COMMENTARY: From “Fatima” to “Silver Lake”

The fire left about 60 people homeless

After Hurricane David the Catholic Nuns worked in the resettlement of people to the area now known as Silver Lake. The area was first named Fatima with the pilgrimage statue of Fatima positioned close by.  Families were well settled to begin a new life. Two long houses, each accommodating about five families were therefore erected under the guidance of the Catholic Nuns.

The name was then unceremoniously called “Fly City” due to the rubbish Dump within close proximity of the community. The name Silver Lake came about as a result of the pool created from the flow of the Roseau River at the back of the community where many of the children enjoyed their past times in play and swimming. At that point where the river hits the bank towards the bend, there creates a pool (lake) and during the full moon the light glitters in silver onto the water pool (lake) hence the name now “Silver Lake”. How creative.

All in all, the children of Silver lake are cheerful, the people are fighters, the parents are loving and like every other family, these parents want the best for their children, their families and their community. They have been left alone to do their own thing, abandoned by this Labour Government. I know so and as an employed worker, I worked in this community. There are hardworking residents of Silver Lake who have and continue to undertake numerous quality community programmes for parents and children.

“Based on the facts, the evidence that we got, the fire actually started through an electrical short circuit,” Riviere said”(DNO Dec. 30th 2016), an official of one of our emergency services.

And, the community of Silver Lake are labelled and referred to as “A Hostile environment?”. This is a distasteful and unprofessional statement. Apologies needed.

The plight of the people of Silver Lake abandoned by this Labour Party government is outrageous, insulting and discriminatory and to some extent deliberate, because they do not shout out “We love our PM”.  The living conditions has deteriorated due to neglect over the past ten years, and if any reputable environmental agency is asked to visit and conduct a health & safety inspection/audit of Silver Lake, the immediate recommendation would be to close down Silver Lake and relocate its residents until this unsanitary condition and risk of life to all is addressed. It therefore means that this sitting government have no knowledge of Health & Safety standards, let alone social-economic development, let alone apply it.

We professionals continue to by-passed by this government. We lack the necessary financial & other resources as we observe numerous handouts dished out by Skerrit despicable scouts to those who cry “I Love my PM”. This Skerro handout mendicancy is not an investment but an insult on poor people where all government institutions are compromised, and Prime Minister Skerrit and his fly by-night scouts are guilty of this atrocity. One hardly ever hear of an opinion from the Minister of Social Affairs comment and advocate forcefully on child abuse, on the extent of poverty, on our declining villages, on struggling mothers, on dysfunctional homes and on the weak and abandoned Local Authorities who lack the working structures and resources to function as an effective independent local government authority. Skerrit and his acolytes have taken over this role at their whims and fancies. “We therefore see, daily the application of a vehement Autocratic Leader in operation”. These so called good citizens are the architect of a social& economic slavery. This act of deviousness is not sustainable but painful.

It is only during a disaster this government quickly run playing their obvious politics pretending that they are so sincere parading the community with potential candidate to run for the labour party. They do not act in the interest of the poor and vulnerable people.  Before this incident the PM and Labour party had no strategy. Due to their guilt, they want now to be seen walking into Silver Lake, as this unfortunate disaster gave Skerrit this opportunity to again prey on the pain and discomfort of these vulnerable people for votes and to buy their loyalty to create the disgusting phrase, “We love our PM”. How devious and insulting!

The Health and safety environment of Silver Lake has been deplorable for years waiting on a disaster to happen. The Public Latrine has been non-operational and thus creates a serious health hazard for the children even after the last election because according to the Silver Lake residents, the then Parliamentary Representative failed to keep up with his promise to pay the electricity and water bills. The people disposed of their waste beyond the toilet overlooking the Roseau River. If functional now, it was done recently.

It is imperative to note that in response to a 999 emergency call there has to be an automatic implemented and well-co-ordinated response team that all the Rescue &emergency agencies (Fire, Ambulance-First Aid & Police) are there together. That is the “Response Team”. Did this happen?

This fire at Silver Lake has been a disaster waiting to happen having ignored by Skerrit`s government in the past ten years. The Ministry of Community Development/Local Government has been weak with an obvious lack of leadership with the necessary resources and fortitude to openly advocate for these communities. Silver Lake community is very condensed and close knitted and if this fire had taken place in the early morning while the community is asleep it is likely that there would have been loss of life.

