Mr. Rodney Rey, one of Anguilla’s longstanding and most-respected Public Servants, was the recipient of many accolades for his exemplary service at a farewell dinner celebration at Serenity Restaurant, Shoal Bay, on July 24.

Mrs. Evalie Bradley and other guests with Mr. Rey

The function, which lasted for some three hours, was attended by the Acting Governor, Acting Deputy Governor, Ministers and other officials of Government as well as many civil servants and other persons in the public and private sectors including leaders and members of the Methodist Church where Mr. Rey serves as a leader.

Minister of Finance Victor Banks (right) and others

Mr. Rey, a former Principal of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, has been serving as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development for a number of years. Prior to that, he served as Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office. His later transfer to the Ministry of Social Development took into account his expertise in the field of education and management.

Mr. John Benjamin and Mr. Colville Petty

The farewell celebration was held under the distinguished patronage of the Minister of Social Development, the Hon. Evans Rogers, with whom Mr. Rey has been working. “Words cannot express the relationship that Mr. Rey and I developed over a number of years,” the Minister told The Anguillian afterwards.
“I must say, first of all, that he taught me Rural Science in 1972 in second form in High School before he went to the University of the West Indies. When he came back, he also taught me Geography at GCE level so we go back a long way. Mr. Rey is a true educationist. He is passionate about education and he is also passionate about Anguilla to the point where he is emotional at times. The love and respect that I developed for Mr. Rey, like all the students who passed through his hands, continued even as we grew older and matured.”

Mr. Rodney Rey

Mr. Rogers was pleased that all the speakers had spoken highly about Mr. Rey and his contribution to education in Anguilla. “I had the opportunity to work with him in a different capacity and it was still always a student/teacher relationship even though at one time he referred to me as his boss,” Mr. Rogers went on. “Mr. Rey and I have achieved a whole lot as far as the Ministry is concerned. We worked very closely. We had our differences but at the end of the day, it was for the good of Anguilla. We didn’t take anything personal and we always came to an amicable solution because what was in the best interest of the children of Anguilla and the island always came through.

Minister Evans Rogers

“All who was present wished him well and the best of luck. In his response Mr. Rey mentioned that in his 36 years in the Public Service he only took off two days in sick leave. That’s longevity. I am hoping that some of today’s civil servants will take a page out of his book in terms of his dedication and commitment to Anguilla. I told him in my remarks that even though he may be retired… there is quite a bit left in him to contribute to nation-building. Hopefully we will see him somewhere around in a different capacity.”

While Mr. Rogers was grateful to Mr. Rey for having taught him in school, the retired top civil servant was also passionate about his teachers, among them being: Victor Banks, Stella Horsford, Irma Richardson, Colville Petty and Valencia Hodge who taught him in High School, and the Rev. Clifton Niles, his former Road Primary School Teacher.

Mr. Rey, who could not be reached by The Anguillian for comment, was said to have been highly-appreciative of the farewell dinner, held in his honour, and the kind sentiments expressed by a number of persons who spoke at the function.
He has been succeeded by as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development by Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett who formerly served as Senior Crown Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Minister Rogers described her as being a very capable person. “She is well-qualified and I am sure she is going to do a good job. I think she has a very good idea as to what is required of her to push the Ministry forward and I have no doubt that she will do a fantastic job, he added.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News