It is disgraceful what politicians did those two women. The Civil Service gets no value for money after nearly five years of leave and everybody wants to pretend that nothing has happened.

      • Anonymous says:

        I like people who don't ask for a lot. I have iguanas in my backyard with more sense and humility than McKeeva.

  15. Anonymous says:

    That last quote of Mr Dilbert's in the last paragraph says it all. How is it Cayman can produce bright guys like him who don't actually ever do anything? Leave aside the fact (despite the release) he had absolutely nothing to do with the founding of the National Drug Council (he ducked out of government around that time), how many people remember the Porter -Groome review of education, spearheaded by Mr Oswel Rankine to (reasonably-and Broome agreed with this) seize the system from the control of neo colonialist England(dear old Oswel's pet hate) and make it entirely Caribbean. Alas, the Caymanian parents hated it (and the Hortor Hospital) and threw the government out lock stock and barrel. Leonard was out of government for many years after that looking a jobin the private sector, came back in and left again then came back in again, only to make a "heedjut" of himself over McKeeva, pretending XXX that he was the most knowledgeable and important civil servant. Very sad. He's a decent guy. Didn't do anything of any real importance. Hopefully he will enjoy his retirement.

    • Anonymous says:

      Retirement? How do one retire from doing nothing? He has been 'in and out' of government all his life. Will he be paid a pension for the periods that he was on 'sabbatical' as well? 

  16. Anonymous says:

    Retired huh????? Yeah right.