No prize after one year: Former Miss Dominica contestant cries foul

DFC Events Director, Val Cuffy

A runner-up in the 2009 Miss Dominica Carnival Queen Pageant has cried foul on the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) for not presenting her with a prize almost a year after the event was held. However, the show’s organizers say they are still working to ensure that the young ladies receive their rewards.

The former contestant told Dominica News Online that she has not received a proper explanation from the DFC regarding the delay in presenting the prize.

“It has almost been a year and the Dominica Festivals Committee has not yet finished giving last year’s queen contestants their prize that had to be awarded to them. The sad thing about it is no one is even calling to give an
explanation,” she said.

She accused the DFC staff of not addressing the situation properly, adding “When the contestants call they are giving the impression that people harassing them.”

According to her, it is time she and her fellow 2009 contestants get what belongs to them. She further questioned how the DFC handles its finances.

However, DFC’s Events Director Val Cuffy responded to the issue at a press conference on Wednesday, reasoning that his organization has to work with limited budgets and is doing its best to solve the matter by the end of the 2010 carnival.

“We are aware of that and we are working to ensure that is done before carnival comes to an end. We have some financial limitations which also inhibits our planning. To do a carnival we need some activity that leads up to it, you need some funding that will help you to ignite the passion,” Cuffy explained.

Cuffy pointed out that he was not the cause of the problem, and added that previous organizers of carnival had encountered similar problems in the past.

“We have lost a lot of monies doing carnival because we’ve had limited budgets to do it, but we are aware of that, we know about it and it’s being discussed at the highest level and it will be taken care of once and for all,” he stated.

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56 Comments

  1. pebbles
    January 11, 2012

    maybe women need to boycott this queen show untill they clean up their act. waiting one years for a prize? take them to court.

  2. BWACARIB
    February 12, 2010

    An the thing about it is poor people they messing around but that good is the same people that run ans support the comess

  3. DEE
    February 7, 2010

    who is to blame…..have to be in it …..to feel it…who inde kitchen feel de heat …who in de toilet smell de sh….. shut you mout

  4. February 7, 2010

    OH MY GOODNESS!!! DOES EVERYTHING IN DA HAS TO BE ABOUT MONEY OR POLITICS?
    WHERE IS THE DOMINICAN SPIRIT?

  5. February 6, 2010

    …wonder wat would happen if the 2010 queen contestants deceide not to compete wat would val say ?

  6. whatever
    February 5, 2010

    Its not the first and its not going to be the last . I know a singer that was in the same predecament.

  7. lovely
    February 5, 2010

    I don’t think that Val is the problem. He is not in control or the boss of DFC. What about the bigger bosses, no one is blaming them. They say what goes.

    Anyway is so we stay in Dominica, always blaming one set of people. Val is someone that is always willing to see that things are put in place but is crippled by the bigger boyz.

    Look at creole festival for example, last year Val had the ideas of good artists to come down, but the bigger boyz had to cut him off, why? oh no not enough money to pay.. Val has good ideas and is really trying, very capable of his job.

    Another aspect, the girls got some of the cash. But hey the bigger boyz crying, not even funds.

    Start casting the blame at others in higher positions.
    Stop blaming Val..he has our interests at heart.

  8. Sahron
    February 4, 2010

    The contestant should say that she received cash already.

  9. sweet d
    February 4, 2010

    get red of val

  10. Sahron
    February 4, 2010

    We must stop blaming Val. We must release that he has supervisors “A board of directors”. He has to follow their instructions. He does not make decisions on his own.

  11. REALITY CHQ
    February 4, 2010

    FRAUD!

  12. legit
    February 4, 2010

    i find carnival is colorless

  13. Observer
    February 4, 2010

    So wait…Creole fest have no profit, Queen show have no profit. Prices for these shows are continuosly rising, the quality is reducing and yet Val and them crying the same set of BS excuses?….It’s past time for a management change. Dominicans should just boycott these shows till we see new management put in place. Val it’s time to step aside. And take a HUGE step to the side too

  14. steve
    February 4, 2010

    What will work for val ? He killed Creole festival and he is killing the carnival.

