Jerry Brisbane recently unleashed a storm of venom, vitriol and vituperation following his letters to NGOs and international governments imploring them to ensure that any money loaned to the Dominican government is used to add value to products in Dominica.
In a frightening display of the toxic partisanship that is corroding Dominica, Government Minister Charles Savarin warned civil servants “not to use your hard earned money” to shop at Brizee Mart. Another acolyte accused Brisbane of treason and thundered that he should be “ostracised from the society of this country.” He observed further that “people who do that are dangerous” and that “anybody who denigrate the name of Dominica is guilty of treason.”
In a development on November 11, 2010, this acolyte called Matt Peltier’s Hot Seat and shamelessly tried to disassociate himself from his accusations of treason. He tried to say that he was not referring to Brisbane; he was only referring to the Dominican captain who had denied his citizenship when trapped in Venezuela. But his words were captured on tape. He had nowhere to hide. Like the Senior Counsel and other acolytes, he was convicted by his own words.
This is where political discourse is headed to in Dominica. Ostracisation and demonisation of all those who oppose government. Those who advocate this position are not concerned about the collateral damage caused by their virulent partisanship. They are not concerned about the subliminal appeals to violence against those who oppose the government. Neither are they concerned about the lives destroyed or the slow but inexorable march towards dictatorship now evident in Dominica.
Brizee Mart is not merely a business entity partly owned by Jerry Brisbane, Brizee Mart is an employer of approximately ninety employees. These employees pay taxes for God’s sakes! These employees have children, Papa God! These children go to school. These children aspire to go to college and university. Some of these employees voted Labour in December 2009.
Are you telling me that the family and future of these employees should be sacrificed on the altar of political vengeance? Are you telling me that they should be thrown out of work because Jerry echoed sentiments which are more relevant today than at any other time in Dominica’s history? Are you telling me that Jerry should be tarred and featured because he dared to voice the thoughts and concerns of thousands of Dominicans who for a number of reasons, do not want to give voice to those self-same concerns?
Bondyé O! There are Brizee Mart employees who go to church on Sundays. They put money into the Church’s coffers. Some pay tithes. When they do, the priest or pastor nods and says: “thank you.” Are you telling me that other than Father Jolly, these pastors and prelates are so unconcerned that they have nothing to say about this dangerous precedent being set in Dominica? Are you telling me that the Bishop who with contrite heart, whisper paeans of praise every Sunday, has no salutory words of caution, or of reflection on this treacherous road on which we are now travelling?
Bondyé seyen mawi Josef! Brisbane wrote to the governments and NGOs warning about the need for diligence in the disbursement of loans to the Dominican government. The outrageous overspending on the seawalls, the outrageous “overspending” on fertiliser and garbage bins, the obscene number of advisors, the granting of tax free concessions to companies in which some politicians have a personal interest, the lavish spending on government salaries and allowances all suggest that there is a crying need for surveillance or diligence over government spending.
The decision to borrow $27 million to build a presidential palace also suggests that monies borrowed from governments are being used in a fashion designed to embellish the ego of our leaders. One of the justifications for this project is that it will become a tourist attraction. In other words, tourists familiar with historical palaces of France, the monuments in Washington, the iconic buildings in England and Europe will flock to see Dominica’s palace, nestled in front of a decaying historic library in a city which struggles to have regular garbage pick-up. They will flock to see it and then wonder how is it that in an island where production is at a historic low, where paros roam the streets freely, where drugs are robbing the future of some of Dominica’s finest, and where farmers are desperately seeking outlets for their produce, our government believes that building a monument to a leader’s vanity is the best way to serve Dominica’s interests.
The Dominican people should respond to these cries of boycott and ostracism just as the Marigot and Salisbury people responded to the cynical attempts to establish a one party state. How many of these 18 elected members do you hear these days? How many “appear” on Kairi FM with the Senior Counsel? How many make policy statements on anything?
Our people should make it their business to patronise Brizee Mart on the basis of principle. They should make it their business to say to the owners and workers of Brizee Mart that “you are not alone.” They should, through their refusal to condone this victimisation, say to those who profess to speak about righteousness: We reject your self-serving actions and the divisions you are causing.
They should walk or drive to Brizee Mart with their heads held up high, in a public and stinging rebuke of those who, for a fistful of dollars, are prepared to sell their souls or destroy our values.
NOTE: This article was published in last week’s edition of The Chronicle newspaper, which has given Dominica News Online permission to republish. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the management and staff of Dominica News Online and its parent company.
