Dilbert promoted to top job in premier’s office
(CNS): Leonard Dilbert, who had been acting as chief officer in the premier's ministry has now been appointed as the Chief of Staff in charge of the premier’s office and will provide policy and administrative support to McKeeva Bush. The appointment was made by Deputy Governor Donovan Ebanks and announced on the eve of his retirement. Dilbert takes up the new post today (1 February), which was created in keeping with the 2009 Constitution. The job, officials stated, is to “enhance cross-ministry collaboration and cooperation, in support of the policy leadership of the premier.”
Dilbert joined the Cayman Islands Government in 1978 as Labour Officer, and until 1995 served in a variety of positions and departments, rising to the post of permanent secretary (now Chief Officer) in 1992.
Between 1995 and 2005 he completed a Diploma in Legal Studies, worked as an independent consultant, did formal studies in poetry and produced a collection of poems, as well as provided voluntary services to both government and NGOs.
He re-joined the public sector in 2005 as deputy director of the Cayman Islands National Museum and has since served in several ministries, where he played a leading role in the development of major initiatives such as the NALC, the Public Health Review and the Jubilee Park.
Most recently Dilbert worked as senior strategic advisor to the premier, but he has spent much time over the past few years acting as chief officer in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism & Development.
Throughout his career Dilbert has made substantial contributions to the development of legislation, policy reforms, relations with international agencies, and institution-building across the government, as well as between government and civil society, officials said in a release regarding his appointment.
Category: Local News
Why you guys so jealous? Gee whiz man, give the man a break
I wonder who wrote this press release!!?? Any suggestions, folks?
a class of students at George Town primary school has to be taught outside, becuase they have no classroom to learn in what a crying shame
O i get it, for a moment I thought it was April 1st. The premier has hired him as a jeste; with his background in poetry and his volunteer attitude he will fit perfectly in the show called U.D.P. Congrats(do you honestly feel up to the job?)
YES to Wed, 02/01/2012 – 09:37. The next Premier will work with Mr. Dilbert, because the next Premier will be Mr. W.M. Bush.
McKeeva won't finish this term let alone get another one.
How in the world he knows what is good for hunger is beyond my imagination.
When he was in the then Ministry of Sports and Education, I overheard a gentlemen suggesting to him that he should encourage the then Member for that portfolio, who loved sports, to build shaded stands at the Truman Bodden's Sports complex. Dilbert's reply was " Well we can't build them todacy!". I thought then how he lacked enthusiasm and energy, my impression has not changed since. What kind of policy he implement? Oh please delete the references to his input on legislation and policy, without specific hard evidence, this really leads to too much speculation. And poetry, what is that? You mean pottery? or what?
And I bet the person speaking to Mr. Dilbert at the time was probably the one trying to seel Govt the materials to build the shaded stands.
The majority of persons approaching govt officials about "ideas" are themselves selling something and trying to make money off of govt.
And what was wrong with Mr. Dilbert's answer? There ARE more important things on govt's agenda than covered stadiums you know… If they were to build covered stands now, would you say the money may have been better used elsewhere? Possibly on a classrom for the children learning outside (as posted above)
He's from West Bay, is he not? I say no more!!!
Congratulations Leonard. But another policy coordinator Where does this leave the Head of the Policy coordination unit – and his staff- in the Cabinat office? Any wonder we have no money for the things we need.
Congratulations Leonard, you have always been one I have been proud of.
A fine Caymanian man that has demonstrated good qualities, minds his own business and has always worked hard throughout his life.
Do a good job and don't mind the Haters there is no cure for them.
.
14:12: The people you refer to as "Haters" do not hate Mr Dilbert. He does not provoke that response in people. What is being objected to is the way in which this appointment has been done (at the Premier's behest) simply to give him a highly paid puffed up job. It is clearly a post which contains the same sort of job activities other people are already supposed to be doing. It is also clear it was not advertised or interviewed for and nor was there the new assessment process that is supposed to apply to all such senior appointments nowadays. Why nort? Coupled to all of that is the fact that Mr Dilbert, a very bright man indeed, has a "reputation" in the civil service that does not match in any way the dynamic description of his civil service activities in the last paragraph of the press release. There is a big difference between researching a problem and actually coming up with a method of dealing with it and then doing it. That is why a poster is asking about the Infrastructure Report. Where is it? Still being researched and thought about?