  15. diasporagirl
    February 4, 2010

    PRETTY EYES KAH FER MWEH WEEEEE!!!!!VAL WILL HV TO GO UP .LOLOLOL.VAL IN SWIM SUIT…WOT A SIGHT…..THAT IS ONE DAY I PAYIN MY TICKET TO COME DOMINICA….LMFAO.MOUN DOMINICHIEN ZOH PAS FEB……WOYE.HAHAHA

  16. diasporagirl
    February 4, 2010

    HMMMMM.THATS A SHAME AND VERY DISCOURAGIN TO THIS YEARS CONTESTANTS.. ITS OBVIOUS THATS THERE IS A LEVEL OF INEFFICIENCY SOME WHERE.I AINT POINTIN FINGERS AT ANYONE…HOWEVER IF I WERE PART OF THE DFC..I WOULD BE ASHAMED….

    IF THERE IS NO MONEY FOR THE SHOW THEN STOP PAINTIN A PREETY PICTURE AS IF ALL IS WELL.SIMPLY STOP THE SHOW.

    ITS VERY UNFAIR WHEN A CONTRACT IS SIGNED AND THE OTHER PARTY HAS NOT MET THE END OF THEIR BARGAIN…AM SURE THE GIRLS CANNOT BACK DOWN FROMT HE COMPETION IF THEY WANT…SO COME ON DFC…..PAY THEM THEIR DUES!!!!!

    IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO PARTICIPATE INT HE COMPETETION..SOME TIMES U HAVE TO RUNT O PRACTICE STRAIGHT FROM WORK WITHOUT EVEN EATIN….TRUST ME I NO HOW IT IS. I HV CHAPERONED GIRLS FOR THE COMPETETION…

    BY THE WAY DFC SHOULD BE MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL AND SAY SOEM THING TO THE CONTESTANTS INSTAED OF IGNORING THEM AND MAKE THEM FEEL WORTHLESSS WHEN THEY CALL TO INQUIRE ABOUTT HEIR PRIZES!

  17. February 4, 2010

    next time those girls that going up should bring their own contracts for DFC to sign. “pay me by march month-end or else…”

  18. NO MONEY
    February 4, 2010

    If the DFC is not funded suffficiently, then they should consider making the shows pay for themselves. Therefore if the Queen show does not support itself, there are three options:

    (1) Increase revenue by charging more or do a better job of promoting it to get more people through the gates

    (2) Reduce the prize money to reflect the revenue they collect

    (3) If the first two options are not viable, then scrap the show.

  19. February 4, 2010

    The DFC should give an account on how the sponsorship finances are spent. They should invest in an efficient Chief Executive who is proactive and successful at Business Management.

  20. contributor
    February 4, 2010

    i personally believe it is unfair for a winner to wait so long to earn their prizes. even the carnival costume bands are experiencing the very same problem, and when calls are made to the DFC office inquiring about payments, people are treated like they are greedy for money and these kind of things. this has been happening for way too long. i hope it will be rectified in the soonest possible time. lots of monies are being injected in the carnival organizing, so i think winners should not have to wait too long.

  21. nonsence
    February 4, 2010

    …his thing is getting out of hand.. its time we put out foot down on them

  22. ripley's believe it or not
    February 4, 2010

    i dont take part in carnival but common sense would tell the present participants that if the ones of last year havent received their dues, what makes them think they will receive theirs this year or next year.

    i believe the young ladies should never have signed up for this contest. its just going to escalate the issue.

    if their is no funds forget about this pageant.

    in a sense i’m glad. no lady can be awarded for advertising their body in public. so i hope next year there wont be any show.

    if i use to partake of these show i would spend all my time at the princess shows. these children are much better than the carnival queens contestants.

    this year princess has put all the former queens and hope those to come to SHAME.

