Dominica fundraising drive

Major Dominica Hurricane Fundraising Drive On

By William Doyle-Marshall

The Government of Dominica has cancelled its annual World Creole Music Festival as a result of the recent devastation by tropical storm Erika. In the meantime, the island’s private sector has announced it will lead efforts to stage a series of relief concerts in its place. According to word from Dominica the concerts are planned for the same dates, from Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. These events will support Dominica’s reconstruction efforts, by attempting to enable some economic activity after parts of the country were adversely affected by the tropical storm. Preliminary estimates put recovery costs for Dominica at more than $220 million (US).

   The annual World Creole Music Festival is part of Dominica’s Independence celebrations which typically jumpstarts economic activity that precedes the busy Christmas and Carnival seasons. Members of the Caricom Consular Corps headed by Dr. Vidhya Tota-Maharaj will meet towards the end of the month and are likely to discuss Dominica’s plight. At the moment individual efforts are being pursued by Caribbean countries’ within the Canadian Diaspora.  

  The Government and people of the island are thankful to the Caribbean community and others for the support received in the days following the storm. Saddened by the lives lost, the government is dedicated to locating those who are still missing.  

   “The government of Dominica must reprioritize following Tropical Storm Erika,” said the Robert Tonge, Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal said the government must focus on rebuilding communities and infrastructure, and providing housing for those who were displaced. “We are grateful to the private sector for stepping in to ensure that Dominica’s strong music heritage will continue and bring additional relief efforts to the Nature Island,” the minister added.

Dominica: Nature Island of Caribbean

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is seeking donations for its CTO Relief Fund to provide monetary assistance to the people of Dominica. “The time to help Dominica is now. In other times of need, the Caribbean as a Region has generously come together to provide assistance to those devastated by natural disasters, and we are confident that this spirit of generosity will be evident once again,” said Hugh Riley, CTO Secretary General.

 Cheques payable to Caribbean Tourism Organization Relief can be mailed to the London office at 22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1BP, UK, or to the Barbados office at Ground Floor, Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados, BB22026, payable to Caribbean Tourism Organization. In the US, cheques payable to the CTO Relief Fund may be mailed to 80 Broad Street, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10004.

  Persons wishing to make electronic transfers can please contact the Barbados, UK or US offices to acquire banking details. Contributions to the CTO Relief Fund in the US are not tax deductible. The CTO is also working with a civic group in the US, the Association of Dominicans in the Northeast, (www.adne-us.org) a registered charity based in New Jersey, to mobilize Dominicans, collect relief items and raise funds for the effort.  The group is hosting a number of events, the entire proceeds of which will go to the relief effort. Dominica is a member of the CTO whose Relief Fund provides support for member countries impacted by natural disasters. The CTO is using all its offices to facilitate the process of enlisting the help of governments and individuals across the Region along with supporters from around the world, to mobilize and encourage assistance for the Government and People of Dominica.

 Commercial airlines serving the island of Dominica are resuming flights to Douglas-Charles Airport. Since the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority gave the go-ahead to resume commercial flights, airport authorities have been working to restore essential services to the badly damaged terminal building in order for airline partners, LIAT, Seaborne Airlines and Winair, to re-establish schedules to the airport. Partner airlines have made several test landings since receiving the go-ahead. “We continue to see daily progress in the tourism sector. Fans of the Nature Island will be pleased to know that most of their favorite locations and activities are operational and ready for their next visit,” said Colin Piper, director of tourism.

  Dominica tourism officials are working with island visitors and others to provide service and answer questions. Queries can be made by calling 767 448 2045 or email tourism@dominica.dm. It has been confirmed that 72 of 94 properties are currently operational. Visitors are encouraged to check directly with their accommodations regarding the status of their properties and surrounding infrastructure. Some hotels began their annual September/October closure early in an effort to clean up and re-group for the busy fall season. While tour operators are doing business, some are observing their seasonal maintenance shutdown.

  Hiking trails and roads continue to be assessed for accessibility and safety. Nine of 11 Dive Operators are functional. Visitors are encouraged to check directly with their dive operator regarding the status of operations and surrounding infrastructure.

