Sean Douglas says goodbye

Sean Douglas at a function in Uruguay in 2007

After a nine-year stint as the Dominica Labour Party’s administration’s Press Secretary Sean Douglas has said goodbye to the profession.

Effective today Friday August 13, 2010, Douglas will no longer hold the post of government press secretary.

He was fired after his refusal to sign a one-year contract for a period which expired on January 2009, as stated in his dismissal letter dated July 2, 2010. Douglas received his walking papers on July 12, 2010 signed by Cabinet Secretary Felix Gregoire.

In an interview aired live on a local radio station this morning, Douglas said that his journey was an extraordinary one since it was an honour to serve his country.

“It has been an incredible journey. My stint as press secretary has been an extraordinary experience an …amazing adventure. For me I should say it’s been an honour and privilege to serve  for the last nine years as press secretary and I want to just  use this opportunity to thank the many individuals and persons that I have worked with over the last nine years,” Douglas said.

“… I recall Prime Minister Pierre Charles, ministers of Government, I want to single out people like Matthew Walter, Charles Savarin, Loreen Bannis-Roberts, my friend and mentor former ambassador Crispin Gregoire, Swinburne Lestrade, the speaker of the house, the FS Mrs Edwards, the former FS Mr Sylvester, of course permanent secretaries, the NAO thanks to you. I can now write a book on European Commission procedures, secretaries of the various ministers,” he stated.

Douglas also thanked the media and citizens of Dominicans who made his journey a “memorable” one.

“Working with the media, has been special privilege. And of course I must mention Curtis Matthew and Dominicans who I’ve met up and down the country up and down the country, from Capuchin to Scotthead and ground breaking ceremonies and town hall meetings. It really has been an amazing experience over the last nine years. It has been my life,” Douglas said.

“The reality of it all is beginning to sink in,” he added.

The former press secretary hopes that through God he will achieve greater things in the future. “I think I need sometime after all of  this excitement and drama for the last nine years … to sit back and relax and rejuvenate myself and prepare myself for the challenges ahead,” he said.

“ I would hope that with God’s help and guidance I will move unto even bigger and greater things. But as I said it had been a great honour and privilege to serve the state, to serve the people of Dominica. To serve the government as press secretary. Memories I will cherish and memories that will live with me forever,” he stated.

Douglas had told media following the announcement of his dismissal that he believed it was unjust, unreasonable, and immoral and it felt like a painful divorce.

He was also convinced that his refusal to sign the contract was not the real reason behind his dismissal.

“In estimation, Mr. Douglas fired the job by not signing the agreement which was prepared on his behalf,” the Cabinet Secretary Felix Gregoire told media at the time.

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32 Comments

  1. REALISTIC
    August 16, 2010

    @GREEN: at least the person entered somewhere

  2. REALISTIC
    August 16, 2010

    WELL SEAN THE MOST I CAN SAY IS U ARE NOT THE FIRST NEITHER THE LAST TO BE A VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES ALL U CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS MOVE ON AND TRY UR BEST TOBE GOOD ON UR WAY UP THE LADDER CAUSE THAT IS UR STATUS NOW…..ON UR WAY UP. LET THE SITUATION MAKE U STRONGER AND DONT BE LISTENING TO NEGATIVE ADVISE U SHOULD PUT THE PAST BEHIND U. I AM SURE U SWORE TO SECRECY and confidenciality when u too SO BE A MAN AND KEE UR WORDS. DONT MAKE OTHER PEOPLE PLACE U IN THEIR CATEGORY. the past is the past

  3. Pedro
    August 15, 2010

    … where is Mcintrye douglas loud mouth. he so quiet i fine. where is the douglas dynasty that made PM Skerro what he is today. but doh worry Shaun . the betrayal of the douglas dynasty will come to lite. where is Uncle ian so quiet the minister of legal affairs. what minister is dat shame. on dem douglases. is ok. not one word from the douglas dynasty dat made the party and put them where they are today including Pm Skerro. sorry wee but betrayal is a nasty b… when yu see karma catch up.

  4. child
    August 15, 2010

    better days are coming for you .just look on the brighter side ,i think the p.m himself has a better plan for you .

  5. Just checkinbg in!
    August 14, 2010

    Corrected:
    @Valda, them people business? Anyway all you Dominicans sutiweau eh.. Little Nigera where politicans are not only excused for stealing and cheating they are expected to steal and cheat, and sadly, they are protected by people like you Valda. Shame!