The president house is a defunct building, and should be leased if not sold to private investors (local) to renovate and at least the building will be preserved, and income will be generated.
There is no need for public funds to be risked, when they could be spent elsewhere. This building is not Mt. Rushmore.
Josh Shaw..Ditto
CHARLES SAVARIN……………….A Double Minded Man Is Unstable in All His Ways……………
Quote……The Holy Bible
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Charles Saverin You really out there helping the Laour party to capture it old days all over again on DOMINICANS…………….fet, fet and more fet for the rich and Beggars, beggars and more Beggars for the streets of Roseau. Because the Labour party always liked and was attached to Massa years……………….They always liked people begging them to look superior than others……………….. I though we were against poverty??????
Any way I am not surprised of the actions of you and the labour party because they never changed their ways as the old Dominican proverb goes ….mem bwet mem pewel…… the leopard never changes its spots………………………….
Who all you labour Party think all you fooling?????? Not all Dominicans DUMB or talk with their rear end. OK … OK …OK when all you talking about tourism and Tourist visiting Palace????………..No Where in the World people visiting Palaces like before because of High alert on terrorism in EUROPE and the US . Most presidential places are barricaded because of this threat. Let em tell Labour Party that it have Dominicans that traveling and KNOWS what is going on so please save you all propaganda for the Illiterates and the beggars who will continue to vote for labour because they are blinded by your lies and betrayal.
Some Dominicans, DLP political stooges, irrespective of what ever truth is revealed they will twist. Where in Jerry’s letter that he is telling those institutions or foreign Govts. to stop giving aid to Dominica? Show me where? I challenge all of you, DLP political STOOGES, to show the world where his letter is saying what you all are blatantly lying about. Your lying tongues are responsible for all the corruption that you all continue to support. You all do not condemn what is wrong. Why? Why? Why?
Every Dominican has the RIGHT to SEEK, ACCESS. IMPART and RECEIVE INFORMATION. OUR CONSTITUTION and the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION of HUMAN RIGHTS all give people the RIGHT so to do. So you all are supporting ENSLAVEMENT of the people all over again? What offense, what wrong did Jerry commit? Which law did he break? Tell us. I repeat, tell us.
The leader lies so the rest of the body lies also. Why such wickedness? Even though you all support the ruling party, why such ill will and hatred for Dominicans just like you. If the citizen did not write about stopping aid to Dominica, what reason do you all lie about the statements in his letter. Do you at all cherish TRUTH?
Closer home, the revelation about the RUBBISH BIN BOBOL and all the other criminal and FRAUDULENT activities involving some politicians and the BAD GOVERNANCE of Govt. were not lies even though some of you feel the were. You all frowned and did not believe. Alas, you all chastised Lennox and others informing Dominicans about those fraud, stealing people’s money in a secret purchase just to make profits to benefit some. All the FACTS are there. Now little by little, those involved in the RUBBISH BIN BOBOL giving some money back to the TREASURY. That money they defrauded from the Treasury.
In Dominica now it is LIES, LIES, LIES, TWIST, TWIST, TWISTING of facts. You all hate the TRUTH. THE TRUTH WILL NEVER SET you all free, because you all love lies. You all are drowning in LIES.
–reply
What nonesense is that I am hearing there nor!
Doesn’t realise that anyone who makes such a buffon of themself to the international community, first and foremost won’t be taken seriously, the accusations will also be checked out and whatever, internal strife that is going on between himself and other people on the island, that is surely not the way to go about it.
Those actions are the one of a spoilt little boy who cannot get his own way and as a result her snatches his toys and runs off in a hissy feat to complain and make up some story about the other child.
What a shame and if that is the example of immature men’s behaviour being exhibited to the impressionable children on the island, no wonder they seem so lost and ‘confused.com’ and expect those same children who are looking at you to replicate your sad actions when they reach grown up status.
People need to think of their actions first before they begin to hastily rush to make irrational decisions that not only reflects on them but more importantly on the same Dominica they profess their undying love for.
