CATEGORY:SPECIAL EVENT(RETIREMENT) ---------------------------------------- By Trevor Thwaites Inside Grenada correspondent Friday January 05,2007 GRENADA: Long-serving member of the Public Service, Information Officer Sylvester Quarless has called it a day after serving for 28 unbroken years. Quarless, who joined the service on the 15th April, 1979 - during the reign of the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) - retired on the 24 December, 2006 (Christmas Eve). He has worked with all of the country’s Prime Ministers, except Sir Eric Matthew Gairy. The late Maurice Bishop, Ben Jones and Herbert Blaize, George Brizan, Sir Nicholas Brathwaite and the incumbent Dr Keith Mitchell have been his bosses. During his tenure in office, Quarless, who hails from Birchgrove in St Andrew, obtained a degree in Public Relations in East Germany and a degree in Public Administration at the University of the West Indies. His skills were also sharpened by several short courses at home and abroad. Quarless, as he was affectionately called by his fellow workers and friends, is very much in support of the Public Sector Reform Initiative being implemented by the government. Quarless believes that “…The quality and efficiency of service must be improved if the Public Service is to be competitive in the new dispensation. I think the government is on the right track.” He has also complimented the government in its bid to keep abreast with information technology by equipping the GIS with the tools to keep the public informed about the developments happening at home and abroad. “It is being manifested in the tools, equipment, computers, cameras and transportation being obtained. That is very good.” However, on the downside, he said enough public service programmes involving the grass roots of the various communities and villages are not being done. “There is too much emphasis on the political directorate focusing on the ministers in relation to programmes. It must be more community oriented”, he observed. Reflecting on the recovery of the country in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily, he said that infrastructure and social development have been remarkable. Nonetheless Quarless is leaving the GIS a bit disheartened and disappointed. He said that he had been slighted over the last 16 months. “My desk, chair and office were taken away from me without any explanation. I was just thrown on the sideline.” When asked what may have been the reason for this he said that he believes it was because he was not playing up to the brand of politics of the authorities. “There seemed to be now way forward, so at the tender age of 50, I have decided to retire.” He was nonetheless given a rousing send off, during the GIS 2006 Christmas Party at the Estuary in Seamoon, St Andrew. Members of staff Ruth Roberts, Garvey Wilson, Trevor Thwaites and Hilderbarnd James paid glowing tribute to Quarless. James in particular, who also hails from Birchgrove, along with Quarless, described him as a hard, generous and kind worker. They all wished him success in his future endeavours. Quarless will now turn his attention to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He wants to get into ‘Niche Market Tourism’, providing special goods and services. His aspirations also include the development of a business in the Manufacturing and Agriculture industries. “I plan to put six acres of land into agriculture production of cash crops, vegetables and traditional crops - Cocoa, Banana and Nutmegs.”