Leslie Miller 'shocked' by Crisis Centre's rejection of donation

Tue, Mar 18th 2014, 09:55 AM

Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller said yesterday he was shocked the Bahamas Crisis Centre rejected a $1,000 donation he made last Thursday.
Miller offered the donation amid controversy surrounding comments he made in the House of Assembly about abusing an ex-girlfriend.
"I guess you could say I was shocked as everyone else as to that press release," he said when contacted for comment.
"I believe any Bahamian, or anyone in the world, has a right to make a contribution if they are asked to make one.
"I know of no organization that really cares about anyone or anything in this country that would turn down a contribution. It is unheard of to me."
But Miller said a press statement from the centre would not affect his pledge to assist abused women in the country.
"Either you will be serious in assisting women or you will have your organization where you have these highfalutin women who believe they have the answers to everything and want to try and make someone look bad," he said.
"It doesn't hurt me because I can give my money to anybody, as I always do.
"But in my opinion we just need to get real, sit down, deal with this problem that we are facing.
"[We need to] deal with it in a forthright manner and get whatever assistance these people need.
"But don't bring politics and other garbage into the equation because people are out there hurting and I don't have time for games."
In its statement on Sunday, the Crisis Centre said the acceptance of Miller's check would be "contrary to the principles that guide our work on behalf of victims of domestic violence".
"We see this as a teachable moment for our nation," Crisis Centre Director Dr. Sandra Dean-Patterson said.
"So often when a victim is battered, this explosion is followed by a honeymoon period, which is to shower the victim with gifts, money, jewelry, flowers and other niceties."
The Crisis Centre released the statement at 3 p.m.
Miller said he got a call around 11 a.m. from Dean-Patterson asking to meet with him around 4 p.m.
"So within five minutes of leaving her office I got a call saying she sent this statement out," he said.
"So I didn't know what the hell to think.
"She never indicated to me that there was a problem with the contribution.
"I was shocked when I read the story this morning. I say, you know, these people who claim to be so goody goody...have to stop being so disingenuous."
He added, "She never said to Leslie Miller that she could not accept the check.
"We had a very productive meeting, which surprised me. I mean I was onboard with her and she was onboard with me."
Dean-Patterson declined comment yesterday.
Miller said he intends to go further in his charity work for abused women and hopes to bring corporate sponsors onboard to make donations, including the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), where he serves as executive chairman.

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