Politics never featured highly on Kent Vital’s to-do list.
But he always had a passionate enthusiasm for Dominica’s development, so he never quite struck it off.
“I have always said . . . if the day arrives that I can contribute something through politics I will make myself available,” Vital said.
This year, the day arrived.
So it was that 50-year-old Vital, a relative newcomer to politics, challenged for the political leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) on August 6, 2017– and won!
Some see his election as pivotal to the revival of the once-powerful DFP ‘green machine’, which fell on hard times after the dissolution of a coalition with the Dominica Labour Party (DLP).
The DFP that dominated local politics from 1980-1995 almost sputtered to a stop and the political arena split into just two colours: the blue of the United Workers Party (UWP) and DLP’s red.
Now, many believe Vital’s ascension to the party’s top spot might spark new energy in DFP supporters and infuse more conviction in their slogan “Freedom is back”.
As far as Vital is concerned, Dominica is no place for tribal politics. He speaks of practising politics free of malice and divisiveness.
His first big challenge is to get his message to resonate beyond the DFP.
Background
An economist by profession, Vital obtained his Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies and his Masters degree in Financial Economics from the University of London.
He has vast experience in economic development projects in the region. This includes being a consultant to Belize, designing and developing a results-framework with a monitoring and evaluation system for a Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy.
Additionally, he led the preparation of a growth and poverty reduction strategy for Belize, and assisted the Turks and Caicos Islands to prepare a long-term vision document and a medium-term development strategy.
As a collaborative consultant in Antigua and Barbuda, Vital assesses the revenue impact on tariff liberalization under the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
He also worked on the appraisal of a technical assistance project in relation to pooling within the shipping sector of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Furthermore, Vital worked as Country Economist for the Caribbean Development Bank and as an economist for the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
Vital had an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Dominica when he served as Executive Director of the Invest Dominica Authority.
He thought he was well placed to do so, having worked at the ECCB as leader of a team that addressed Dominica’s fiscal difficulties and came up with strategies, plans and recommendations to reverse such issues.
“But I always felt that beyond stabilizing the fiscal, beyond stabilizing government finances, Dominica needed to look at growth, how to grow the economy, how to attract investment….”
Vital noted that he chose to cut short his engagement with Invest Dominica because he did not find the atmosphere conducive to genuine national development.
He resigned and returned to the CDB with the intention of returning to help Dominica later– on his own terms.
The economist has the endorsement of two highly regarded Caribbean colleagues — whose sensitive jobs with international agencies made them request anonymity.
One affirmed that Vital has the confidence of the Governments of both Belize and the Turks and Caicos islands.
According to another colleague, while working internationally Vital always kept up with Dominica’s affairs and remained focused on how he could help to move his homeland’s economy forward.
“My serious interest in politics started around that time . . . I felt that we really needed serious thinking, serious thought. We really needed honest people; people of integrity; people who really love the country and weren’t looking for their own interest…people who really wanted to make a difference.
“Having seen that that was needed, I decided that maybe the political arena was the place I needed to serve on my own terms,” Vital said.
In 2010, Vital entered politics formally with the DFP because of its reputation for integrity.
“Through my work as an economist, I have realised that one of the greatest hindrances to development in the Caribbean is governance . . . because we don’t have people of integrity serving in politics.
“So that was a big attraction to me in terms of the Freedom Party: their reputation, their history…and the persons I met there were also persons of integrity,” he added.
“It is very clear to me from what is going on . . . the way our country is run … the stories …people talk to you . . . tell you what they go through…
“When you see that kind of result, there’s no way you can come to a conclusion that the people who run this government are people of integrity…even if you don’t have personal knowledge of them.”
Vital describes himself as a staunch Christian, a claim backed by his brother Sylvester Vital who said their family had a strong Christian grounding. In fact, one of his brothers is a religious leader.
According to Vital, “Part of what makes me is my Christianity. That is what I live by. I carry no malice; I carry no hate; I carry no anger; I carry conviction.
“I am convinced that we as a country can do better. I am convinced that we as a people we can disagree without being angry with each other, without hate, without all these negative things we associated with today’s politics,” Vital said.
