Portsmouth landlords to take legal action against Ross University

Aerial view of Picard
The Ross University School of Medicine, which departed Dominica recently, is headed for a court battle with landlords in Portsmouth who are now pursuing legal action against it.
This is in addition to a lawsuit against the institution by the government of Dominica.
After a meeting between government officials and landlords last Friday, MP for Portsmouth, Ian Douglas, announced that the landlords have retained lawyers in the matter.
“The landlords themselves have retained lawyers, headed by Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan and a team of lawyers to pursue legal action for loss of business that they intended to have in the short to or long term, medium term,” he told Kairi News.
Douglas pointed out one of the landlords said at the meeting that buildings were specifically constructed in a particular way to accommodate Ross for the foreseeable future.
He also said that the meeting was fruitful and will make way for new opportunities for the island’s second town.
He stated that landlords will, in the near future, have access to a special loan facility at the AID Bank and the government has pledged tremendous support to assist them.
“I mean, support to help them, some of them who are struggling with their mortgages and their repayments to the banks,” he remarked.
Douglas revealed that an official, formerly from the ministry of commerce and small business, has been reassigned to deal “with this Ross project.”
“To deal with the university and all of the attendant issues associated with the challenges that the landlords and  the other businesses face,” he stated.
He said that those at the meeting left optimistic that the government was with them as they pick up the pieces after Ross’ departure.
“The government has not for one minute turned their back on the landlords of Picard and the people of Portsmouth,” Douglas stated. “The government will be working with the AID Bank for whatever system of assistance that is put in place for them to be able to access the funding that they need in the short term to cushion the effect of Ross’ exit…”

Last year, Ross announced that it was shutting down its operation in Dominica and from January this year, has been  operating in Barbados.

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101 Comments

  1. Question
    February 15, 2019

    Ross owes us nothing. This is so sad. Like pining over an ex.

  2. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
    February 14, 2019

    Karma is all i have to say, these landlords were all about the lil white folks renting from them, instead of having a secondary base with the local population. whenever we would ask for lodging THERE WAS NEVER ROOM IN HE INN!!! Take what you get, we were never good enough to be in the same buildings as the Ross students, even some of the resturants use to treat local customers like second rate people when they had Ross students, now look at them. Jah was watching and his judgment came swift.

  3. Karl Orndem
    February 13, 2019

    In a free market (like what we have in Dominica), you take risks as a business man. Sometimes they pay off, sometimes they dont. Should the banana farmers have sued Geest for suddenly not wanting our bananas? Should the cocoa and coffee farmers have sued the government for making them think coffee and cocoa production was going to being in full swing years ago? This is the price you pay in a free economy. Now you all have Tony hyping you up like a pappyshow. you all will make fools of yourselves. Notice Ross isnt even responding to this nonsense. Why? because lions to turn when dogs bark. Now Dominica will take your tax paying dollars to pay Tony for his “representation” Pay the courts for wasting its time and in the end you still WONT have students to fill your apartments or compensation from Ross.

  4. James
    February 13, 2019

    Unbelievable Skerritt has now turned independent business people in Picard into beggars!

  5. AP George
    February 12, 2019

    Pursue “legal action for loss of business that they intended to have in the short to or long term, medium term”… Intended to have? This is nonsense. These lawyers need to advise the landlords to take their legal-fee money and pay their own mortgages to stay out of foreclosure. How can ‘intent’ be a basis for a mortgage. So if then many people should be suing the government of Dominica, right. Because they intended to build and complete the Morroccan Hotel, the International Airport, the Geothermal Power Plant, the New Hospital… and they didn’t. So based on that silly reasoning, folks (who may have bought land or other property in anticipation) should be able to sue Gov’t of Dominica and prevail in court. Right?

    The special loan facility at the AID Bank will do what… refinance those mortgages? And who still needs to pay? The landlords, of course.

    The government abandoned these people when it failed to keep Ross in Dominica… That’s why they’re in this mess to begin…

  6. No name
    February 12, 2019

    Didn’t these landlords have insurance for loss of rent due to such occurrences or maybe the insurance companies didn’t tell them they could put in a claim. Maybe you all should look into that first before thinking of legal action that will take ages to solve and will get no where.
    If there was no contract between Ross and the landlords, what grounds are they taking legal action on. Think logistically landlords and stop making people fool you all.