  Several fundraising sites have been established to assist with relief efforts.  Persons wishing to assist can view the following links: http://www.opm.gov.dm/; Officially endorsed Dominica Government GoFundMe account :http://www.gofundme.com/DA-ErikaReliefFund; New York Diaspora: http://www.gofundme.com/DAwecareFUND; Red Cross of Dominica: https://www.youcaring.com/red-cross-of-dominica-421257 For additional updates, the government’s website is available:  www.discoverdominica.com.

Trinidad & Tobago new political era

Dr. Rowley calls for Respect and Empathy from Opposition in Tackling T&T Difficult Days Ahead

By William Doyle-Marshall

“Let’s live together in harmony.” This mantra hung from the lips of Prime Minister-elect of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley after his People’s National Movement wrestled the authority to government Trinidad and Tobago for another five years from the clutches of the United National Congress or People’s Partnership headed by Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

   Dr. Rowley was addressing supporters at Balisier House, his party’s headquarters Monday night, when he reminded members of the defeated party when the country pass responsibility to the People’s National Movement, it is not a “we versus them” situation. “We are all in this together and while we form the government, you of the UNC you will form the opposition. But we all expect you to act as a part of the government because your responsibility is awesome and if we accept that we are all inb this together, Trinidad and Tobago, all of us will come out of our difficulty together.” The PNM’s political leader reminded UNC members “we need to respect each other; we need to empathize with each other, we need to feel for each other.”

    Monday’s general election concluded months of what the Election and Boundaries Commission described as ”the most brutal” campaign in the country’s history. Dr. Rowley who rallied his troop with the call “let’s do it together and “we red and we ready” assured nationals that his government will be guided by the fundamental principles of the People’s National Movement and the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago. Earlier in the campaign Dr. Rowley assured a massive gather of party faithful in Woodford Square renamed the University of Woodford Square by the late Dr. Eric Williams, that his government has no intention of practicing politics of spite and dotishness. Monday night in his Balisier House address, he recalled “throughout our campaign we have made it quite clear to the population that these are not the times of milk and honey. There are difficult times ahead. It is like going down the river and I am telling you there are rapids ahead, there is rough water ahead, there are white water sections ahead but if we navigate them successfully, there is calm water ahead.”

Dr. Eric Williams, Father of the naqtion

With one week remaining before the elections, Dr. Winsford James, political scientist and analyst predicted the PNM would be victorious. He noted that the party was responsible for most of the  good basic infrastructure of the country. He suspected if it had been in power over the past five years they would have done more plus. Recognizing that it had a new vision, new leadership and many new people replacing the old vanguard, those undecided voters were likely to support the party.

   Confident that the PNM would be voted into office Dr. James concluded “it would seem to me to be counter-intuitive for a party in power to be faced with those problems and they are very serious problems and still win; that would sugge4st that something is wrong with the PNM or they could have better conditions under which to win.” He  said in a national radio broadcast “this thing is tailor made for a PNM win. So if they don’t win the PNM would have to ask: well what is it that we did so badly wrong. We were not in power for five years.” Without the final official returns from the Election and Boundaries Commission, the PNM captured 23 seats to the opposition 18.

Serious T&T Elections On Doorsteps

Serious Political Change Need in T&T says Diaspora nationals

By William Doyle-Marshall

The forthcoming general elections in Trinidad and Tobago is gathering much casual interest among nationals out here in the Diaspora. Information reaching them are suspect as they are unable to separate fact from fiction as the main political parties are going after each other with inflammatory accusations. Allegations of corruption and polarization are rampant but everyone calls for substantiation and that is a very difficult animal to trap.

   In its manifesto the Peoples Partnership reports that its international engagements are for the sake of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. As PM Kamla Persad Bissessar boasts, the government’s work over the last five years, has been building a partnership with the people because “we understand that we govern because the people have asked us to govern for them, and that it is their will that we govern.” She contends that her government wants, to take the country into a glorious future where jobs are plentiful, where opportunities are many, where hard work and productive effort bring rewards, where the workforce is educated and skilled, and where every citizen can enjoy a high quality of life with a good income.

