Dear Editor,
It is after great consideration that I’ve decided to bring into the public domain the following issue, against my own initial instinct and the advice of friends who believe that addressing it forthwith would only exacerbate the problem. Over the past month, I have been forced to endure what is becoming an increasingly vicious campaign of character assassination, perpetrated primarily through the peddling of lies via e-mails and on some blogs.
First of all, I should say that I have never been overly sensitive. For years, I have held various public offices and can deal with unwarranted criticisms and negative actions – I am neither bothered by the downright lies peddled by these bloggers nor of their name calling exercise against me. However, in recent days, I have noticed a worrying tendency, on their part, to extend their lies to my family. They have crossed the line.
The extent to which these people are willing to engage in a smear campaign raises important questions and challenges for those who may wish to serve and make a contribution to this country. It is against this background that I wish to put my service to the state into perspective.
I am not nor have I ever been a card-bearing member of any political party; I’ve always served in the interest of fairness.
My contribution to what I would consider public service began in the early 1980s when the then President Forbes Burnham asked me to be part of a team to manage a portion of land which he had donated to the school I attended at that time for a farm project. I received an award, from President Burnham, for my stewardship of that land and other resources connected to it. That was an experience that taught me the value of service to community and country. It is one I shall never forget. That project assisted with revenue for the school as well as provided food, at a reasonable cost, to students, teachers and other residents.
Under President Desmond Hoyte, I worked on a number of projects connected to public activities. During my tenure, at a city bank, the President was invited to be patron of the flagship activity for our evenings of classical music. He kindly consented and attended the sessions. In the early 90s, President Dr. Cheddi Jagan was invited and also agreed to be patron of that very activity, which he was vocal in his praise of. The proceeds were used for a noble cause in a local community. During the presidencies of both Desmond Hoyte and Dr. Cheddi Jagan, I served on state boards and was involved in a number of activities aimed at improving the lives of citizens in different local communities. I had and still do have a policy that all board fees paid to me should be donated to the welfare of the employees of organizations or the entities in which I served.
Some citizens may recall that when a merger was announced between the bank where I served and another bank, I had cause to brief the public through several press conferences in an effort to ensure that the workers got their deserved payments and other benefits. Those employees were the ones who kept the entity together during the toughest of times and I was not prepared to allow anyone to short-change them.
I am an unrepentant nationalist. Therefore, I am always willing to serve for the development of Guyana. I believe that I have a serious responsibility as a citizen to use my expertise, knowledge and skills to advance the interest of this nation. Under the current PPP/C administration, I have been asked to serve on several boards, to which I have agreed. Much to their credit, no one in that political party has ever tried to influence me to compromise my principles or integrity. In fact, I have been able to operate without hindrance. I have the ease of performing my duties with a high level of professionalism.
It is common knowledge that recently I served as the Commissioner of Inquiry into the affairs of the Mayor and City Council. I did that at great personal sacrifice but with fairness and objectivity. It was tedious and there were many serious challenges. However, I did it knowing fully well that the work of the Commission would ultimately improve the work of the Council, positively impact on the quality of municipal service, and consequently advance the interest of the City of Georgetown. Again, in keeping with my policy of not accepting remuneration for the public service I’m engaged in, I distributed the money paid to me for the work conducted by the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to the team of non-Commission members who assisted the work of the said Commission. It must be said that I am serving in these various areas in the face of my commitment to a full-time job as Executive Director of the Health Sector Development Unit.
It is my considered view, that race, in particular, and associated partisan politics have negatively affected the development of this country. Everything appears to be measured by the colour line rather than national goals. There are so many who are competent and willing to act in the public interest but who are afraid of being chastised or smeared. People who refuse to serve in various capacities for the public good under this, or indeed any, administration because of fear of shadows – with their own personal agendas – are providing traction to the work of the mischief-makers and according them exactly what they want.
In closing, I would like to directly address those who are behind this campaign – I have engaged in public service in a public and open manner; therefore, it would only be fitting, once what you are disseminating by covert means has any validity or veracity – to come out in the open and publicly express your feelings. It was Confucius who said “three things cannot long be hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth. I remain committed to serving Guyana, without favour and most importantly without fear.
