UPDATE: Val Cuffy back at DFC hours after walking out

Cuffy has refused to elaborate on his departure

Hours after walking off the job at the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC), Val Cuffy has said he will stay on.

It appears good sense has prevailed in the matter and he has agreed to stay at least until the end of the Carnival season.

Earlier on Friday, Cuffy, a consultant at the DFC, walked out reportedly due to differences with Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge.

He had confirmed he was leaving but did not elaborate.

His action came mere hours before the official opening parade of Carnival, slated for Saturday afternoon.

He works as the main Carnival Consultant for Mas Domnik 2017, basically running the show in the absence of an Executive Director at the DFC.

Cuffy is a former Events Director at the DFC. He was hired as a consultant for the staging the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) last year following the abrupt resignation of Executive Director of the DFC, Claudine Springer.

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82 Comments

  1. marie-claire R Skerrit
    February 6, 2017

    It just start. Good for you Val stand up for your rights. The culture can’t be dictated by all these political under tones and influence. They killing our culture. In the voice of King Hurricane TE WAY YO

  2. 'No Respector of Persons'
    February 5, 2017

    Robert Tonge and Piper should allow Val Cuffy to do his thing. The man knows what he is doing. They DO NOT.

  3. CONSCIOUS
    February 5, 2017

    Claudiine Springer resigned after one carnival season. There is something going on with that TONGUE man.

  4. February 4, 2017

    ####### have no place in Horse Race. Work and shut the hell out. No, Report on the profitability or none, last wcmf. Not again.

  5. Lang Mama
    February 4, 2017

    Why would Val get so upset if he is judt a consultant. If he propose and the minister dispose then as,a consultant you hsve done your job. Move on to the next project.
    knowing how these politicians work in our little coconut and maniku government administration i would not be surprise thst Val job description changed at mid stream and that he may have been burdened with the responsibility of filling the void that was left by the resignation of the last coordinator.
    Val puts his heart and sole inti what he does, that is vidible thru his public performances. Most certainky Val would have been giving more than just consulting. I wonder whether Val had exhausted all options including backing diwn and let the minister interferences manifest itself

  6. February 4, 2017

    He was putting on another show.

  7. mine
    February 4, 2017

    For a consultant I don’t like his behavor on stage.

  8. Sams Gutter
    February 4, 2017

    “When the people lead the politicians will follow” It’s time for Dominicans to take back their country. One person could turn that 290 sq. mile piece of land around. There’s so much potential, futile land abundant water, natural beauty, resources other Caribbean nations covet. It’s not about Lennox or Roosevelt it’s about country. Please do it for the future of Dominica, do it for the children??

    • Sams Gutter
      February 4, 2017

      That should have read ” furtile” land??

      • Truth teller
        February 6, 2017

        U mean: fertile land

  9. February 3, 2017

    If only, generally speaking, we would instead choose Leviticus 23 over revelings (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:1-5).

  10. passing Cloud
    February 3, 2017

    Is a good thing I did not place my comment when DNO broke news that Val walked out of the job because of disagreement with Tongue. I was about to type that finally a Big man is going to teach Skerrit how to resign instead of being thrown out. But I said let me give it at least two days before I comment because knowing Dominica these days and how corrupt politicians can make big men of high repute behave like little boys when they see money or get a promise,, let me play the wait and see game. Passing Cloud was right on Q boy!

  11. The Eel
    February 3, 2017

    Bravo! at least somebody understands and he is the Engineer. Please don’t give up on DA FOR IT IS HERE TO STAY. They put people in position with who you know and not what you know. Notice Blackmore is all over the place babbling, his conscience is getting the better of him. The PM i s very good with friends in high places. How does one walk out of a job and walk back in.Nothing to do with PM.these people has no principle ,wrong people in wrong position. Cabinet reshuffle

  12. Faith
    February 3, 2017

    Dominicans too full of drama. An earthquake just hit, go pray and repent.

  13. -----
    February 3, 2017

    I love my country but it is just sickening right about now.

  14. Just Passing Through
    February 3, 2017

    I cannot comment on what I do not know. Mr. Cuffy nor his employer have given us nothing. No need to speculate, we may be wrong.

