Posted by Suzannah Shogren on May 01, 2002 at 20:52:10:
In Reply to: Re: Shogren & The Andrew Harper Report posted by LET HARPERS KNOW THE FACTS! on March 23, 2002 at 20:36:57:
Hello-
I am Tony Shogren's daughter. There is a lot of terrible miscommunication and gossip going around about my father. Everything I have read that is posted here I know for a fact is not true. Its really ironic to me since many things said are the opposite of being true. But I suppose that is the nature of gossip. The Crown Land had a stipulation by the government of the Bahamas that ONLY my father could purchase it but he would have to build on it to create more tourism and jobs on the island. No one else would be able to buy
it - no local brilanders were allowed to legally by the government of the bahamas! call the government yourselves! He is not racist at all- he has had a staff of women who have been with him many many years that he considers family. Why would they stay if he is such a tyrant? My father is a self made man from nothing and has worked very hard. He knows the value of the dollar and is not trying to stiff any maid, or try to cheat them- he just is not aware of what those kind of things cost because to him $35 is a lot of money. If I get him a gift beyond spy novel he goes crazy since its too much money! That is his concept of a dollar from his hard work! So I don't know what happened there but I assure you he was not trying to insult someone by
his offer if that is true at all anyway. My Dad has paid for bonefish Joe a couple of times to go to his NY home for medical treatment and paid all expenses for him. He has done the same for Dawson. And to others as well- for Joe and I know others but cannot remember over the years how many others. Inconsiderate and racist of islanders? Really, it is an outlandish statement! Mr. Hamilton broke his contract by leaving in the MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT without notice! The staff had no idea where he was- he left without telling a soul! Does that sound
like a mature, considerate business person to you? His wife was homesick so he broke his contract like a coward in the middle of the night so not to face anyone without consideration to anyone else. My father was under the impression that he was staying another year! He also left 6 weeks before my wedding that almost ruined my wedding entirely that I had planned meticulously with Mr. Hamilton. I can't tell you how his sudden departure upset me. My father has NEVER breathed a bad word about him although he stuck him in a terrible situation. I know I would not be as a mature a person
to not react like that. That is just not the kind of person he is or his style. The staff at Dunmore was glad to see Mr. hamilton go, just ask them! My father could sue but is not! He has no hard feelings either although he invested a lot of money in what Mr. Hamilton "needed" like expensive art deco plates. My dad does not talk badly about people, he just moves on and wishes well. This is true, he is a salt of the earth kind of man. If course I am biased being his daughter, but many hold him in highest of regard because of his integrity. The publicity this year about dunmore is because for the first time my parents decided to market the club by holding press weekends and inviting writers of travel magazines, etc. down to see the DBC. It was a coincidence Mr. Hamilton was the chef at the time. In the NYT article the only badside was the food. It may have been called stuffy- but its just private and lowkey! Its not the Ritz, its a labor of love of my father's who wanted to honor Bazil's dying wish to keep it the way his vision of it was, and he has. If people want more action go to another hotel that
has a raging bar scene! Having a quiet, private atmosphere is not stuffy, it is just that for people to relax and get away from their hectic lives. Anyone can go there, stuffy implies exclusive and snobby...on the contrary he has worked hard to welcome everyone who comes across his path while he is there and hires managers to carry on this philosophy. During the Hurricane of 1992, my father's first initiative was to get water to all the brilanders in need although DBC was demolished! He was the first person down to help the people. He has also supported many briland community causes and Briland at large
many , many times. My father has NEVER bribed anyone in his life. Just to give you an inkling into his REAL character, here is a true story for you. When part of his Company in
the states filed chapter 11, he personally paid all the vendors from his personal account to not "stick them" without paying like he legally under chapter 11 he could. This left him in
a position of becoming personally bankrupt, but it was more important to him to honor his vendors and work his way back rebuilding with his fingers crossed with hard work that he could. The Taylors invited my parents to buy their house because they were ready to leave the island. My parents never even approached them! They did not know it was for sale until the taylors asked them to think about it. So they did although they had not considered before buying a home...But they love the island and
loved the idea of a home so close to Dunmore so they worked with the taylors on buying it.How could they steal the land when The Taylors are responsible people who offered it to them and could say no if they didnt want my parents to buy it? They are not land greedy- they love the
island simple as that.
My father's intention has always been to make a nice hotel for people to "recharge their batteries" with good food and rest and enjoy charming Harbour Island. He has never taken a profit from the club. EVER! he loves meeting guests and making them feel happy since he is an extroverted people person. A people pleaser. He does it FOR THE LOVE OF THE ISLAND. How can he be greedy if he is not making money, but putting in money to offer guests more value and islanders with jobs? Whatever income comes in from the club, he puts it back into making the club nicer value for his repeat guests. It is a difficult labor of love for him, but he does it although many times the people he trusts and gives to - steal and lie to him.
I know you all have the courage to write hateful things in an anonymous matter online, but do you have the courage to face us and say the same things? If you are a person with
integrity you would talk with us as human beings directly and not behind backs gossiping vicious rumors. We invite you to talk with tony shogren- call Quincy and set up an appointment with him when she knows he will be on the island. Or call me 303-516-0590 or email at suzannah@idolon.net. You may think I am a daughter who is just trying to
defend her father naturally, but if you check into the facts or speak to my dad, you will see that the truth will set us all free. Harbour Island is a small place prone to gossip, which
we have always known, but it is really hurtful when pointed your way. Please next time you say hateful things about anyone, try checking out the other side first. Not a bad idea right?
Be well and please contact me if you have issues...
Suzannah Shogren