  7. Truth Be Told
    February 12, 2019

    In which country or court are you going to take Ross to court? Barbados? USA?

  8. Historian
    February 12, 2019

    So now Ian Douglas now that Ross is gone please admit that you and your kind fooled the Portsmouth people long enough and you brought a curse on Ross in Portsmouth.
    You knew it was not Rosie or Mike which brought Ross to Dominica …..
    You knew that it was Under the regime of Patrick John that Ross first came to Castaways Hotel in 1978 as an experiment……through the influence of Baba Butler ….Mike at that year was not in the John Cabinet …
    Later in 1979 it was under the OJ
    administration when Mike was a Minister of Finance that Ross was licensed and went to Portsmouth with a Vet School …which was discontinued due to the hostility of the PM Eugenia Charles when the vet school left for St.Kitts and still is there …that school was expanded in StKitts.last year whilst Ross left Dominica for Barbados
    Rosie came into government ..20 years after Ross arrived here
    Lies and false claims give a negative karma.
    You guys of today labour lied to the people of…

  9. Reader
    February 12, 2019

    Brazenness…madness …cynical disrespect…to the max
    This government went to sleep after the hurricane and failed to meet their obligations to get Ross business back on track …failed to get the services required whilst the Leaders and their advisers are chasing passport money in DUBAI which is the new home of the Prime Minister .

    Niw how will AID and National Banks receive their loan funds ..how Ian will these banks give more funds when there is no business to guarantee the
    repayment ?
    How will government get a good legal result when government failed to get the services back on track for Ross as an investor to continue to make profits of its school investment …..another source of lawyers arranging to fool the people as a cooperative with Government officials whilst our stupid population believe this nonsense and failing to lay blame on this government..where the blame lies…when will this nation wake up from their begging and sycophancy ……crumbs from the table?

  10. Dominican
    February 12, 2019

    Frankly these guys in government have no respect for Domnican citizens .
    This is a ridiculous posture to keep the idiot’s who will believe them ..Who is paying Astaphan …the taxpayers of Dominica … these rogues who run this land have no conscience…their confidence that these schemes will work is a testimony to the stupidity of people who allow them to be so arrogant that this level of BS has a chance to fool the ignorant and gullible…
    What is really sad is that the owners of these houses in Portsmouth. Allow these jokers to fool them with this .
    Was not skerritt the same man with the 3000 dollar shirt lifting the hands with PM Mottley of Barbados celebrating the opening of Ross in Barbados ?
    Will the deceit and boldfaced trickery continue ?

  11. Possie Direct
    February 12, 2019

    Look some of the KEY landlords that rented to Ross: George and Mano Nanthan, Roosevelt Skerrit, Bobbles, Ian Douglas though his apartments died just as soon as Mike died, Regie Austrie, Nassiefs, Meril, and some other smaller fishes of the DLP. So they must have put a plan together to trick the Portsmouth people so they don’t blame Skerrit for yet another costly blunder. But sadly, Skerrit will be Ross witness against them

    • RandyX
      February 17, 2019

      No prices for guessing where that lot got all that money from. Once we get a new government we’ll find out…!

  12. Bring back the kidnapped Dominican parrots
    February 12, 2019

    The people of Portsmouth should sue the government and Tony Astaphan for their poor disaster planning and failing to help the students after the hurricane. There was no emergency planning and evacuation plans. The poor leadership caused this. This is all an election gimmick to shore up support from the dumb easily fooled masses.

  13. Peter George
    February 12, 2019

    But didn’t Tony and Skerritt say that they file a lawsuit against Thomson Fountaine for the diplomatic passport declarations. It is now more than 7 years and the same guys that can get things thru the court system in record time are basically running away from a lawsuit that they themselves filed.
    I say this to say that this is just political strategy to keep the people of Portsmouth as docile as they have been.

    • %
      February 12, 2019

      Didn’t they file something against Kenneth Rijock too?

  14. Peter George
    February 12, 2019

    Some of the landlords and DLP apologists said that Ross made a business decision. They blame Erika and Maria . They even said that Lennox Linton wrote to Ross asking Ross to not come back. They blame Mia Motley. They spoke about a memorial monument at Picard ti show appreciation to Ross. The PM told them Ross did everything possible.
    Pinch me somebody now they talking about suing Ross? A joke that man?

