Life, family, death, shake-up

Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning passed away. The firing of Marlene Mc- Donald as a Cabinet minister.

These are some of the political stories which were in the spotlight in 2016.

Newsday looks back at the political stories of 2016 which remain in the spotlight going into 2017.

I don’t have cancer Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, at a post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, declared he does not have prostate cancer nor any ailment that is likely to affect his job performance, but otherwise he regards his medical records as confidential.

“I’m pleased to announce that my doctors have pronounced me to be in good health,” he said. “I have no ailment or symptoms that can prevent me conducting my duties.” His disclosure came as he sought to dismiss speculation arising out of a visit to California, USA for a medical check-up.

He said for decades he has practised a “normal arrangement” of vacations and health checksups, cognisant of the high-rate of prostate cancer among men in this country, especially those of African descent.

An initial Prostate- Specific Antigen (PSA) blood-test for prostate cancer done in TT had revealed “something of interest” to his local doctors, which led him to go to California for further tests, which had ruled out prostate cancer.

He hit those commentators who had pronounced on his condition even before the US test results were known. Rowley at length urged TT men not to be too “macho” to do a prostate exam.

There were also health concerns for other government ministers in 2016. Energy Minister Franklin Khan fell ill in Thailand where he and his wife Laura are on vacation in December.

Reassurances about Khan’s health were given by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) Stuart Young at the final post-Cabinet news conference for 2016 at the OPM in St Clair, Port-of-Spain. Declaring that certain media reports which claimed Khan suffered a heart attack were incorrect, Young explained, “It is a complication to do with his heart and brought on by a viral infection.” Young said Khan was receiving quality medical care and would return home as soon as he was able to travel.

Earlier in the year, Khan underwent some non-invasive medical procedures to deal with some heart-related issues.Finance Minister Colm Imbert underwent surgery earlier this year at the St Clair Medical Centre to remove an inflamed gall bladder. Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon had an emergency appendectomy.

We are family Photos from an Emancipation Dinner at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s in August introduced the public to Rowley’s second son and his fourth child, Christopher Barthol.

Prior to that photo, the public knew about Rowley’s daughters Tonya and Sonelle (from his marriage to his wife Sharon) and his son Garth from a previous relationship.

Asked at a post-Cabinet briefing, how big his family is, and how many sons he has, Rowley replied, “Two (sons)”. Asked if he has any more daughters that the country may be introduced to at some time (in addition to Tonya and Sonnelle Rowley), a smiling Rowley replied, “Well, you never know.” All present giggled. “No. Interestingly enough, again, that too is an area of interest to people. I’ve had a long life before I came into public life. I had two children before I was married and then I had two after I was married. The second two were born after I came into public life.” Rowley came into public life in 1986 and his first daughter was born a year later.

The nation was plunged into mourning on July 2, when former Prime Minister Patrick Manning died. Manning died at about 8.15 am at the San Fernando General Hospital after battling Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

A post on his Facebook page said, ““Former Prime Minister Manning was surrounded by his family and loved ones. The Manning family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support during this trying time. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.” Manning was admitted to hospital on June 27 for an “aberration in his blood count”. Manning’s wife, Hazel disclosed via his Facebook page that he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and was being prepared to undergo treatment.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley told the population on June 9 to pray for Manning. As he concluded his address at the opening of the Education Tower on St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, Rowley said, “I want to recognise former Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who at this moment, is not doing as well as he would like.” The Prime Minister continued, “I would like you...in your thoughts and in your prayers...

to keep him in mind...because this is part of his vision...for the city of Port-of-Spain.

An official funeral for Manning took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-of-Spain on July 9, after his body lay in state at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando. At the funeral, Manning’s son Brian hailed his father as his hero.

Brian also asked that his father be honoured either with the reformation of the Divine Echoes Orchestra (formed under Manning when he was prime minister) or a fund for low cost housing through the International Financial Centre.

Government and Manning’s family continued discussions about how to honour him but no decision has been made to date. An offer for Manning to be awarded the Order of the Republic of TT posthumously, was declined by his family.

On March 17, Portof- Spain South Member of Parliament Marlene McDonald was fired as Minister of Housing by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during a meeting at 6.30 pm, at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.

A press release, stated: “Please be informed that His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister under subsection (3) of section 76, subsection (1)of section 79, subsection (9) of section 3 and subsection (3) (c) of section 77 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has revoked the appointment of Ms Marlene McDonald as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.

“The Prime Minister has also advised His Excellency on the following: to reassign Mr Randall Mitchell from Minister with responsibility for Public Administration to Minister with responsibility for Housing and Urban Development; to reassign Mr Maxie Cuffie from Minister with responsibility for Communication to Minister with responsibility for Public Administration and Communication and; to assign Mr Stuart Young as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister.

McDonald’s firing from the Cabinet followed media revelations earlier she had employed her common-law husband Michael Carew in her Port-of- Spain South Constituency office.

A report from Fixin T&T head Kirk Waithe stated he received information from Parliament which showed that Carew and a director of the Calabar Foundation were employed at Mc- Donald’s Port-of- Spain South constituency office for five years, while Carew’s brother Lennox Carew still worked at the MP’s office.

Michael, who worked at the office from June 1, 2010 to September 7, 2015, had earned the second highest salary of $13,400 on the constituency payroll for the full parliamentary term while Lennox began working in the office on March 1, 2011 and has been in receipt of the highest salary of $14,000 out of 13 people working in the office.

Rowley in an interview said he could not ignore these new revelations which had surfaced in the media. (Focus continues in tomorrow’s Newsday.)