  15. BomBom Fly
    February 3, 2017

    While you all worry about carnival you should be worried about the Earthquake that just visited DA. Pray my people pray.. and put your trust in the lord and not concern yourselves with Carnival.

  16. Angel
    February 3, 2017

    If you take a decision to leave, why come back? Or is it that some people blew it out of proportion? Inquiring minds want to know.

  17. anonymous
    February 3, 2017

    are there not other people in the country who could perform this job and others? the system seems to be allocating people from certain circles only!

  18. ATKINSON
    February 3, 2017

    Can “lying Tounge” use some of the “CBI” money to rehire Claudine Springer to fix the mess and run the show :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

  19. Kubuli Kountry
    February 3, 2017

    Mr. Cuffy,

    With all due respect sir, I believe you have an anger management problem. Sometimes in business people disagree and the answer was not to walk out, but to table the discussion for another date and time when cooler heads would prevail.

    Next time, count to ten, take deep calming breaths and state your position firmly, clearly, yet in a moderate tone. No need to yell or cuss.

    All the best.

  20. Da
    February 3, 2017

    And so the cookie crumbles . These guys who are in charge must realize that it is not everyone they will get to jump at every beckon call. Some of us have integrity and will not dance for money.
    I fully support Val Cuffy.

  21. Daughter of the soil
    February 3, 2017

    Val Need pastor to pray for him now

  22. LA men choise
    February 3, 2017

    Val behaves like a little boy who is playing cricket and because he is scoring runs when he is out he disagrees. You either stay on the job or you leave. You have a right to disagree in a discussion but not to leave in a huff and a puff then run back, childish.

  23. time has told
    February 3, 2017

    waaayyyy!!!!! let the bouyon play!

  24. February 3, 2017

    I am back at work, only left for Coffee

  25. Tjebe fort
    February 3, 2017

    Val not easy but the truth is that he does not need DFC, They need him more than he needs them. If not so they would not have contracted him after that young St. lucian woman left suddenly after such a short time. I suspect even Piper don’t have a free say. The attitude from the op being that ” I pay for this damned thing so you all do as you are told”. Well, whoever micro-managing in that place they can go and do their own jump up but not me. I’m like Val and shall not be used.

  26. truth
    February 3, 2017

    next contestant emile deeepuuutarrrrrrr ….dfc will be all yes men den hahahaha……is he dey want so kkk will finally get 15g usd in dominica alone !!!!

  27. Shameless
    February 3, 2017

    :mrgreen: :mrgreen: I guess the former DFC boss -the Lucian lady- has been vindicated. Congrats Val for standing up for your beliefs. This nonsense will be over soon…..trust me!?

    Assertive and ready for DDay.??

  28. MyTube
    February 3, 2017

    DNO PLEASE EDIT THE comment from MyTube, Written is “Your comments is not on poor taste”

    It should read “Your comments is in poor taste”

    Thank you!!

    • TheCorrectionOfficer
      February 3, 2017

      It would still be grammatically incorrect though! Might as well just leave it alone. Lol

    • Dominican Passports
      February 3, 2017

      Think b4 u type, you looking like a dotish accept it

    • Locs Girl
      February 3, 2017

      Here’s one better “Your comments ARE in poor taste” :mrgreen:

  29. Engineer
    February 3, 2017

    When you can’t handle a job responsiblity, sometimes its better to quit than to get fired. Val don’t know how to solve some of the issues the DFC currently facing. Dominica has a bunch of people in positions who have no clue on how to execute their job responsibilities.

    • time has told
      February 3, 2017

      politics was the problem. You cant hire a consultant to do a job then want to tell the consultant how to consult. Best you had done the job yourself. Walk out on them Val. you dont need their money, help you were trying to help.

    • 1979 is forever....
      February 3, 2017

      Get outta here with this garbage… Mr. Cuffy has sweat to make his name…all other pharmacy’s apart from jolly’s have gone under….what universe are you living in.?? this man helps so many young people while the ones we adore continue to derelict local engineers and other professionals..are you serious with this gooble gop??? the man ran a successful WCMF on the spur of the moment….but to cover your king and saviour behind we would say the sky is green.. cotton pickers loved their masters sooo….are weez gonna pick our cotton today massa?? is we gonna plough our feilds today massa?? man the only bunch of anything is the hot load you jus dropped here on DNO.. just miss Mr. Cuffy with your nonsense please…

  30. Over it...
    February 3, 2017

    So long for you to do that then…DFC is a failed organization under Tonge and Piper. FAILED! FAILED! FAILED!

