Athenia Benjamin has been officially named as the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) candidate for the Wesley Constituency but this news is not sitting well with some sections of the DLP in the community.
The announcement was made over the weekend and Benjamin said she is honored to represent the people for the DLP.
She will be replacing present MP, Gloria Shillingford.
“It is an honor and I feel very humbled to be the person to represent the people from Wesley, Woodfordhill and Palm Tree,” she said in an interview with state-owned DBS Radio. “I am a lover of people, I am a lover of my country and a lover of what’s positive and I will do everything that I can to ensure that we reach the level that we always aspire to be.”
But in an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO) chairman of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) Wesley Constituency Association, Cleaveland Dodds, described the situation as one of “blatant disrespect,” saying the constituency is “in shock.”
“Nobody in the constituency is happy,” he told DNO on Monday. “The constituency is in a shock, the constituency shut down. It’s blatant disrespect, we are in a state of shock. There are other ways to skin a cat. Something is definitely going to take place because we think we were treated with disrespect and we find our people should never be treated like that.”
Some residents in that area have been rallying for months against Benjamin deeming her unsuitable for the post and as a result caused the constituency to be in “shambles,” according to Dodds.
In an interview some weeks ago, he said that they in the process of preparing a primary for selecting a candidate since the association had suggested Financial Controller at the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), Fidel Grant as a possible contender.
Benjamin, who has been living in Canada for a number of years, noted that there are “a lot” of people raising questions about her life overseas, but she noted that the skills and competencies that she gained while working and living in Canada will be beneficial to Dominica.
“Yes, I lived outside of Dominica and I have no regrets about that,” she told DBS. “I got a lot of experience working in Canada and I think that there are some things that can be transitioned and customized to the Dominican way of life. And that is what I intend to do. I cannot bring Canada to Dominica but I can bring certain things that happen in Canada, that experiences that I have, the skill that I have would be able to make a difference in the lives of Dominicans here.”
She said she left Wesley in her early 20’s but maintained that she has her roots in Wesley.
Well Athenia, I’m seeing you shipped 470 lbs. of soup, flour, sugar, rice, pasta and clothes to Wesley Village councel in Oct. of las year from Toronto. Is this an admission that our local people can not afford to buy these basics themselves or was it a deposit for your nomination? yes, I am sceptical because the current political climate makes me so.
After you get all what you get from the supply you complaining now.
You all UWpites ain’t easy.
What are you a spy? Is it your business? So she shipped them. Are you one who is in authority who should have buttoned your lips and tied your fingers? Have you breached your position and revealed what you should have kept confidential? If so, you should be fired.
DNO Admin: Why did you not publish my comments??? Come on, do not be so biased! Let Dominicans know the truth so that they can make decisions from a position of knowledge.
It is not every person who returns to Dominica claiming to be doing so for love of country who is to be believed. Where are the credentials? Where is the track record of community service in the previous homeland? Gone are the days when my people could be easily fooled by handouts of cheap clothing, pigtail, saltish and rum! We are all enlightened now! DLP has just played right into the hands of the UWP and lost that seat. But then again, who knows what she knows????? One thing is for sure, win, lose or draw, she will come out smelling like a rose because her bread don butta already…hmmmm
What truth? If you comment about her personal life, it is none of your business nor the business of Dominicans. If you must comment about her, write what is important to the constituency. Ask her how she hopes to assist them. Anything else is not warranted and out of place. Therefore, hold your peace – piece.
Obvious manifestation of dictatorship.
Everything I hearing is Wesley…well they don’t need to support Athinia for all I care because she is very much loved and very appreciated in Woodford hill. whether Wesley people like it or not, Athinia Benjamin is here to stay so they better get their acts together or we rolling with or without them. Damn it man.
Itasssi too
Why is Skerrit’s wedding so important to you? Please learn to give up when the bells have tolled and the fat lady has sung. Melissa is Skerrit’s wife and whether you like it or not he has moved on, get over it. Dyamn some people head hard eh.
They love to live in the past; always bringing up the past. These are they who are living behind time and in the past as if the front of their heads are facing their backs.
Why all the hate. I believe her heart is in the right place. She loves her country and the people. I think she should be given a fair chance to prove herself. If there was a problem with the process then it should be addressed. She should not be attacked personally for trying to represent her district if she feels that she could make a difference
Yes Miss Benjamin,you live in Canada for the last 32 years and the only contribution you can leave Canada to come back here and make is to contest for election? You came down for the last election you didn’t succeed you went back up to Canada to give your child the good life he accustom to, that’s what you said, and now is election time again you back? What is your financial standings in Canada? What stake you have in Dominica beside your birth certificate? we know you don’t own anything else and you have been trying to see if you can build a house but the money is hard to come by so you looking for a easy way out and you think politics is the easier way out because you not qualify in anything to hold a good job there,you were offered a job after the last election and when they ask you to bring your CV they never heard from you,you fly back to Canada without saying you leaving. In what you specialize? You talking about you work in different government department,you could be a cleaner?,we never know ? Tell us,what are you qualify in?
