A call by the chairman of the Dominica Association of Local Community Authorities (DALCA), Yolande Jno Jules, for the La Plaine Village Council to allow councillor-elect Jason Fontaine to take his oath, has taken on greater urgency.
The appeal by Jno Jules apparently fell on deaf ears as Dominica News Online (DNO) has learned that the second attempt, in as many months, to get Fontaine sworn-in as a duly-elected member of the Council, has also failed.
The call from Jno Jules came just hours before the Council’s scheduled 2:30pm meeting on Thursday -the second in two months -in an attempt to resolve the matter.
On December 13, 2018 two members of the La Plaine Village Council walked out of a statutory council meeting preventing Fontaine from being sworn in.
This was the first statutory meeting of the council since the October 1, 2018 by-election which Fontaine won. The departure of the two members left the council without a quorum resulting in Fontaine being unable to take his oath as a councilor as is required by law.
He has been at loggerheads with members of the council.
“I am appealing to the council to allow him to take his oath and then deal with him on the bench at a council’s statutory meeting,” Jno Jules said.
According to him, attention must be placed on the implementation of the Local Government Reform which is long outstanding in Dominica in order to get some councillors and councils under control.
“For instance, the situation in the East presently, people are walking out when a meeting is called for one councilor to take his oath,” he remarked. “The only thing that can help solve that problem is the implementation of the local government reform which will take care of anybody who will be contesting or who is intending to contest a village council elections.”
Jno Jules continued, “In my opinion I would like the councilor – I have nothing personal against anybody, but I think the council should meet and they should sit together and allow him to take his oath, because there is nothing in the local government by-law preventing anybody, excepting if you cannot read or write, if you are bankrupt or if you cannot speak English…”
He went on to say that, “there is nothing preventing anybody that commits an offense, who spend time in prison, have been charged, there is nothing blocking them from running for an election.”
Jno Jules said a person can come from prison today and contest village council elections tomorrow.
“If the villagers vote for him he must take his oath,” he remarked.
He indicated that apart from that, the only solution is to dissolve the whole council, “and he [Jason Fontaine] may jolly well contest again and win.”
People’ comments will tell you where their mind is at… the same one’s who are commenting negatively about party politics and the prime minister, which has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with this article, the topic or local councils don’t realize that they themselves are doing the very same thing they are accusing the village council of. The people that live in the village and know the council member all his life don’t want him on the council BECAUSE it affects THEM not YOU! this isn’t national politics its a local council members. so stay out of it! plain and simple.
DNO, is Jno Jules a man ? This poster picture is caption by the first sentence containing the name ‘Yolande’ . Names which end in “e” can belong to any gender.
Relax little man, it could be Yolanda, what then? A rose is a rose and a turd is a turd by any name. Concentrate on the message.
Since this Labor Party came into office it has ushered in a new and dangerous politics of personal destruction in the country and has continued to practice dividing the people hoping to have the upper hand. Well, there is no place for this as it will not lead the country to a place of harmony and unity of purpose, which is a better life for all irrespective of race, creed, religion or political persuasion. The people of LaPlain on two occasions in elections which were free and fair elected Jason so why are the counselors frustrating the process? The question is who stands to benefit from this nonsense? By calling for reform to the laws now these reforms cannot be applied retroactively so this has nothing to do with the current situation. Remember that Judge Mathis who we see on TV was imprisoned, so imprisonment doesn’t prevent one from becoming an asset to society. Labour party should be ashamed of its actions
So if a local election is free and fair, and we can assume its a test run of the real thing (general election), why UWP crying about electoral reform. Are elections only free and fair when your party/ people win? Smfh.
Ti Garcon, there is a saying that only as… assume. Now I’m not joining you in assuming that the La Plaine council election is a dry run for the general elections due shortly, you are on your own here pal. Make all the assumptions you want but the reports of the esteemed Caricom election observation mission is clear and written in English. It clearly states that the last two general elections in Dominica were free but not fair. You can wear your red colored glasses as much as you want but these reports will be there for eternity and so when concerned citizens call for electoral reform they have the reports of honest and educated people on their side. You are free to continue in your world of assuming.
Village council is not a party election. You do not live in Laplaine nor understand why they are protesting Fontaine being a member. this has NOTHING to do with Labour. your obsession with politics is your business.
