Monique Gomez

Some members of the Free National Movement (FNM) were left embarrassed after learning the new FNM senator, Monique Gomez, who received her instruments of appointment at Government House on Friday evening, was stuck with a bill of more than $3,000 to cover the reception that followed.

The position of Government House is it will not pay for such affairs. It does not have the budget. This has been a policy for some time.

The FNM apparently has also taken such a position.

Many were left wondering how the leader, Dr. Hubert Minnis, could invite Gomez, the head of the party's women's association, to serve in the Senate and not ensure that the expenses for the reception were covered.

Minnis invited Gomez to serve as a senator after pulling the rug from under her for the FNM's South Beach nomination, which was given to Howard Johnson. His move to appoint Gomez was widely seen as an effort to extend an olive branch.

We understand that Minnis has promised Gomez one of the "new seats" he expects will come up. But she should be minded against promises from the leader.

The Government House event, of course, attracted Gomez's relatives, many of whom are PLPs, as well as FNM party officials and other supporters.

We understand that Gomez was told other senators had to pay their own bill after such events at Government House. Something does not seem right about this.

If the FNM cannot find $3,000 to cover the expenses of such events -- which are rare occasions -- then the party might be in deeper financial troubles than originally thought.

Senators should not have to pay for refreshments for guests after attending Government House for their official instruments.

Political parties should ensure that at the very least the party covers such costs of every appointee.

It seems tacky that Gomez had to foot the bill. A senator is not representing herself in the Upper Chamber. She is appointed by the leader to serve.

Is the FNM so broke that it cannot pick up the tab to cover reception costs of any person the leader selects to be a senator?

We are not suggesting such occasions should be a free-for-all at the party's expense, but we cry shame on the party for making Gomez pay.

This is a slap in the face to Gomez and any other senator who gets stuck with the bill after an event like the one on Friday evening.

Given that Gomez was invited by the leader to be an FNM senator, it is laughable that she had to turn around and pay for him and others to eat and drink after the ceremony.

FNMs should be ashamed that their party is operating in such a jokey manner.

Candia Dames

Guardian Managing Editor

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