Wesley Focus Committee distances itself from politics

Member of WFC in action

A group of “community minded” youths from the Wesley area is distancing itself from the politics of the area.

The Wesley Focus Committee (WFC) reports having already undertaken a range of activities including planting “flowers by the village’s primary school, visited elderly persons in the community bringing them Care Packs, hosted Flea Markets and undertaken clean up campaigns in the community”.

However it is a painting project that appears to have attracted some political reference to the work of the WFC.

“On May 26, 2012, we, in collaboration with other youth groups in the community, took on a clean-up project, where we painted a block in the village,” the group said.

“The said block was coated with some blue and white paint. There was NO United Workers Party logo or any other paraphernalia on the wall at all. The then existing blue and white paint was faded and the area was never maintained,”  the committee explained in a release.

“Exactly one week after we painted the wall, on June 02, 2012, some of the UWP supporters re- painted the wall using the party’s color. These persons are of the intention that the WFC is a politically affiliated group”.

The WFC says it wants to make it categorically clear “that  WE ARE NOT in any way politically inclined”.

According to the committee, it wants to in essence get on with the business of community development without getting entangled in the political wrangling that can accompany that process.

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56 Comments

  1. workers strong
    October 25, 2013

    I agree Gloria need to be gone. This lady does absolutely nothing for the villagers. If Wesley nigga smart they should know who to represent them. This block has always been painted in blue and white so y change it now , being bias saying for unity . DWL

  2. June 5, 2012

    OK you guys WFC i think your head is moving in the right direction, it is good the youth can come together and do thing for your community;
    my sugesstion to this situation is:
    If you are non political, then why not paint all political hotsports in the village with “MURALS” dipicting “UNITY”and community spirit,use the colors red, blue, green and what ever political colors that available and paint scenes that will brighten the peoples’ spirit and bring togetherness in the village.
    i am sure more people will take part in such a project;so if you want to be non political, get rid of all political colors on the blocks, and put things people can see and relate to.

  3. AWA Wii
    June 5, 2012

    This is just ridiculous here i am saying finally a group comes about to make a change, as a young person from the community i planned on joining the group but seems like this community is filled with childish behaviors of those in higher authority they dont like change they would rather to bring young people down with them. this is why i will never take part in politics in wesley grown folks being to childish instead we all get along

  4. concern
    June 5, 2012

    If mr barzil want to win the wesley seat he need to get ride of the PRO. better known as sheriff he is not working in your best interest

    • AWA
      June 5, 2012

      Ask for Th PRO…. he showing no example in no way

  5. wesley
    June 5, 2012

    Wesley colour is yellow and green.this colour was choosen by the reuion committee some years ago..wat is the big deal?

  6. P.C.T massive
    June 5, 2012

    The group’s colour is Yellow and the reunion colours are Yellow and Green. I guess they saw it fitting to use these colours.Keep focus guys and continue to do positive things. Let the reunion colours flow through the village.” LET US UNITE AND RELATE EVEN IN 2012.” :-D

  7. Sout Man
    June 4, 2012

    Wesley, remember Jamaica!! Do we want a UWP “hotspot” vs A DLP “hotspot” type of rivalry like the Jamaica Labour Party, (JLP), vs the People’s National Party, (PNP), which results in several party faithfuls losing their lives? If you condone that hotspot nonsense, you might as well endorse rival gangs claiming their areas of influence and dominance as their “turf” with all the associated violence and murder.

    Take warning, Wesley!! Nip it in the bud!! There should be no permanent display of party symbols on public property, 30 days after an election. That trend in Wesley is an ominous cloud we do not need in our politics. The politicians socialize in the same lodge, (Free Mason, etc. ) while we hate and kill each other in the streets for their sake. Wake up Wesley!!

  8. sherlock holmes
    June 4, 2012

    The w.f.c. has no affiliation with any political group whatsoever.Individually they may have their preferences but collectively as a group, they don’t!

    The painting of the block was to bring together the youth to do something positive as one body.It was simply amazing to see the team spirit emitted from them. In the end I bet they were happy with what they had accomplished.

    But how long did their joy last? when the following Saturday, all their efforts and hard work was crushed and flushed down the drains of Wesley?

    what do we make of that? so you mean to tell me, big hard-back men in a political group could not see the good behind the error? That boys that would otherwise be fighting, came together for a common purpose?
    Could we not say:
    “o.k lets give the focus group a little chance here,hey! those kids work their butt off last saturday doing good. we will paint over our block you know, but not yet. Let the effort of the youth sink into the minds of our villagers to let them know that the youth can do good too on their own, even if there are flaws here and there.

