The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

I am a layman but I attended the constitutional conference in 1972. I have been around a little while and I have learned how proper attorneys general and judicial commissions work.

This is the first time an extension has been offered to a judge prior to the judiciary and the public having the chance to assess whether the person should have their term extended. We are swearing in justices of the Supreme Court one day before they reach retirement age which means you are appointing someone knowing you have to give an extension without them proving themselves to be worthy. It is unthinkable and a great tragedy and that prostitutes the system.

The idea of giving judges extensions had to do with considering a judge who is performing well and whose work load and calendar has not been completed, so that person is given an extension to complete the work load they had underway whilst having performed at a level that makes them worthy to have their contract be extended two years.

Yet here, before this person can be examined as a judge, she is given an extension to be sworn in as a judge one day before reaching mandatory retirement age? It’s a joke.

GEORGE SMITH

Former cabinet minister

Nassau,

June 2, 2010