COMMENTARY: Reminiscing

Eunica Anthony-Victor

When we arrived, the place was loaded with guavas, banana trees and mangoes and just a handful of offices. We made the entire area our playground, we would sit on the benches next to the students, get invited for lunch by the professors or just walk to the river for a refreshing bath. My dad would let us roam the campus while he carried students back and forth.  Did I mention that my dad started working with them at castaways and later he continued at Picard? Then the fence came up, I was growing up a little anyways so collecting mangoes and running around was no longer a thrill, we understood that the place was out of bounds.

When we started construction in the area…yes I say we because I was there, lol I remember clearly complaining that I wanted to stay in Moore Park by my grandmother but my parents had a way of not hearing me.   Everybody had to go down to Picard on Saturdays to do something, full stop!  We were one of the first to start construction we met, Mr. Blanc, Mr. Fluerin, Pat Corbet, Milton & Irene then later Bubbles and Pastor Meryl built on the other side. The Mc Lawrences … and then a little later everybody else. We now did not have time to learn the names of students because the semesters rolled into each other so quickly and all that time I was busy on weekends mopping and cleaning apartments, it appeared that the school grew as I did, I recall cleaning and praying that one day I myself would have some big books to read.  One day I picked up so much dog shit from an apartment tears came from my eyes, but it had to be done.   There were endless good times, like when we would have those beach parties at coconut beach, when we had a crowded semester, those little karaoke bars, the rivers, nightclub and all that guava! lol.

Sad to see the end of an era, sorry for the turmoil that is left, hurting for my people but I cannot honestly state that I am surprised.  Numb, saddened but not surprised. We noticed our weakened government position from the day they agreed to give them permission to do housing in a market that was saturated with houses…and little things, like a time after I came home from university and I caught a new student filming the brown water from our pipes after a rainfall, he jumped when he saw me in the doorway and asked, “is it always like that?” or the fact that we had to pay solid waste to collect our garbage and then pay a private vehicle to pick up that very same garbage.  In some situations, garbage would stay on the roadside for weeks and weeks with no known time of pickup! Before going to study I witnessed a few rodents and by the time I moved back home, some hug rats would greet me on the streets!   The place was just not made a priority.  You know how many students have fallen down in the pot holes at night?  Were the landlords supposed to pay the taxes and then do the government’s job?

Then Barclays (first Caribbean) closed, then KFC and rituals opened and closed, then Whitchurch came and struggled (received bail out from our government) …little things I say and we observed the school had plateaued.  And we looked at construction plans and shelved them.  We planted bananas and dasheen on the lots and waited because no one would listen.  Instead we were called all manner of names.  No new investments, no new innovative ideas, 18 years of hemorrhage.

Let me explain….

  1. Aerial tram-closed- 60 plus people out of work, they said don’t worry.

 

  1. DCP (Colgate Palmolive) closed, they said don’t worry- a democratic government interested in reviving a company would first set up a board, do an enquiry, make a determination on the best way forward, get the board with equipped, qualified professionals to run the company and create shares for our coconut farmers. Not just throw money at one man tell him fix the factory and not give any explanation to your citizens as to how the factory will run. This is not rocket science it has been done before!

 

  1. Black sigatoka- the disease was also found in St. Lucia and latin America. St. Lucia with our exact climate, like and manner was able to combat the disease whilst our crops wilted and died. Could not someone make a telephone call and ask our Lucian brothers what they were doing?  What is the use of OECS and CARICOM if we can’t rely on them for at least technical assistance.

 

  1. We are now left with the Citizen by investment program. I will not exhaust myself by listing here the criminals that have found themselves with our passport.  At the last count I got ten of them.  All this is reproduced in media, find them and read about it….so much we take for granted.  Look at your neighbor St. Kitts see what they are doing with their passport millions, then look at your own island. Please just look.

 

  1. A coffee factory was built in One Mile> The machines were brought in, and even the coffee was delivered. At this point I can only conclude that the government was lazy and lacking self-will to put on the grinding machine.  My hands are up in the air about this one.

 

  1. The abattoir is not a new invention. There are several ‘how to do’ manuals, several qualified persons in that field. As a matter of fact, neighboring islands have abattoirs that could be copied, but NO, we had to mess up this one. I say laziness and lack of will!

