LESLIE Miller shows the cheque for $1,000 he is giving to the Bahamas Crisis Centre.
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
TALL PINES MP Leslie Miller donated $1,000 to the Bahamas Crisis Centre yesterday and also pledged to assist a woman who was a victim of domestic abuse with finding a job at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.
Mr Miller was fulfilling his promise to donate money to the non profit organisation following criticism of comments he made in the House of Assembly about physically abusing an ex-girlfriend, comments he later said were made in jest.
He said he did not realise the severity of the domestic abuse problem until he visited the Crisis Centre on Wednesday.
He was told that, this year, they have already treated more than 300 persons for abuse – from three-year-olds to 80-year-olds.
“This is my cheque on behalf of the Bahamian women who have been hurt or injured by a Bahamian man and that should never take place,” he said as he presented the money to the centre. “I will continue to help them the way I have been helping them all my life. I am headed to BEC right now to turn on some mother’s lights that are off. Those single mothers I help out everyday of my life and this has not just started for Leslie Miller, this started from 1982 when I first got involved in politics.
“I will never stop as long as breath is in my body and I assure them of that and they know that. It’s just couple of them out there who like to hit me for no reason – them highfalutin ones. I deal with the potcakes like myself and they love me just like I love them.”
Mr Miller also said he is in the process of finding a job for a woman who had her eye “knocked out” by her husband during a fight.
“There is a lady who was really injured. I met her and I am going to assist her in getting a job at BEC. This woman’s husband beat her so bad he hit her eye out of her head. Her eye came out of her head and I am trying to assist her with getting her a job because she was working at a hotel and because she had to go to the doctor too many times, she was fired.
“I apologise again for saying it – I did not realise the severity of the problem,” he said.
“There was another lady last year who got impregnated by her father in Freeport, whose mother wanted her to marry a Dominican fisherman. I gave her a job, she is now to BEC and she is a happy lady making over 400 a week. But those things you forget, you pick one thing I say, you take it out of character, and you beat me in the ground. Please give me a break. I was wrong and I apologise.”
Mr Miller also apologised to Bahamian woman and women of the PLP, who he said “caught hell” because of his statements. He also pledged to donate money to the Crisis Centre every month and find a way to provide them with a safe house they desperately need.
Comments
Honeybun 10 years, 8 months ago
Next time think before you speak...still like Mr. Miller though
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 8 months ago
He's had a lot of girlfriends...lots of stories could be told. I've said before, he is no hero
B_I_D___ 10 years, 8 months ago
Still shaking my head at the fact he donated $1,000 but asked other parliamentarians to donate $3,000...and at a time when company and corporations are downsizing...he's doing the exact thing they've always done...find someone a job at one of the government utilities/vote bribing centres. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that people are getting help, but quit using the government entities to provide every 'needy person' you need a vote from a job. Why didn't you get her a job at say Mario's Bowling, where you will foot the bill for the deadweight extra labour...since you were the J.A. who put your foot in your mouth.
Honestman 10 years, 8 months ago
This has been a public relations disaster for Miller and the PLP. The whole episode has shown him (and the party) up in a very bad light and highlights the fact that he is totally unsuitable to be a member of parliament.
Let's be clear, Miller's delayed contriteness is purely down to internal pressure from the party, I doubt very much it represents a change of heart. His comment that he was not aware of the extent of the (domestic abuse) problem is laughable.
In three years time, Bahamians are going to have to look at themselves in the mirror and ask the following questions before casting their vote:
Who are we as a people ? and Who can effectively represent us in the house of Parliament?
blackcat 10 years, 8 months ago
@ Honestman, This should have been a public relations disaster for the Miller/PLP but I highly doubt this is something that will be remembered. Yes there was outcry from some concerned parties (I myself was absolutely disgusted and disturbed), but so many of us think this IS a laughable matter- so it shouldn't damage their credibility that much.
Sad but true. Who are we as a people? Excellent question. The fact that not a one person corrected him or called him out in the house speaks to exactly the kinds of people we are. The fact that those individuals laughed along with him shows how seriously we take domestic violence. All that incident has done is confirm in the minds of young men, women and children that this sort of behavior is OK and accepted.
Karend 10 years, 8 months ago
Now Mr. Miller needs to donate $ 1,000.00 to The Bahamas Humane Society for insulting our Potcakes by comparing himself to them!
sheeprunner12 10 years, 8 months ago
Sadly, the majority of Bahamian men have the same mentality as Leslie Miller and the majority of Bahamian women still tolerate bad treatment from no-good Bahamian men in one form or another........... verbal/physical abuse, sweethearting, child non-support, financial non-support, addictions, moral deficits, personal irresponsibility etc.
A minority of Bahamian men are considered up-standing and responsible.............. maybe 20%.
Thats the consequences of slavery and the Big Mama syndrome ............... ask Freddie
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 8 months ago
Wait now. He gonna give this lady a job at BEC? WTH? How can BEC possibly have any job openings? Is she qualified for a job at BEC? This is the same man that was so loud about how bad BEC rates are, same man that owes BEC thousands and he now wants to add to their operating costs by giving out a job as a PR stunt...
WTH????
realfreethinker 10 years, 8 months ago
Thats our money working for him
ArtOvation 10 years, 8 months ago
Concerned citizens please sign the petition www.tinyurl.com/violenceisnotfunny
and join the peaceful protest at Rawson Square 9-11am, Wednesday, March 19, 2014.
whatintheworld 10 years, 8 months ago
First of all he should not only be ashamed of his comments in the house but of the "jest" of an apology that he made......it is sickening to be perfectly honest and I am appalled!! Second how can a member of parliament for the PLP...you know?? that party that's governing our country, not know the severity of the domestic abuse problem since the statistics state that 45% of murders in the Bahamas over the last 20 years can be attributed to domestic violence and the Bahamas has the highest per capita rates of rape in the world, but yet he "did not realize the severity of the domestic violence problem"?? And then he has the audacity to showcase the fact that he has or is helping women who are victims of domestic violence in his already lacking apology....are you kidding me??? He needs to suffer the consequences of his appalling actions, "jest" or not, so our Bahamian people young, old, and soon to come will know that violence is not ok.
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