For the past three nights you’ve heard and seen a lot about the
citrus industry – and tonight we’ll square off our coverage of this
contentious issue with both sides of the control issue. As we’ve reported,
the Citrus Growers Association asserts that – as the majority share-holder
with controlling interests - it should control the board and the company. On
the other side of that issue is Chairman of the board Michael Duncker –
he’s was put on the board as a representative of ICL – which is
the investment arm of the Citrus Growers Association. But the Citrus Growers
Association says that Chairman Duncker, and Directors Frank Redmond and Henry
Canton have gone rogue – ceasing to represent the interests of the Growers
Association. Because of that, the Growers want them off the board.
Last week Friday – Duncker told us that he will go in good time.
The Chairman who – along with Canton - has resigned from the Citrus Growers
association, also told us why he cannot advance the growers interests on the
board.
Jules Vasquez,
“How can you, you have opted out of the CGA, you have resigned in frustration,
you have formed your own association.”
Mike Duncker, Chairman – CPBL
“No I will be a part of that new association if we are not able to
make some real changes to the Citrus Growers Association.”
Jules Vasquez,
“But then isn’t there a contradiction because who do you represent
on the board.”
Mike Duncker,
“Right now, all the shareholders.”
Jules Vasquez,
“No Mike because you present the CGA.”
Mike Duncker,
“The minute in was made a Director, my fiduciary responsibility were
to all those shareholders and all growers.”
Denzil Jenkins, CGA
“In a way as Mr. Anderson said in my words to hell with you, you put 
me here and I do as I please, I will stay as long as I want, I will come off
when I want.”
Jules Vasquez,
“Do you feel it is morally right for you to stay on as Chairman as you
were elected to represent the CGA? You are no longer a member of the CGA, how
can that be morally right. Plainly it is not right.”
Mike Duncker,
“Jules as I told you before I don’t agree with you it is not
morally right because I was elected at an annual general meeting where all the
shareholders agreed that they would like me to be a director. There are certain
laws governing the running of that company. We have been there. An annual general
meeting will soon be called, has to be called by the latest, I think it is May,
at that time regardless, especially if there is some healing, I do think that
most of the directors that are there now, most of that old guard that is creating
apparent mischief, both sides should step aside.”
Denzil Jenkins,
“That each party, the majority shareholder, that is the investment
company, and banks, has absolute right to remove and replace their respective
five and four directors at any time. We sought to do that and as Henry mentioned,
it was defied by Henry Canton and Mr. Duncker.”
Mike Duncker,
“It is much bigger than any of us and certainly when the time comes,
all of us or any of us must step aside if it is going to help the industry.”
Somewhere in the middle of all this fighting between the powers in
the citrus industry are two groups: the employees of Citrus Products of Belize
Limited and the small farmer. Each is represented by a larger executive body
but with the balance of power in a dizzying swirl – both sides are not
sure if they are coming or going. We spoke to some of the employees of Citrus
Products of Belize – who told us job stability is their greatest concern.
Employee #1,
“As employees it gives you a sense of insecurity with all the rumours
going out there and stuff like that.”
Employee #2,
“To hear all the stuff on the media, some of it we are privy to some
of the information and we know what is true and we know what is untrue when
we hear it on the media and it makes us sit back and we in our minds ask ourselves
who really we are dealing with and if they do change the management of the company
then who will they bring in. Listening to them on the media and knowing that
some of it is untrue then you wonder sometimes if they come in what will happen.”
Employee #3,
“I’ve been working at the company, I started at Citrus Company
of Belize since 1985. It is of great concern because some of what we are hearing,
we know it is not the truth. We live it everyday and it creates a lot of uncertainty
like Mr. Barrow said for us because we are wondering what tomorrow will hold
for us. Everyone is talking about the growers but what about us employees.”
Employee #4,
“I am here for 15 years as well and my concern is basically the employees.
What will happen to us? We need to know that we are secured because rumours
will not trickle down to us.”
Employee #5,
“It is worrisome hearing all the rumours that are out there like what
my fellow employee said. We know it, we live it, and some of it that is being
said is totally untrue. Some of the accusations, to me it questions our integrity
as well because we are the ones who are on the ground, who are doing the work
so it is kind of worrisome and of course we are concerned about how it will
play out.”
Citrus Products of Belize hires a core staff of 300 – which expands
to 800 when the crop is in full swing. And while that closes it off for this
slab of coverage on the Citrus Growers Association, we will continue to follow
the issue, and we promise that will speak to some of the small farmers soon
to round off the picture.
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