  6. hm
    August 14, 2010

    Sean you did good by not signing any contract. it would have ended by january 2009 anyway, and all they would say is that “we cannot renew your contract” end of story. But you continued to work for a whole year and a half without any contract . After nine years of faithful service you were……. in the back. Yet sean Douglass continues to remain calm and humble. I wish you well my Boy.

  7. hm
    August 14, 2010

    @Cucum: I doh no y skerrit doh make u press secretary u no?

  8. AMOSQUITO
    August 14, 2010

    @VALDA BRUNO-DURAND:

    YES VALDA I AGREE WITH YOU

  9. Karkabeff
    August 14, 2010

    To my old classmate Sean; Fair thee well my friend, may the rest of your life journey be fruitful and blessed. Knowing you as person I always wondered why you did not resign that position when El Supremo became Idiot In Chief. In many ways you disgraced yourself trying to protect him but that my friend is the nature of the the job.

    Go and fulfill your dreams of becoming an attorney and come back to take over the leadership of this country. Labor need you more than you need them. I know Rossie and Mike are turning in their graves now. I know … But the choice is yours. If I were you I would dayclarway all the corruption and nonsense they are doing for its now your turn to open the eyes of the masses. This my friend is what your uncles would do. They had no tolerance for corruption and abuse of the poor. I look forward your leadership one day.
    I would also like to remid those who conspired against you that payback is a MUDDA-FROCKER.

  10. Eugenia Jolly, Toronto
    August 14, 2010

    @Anonymous:

    Someone who resides in Montreal told me about Sean Douglas and what occurred to him. I told the person to pray for him. I did say a prayer for him. It is not an easy matter losing one’s job.
    I know his family very well. Also from those days when I resided in Dominica. I do wish him well.
    Yes, he does look like he could be a Prime Minister. Hope someday he decides on that. There is no doubt that Dominica could do with an intellect and expertise. If I were a resident of Dominica, I would give him the opportunity and would vote for him. Keep this in mind, my fellow Dominicans, to vote for him, should he decide someday to campaign for the presidency. As the saying goes: “he does appear to be presidency material (smile).
    There are those who are obstacles to the progress of others. Envy could contribute to this. One of the deadly sins is envy. You know what this can lead to. I am stating, God forbid this to ever happen.
    Sean, I wish you all the best. May God be with you all the way and assist you in whatever field you wish to pursue.
    As I read: “When one door closes the other one opens. Too often we look at the closed door and not the one which is opened for us.” Great encouragement.
    Sean, you appear to be an optimist. Keep up the godly spirit. God bless you!

  11. VALDA BRUNO-DURAND
    August 13, 2010

    Well my friend you come from a family of survivors i wish you all the best and please do not go putting them people business outside i know you more diplomatic than that

  12. Just checkinbg in!
    August 13, 2010

    Oh! Sean redeem yourself, tell us all you know! do you have the moral foretitude to do that? What do you have to lose? You would be a hero if you do. I am sure you have some information that would do good to the public! Come on seany spill it out! Be a true patriot!

  13. Anonymous
    August 13, 2010

    I kown the feeling…it always hard to give up a good thing when you have it. Take note all those who have it good…cause that’s how ditators are form.
    good bye and all the best

  14. Just checkinbg in!
    August 13, 2010

    What you gonna do now Shawn, you did a fantastic job of being the Gobbels of this Corrupt regime, you could have left with some integrity by resinging, but instead you allow them to fire you, bad move!! But then say make the sign of the cross with you toes! At least when the house of cards comes tumbling down, you will not be around. Ask for forgiveness for your sins and say. Thank God! Blessing!

  15. Ebeh weh
    August 13, 2010

    In estimation, Mr. Douglas fired the job by not signing the agreement which was prepared on his behalf.” My question is what was stated in the agreement which caused him to refuse to sign it?

  16. Anonymous
    August 13, 2010

    @BIRDIE: We have to start looking at new leadership for the Dominica Labour Party. If Skerrit continues to be the leader in the next 5 to 6 years they will be just like the UWP is now fighting to get back were they once were. Anytime you leave someone in power for too long they get swell headed. If only the Cabinet Minister would get the backbone they should have as leaders for their community and stand up to Skerrit strong arm style of leadership.

    We have to start looking at Mr. Behanzin as he next leader for the Dominica Labour Party. It is time for Skerrit to go.