There must be more constructive ways to voice your disagreement with someone/something which doesn’t and shouldn’t include tarnishing your island’s reputation. Think………………………..before your actions.
by the way who voted for charlo in the last election? mr is only singing for his supper if labour is out of office he might want to join the party in power.mr is a political prostitute he only care about himself.I grew up hearing my dead mother saying mr organising strike in DA and holding down the country, today is a different song he singing.tell mr hush his ……. if that is the case i not voting labour again
@Devout dominican……ha.hahahahahaha???????? I’v attract somebody,,,,,thankk u
that is wat i checkin der smart dominican…in these HARD econimic times WORLD WIDE…will the aid ever stop or slow down!? and how is it that jerry brizbane a dangerous man just because he wrote a letter of conern to the government. my people …who is it thats commenting on dno talkin about wrong!? these donors operate world wide and they are used to freedom of expression!!! look at all these protests goin on in london…the students are protestin against rise in tuition fees and cuttin of EMA! FREEDOM OF SPEEEECH!!! EXPRESS YOURSELF!!! how cud jerry brizbane put dominica in DANGER iwth ONE LETTER BY ONE MAN EXPRESSING HIS OPINION!!!! HOW IS THAT DANGEROUS TO DOMINICAAA !!! YOU ARE MISTAKING DOMINICA WITH THE GOVERNMENT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT THE WHOLE OF DOMINICA…ITS THE GOVERNMENT THAT WUD BE IN TROUBLE NOT DOMNICA…WAT U THINK THEY DONT KNO THAT THERE ARE INNOCENT DOMINICANS IN DOMINICA WHO DO NOT AGREE WITH BRIZBANE!? THERE ARE CHILDREN N YOUTHS THAT WUD BENEFIT FROM THEIR GRANTS! YOU THINK ONE MAN WITH ONE LETTER CAN STOP THAT!? WAAAW LOOL LOOOOOOL!
FREEDOM OF SPEACH DOES NOT ADVOCATE THE RIGHT TO SHOUT FIRE IN A CROWDED THEATER
Has anyone realized that the original content of an email can be altered if the mail is being forwarded?
Try forwarding an email, and try changing a word in the original mail…
This political arena has to change. Because either way, bobol, fraud or trickery is WRONG and unfair to the people and country. We must be thankful for knowledge but be weary of wrong doing regardless of who we support.
People open your eyes!
why is everyone making such a hoopla over Charles savarin’s statement. No one should be able to influence anyone to shop at any particular establishment. People should shop where they feel like shopping – whether its for better prices or better customer service. So no matter what anyone says that should not hinder the general public from shopping at Breeze Mart. Dominicans are not that dumb or naive. Dominicans are free to shop wherever they feel like.Charles Savarin’s remarks will not stop the people from supporting Breeze Mart. So please stop making this a big issue. Everyone has freedom of speech in DA and can say what they want, when they want, why condemn a man because he made a simple statement. Eddo would have done the same thing, even Eugenia would have made such a statement.
all i think is that Dominican are reach a point where they can’t stand it nanymore! They want answers! they want to see Dominica developing and not spending 27 millions dollars in a palace, There are so mony things that need to be done, invest in Porstmouth hospital, generate work, tired make dominican leave the island where plenty things can be done for the people!! I really dnt know how those Ministers think, but now everyone do see that they really din’t go to school cause they do not watch on the rest of the caribbean islands!!!!!!! dominica need improvment there are somuch opportunity, no it’s just squeez the poor people pocket! Alas i feeling sorry!!! Portsmouth is dread dread no shop, nothing just pawos, Marigot worst!! i really dnt know if those Ministers travelling or really willing to change dominica???!!! Or they looking for their pocket !! Dominican people allu have the right to protest, demand, how comes a country with 365 rivers have to pay a bottle of water 5 dollars First time i see that, anyway i would talk more….
What everyone is forgetting is that mud sticks. The various organisations written to could well be thinking hard about giving Dominica future assistance. Where would we be if this was to happen?
It will not just be OD Brisbane’s staff out of work.
As so called educated, fair and just citizens, we should show the politicians/Mr Brisbane and anyone else attempting to brain wash us that we can think for ourselves and we will make our own decisions where we shop or who we vote for.
With regards to the building of a presidential palace, the PM should ask the people if that is what
they want. I know my answer will be NO, because I trully believe that Dominicas needs go way beyond a palace.
There are too many “ostrichs” and “donkeys” in Dominica. Please check all you selves. It’s sickening.
leave Tom & Jerry alone
I suggest people get themselves a copy of the constitution of Dominica and take some time to READ it before making uninformed opinions. Dominicans are too lazy to read and uplift themselves mentally, this is a crying SHAME in this 21st century. Mentally slavery is very much alive in Dominica! God help us!!
@ Too much
are you the same people who do not want anyone to infer, imply, and read between the lines of the several emails about the villas?