    And that we as a political group can entertain the idea even if we don’t accept it, because we are smart enough, to know that it is not every time you get youth to do hard work like what these kids have done.”

    • Wesley Massive
      June 4, 2012

      S.O.U.L Enterprise is another Wesley-based youth group – working for the betterment of our community. You surely dont see them stepping on political toes. FOCUS, take a hint. Tread softly, be cautious, know your community. Keep doing good but know which battles to fight.

  9. ???
    June 4, 2012

    For goodness sake, the word is “youth” and not “youths”. Both singular and plural are “youth”.

    • who doe c come c
      June 4, 2012

      that’s correct

    • Says who
      June 5, 2012

      Not according to the Oxford English Dictionary among others

  10. Anonymous
    June 4, 2012

    we arguing about graffiti which make the place look so low class. Get rid of all the colours and start afresh.

    The adults upholding this crap need a lesson in modern civilzation. Get a grip and work with the young people. The young people crying out for PEACE yet those who are supposed be leaders destroying their efforts. This is wrong

  11. john
    June 4, 2012

    In the attempt to promot peace and community developement.the youth of wesley was attack verbally and politically by some foot solders.mr barzil need to take control of them

  12. Driver
    June 4, 2012

    OF course this is politically motivated, whether its workers or labor. KNowing Wesley there is no such things as politically free. Even those over seas who supporting the village are affilitiated with one party or another. The attempt is a good one but I guess Wesley people know who is who. SO I dont understand why they could not have a united discussion before painting, IF they are so politically FREE. I think this was deliberately done to provoke the other side, and the otherside, deliberately painted it over. Pick your side.

  13. positive
    June 4, 2012

    WFC was trying to bring about positive change in the village but some of us think so simple minded that we only see what we want to see and not the bigger picture.. when the young try something positive why push them down you should help them.. i don’t understand our thinking we need to be more positive minded.. We need better leaders..

  14. Anonymous
    June 4, 2012

    I think that the people of Wesley need to grow up and see that the young people were trying to something good and trying to bring unity in the village instead its bring about division which is not helping at all.. Lets get it together and be positive for our community…..

  15. Wesley Massive
    June 4, 2012

    Since I know myself, that block has always been designated as a UWP block. Whilst I applaud the efforts of WFC, i am disappointed at the way in which things are turning out. They declare that their effort is for community building however, in this matter, instead of trying to deal with it internally (consulting with the UWP rep.) they went public with it. SMH! What does the owner of the property has to say about the matter?

    Why didn’t the committee paint over the ‘labour hotspots’? Why was it that only the UWP block was an eye saw? Hmmm. Very interesting.

    Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way politically affiliated but i am disappointed with the actions of the committee.

    • who doe c come c
      June 4, 2012

      wesley massive who are you? who have you been talking to?
      how do you know if focus discussed with their parl rep or not? who said the uwp block alone is an eyesore?
      do you surely know their plans? what if they plan to paint all political blocks, they must start somewhere dont you think?

      • Wesley Massive
        June 4, 2012

        “Who doe c come c”, I am from WESLEY! Are you? If you have some info to share, do share. When i spoke of consulting with the SENATOR, not the PARL REP, i am referring to the repainting of the block by his supporters. I mean come on, if is peace and transparency u want, why didn’t the committee have different groups painting 2 separate blocks simultaneously?

        Finally, why would you claim to love Wesley so much yet publish something like this which is only making the WORLD – yes the WORLD – view Wesley negatively? You should be advocates for unity not segregation. I ask, was WFC’s publication of this ‘drama’ politically motivated?

  16. A VOICE OF PEACE AD
    June 4, 2012

    As a villager i think all this is just ignorance.I thought we were looking fr unity in the village ,is that a form of unity? .my pple remember the jam fr peace? is that how we start off? .Come on my wesley pple we all need to move on so that our community and country can move forward.lord i claim peace and unity in my village of wesley in ur name sake.if it is ur will an i claim it is amen

  17. super
    June 4, 2012

    There was no United Workers Party logo or any other paraphernalia on the wall at all. The then existing blue and white paint was faded and the area was never maintained.

    If the above statement is the justification for painting over the block I think that it is flawed. I will give the group the benefit of the doubt and conclude that there was an error in judgement concerning the colour of paint or the location that was chosen.

    Any individual who has lived in Wesley since the formulation of the United Workers Party would and should know that this specific block is the outdoor headquarters of the UWP in Wesley. Similarly if you move around the village there are areas which are labour hotspots. I will concur that the area needed an upgrade but this could have been done by maintaining the existing colour. This block is iconic as it relates to the political history of Wesley and I think it should be preserved as it is rather than painting it over. It should be a reminder to all parties that no matter how dominant you may be it is essential that you maintain contact and represent the people of the constituency, if not you will be replaced.