Silver Lake has great potential and the people there are very ambitious and determined to improve the quality of their lives. There are currently genuine efforts made by Silver Lake resident advocates and community workers to improve the quality of life of the Silver Lake people.I have been there, I know them.

However, Political opportunists disguised as caring for the poor and vulnerable continue to take advantage of this incident and parade the community not to elevate their quality of life but to gain votes at any political cost. These so-called “Political Good Citizens” representing this Corrupt and questionable Labour government are the architects of economic and social poverty, blind to the processes of social and economic development, have no respect for the decency of poor people who are exposed to a filthy living environment for years living in inhumane environment. More resources are given to the sale of passports than to our struggling families. This passport scheme has more agents employed than our own Welfare Services. That’s where the focus is. We Dominicans are of no value and importance to this corrupt Labour Party government.

Now these political opportunists walk down the hill to offer more patronising handouts and unhealthy lunch packs in guilt to the squalor and poverty they have created. It is another form of dependency disguised in pretext that “We Care”. You fool the people sometimes; you will not fool all the people all time. Our poor, rural, urban, villages and communities are suffering and sinking more into poverty. I have been to these communities and I feel their pain.

Finally, a three-storey concrete apartment was constructed about three years ago and the Silver Lake people protested that they were not party to who qualifies to reside in this apartment.

This Labour government does not consult, they insult.

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35 Comments

  1. January 4, 2017

    … I should mention too that as soon as you’re through descending from Silver Lake on to the flat heading eastward, the name of this whole flat there, which quite many aren’t aware of, is Savanne Park I know for some four decades now, where Operation Youth Quake, the Dominica Community High School, Yahweh’s New Covenant Assembly in Dominica where I worship and presently Minia’s 7-11 are located, adjacent to the Louisville Community close by.

  2. January 4, 2017

    It was in the 1970s, during my childhood, I and my sister was told by our father, while walking pass there, that the name of this area is Silver Lake and why, from the silver looks of the lake-like pool section of the river there. This name Silver Lake for that area, therefore, has been around, not of recent. The name Fatima, to be correct, is the area where you meet the first set of houses just after you pass the St. Aroment junction heading eastward, just before you meet the Silver Lake area or the next set of houses that you meet just after you pass the Silver Lake area, heading westward. There was truly a Catholic statute somewhere within that vicinity as the reason perhaps for the name Fatima, as my sister and I learned it from our father and we had witnessed there back then, as well as the names of both these areas that are within close proximity. …

  3. The Truth Be Told
    January 3, 2017

    Repeating, “The name Silver Lake came about as a result of the pool created from the flow of the Roseau River at the back of the community where many of the children enjoyed their past times in play and swimming. At that point where the river hits the bank towards the bend, there creates a pool (lake) and during the full moon the light glitters in silver onto the water pool (lake) hence the name now “Silver Lake”. How creative.”

    Did it ever occur to you that Heaven was smiling and shining its light upon the little children, playing in or near the water?
    God loves the little children of the world.
    Our Lady of Fatima, The Mother of all mothers was looking down on them, smilingly and also protecting them. That was a blest place but some people turned it into a different one. They must not blame the government.
    While no one is perfect, I like to say, some, more so than others, do not expect God to reign in such a place which is infiltrated with all sorts of crimes.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 8, 2017

      Give an idea how Silver Lake should have been developed and why it has not. …with children etc. living in poverty. 2That was a blest place but some people turned it into a different one. They must not blame the government”. Yes, Skerrit and rogue government is to be blamed. The people have no jobs, Labour party has not created any jobs for them. NO tourism, no bananas, only passports selling the Labour guys are happy,
      Read again the answer is in the article. Read where I read that the Labour Party Parl Rep then for the area abandoned them and left them without toilet, electricity and running water. He promised to pay their utilities, eoection promise. This corrupt Labour Party is not focussed on development of people but of themselves. Dominica is suffering and poor deprived communities like Silver Lake have been abandoned by this corrupt Labour government.

