My thoughts on…the patriotic Don Wehby
Today, in my Managing Customer and Client Relations class, we were asked to define “a conflict of interest.” As expected, most people didn’t respond. I gave it a shot of course, but fell short in my definition. Unbeknownst to me, a perfect example of one was happening in the local media. Don Wehby, a senior executive at GraceKennedy, has been dogged by controversy following his appointment to the post of Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
There were questions raised as to where his loyalty lay, to Grace or to the country. Eventually Mr. Wehby has to choose between his executive position at the company and service to his country. His salary at Grace was $13 million, while his salary as a minister would be a mere $3 million, over four times less. With this in mind, his decision was clear.
He took the pay cut.
Many people would question the sanity of this man. I mean why shave off more 77% off your salary? Patriotism, that’s why. This is what true patriotism is. Not simply wearing black, green and gold or saying that you love the country. He said, “I want to do it for my children. I want a better Jamaica for my children.” Most Jamaicans would be surprised by this, especially after the scandals involving politicians over the years. There is no one that can give you a worse opinion of Jamaica than a Jamaican. We always expect the worst from our countrymen, ourselves and our country. When one Jamaican says the country is making progress, the remaining ninety-nine are skeptical of it.
It angers me that people are walking around with Air Force sneakers, Razr phones and designer jeans, yet complain about how “hard” life is, as if Jamaica is the worst country on the face of the earth. To sacrifice material gain for a greater ideal. That is truly noteworthy, no matter which party you belong to. If there are more people like him in the new Cabinet, then Bruce Golding’s vision of a better Jamaica isn’t as farfetched as some would believe.
So he has taken a paycut. Still, he has other ways of GraceKennedy giving him back that 10 mill….
I wonder if he isn’t still getting it, just not as salary?
Anyway, congrats to him.
Did I mention that the man was a Georgian?
Kudos to Don Wehby. Sounds like he’s “de genuine Bally wid a dot over de I.” Jamaica, there’s hope, there’s hope, there’s plenty hope.
I applaud his decision. A truly sacrificial and patriotic act.
yeah, i am with MB, he is probably getting it in another way, just not calling it salary…very patriotic of him though, hope he can have an impact on the state of our economy…
A large part of the Air Force sneakers and Razr phones etc etc….are mostly funded by remmittances…..you would think that there are better ways to use that money
Hey if this guy is really losing all that money and it isn’t being funnelled back to him some how … i say give him the order of something that would be way beyond patriotism … but if he getting some other way still have to lift our hats to him ….BIG UP ..DON!!!!!
Man, he just saving face, both his and grace’s. im sure he getting paid under the table…steupse
always wonder bout hte razrs and stuff..I see people sporting the latest and always crying how hard life is. I guess it really important to make a statement.
[...] Leon, one of my fellow bloggers from my thoughts on stuff recently blogged about Don Wehby’s d… and give service to his country instead…i mean come on who’s going to leave a 12 million dollar pay for 3 Million, he still has some say in Grace Leon, believe it or not, don’t be gullible. Tell the people what they want to say and they’ll shut up. It has nothing to do with patriotism, in this day and age i don’t even think there is such a word, it’s every man for himself, i don’t mean to be a pessimist, but it’s reality and we have to face it. Waiting for your response leon. A blog post preferabl:) Afterall i contributed a whole blog post to you:) 2 in 1 [...]
They will probably pay Hilary (his wife) the difference.
I think it is indeed patriotic. Whether we want to accept or not, he took a decision to serve his country. Whether he is still being paid by Grace or whoever is irrelevant as far as I’m concerned, as long as the government (aka my tax dollars) are not making up the difference. Don Wehby is an excellent businessman with financial knowledge that Jamaica needs right now. Let’s face it people, the J$ is devaluing at such a rapid pace and we are perpetually in debt. The country needs some financial vision and I believe Don can contribute meaningfully to that.
As usual Master Don has made another masterful decision. He has virtually executed the perfect “coup-de-ta”. If anybody knows anything about GK you’ll know that they stay connected to their roots, and are commited to building Jamrock, so it stands to reason that they will share the benefit of their intelligisia with their main stake holders. I hope a meaningful knowledge transfer and positive growth will take place. GK has tried to keep the best brightest in the country, is essential to have “boots on the ground” in your home base, the competition is keen and willing to grab them up, I think the question Jamaicans have to ask is can we afford another brain drain? I know Don Personally he is a very sincere, competitive, energetic,honest, and bright young man. His comments may be left wanting sometimes but he always seemed to be a genuinely good person.