June 15, 2006 — Four days into the Caribbean Tourism Organization New York conference, Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards, the organization chairwoman, will now fill her seat which has been vacant since Gov. Charles W. Turnbull denied Richards' travel request.
According to a report on Radio One Thursday morning, Richards was making travel arrangements Wednesday afternoon . Richards had met with Turnbull Tuesday, but details of the meeting have not been revealed.
The conference is a highlight of Caribbean Week in New York, which is being celebrated with myriad events throughout the city. Tourism officials – both in the territory and in the states – have expressed shock at the governor's decision. (See ).
According to a report in the Daily News, CTO secretary general Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace called the governor Wednesday to implore that Richards be permitted to attend Caribbean Week. "He expressed to the governor that she was needed," the report quotes James O 'Bryan, Turnbull's spokesman as saying.
Vanderpool-Wallace expressed his dismay to the Source on Monday. He said the conference would have a difficult time without the presence of its chairwoman. "…..It would make a tremendous difference. She has done an outstanding job in the Caribbean. This is debilitating. There is no question about it."
Richards' office did not return calls Wednesday afternoon. O 'Bryan was unavailable for comment Thursday morning.
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