  4. viewsexpressed
    January 3, 2017

    Add to dictionary, you are soooooo right. Blessings .
    Skerrit and his immature government has made Dominica poor and turned our people into beggars. Disgusting government

  5. hope
    January 3, 2017

    fly city was worst when ur party was in power. why didn’ u guys help?t

    • %
      January 3, 2017

      Are you saying that after almost 20years,Skerrit,the government,with ALBA money Lybia money,China Money,VAT money,should not have transformed Dominica into a little paradise???Go bury your Red corrupt head in the sand…Dominica should by now be the PEARL OF THE CARIBBEAN…Instead of that,you have become a beggar,spewing foolishness,depending on hand out,while a few have taken all..Your shameless ……….!

  6. Mercy
    January 3, 2017

    The PM can never be in all places at the same time nor can he maintain every household on the island. What is the use then of a pal rep. Did Joshua Francis cry out the plight of his people regarding their living conditions? Why didn’t he write an open letter or article similar to this one to the PM. Skerrit is trying his best to develop the country and when he don’t start work in the areas that you would like first, you criticize his efforts. You, people, are evil and unkind at heart. Silver Lake was worst off 20 years ago and there are Dominicans who don’t even know where this place is situated in Dominica. A prime Minister is not responsible for supporting every household in this country financially. So because I’m black I will stay ugly and because I’m poor I’ll remain hungry. Encourage the people of Silver Lake to get up on their behinds and be productive and help make a contribution to this country. Handouts will never make you wealthy Nonsense.

    • Tjebe fort
      January 3, 2017

      Carcon, we are a country of 70,000 only but with 18 Ministers. Are they all blind and deaf?And obviously the P.M. can not be here all the time when he spend at least half his time on expensive trips overseas. Be real man. It is the government of the day, the people you all voted for that are supposed to run this country, not the opposition but still don’t forget that Joshua was on the scene in Silver Lake before the P.M. after all.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 3, 2017

      Mercy…mercy you. You are looking for excuses. This job I government is about management and this has been and continues to be a one show. What in earth do you mean what has the Parl Rep Francis done.
      Read the article again in details and see the weaknesses are in government and who is responsible for it.
      Do you know of aby socio- economic development plan this corrupt government has for Dominica.? Tell us, show us and be explicit.
      The article is true that Skerrit only ran to Silver Lake to make friends and buy these poor people loyalty to him. It is a political scam. This man is dangerous.

      • The Truth Be Told
        January 3, 2017

        Let me also inform you, although the name, Silver Lake is beautiful, this is why it is what it is today.
        I recall reading on DNO about Silver Lake. Due to the crimes which take place there, no one has a good word to say about that place. This has nothing to do with the Prime Minister and against him.
        This is what Silver lake became as it is today because of what they turned it into and they blame the government; not themselves. Some people are unfair.

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 3, 2017

      You are so correct. The majority of us in Canada, if not all of us never heard of Silver Lake until there were arrests for drugs and other disobedience. I did not know it was situated near where Our Lady of Fatima’ s statue was located. When I resided in D/ca we would go there, on pilgrimages.
      This reminds me, when I was young, Mrs. Waddy Astaphan was very sick. A pilgrimage was arranged to go to Our Lady’s Shrine. Some of us including the store staff went there to pray on her behalf. She eventually recovered. I do not know who will remember that.
      Let me further inform you. As a Catholic Christian and a devotee of Our Lady, She and Her Blessed Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ have shielded and protected me in this Canadian country. I like to say, so far so good. :) Much more could be stated about that.
      Those who turn their backs on Her, the Mother of Our Lord, do harm to themselves, their family and their country. One day they will see what I stated.

    • viewsexpressed
      September 25, 2017

      It has nothing to do with That Inept Pm being at every place….get the bigger picture. This PM you refer to is one of hand-outs and talk, talk cheap wave to poor people. Yo9u people are so blind, it is disheartening and disgusting to read what you all wrote. Silver Lake is dirty and the people at the doorsteps o the government building aree badly off. shame on Skerrit Shame on the corrupt Labour government.

  7. anon
    January 3, 2017

    since hurricane david you say ….well who is to blame nuh

    • @anon January 3, 2017

      I agree with your question. These small children who posting all this childishness here, do not even that in 1979, PM Skerrit was on 7 years old, he has only been in office for the past 16 years. Why is it that he is to blame for our set back in Dominica; while he is busy trying to alter this set back.