 

  1. The Kubuli factory- did they even take them on?

 

  1. I will not list the countless small businessse that have shut down or that our Government’s only way of appeasing people is shoving money towards them in the guise of assisting them with small businesses. What kind of responsible prudent government throws money at people to create small business with no checks and balances, no teaching of accountability, no review of accounts, just give it to them to open a shop and tell them start, knowing fully well they don’t have the capacity. The skill for supervision of small business is right here in our banks, credit union, the NDFD. I suppose supervising would take a little will. Somebody would have to get up and actually work so it did not happen.  If someone comes to you with a plan that requires $15 000.00 what is the point of giving them 5000 and turning your back?

 

  1. Bridges and roadways…should I expound on this? I mean you know of the 18 million dollar bridge in Roseau while most of the bridges in the north remained without railings right? You know of our roads in and around Picard?

 

  1. Hospital…Hospital…Hospital…even when Ross together with the rotary club fixed the accident and emergency section at the Portsmouth Hospital they did not see it as a cue. 18 years now, the PMH is being repaired, should I say more on this?  What a waste! Colossal failure

 

  1. I mean you would vote with Venezuela against those people all the time! Little things I say, little things!

 

  1. I don’t hate this government. They hate me!

 

So yes, I am saddened but not surprised, my hope is that we learn from this, that we pick up the pieces that we eradicate this party loyalty foolishness from our consciousness.  That we become engaged in our politics and our community.  Charity is important but it cannot be our mechanism for growth. Communism they building in our face!  We cannot allow any government to sit there and be complacent. Fact- the school grew but we did not.

Anyways I promised today I would only reminiscence and be grateful for the benefits of Ross. …..Were you seriously feeling sorry for him with his wet shoes?   Lol you shed a tear didn’t you?  The man would sometimes compare himself with God and Dominicans “a God fearing people” would cheer.  I could go on and on but today I am reminiscing with my parents and siblings on the good run we had at Ross and choosing to say thanks.  We are a fearless bunch and will not give up.

It truly feels like a wake and my heart goes out to all those who have been affected.  But please don’t cry for too long. There is a saying when it rains it pours. Brace yourself and take the pouring, It is difficult but wake up, dust yourself and let’s stop the hemorrhage together. Let’s make the necessary adjustment; change is our only constant.

 

Eunica Anthony-Victor

 

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32 Comments

  1. Well.....
    August 7, 2018

    Good commentary. Forgot Bello though and iconic brand in Dominica

  2. Hurting for DA
    August 7, 2018

    If you are a Politician, Dominica desperately need you. Because the people in charge only wants photo ops with the world and nothing more at least not for the citizens.

  3. RandyX
    August 7, 2018

    Eunica, I applaud you and hope that you run again. Dominica now, more than ever need people with a vision and that are honest. To hell with this corrupt DLP regime!

  4. August 6, 2018

    So sad, but you made the case of a government’s ineptitude. This distinction could not have been more profound. You can certainly relate to an advent and end of an era. What remains to be seen is how your observation is received and whether there is a path moving forward. This old labor train has many dotards on board. Will the the people settle for a faster train for an easier commute. Your Dad should be very proud of you because his investment in you is evidence of what all parents should yearn for for their children. I can see the effulgent look on his face. This is ruminating coming from you as compare to the obfuscation story of the labor party. Well written !

  5. Ferbrese
    August 6, 2018

    Whh are all these articles so politically bias. Up to now we have no idea why ross left.

    • %
      August 6, 2018

      They left because your PM and my PM, Skerrit, is an idiot who does not have a mind of his own,so any educated person can use him like a puppet on a string.
      Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

    • Shaka Zulu
      August 6, 2018

      Tells you how transparent our gov is!!!

    • Hurting for DA
      August 7, 2018

      Well if it was only Ross, then I would understand your point. But she mentioned many other businesses that left due to the ineptitude of the government long before hurricane Maria.

  6. Bringback the parrots
    August 6, 2018

    Very well spoken, Dominica needs new leadership. The current leaders are only in it to enrich themselves they are plundering the treasury, check their overseas bank accounts and get the UN involved to find out where all the money went. Dominicans need to demand full accounting of all the CBI money and all foreign donations after the hurricane Maria. Start with the banks in the Cayman islands and Switzerland to find out if any Dominica leaders have been hiding their ill gotten gains there.

  7. Concern Dominican
    August 6, 2018

    Right on cue… go tell them!