Encouraged by the response to his election as DLP leader, Vital said his first few weeks were great because people recognized that the DFP has been speaking about issues without getting personal and without vendettas or hatred.
Party Chairman Johnson Boston said supporters have been calling the DFP to come to their constituencies since they want to play a part in the way forward with Vital at the helm.
Boston stated that in his opinion, Vital has brought a new enthusiasm to the party.
Vital believes there is clear evidence of renewed interest in the DFP.
“If there was inactivity, the tide has now changed,” Vital said, adding that his immediate goal is to harness the interest generated since the DFP’s convention earlier in August.
Vital has the party’s full support, Boston said. Former DFP political leader Michael Astaphan, as well as Dr Sam Christian, who had contested for leadership, both pledged their support.
Further, according to Boston original DFP supporters who had switched to the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) are now willing to get back on board with the new leader.
DFP Treasurer and long standing member of the party, Anette St Hilaire said she is committed to working with Vital and the entire team to move Dominica forward.
“We want the Freedom Party to regain its prominence and Kent has shown the ability to lead the party in that direction…” St Hilaire said.
Vision
Outlining his vision for Dominica, Vital declared that he wants to end tribal politics and foster a new political culture where persons with opposing ideas can contend without malice and hate.
Moreover, he wants to fix broken systems and see measures implemented that would preserve Dominica’s democracy.
He underscored the need to find creative methods of growing the economy and for people of integrity to take the reins of leadership of the island.
“I think some of our great leaders served for our people and not themselves. When you enter politics because you are trying to get ahead for yourself, you are trying to enrich yourself, guess what? You will stand against anyone who wants to get in your way and you will stand in a way that is very ugly…” he declared.
He said that today, it is difficult to determine what’s true and what isn’t.
“We have to get messengers that people can trust,” Vital asserted, adding that people tend to trust persons with good reputations rather than those involved in questionable activities.
“We are going to look for people of integrity, people of honesty…so when they say something to the Dominican people, people will believe, people will trust that.
“That is part of the approach we will use to distinguish ourselves and help people to overcome that great difficulty of determining who is really telling the truth,” Vital maintained.
He wants Dominica to move to a point where residents can have a good life free of poverty and live in good homes in developed neighbourhoods.
He wants a Dominica where the people are gentle and can enjoy fellowship with each other without aggression.
Ideally, young people would be able to get jobs and have wholesome options when it comes to leisure and recreation.
But Vital acknowledged many shortcomings to be addressed, and preserving democracy is high on his priority list.
“Our democracy is being eroded in several ways,” Vital said, pointing to a controversial electoral reform Bill that Government attempted to table in Parliament amidst Opposition protests.
He described it as an attempt to legalise ‘treating’, which is specifically outlawed by current laws.
Vital underscored the need for decisive action to ensure that democracy “works better”.
To Vital, such actions should include setting fixed dates for elections and implementing campaign finance reforms to ensure that voting isn’t based on the amount of money that a party can use in its campaign.
“There is a situation where money rules and the political party with the most money has a huge advantage,” Vital said, adding, “That is especially terrible when that huge advantage comes because they are supported by persons who don’t mean well,” he said.
He also recommended putting campaign finance reforms in place for mandatory disclosure of sources of political campaign funding and putting limits on spending on such campaigns.
In his view, it is imperative that the “checks-and-balances” on institutions such as the Integrity in Public Office Commission work well and fulfill their mandate.
Vital also believes there is an urgent need for appropriate laws to ensure freedom of information in order to guarantee the public’s access to accurate knowledge.
He thinks it’s important to ensure that Government works for the greater good of the nation with the long term in mind, noting that the current political system fosters unhealthy competition with short term goals, mainly to win votes.
“That is how the system is set up . . . it causes people to think: “What strategies do I need to do so that in the next five years I am elected?”” he remarked.
Among his top priorities is to find creative solutions to get agriculture back on a firm footing, and also make Dominica one of the best performing tourism destinations in the Caribbean.
