Premier appoints new press secretary
(CNS):The former editor of The Caymanian Compass has been appointed as the new press secretary for the premier’s office. Tammie Chisholm has taken up the post previously held by Charles Glidden during McKeeva Bush’s tenure as well as the six month term of Juliana O’Connor-Connolly. When he took up office following the May General Election, the new premier, Alden McLaughlin, said he was restructuring the politically appointed staff in the premier’s office in an effort to cut headcount. He also indicated that drivers and other trappings of office would be reduced. However, over the last few months Roy Tatum has been appointed as senior political advisor to the premier and Kenneth Bryan as political assistant to the premier.
So far, there has been no official release relating to the departure of Charles Glidden and the appointment of the former Compass editor, who started the job as the new press secretary on Monday 5 August.
Chisholm’s departure from the islands’ oldest and only daily newspaper comes in the wake of the purchase of the paper by David and Vicki Legge of Pinnacle Media. David Legge stepped into the role of publisher and editor in chief soon after the estimated $12 million deal was struck. Since then, Jeff Brammer and Norma Connolly have been appointed as managing editors.
Category: Politics
Alden, if the people wanted Mr Bryan representing them, they would have damn well voted for him. As they didn't, you have obviously disregarded their voice and disenfranchised the very ones that voted for you.
Mr Bryan has ZERO qualifications to serve this country and that is why he was not voted for. When he grows up and proves himself, we may reconsider. You have done your country a disservice. People are already comparing you to the despot you replaced.
Come on, man. shape up. Perhaps you are waiting for Ms Kilpatrick to give you a pair? So poor.
He is not representing the people, he is advising Alden. At least he had a good level of support from the people which is much more than you could have said about Richard Parchment. Apparently he was good at taking the blame for sending faxes. I hear he is a wealthy man now.
Alden Bush II
Press secretary and Political assistant are political positions and the premier should choose whomever he feels most comfortable with.
Well done on your promotion. I am so happy to see a close relative doing so well.
Vvv funny.
PRESS SECRETARY? Are you kidding me? {The former press secretary} if my memory serves me correctly, spoke publicly "once" while in that position and that was to make an announcement about something that was already widely known by the public. Why all of a sudden did we need a press secretary? For five or more decades we have governed without the services of a press secretary! Why now? If you really think it's necessary "Hire me Sir. I'll do it for free". It'll save government quite a few hundreds of thousands over time!
Alden! Sorry! MR. Premier Sir please don't start looking like MacKeeva by repeating some of the same indiscretions committed by him. My family and I voted for some of your PPM in West Bay and are very pleased that you were successful in your efforts. Now we're hoping that your party will have learned [once you were in office] to avoid the antics of Mr. Bush, andnot fall into the trap of trying to accommodate the wishes of those who may be members of PPM or of those who may have helped in getting you into office.
Government is broke. The FFR requires that we cut out the hiring practices of past governments. So please don't start appointing or making positions for people who "even though loyal supporters" are no more Caymanian than the rest of us. There are many talented unemployed Caymanians out there, so please find them and assist them in utilizing their talents in private sector. Government should not try to be the main source of employment for everyone.
There was much talk by candidates of the "PPM" about the positive changes that would be forthcoming {re employment and work permits etc}. after you were elected to office. So we're all waiting and hoping that a major priority of your government will be in getting unemployed "Caymanians Back to Work In The Private Sector". It is my opinion that certain businesses are getting work permits for foreign employees by corrupt mains and I beg you to look into this. My advice is to get the permit system out of the hands of those in Immigration. Form a board of trusted upstanding citizens thru a vetting system, {not political appointments} to replace anyone who has been found in violation of those ethical standards and practices that constitute good governance! This has to apply to every department, sector and authority within government.
I'm sure to some this may sound harsh, but it's nothing compared to "What Will Be", IF WE DO NOTHING!
Third world. There is no other way to describe it.
Is there anyone involved in local politics or Government who is not on the payroll, unduly beholden or generally corrupted in some way?
Cayman is too small to try to hide the truth my friends. And one of those truths is, that there is much fronting being done by many who live hear, so as to hide the identity of the true owners of some properties, who may never be known to the general public.
So in a few decades when we are referred to as the "Camana Islands"
DON'T BE SURPRISED!
Couple of questions weneed the Premier to answer:
1. What process was completed to have these posts filled?
2. Clearly me and the entire country will be paying for their salaries, so please confirm their salaries.
3. How does assist the bottom line? I thought when you got rid of Leonard dilbert we would be saving but instead you hire two people than replaced the one you ousted.
