Lawyer Para Riviere is officially serving notice that he is ending his political career.
Seventy two-year-old Riviere is the political leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), which made very little waves on the local political scene.
While announcing that it is time to hang up his boots, Riviere urged politicians here to practice honesty.
Para, as he is commonly called, first began his political career with the black power movement back in 1968.
He was also part of the Movement for New Dominica, the Legal Socialist Workers, and the Dominica Liberation Movement.
His parting advice includes recommending that politicians be in constant contact with the people at all times for the further development of the country.
“You have to understand world trends, you have to understand the development process, so when you put all of this together in your discussion with the people you formulate a plan,” the outgoing politician said.
“It is that plan that you have to try to put into effect to raise living standards, I don’t see why that is so problematic in a little country like Dominica,” he told Dominica News Online.
He is a practising lawyer at the moment, and is expected to focus a lot more attention on his legal practice.
Trying to reach Para. Does anyone know how is he doing after hurricane Maria! Can someone pmease let me know. What a terrible loss and destruction. My heart goes out to all those affected. May god give them the strength to rebuild a better country…
My grandad was an honest man at what he did and did his job for the better of his people. No need to criticize.
Para, long time no see. You are wise in your decision to give up politics and concentrate on your personal and business career. It will provide you with much more satisfaction. At the end of the day you can relax and rest well without the bother of politics which could be stressful, you know living, breathing, eating, drinking and sleeping politics.
Politics can age one and in the end cause all sorts of ailments. All the same you are looking good. 
Politically-wise you have done your part and your best. You still have a lot of years ahead of you. You are in a position to offer expert and helpful advice and can contribute much to your beloved country, Dominica.
This is a new beginning for you. In years to come, I am certain that you will make the most of your career while keeping attuned to the goings on of DA’s political scene. Good luck and God bless you!
stuuuuupes! it was ended long time agao in Bethlehem!
What can I say Mr. Riviere, 72 you’re not that young but you are not very old either. The last time I saw you, you still looked great for your age.
As one poster said so correctly, politics is not a career path for the young at heart but for the HONEST at heart. Dominica could not have enough of someone like you, especially in this time of political moral crisis. You tried in 2010, but you know the deal, you did not have the money to spend frivolously like the ruling party, and money in Dominica politics means everything. I really thought that one day I would run alongside someone like you, I really wanted to in 2010, but I was not quite ready for frontline politics.
All in all, Dominica needs you, and I believe leaving politics to concentrate on your legal practice is still a win for Dominica. The legal profession in Dominica is also badly in need of experienced, serious and honest practioners.
Reading your story really brought some sadness, but you are not dead, you are still around, I pray that you will continue to comment on issues as you see fit.
Good luck with your legal practice Mr. Riviere, all the best!
lol..hahah i there wondering where was the political career? haahhaha wow I laugh for tonight..ok Para take care…enjoy retirement….seriously….
@ huhhh
Who are you?
Come on man DNO! With a caption: “Para Riviere calls it quits,” you proceeded to explain: “Para, as he is commonly called…” This means that you jolly well know that Mr. Riviere has a proper name. Therefore, the first line of your story should have read: “Lawyer WILLIAM “Para” Riviere…or whatever his christian name is. I know allu can do better than dat!
@ Lovely D/ca
Why criticize DNO? Everyone called him ‘Para’. So that for those who may not know him and those who do know him as ‘Para’ will know who he is. All my life I knew him as ‘Para’. I had forgotten about his other name.
For all you know they offer him the Presidency for him to shut up!!!
Unlike some of the present crop of politicians in Power, mired in all kinds of deals and illegalities, Para will leave a legacy of honesty, wisdom and great intellect. Para is leaving with a clean slate, with no fear of being brought to the court for corrupt practices.
But unfortunately, Dominicans with good attributes, who have fought and continue to fight against corruption, Bad governance, colonialism and disrespect for the Constitution and Laws of the land, will face hell on this piece of rock.
No one among us could truthfully claim that Para did not play a significant role in educating his fellow men and women on National issues or advocating against injustices. He expressed genuinely his alternative views regarding the path to economic, social/cultural development, and struggled for equal rights of citizens among other notable deeds. His good works will set him Free.
To many in these times those are not the type of role models people want. It’s plain to see. So sad for our “Nature Isle.” Look around and see for yourselves what people support, condone and praise in this 21st. century.
This PM today will never in the eye Dminicns hold your legercy,,Dr.Riviere a true solder and I will keep telling the young ones to belive in you a man of true integrity and respect for the law.Mr.Riviere may God keep you safe and bless you abondantly.
learn 头spell
learn to spell
I do hope they Para continues to make comments on the Dominica/Regional political life. I have not totally agreed with his thinking, but he is a critical thinker and his views are always interesting to read and reflect upon.
May God continue to bless you Parra. Your work is over only when you die.
all the best Mr. Para.
So long Para quit!!
Has Para been involved in corrupt practices? Could any Dominican convince me that Para is not a man of wisdom? Has Para been caught putting his hands in the National cooky jar? Has Para been associated with any illegal acts? Has Para been involved in selling our diplomatic passports, selling of our diplomatic immunity to foreigners who end up in serious trouble with the law?
Would Para borrow money from a foreign country to create work for the citizens of that country, while locals, who could do the job remain unemployed? The Para that we know is leaving with a clean slate, with no fear of being brought before the courts for corruption or secret deals.
