July 4th, 2008
PS Forced on Leave
By Candia Dames


The permanent secretary who served in Sidney Collie’s ministry is being forced on leave in the wake of botched local government elections, the Bahama Journal understands.


Harrison Thompson spends his last day at the ministry today then goes on vacation for three months.

After his return, he is to report to the Cabinet Office.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has actually abolished the Ministry of Lands and Local Government and has taken ministerial responsibility for local government.

The Bahama Journal confirmed that Mr. Thompson had not planned to take vacation at this time, but it has been suggested to him that he do so at this juncture.

Mr. Collie resigned as local government minister on Monday, taking full responsibility for the errors that were made in the local government election process, which led to a court ruling blocking elections in certain districts.

The then minister had taken advice from his permanent secretary and other senior civil servants, the Bahama Journal learnt.

West End and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe suggested in the House of Assembly on Wednesday that others should be held responsible for the errors that were made.

In this regard, he pointed to the parliamentary commissioner and the attorney general.

When he spoke in the House of Assembly Wednesday, Mr. Collie – who was sitting on the backbench – said there had been no cover up in the whole affair.

He was speaking during debate on an amendment to the Local Government Act to correct the mistakes that were made and provide certainty for the election process in nine districts.

The bill – which was passed without the support of Official Opposition MPs – provides for elections to be held in those districts by August 31, 2008. Elections were held in 23 districts just over a week ago.

"We are doing the right thing," said Mr. Collie, referring to the government’s decision to bring the bill to parliament.

... Thompson needs to resign.... and I understand that he has some intention of this may soon be done....

Tis muh understanin da PS new ta da local guvmen ministree...iffen he an da minista rookie at dis here situashun mean ta tell muh nun an em read da ack...nun an em taut ta consult wit da parliamentree commishna da one wat familia wit da process...Hhmm!!

Tis muh understanin da PS new ta da local guvmen ministree...iffen he an da minista rookie at dis here situashun mean ta tell muh nun an em read da ack...nun an em taut ta consult wit da parliamentree commishna da one wat familia wit da process...Hhmm!!

P.S Thompson has served as an Island Administrator for many many years, then as the Undersecretary in Local Government and now as the Permanent Secretary.

He has a wealth of knowledge regarding all areas of Local Government.

P.S Thompson has served as an Island Administrator for many many years, then as the Undersecretary in Local Government and now as the Permanent Secretary.
He has a wealth of knowledge regarding all areas of Local Government.I understand that the notices was sent properly, in time and in order.. but these PSs take so much for granted.. that they sat in offices for days and never got out... the Minister depened on the PS he failed the Minister..THIS PS, he should just leave....and I understand that his fellow PSers are asking him to do so...

P.S Thompson has served as an Island Administrator for many many years, then as the Undersecretary in Local Government and now as the Permanent Secretary.
He has a wealth of knowledge regarding all areas of Local Government.

Pray tell wat went rong den??? Guess somebuddy ain lissen da sumbuddy :taped2:

Tis muh understandin he was in da ministree a yout fore dey transfer him ta local guvmen, das why I jess ask da question...

I understand that the notices was sent properly, in time and in order.. but these PSs take so much for granted.. that they sat in offices for days and never got out... the Minister depened on the PS he failed the Minister..THIS PS, he should just leave....and I understand that his fellow PSers are asking him to do so...

Plenny offices dere, which one - dis cud add clarity??

Minista no it was in da mill...guess he ain neva hear bout follow up or makin note ta do so...

Jess wonderin...

Pray tell wat went rong den??? Guess somebuddy ain lissen da sumbuddy :taped2:
Tis muh understandin he was in da ministree a yout fore dey transfer him ta local guvmen, das why I jess ask da question...
He was under-secretary in the office of the AG and then went on, in 2003, to be PS at Youth, Sports and Culture before being moved to Lands and Local Govt last year.

He was though an Island Administrator for several years prior to Local Government coming into effect.

He was under-secretary in the office of the AG and then went on, in 2003, to be PS at Youth, Sports and Culture before being moved to Lands and Local Govt last year.
He was though an Island Administrator for several years prior to Local Government coming into effect.


He was my boss when I joined the public service 1996 in Grand Bahama. At that time he was the Senior Administrator for the City of Freeport. After his stint in Freeport, he was recalled to Nassau and was promoted to Undersecretary for Ministry of Local Government, Agriculture and Fisheries.

I believe he is very near to retirement. Out of all the Administrator's that I have had the opportunity to work with, he was my favourite!

Dis article appeared in da paper yesterdee.

THE PUNCH July 3

PS tried to warn Collie but
Minister refused to listen

Photo insert and tag: COLLIE: He took honourable way out

Fired Cabinet Minister Sidney Collie reportedly botched Local Government elections because he refused to take the advice of his Permanent Secretary on the matter.

Harrison Thompson, PS in the Local Government Ministry, reportedly wrote to Minister Collie on the elections controversy.

Thompson reportedly told Collie that the PLP were right on certain legal points concerning the local elections. And Thompson also urged Collie to seek the advice of the Attorney General on the elections. But Collie reportedly chose to ignore the warnings of his PS. As a result, he botched the elections. And the Supreme Court stopped local government elections in nine districts because Minister Collie had failed to follow proper procedure. Once PM Hubert Ingraham learned that Collie had ignored the wise advice of his PS, the PM reportedly told Collie that he was fired. And the PM further instructed Collie to announce in the House that he was resigning as Local Govt Minister.

Excerpt from annuder article in da paper yesterdee.

Page 2, Thursday, July 3 2008 Local News The Tribune

Local government election
process 'an embarrassment'

PLP chairperson Hanna-Martin
lashes out in House of Assembly

Photo insert of Glenys Hanna-Martin

On June 1, Mrs. Hanna-Martin said she wrote former Minister for Local Government Sidney Collie advising him of the concerns and urging him not to act contrary to the law.

The letter was copied to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and the Preliminary [tink dey mean Parliamentary] Commissioner Errol Bethel.

In addition to my aforesaid letter, I spoke to the minister several times, I personally alerted the "prime minister that there was a problem brewing," Mrs. Hanna-Martin said.

Aspiring leaders? TAKE heed. :hammer:

hmmm......

P.S Thompson has served as an Island Administrator for many many years, then as the Undersecretary in Local Government and now as the Permanent Secretary.
He has a wealth of knowledge regarding all areas of Local Government.
He also had a stint as DPS in the Office of The Attorney General

He was my boss when I joined the public service 1996 in Grand Bahama. At that time he was the Senior Administrator for the City of Freeport. After his stint in Freeport, he was recalled to Nassau and was promoted to Undersecretary for Ministry of Local Government, Agriculture and Fisheries.
I believe he is very near to retirement. Out of all the Administrator's that I have had the opportunity to work with, he was my favourite!

Seems da PS knowledgeable an experience... Iffen he did he job den why he forced on leave...

Iffen da CM, PS, PC, and PM all no bout da flaws, who gee da green lite ta go hed? Any Many Manny Moe... Nun an em ain arggie dat Hanna-Martin write/call dem bout dis issue...yet!

Sumpting jess ain rite...dat ain no misquito bite!