  According to Dr. Keith Rowley the PNM envisions a society where integrity and morality in public life is of the highest priority and the Government serves the public good above all else, and where decisions are made and actions taken by the Government in the best interest of all concerned. He promises that the party’s approach to governance in its next term will be data based, scientific, holistic and evidence driven, paying due attention at all times to the need for compassion, sensitivity and respect for the rights and freedoms of all citizens in all matters of state.
   With the elections just moments away there are mounting rumours and claims against the governing party. A caller to a radio show on Wednesday (today) morning claimed the PP is paying people to have their fingers dipped in advance of polling. This would prevent such individuals from voting on election day. A former President of the Senate has been advising citizens to spoil their ballots on election day.  

   Generally nationals are expressing hurt at profound polarization in the country.One based in western Canada understands that the divide between Indian and African citizens grows worse, having been fueled over the years by “race loyalties and agendas of the People’s Partnership. Her heart breaks each time she hears this "asinine rubbish!" It is 2015! The divisive tribal madness persists like a malignant cancer destroying the precious nation, many observers feel.

   Many nationals are disturbed that Indians and Africans and other groups that are the founding peoples of the country are now being polarized. In almost every assembly conversation surrounds claims that the PP has favoured Indians for top jobs despite qualification and competence, inciting deeper hatred & compounding the racial divide. The Indians argue that the PNM did the same thing when they were in power. Further, Tobago is neglected because the Partnership is not favoured there and hence the PP’s moral, ethical and legal obligations to Tobago are but dust in the wind, 
  Washington D.C. based broadcaster Von Martin, rejoiced “The salvation day is about to come this September 7^th.” There is much anticipation from our nationals in the area, he reported. “We do not have a large East Indian Diaspora in this area. Those here are not as vociferous as in New York or Miami. Folks look forward to the replacement of the People’s Partnership. Already the signs are on the wall. The Ambassador of Trinidad, Dr. Neil Parsan has left the job. He is now working for the OAS in the Secretariat of Integral Development. So the country is without an Ambassador to the USA,” Martin reflected as he predicted it may be considered ‘Signs on the Wall.’

  Bryce Aguiton, one of the leaders on the Toronto Carnival scene admits he is paying marginal attention to the elections. Some of his colleagues consider it bobol (racket) and in terms of expectation most nationals are leaving their options open. Augiton’s friends in Port of Spain don’t seem to be very concerned as they are tired with the “stupidness” that is passing for politics. “No matter who is in office there will always be drama and it’s a matter of picking your poison,” he concludes.

   Another cultural practitioner Michelle Parsons has no particular expectation or thoughts about the situation except to conclude “it’s like getting out of one pot into the fire. It doesn’t matter who you vote for, politics is equal to corruption. It is about who must be in charge, who must make the rule and at the same time – making the rules but having no intention of following them.”

   As far as Dirk McLean, an experienced actor on the Canadian scene would like to see transparency of government and a leader who is really out to unite the nation – both Trinidad and Tobago, not just Trinidad. He also expects the next government to have a strong agenda to protect the citizens. He is conscious that the whole crime thing is a much bigger thing than Trinidad and the Caribgbean on their own because of the bigger players involved. “But they can still aim to do what they can anyway by finding ways to diminish the crime. One of the ways to diminish crime would be to increase the education percentage of the population,” he theorized. Dr. Eric Williams started by having more children educated in his day, McLean noted. And that was a long-term plan. So he is calling for the construction of more secondary and technical schools in the country. He cites Costa Rica which has a 95% literacy rate and wonders why can’t the country of his birth have something close to that.

   With such a plan the actor contends people who would be considered sanitary inspectors could still be dong that kind of work at a decent wage and still have pride in it and not feel like they are the lowest of the low. “It’s a whole revolution and mindset that needs to happen and more of Trinidad and Tobago and more of Caribbean values need to be instituted rather than relying on U.S. cultural influence. Too much U.S. cultural influence has been affecting the region,” McLean concludes.

   Quizzed about how nationals felt about the way Trinidad and Tobago has been governed by the Peoples’ Partnership headed by Kamla Persaud Bissessar over the past five years, some expressed disappointment. Some respondents were hearing expressions of dissatisfaction from close family members and friends.

   Despite the reports on polling that claim the race is too tight to call on September 7, Dr. Winford James , a political scientist and analysis told the nation in a radio broadcast Tuesday morning he believes the People’s National Movement could win the election. Voters who migrated from the PNM in 2010 to give the PP victory have now returned to their respective political base and that could be translated into victory for the PNM and defeat for the PP.