    The initiative to enhance the ambience of the village is refreshing, but I think it was naive to expect a different response from some supporters of the UWP. I think it would have been more readily accepted if it was repainted in the colour that existed. To complement this, an area which is perceived as a labour party area should also have been repainted in red. This would have given credence to the legitimacy of the group as being no political, and alleviate the concerns of some of the sceptics.

    We all know that Wesley is a politically charged atmosphere and consequently deep thought and planning should be exercised before undertaking any activity. Nevertheless, people need to be more tolerant of each other’s political views. As villagers we need to take off our political blinders and come together to develop our village. We may argue and bicker about political parties but the individuals that will benefit most from any advancement in Wesley, no matter how insignificant it appears, are the villagers of Wesley and not the politicians.

    ELECTION IS OVER. PLACE THE WELFARE OF THE VILLAGE ABOVE PETTY PARTY POLITICS.

    • Lol
      June 4, 2012

      Does the color blue belong to the UWP??

      • huh?
        June 4, 2012

        yessssssssssss

    • OnDUTY
      June 4, 2012

      Here is it you saying paint the village blocks RED with its Red and Blue where its Blue. In other words continue the divide.

      Then you end by saying we should all put politics aside. >>>Make up your MIND.

      This Group seems to be trying to bring a divided community together.

      • super
        June 4, 2012

        There has always been and there will always be different political views and affiliations. In the village there will always be Blue and Red. Therefore it is important that no group demonstrate any perceived partiality to any one side. If people learn respect and tolerate these differences then there will be fewer problems. Unity does not mean homogeneity. I wonder how the body would function if it was only a hand.

    • annon
      June 7, 2012

      @ super well said.

  18. DFP-LAB-UWP
    June 4, 2012

    Francisco not just one able woman but several of them received the Chavez Housing. Is so we like it

  19. A Voice
    June 4, 2012

    Finally some youths with common sense and conviction in Dominica. Keep up the good works guys and keep away from politics.

    I just hope whatever it is that you guys got is contagious…

  20. fireball
    June 4, 2012

    wfc is dead laba we allknow dat

    • Anonymous
      June 4, 2012

      WFC is not with any party so get Yours facts correct. They are a group of young people trying to better the village of Wesley.. But as we can see the needs help everything is about politics and you all need to grow up

    • positive
      June 4, 2012

      WFC is not with any party…

    • who doe c come c
      June 4, 2012

      you think you know? but you have no idea!

  21. OnDUTY
    June 4, 2012

    It’s really sad – When political parties go so low _ this is MADNESS – you mean to tell me, the leader of the party and other members met – discussed the matter and the wall was still painted over. What message is that sending to the youths _ what happens to their efforts to secure the paints? Is the UWP going to give them back the paint?
    This was an opportunity for the party to engage the youths of the community. Madness –
    Like the name – Please remain FOCUS – FOCUS

    • annon
      June 7, 2012

      did UWP ask them for paint?

  22. Wespo
    June 4, 2012

    I dont see the reason why there is even any lobourites in wesley anyway. after 2 terms in wesley, unemployment is high, most still live in poverty. So why still support a party or a man who has done absolutely nothing to raise your standard of living. My point, if after one term your standard of living is not improve (better living condition, jobs) vote them out let someone else in. its not personal just bussines. ote them out.

  23. Francisco Telemaque
    June 4, 2012

    Knowing how most Wesley people like to see their names in print, and hear it on Radio, and Television, and whereas they refrain from mentioning the names of anyone involved in this particular case, I am assured that their intentions are none political.

    That to me that is a splendid example which proved people can exists in their society without any form of political influence.

    The fact is in many cases political association, and influence usually becomes a hindrance in the way of progress and development, besides only certain people benefit from politics anyway, the very poor and deserving seldom or never benefit from the political handouts!

    At this very moment there are people in the Village of Wesley who are in desperate need for some governmental assistance, whereas it is drawn to my attention that these people have no means of survival, and depends sully at the mercy of their neighbors, and people such as I who sends a few dollars to them once in a while, they are not even considered to be recipients of the talked about welfare that some people receive.

    The irony of this is there are people who I understand receiving this welfare, who does not actually need it.

    The funny thing is that these forgotten, and overlooked are only remembered on election day when someone shows up at their front door offering them a ride to the poling booth.

    That is a shame; nevertheless, I was informed that a young woman in Portsmouth, working has a job yet she is a recipient of a government house, you know the ones they give away.