Some of US must LEARN to DO unto OTHERS as WE would like them to do unto US because there are MANY WAYS TO SKIN A CAT. That’s what happening to THAT COUNCILOR.
I agree with Mr. John Jules. The people voted the man in spite of his record. Let him take his oath and then let the people take anything that comes after. Based on his pattern of behaviour it may not be long in coming.
Con men rarely change their spots and the worst thing is that he is without shame or embarassment no matter how many of his scams are exposed. Just a matter of time, therefore.
If there are people willing to accept him with his glaring misdemeanours and condemn other people on the basis of conjecture and allegations, so be it! From what I can see wrong is only wrong when certain people are “accused” of it not even “done” it.
Other people can transgress with all the evidence in clear view and do it with impunity. One day the most righteous of all judges will indeed judge! In the meantime, wait on Him!
Well Barbara, we also elected Roosevelt Skerrit but got conned big time. At least Jason admits he did wrong and not hiding it and pretending he is Gods messenger. What you see is what you get but but that is not the case with Skerrit. Yes I got conned too and voted that smooth talker but not again trust me.
So Yoland (Yolande) Jno Jules is a man (white chicks movie). But is the picture poster that above that of Mr Jno Jules ?
DNO allu should post a background on Jason Fontaine, allu already have all the info on him already. Becuz people need to know what type of ex con his is, and when he had got arrested you guys did an article. His been trying to do more since then, but I’ll not post no unverified info for allu not to post my comment.
ADMIN: This is public information that happened years ago and is still on the site for anyone interested. You can search by entering his name: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/crime-court-law/la-plaine-man-jailed-for-fraud/
guys like fontaine should never be allowed to hold office. That law should be ammended to prevent such. UWP supporters acting like fontine take jail for drunk driving or not paying a debt- Fountaine is a con man and was charged with a felony! Here is a man, one of the few ever to be charged for corruption in Dca, and UWP supporters want him like he is a saint. Even LL distance himself from fontaine’s corrupt ways post his release, but UWP supporters acting like leopards can change thier spots. What moral high ground can you guys hold when allu supporting someone like that. Get the man some mental help! Allu want to put snakes in a foul cage.
DNO , Is there any justification why you are not posting my comment?
ADMIN: Your previous comment contained unverified hearsay. If the people making these claims are willing to release a statement or do an interview we may able to publish that.
We need to get rid of these “RECALCITRANCE” in our country this DLP administration since this puppet fake double (Dr) PhD took over the reign of power we have seen the dismantling of all institutions including Local government; how could two nominated (stooges) members retard the progress of an entire Village Council; Mr Chairman DALCA you did not go far enough to address the changes to the Local Government reform; example when the PM or other ministers of government are being sworn in you do not need all these parliamentarians present. The silence of the Commissioner is most appalling and when those who hold public office feel that they are not accountable to the citizenry, then we are witnessing the making of a Failed State and “woe unto those who do not pay heed” and remember “when the rain falls it doh fall pon one man roof”
Good morning.
Jno Jules said a person can come from prison today and contest village council elections tomorrow.
“If the villagers vote for him he must take his oath,” he remarked.
He indicated that apart from that, the only solution is to dissolve the whole council, “and he [Jason Fontaine] may jolly well contest again and win.”
Mr. Jno Jules, are you saying the only way to deal with this is to dissolve the whole council, if only two members are not doing what the people who they are supposed to be representing, voted them to do?
What about getting rid of those two for not doing their jobs sir?
This whole world is going mad, because of people who hold and espouse these views like yours. The man has already contested and won. So that means anyone who the people vote for, if one more of the present council do not like them, they can do this to that person. You better wake up and DO YOUR JOB. You can be gotten rid of two , SIR!
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Border My statement was not meant for you or any other person to take and make political mileage, What Does PM Skerrit have to do with a disagreement at the Laplaine council. My statement is straight the man was expelled from the council and re-contested the byelection and worn so it is right and lawful for him to take his oath and deal with the problem they have with him at a meeting it could be the same meeting where he took the oath. I don’t want any body to think that I am on Jason’s side when it comes to local govt. I don’t take sides o have been in village council for 46 years thus year and my statement is for the local govt. reform to be implemented in other for all these problems to solve so don’t make any political milage with my statement. Because i am sure if the local govt. reform was approved and operational Jason Fountain could not be a councillor he would not be allowed to be on a balot paper because of his past records. so don’t miss cote me.
