Political Patronage Persona(fied)

Political Patronage Persona(fied)

Usually the PPP means Public Private Partnership but when we are talking about Dean Macdonald Danny Williams and Brian Tobin - it means Political Patronage Persona(fied).
November 06-2006 - on Openline with Randy Simms - Dean Macdonald made an appearance to convince the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that this private public quasi-partnership was a great deal - almost philanthropic on his behalf.
When people are up to something perhaps they should not be at - they somewhat reveal themselves by referencing other circumstances that demonstrate that what they are doing is fine - been done before. Such was the case as "Deano" (I'll explain the nickname later) was desperately defending his patronage concoction when we sputtered this:

"...In terms of my relationship with the Premier I'd like to add that I was also the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the ah Liberal Party in Newfoundland and Labrador - federal division - I was in charge of finances for two Liberal campaigns ahh ahh back ahh ahh three ahh two and three campaigns ago - so like I guess I should just pack up an leave the Province because I have friends who are Liberals and have friends who are Tories - so I guess if the NDP get in - I guess - I can stay in business but I mean yaknow that's that's kinda that's kinda tough Randy. In terms of the whole tender process one is - I believe you'll find that in 1999 the Liberals brought in a rule that basically said that telecommunications services by the government didn't have to be tendered."

"...and I can tell you the last reason it happened - under all circumstances is cause of any friendship or relationship I have with the Premier - because I also have those friendships and relationships across the House - so I can't contemplate how we do business in Newfoundland if because we all have relationships and friends - there's very few degrees of separation in this Province as you know - particularly in the business community."

Here are the events of 1999 - 2000

- Brian Tobin appoints Dean MacDonald to the Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - January 13th 1999

- Introduction of Bill 16 to exempt Government from tendering for purchase of local and long distance telephone services - May 20th 1999

- Bill 16 passes - May 27th - 1999

- Brian Tobin's Government announces telephone services contract worth 12.5 million dollars to Cable Atlantic (Dean MacDonald - President) no tender necessary.

- MacDonald and Williams negotiate sale of Local Company Cable Atlantic to mainland Rogers early 2000 ( if you listen to Dean - they were selling it just as they were getting the government contract)

- 12.5 million dollar Contract with Government for telephone services begins May 2000.

- Rogers buys Cable Atlantic - September 2000 Danny takes away 200 million in cash and stock - Dean takes away significant cash and stock while staying on with Rogers.

- Premier Brian Tobin resigns October 2000.

- Danny Williams announces candidacy for PC leadership December 2000 - only after Tobin's resignation did Danny announce. There was no talk by Danny of a bankrupt province when Tobin was in power - in fact the two had no trouble making deals!

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Here are the events from 2003 - 2006

- Danny Williams becomes Premier October 2003

- Danny Williams appoints Dean MacDonald as Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - September 2004

- Danny Williams appoints Dean MacDonald to the "new" Business Advisory Board - May 2005

- Government claims they received proposal from a Consortium including Persona (Dean MacDonald CEO) (Tobin on Board of Directors) early in 2006

- Danny Williams Government gives Consortium 15 Million dollar commitment - November 2006

- Cabinet Directive revealed by Minister Trevor Taylor - exempts proposal from relevant section of the Public Tendering Act

- Cabinet Directive revealed by Minister Trevor Taylor - also exempts proposal from relevant section of Agreement on Internal Trade

Tobin - Williams - MacDonald
Tobin's Lieutenant while Premier - Charles (Chuck) Furey
Danny Williams nominates Chuck as Commissioner of Members' Interests (conflict watch-dog) and Chief Electoral Officer (election financing watch-dog)

Next up the Lower Churchill - the boys will be back at the trough. Same line-up - same boys!

By the way - when Tobin gave the contract to Cable Atlantic - part of the reasoning was that it was a local company - then it got flipped! Sue's Blog predicts if contract goes to the Consortium - there may not be three new competitors for very long if Persona is flipped. (after the election of course)

Next Post - a touching tribute to Brian Tobin from Dean MacDonald (the nickname "Deano" and the boys in their kilts)