Miller: MPs who don't attend the House should return salary

Fri, Mar 24th 2017, 08:58 AM

Tall Pines member of Parliament Leslie Miller yesterday suggested that Elizabeth MP Ryan Pinder donate the salary he receives from the government to charity, after it was revealed that Pinder was absent from 58 sittings of the House of Assembly and has not been present since December.
Miller said Pinder, and other MPs with poor attendance records, should take their jobs more seriously.
"Being elected to Parliament, I don't think people realize it's a privilege and an honor that few of us told The

Guardian yesterday.
"I've been honored to be there four times.
"People need to appreciate it.
"When you have a job, you have the responsibility to go and attend Parliament.
"It bothers me, because sometimes I'm in the back there by myself.
"And they said I missed nine seatings, but I missed like three of them.
"It probably happened when I came late, but the only time I miss Parliament is if I'm sick or if I'm not on the island.
"I make it a point to do my job because I feel good to represent people.
"You have an obligation to be in Parliament and I hear these excuses that they're making now.
"It's so ridiculous, that they really shouldn't say anything at all.
"Just say, 'I'm sorry that I wasn't there.'"
Speaking about Pinder, Miller said, "One fellah in particular, the one out east, he needs to give the people their money back as far as I'm concerned.
"The fellah abandoned Parliament and he abandoned everybody.
"You should not be paid if you don't attend Parliament.
"If you go on any other job and you don't attend, what is going to happen?
"They are going to cut you, right? So they should be cut."
He said, "At this stage, from what he (Pinder) did, and it bothers me, he as a minister decided that the money from his big time job was so great he had to leave.
"Fine, okay.
"That means money comes over people.
"After doing that, the right thing to do is really to go.
"He should give the people their money back.
"He should write the Public Treasury a check to say 'I haven't been participating.
I haven't been here.
I'm making so much money outside I don't need this measly $28 (thousand) to begin with.'
"Give it to a social organization or the Ranfurly Homes [for Children] as a gift."
On Wednesday, National Review revealed the attendance records of the House.
North Abaco MP Renardo Curry had the most absences.
According to the records, he was absent 102 times of the 220 times the House met since 2012.
Curry, who said he was surprised by the figure, accused The Nassau Guardian of trying to discredit him and his representation in North Abaco.
But Miller advised Curry to "cut the excuses" and do better.
"First of all, when you put yourself in a situation and you say the press is after you, that is a big mistake,"Miller said.
"Why would the press be after anyone?
"They write the paper and tell the facts as they are and the fact is he did not attend Parliament a hell of a long time.
"He said he was in the prime minister's office. I accept what he says.
"But I'm saying don't fight the press.
"The press reported the facts.
"You were not there for 102 days. Apologize and move on. Do better if you're re-elected.
"He believes you all are trying to get after them because of elections, but they don't understand how the press operates.
"You try to make the press your friend and not your enemy, and they need to try to learn these things and do their job.
"When Parliament convenes, be there.
"That's all I can tell them as young fellahs who just reach here."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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