If you are really Yoland I can not believe that you would hold a village councillor to a higher standard than a parliamentary candidate and the qualifying/disqualifying conditions are very clear in our constitution. I am not a fan of Jason, neither personally nor politicall but the man qualifies. He has a clean slate and moral judgement does not come into it. If it did the majority of us would have to say mea culpa.
Past Records???????? Let him who is without sin cast the first stone and I know jolly well Mr Jno Jules that you know that scripture.
Excuse me sir your partisan political views are well known and thus your comments are not surprising to say the least however in your delusional mind you missed the big picture the solution to the problem is get rid of the cancer and that is “DLP administration involvement in Local government” stay out; which i hope is part of your recommended “REFORM”.
Mr. Jno. Jules is a smart man that knows these obstructors and whoever guides them are not clever at all. They create a negative image of the DLP, and not only in La Plaine. They are short sighted and not really helping their party.
“I am appealing to the council to allow him to take his oath and then deal with him on the bench at a council’s statutory meeting,” Jno Jules said.
This comment “I am appealing to the council to allow him to take his oath and then deal with him on the bench at a council’s statutory meeting,” has several possible interpretations and implications.
To me it sounds very sinister and threatening. Jno Jules needs to explain what he meant in detail.
Laplaine people I hope you see that they don’t care about the choice that YOU all made to elect Mr. Fontaine. Clearly they’re representing themselves and their motives rather than the people who put them there. Those blocking the man from taking his oath should be relieved from their duties forthwith.
According to Skerrit if Dominica was a real country those blocking Fontaine and trying to use his past against him, they too would have been arrested and jailed longtime. They have done far worse than what Fontaine did and was jailed for. Is just that Dominica is a place with no law no constitution, for a select few. So some will be arrested for saying it’s wrong to hide criminals like Monfared, while those that steal, abuse children and commit other crimes are like heroes.
The gentleman paid for his indiscretions. Some very prominent world icons have been jailed. Great men like Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Marcus Garvey, Dr. Martin King Jr. Those who have amend their ways should be given a second chance. If a forensic audit were to be conducted by a reputable financial institution on the present government’s procurement practices, CBI finances and other financial transactions of the government, many government officials will find themselves behind bars. That’s the main reason these men of ill repute focus single-mindedly on remaining in power at all cost. They are mortally afraid of sunshine in government. Sunlight is the best disinfectant for corruption in public office.
You package your rhetoric in gilded misinformation; or are you incapable of understanding that Mandela, Garvey, King, committed no crime, neither did Malcolm aspire to political ambition. Jason Fontaine is a known criminal and his election is a sad indication of the paucity of leadership in the La Plaine Community.
Malcolm X was a drug dealer, bank robber and turned his life around while in prison. People can and do change their lifestyles from convicted villains to law abiding, productive citizens. Perfect example – Malcolm X.
I’ll suggest that you read Malcolm X’s autobiography. I’ve done so and that’s the reason for my argument. He even stated that if he can change almost anyone else can do it. Just paraphrasing. Go figure.
What a disservice to the memory of Malcom X, Nelson mandela, Marcus Garvey and Dr. Martin Luther King!
What a gaffe by a supposedly intelligent person. At least an intelligent sounding person.
Sometimes it is better to keep silent when we cannot reasonably and credibly defend a person.
Lizzy, your punches at me are so light that they can’t even hurt a mosquito. No, I repeat, No honest, fair minded, God-fearing person can support what’s happening to Jason Fontaine. This is precisely what is destroying Dominica, politics of expediency, victimization, divisiveness and denial. Under Sherrie and the DLP’s stewardship, wrongdoings are upheld and truth frowned on. These two words bet describe the present maladministration – KAKISTOCRATIC and KLEPTOCRATIC.
Isn’t it about time those who are causing this problem are named…and interviewed as to why they are behaving as they are? Maybe those in La Plaine know who’s causing trouble here, but the rest of us don’t.
I bet you, if Jason Fountain goes up for parlrep in Laplaine he will win against that so called minister..Marion Barry long time mayor of WASHINTON D.C..was caught smoking crack by the Feds and went up for reelection and won..
The PM is your good boy so tell him to tell Petter to let his boys & girls to stop that …. and progress will move in the Laplaine area,
John Jay… who you think is behind this? Petter and his boys… and girls for that matter.