    • Nacinimod
      February 12, 2019

      They won’t like get a penny from Ross. Their business interuption insurance should cover these losses. Besides, Ross did *not* have a direct agreement with the landlords jointly or severally. All investments come with risks and reward and too bad landlords and banks lose big time.

    • DaMassive
      February 12, 2019

      You are so right, Peter. All the statemennts they made about Ross making a business decision represents evidence they made public to Ross, towards any form of ensuing litigation against Ross. Supporting the landlords today is just a game being played on the landlords. This is going nowhere, and Tony, who will do anything to help Labour win election again, knows that.

      I truly believe someone was paid for this university’s departure from Dominica, and Ross has evidence that could cause a lot of headaches for a lot of people.

  15. Truthman
    February 12, 2019

    I taking Ross to court too because I bought land to plant tomatoes cucumbers and other vegetables for them. 😂😂 you guys are a bunch of jokers. I thought PM said he and Ross left on amicable terms. Hmm!!

  16. Kay
    February 12, 2019

    Hey, Landlords how about you focus on renting to locals. Many of you forsook the rental needs of locals for the students. So many people have to hunt to find decent, affordable, places to rent, make it happen for somebody now.

  17. Iamanidiot
    February 12, 2019

    I can imagine Ross having an agreement with the government that was most likely breached, but I cannot imagine what agreement Ross has with landlords

  18. RandyX
    February 12, 2019

    When does the trickery and scheming of this PM stop?? He needs to stay in power at any cost because he knows a new government would have the CBI accounts, the PetroCaribe accounts and state finances audited. Of course Skerrit can’t allow that for obvious reasons. By the way, the latest scam to be uncovered will be the ownership of the Kempinski and the few other hotel developments funded by the CBI. By rights these hotels should be owned 100% by the state of Dominica or should they? Just watch this space for future developments of that news!

  19. My little take
    February 12, 2019

    “Douglas pointed out one of the landlords said at the meeting that buildings were specifically constructed in a particular way to accommodate Ross for the foreseeable future.”

    I wonder which one of the landlords that told that to Ian? Well let me take a guess. Could it be Roosevelt Skerrit, since he was the owner of some 15 or so villas? But even if that was the case case it makes no sense to me because unforseable future could mean any time not seen. I am quite sure Ross too made investments with unforseable future in mind and Ian and Reggie were on radio telling landlords Ross coming back because they building

  20. Annon
    February 12, 2019

    Too many people in this country think that Ross owes them a living. They don’t. If you want to keep an outside business in this country, you had better treat them well. You won’t get anything from Ross except they will be glad that they left. The ungratefulness of a desperate DA continues on.

  21. Possible People Stupid
    February 12, 2019

    What is the cause of action in this lawsuit?

  22. Treadstone
    February 12, 2019

    That’s a BS lawsuit that has no merit. The landlords are investors and they should have been aware that there is no such thing as a risk-free investment. As with any investment, the investor has to make a risk assessment before entering into a venture. If tenant vacancy was not part of their risk analysis, and they had no plan B to mitigate that risk, then they had no business being in the investment property business.

    • Paul Rossnof
      February 12, 2019

      They have no cause against Ross but they might well have a cause against Skerrit/Government of DA if they can proof that Skerrit was negligent in handling the Ross affair!!! The problem is they haven’t got the balls to do that because they are afraid of the con-man. In view of that and the fact that they kept voting for this man for so long now, they deserve everything they get. Make no mistake, this idea was hatched by Skerrit and the legal cost won’t be paid for by the landlords.

      • Joseph John
        February 12, 2019

        Spoken like a real agent. I wonder if your handlers are operating in Venezuela with a mission of destabilization. Like those who were operating in Cuba. Castro did throw them out.
        Your real name is not Paul Rossnof, that is a fake name. Stop posing as a Dominican.
        I have been trying to profile you with some data base with investigative connotation so mind your manners. In am warning you to stop inciting dissension in our country. You are not to interfere in our sovereign and internal affairs anymore.

      • Paul Rossnof
        February 13, 2019

        JJ I told you before, you can’t lift your leg high enough. I’ll be staying in DA for a few weeks from next Tuesday. Do give me your address, I would love to pay you a short visit.