  23. honey-fira
    February 4, 2010

    Well look it..

  24. PrettyEyez
    February 4, 2010

    That’s why next year persons will not want to take part in that show. Lets face it, persons are going up for the benefits and if they receive nothing whatsoever then Val will have to go up. What a sight. Val in bathing suit. Papa met. Anyway Seriously, they need come come better than that before we set dr. Finger .. on him. lol. Val give them girls their gifts. That’s so unfair and u have them signing contract like big a….. chewps.

  25. 2010
    February 4, 2010

    This is pure nonsense! Queen contestants have to sign a contract where they can’t back out of the competition, have to attend functions, and practices, spend their own money on preparing for this show, practically devote their life to the Queen show committee from since October the year before and at the end of it all you cant even get what is rightfully yours? What you worked hard for and earned? Does that seem fair? Well I am sorry Mr Cuffy your reason is a bit too late, and unfounded. A year after you singing that same song song!! haha not us Dominicans you fooling. I hope the ladies this year know what they are going to face. GOOD LUCK

  26. islandgyal
    February 4, 2010

    Val u guys have a budget….shouldnt the contestant prize rewards be included in that????? Its the same thing with Creole festival…never have money…what is being done with the money????

  27. upset
    February 4, 2010

    its time that something is done to address the issue…and is not to say the girls didnt have sponsors or anything like that nuh…wat allu do with that money??? DFC always never have money…where all the money lime and other sponsors giving allu????manage the finances better!!! pay the girls….money allu have there for this yr pay them…i sorry for this yr’s contestants

  28. Del
    February 4, 2010

    It is a fact the the DFC is functioning under some massive sonstraints. When we look at other much smaller countries, the amount of money that is pumped into their non existant carnivals compared to ours is unbelievable. It is high time that the Government sees this as a marketing tool for teh country and start investing significantly in it. I am saddened to see the contestants of 2009 after all their hard work still unpaid….but what about the costume bands and other persons. They have not gotten paid either

  29. spookie
    February 4, 2010

    that’s asahme, give the girl her prize. all of allu have money to do what they hell u want.
    give the girl her prize , shoot

  30. Young Man in Dominica
    February 4, 2010

    Get rid of Val then DFC will see its way plan and simple

  31. Mary
    February 4, 2010

    With Val’s attitude business places will not even donate prizes for the winners. In days gone by winners would get trips dinners ect. Take Val out offfffff there pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

  32. THE TRUTH
    February 4, 2010

    As far as Im concerned, they have too many older folks organising festival. No disrespect to older folks but I think they are just not up to the time. Its time to bring in some fresh and younger people into the game cause it just aint working out.

  33. pageantlover
    February 4, 2010

    I am a lover and organizer of queen pageant out of Dominica. I know what the committee go through but on the other hand the girls should not wait after so long.GIVE gifts that who know you have on hand the same day. DO NOT promise what you do not have and stop taking verbal promises from sponsors, make sure it is written then you will have no problem in the later end. GOOD LUCK for 2010.

  34. HMMMM(1) the psychic
    February 4, 2010

    Why have a committee when there is never enough money? Are you for real or is this just a hoax? In this day and age ….common….no one wants to waste his/her time for free. All fools died years ago. Usually when there is not enough money in the committee ,whoever is incharged digs out from his pocket to pay the dues…so please give the lady what is rightfully hers and stop making excuses.

  35. February 4, 2010

    TO GOD BE THE GLORY

  36. sad situation
    February 3, 2010

    It is indeed a sad situation…..and one which will not get better soon.
    The whole DFC and the festivals which are organised here have to be re thought and new ideas and planning folks identified etc etc.
    Many people are disillusioned by the DFC and the non payment of prize money and as a result staying away from Carnival.For the young lady and others who have not received prize money etc it is not encouraging.