Would Para secretly appoint non-Dominican Ambassadors, give them diplomatic passports in exchange for mucho $$$$$$$?
Para misunderstood the thinking, the operations of the DLP Cabal and thought he could work with them and advise them to adopt democratic principles, honesty, good governance, anti-corruption, regard for the Constitution and rule of law, sustainable development, but to no avail.
Unfortunately, in Dominica, many people seem to love to remain mentally enslaved and continue to support corrupt practices that are having serious negative effects and retarding our development.
Just think for a while. A present Govt. Minister was fired from his posts, alledegedly involved in questionable deals, yet he received the most votes in an election. Strange how our people continue to condone wrong doings. Mental slavery envelops our psschye.
You love the person and he could do whatever he/she wants against the law and escape or get protection. You hate the other person for whatever reason, and before he moves or opens his mouth to express his genuine, truthful opinions, he/she is demonised. Has Para engaged in money-laundering or quick enrichment by any means? Those wise, non-corrupt persons in our society are not the role models or type many, many Dominicans prefer. So sad. Is so Dominica come?
7He was’nt in any possition to sell passports, so he could not sell none.How could he get involved in the national cooky jar and in what possition could he borrow money fron a foreign country?
“Mr. Good to be wise” tell me !!!
para good luck to you, you are a good man. i wish u did not just yet but yu got to rest, politics in Dominica is not for a good honest man like you.
Well what a day, para have now realised that his political future has long come to and end.when he has spent the time trying to teach the PM out dated plan.their will be many more just wait and see.
Out dated plans? Like running an honest campaign? Like not amassing wealth while seating on the highest seat in government? Like not selling the country for thirty pieces of silver?
If these plans are out dated well our country is in more trouble morally than I thought!!!!!!
Is this the same Para? That photo does not ring a bell. Someone help me if i am wrong.Thank you.
Sorry. Mr Riviere and not Bellot.
maybe Mr. Bellot should follow suit.
**IT STARTED AND ENDED THE SAME YEAR***
The very first year the party[PDM] was formed it was also the year it ended!! I’m not sure what exactly happened with the party’s death. I think he could have contributed so much to us.
But it’s the official end?
Ok, well……….. -Thanks!
“he could have contributed so much to us” Who exactly is us? Dominica? or This Labor Party government? because he was contributing a lot to Dominica and he contributed to the Labor Party before it came to what it is now. I don’t want to believe that you are suggesting that it is more important to a party than to the country at large!
Did he not serve as the Secretary of the Labor Party when they returned to power in 2000?
Good Mr Bellot. You did come to the realisation. Very wise decision.
This is Para Riviere not Parry Bellot
For goodness sakes read the articles…
hahahaha, labourites does read nuh?
Where Para come out nuh. So long we haven’t heard from him, didn’t we know that he has retired all along?
WHAT BOY. PARA STAY STILL NA BOY. CANNOT BELIEVE PARA WOULD LEAVE DE POLITICAL ARENA WHEN WE NEED HIM DE MOST. WHE WHE WHE ITS A SAD DAY IN DOMINICA’S POLITICAL HISTORY. DOMINICA HAS LOST A GREAT ONE
OH NICE TO SEE YOU BILL …OLD REASONABLE MAN NOW …..SISTER =C.B
It is just a pity that he was not very agressive after a while. As a young child growing up I remember him making a new bridge in POrstmouth locally called “Para bridge” and standing in the river for hours to defend his rights from the defense force then due to circumstances he left the country but I always thought that he would have been a good rep for the POrtsmouth constituency hadn’t he leave. Good luck on his politic retirement but continue however to guide the young generation.
To Concerned.
I support your statement for I was one of the young ones who helped with the building of the bridge in cocoawell. They tried to stop us, rain fall, river overflow but we persevered and build the bridge. Today that bridge is the gateway from Portsmouth to Capuchin. It will forever be known a Para bridge. However it was forgotten that he was a member of the Dominica Alliance Party and he contested the Cottage Constituency in 1990 and was defeated by Alleyne Carbon of the Freedom party. He gave up the fight and moved on to greener pastures. I do however wish him all the best in his future endeavours. He is Seventy two years now so he has to focus on other avenues and leave politics for the young at heart.
he contested the Cottage Constituency in 1980 not 1990. correction.
I’d prefer politics in the hands of the honest at heart, whatever their age.
He looks like the guy with the master plan.
“Dennis Joseph” is the man with the master blast, the master plan – wake up! wake up!
god bless big man i know some going to critisize u for being honest.
Oh please DNO, why is that news? And oh please Para, what do you want? A fanfare and farewell party? You were virtually non-existent as far as being a politician is concerned.
@ Anonymous
All the way you are non-existent.
i smell a rat!!
All the best para,you are a good man!
At least you tried. And you man enough to know when to leave the scene.
The significant but unspoken point you have made though for all politicians is that one must have a fallback in life – a profession that you can die in with dignity, Politics in Dominica is not dignified.
Hope you are not the exception. The majority of politicians don’t own their elbow much less assets. They see political power as their passport for economic trappings. No matter how hard a PM works for Dominica once a significant amount of citizens disapprove of one’s method of acquiring wealth trust me you are stained with your legacy and no one can deny that!!!!!!
I agree with you, thief is a very unappealing title, makes you unappealing as a person, the dimples, long straight nose, all that looking just ugly, its like a black shadow has enveloped that person.