      • Joseph John
        February 13, 2019

        Paul Rossnof, so you are not working for the government as an agent. Well, well, well, a security information and propaganda firm, contracted by some lobbyist working for money interest entity ( like big oil or the NRA….similar). Only Dominica has no money resource so you are a low level operative. Is your goal to create confusion during the next election to prevent DLP from winning ? Were you the outside influence for D-Day. Is a Dominican born lawyer part of the group ? Was Dr Christian your hit as a warning or an attempt frame up ? Who did you want framed or warn?
        Are you returning to Dominica next week with new instructions for your operation ? Are you working for the same firm as Kenneth Rijock ? Bet you cannot answer any of these question with a straight face. We know some people are not acting, and not working in the best interest of Dominica.
        The only reason I will meet you is to expose you and blow your cover…agent provocature .

      • Joseph John
        February 14, 2019

        I do not know for sure whose agent you are. But you fit the profile of a resident near Whiteman Airport near San Francisco who works for a multinational corporation. Your goal is to use the local media to solicit public support against Venezuela’s President and legit government. Their interest is oil (BIG OIL). But since Dominica has close ties with Venezuela you have to overcome Skerrit to neutralize those ties. So you have joined the Skerrit must go movement. You did not foresee a united CARICOM front so you went back for instructions.
        I wonder if DNO is aware of your shenanigans.
        You know the beauty of globalization ? It makes information more readily available.

      • RandyX
        February 17, 2019

        Joseph you are a little black man with a massive chip on your shoulder. You are bitter and hope for a corrupt little man like you to get a corrupt little job from a corrupt little dictator. In the meantime you are quite happy to let your country go to the dogs. You are a very sad creature!!

  23. Possie Direct
    February 11, 2019

    1. Skerrit and Tony said they Sued Thompson Fontaine before the 2014 elections only to find out they blocking the case from going through.

    2. Skerrit and Tony say they sued journalist Matt Pelthier, only to find out they entered into a secret settlement with Matt.

    3. Skerrit and Tony said how they sued Kenneth Rijock after the Monfared arrest only to find out two years later Rijock is yet to get a court date.

    4. Skerrit and Tony threatened to sue Ross University only to find out it’s another BIOG LIE because Skerrit himself is on record saying that “Ross did NOTHING wrong” “Ross loves Dominica and Dominica loves Ross”. “is not Ross fault is Maria that caused that

    5. Now Skerrit, Tony Iand and landlords sueing Ross.

    It is a FACT that Skerrit and Tony cannot sue. They sue in words on sue station of kairie but that’s as far as it gets. I only pay attention to when people Sue Skerrit and Tony like Tommy Lee Sparta that got millions; like the former manager of DBS and…

  24. DaMassive
    February 11, 2019

    Well I suppose the landlords must have signed a contract with Ross. While I feel for the landlords, this is just another disappointment waiting to happen in the same manner Labour have done to Portsmouth people over and over again… dupe them and they really enjoy being duped.

    Do you really believe Ross did not explore that possibility before they made their decision? Do you believe these Americans would not have some of the best lawyers already prepared to tell a court they did not have a contract with the Landlords?

    This is another roast chicken scam as perpetrated by Ian as he did last election, then disappeared after election day. Do you remember what happened with the Chinese land grab in Glandvilla? Ian suddenly found himself attacking Skerrit then he took over the protest and guess the outcome, the most vociferous opponent to the Chinese land grab became a member of the Portsmouth Town Council, and the issue died. I just feel for the landlords but this is just another…

  25. Possie Direct
    February 11, 2019

    “This is in addition to a lawsuit against the institution by the government of Dominica.”

    DNO as leading and well respected Online News reporter, you are really hurting your business with this kind of crap of Skerrit and his evil gang. DNO is there a lawsuit the government of Dominica filed against Ross? If so can you please put it out so the world could see? I know Skerrit SAID they were thinking of suing Ross but that we know was just the usual empty words of Skerrit and Tony. Didn’t that same Skerrit, Ian and Tony talked about suing Kenneth Rijock after the Monfared publication? 2 years now where is it?
    Skerrit is tired of lying and fooling the people of Dominica. The sad thing is, Ian Douglas warned us about Skerrit ability to Fool people like Ian, not once or twice, according to Ian himself, sadly that same Ian is now joining with Skerrit and Tony to fabricate a lie to fool the people and landlords of Picard.