The public needs to understand, this man was a Permanent Secretary (now Chief Officer) before, he left the Civil Service for a short stint, then returned as the equivalent of a Deputy Chief Officer in 2005.
Now, how he was passed over in the appointments of Chief Officers in 2009 is baffling enough. Then, to be passed over AGAIN in this latest round of Chief Officer appointments, is going beyond mainstream comprehension.
I guess he was "TOO REAL" for the outgoing civil service regime to deal with, so they denied him the position where he would have direct responsibility over steering the various policies of any Ministries. That's what happens when you are "TOO REAL" and straightforward in Govt, when you speak your mind you get pushed to the side cause it exposes mismanagement elsewhere.
BRAVO! ole boy, you didn't compromise your dignity and integrity for what has just left.
13:59, unless you are a relative your post is baffling in its worship of Mr Dilbert. To say only one thing, He did NOT leave the civil service for a "short stint". He left it for ten (10) years. And, after coming back in 2005, he left AGAIN until he was rehired (it is after all the civil service and intelligent Caymanians are always employed, thank goodness).
Ok, i give you 10 years is not a short stint. However, like I said, he is/was too real for what has just left. Seems like They couldn't work with him while they were there, so, now that they are gone, they give him his due.
Not sure what your last sentence is trying to say.
Good try 13:59: The public also needs to know he left the civil service because he could not "work wit" Mr Mckeeva Bush, the Minister at the time and he left for TEN (count them ) years not a "short stint". That is fact. I can't respond to the rest of your bizarre post because CNS would not print it.
I'm a civil servant puzzled by the last paragraph of this press release. I really wish Mr Dilbert had given at least a couple of examples of his "substantial contributions" to legislation that has been developed, policies that have been reformed and international agencies relationship building and institution building across government that he has helped to achieve. Without concrete examples it all sounds very vague and hard to pin down.
13:02, as I suspect you well know he can't.
"…but he has spent much time over the past few years acting as chief officer in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Development". So where on earth were the chief officers of these ministries and what were THEY doing that meant Mr Dilbert had to spend "much time" acting for them?
No disrespect to the man but this is an important attribute to the post:
'….did formal studies in poetry and produced a collection of poems…'
Poetic Premier:)
I totally agree…listening to the news this vening I was baffled about the man's education credentials…poetry??? REALLY???
So does this mean we are now paying Mr. Dlibert and Richard Parchment to essentially do the same thing?
Yes Questionater @ 11:25 and also Orrett Connor, the Cabinet Secretary. This is after all the civil service.
But let's be clear on one thing: The Premier does not appoint Civil Servants. The appointment of Orrett Connor (Cabinet Secretary), Robert Lewis (head of Policy Coordination UNit), and Leonard Dilbert (OoP Chief of Staff) – all tasked with policy coordination, etc., and all on very similar salary scales – is the work of the Deputy Governor, well ex-Deputy Governor now.
You all need to do an FOI on all of the "Strategic" analysts, coordinators, and consultants that are on contract because they are over retirement age, but dont want to leave and make way for younger caymanians – all appointed under you know who. You may need couple weekends to read thru all of it.
The strategic analysts etc on contract you refer to are employed only because senior Caymanian officers know they actually PERFORM and do what they are asked to do (gasp!). So leave them out of your rant. I presume you are not saying these very senior Caymanians do not know what they are doing in hiring these people you are castigating?
If you really think that the appointment of Leonard Dilbert had nothing to do with the wishes/demands of the Premier, then you are either not a Caymanian or a very , very dim one, Bobo.
It's probably a good idea to place your chief speech writer in a place where you can have some influence over what is said when you are no longer in power.
Policy leadership of the Premier HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ……. LMAOROTFL That must mean that Leonard is in charge of the FIRE READY AIM Unit or perhaps the sale of all that mythical "Intellectual Property" that the Premier is going to sell to repay the millions wasted in relation to port. I can see the title of the next book of poetry – "Odes to a Demi-God"
When the Premier says something you don't understand I will tell you what he MEANT to say. And if he doesn't say ANTHING I will tell you what he was GOING to say.