Yours faithfully,
Keith Burrowes
I once read that the disciple Escariat suffered pangs of post depression due to criticism and deep introspection.
“Under the current PPP/C administration, I have been asked to serve on several boards, to which I have agreed. Much to their credit, no one in that political party has ever tried to influence me to compromise my principles or integrity. In fact, I have been able to operate without hindrance. I have the ease of performing my duties with a high level of professionalism.”
From the above, I guess the attacks are coming from opposition forces and you must realize that this unbridled acceptance of your performance is anathema to them. You are seen as sycophantic in their opinion as this government does not normally bestow the degree of trust you seem to have garnered.
Borapork, how impartial an investigator can Burrowes be when he serves on several state boards? The guy was appointed to investigate City Hall, which institution has been the focus of government criticisms, and his final report painted an ugly picture and suggested removal ofcertain personnel. Well, what about other state-run institutions that deserve to have personnel removed? Who will investigate them? By the way, Burrowes is also a contributing writer to the state-run Chronicle, which publishes features people supportive of government so he cannot be impartial.
DA you don’t need a commision of enquiry to know that there are problems at city hall. the woman always behave like she own the city hall and that she was given that job for life.
its very funny bora on one hand we complain that the PPP don’t hire certain race in high office and when they hire them we try to tare down that person because they work for the PPP.HOM DARE CAN HE WORK FOR THE PPP AS LONG HE WUK WID THEM HE AN ON AEEE NOA MORE
From what I have followed about Burrowes, he is indeed an exceptional public servant. Is he related to Burrowes of Burrowes Art School? If so, that would explain the wide-mindedness of this person.
Seems like we have a continuum – on end is the likes of Freddie Kruger and company, and at the other Burrowes and company.
Nonsense Vatican ! ‘Exceptional Public Servant’ . Are these jokers the only ones who are knowledgeable in that sorry country . He hung his mouth where the soup was dripping and, now, the masses are onto him. Here he is crying, ‘like me , like me.’ What a joke. Live with your demons as the ship is sinking quickly. Get outta here!
Vatican,
Here is my take on this letter to my favourite Editor. Mr. Burrowes may be the person he has just described, an exceptional public servant but tell me this, how can someone, with the history of Mr. Burrowes as stated by him, not come out and publicly denounce Torture, extra judicial killings, the Roger Khan fiasco, Death squads sponsored by the state, abuse against our children, rampant corruption by Government officials, the refusal by Government to accept the help of the Brits to reform the security sector, Killing of our Children in their sleeps, Buxton, Agricola, High crime rate for the last 8 years, 69.9% of unsolved murders, Prisoner dying in Police custody and much more? Where is his voice on this matters? or is he just a public servant that love to sit on boards?
Mr. Burrowes how can you be an unrepentant nationalist and not speak out against the ills of all the administration you worked under or is there another definition for Nationalist? I love Barack Obama but i still can’t understand why he sat in Rev Wright Church for 20 years and couldn’t see who wright was. Like many, i question his judgement and the same goes for you.
You come over in your letter as an unrepentant opportunist.
Stop talking about yourself and help them PPP fellas out , they don’t know as much as you do.
As usual he continues to dabble in “non_speak” those of us who are in the “know” can attest that he was nether fair nor impartial. He must answer truthfull, whether the enquiry can hold up in a court of law. (But we kow how Guyana’s courts works, don’t we?) Were the two officers given a FAIR heaing after allegations/accusations were put to them? Or was this a nother case of “Salem, Massachusetts?”
In my opinion this so called enquiry was a farce and a witch-hunt. Hammy and company played into the hands of the PPP?C.
I remember the first time I met you Mr. Burrowes. I can attest your fair mindedness and your professionalism. I was surprise with the decision you made on my behalf. I was also impressed with how you quickly you grasped what was needed to be done and did it forthwith.
You made the right decision then and I am sure you will continue to do the right thing.
God bless you!
colin2nice,
All Guyana thanks you for your honesty, candor, and sincerity in your comments on your interaction with Mr. Burrowes. Anyone who blogs on Stabroek News knows that you are not a PPP stooge or puppet but some of us will still continue our efforts to tear down and disparage Mr. Burrowes and his work because he worked with PPP regime. You have in some ways redeemed Mr. Burrowes’ creditability on this site. We seem to ignore the fact that he worked for Guyana and not the PPP.