What is in the Agreement with China? Despite several calls for its release to the public, it has not been released. Would it be treachery to write to the Chinese Government for a copy? What of the ALBA Agreement? …would it be treason for a citizen of Dominica to write to Venezuela for a copy?
Hope there will be no need to read between the lines of those.
What is treason and what is so wrong with writing to persons of interest in our development? Did Mamo commit treason when she interfered in Grenada’s politics and got the USA to invade Grenada, in Operation Urgent Fury, in October 1983? Given the comments on the above story to date, if this were to have happened today, some persons would be very relieved while others would be crying treason. Thankfully, Cuba and Russia are no longer threats to the Caribbean region but do we know if there are any hidden threats to our freedom as we know it now?
What is in the Agreement with China? Despite several calls for its release to the public, it has not been released. Would it be treachery to write to the Chinese Government for a copy? What of the ALBA Agreement? …would it be treason for a citizen of Dominica to write to Venezuela for a copy?
No doubt these hidden and secret documents should make the entire population very uncomfortable, since these Agreements have been signed with non-democratic countries. How do we get copies of these Agreements without committing treason as defined by many posters here?
Some Dominicans, DLP political stooges, irrespective of what ever truth is revealed they will twist. Where in Jerry’s letter that he is telling those institutions or foreign Govts. to stop giving aid to Dominica? Show me where? I challenge all of you, DLP political STOOGES, to show the world where his letter is saying what you all are blatantly lying about. Your lying tongues are responsible for all the corruption that you all continue to support. You all do not condemn what is wrong. Why? Why? Why?
Every Dominican has the RIGHT to SEEK, ACCESS. IMPART and RECEIVE INFORMATION. OUR CONSTITUTION and the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION of HUMAN RIGHTS all give people the RIGHT so to do. So you all are supporting ENSLAVEMENT of the people all over again? What offense, what wrong did Jerry commit? Which law did he break? Tell us. I repeat, tell us.
The leader lies so the rest of the body lies also. Why such wickedness? Even though you all support the ruling party, why such ill will and hatred for Dominicans just like you. If the citizen did not write about stopping aid to Dominica, what reason do you all lie about the statements in his letter. Do you at all cherish TRUTH?
The former President of the US, George Bush, and his colleagues, Colin Powell, Condolezza Rice, concocted lies upon lies and thousands of their supporters blindly believed those great lies, repeated at every fora and US media about WMD in Iraq. Those LIES were merely excuses to wage war. The knew there was no WMD. BUT THEY DELIBERATELY LIED TO THE WORLD. Iraq was invaded. How many millions have died and been maimed from that illegal, unjust war up to today because of those GREAT LIES?
Closer home, the revelation about the RUBBISH BIN BOBOL and all the other criminal and FRAUDULENT activities involving some politicians and the BAD GOVERNANCE of Govt. were not lies even though some of you feel the were. You all frowned and did not believe. Alas, you all chastised Lennox and others informing Dominicans about those fraud, stealing people’s money in a secret purchase just to make profits to benefit some. All the FACTS are there. Now little by little, those involved in the RUBBISH BIN BOBOL giving some money back to the TREASURY. That money they defrauded from the Treasury.
Satan in Biblical times had many admirers and up to today those who do gross wrongs have many admirers. But the hypocrites praying to whom for a better life? You all praying to Jesus Christ, whose teachings about belief in TRUTH you discard? Christ all the time condemned corruption. But is SATANIC, DICTATORIAL RULING you all love? In Dominica now it is LIES, LIES, LIES, TWIST, TWIST, TWISTING of facts. You all hate the TRUTH. THE TRUTH WILL NEVER SET you all free, because you all love lies. You all are drowning in LIES.
I think some of the comments posted on this site falls into the typical Dominican/old British aristocracy model where we have been trained to believe that we do not have a voice unless we have certain expertise or credentials. It’s one of the main reasons why Dominica continues to lag behind its Caribbean neighbors.
I rode on the Warner Road on my way back to the airport and I could not believe that the engineers did not reduce the gradient at the beginning of road, knowing very well, that over 90% of the vehicles on the island are four-cylinder-engines. When climbing steep gradients, engines lose 90% of their horse power. Thus, steep gradients with load plus people equals more wear and tear on your vehicle. According to the “Third Side” only engineers should make this point.
The taxi driver stated that depending on the number of persons on his Toyota bus, he cannot use that road. Because of the wear and tear on vehicles, taxi drivers in particular spend far more to maintain their vehicles, which reduces profit, because of poor road construction and steep gradients.