4. Apart from being a banker and a journalist. What experiences does mr tatum and Bryan have?
lastly what message are sending to our young kids? It's okay to do crime in your younger years but not to worry align yourself to a political party and you are fully exonerated? This is so wrong from a morally and ethical stand point. XXX Alden sorry but you just lost my respect as a leader and I encourage you that you put an end to this madness. We need a stable country with strong ethics so this country can sustain on its own and with pride.
"lastly what message are you sending to our young kids?"
What it teaches our young kids is that no one is infallible. However when they make a mistake they should not let it keep them down for people like you to walk all over them. They should be more like Kenneth, learn from theirmistakes and make something of themselves. Alden you are only proving that you are willing to give everyone a second chance.
Did Alden and the PPM ever read Tammi's editorials???? She sounded more like a rabid UDP suppoter than someone who should be representing PPM. Be careful of who you let close to you.
Come on – you must have heard the expression ” keep your friends close – and your enemies closer”.
This lady was instrumental in the ppm campaign through the compass, no surprise at all, but the new editor is by far worst that her, he comes with the idea of changing this country for the worst, behind Dart of course, what a joke this place is becoming. I rather see Kenneth and Tatum there anyday than these newcomers to Cayman.
Progress means change 09.57…if you want Cayman to stand still and die, then you just carry on…we are already far behind where we need to be..So many unthinking people see change as a problem…if you look outside Cayman its happening everywhere..
So David, I see you commented here..
Would you care to clear the air on the ownership of the country's largest/oldest newspaper?
Obviously you only try to play with the big dogs.. so who are the real owners of the Compass??
Don't hold your breath for an honest answer to that one, friend. The country's oldest newspaper is now (totally) under the control of those who operate behind human masks and care nothing for Caymanian culture and traditions beyond that which will serve to further their interests; and certainly not for anything and anyone who gets in the way of their businesses and big profits. As even a token independent mouthpiece for the community it has all but disappeared, and is increasingly resembling some kind of Cayman edition of a New York Times magazine insert.Time for a new newspaper written by Caymanians for Caymanians and the Cayman Islands as a people.
Dat you Desmond?
Kenneth Bryan and Roy Tatum? Really Mac? Sorry, really Alden? Political crap is all I can say. Were these posts advertised for qualified persons? UDP spells PPM if you ask me. My PPM votes are going 100% independent next time.
You making us sick Mac. Sorry sdid it again. Alden, my bad.
Alden, can you please post why Kenneth should get political assistant and what experience he has other than door to door campaigning?
Here we go again, the prejudice never stops in this country.
These are political positions. It says so in the titles. They are not public service posts. These jobs are not required to be advertised. Of course the Premier is going to appoint people to these offices that share his policial views and that he can trust. To do otherwise would be idiotic.
The Premier is the premier because he has been elected. He has a consituency to look after as well as be premier. If he doesn't look after his consituency well he won't be elected again. Alden is an experienced politician and he is doing what he is permitted to do and what is wise to do, putting in place a support team that will allow him to discharge his responsibilites as both Premier and as a representative of the people.
Many people have underestimated both Alden's political savvy as well as his leadership abilities and few gave him a hope of becoming premier. But so far he has quietly proven his naysayers criticisms to be without merit.
I say keep it up Alden! Continue to do what you do best and out think your oppenents. Under your leadership and with your team the country is in good hands and I can sleep at night again and not worry about what outrageous headline I am going to wake up to in the morning.
The taxpaying public has every right to question these blatantly political appointments because, let me see, oh yes, our taxes go towards paying their salaries.
As for the Premier’s supposed political savvy, he was reelected solely because he hitched himself to the most potent political force operating on this island. Kurt D. Tibbetts (aka McKryptonite)!!!!
Since these are political appointments and do not have to be advertised for fair competition, even amongst the PPM electorate, then please carry on and tell us that the salaries are also all politically paid so that we the people do not have to be paying them from the public coffers with what we no longer have .. money.
Good choice Alden !
No offense but Kennith Bryan?? Political Assistant?? Seriously?? Wow nevermind.. Alden I voted for you and Kurt in the election but this is just plain disappointing. Kennith failed so let him go back to his old job at CITN or somewhere but seriously you just made urself MINI MAC after reading this.
What a crock of shite! Alden are u serious? First off can you please list what educational background these two gentelmen has and why wasn't these post advertised as the law requires? pure BS!
Well I am really upset with you Alden cause neither Roy nor Kenneth can write poetry! take 2 and add 3 to government what happen to cut backs ????? what a bunch of Liards!!!