Thanks Simon Lessik, but I was just speaking the TRUTH! Something very seldom on this blog. Like I said this was my first encounter with the gentleman.
I am not nor have I ever been a card-bearing member of any political party:::::Dat is wat dem dont want to hear:::::
wen yuh talk de truth dem vex….an yuh luckie yuh ent get de Haslyn Parish special fuh talkin de truth…..
keep up de good wok yuh doing witout fear or favor….
Like you dont get vex when we tell you the truth about your poo poo poo. come now cack eye tell the truth.
I have worked with Keith and I count him as a friend. That he has be tasked with more and more important issues attests to Keith’s integrity is beyond question, his standard of work is professional and above all he is objective and fair. I have not seen these blogs that are referred to but keep up the good work Keith, Guyana needs people like you.
It is wonderful that you shared this information with the foreign bloggers since they may not know much about Keith and his work in Guyana. Very often we do not want to hear the truth if it conflicts with our purpose and agenda. I am happy to see Guyanese bloggers respond on this issue and set the record straight on Keith’s honesty, integrity, partiotism, and impartiality.
Keith and Rachel, the man writes a column inGuyana Chronicle, and when the Health Ministry burned, he wrote a lengthy piece condemning it. He also wrote and spoke about his work probing City Hall. My question is this: Since he has a column in Chronicle, has he not noticed anything wrong, including criminal and corrupt, about the behaviour of the Jagdeo regime that he could write about? Or is it that he knows a lot of stuff is wrong, but to keep his job and his column alive he rather not venture there? Man, look, Burrowes should just do his public servant job and shut the hellp up rather than write letters that expose his hypocrisy. Stabroek News and Kaieteur News have constantly reported stories exposing the Jagdeo administration in corrupt an dundemocratic ways, yet Burrowes never penned a olumn examining these. Gimme a break!
Dandy Andy,
I understand your motivation for the litany of charges you leveled against Mr. Burrowes. Mr. Burrowes deserves and reserves the right to respond if he deems it to be in his best interest. While I respect your right to freedom of expression, it is unfortunate that you see it fit to suggest that “Burrowes should just do his public servant job and shut the hell up rather than write letters that expose his hypocrisy.” Come on Bro, you and I know that slash and burn politics is often driven by intolerance, prejudices, and bigotry. Mr. Burrowes has helped many of our brothers and sisters over the years. The Republicans in our new homeland perfected the execution of a “scorched earth” agenda but failed to dominate the last contest. Barack Obama became president because of the big tent a policy of the Democratic Party. We need every Guyanese to participate in the changes we both want for our country of birth. Sometimes, one can do more good by being on the inside.
Mr. Burrowes,
You are indeed a nationalist and have been all your life. You have served the people of Guyana well over the years and I am sure you will continue to do so irrespective of the party in power. It is indeed unfortunate that most of us who blog on this site live in foreign countries and spend a great deal of our time venting our emotions, prejudices, and biases on every issue on the Stabroek News site without much regard for the truth, the facts, and the lives of the people we ridicule, denigrate, and tear down. I saw one blogger constantly referring to the president of Guyana as “Jagdoe”. This is the level of civility in our political discourse on this site.
I know the quality of your work, your integrity, your honesty, and your sincerity. You are a true Guyanese patriot and always did right thing for your country and people. Keep the faith and continue with your public service. Saying “Under the current PPP/C administration, I have been asked to serve on several boards, to which I have agreed. Much to their credit, no one in that political party has ever tried to influence me to compromise my principles or integrity. In fact, I have been able to operate without hindrance. I have the ease of performing my duties with a high level of professionalism.” to these bloggers is tantamount to a declaration of war with them.
Good luck Mr. Burrowes and best wishes for continued success on behalf of your country and people. I know Presidents Burnham, Hoyt, and Jagan valued your services greatly.
Keith Sampson, in Guyana there is a distinct difference between a public servant unto the people and a public servant unto the government. When this government asks an upstanding public servant to underatke certain projects, questions about motives have to be asked. Why investgate City Hall but not CLICO Guyana? Both are messed up because of politics yet only one gets publicly lambasted and ridiculed and investigated? C’mon, bro!