He maintained that exploring renewable energy alternatives is crucial and opined that Dominica’s geothermal programme has not been activated effectively, which might have cost Dominica significantly.
“To the extent that other countries are pursuing other types of renewable energy and surveying their own potential in renewable energy, our opportunities are reducing,” Vital reasoned.
He said Dominica should exploit geothermal energy resources in a way that takes full advantage of economies of large scale production, which would significantly reduce the cost of energy.
“If we have sufficient scale, we can produce at rates that are lower than current cost of production. But that takes producing at a scale that is wide enough. Now, at that scale, you either have to be able to be able to sell that energy to other countries or you have to be able to have industries that use that kind of energy.”
“To the extent that other countries are beginning to pursue other types of renewable energy . . . geothermal energy, our opportunities to sell energy is reduced. So the scale benefits, the scale advantages we would have had if we had exploited it earlier, we would have lost.” he said.
Additionally, he would like the island to connect with skilled persons in the Diaspora to explore how they can provide their services to Dominica from where they are to build the economy.
Vital said that an important part of building the economy is addressing the people’s cultural mindset, which influences their ability to produce goods and services resourcefully and efficiently.
The economist does not have any serious difficulties with the present tax system but said he would be willing to engage the private sector and examine their views and recommendations.
Touching on investment incentives, Vital stated that investment is important to economic growth and concessions should be revisited often and shaped to suit specific needs.
“Where an investor is coming into Dominica and there hasn’t been demonstrated success in that area, you may need to offer a suite of incentives that can make it worth the investor’s while. That is one of the things we will look at as a party,” Vital said.
He is also concerned that the island’s welfare systems are not being properly run.
Commenting that public systems are being subverted or ignored, Vital asserted that Dominica needs to do much more to care for the less fortunate, elderly, children and other vulnerable members of society.
“But we must do it genuinely, not because we want their votes. We have systems that are not well run. We have systems to try to give assistance. Their targeting is not done properly.
“They are not identifying the persons who need it . . . or the persons who need it most, or they are not ensuring that the persons who benefit have the appropriate conditions in place to be able to make a success out of that assistance.
“Our systems are not working. We all hear about the way in which small business assistance is being given, through the village councils and otherwise.”
Another impediment to Dominica’s progress, he said, is the fact that tribal politics is encouraged to the extent that people do not acknowledge when their party does something wrong.
“We have to do everything we can to break that tribalism…to make people understand that what political parties should do is bring ideas to the fore so that people can decide what team and ideas can bring us forward,” he said.
Moreover, Vital lamented that many persons get involved in politics for their own self-interest.
“So the biggest problem we have is people in government and politics who are not people of integrity and will not have an incentive to clean the system. Once the systems are fixed, it becomes more difficult for corrupt people to use it,” he said.
Asked whether the DFP may consider a coalition with the United Workers Party to contest the next General Elections, Vital said this option is not on the table for the party.
He said the DFP believes in its approach and good messages and the party has also been attracting good messengers.
“This is something we don’t want to compromise. We want to keep pursuing our strategy in these three areas because that is being welcomed by the people of Dominica and we think that could lead us to win elections all by ourselves…”
Vital said the party’s position is based on their strategy discussions and their feedback from the people.
The economist-turned-politician said he is a firm believer in the family, which he sees as the building block for society.
For him, raising families with a social conscience and respect for laws and the inclination to be helpful sets the basis for a strong society.
Vital is married and is the father of three daughters.
He grew up on River Street, Roseau in a close-knit family with his six brothers and one sister. His dad was a cobbler in his later years, while his mom was a housewife.
Vital’s two regional colleagues and his brother described him as a scrupulously honest person.
His brother was quick to add that Vital’s honesty and decency will not always win him the right people because many persons are influenced by personal benefits rather than doing the right thing.
“At times when you do the right thing you don’t always get the majority behind you,” he cautioned.
Both of Vital’s well-placed regional colleagues who were contacted by DNO are certain that his professional grounding will serve him well as a political leader.