You need not be an engineer to understand bad project management and poor planning. It’s the hall mark of engineering in Dominica. For years, the public works department and government engineers, paved roads without any drainage given the fact that we are a tropical island with high annual rainfall. As far as I’m concerned, some of the civil engineers in Dominica should be jailed for some of projects that they have supervised in the past.
my opinion;
jerry brisbane had no right to use the company letterhead to write to these donor countries. when he did, he compromised the company and those who work for the company.
he could have written as an individual, yet he chose to play Russian roulette with my mom job.
Why is it that Dominica should be surviving on aid. Should we not be looking to be more dependent? Should we not be building industry and diversifying our economy? Do you believe that this aid will be there forever? Will Chavez last for ever? Will these “FRIENDLY” governments be for ever friendly? It’s amazing how DEPENDENT we are after INDEPENDENCE? Should salaries be paid from grants? DO we generate any money to help ourselves? Is this what governance has become: I am able to beg and get more aid that you!
Really people think about it this letter whether to agree or disagree has revealed quite a bit we are surviving at the behest of a few Governments. Our Government is clueless and our country is in a good ole MESS
The Labour party government needs to straighten up its act. Too many questionable deals and frivolous spending. They definitely need to prioritize in this tough economic times. If donor countries , NGO’s and international financial institutions become vigilant and do exactly what Jerry recommends, how on earth can the Government of Dominica unilaterally decide to spend the negotiated loan of $27 000 000 as it wishes? I would definitely like to see an income generating hotel in the Carib Reserve ( close enough to the airport plus an attraction) or even at Marigot. But the government cannot spend that money as it wishes. They can only refuse to spend it and give it back with the resulting loss of hundreds of construction jobs and sale of construction materials for local businesses.
Jerry definitely isn’t looking for dollars to flow into the coffers of the DLP government. A serious backlash can result in Dominica becoming the new Haiti or Zimbabwe. When the upper class lose political power, it becomes desperate. Haiti had the audacity to fight the French and become independent in 1804. Cuba fought a dictatorship and implimented widespread land reform and nationalization of industries. Zimbabwe fought a protracted anti-apartheid struggle for national liberation.
In each of the above scenarios, international capital decided to punish the people, hoping that they would overthrow their rebel governments. The trend is the same in Dominica. The DLP government is giving then the cover to do it . If they do not shake up, their reigb will be short lived. Now is the time for a shake up. Let’s have a deputy PM (Ian, Justina or Darroux- roots Labourites who are not tainted and to ensure a smooth transition if PM loses in the courts). Let’s have bigger roles for Timothy, Graneau, Gloria and the Scotts Head Rep. Crispin Gregoire should be brought in to replace Charles Savarin and Charlo should be sent back to Brussels or even China. The PM should avoid an uprising. I can see it coming. If he does not reshuffle, he might want to reconstitute the Dominica Defense Force (DDF), starting with the angry nucleus of former DDF who were fired by Dame Eugenia Charles. I can’t wait to join them. There may be scores to settle.
@ too much…one man cannot stop the country from getting aid…it takes more than just ONE concern letter out of thousands of people!!! to encourage them to stop! n investigate…! did yall read the response!? these ppl were happy to see smone showing sooo much interest n recognising them as donors! uuurghh silly people…
so why is charles savarin picture that accompanying the article, why not that of the advocate for political and social justice jerry brisbane??
….or is brisbane beeing just as partisan as this article claims that those opposed to his act of treason and political mischief are?? were the sentiments expressed by brisbane in his letters laced with vile and malice, an attempt to destabilize the fully functional political machinery keeping this country from plunging into economic oblivion?? is mr brisbane bitter and holds personal grudge against certain political figures at the helm of this countries leadership?? these are the questions that dominicans must put to jerry brisbane and demand an honest answer. why was it that only 2 of the so many letters that he written were published?? were these 2 the least damaging of the lot??
there is a vile campaign against charles and maybe his response to the situation is questionable but charles did not write those letters, it was not charles who made the attempt to have the entire international community sabotage dominica’s development.
ask jerry brisbane what is his real agenda………and if he man like charlo put his face in the news too.
lol Honestly think for a minute.. Dominica survives on grants and loans from those very same countries Brisbane wrote to. For whatever his intentions were, should those countries decide to just cut Dominica off from these funds then the whole population would suffer drastically. Now ask yourself a question.. Will Jerry Brisbane suffer when that happens? I think he obviously will, but will he suffer like the average Dominican citizen? no where close, in fact he and his family are in a very comfortable financial position for the rest of their lives.