      I don’t live in Dominica right now, but my plan is to return home to spend long periods of time there. But I have to say that, if Dominica was the same as it was for the first 21 years that I lived there, I would never desire to return.

      As I have said before; I have been living in Toronto Canada for the past 42 years; I can choose to die there but I have chosen to give up Life in Toronto to live in my homeland, Dominica–these fallible set of people who are continuously speaking poverty in Dominica–even blaming it a young Prime Minister, like PM Skerrit; they do not know the value of Life.

      • viewsexpressed
        January 5, 2017

        My friend the truth to be told now is that, you started your argument very well, I was into it, we done, however you killed the spirit of your argument at the end blaming the poor and deprived people of Silver Lake. A government is in place to implement good quality strategic direction to its people. This corrupt government has failed because they are not strategic, and apply fast feed , begging bowl type of development taking the poor people hungry for advantage. It is a disgrace the poverty and deprivation of Silver lake and the government has to be blamed. We the government workers into community and welfare work know how it is to be done but we are by-passed and this government just walks in with no plan and offer fast food handout which leaves the people still hungry and obese. With that abuse the people will do anything for survival and fed the children and families and that is when drugs and alcohol comes.
        Please en your eyes ad do your research first before you contribute.

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 3, 2017

      They were given a good place but they did not take care of it. They should blame no one but themselves.
      People create squalor; not the government. People must take pride in the area they reside and keep it clean. They must also assist their country. It is not always the other way around as the government must consistently help them. Why are they born in a country, in D/ca? Why are they born at all if not to also help their society and to be fruitful?

    • Tjebe fort
      January 4, 2017

      Listen, hurricane David 29 August 1979. O.J. Seraphin’s interim government was in power then and search me but to this day I do not know what that man stood for, socialist, revolutionary, capitalist, left wing, right wing, no wing at all, is anybody’s guess but I do know that he was good for himself.

  8. Anonymous
    January 3, 2017

    You can call it what you like. You can call a Hon. pig , it is still pig and Silver lake is still fly city, even worse today.

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 3, 2017

      It could be turned once more into a beautiful place. It depends on those who reside there. Pray for this to happen and also the residents.
      You know what Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “For human, everything is impossible. For God, nothing is impossible.”

  9. Dave brown
    January 3, 2017

    Great info tell to freedom patty who live there to die

    • Viewsexpressed
      January 3, 2017

      Thats not true. DFP did their best. Silver Lake deteriorated ince Skerrit toom over. Under Pierre Charles it was safe and ok. This corrupt Labour Party spent time promoting the little immature Skerrit and he ran with it wuth his bogus Red clinic where he took poor people for granted and tyrned them into beggars.
      Skerrit and Labour have failed Dominica.
      He has to be kicked out.
      This article is very true and touching but sad.

  10. Dafney
    January 3, 2017

    That have to be a letter written by G.W. Dhe is a hater, she hates the DLP!!! At least he showed interest. Is not ONLY silver lake people who needs assistance. This place is a drug community, how could they be poor??? Sakway what i dont know of a woman saying she dere for the ppl of silver lake!!

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 3, 2017

      She should put her money where her mouth is and help them.

    • viewsexpressed
      January 5, 2017

      This is the real denial, immature mentality of a DLP engaged in illiterate and ignorant politics. Passing the bug and the buck as the evidence of Bobol, corruption stares in the face of all of us. Rather than defend Dominica and promotes accountability, they promote and attempt to defend an inept PM in office running a DLP corrupt government.

  11. Run
    January 3, 2017

    Very good commentary, so true. Labourites keep the comments coming.

  12. viewsexpressed
    January 2, 2017

    It is time professionals stand up and protest this abuse inflicted on the poor people of Silver Lake, Roseau, castle Bruce, Good Hope, Carib Territory, Wesley, Woodfordhill, Marigot, Gutter Village, Stock Farm, etc, etc.
    The house on the hill in Vielle Case is well taken care of, furnished and well decorated as some of us are unable to fly New York to make our babies. They live in prestigious city and as the author of this commentary rightly said, Supremo have in squalor and poverty and now wifey want to poison us her guilt and offer us fast food to kill our bodes, into obesity. Skerrit and his corrupt Labour Government must go and please take this Astaphan with you, please.