Burrowes may be a good guy; the same can be said of Sam Hinds, but there comes a point where even good and upstanding public servants run the risk of compromising their character. Burrowes was asked to probe City Hall, which has had its share of probelms, but where is the outrage over the real root of the bigger problem: NO LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS SINCE 1994? City Hall and its attendant problems are offshoots of government’s failure to hold consitituionally due LG elections, because government wants to have its own way with a handpicked IMC which it can control. It slammed the PNC for not holding free and fair elections for 28 years, but it now stands accused of not holding LG elections since 1994, so the problem is not with City Hall, per se, but with the Central Government.
It would take eyes of discernment to see what I am saying, so don’t go bigging up Burrowes as though he is a poster boy for public service in government. Do you know what happens when good men say nothing as bad things happen around them? Good men become apologists for failure and corruption and then they become consumed.
Keith Sampson, we need more level-headed people like you to join our SN blogging community. Feel free to write as often as you can. As for that blogger who calls the president “Jagdoe,” he also calls a former president “Burnhame.” Don’t worry with him. His “Jagdoe-Burnhame” tune has become monotonous. A common yard fowl has more melody than he.
@ Dandy Andy the issue Mr. Burrowes sought to address was the unwarranted attacks on his family members. I am sure he knew that that the kitchen would be hot when he choose to get into it.
He expects that there will be those (like myself) who will, I guess, defend him while others will critize. We have to believe him (take him at his word) ntil we can prove otherwise.
Attaboy Andy ! Take the likes of Keith Sampson to school.
Dandy Andy,
My comments about Keith Burrowes are based on my first hand knowledge of the individual and I hope you are not attempting to shut me down from expressing my opinions on this subject. In light of the issues you raised in your response to my blog, I can understand your discomfort with the sentiments I expressed on Keith’s behalf. However, I suggest that you may consider being a bit more tolerant of facts and opinions that may be inconsistent with your perceptions and expectations. You have stated you position on Mr. Burrowes and I take no issue with your perceptions. You and I have a great deal more in common than you may imagine as it relates to the Government in Guyana. But please do not equate my comments on Mr. Burrowes as acceptance and support of the PPP.
I see no need to discredit or benefit from discrediting Keith Burrowes. I suggest that we hold him accountable for his actions and contributions. But let’s not crucify him for not doing what we think he should be doing. Thanks for the lecture on the roles and responsibilities of Public servants in Guyana. As a life long member of the PNC, I am fully acquainted with the political issues in Guyana and the state of affairs in the country as it relates to governmental management, governance, compliance, accountability, stewardship, execution, and delivery. Guyana will survive this regime and better days ahead. Mr. Burrowes is someone who can serve us well in the future.
good luck keith
IT IS REALLY ” MINDBOGGLING”,.. TO READ AND /OR LISTEN TO THE MENTALLY IMPOVERISHED, EXCRUCIATINGLY BIASED, WOEFULLY UNINFORMED, AND IN SUMMARY, PATHETIC BLOGS THAT APPEAR FROM A CADRE OF ????? ON THIS SITE… WE HAVE A “BLACK” PRIME MINISTER, BLACK ,CABINET SECRETARY, BLACK COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, ARMY COMMANDER, ;; BLACK ERC. CHAIRMAN… BLACK, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECENT CITY HALL PROBE; BLACK, MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS… AND THEN,..we have a set of “people” on this site, who conclude that every thing these honourable gentlemen do or say, are lies, foolishness, against black people, and ARE really the words and deeds of PRES. JAGDEO…HOW INSULTING TO THESE LEARNED GENTLEMEN, AND MORESO HOW INSULTING TO BLACK PEOPLE… do you guys who write this nonsense even stop to think, what you are in fact saying… that persons belonging to this group.. don’t have a mind of their own… that they are all empty vessels making sounds to the BEAT OF THEIR MASTERS… ARE’NT YOU FOLKS ASHAMED ?… THANK GOD MOST OF YOU ARE OVERSEAS…. PLEASE STAY WHERE YOU ARE …