THE MIGHTY CHALKDUST’S classic Chauffeur Wanted, which relates how the driver in charge cannot drive, is being sung in influential places all across Barbados.
These people who matter say confidence is a currency which, once devalued, undermines everything else that is said, planned and done.
And they for one want to hear what precisely will be done to clean up the mess.
These individuals said they had been hurting for some time and it would take a monumental effort to convince them that the driver can indeed drive, given the number of fender benders, crashes and – as far as some are concerned – write-offs the driver has experienced.
For sure, this group plans to keep their cards and money close to their chest; and if they see any move to hurt their interest, they will let their influence be felt.
Early to drink
WORKERS at a Government department renowned for excellence are crying over how their stellar reputation is being sullied by some new imports.
They claim that the department has become a haven for misfits and is being used as a dumping ground. They charge that a number of known drinkers, gamblers and people whose mental stability is questionable have streamed through their doors, to the extent that their capacity now to deliver sound information is being questioned.
As an example, the workers reported that as early as 8:45 on mornings a particular man is usually very spirited. They say he spends less than two hours in any one day at his desk; but he can always be found at two watering holes within walking distance, having a few bottles of his favourite brew.
According to the workers, this man downs, on average, about a dozen or so a day. They based that estimate on the six or so trips he makes daily, plus the fact that he hits them two at a time.
The thing is, the leaders of the department are aware of all of these goings-on but have been silent.
They figure it could be due to his father being a big-up in the Public Service. And they’re saying no wonder some of the information they put out recently was being questioned.
Back-seat driver
A BACK-SEAT DRIVER has a certain statutory organization in an uproar, according to insiders there.
From what they told Cou Cou, the chairperson and a number of staffers are trying to unseat the entity’s leadership and have been micromanaging the place for some time.
The chairperson calls staff for updates and holds meetings with them. The individual and their board have discouraged the development of human resources guidelines and shirk from disciplining staff for fear that the union would be informed.
The upshot of this is that disrespect and indiscipline reign within the organization and the leadership gets the full force of it, especially in meetings. In fact, some staff members have openly been telling the leadership that they will soon be removed. Things are that bad, they report.
The meddling from the chairperson, who should know better given their profession, has retarded the progress of the entity. The insider is hoping something is done to change the fortunes of this organization before it is downsized in the coming shake-up.