Some of you Dominicans are so quick to defend this guy Jerry.. If it were to reach a point where those of you who live in the vicinity of Mr Brisbane or en route to his Business were to lose your vehicle or can’t afford to buy gas, would Jerry Brisbane stop to give you a ride on his vehicle if he sees you walking down the street to go to work or walking home in the night from work even if you were to flag him down? I highly doubt it, farless for offering financial assistance or even lowering the cost of his Products at his store so the struggling Dominicans would finally be able to shop there.
Suddenly, Jerry B is a national hero for his questionable actions! How many of us really knew of Jerry B before he started to unleash his Vernon on the government? Yes, we knew of O.D. Brisbane, but how many of us knew the anti-social Jerry B? Does he really care about Dominicans and Dominica or is he just interested in profiting from Dominicans and Dominica?
Jerry B needs to learn to smile and cleanse his heart of the anger which has him possessed!
WHY DOESNT CHARLES SAVERIN TELL HIS WIFE TO RETURN THE TEN COMPUTERS THAT WAS GIVEN BY MR.BRISBANE.
charles savarin is just a dam fool crying for his super
Latitude – You need to open up your eye and stand up for what is right at all times. If you consider Jerry’s outspoken nature to be treason then you are ignorant of you own rights. By nature of your reasoning the very same Charles saverin should be in jail for life for act s of treason. The very same Charles Saverin requested civil disobedience and ask Dominicans to not pay taxes – maybe you are too young and naïve to know that.
It is asinine to voice support for a man who is directly threatening the jobs of so many Dominicans. It is arrogant to stand up in the midst of this nonsense and say it is OK to publically lynch a man because he does not sing your praises. If that is the behavior that you support God help our country.
Josh Shaw, no matter how much well you wrote your unbiased article. Jerry Brisbane has a democratic right to do and say whatever he wants, but when you use your democratic right to destroy Dominica, you have crossed the line.
Jerry has never cared about the poor little black boy in Grand Fond or La Plaine , Wesley or Marigot. Why couldn’t he used his democratic right and request some aid for the poor black kids of these communities and Dominica by extension.
But Jerry has chosen to be on the radio everyday , complaining about every wall and drain that is dug in Dominica. How is that going to bring value to DA. Jerry is not an Engineer, he is not a project Manager, why is this guy stuck on projects that are being built in DA???
Jerry has a Democratic Right, the same Right that Charles Savarin has. As a matter of Fact Jerry attacked DA and Charles Savarin defended her.
Does the DNO read the comment of replers…. I think these relpies should be used by reporter to ask better question, do better investigative reporting…..
However, when i ask my friends who are not from Dominica, alway ask me what the ….. is going on in Dominica..
Dominica be strong, intelligent, and balance
Why can’t we get along? So much confusion….. all this negative energy could be spent
improving the lives of many Dominicans. Please everybody let’s work together
to make life better for all Dominicans especially the less fortunate In my opinion
both parties are wrong…..two wrongs do not make it right Move on….move
my country foward. This is crippling the country……Stop
JERRY BRISBANE has failed himself, his business and his country. And simply because of an ongoing vendetta with Roosevelt Skerrit… Every one knows “business and politics don’t mix” but Jerry decided to push head strong into the melee. He is losing big time! Now he is crying foul because a Minister pointed out what could, maybe even SHOULD happen to protect jobs in Dominica that exist by virtue of the funds from donor agencies that Jerry has written to asking to be “reviewed”.
Most proud Dominicans OBJECT to Mr. Brisbane’s complaints about our elected government to FOREIGN countries and institutions. Not his right to complain and criticize generally. They are concerned with his lack of national spirit. And, like most small countries, Dominicans take their politics personally, so if Jerry is going to be so political, then he must be prepared for the consequences. His supermarket business was already suffering because of his weekly political attacks against the Prime Minister on the talk shows. That is not the approach of responsible businessmen who appreciate the well known slogan.
He has overdone the criticism. His once reasonable credibility has now gone completely “out the window” due to outrageous anti-PM statements that seem to reflect his personal agenda. Even his initial concerns about the public tender process has lost public sympathy as he went on to joint “the talk show gang” in accusing the gov’t and especially Mr. Skerrit of all kinds of unsubstantiated wrong doing.. We are reminded that it was Jerry Brisbane himself who initiated talk of boycott when he stated publicly ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS that all Dominicans who object to how government is operating should STOP paying taxes as a way of signifying their protest. He requests action against one side, but when action is called against his side, he say it is unfair. Ah, magwe, sah.