  17. MARIGOT
    August 13, 2010

    @Cucum: cucum u learn very fast to read and write tey heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

  18. Reader
    August 13, 2010

    @YOUT: Yout … Robert Gibbs in the White Press Secretary; what does his story sound like. the very nature of the job of gov’t press sec is one-side.

    Sean is a very competent individual. I wish him well in whatever he chooses to do next! Good luck.

  19. GREEN
    August 13, 2010

    @ Bwavo Coco: Its rather interesting the sort of comments which comes from someone who claims to having past through the doors of a university…seems like you entered the doors as a GOAT and came out as a SHEEP….Magway Sa!!!!

  20. Bwavo coco
    August 13, 2010

    @misterman: GOOD QUESTION…

  21. Anonymous
    August 13, 2010

    Man looking at you in this pic , you look like a PM there!!!

    No wonder Skerrit get rid of you!!!

    If Skerrit did not use to bring you along on trips with him I can figure out why!!!!

    Just looking at you in that pic and knowing your ability to speak fluently and use of words , man you will always outshine Skerrit any day or night!!!

    That must have been killing mister all that time there.

    Sean , you should have given Skerrit speeach threapy for the nine years you all were together

  22. August 13, 2010

    someone tell me who next…..lol

  23. BIRDIE
    August 13, 2010

    Shawn thanks for your service to this land and the party you love i wish you well in the near future.But i hope when his honour Tiyani Behanzin contract is up he will be re hired on a new one because any body touch him there will be mass demonstration in the streets of Roseau Bercause he is a servant of God to do justice for victims of crime. and to give criminals their just reward. So i am warning dont try that on him because the whole nation of good thinking citizens are with him

  24. next level
    August 13, 2010

    that is the next levell……………hahahaha…………………a dog to kick…but they doh wantthe dog to ruunn awayyyyyyyy

  25. de caribbean change
    August 13, 2010

    Every disappointment could mean a blessing. Let’s see in the days and weeks ahead. Thanks for your service to this country of ours.

  26. misterman
    August 13, 2010

    the problem with Sean is that he talks to dam much… Hence the reason why the supremo got angry at him.
    But i have a real question.. Did He ever apply for the job or was it handed to him by his late uncle?

  27. MARIGOT
    August 13, 2010

    SEAN-SEAN, BUT YOU FORGET DE PM NO MENTION OF HIS NAME EH! . SOMETING HAPPENING MAN? GO IN PEACE MY BRODA YOU HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY I,M GLAD YOU WON,T BE THERE WHEN “JACK FALL DOWN AND BREAK HIS CROWN, GO WID LUV SEAN-SEAN

  28. Cucum
    August 13, 2010

    Shaun I believe you brought this onto yourself by refusing to sign the contract. The Secretary to the Cabinet himself was wrong to allow you to work for that long without a signed contract. Any other person would have to be dealt with.

    I understand that it was the Auditor General who refused to certify your gratiuty without a signed contract and strongly querried the fact that you were working for so long without a signed contract.

    It was only then the Secretary to the Cabinet Acted.

  29. picard man
    August 13, 2010

    shawn you meant well and jah will see you through but it shows no matter what you do for party , they will still turn and kick u..everybody needs a dog to kick ,, everyday

  30. Bwavo coco
    August 13, 2010

    hm hm hm (shaking head)…bwavo coco…believe the PM playing…any threat will be cast out…Dominicans need to beware of the little monster we have created I say we cause I voted him too but I was fresh out of University and young…I don’t think that power will be given up so easily…ppl prepare for a revolution/violent struggle sometime in the future…may be the only way…

  31. big timer
    August 13, 2010

    life is filed with seasons, and quite frankly the doors has swung wide open for some one who has been coveting that sensational position for a long time. Mr Douglas remarked how the experience can aid in the writing of a book, we think that is what an experience does, and we wish him well. On the other hand this will also show that the institutions of goverment is not owned by a single ideology or by one party or by one person, and often time the tenure would make it seem that way. We hope in light of his departure, those who hold seats of power in statutory positions, will see it as a season to serve, and in serving may serve well, and that it’s it’s tenure is for a period of time that may end at some point and somtetimes prematurely. Mr Douglas your days ahead is filled with opportunity, you leave a seat that may be the dream for many, may your own dreams and aspirations bring you to higher heights and find ways to serve in other capacities, where others are continously enriched.

  32. YOUT
    August 13, 2010

    THANKS FOR ALL THE ONE SIDED STORIES YOU REPORTED ON

    NO MORE BIG BREAKFASTS

    GOOD LUCK

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