Great words mr.jnojules…i like your honesty about this situation
There is no need for Councillor Elect Jason Fontaine to take his office of office at a statutory meeting of the council. He can do so in the presence of a Justice of the Peace, the La Plaine Village Council Clerk and the Local Government Commissioner or his representative…
All this delay tactics is clearly political and only helps to destroy the importance of Local Government
As a Vielle case man myself I must say that I am shocked by Yolande aka Swallow statement. After all Swallow knows very well that Skerrit is the one behind the blockage of Fontaine. Yes two couselors may have walked out but we should all know who planned it, though those counselors execcuted the plan. Swallow, who is the mouth of Skerrit, who succeeded Skerrit step mother as chairman of the Vielle case counsel and is a well known supporter and defender of all the Evils of Skerrit, is now trying to pretend he against what is happening in the East. Boy knowing Swallow as well as I know him I take everything he said with a grain of salt because there is no difference between Swallow and Saverin.
As a Vieille Case man I now how to spell my town’s name. And the thing about the people of that area is that, “dogs do not eat their own collar”. (if you are from that area you know the patois translation). You do not hate your own.
So you smell of envy, an opposition force traitor attacking the family of the PM for an issue that belong to the local government arena. You are just a other coward posting under a fake name. Go figure.
Don’t go above yourself bro. Vieille Case is a village, not a town. They have a village Council, not a town Council.Ask teacher Gloria, she will tell you. Dogs don’t eat their own collar you say? Well it also have another saying that those closest to the fire get the most heat. Unfortunately, if you are too close you also get bunt first.
The thing that upsets me is that is not even ppl laplaine ppl vote for that not showing up or walking out. Is those fools that get a free pass from the government to be on the counsel that doing them …… Olu don’t want to serve , get out. Let who that want to serve, who the ppl elected to serve get sworn in and serve their ppl
Oh so it okay for the opposition to walk out of Parliament but the counselors cannot walk out? Stupes. He would never get to take oath…
Good observation here, from you, the person who is named stupes
The opposition walks out if parliament when their efforts to represent the people who elected them and who they represent after being sworn in are frustrated by the government side aided and abetted by the speaker of the house of assembly. Note that it’s after they have been sworn in. Those who are walking out in the case of La Plain council have themselves been sworn in so what is the reason why they walk out? Is it because they can or is there some other issue then they should inform the people of La Plaine and Dominica and stop acting like two-year-olds.
It is skerite again and his dirty dictatorship he wants to create in Dominica. .. This man is a sick man he and his ministers and the dirty set he place everywhrr . All u must comout in power and when you all leave office you all will face dire consequences! Doe worry …
Preventing a duly elected council member from being rightfully and lawfully seated is outrageously egregious. The rule of law in Dominica is fraught with political insanity. The current regime is the face of corruption and lawlessness. The fertilizer and garbage bins scandals, the hiding of an international fugitive, public procurements gone awry are just a few of the anomalies plaguing the country. The parasitic supporters of the ruling autocracy feel that there is no price to pay for illicitly upending legal norms. Seat the man, his victory was unblemished.
I think if your peers think that you are worthy to serve, let it be. Be it from prison or from a war. More sinister is the ability of government placing someone to serve a people who the majority reject during the elections.
Let the people select their representatives.
This is just a whole load of nonsense coming from the councilors who have been walking out.. These so called councilors lack wisdom and maturity.. This kind of warmongering is like a come thread in councils these days. What example are they setting for the younger generation. No wonder such communities are totally messed up n cant rise… How do they expect to develop their community with such a mindset… Why Alll that fight down when the brother was elected… The local government should just send those hopeless councilors packing. You guys are not showing maturity n leadership. Imagine being so disrespectful by having officials from Roseau come laplaine twice for this nonsense. The councilors need to apologise. Stand your grounds Mr Fountaine, right now they making you a hero.. You are a real east man, a wise man
Well it’s another example where dirty politics has permeated to the core of our institutions.It was never so before 2004.Stand strong Jason!!
S M G
S M G
L S M G N
Dominica has to burn,the evil forces that is running the country.Evil will never win,this man served his time and has never shy away from his mistakes,the biggest losers are the Labour Party Regime,God will take back his once beloved country.