  26. L power
    February 11, 2019

    Ross is not the enemy, the labour party government is. Charles Savarin told Dominicans ”not to shop at Brizee’s mart” and none of the employees took legal action for lost of employment when they close down. some of them had mortgages just like you. While you landlords not making a dollar, every month the twenty ministers getting their $7000.00 You people must be the most stupid in the world. legal action? SOT!!!

  27. Self
    February 11, 2019

    The prime minister said ”Ross go better coming” so just wait, Labour ka twavay. According to de pastor ”jor toow sot.

    • Just Asking
      February 11, 2019

      Only Landlords were affected? What about the employees of Ross? Tour operators, Taxis, Restaurants, shops and supermarkets and their employees? Barbers, hair dressers, plumbers and construction/maintenance workers?
      Impact on utility companies and taxes?

      Ian go back to school.

  28. Badbaje
    February 11, 2019

    The owners of the some of the rental properties should have had leases with the students.
    The owners of the some of the rental properties should have had leases with the staff and faculty.
    In some cases the owners would have been private citizens.
    In some cases the owners would have been companies or other organisations.
    In some cases the owners would have been government, in other words, “the people”
    In all cases too many of the buildings became unlivable after the hurricane, therefore in my opinion the students, staff and school were not at fault they had to leave. Therefore the owners may have lawful reasons to file lawsuits because the tenants left. The tenants however had valid and good defense and reason to leave.
    However, so many of the people blamed Barbados and the it’s government for ROSS leaving, so maybe they should be filing lawsuits against Barbados and the government of Barbados.
    The stupidity of this whole things becomes more and more evident and obvious…

  29. PENNY
    February 11, 2019

    I want them to do that lol, Maybe the cat will come out of the bag. Ross might just put out all their dirty laundry out and let us know y they really leave because the double doctor doesn’t want to tell us. Anyway good luck. Let the double doctor pay out alu Mortgage for you guys 😢

  30. %
    February 11, 2019

    Lazy Skerrit and Ian . Prime Minister Lennox Linton and his team will try to chart a course forward for the landlords of Portsmouth.. Skerrit is an outgoing lazy leader that has failed the country .
    Skerrit ,Ian and the other DLP Misleaders have also failed the Portsmouth people.Ian you are lucky while at that function with Skerrit,you did not go get a glass of water, Skerrit would “mal parlay” you so much garcon! Then he would call you to sing .You sing well though Ian, especially after you take a “shoot” or two!! You sweat only on your nose. Features of a bad leader!!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  31. LaPlaine Observer
    February 11, 2019

    “The government has not for one minute turned their back on the landlords of Picard and the people of Portsmouth,” Douglas stated. “
    This statement is pure rubbish. The government turned their back on the landlords of Picard and the people of Portsmouth when Skerrit’s inaction and his failure to participate in negotiations with Ross officials prior to their departure. By giving these people false hope that they will somehow recover some financial damages from Ross is unrealistic and misleading. This attempt by Tony to inculpate Ross, is simply shifting the blame.

  32. KoolKattD
    February 11, 2019

    Whether or not the landlords will prevail depends on the terms of the contract entered into with Ross. If, indeed, they built to the specifications of Ross, whether these specifications are general or specific, and if the buildings are basically useless as far as other uses and customers are concerned, then the landlords will prevail.

    Do not forget that fir a contract to be deemed to exist, terms need not be written down, but such terms can be inferred from behaviour of parties involved. My bet is that such a contract did exist and that the landlords will prevail. I say Riss will be found to be liable for the losses incurred by the landlords for loss of rental revenue for a reasonable period, which I submit will be for more than 15 years. My view is that WI courts will find Ross to be liable for losses incurred by landlords because they built to Ross’ requirements but company left, with landlords holding the bag. Longer Ross takes to settle, greater their liability. Stay…

  33. Iprotest
    February 11, 2019

    If according to Ian the government making special arrangements with aid bank to pay off their loans ……dem landlords going to use that money to give tony to sue Ross?

  34. bisquit
    February 11, 2019

    hello landlords where is the new school that suppose to be coming.

    • %
      February 12, 2019

      Skerrit is the Commonwealth ‘LYING’ Champion.. That’s why he deserves being kicked out/discarded at the polls.He is a bad example .Too many “”in your face”” lies!!!
      Skerrit Must Go
      Skerrit Must Go
      LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  35. bisquit
    February 11, 2019

    If Mr Astaphan is the landLords Lawyers,who are the Governments own? Just asking.

