Dean MacDonald graced open-line this morning to defend the 15 million in taxpayer money committed to a project he is directly involved in - and will benefit from. First let me apologize Dean - I'm so sorry I did not consider the selfless act of philanthropy you claim to be providing. The host asked Dean about making money and profit - and Mr. "Free" enterprise gushed with embarrassment as he explained the project was not about making money????
Great Dean - there is a tremendous track of bog down in Florida where the entertainment is great and the boys hang out - that I can sell you. I promise it will be a Solid Gold deal.
In either case - the public is being fed the line that Danny is so "large" and Newfoundland and Labrador is so "small" that conflicts should not only be expected but immediately accepted. No I can give you a specific list.
Dean MacDonald
Ken Marshall
Steve Marshall
Tom Williams (lawyer)
and his former partners in the law-firm then known as Williams Roebothan McKay and Marshall.
Companies that Danny or the people aforementioned have a personal interest in "blind trust" or not.
Immediate family and spouses.
On the questionable list of public supporters for deals the Premier makes:
Andy Wells
Paul Hatcher
Ray Dillon
Cabinet and backbenchers
In 2005 the Premier announced the establishment of a:
Identifying the challenges and optimizing the opportunities in the business community are key to the future success of Newfoundland and Labrador, said Premier Danny Williams today as he announced the establishment of the Business Advisory Board. The board will provide advice to the Premier and government regarding matters of economic development and business in the province.
So who has the Premier's ear on these matters?
Dean MacDonald
In August 2004, Mr. MacDonald became President and Chief Executive Officer of Persona Communications Corp., a privately-held company with national outlets in cablevision and Internet services. In the past, Mr. MacDonald has served in the capacity of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rogers Cable Inc. and President of Cable Atlantic Inc., where he was a Director and minority shareholder for 18 years.
In addition to his cable endeavors, Mr. MacDonald is Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Corporation, Churchill Falls Labrador Development Corporation, Lower Churchill Development Corporation Ltd., Twin Falls Labrador Corporation and Gull Island Power Limited. He was a Director of Operation ONLINE, Ireland Business Partnerships and Memorial University Faculty of Business.
Paul Hatcher
Mr. Hatcher joined Persona in November of 2004 as its Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he has P&L responsibility for the organization and will help plan and implement their aggressive transition from a cable company to a broader telecommunications provider.
Mr. Hatcher has nearly 20 years experience in the telecommunications industry in the areas of cable, internet and telecom. Prior to joining Persona, Mr. Hatcher was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales at 360 Networks and was responsible for all revenue generating areas of the Canadian operation. Previous roles included Vice President and General Manager for Group Telecom’s Atlantic division and Vice President and General Manager of Cable Atlantic Inc., a Cable MSO operating in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Ron Ellsworth
Mr. Ellsworth is the owner and president of Cablelync Inc. He has obtained a Business Management Diploma from Keyin Tech College, as well as a CIM (Certified in Management) designation from the Canadian Institute of Management. Mr. Ellsworth has been working in the telecommunications industry for almost 20 years. He started working in this field in 1989 as manager of information systems for N1 Cable Systems. In 1996, he moved on to district manager for CableComm. In 1999, he started his own business in the cable industry which was incorporated in 2002 as Cablelync Inc.
These are three of the people who bend the ear of the Premier on Business matters. In fact of the private sector appointees (12) a full 1/4 belong to cable companies and people who Williams has done business with.
Dean is a special case - he bends more of an ear.
He has the inside on Energy (Chairman of the Board of Hydro, the Lower Churchill Development Corporation, Churchill Falls Labrador Corporation and Gull Island Power)
He has the inside on Telecommunications (Persona)(don't know if he still receives anything from Rogers)
He has the inside on Oil and Gas (Danny's Choice for the panel choosing the person (Andy) for the CNLOPB
He has the inside direction the province is going regarding business of any sort. (Named to Danny's Business Advisory Council).
He made millions hand in hand with Danny under Cable Atlantic and carried on with Rogers. He's got a straight line to the ear and the cash. This is blatantly wrong - and the people of the province should not tolerate it. Do we have any guarantees that the Premier - upon retirement from his public role will not simply enter into these business operations and benefit from his own decisions - no we do not - but when these businesses involve your very close friends and past partners - you know the opportunity will be extended.
Sue's Blog will discuss Dean's comments on open-line further tomorrow.
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