ST JOSEPH Member of Parliament and fired Justice Minister Herbert Volney was both praised and vilified in his constituency yesterday.
Some residents described him as someone who looked out for their interests while in other areas they said he ignored the people.
They all agreed that he did not deserve to be fired.
At a bar opposite the St Joseph RC Church patrons sat and talked but when the Sunday Express asked about the former justice minister the half-empty flask of Black and White Scotch Whisky no longer became the centre of attention.
“Volney became a fall guy. I am a PNM supporter but I would say that injustice was done to Volney because as far as I am concerned that whole Cabinet should go,” said one middle-aged man who did not want to be named.
The man continued, “Now although Volney did not give representation to St Joseph proper I still believe that he didn’t deserve that.”
But Eddison Guy, another resident said, “I think that the firing was just but there were others who were just as culpable. They need to resign too.”
Patrick Neptune, another St Joseph resident said: “Volney was only mamaguying people right through and we were showing what needed to be done in the community but like he was only concentrating on Champs Fleurs.”
Meanwhile at Bangladesh in St Joseph the Sunday Express was told Volney was a man who cared for their community.
Residents described him as accessible.
“He assisted me when I needed it,” said Valentine Guevara.
He said he approached his MP at a time when he had skills but no work.
“I got something to do. I had to work for it and I did not mind that but he gave me the opportunity to do something for myself,” he said.
“I am very sorry about what happened to him,” added Guevarra.
A Champs Fleurs taxi-driver said Volney as an MP, “really took care of things”.
He pointed out to pavements and box drains throughout the area which he said were indicative of Volney’s performance as an MP.
“He is the best we ever had,” said the man.