  36. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    February 11, 2019

    I must temper my response to this article, because I never read the agreement between Ross, the Government of Dominica and Portsmouth Landlords. If there was a contract in place between Ross and the Landlords in question and terms of that contract were broken, then they have a case. The simple fact that Tony leads this case, cast doubt in my mind. We shall see where the chips fall.

  37. Tobby
    February 11, 2019

    The landlords were employed under contract with Ross or they were using Ross students to make money? How you all going to sue Ross I can’t understand. Remember you cannot go in a bank for a mortgage and say u going to rent your property for Ross student and based on the monthly payment we will pay you. You must qualify under their terms and conditions. No sense at all.

  38. Informed
    February 11, 2019

    The common law doctrine of privity of contract dictates that only persons who are parties to a contract are entitled to take action to enforce it . It means that only those who are parties to the contract or privy to the contract can sue or be sued on it . A contract generally, cannot confer rights or impose obligations arising under it on any person except the parties to it. A person who is not a party to a contract may not enforce a contract even though he stands to gain a benefit from the contract (a third party beneficiary).

    For example, Ross agrees to build a University then leaves because the govt is not helping and they leave.
    The parties privy to this contract are Ross and possible the Government. Only the Government has the legal right to sue Ross for breach of contract because both Ross and Govt are privy to the contract. Where do landlords come in? Just running their mouths to trick people.

  39. viewsexpressed
    February 11, 2019

    “Douglas pointed out one of the landlords said at the meeting that buildings were specifically constructed in a particular way to accommodate Ross for the foreseeable future.” What!?? Are these people for real.? “The landlords themselves have retained lawyers, headed by Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan and a team of lawyers to pursue legal action for loss of business….” Tony Astaphan,……for real..? Who on earth is going to pay for this, our tax payers money? It seems that someone is urgent for big money from the limited funds that the state has, over 18 years. Someone is using this poor people to be o a band wagon to distract us from all the Bobol that has been going on. We the people of Domininca should ask Toy Astaphan to represent Dominica that the Skerrit corrupt regime accounts for our passports money,, the abuse and misuse of Red Clinic money from the states. the abuse of the Prime Minister`s office is managing all these money for loyalty. Skerrit will retire failed leader…

  40. Premium
    February 11, 2019

    ” I am speaking to four schools to replace Ross which will be on island in December”, ….Them man does tell story wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…..

  41. Ibo France
    February 11, 2019

    This is my sacred refrain. Everything that is done by the Skerrit’s led-DLP administration is meticulously designed for political gains. Elections are nigh. This most frivolous story has been deliberately planted in the public domain to shift the negative publicity away from the real culprits, Skerrit, his errand boys and girls (ministers) and the de facto leader (SC). They know that this very topic, the departure of RUSM, will be a burning issue in the upcoming National Elections so their only recourse is to shift blame away from themselves. This is what they have done expertly well for nineteen consecutive years, deflect culpability to innocent parties. The electorate should put each of these ministers over their laps and give them a severe spanking with their votes. The current regime is a concoction of liars, gluttons, rogues, sinners, delinquents, narcissists and bad eggs. THE FOOLERY MUST STOP NOW!

  42. omev bourgeois
    February 11, 2019

    This is just worst crap i ever heard , Ross is owed by Adtalem Global Education with a Annual Revenue of $1.844 billion USD , am American based company with the best lawyers, which lawyers DA have to match , plus the deep pockets of that company, plus they have great support from the ruling government. Please Possi landlords that route is like hoping that male pawpaw tree will bear fruits one day .

  43. %
    February 11, 2019

    The outrage should be with LAZY Skerrit and his other MISLEADERS.Not Ross!!
    Plenty money for the lawyers… .Landlords need to be bitter with Skerrit and his MISLEADERS, since no where else in the Caribbean would a government allow such a huge contributor to a country’s economic well being, leave it’s shores..Lazy Skerrit has no bias to advance education and health .What a powerful and truthful statement!
    This is how lazy,inept and incompetent Skerrit is!!
    Lazy Skerrit! Dunce and slow witted SKerrit!! Must Go!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  44. S/M
    February 11, 2019

    Is there any self thinking people left in Posrtsmouth? I would like to know what it is that the Douglasses have implanted in Portsmouth people brain?