  31. Clearance Christian
    February 3, 2017

    Skerro not to resign.

    • concern citizen
      February 3, 2017

      It’s people like U who love D/ca with all UR. heart,
      U retire and U are getting your BIG salary from corruption in UR. face what will U not say, are U SKERRIT friend or is SKERRIT ur. friend?

    • Concern Dominican
      February 4, 2017

      Wait till we come for you, just wait there Skerro. Don’t move nuh

  32. Eggs and ham
    February 3, 2017

    Allu don’t know the things that does happen at dfc you see

  33. wilderness
    February 3, 2017

    No Val, No Carnival! :-D

  34. Observer
    February 3, 2017

    Too much Politics in our Festival… You can see Val is working for the country… But Ministers getting too much involve in the day to day runnings.

    Shame shame shame

  35. Hold on
    February 3, 2017

    If I read correctly Mr. Cuffy was hired as a consultant – to consult and provide advice & recommendations to the Minister or DFC or whoever hired him. Therefore His job is not to run DFC! So he is out of place to walk out if he has different views or opinions with his boss. Val stop acting like a little child and go back to work ok. You have alot to offer so I would advise you to go back. Its ok to disagree but stay focussed on your role and job description. I wish you well.

    • Zandoli
      February 3, 2017

      I agree with you. His role is to advise and they need not heed his advice. His concern is making sure he gets paid for the advice he provides

    • Look It
      February 3, 2017

      You sound like a fool……if he was running DFC, wouldn’t Tonge still be his boss as the Minister of Tourism, wouldn’t he still have to go along with the directives of Tonge? If he is under stress and is frustrated because he is being pressed, his voice is not being heard etc etc, what do you want him to do….. start and take stress, while you are relaxed at your home.

      There is something def wrong with DFC, that would be the 2nd person that up and left just before a huge event.

      • Dominican
        February 3, 2017

        Seems like Val took the advice lol! :mrgreen:

      • Pet pascal
        February 4, 2017

        Val is well known to many as someone who for many years has been involved in organizing Carnival shows, Calypso, bring in artist in Dominica, He is a SEASONED organizer, so why should he surcom to some justcome.
        However in the interest and his love for for Carnival and the people of Dominica enjoying themselves he humbled himself

    • Fun&Frolic
      February 3, 2017

      But if your opinions are not n being valued or respected, what’s the point of offering your services? Should you stay just for the money, or walk away with your integrity and dignity?

      • 1979 is forever....
        February 3, 2017

        those who are slaves to money will never understand these principles

    • Me
      February 3, 2017

      You are not logical. If Val is a consultant the DFC is not his boss, or his employer but his client. If a consultant and a client disagree and this proves to be irreconcilable, the client simply pays the consultant for work done according to the terms of the contract and they go their separate ways.

    • MyTube
      February 3, 2017

      @HoldOn.

      Your comments is not on poor taste. That move by VAL CUFFY shows that he has a level of INDEPENDENCE that you the writer and many Dominicans will never have.

      This also shows that the man stands by certain PRINCIPLES that you too don’t have, and is a rare commodity in Dominica.

      JUDGE NOT!!! and you will NOT be judged.

      A child would abide with whatever the situation is, because it’s a child. Any responsible adult will WALK AWAY and that is what VAL CUFFY did. Where is your brain???

    • time has told
      February 3, 2017

      he was hired to execute carnival preparations from start to finish. As a consultant. doesnt mean all you do is give advice. he was hired to head dfc during the season as the organisation currently had no coordinator.
      Dont assume

    • Belle Beff
      February 3, 2017

      Like you so know! Unless we get more information than what is currently on DNO, you should refrain from making those kinds of statements

    • February 4, 2017

      @hold on, it seems that Val has taken your advice. Wonder what these 66 thumbs down bloggers have to say now?