Some months ago I read about this on DNO. Why bring it up again as a broken record?
Athenia, congratulatons on being chosen the DLP candidate for Wesley. I know you mean well and you will make an excellent representative for Wesley. Good luck!
People of Wesley, throw your support for her and vote DLP. She is here not to fight you but to help you and make life better for you. She needs your support. DLP needs your support.
God’s blessing and peace to every one of you in Wesley.
Gloria left for the states a while ago. What happens in DA is that people who go overseas and get educated and then come back can’t get jobs that earn much money, therefore they seek to get their paycheck from a govt. job that pays more. Too much politics involved.
what does living in Canada or Dominica has to do with ones capability to represent he/her people? I personally think that you guys should relax and welcome some new mind, fresh ideas, give change a chance!!!
Ms.Benjaming is a good woman bazil will have to own it to get a sit
u peoples are fools ms.benjermin is a nice woman she tring her best for people.
All the way with ms.benjamin.For progress and development we voting Atho. she demonstrate her ability to work.she has done it in the pass and she is still doing it and will continue to work.no doubt about that . LUV U ATHO. God bless you.
All the way with ms.benjamin.For progress and development we voting Atho. she demonstrate her ability to work.she has done it in the pass and she is still doing it and will continue no doubt about that. LUV U ATHO. God bless you.
Chairman of the Wesley Labour branch I believe the problem is you. The PM would not make a candidate official if he believed that person would cost him the Wesley seat. From all angles it is not the Wesley people that is making the noise, it is you. But I want to assure you the decision is not all yours as a leader you cannot please all of the people all the time, you can only please some of the people some of the time. The problem is with you, you do not want Ms. Benjamin not the people.
we love our incoming pal-rep she is a hard working woman that is why we will rally with her.Further more,we are not turning back
i am not voting for rum,i am voting for a better future
I think this was an automatic choice and the best. Athenia don’t get carried away about their comments. You have one love and that is to Jesus. They should respect you and appreciate your work that is all you need from them. We want more of this lady to get them low minded up to Parr to move this Island forward.we know you care about both people and village alike. Go for it Labour power. You came just in time We found OIL AND GOLD TO
It is alleged, let me repeat, it is alleged, this lady in red was once Skeritt’s girlfriend.
shot up Doc. love
Why all the negativity… are u kidding me the laborite wanted to choose grant over athenia. . The lady is more mature and can represent the village very good. I must admit if she was rolling with the Team dominica she would have our full support we the people of palm tree. Athenia wishing you all the best and I hope all this negative talk stop.
Question: Did she say that she loves Wesley? Or people from Wesley? I saw where she said that she loves people and love her country, but I am looking for the , “I love Wesley and people from Wesley” statement. I wonder if DNO just forgot to print that?
Oh goodness, she didn’t mention Wesley…she must not love Wesley.
cmon, listen to yourself.
So what? You want her to spell it out to you?
You all talking like is Wesley alone that voting, most of Wesley don’t vote the DLP anyway, most are blue as hell. The is who has to deal with who ever he put up to run in the party and word is the people told him they have no qualm with her representing them so he made his choice win, lose, or draw he is the one that has to work with her, you all need to let the DLP vive.
I know this lady personally and I believe she is a very good candidate for the people of Wesley -Woodfordhill. We are looking for people who can help not people who are full of TALK.
Teacher Glore I didnt support you in the beginning but I am pleased with your performance.
Please endorse this candidate and let’s continue the work started.
I am still disappointed in team dominica.
still waiting to be convinced to vote for them..
lol lol u aint no uwp supported lol lol
You should stop hiding you a not a UWP supporter because if you were you would understand what we are talking about it’s not the individual is what Dominica needs to get back on track so stop your foolishness, and it’s been said were their is no vision the people perish
You were never a UWP supporter in the first place. Stop acting like a fool because 99.9% of UWP supporters are even more strenghthened by Team Dominica and are energized to vote because we are so ready to vote this corrupt government out!
why are you disappointed again? stupid labourite
In the past, the constituency of Wesley has had two PalReps who had been missing in action after they won their seats. I have no doubt the Lady in Red will be added to the list. Therefore, Mr. Bazil, who has been their fighting the people’s battle should be the obvious choice.
And what has he done for them?