Sorry, there simply is no justification for this latest appointment. How many more pen-pushers and paper shufflers are we going to allow to stick their noses (and both front trotters) in the trough under this administration. No-one has anyone to report to in terms of weekly or monthly achievements, projects completed. You just turn up and get paid. Maybe have a meeting or two, talk about stuff from time to time, draft a memo and ….. well, that's about it really.
Makes me sick. How many senior people in CIG can look in the mirror and truly say " I work hard and to the best of my abilities in my job all the time, and my efforts genuinely add value for the common benefit of the Cayman Islands". …………..Probably a good many of them is the answer, but with their fingers crossed behind their backs.
That reminds me, I’ll need to have a think about what foolishness I’ll input to the TRS system tomorrow. I hope they have included a ‘solitaire’ option this month.
The pay cheques keep a-comin and the train done gone.
Those who have, and those who are working their asses off have been run over by the train time and time again. Been there, done that and knows how you can be side-lined.
Will the next Premier have to "work with him", or will he be placed on permanent leave with a big fat salary?
Hahhahahahaa the much tout process at work boy this place is in a mess? Congrats to leonard well deserved though. You show them premier let them feel your power!!!! not even the good old boys can defy you.
Well deserved recognition of your service, integrity and ability Mr. Dilbert. I am confident you will utilize your limited resources the best you can.
You know this already, but here goes: Be careful and vigilant, for the lion sleeps.
So if Mr Bush loses the next election in 2013, Mr Dilbert's employment will end? An incoming government would obviously (and correctly) associate him withthe UDP and could never trust him.
CONGRATS………………….. To Mr. Leonard Dilbert continue to shine and always keep GOD first place in your life.
The job description, we are told, is "to emphasise a cross ministry collaboration and cooperation in support of the policy leadership of the Premier". That is PRECISELY the role of the Cabinet Secretary in particular and the Cabinet Office in general, so in these terrible financial times we have yet another civil servant promoted to a $130k a year position that someone else on the same salary is supposed to be responsible for. Did he go through the rigorous assessment procedures recently announced by the new Deputy Governor, Mr Manderson, to be applying henceforth for all senior appointments or is this another of these "I can wuk wit him" appointments? We all know the answer to that. Jesus wept.
It is the connection that creates these positions. Strange how the Deputy Governor could appoint him to this highly paid position. What a stress, any more surprises????
Can someone say 'FOI'!
"The appointment was made by Deputy Governor Donovan Ebanks". Or is that someone sweetnin' up to Mrs. Dilbert?
A better man could not have beenchosen. Dilbert is a fine Caymanian man. A very good man who puts his people first. I am sorry he is not running for politics. He would do very good.
Congratulation Mr Dilbert. from a Bodden Towner who supports your position.
8:07: You say "a very good man who puts his people first". Can you share with us an example of something Mr Dilbert has achieved that demonstrates clearly he "puts his people first"?
Errrrrr I do not think there were any Labour Officers in 1978 – the Labour Law did not come into effect I dont think until 1987 or 1989. You may want to check your dates on this one. He was working with Government in 1978 as far as I remember but not as a Labour Officer. Any how all that aside – a great choice and CONGRATULATIONS Leonard.
Congrats Leonard, Well deserved.
Gov. Duncan Taylor! what are you thinking about? was this your idea?
No disrespect to Mr. Dilbert, but how is the FOI Comissioner going to do her job effectively if her husband is working for the Premier, who is forever violating the FOI laws?
Is the governor weak or just simply green as the grass of home?!
This is a HUGE CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PUBLIC OFFICE!
Is this the same Mr Dilbert who was moved into the Premier's ministry after the last election, along with Mr Kenneth Ebanks, to produce an Infrastructure Report? Where is that report?
Which clause in the constitution created the post of Chief of Staff? More smoke & mirrors.
("the new post … which was created in keeping with the 2009 Constitution")
It is the same clause in the Constitution that says that the Premier is entitled to a chef and a maid and a chauffeur and unlimited first class travel for no particular reason and that the Premier is entitled to accept rides on private jets and award contracts outside the CTC process and …..
And the next Premier will be doing exactly the same!
Only if he has the ethics of McKeeva Bush.
and the whole nine yards.
Ooooooh. You mean the Santa Clause! Now I get it.
A double pension and $5000.00 worth of Christmas lights?