One remarked that Vital’s strong technical expertise, professional experience and knowledge of challenges confronting regional economies, possible solutions as well as his interest in Dominica, are strong and desirable characteristics for anyone aspiring to leadership of a country.
I read comments about the hair and this is totally Ludicrous. Bro Kent, I know you to be a solid man with a positive attitude and work ethic. Don’t be stopped or turned off by these silly and un-progressive statements about your dread locks. See? The biggest hindrance to Dominica’s development and Dominicans in general is MIND SET. We need a paradigm shift in the way we look at things and in our thinking.
First show me a Man’s religion, then I’ll show you his real direction and vision for the future. He sounds good, but has not yet been tested by political winds…….and the “money bag”………
Kentie, hats off to you, I have a serious suggestion though: join the UWP!
ALL of them left Dominica and now that its on the map they want to come back to lead. Dominican be very careful of what you all are asking for. God know exactly what is in our minds and what we are out to do.
Guy, because you have, or claim to have a degree in economics doesn’t mean you are more capable to do anything different to what Roosevelt is doing now.
Academical degrees does not mean squat doodle!
To you, and those who do not know; be informed economics is simply a social science concerned chiefly with description, and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods, and services. Dominica, at this point and time of our history is not about analyzing what we produce, and distribute, or eat.
What is required in the country is manufacturing industries, which will bring employment to the youths of the country. Talking crap about what you did in Antigua and Barbuda do not make you special, their are Antiguan’s with the same degrees you have; I know some of them!
Thomson Fountain used his economic degree to work within the world Bank, and recently in the setting up of a new government and country in Africa. So, what’s the big deal?
You do not even…
Finally:
You do not even look presentable with your stupid braided hair: which country government would want to sit with you in conference? People like the late Charles Maynard had degrees in economics, he was in Dominica government for years.
He later took over management of J Astaphan & Co, and almost caused the death of the company, had it not been for the huricane, which damaged the business, and the insurance paid off J Astaphan Co would be dead.
There are many with all sorts of degree before you who said they were Dominica’s only hope, to this day they have not solve Dominica’s problem!
This has not been a good week for the UWP maybe that is the reason why I have not read any comment from a certain percentage guy and one who resides in Los Angeles. The leader of the freedom party Mr. Vital is well educated with credentials to prove it while on the other hand the general public has yet to read about the credentials of the leader of the UWP. I wonder what is the reason for that; maybe he does not have any. Mr Vital has amassed a tremendous portfolio and resume. Skerrit may not have such portfolio and or resume but he can attest to the fact that he can play in the game because he too is college educated. The UWP and its supporters were given some bad news about their leader may be in bankruptcy court. That is not good moving forward coupled with the news of Mr. Vital’s credentials and aspirations.
The man in Los Angeles, comment is above yours.
You can talk about credentials as much as you wish, many came before your braided head boy sporting all sorts of economic credentials; however Dominica is worst off than before they came and left; some are in their grave.
You know a degree does not make anybody more capable than the other. A degree simply means the holder is capable of being trained, they stayed in school long enough to earn a degree.
Do you know how many millions of people in Canada, England, all over Europe, and America who have degrees and they sit around without a job? That Vital if that his name should be concern about getting rid of Roosevelt Skerrit, even if it means collaborating with the UWP or any other to rid the country of the corrupted leader, and hope for the best, but his greed has already overwhelmed him.
Labor should go
Well am listening
Nicely written piece on Mr Vital, if only he used the same virtues in trying to establish the platform for the ‘New Freedom Party’ he would be considered a formidable alternative but thus far his utterances suggest political immaturity. He doubtlessly is of a good pedigree and would be a breath of fresh air to our country. So let us allow him some time to grow and mature to get the best out of him. Let us not rush to judgement just yet.
Honestly, if the written statement about Mr Vital is accurate, he would be a most welcomed leader for our country. I can see the days of ‘mepuis and good old boyism’ drying up to a shrivel with Mr Vital in charge. One word of caution though, in politics sometimes less is more, so think more about the implications of your statements before you release them. Remember we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. ‘Listen twice as much as you talk.’