  37. Ron
    February 3, 2010

    … Poor management period! This is ridiculous. I would advise the 2010 contestants to boycott the show because they certainly wont be getting paid this year. The monies raised this year is to pay 2009 contestants. What a circus. ..

  38. sandra
    February 3, 2010

    Its time that Government invest in the Arts. For years now the people at the DFC have to be working with limited subvention from Government. Governments needs to invest heavily in Culture. People are blaming DFC they do not touch money. The Road parade, queen show committee do not touch money nor deals with finances. Government should invest in the arts for God’s sake. I was hoping that Alwin coming in things would change.

  39. tm
    February 3, 2010

    Listen, Dominicans enjoy the sewo year in, year out and complain about the same poblems. When will we ever stand united in opposition of the injustices that are taking place within our Festival Committe? Each year we hear reports of a loss of profits from both the World Creole Music Festival and the Carnival celebrations when there are gold sponsors investing and the government does give what it can. If such losses weer so real then where are they getting the monies from to host the celebrations the following year. It is obvious that this business is not working. So if, and most likely .. continues to report deficits then I don’t see the need to host any of these events bcuz they are not in our interest; they do not generate the expected revenue. It’s high time that we look further into this.

  40. Righteous
    February 3, 2010

    Well listen….If the DFC is saying that it has no money and the Government is not investing in Carnival, then the DFC should stop organising the Queen Show…..Maybe doing that will convince everyone of how important these festivals are to their pockets…..Businesses will suffer at all levels. Government as well as local business should realise the importance of these activities to our culture and customs….and show more support.

    Till then if we cannot pay them contestants…..File for Bankruptcy!

  41. guard dog
    February 3, 2010

    .. is not the first time they doing that . I remember when they gave a queen a car with no licence and insurance and the police took the car from her in the middle of Roseau.

  42. optimist
    February 3, 2010

    lol…The following is my opinion. I don’t think it is right for government to invest tax payers money into such festivals when the country has so many more issues, like infrastructural development their and a refurbished medical system, which need to be focused on. DFC needs to stop depending on government and seek ways to raise funds…when you wait last minute to plan carnival…this is the result. Seems we are oblivious of our next door neighbour, Trinidad, which has turned its carnival into an industry which never stops functioning. Yet with this brilliant example of Trinidad DFC will again wait until the end of 2010 is near to begin preparing for Carnival…just sad…

    “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well!” So I feel if the members of DFC cannot raise the bar for their standards, then this banter which is going on now is of no sense.

    Again, this is an opinion and we should all agree to disagree. But, leave the country’s money being geared to more profitable things. I only propose that Government gives DFC more money when they get their act together…because at this point…giving DFC money is just sending money down the Indian River!!!

  43. February 3, 2010

    .. he is killing all of the festivals in Dominica.HELLO

  44. Reality
    February 3, 2010

    There is way too much parties and activities in Dominica – how does anyone expect sponsorship from the merchants. They do not have a limitless supply of funds for support. Carnival is getting worse and worse. The diaspora is certainly not supporting the event as in the past. Ceole Festival struggling with sponsorship – then Chrsitmas – then carnival right after. I don’t even think changing the date of carnival is going to help. Now they have cricket 1 day test match in May. Digicel have that one covered and no more money to put towards other events. A group of merchants need to take ownership of 1 event per year. Digicel – cricket. Lime – carnival, etc

  45. player
    February 3, 2010

    That’s why when I was approached 10 years ago to participate in the show, I sad noooooooo way.
    THE STANDARD WAS JUST TOO LOW.
    It’s about time that DFC rise up to a higher level.