  13. The Truth Be Told
    January 2, 2017

    As I have stated, comments will depict whose political side people are on and support.
    All the people cannot be fooled by your comment.
    If they had kept the name “Fatima”, Our Lady of Fatima, their neighborhood would have been a better one. They turned from God, even abandoned the Catholic Church, believe false indoctrinators and now they blame the government?
    The Prime Minister is not responsible for their sinfulness and adoption of same. You blame him for that too, the devil and his followers? Come on! Get with it! When people turn from God, that is what they get. Nothing! It has absolutely nothing to do with the PM. Stop blaming him for their irresponsible sinful ways.
    God is not blind, deaf nor sleeping. Are their not drug dealers and traffickers in that area and other non-law abiding people?
    A typical example which we all read, the firefighters tried to put out the fire and see what some of them did.
    Know that, cleanliness is next to godliness.

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 2, 2017

      “there”
      Every society has all types of people, the clean and the unclean. Note the attire of some. People do not have to look poor because they are poor. D/ca has soap and water, enough to make them look clean and well-groomed.
      If we possess pride, wherever we reside, it is our obligation to ensure that it is clean. If it is not taken care of, those who care will do their utmost to do something about it. It is not always dependent on the government. The residents must take charge of their environment and its cleanliness.
      Would those who care reside in such an environment and without doing something about it? It appears that there is a type of people who do not mind residing in squalor. They are the non-caring ones.. These also turn around and blame the government.
      Sit back, live a life of leisure, do nothing for your environment and blame the government. You think it is not up to you but solely the government? One day you will find out and pay for it.

    • viewsexpressed
      February 20, 2017

      The Prime Minister is surely responsible for this sinfulness and adoption of neglect on this poor people. We blame him for that too and everything else he has done to hurt this country. You are in denial and blind as the devil and his followers? Come on! Get with it! …open your eyes. look at Roseau, look at the state of Dominica. get off your back yard and like some of us, go visit the poor villages. You do not have to go far, go to Silver lake, Fond Cole etc.. …and stop your dam blind loyalty

  14. Dominique
    January 2, 2017

    Th Catholic nuns did a lot for Dominica especially amongst the poor, in education, the riverside apartments, the Credit Union amongst many others WE MUST NEVER FORGET their contribution to Dominica.

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 3, 2017

      I second that; wholeheartedly endorse your comment. Think of the Convent High School, The Convent Primary School, Mother Borga and the St. Mary’s Academy in those days.
      It was/is woe to Dominica when a certain PM did not want them and also the Christian Brothers of Ireland and the Redemptorist Fathers. In this respect, I can inform you, D/ca is not better today than it was when they were in Dominica and also taught in those schools.

  15. %
    January 2, 2017

    Well Silver Lake is not the only community abandoned by this evil DLP regime!.Look at the state of Roseau,the capital City!!!I am still in great awe,shocked and flabbergasted that this DLP is getting people from Roseau to vote for them….Broken sidewarks,craters in the road,stagnant water in drains,dogs faeces,etc,etc,etc,..Is our passport money cursed?Must be!!..Then look at Salisbury,Marigot,Wesley,Roseau North and South,ALL are abandoned,because the INTELLIGENT people of these communities refuse to call an evil man GOD almighty..Under DLP the retrogression is pronounced for even the blind to gsee,but again the holy book has taught us WHERE THE WICKED RULE,THE PEOPLE MOURN!!!
    I DETEST THIS DLP GANG!

    • Ideal
      January 2, 2017

      This is one of the best and true comment I have seen on DNO. I 100% agree. Roseau is a nasty place and don’t expect it to get better until the people vote for labour. This is the most wicked government I have seen in Dominica. There was always opposition to each ruling party but they never turned their back on these places. Everywhere was treated equally , What has become of Dominica?. This is a one man state and the rest of the ministers are just puppets. Do any of them have a mind of their own?. We have to pray that something good will happen soon in Dominica. We have to open our eyes to what is happening. The rest of the Caribbean and the world must be thinking that we are uneducated or stupid to endure this treatment.. wake up Dominicans, take the blinders off your eyes. This is democracy not communism.

      • Anonymous
        January 4, 2017

        Roseau is a dump, the pits. The state palace stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the place. Vain leaders never learn.

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