  8. Believe it or not
    August 6, 2018

    Well said. Such a positive article. This couldn’t be better well written. Thombs up girl. My heart goes out to the people of Picard. How are their loans Being paid and how are they going to put food on their tables, pay for children’s college and the list goes on. But I know Dominica is a bless Island. The people of of Portsmouth Worriness kills so don’t worry. God is good. As my Mother use to say where there’s a will there ‘s got to be a way. Come election time you know what to do. Open you eyes Dominicians and see what’s happening to the this Blessed Island with employment and job creation. Skerrit have to give another person a chance to run the country. miss Charles use to say, she would trade any country to put food in her people’s mouth. Can this government say that. Barbados has all that tourist coming to the island. Yet still the prime minister of Barbados accepted Ross. That’s a prime minister who’s working for her people.A government like that Dominica needs.

  9. August 6, 2018

    All these people who spew all this nonsense, put them in power, they cannot do any better. They cannot move any forward. Talk is cheap, my fair lady. Get a life.

    • %
      August 6, 2018

      Dominica cannot get lower than it is now .That’s what an idiot with dimples can do to a country.Kill it!!! Skerrit’s leadership has been disgraceful .
      Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  10. Shaka Zulu
    August 6, 2018

    Excellent Unica!! This is the first article i read on DNO that made me shiver. I could hear you and i know it is personal. It is coming from deep. You express my sentiments exactly and need not add anything. One day our people will put party loyalty aside and open there minds. The worst is yet to come. Eventually the deception catches up.

  11. ben
    August 6, 2018

    Well written commentary , I dont think Ross made an effort to stay after the storm the writting was on the wall and as i said before Ross was GROWING but the island was not. Listining to the press conference from bdos you heard the word WE several times but in DA all u are hearing is I do this I do that. A ONE MAN SHOW

  12. CIA on the watch
    August 6, 2018

    this one is a great piece, one to keep for feature reference

  13. Wesley man
    August 6, 2018

    One cannot add to the this commentary. Well said. Just wish the people could understand your words. Damn shame we are such fools…but democracy can be a terrible thing…keep them happy and uninformed and they will always support you…just like my dog is always happy to see me even after my unexplained departures.

  14. mee weez
    August 6, 2018

    great article my dear

  15. Time brown
    August 6, 2018

    Everything happens for a reason. To late shall be the cry of Barbados when that reason time comes around. This too shall pass. The

    • %
      August 6, 2018

      Bajans look for Bdos.Skerrit looks for Skerrit .
      Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

      • Silver fox
        August 6, 2018

        % You are so dam stupid and a loser you cannot even keep a civilized conversation for 1min.

      • %
        August 6, 2018

        Ross Gone, Skerrit Next
        @Silver fox
        I know Skerrit is your God, but his leadership has been the worst Dominica has seen.He is lazy,stupid,myopic gullible,and all these make for disgraceful governance.
        Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
        This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  16. Vanessa
    August 6, 2018

    Good article. I like the angle, from the begging of Ross, to now, since ur family was one of the first ones to build apartments for students. Well done!

  17. Sisserou
    August 6, 2018

    They also closed the aviary at the gardens. No please – just bring back our parrots..

  18. wayne shaw
    August 6, 2018

    Excellent commentary well done. I really do hope people in certain positions read this commentary and take note. It has been phrased in a very positive way and yet it is clear what the message behind it is. There is a danger investment will dry up, unemployment will go sky high and employers will cease to look at Dominica as a viable option for their Business.
    In my humble opinion the people at the very top should take a long hard look at their strategy and gain some common sense and realise the country is going further backwards every day. It is being destroyed from the inside. Please stop the rot! Thank you

  19. JBaptiste
    August 6, 2018

    Good read Mrs Anthony victor. Hope you will be contesting again.

  20. DLP STRATEGIST
    August 6, 2018

    Madam I applaud you

  21. %
    August 6, 2018

    Ross Gone, Skerrit Next!!!!
    Well written indeed . The sadness which pervades this article forces me to question myself about the gross incompetence of the Skerrit regime.Dominicans must agitate for an early election,because the earlier you dump these bas ………,the quicker the country will heal.Their forte is to divide the people,insult the people and to keep them poor .What a heartless regime.
    Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
    This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  22. Paul Rossnof
    August 6, 2018

    Very well spoken, Madam. The citizens need to wake up now and tell Skerrit: enough is enough. Skerrit and his government NEED to resign and they need to resign right now!

  23. anonymous2
    August 6, 2018

    Right on!. Only one problem……………people.

  24. Unknown
    August 5, 2018

    Well said Eunica, well said

  25. Current
    August 5, 2018

    Well written…revealing…interesting and telling!!

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