One reporter in another medium is already speculating that if BRIZEE MART’s supermaket patronage is indeed declining, it may be because of the new aggressive competition in the supermarket arena, where HIGH priced businesses are less and less popular in these hard times. But Jerry may just want to blame his projected business failure on political pressure. Maybe that is true. The vast majority of Dominicans who support their Prime Minister feel that Mr. Brisbane and his company have gone to far in their unjustified criticism of the government (even broacasting that to the WORLD). Worse, he is risking the employment of HUNDREDS of Dominicans in donor-agency projects by his ill-coceived letter, should those agencies decide to temporarily suspend funding while they “investigate” Jerry’s complaints.
Though many of us tend to throw the blame game in action here, we as Dominicans should open our eyes and look at the bigger picture. The island has no role model in government when you have a Minister expressing views in such a manner. With utmost respect to Mr.Saverin , the manner of which he speaks is disrespectful and shows off the incapability as a head in government to speak his view. Mr.Brisbane only wrote a letter which was in fact well written and to the point and said what many Dominicans could not say.
Thank you Mr.Brisbane and some of us are still stuck in our ignorance will never see differently.
Guys lets be fair and try to put all political bias aside. Below are my points:
1. Jerry pleaded with the government but he was ignored so he decided to bypass them. You would have done the same.
2. Jerry sent out those letters hoping that the lending governments/institutions would hold the government more accountable in future dealings.
3. Jerry used his business letter head for credibility. If i wrote the letters I am sure my letters would be ignored
4. Charles Saverin as a minister should target Jerry and not his business.
5. The problem everybody has now a days with the present government is that everyone that oppose or think differently about their policies are ridiculed and label as enemies. They personally attack and try their best to destroy you. This is wrong.
Bottom line: It is Jerry constitutional right to do what he did and his letters did not say what Charles and tony is saying that was said. Charles words as a minister was just a bad choice of words and if he said it out of anger and retracts then we can forgive him cause everyone says foolish things when they are angry. If I swear at you and Obama swears at you then everyone would be appalled at the president only. why? because his office is of high esteem and we expect him to keep it that way. Charles should respect the office he holds and retract that statement immediately.
Guys lets be fair and try to put all political bias aside. Below are my points:
1. Jerry pleaded with the government but he was ignored so he decided to bypass them.
2. Jerry sent out those letters hoping that the lending governments/institutions would hold the government more accountable in future dealings
Jerry is looking for an excuse to close, Was brizzee mart ever up for sale hmmm
@simple mind:
SIMPLE MIND.. YOU SHOULD BE NAMED THE BRAINLESS CHILD OF YOUR FAMILY TO HAVE MADE SUCH A COMMENT. BRISBANE IS TOTALLY WRONG TO HAVE DONE WHAT HE DID. WHEN ARE YOU ALL MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION PARTY IS EVER GOING TO PUT THE COUNTRY FIRST INSTEAD OF YOUR SELFISH DIRTY POLITICS? THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY COMES FIRST BEFORE YOU ALL BRAINLESS OPPOSITION PARTY MEMBERS WHO IS HELL BENT ON DESTROYING THE COUNTRY AND IT’S PEOPLE. JERRY BRISBANE SHOULD BE DEPORTED. FOR DOMINICA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT HE WOULD EVER GET AWAY WITH WHAT HE HAS JUST DONE.
@LATITUDED810: Former Alaska Senator, Ted Sevens once tried to push through a request for some two hundred million dollars to build a bridge n Alaska, that would serve 30 people. The nation cried foul about the famous “Bridge to nowhere.” This project was killed because it was a clear example of government waste.
I don’t care much for Jerry Brisbane , but he is absolutely correct. Spending twenty-seven million dollars to build a presidential palace is a complete joke, when there’s a one lane bridge with no lights leading out of Marigot.
You do not need to fall in love with someone to admit that their correct. Calling his actions treasonous is a bit harsh. He did what more concerned citizens need to do. Cry foul when government officials fail to look out for the public’s interest. Let’s stop being hypocrites about this.
We need to pay more attention to so many more areas of need, like the Princess Margaret Hospital, before spending foolishly on more “White Elephant” projects.
So DNO seems to be the latest addition to the anti-government media circle. Even reproducing a series of government-bashing articles from the Chronicle (out of so many articles that are written). What next?
So much for fair and balanced media in Dominica. I guess the new meaning for media here is ‘anything to get rid of Skerrit and the DLP’.