  36. warma
    February 3, 2017

    Great – Val is a man of integrity, always known him as such since we were kids in Goodwill. There’s only so much he will take

  37. Frank Talker
    February 3, 2017

    Woy, woy, woy something’s happening; and it’s so exciting!

  38. Mark
    February 3, 2017

    Val have issues he need to check out…..

    • Look It
      February 3, 2017

      Apparently he is not the only one….wasn’t there a St Lucian woman, who just up and left on the eve of WCMF???? Therefore, I don’t think he has anymore issues than you and I.

    • Me
      February 3, 2017

      Indeed, issue the check to Val!

  39. waitikubuli isle
    February 3, 2017

    kudos to you Mr. Cuffy. some of these ministers can hardly run their ministries but they want to tell others how to do their jobs. Ministers and Parl. Reps think they have to have their hands in everything. The tourism industry is failing failing failing miserably. Thank you for that Mr. Tonge

  40. Academic
    February 3, 2017

    I support Val 100%. Mr Tongue has no clue in events planning and organisation yet he wants to be directing the DFC in every facet with their rubbish politics just to please the falling dictator.
    Let the chips fall.

  41. Let the truth be told
    February 3, 2017

    so things stay in that country. progressing downwards

    • Me
      February 3, 2017

      They call that the next level, from the ground floor to the basement, can’t get any lower.

  42. street side
    February 3, 2017

    haha….Dominicans they are not known to be good at anything, thus everything falls apart.
    a bunch of hypocrites and small minded citizens…

    dominicans are a waste of dam time….resorting to easy money by selling passport a regime in power for 17 years,,,,,,,dominica is rated the poorest and slowest economy in the region…..

    i agree with Cuffy….too much politics by a darkened labor regime… ……you tell me more.!!!

    • FED UP
      February 3, 2017

      I hate everything that you said, but you are 100% correct. TRUTH HURTS. My heart breaks for you Dominica.

  43. Erasmus B. Black
    February 3, 2017

    And the lunatics are now running the asylum.

  44. Stupes !
    February 3, 2017

    NO CBI FOR CARNIVAL
    NO VAL FOR CARNIVAL
    Dominica is not a country
    it is a comedy and a fools paradise
    ONE MAN HAVE THE WHOLE PLACE UNTIDY :mrgreen: :roll: :mrgreen: :!:

  45. My 2 Cents
    February 3, 2017

    That may be the best thing Val Cuffy has ever done for the Dominica Festival Committee (DFC). To many homemade everything in Dominica doing below standard work. Hope they get a properly qualified person now.

  46. Smh
    February 3, 2017

    So Dominicans don’t know how to handle ANYTHING professionally??? Stupes

  47. VALUE 4 MONEY
    February 3, 2017

    wayy papa..AAAGGAAIINNN

  48. Sakway Gwo Boudeh
    February 3, 2017

    But how comes everybody walking out on DFC?

  49. Anonymous
    February 3, 2017

    You are right Val, you don’t need this crap from pappy’s boy Robbie, who has no experience.

  50. DT.
    February 3, 2017

    Way papa more roro to come

  51. efewq
    February 3, 2017

    But in DFC have jumbie 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O 8-O

    • dominican101
      February 3, 2017

      too much jumbie

    • Ruby
      February 3, 2017

      Who put de spirit, take out de spirit….. :lol: :lol: :lol:

      • Please help
        February 3, 2017

        They treated Mr Toulon and the people who gave birth to the organization really bad that’s is why the jumbee coming for them.

  52. Ridiculousness
    February 3, 2017

    Way lay lay lay pam pam

  53. truth
    February 3, 2017

    dis band that committeee everybody canot be walking out on dem what d hellll!!! too much politics

  54. SMFH
    February 3, 2017

    Just when we had such great festival last year and expecting even bigger one this year…now Val is gone!

    • Toto
      February 3, 2017

      Ithink all people opposed to Skerrit should boycot that carnival this time because I don’t want him to use it for his propaganda. I do not need to come to Roseau and I can walk home and don’t have to drive and can have the same fun in my village like my parents and grandparents used to have. My local shopkeepers getting my money this time and not them in Roseau.

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