Stop that foolish propaganda, what you are saying is nonsense. The Catholic Church only marries divorced persons if their Catholic church marriage has been anulled by the Church itself. The Catholic Church also does not recognise marriages which take place in other Churches except in cases where permission was given by the Catholic Church for the marriage to take place in that alternate Church. It also does not recognise marriages which took place only in Court.Under all the circumstances I think the PM’s marriage was a legitimate marriage in the eyes of the State and the Church.
LADY IN RED!!!
i hope my fren in newyork jemmot come to vote for her
Why Jemmoth must come and vote for her? They related nuh?
Lady in RED!
It suddenly looks a lot like Christmas where everything is “RED”
God is good all the time.
You DLP supports created this paper dictator called Skerrit, now deal with him.
Power gone through his brain,that’s all.
@Investigation Time, Is it true you are not aware who real father is?
thats a total shame to elect such a woman the DLP led by Skerrit disrespected the people of wesley.shame shame shame and i live in wesley and its alot of people that dont want this lady at all.
Are you sure???
As an outsider, Grant should go up as an Independent Candidate
Mr. Bazil is a much better representative for the people of Wesley and environs than Athania will ever be.
She is just like most of the other DLP candiates, “Selected by one man!”
The people of Wesley now have to show their disapproval during the elections .
what hell bazil all he can do is drink rum, he don,t wory for people.
When you people are trying to convince others by posting stories online you must remember that people have brains out there. Skerrit and his DLP would NEVER make it easy for UWP to win Wesley or any other seat so I give them the benefit of the doubt. It is a few people who are trying to make the rest of us believe that Wesley is up in arms. Its pure common sense that DLP would not be so stupid.
Clive Dodds all the time i was in support of you and the other men but what disappointes me is your LIES you put them together so well that you can decieve anyone, you lied and say it was the people of Wesley Constituency and what i have learned is some from Wesley and 2 if them from Woodford Hill are those people the entire Constituency and I think you should speak for yourself, now the people have spoken a poll was conducted and she won! Was it all UWP supporters they interviewed ?
DNO where is the breaking news and the UWP with the speech writing and delivery. Your readers would like to read all about it. That would be of some interest to all students especially journalism students and the future in Dominica politics. I understand it came out since Saturday but I cannot find anything about it on DNO.
The Wesley Constituency is important but I believe that will work itself out given time but the Breaking News in the UWP camp, now that is of more importance at the moment.
very funny that persons who try to take others to task in terms of english end up making errors themselves in their post. hmmm you have several in your comment and I am not going to correct them for you. seems you need some classes yourself lol
Australians will tired make a fool of Allu labourites, the blind leading the bats.
Allu labourites doh tired fall for nonsense coming from the mouths of fools that cannot put a meal on your table while their table have ham and turkey? The blind leading the bats on the animal talk show.
I don’t understand why people surprised and disappointed anyways… Skerrit has always shown blatant disregard for the people, the constitution and the office of prime minister. Whats the big deal? this is just another instance of him shoving his choice down the throat of the people.
Iremember up state New York, what who where and when I know what you did that time
She will bring her experience she gained in Canada. Which is what?? Did she serve in any political capacity or better yet ca nshe tell us what type of political exposure/experience/job she was involved with in Canada. Yes Dominicians wake up.
Be broadminded. You only look on the surface and not the in-depth. This is the problem with many of you.
Those who reside abroad for some years have a good perceptive of what could be done in D/ca for the constituency. They are more of an expert than you could ever be, you being consistently critical and this is all which comes from you.
She will listen to the people, contemplate on what they state and do her utmost to rectify what they are concerned about it.
Thank you, Skeritt, for giving the constituency of Wesley to Mr. Bazil of UWP Team Dominica on a platter.
So, you telling that “Mr. Bazil ” is aa under-cover UWPWEEE???
So, you tell us that “Mr. Bazil” is an under-cover UWPWEEE???
doc love i think u make a mistake a big big one too.If Bazil want that sit he will have to work for it and very hard too eh ..make no mistake about that.so think again ok.everybody have their choice but not those who abuse the young ladies esp. taking them to the w/f/hill beach over night and using them for month rent money and even chicken and chips is those kind of people u want to rep.. u . OH MY GOD.
tey hey ebeh look it!!!!!!!so if de people dem a wesley dissatified, wha wey go happen dey? all to Jesus i surrender all to him i freely give.
More votes for Ezekiel Bazil!!!!!!!!!!!
Stupes…..All you can have the Wesley seat, it doesn’t matter. DLP will still be the next ruling party. I predict 15/16 seats for them.
Only In your dreams; the results will be 20 to 1 in DLP favour. Which seat of the 21 seats will the UWP get?
It is a tossup between the Salisbury and the Marigot seats; that is if Mr. James is the Candidate for Marigot.