If you’re in for the long haul, Sir, I am with you! Dominica needs fresh ideas and those with the moral and testicular fortitude to deliver.
On the question of the length of your hair, what turns on that? Nothing! Let’s not go back to the dark days of
whitewashing everything. Dominicans must stand for progress!
Lovely piece, DNO
Good luck Mr. Ital on your quest for DA recovery
Welcome home, Mr. vital, as the Leader of the (mighty) DOMINICA FREEDOM PARTY! Yes. We are back! We are back home. FREEDOM IS BACK!
Y’all best believe that! 
I am so loving this new wave of positive energies here. A humble being, ethical and all that it takes to being a leader. We have waited patiently because good ones don’t come round easily and are certainly not aplenty.
The best thing Charlie did for the Dominica Freedom Party was to leave and hence take with him everything that was no good. Thank you for that Mr. Charles Savarin. We were not quick to replace the likes of, and so while others thought we were dragging our feet, or even dead, we know patience is a virtue, and today we are happy to stand with Mr. Vital. He needed to build his port folio and by the looks of it, clearly, that comes with humility, good morals, integrity, and admiration by others. I can only ask that we work with him ,stay focussed and not get distracted by the naysayers. Ackn -Like/disl-…
For the freedom party executive to take such a position it tells very deeply of an imature executive, a party that looses focus even before it starts presenting itself to the public , i think the party needs to present itself to the various constituents carry out an assessment of its position and then make a determination as to how many seats it feel it can tackle, but to make a bold outright statement of no accommodation speake volumes on the judgement of the executive.
I like what i hear and i am in on your train brother.
The DLP have done their best, and we all will agree that their best is not good enough.For a party which has been given 4 consecutive terms in office.Are we satisfied with Da’s development under Labour?
The UWP is no march to this regime.
So Let freedom reign with a new start.
I am quite impressed by his pedigree. My rating yardstick began with his character. Most Politicians are diplomatic liars who do not believe what they say and they are surprised when others believe them. Politics to many people is the war of survival of the fitting fighting to share National wealth as if it is a booty. There is a strong force otherwise called strong hold behind the greed or covetousness commonly exhibited by modern day politicians. My advise is that you build solidly on your Christian foundation. It is not enough to have education and work experience. You need to have what kept Joseph from Portipha’s wife antics. You must have the Grace that was upon Daniel while in Babylon so that where others failed, you will succeed. Avoid any political God-father-ism. Make God, your source. Build a team of like-minded, like Daniel and his team in Babylon. Ensure to have a blue print of what would turn the economy of Dominica around, not just Thermal but also Agriculture.
Great article, DNO. One of your best.
Kent it’s workers time, if you was smart you would have joined the winning workers train.
so long workers time past wake up! Freedom will be the next opposition then the next govt watch that space
My fellow Dominicans and well wishers of the Nature Isle,
I can comfortably say the option we all been waiting for is here.
I am so sick and tired of the cat and mouse game with the DLP and UWP.
I strongly believe, we have a new Political leader in Dominica with lots of experience and sound very down to earth with an honest heart for Dominica.
Kent, I heard a lot of good things about you in every Country I do business with ,where you have been and you truly made me proud as a Dominican.
I will be endorsing you soon.
Dominicans , let’s rally behind Mr. Vital and the DFP. I love the slogan ” Freedom is Back”
Time for freedom to rise again
If you want to be successful your focus must be on building, creating, developing, improving not criticizing the other party… because if the other party is somehow from your perspective wrong then that will prove itself true on its own! Dominicans have too much of a negative mindset as it is… we need to stop tearing each other down, its a sign of weak mindedness! forward thinking people see the bigger picture and focus on ideas not people!
As a freedomite who voted Labour three times and UWP once; I hereby give my full support to my colleague Kent, I worked with Kent and also had the opportunity to interact with him while he was at the ECCB and the CDB. I am fully confident that he will do a great jod as a leader and will contribute meaningfully to the development of Dominica.
If not skerrit then who?
I hear Mr. Vital. However, the reality of Dominican Politics and Politics in general is that, if you come into the arena you got to be able to stand the heat. The thing is by nature unchristianlike.