Hahahahaha, you must be joking..Kenneth Bryan hahahahaha…what is the requirements for this job,no experience,average education and have a dodgy police record.hahahahaha..cop onto yourself Alden……thank god I didn't bother to exercise my right to vote,I knew you were all the same…a joke…
Same old BS — just a different color T-SHIRT– did we really expect a different type of gov't
Were any of these postiions advertised or are they political ppointments as usual? I knew alden wouldn't last long before he would start enjoying the fruits of his new constitution. No different than Mckeeva…I told unna so but unna went and vote for them anyway…
Same sh#t, different day…Cayman politics will never change!!
Im waiting for the fence to go up around Alden's house and for him to rip up that sign in front of Mckeeva's house to put in his front yard..Mark my words it's coming.
So dissappointed in PPM!!! friends, family relatives on boards wheter qualified or not…
FOr crying out loud Stran, your daddy is on a board you are responsible for…come on Moses, I expected better from you even if Stran is still a little green.
Alden, you are proving yourself to be on an equal footing with the first premier.
Please. Alden has got a loooooong way to go for that.
Kenneth will do well..
Everyone appears to have forgotten that it was the PPM who started the ridiculous increase in the civil service. Have we all forgotten the many deputy chief asistant senior jobs created with the bogus job descriprtions? The more things change the more they stay the same. Dem nah change.
Come on man if Big Mac was in charge he would have hire his right hand man them.. So sit down and leave the Government of the day to do there jobs…
Kenneth work hard and show these ppl that you can work and yes we will support you are the next election where you too will be sucessful…
What's his job suppsoed to be?
Why is the public purse payign for a political assistant? (stress on the political)
thought he didn't need a press secretary or analyst. This bunch is nothing different than they were in 2005 more lip flapping and no action. Poor ppl hungry, got bills to pay, children in school etc They can't help them get work but can add additional burden to the government's bottom line.
FOI for salaries, please!
This is disappointing though not surprising. I expected no better from Alden despite his token goodwill behaviour at the onset. I would like to know how these people were appointed? I do not recall ever seeing any advertisement for the positions they are supposed to fill.
Fat and getting fatter, we are not going to stop the spending till, well ever, hopefully the new governor will stop it.
gotta laugh at the people who are disappointed by the 'jobs for the boys'. what did you expect? Both ppm and udp are guilty of this. You had a chance to fix this by voting in new blood, but you voted for the same old fools. next election when it is udp's turn to be relected it will happen again and than ppm and then udp…etc. etc.
…….And what do you think the new blood would have done if they had been elected? Maybe appoint a UDP or PPM supporter? Unfortunately we'll never find out this time around. Its just not human nature to operate that way – too bad humans aren't perfect but I do think we should strive to be better.
Lets be serious. I know enough about the Premier that I believe he would would think long and hard about who he is hiring to make sure he makes the best choice possible.
Give the man a chance to have the people that he needs to get his work done.
I dont know the Press Secretary but if she worked at the Compass then she should be good. Roy Tatum, if this is the same one I know about, is a long time banker and is someone who is active in the country – even through his letters to he press about politics and so on. Kenneth is a former media person and as a candidate would have the Premiers trust.
I say again, the Premier has a lot to do and speaking for me I have no issue if he gets the people he needs and trusts to help him. Before we beat up the Premier and the staff in his Office lets see First what they will do and give them and him a chance.
We are all counting on him. So Lets support the Premier nuh.
Peace
According to the above CNS report, Roy Tatum was appointed as Senior Political Advisor and Kenneth Bryan as Political Assistant. In case most of the previous posters missed it, these are intended as political appointments. Hon. Premier Alden McLaughlin or the PPM never stated that they would eliminiate all political staff. Whether we like or not, the post of the Premier is a political post. It is very appropriate that he appoints people to political posts that he can trust and both Roy and Kenneth are very capable persons who will earn they pay. Of course if you think that the Premier should not have political advisors at all then you are entitled to your opinion. At least give the man credit for eliminating luxuries such as personal drivers, cooks, etc.
Give the PPM a chance — remember they purchased the protocal SUV's before they lost the election — thought they would be riding in them instead of the UDP — its all coming out of the bush — little by little – remember that old saying " same dog , same puppy " — a zebra cannot change its stripes–
Obviously all that UDP propaganda nonsense has been proven false since neither Alden nor Moses is riding around in a protocol car.
NOT YET —LOL
Yes, but what are paying these political appointees to do?
Its really a culture thing. At least they still have their pride.