THANKFULLY, THE MAJORITY OF DOMINICANS CAN SEE THROUGH THE MEDIA CHARADE!
ADMIN
What nonsense are you talking about? How many articles have DNO written about government programmes and initiatives? How many articles have we written criticising the Opposition? Many. so what’s your point? Gosh man!
In my opinion no individual has no right to send any communication to any funding institutions advising them to stop aid to Dominica
I believe if this was the case the person/ persons should be punished.
wHO GIVESS ANY ONE THE right to talk on behalf of the population of dominica?
I believe this was a bold move but very unnecessary and out of place
Life is really … up,we as a ppl we do not read and inform ourselves,anyting for a dollar.charles savarin i wish you all the best,how long will you hold down black people.”better mus come.”
@LATITUDED810: you just talking gabbage did you read Jerry letters but one day soon people like you will over your head in shame,what letter Jerry can write to hurt Dominican compare to what Skerrit doing right now give me a break
WHILE YOU OBJECT TO MINISTER CHARLES SAVARIN COMMENT AND YOU FIND THAT HE PUTS 90 PERSONS ON THE BREAD LINE YOU FAIL TO SAY THAT JERRY THE COMMITED A TREASON ACT AGAINGT HIS COUNTRY, YOU FAIL TO SAY THAT HE HAS PUT THE WHOLE NATION ON THE BREAD LINE, IF THE DONOR COMMUNITY HAD REACTED THERE WOULD HAVE BEING MASSIVE JOB CUTS, WITH FAR REACHING IMPLICATIONS, THAT WHY YOU CAN TRULEY SAY DOMINICA IS A BIT TOO DEMOCRATIC. IN ANY OTHER COUNRTY THIS MAN WOULD HAVE TO ANSWER SOME SERIOUS QUESTION, YOU FAIL TO SAY THAT IN ANY OTHER STATE NO ONE CAN BOLDY SAY THEY ARE NOT PAYING TAXES, AND PROCEED BY STOPPING, THE IRS WOULD HAVE CEASE THERE ASSETS A LON TIME.JERRY MUST LOOK INTO HIS BUSINESS AND SEE WHY ITS NOT DOING AS GREAT AS IT SHOULD. NO OPPOSITION WOULD CALL FOR THAT SORT OF SACTION AGAINST THERE COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY PARTY NOT IN POWER, SO FOR YOU TO JUSTIFIY THAT SORT OF ACTION SAYS TO ME BIRDS OF A TREASONIST NATURE FLY TOGETHER
There is no comparison with the letters Jerry Brisbane wrote to International Organizations asking them be more rigorous with their criteria when given funds to the Dominican Government. In essence he admonished them that they were not doing a good job of allocating their money. How rude. Jerry brought his business into the picture when he wrote on his company letterhead to those funding agencies.
I don’t for the life of me so where there is any case to be made in support of Mr. Jerry Brisbane’s action. It was irresponsible, ill advised and risky. You cannot as a business place the entire country at risk by expressing your personal views to international bodies.
Is it because he is a business man and employs 99 Dominicans that he should get away with such disdain for the entire protocol of statesmanship. No commentary can absorb that wrong that Mr. Brisbane has done. It matters not how nicely some may want to convey this irresponsible behaviour as freedom of speech or freedom of expression, it was a wrong move.
When a Minister undertakes the responsibility to negotiate on behalf of the people and the state and is faced with one of its own national undermining the very fabric that they are trying to stitch together, my lord these person or persons will act as human and display some anger.
Jerry Brisbane, you wrong, wrong, wrong. Charles Severin should have controlled his anger and expressed himself differently. They are both wrong BUT Mr. Jerry Brisbane carries that brunt of this catastrophe.
Stop feeding Jerry’s ego.
Is it Min.Charlo who has given over $200,000.00 worth of computers 2 various schools arround the island?waaaapapa…Mr.so selfcentered&sellfish wonder if he remmembers the names of the people who nominated him 2 any of his previous positions
PREACH! I mean TRUTH!
WE NEED proper sewarge system and sewer plant..our sea is polluted from sewerage waste. it is becoming risky to swim on our beaches. how about spending the 27 million dollars on that.
outrageous spending i do agree. telecommunications minister, this minister that minister., makes no sense. i would feel much better if these ministers salaries were given to individuals To snort cocaine. it would be put to much better use in my opinion. IN THAT WAY WE WOULD DEFINITELY KNOW THAT SUCH SPENDING IS UNNECESSARY, THERE WOULD BE NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.