He may therefore want to carefully reconsider his decision to get into the arena versus joining his brother as a pastor – given his staunch christian values. The two don’t make for an easy marriage.
Well he seem qualified for the Job. Dominica needs a change right now. They also needs to set term limits.
Wonderful! My only wish is that you had formed your own Party. You would attract much more support.
On another note- do not allow those who are suffering from inferiority complex to convince you to cut your hair. I love the dreads! One Love!
I honestly hope you can deliver… I… no we are all fed up with the red and blue poisons as the only option.
Do not fail our trust… or that would be the start of chaos and the end of belief in government.
Besides all that, I know of your credibility and your lectures always made sense… A truly educated human being, without any mis-fired or meaningless degrees.
This man appears to be well qualified, sound and of good moral reasoning. he is definitely developing a great platform for the young professional population who desire freedom of opinion and objectivity. He will definitely appeal to the persons who want to be empowered not coaxed. He seems like he will definitely ensure that young men and women receive jobs they are qualified to function in. Positions will be advertised, person shortlisted and interviewed and the best candidate awarded, just to ensure proper governance. I wanna see and hear more of this Man. Dominica’s future needs saving.
Good luck DFP we are with you all the way.
Ok, I am listening. Vital sounds smart, his experience seems to add to his credibility to perform in Gov’t and Most importantly he sounds quite Genuine. We should applaud the efforts of this young Dominican, opting to “do something” about the political situation in Dominica.
I believe the time is right for the young bloods of Dominica to do something for Dominica. So I wish him absolutely well and I wish Dominica absolutely well.
Dominica can do much better..and that sick culture of bribery and lack of integrity needs to stop for Dominica to go forward.
50 is considered young?
I would back him though…
0 is NOT young? Keep living…fool!
Mr. Vital, No one will take you serious on the international arena with your long hair. First thing to consider is your appearance , not for yourself but for how other people will see you even before you open your mouth. In one word ” Cut your hair .”
I am a freedom party grandfather.
Oh get a life, with your out-dated low self esteem attitude. You all said the same about the Afro back in the days and today we wish Afro would come back again to replace all your Phillipino and horse hair wigs.
…Go ask the greatest leader in existence, Jesus, why he did not cut his locks of hair…
Appearance is a facade of the vain… Why should he have to cut his hair to suite the tastes of more dirty and bad minded people in said arena?
Why can’t a person with HAIR on their head lead? How well have the BALD ones lead this country?
The results, if you are interested, piles up on a historical list of great failures…
Kent don’t listen to this ridiculous statement… just ensure the hair is neat and not disheveled and we are all good to go.
“The Darkness”, I am afraid the choice of your name speaks volume. But I will go ahead to address the issues you raised. Vital would be stupid to listen to you. He spoke intelligently showing he is a man capable of playing to win political chess game. He ruled out possibility of teaming to form a coalition because he wants to sustain integrity which is the driving force behind his entry into Politics. Therefore, I am sure he is very much prepared to make appropriate changes and sacrifices to ensure he wins even if he would need to trim his Hair. The love of his country is uppermost. If cutting his hair will get him the winning support, why not. The writer clearly stated that he is a strong Christian and not a Rasta. On that Basis, those in his Christian constituency will call him to question. There is no evidence to show that Jesus had long hair or hair lock. All the photos we have of Jesus are artist impression and not his true photos. Vital, cut your hair and get Christian votes
@Guess What.. Both you and the writer you referring to come out condecending with your stupid views and out of touch. His hair is well kept and of little significance in this scenario. For you to go as far as saying there’s no evidence Jesus’ locks then the bible is not evidence enough for you therefore history will teach you that locks were the order of the day where Jesus roamed and where he came from. All the politicians you claim are lieing, cheating and corrupt are clean shaved and look what you are still accusing them of. Your opinion is from a dying class of people, you have to accept a man locks or lockless.