Blessed are the meek.
UDP's turn to be re-elected. LOL. The UDP will be no more by the next election having suffered decapitation in 2014.
So political cronies getting jobs.
Sounds familiar.
The Compass has decided to clearly move to the "right" politically and pander to the most conservative (wealthy) Cayman base.
Just read their recent Editorials and think about the fact that they have decided to publish Will and Krauthammer as part of the package. Are Dart and the Koch's behind this plan?
Amen. supporting the "beautiful people" that would appear n the glitz section of the Grand Cayman Magazine. Does this surprise anyone?
The compass lost all credibility when they wrote that its OK to sign your name to any anti CIG post because they say it is.
Alden I am really disappointed with the appointment of the two latter posts of this article. Clearly this is all about politics! Where these posts advertised? Are Roy and Kenneth qualified?
What I don't understand is that you have educated people unemployed that did not even got the opportunity to apply for the job. What this shows me is that you are no better than Big Mac. Thiskind of crap only happens in Cayman.
So sadden by this move.
I am more than just disappointed – I am stunned and hurt to find that our new premier is following the first one in wasting our money on totally unnecessary and, at least in my case, unwanted "give 'em a free ride" political appointments.
Alden, you have very badly let down all of us who voted for you – just the "same-old-same-old" yet again. If you want to restore our faith in you and the PPM you need to do an immediate "about face" on this one and tell us it aint true! PLEASE!
David "Pixie" Legge's takeover of the Compass has already resulted in much much better editorial comment written presumably by him. The guy is a bona fide journalist although I hate that fancy magazine he produces (although the photos of the foreign and Caymanian weath holders at cocktail parties are must sees.)
Alden's appontment of Roy Tatum and (gasp) Kenneth Bryan is, shall we say, just disappointingly Mac-like. For Christ's sake, Alden, don't squander your early good will. Are you going to close the Protocol Office which serves no purpose other than to give failed civil servants jobs? It's well known in the civil service as one ofthe dumping grounds for those who can't perform in real jobs. The Museum is another.
What makes people single out specific government entities as 'dumping grounds'?
I smell a Pixie!
Well we know Roy is a PPM member omg when is this gonna stop?
People, it is a political position, OBVIOUSLY they would only appoint a PPM member to it. It would be foolish to appoint someone whose allegiances are uncertain or adverse. You will find exactly the same thing in the UK.
PPM should fund it then not the people of the Cayman Islands otherwise they are Civil Servants who are supposed to remain apolitical.
in fact All Parties in power should fund positions for their buddies or seek donations from financiers and supporters for those positions to drive their party policies.
Kenneth Bryan seriously?
Kenneth Bryan political assistant ? Just because he failed as aMLA we now have to give him a job? WTF what's the difference between the two parties again?!
Tammie, Vicki and I and all of your former colleagues at The Compass wish you the greatest success in your new position.
Please send us the "inside scoops" as they come your way. You know a good news story when you see one!
Best always to you,
Dave Legge
Yes, and you know how to turn one to your advantage. Nuff said.
Thank you for your input, David. Let's hope them "scoops" keep coming in strong and regular so that you can ensure the public is fully informed of what affects Caymanians and promote their future well-being and development in the face of predatory developers, who want to run the show, and control the media, even the Caymanian Compass, believe it or not. Keep up your good efforts. We appreciate your sincerity, believe me.
Looks like David Legge is happy to see the back of Tammie Chisolm. What I do not understand is why pretend David?
Everybody knows that you and your business partners/financiers didn't want her around at the Compass so why the cheesy post or are you just gloating?
PS – Compass now reads like a Republican news letter in the editorial section. If we wanted all of that rhetoric we would all watch Fox News and Billy O'Reily.
No issues with Tammie’s appointment, but Tathum and Bryan are plain old looking after the loyal deals.
Politricks as usual rules the day.
Seriously, did the people wote really for all this; naked political appointments of questionably qualified individuals to non-positions not advertised (whether or not they have other attributes other than party membership) and nepotism and blatent conflicts on the Port Authority Board, whats next?!
The people voted for change, not more of the same, although not blatent alledged corruption/misue of public funds/abuse of office, but same old politrics.
Do they take us all for fools? The trouble is that yes, they probably do.
Shame on them if true.
You don't have an issue with giving a government job to the person who controled the editorial slant of the largest newspaper during the election? Is there any way it could look more like political payback? (And if your answer is that 'well, we all thought the Compass was UDP', then imagine how much worse it could have been.)
The slant of the Compass editorials were mostly pro-UDP/McKeeva.