Dominicans are giving the UWP only one seat and that is still debatable.
Actually you may have a point here. Maybe Roosevelt Skerrit is prepared to sacrifice this seat just to get ms. Benjamin out of his hair. If she does win, he wins. If she doen’t win he may still win the election and claim he gave her ever opportunity, as he promised.
You said it jojo he will get her out of his head heheheh
DNO, this election is not about candidate but about true, honest leadership and vision. So in other to help persons choose that truthful, honest and visionary leader it is important that you post our questions to both leaders. Over the weekend I posted my questions to Mr. Linton and you did not have a problem posting them, where 20 of your readers gave me a “thumbs up” and 60 gave thumbs down. I have been trying for a month now to direct same questions to Mr. Skerrit and you keep bumping me out. I will try again today because we need answers:
DNO, most of us do not believe Mr. Skerrit very truthful to us about his nationality, his diploma, the villas, and many, many, many more concerns of national interest. We now have some more important questions that we need answers for so we could judge his honesty. DNO, we are now hearing that he might not have been truthful to us about his secret wedding of May 2013. According to street vibes, Mrs. Skerrit was already married and her husband is still alive. As a result, he wanted to marry her abroad but did not get accommodation overseas. You remember when DNO announced his wedding on May 11, 2013? Here is a paragraph: Dominica News Online – Saturday, May 11th, 2013 at 5:47 PM
“Some speculated that the marriage was going to take place in Dominica while others said it was going to be overseas.
However, the prime minister or those close to him remained tight-lipped on the entire matter.” I am now hearing that such wedding NEVER took place at the Bourn Catholic Church and everything we saw was just a fake since it contradicted the policy of the Catholic Church to marry a person that is already married and spouse still alive. We are hearing that the priest from Vieille case did not perform that wedding although he was present in the church and preached. We are hearing that the bishop knew all about it and together they all lied to us. It is also said that those government ministers that attended the wedding were given one time and by the time they showed up at the time given, the so called vows were already taken so none could witness and tell their friends and loved ones. DNO, we need the PM to tell us the truth here because he cannot keep fooling us like that. DNO, please post so we could all make a wise decision in choosing an honest, truthful and visionary leader.
once the man have his marriage certificate legally issued then i do not see the point in those questions. do you have a problem with people being married?
Itassi too, what is your problem? You are gossipy. What you stated is propaganda. It is the height of wickedness. I cannot believe that you made such statements. You are trying to demean the PM?
Why concern yourself with their personal matters which should not concern you?
I know some members of her family and I will be informing them about it. They will simply state, you and whoever else are making up stories.
Itassi too, you are not the Catholic Church. Mind your own business! Your comments appear to be a fairy story, meaning a downright lie. Stop wasting your time. This will get you nowhere.
Write the PM if you are of this opinion as you stated.
ROTFLMAO!!! OMG!! What will you guys come up with next? Oliver at Large, Kevin Hart and three stooges have nothing on you. Too funny!
Why Dominicans do not like people that lived overseas to come back and participate in a meaningful way? We gain a lot of valuable experience living out here. And right now we are very much in tune with what is going on in Dominica on a daily basis because of the revolution in communication technology. I am disgusted when people come of with that stupid argument about living overseas, yet they want ‘everything’ from overseas, and oversea people. My only problem with this candidate is that I think she is on the wrong team – I cannot support that current administration, and no politician in Dominica whether red or blue seems to have the guts to stand up for what they believe even it is not in line with their political party, and anyone who attempt to do so is ostracized. I my assessment, I believe that Wesley is going back to the BLUE party.
All I can do is shake my head and wonder if Skerrit’s inflated ego is even bigger than the nail he just put into his party’s coffin.
DNO, as we have seen in previous elections most people don’t vote candidate, but rather they vote for ‘Skerrit’ so I don’t see why they the try to blame the failure of the government on Gloria alone and not Skerrit and the failed DLP policies that have crippled all of us in Dominica.
stupes, bazil for wesley!!
are the days of constituencies choosing the candidates over?
It appears she loves the people but apparently the people do not love her.
Is she a Canadian citizen? If she is, how will that affect her candidacy?
But this whole situation is rather simple. If the majority of the people of that constituency want her, they will vote for her, otherwise, they will vote for someone else.
This is not just a DLP issue, it is an issue for the people of the constituency.
That would make her a Commonwealth citizen ans such she can stand for Parliament.
Canada is Commonwealth Country so she will be fine..
The young people of Wesley , Palm Tree and woodfordfill are VERY DISAPPOINTED.
Grant is someone the young men of the area look up to, for several reasons.
If you left in your 20s, and you in your 50s, the 30 year old can not connect with you mam.
Give her a break. When you get to know her you will think and say differently.