What kind of oppressive, anti-afrocentric, primitive comment is that. What does his well groomed locked hair have to do with his ability to lead and network in the international community. Internationally this is accepted by the way. Lets stops seeing the world with Colonized eyes. Embrace or blackness. Clearly he has gain regional and international experience with that same hair. Let go beneath, let go deeper. Too many well shaved men causing destruction. Take no Offence.
“All for Each and Each for All” He is being accessed on several platforms and it appears one of them is his strong Christian values. His Christian values were emphasized severally and could eventually become his winning or tipping point. The writer is simply selling or promoting him to the entire Nation. He looks good. He appear to be well rounded. He seems to b politically and diplomatically matured. He is a father, not sure if he is a husband. He appear to be polished. His Character trait stands him out. Someone from his Christian constituency took him up expressing concern about his outside, suggesting that he would do better if the beauty inside could also extend to this outside. Whats the qualm about that? There are international jobs he cannot get with the locks. If he is to lead all, he must appeal to all. He has every right to wear whatever he likes but I have the choice as well. He invited me to access him based on Christian values. He didn’t claim he is a Rasta
You judge a book by its cover? This is the reason why a man in a suit AKA a wolf in sheep clothing will come and reap you off and sgill to blind ro see past the outward appearance. Judge a man by his thoughts and action and background. His lide story will tell his character. He has practiced experience in economics and ambitous enough to work hard to obtain his qualifications. Your grend of thought is why some people thrive in dominica at the expense of our society. If his actions are contradictory to his words them give him the X.
Roseau is 100% correct. Partner needs to. Cut that Damon hair and clean up because even if we dcans and our regional people are ok with it the wider world will frown on u. Bro. Facts are stubborn things and arrogance is a killer of dreams.
Assertive like Mama Eugenia!
Such an erroneous and prejudicial statement. This person needs to come out of the stand age . Smh in shame to this foolishness !
All you still thinking that backward wzy?
As long as the man keeps his hair neat.
All you wAnt him to put on a weave?
Given that he’s successfully consulted for a number of foreign governments, the statement that “No one will take you serious on the international arena with your long hair” is demonstrably false.
Steve Foesrster you are 100% correct. The man has already represented on an international level WITH HIS HAIR. Only BACKWARD THINKING people would want a man to conform to European standards of beauty and presentation . Vital you are good just the way you are, forget small minded people
If he was a white man with long hair you would not have made that comment.it is time we appreciate our black heritage.we all appreciate Bob Marley music as a rasterfian.it not about the hair but getting the job done.Open you mind.
Would you allow someone who is fully tattooed from head to toe who is a homosexual and a member of a dreaded cult who has what it takes to turn the economy around to rule become the Prime Minister? If yes, of course, the young ones would buy into all his values, from Tattoo to cult and to homosexual. Would you desire that a member of church of Satan become the Prime Minister of Dominica simply because he has what it takes to improve our agriculture. We seek a leader who would get things done and as well inspire the coming generation in Godly values as imbibed by our ancestors.
Dominica need a new leader with new ideas and a leader the people can trust, And able speak the truth to the Dominican people
I wonder what dirty things laborites going to say about him? Wonder it they have a plan to dirty his name
The Dominican public would have been well served had the DNO “interviewer” sought to ascertain Vital’s opinion about the suitability of the opposition UWP as an alternative to the DLP; although reading “between the lines” one could come to a conclusion. Not a good start on the transparency issue!!!
Why should the man worry about another opposition party? The man is concerned about building his DFP party to replace the ruling DLP in government.
I am in. First impressions are lasting and i like what i hear. Sounds like a man who has some wisdom with experience. Looking forward to seeing whats ahead. For those who ask if not skerrit who else, above is your answer. There are many more like hime out there.
nice!!! We shall see.
I’m ready. I’m so ready to get behind the Dominica Freedom Party.
I am so sick and tired of all the BS political parties here. The corruption, the lies, the spin doctors….I’m just sick of it all. I want Dominica back!
I want to be a proud Dominican once more. (tears pricking my eyes as I type this)
Me too. I also feel tears welling up as I think about how much integrity and pride we have lost as a nation
i wish you all the best sir.