  46. WARMA
    February 3, 2010

    I do not understand how these people operate. How do you put on a festival without being able to finance and sustain any portion thereof? If an event costs $100,000.00 to put on, how do you go ahead putting on that show without having secured the funding for it? If you cannot finance it, don’t do it – period! I bet they all getting their salaries, because that’s probably what is taken care of first. Carnival, Creole Festival – it’s the same issue over and over again. YET still they do not hesitate to spend enormous amounts of money to pay Jamaican REGGAE artists to perform in a CREOLE music festival. Every single one of these people on the DFC needs to be unemployed. Government may very well be at fault for not funding the festivals adequately, but it is certain that the DFC mismanages what they get.

  47. Same Ole
    February 3, 2010

    CFC needs to stop operating like an adhoc committee. Stop functioning like a seasonal committee. What they need to do is host fund raising events year round in order to help themselves.

    Does anyone carry out any analysis/audit of past events so that they can plan better for the next year,or do they just sit around and wait for the next carnival season? Even though CFC has been hosting carnival for donkey years any event planner will tell you no two events are the same. This is even much more applicable now with the change in the economy.

    It will be to CFC’s and Dominica’s best interest if CFC begins to manage the affairs of CFC like a business whose objective is to sell an EXPERIENCE to not only Dominicans but the international market.

  48. Carnival Lover
    February 3, 2010

    Hmmm this is just to show you guys where our priorities lie. Spending so much money on an election and the government is unable to help with carnival and creole festival activities. Inject the money in areas that will benefit the country instead.

  49. Tammy
    February 3, 2010

    If DFC has no money in 2009/2010 then it has failed. Someone or some body of people have failed us, so there is a strong need for restructoring. If the same ppl are kept running DFC I do hope she (and others) get their promised compensation by 2015.

  50. Sewonice
    February 3, 2010

    Why does Val think this is about him? Just because he heads the committee does not mean it is about him. The entire organization is at fault. The lack of communication to the winners is inexcusable. They were happy when the girls participated in the contest, but turning their backs on them as soon as carnival is over is showing a type of arrogance that is typical of these Dominicans. All they have to do is talk to the girls. Let them know they don’t have all the money or the prizes they originally offered but that they can work with them to find alternative prizes. Anything is better than reneging on a promise. Not very nice. So what are they promising this years’ contestants? Empty promises again? Do these girls know that they may not get their winnings? Integrity and communication goes a long way people.

  51. SM
    February 3, 2010

    evry year ppl crying for prize

  52. Wow, unbelievable!
    February 3, 2010

    What an Ignominy! It’s over a year and the DFC is yet to delieve the contestants winnings? What an emarrassment.

    I strongly suggest that the contestants go after the sponsors and expose them for their shaded dealings. What the deal with the sponsors? They got free advertising, and are to deliver on there promise to the ladies who worked so hard to help put on a show. It is disgraceful and I think the matter should be delt with sooner than later. Get your house in order DFC. Bad mamagement is written all over this. Please do your job or resign!

  53. dominican
    February 3, 2010

    i agree with never have money…. there is always going to be a budget every organization has one…….this excuse by val is pretty lame………the planning is bad.

  54. February 3, 2010

    AM NOT A CARNIVAL FAN, AND FOR ALL I CARE THEY CAN NEVER HAVE CARNIVAL…JUST GIVE ME 2 DAYS WORK FREE…. WASTING MONEY THAT ALL U DOING….FOOLISHNESS ABOUT CULTURE!!! CULTURE IS PASS…U ALL JUST WASTING TIME IN THE PAST. WHAT FOR U ALL TO INVEST IN, AM NOT SEE U ALL INVESTING IT…. U ALL SHOULD GO BANKRUPT….OR GET A NEW PERSON TO REPLACE THE FELLA WITH THE BIG EYES…(I DIDN’T CALL NAME!!))

  55. L
    February 3, 2010

    Government is not seeing it fit to invest money in any festival in Dominica. This i can vouch is certainly not a Val issue.

    DFC has no money…period!

  56. never have money
    February 3, 2010

    when will u ever not have financial restraints? If u ran the thing like a business then maybe you would get somewhere. otherwise try a ponzi scheme…….sorry bad joke.

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