    The problem with that is the recipient is a young bodily able person who should be able to fend for herself, and that home should have been given ro some unfortunate seventy-five or eighty year old person existing in an dilapidated shack.

    Good work Wesley people, if I can help with a few gallons of paint, relay that to Emlord Timothy, he knows how to reach me, and I will help!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • annon
      June 7, 2012

      Francisco, maybe u should should write a book on how intelligent you are and focus on getting it publish,in the mean time you should just get to the point when you are making a comment on DNO.

  24. Wow!
    June 4, 2012

    Well said WFC!! I think more groups should disassoctiate themselves with politics and the nonsense that surrounds it…Do what you must for your people and community and avoid the politics.

  25. KA
    June 4, 2012

    Agreed excellent release. With the delicate political situations in our community my advice to the focus group stay away from anything political while i personally do not think the group is political, clearly some persons in the community do.Please continue to do what u guys are doing put the incident at the back of the group and be mindfull in the future that your desire is to bring persons together for the betterment of your community, I think your hearts are in the right place good luck and Godspeed.

  26. Wespo
    June 4, 2012

    That block has been adopted by the UWP for over 20 years now. So the WFC knew what they were doing. The WFC are all labourites I know because most are my friends. They getting pressure from all sides now thats why they want to distance themselves from politics. Gloria is who they are supporting, it was done in the name of the DLP.

    • OnDUTY
      June 4, 2012

      THEN WHY NOT PAINT IT RED – DON’T THINK YOU KNOW ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP –

      • huh?
        June 4, 2012

        if they had paint it in red , that would be a big disrespect to “the golf” block, everyone no thats a history uwp block.better they had repaint in same colour and beautify. Would you want someone to tell you leave your house that you live in? that disrespect, i support the group but not what they did

      • Wesleyifrom
        June 4, 2012

        They paint it in yellow now so by election time they would paint it again..this time in red.

    • who doe c come c
      June 4, 2012

      and they painted the wall yellow? better you say is papy they supporting.

      they are all your friends and that you saying? there is no reason to your madness!

  27. June 4, 2012

    eh see what we as a people have come to. W such positive minded persons who see it fit to make a positive contribution and assist the elderly and their village but politics have to be injected into every thing in Dominica, that`s pure madness and it has to stop.

  28. Powil Pa
    June 4, 2012

    Oh Gad!!!!! U mean workers really done in Wesley???? Pupa gams… I see when dem UWP fellas dem self help paint di block over in yellow and green lol… We I guess someone pass an see it an wasn’t too happy… Woooyy look joke. Election fever start already.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      June 4, 2012

      Have a little pride, there is a place and time for everything, the English language has served us well, that is why we the people of Wesley do not speak and understand patios.

      When we find someone who is fluent in patios in our village, we know that they are an outsider.

      I am the boy Son;brother to Marie, Bernie, Izine, Watts, the one called Gibson Bazile, and also Gibson Marcell, those two are Telemaque, sons of my father!

      Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

      • Powil Pa
        June 4, 2012

        Stupes… Gassa nottin go stap me fram tak mi kokoy… Maybe you should look at your history and analyze di importance of our colloquial language and den maybe u go ha sum pryde inna u-self… Sot u sot.. An choupit

    • annon
      June 4, 2012

      @ powil pa, that could never ever happen, even our blood blue in wesley

  29. Villager
    June 4, 2012

    Great work WFC. Just as said, keep doing what is positive to restore our community, ignore the ignorance of the innocent, rise above and keep at work. Do it for the Lord, he will make great results come forth and will reward you all eventually.

  30. hmm
    June 4, 2012

    “On May 26, 2012, we, in collaboration with other youth groups in the community, took on a clean-up project, where we painted a block in the village,” the group said.

    “The said block was coated with some blue and white paint. There was NO United Workers Party logo or any other paraphernalia on the wall at all. The then existing blue and white paint was faded and the area was never maintained,” the committee explained in a release.

    “Exactly one week after we painted the wall, on June 02, 2012, some of the UWP supporters re- painted the wall using the party’s color. These persons are of the intention that the WFC is a politically affiliated group”.

    That part is not exactly clear but I guess I get the drift.

    • onlooker
      June 4, 2012

      @ hmm stop telling tales i am from wesley, okay you guys choose this particular block to paint, why deface it again by writing WFC on the wall again? and no paraphernalia,whay happen to the saw? maybe you can answer.

      • Anonymous
        June 4, 2012

        The saw is still there the WFC did not remove any of those items..

  31. June 4, 2012

    I think that we should have a national neutral colour or colours.

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