  45. Dublanc
    February 11, 2019

    So who is going to put up the money for Tony and Alick lawrance to represent the Possie paople? This thing is a big mess from the start. I am asking the Posrtsmouth people to be wise and not to be used a pun. This show by Skerro is just an election ploy to have you vote fo rthem and then this issue will be pushed under the rug just like all the other promises.

  46. Ti Garcon
    February 11, 2019

    Did Ross ask them, and signed a contact with them to provide students for their apartments? This is so dumb.
    If anything Ross didn’t want them to build more student housing, it was they themselves that force the government hand to prevent Ross from building student housing. In hindsight if the government had allowed Ross to construct the student housing themselves, this mortgage situation would not have happened. Plus Ross would had been more invested in the area, Picard would have been BETTER developed (currently its a disgrace with none existent planning) and it would have been harder to leave.

  47. February 11, 2019

    This is where i have a problem with this bunch of Intellectually Dishonest DLP politicians; if you want to give way all CBI money to your greedy Portsmouth boys then go ahead and do so; the double (Dr) PhD done say already is not Taxpayers money he using, pay off their loans and Possie will be happy; yes but for how long? and when the poor people of Dominica ready to claim all the properties our Passport monies pay for i hope you guys will be ready to deliver; trust me that time is fast approaching and much faster than you all are presently imagining.

  48. foreign observer
    February 11, 2019

    Any legal actions will take years to wind their way through the courts – while those of you taking loans for this cause (probably futile) will be expected to begin repayments immediately. If a loan you must take, better to use it towards refurbishing/upgrading your accommodations from student-type basics to attractive tourism-oriented facilities. And while you are doing that, push all the tourism authorities to create/enhance any and all activities in Portsmouth/Picard area that will attract stay-over visitors. As others have already stated, the only ones who will make money on this type of legal activity are the lawyers…

    What exactly is the legal action the government is taking against Ross? This vague statement has been mentioned several times, but nothing concrete. And vaguely mentioned again today. Do tell…!

  49. sisserou
    February 11, 2019

    Election circus.. :-D

  50. Same old same old
    February 11, 2019

    What a witch-hunt! Look deception and lies boy. You Skerrit and then had to lie to the people of Dominica like that man. What he’ll senior counsel they talking about? Ross had a contract with landlord? Tony think is he alone that is a liar? Ross has much smarter and better lawyers that Tony. When landlords decided to build did they get a contract signed by Ross? This is just more lies, more deception and more of the same old propaganda we have seen from Skerrit and associates. In fact after Maria the romour was loud that Ross wasn’t coming back. Skerrit, Ian, Tony all of them knew that. But Skerrit is in record telling landlorss that Ross coming back and therefore they should use insurance money to fix their apartments and furnish it. So if their is someone to sue for deception is the king of deception himself and we all know who that person is.

  51. Joe Blo
    February 11, 2019

    The PM is Ross’ MAIN WITNESS:

    The prime minister directly attributed Ross’s departure from storm-battered Dominica, to the passage of Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria and insists that had it not been for these two weather systems, “there would never have been any consideration of Ross’s departure from Dominica.”

  52. Diafish jab
    February 11, 2019

    Watch this space. The only ones to make money out of this are the legal teams. Unless a landlord can prove and evidence actual breach of contract by Ross, this is a lost cause! Move on dudes. They left, you lost! You planned your greedy ride to hell when you took that mortgage based on maybes and capitalist greed! Peace

    • DEE
      February 11, 2019

      Well well well
      Now i am really ashamed to call myself A Dominican.
      The Bajans and Jamaicans have every right to call allu whatever they call allu .
      I so surprised the Lucians haven’t started that trend too, as they are now so far ahead of you guys .
      Suing Ross ein , I wonder whose idea that is ; Something tells me the Gov’t will foot those Lawyers Bills ,(DOMINICA’S MONIES).Tony will have a win win situation as his services will not be for free .LOOK KOSHONIE.
      Hey look lawsuit for Colgate Palmolive too for closing DCP .
      I never hear no lawsuit for de companies who breached the contract for building the roads . How about de lawsuit for the delay in Geo Thermal ?
      law suit and law suit my foot.
      Political games have been mastered by this Prime Minister along with some of his Ministers to the extent that it should now be a Doctorate Subject studied at the UNIVERSITY OF DOMINICA.
      Let the thumb downs roll now . I DOW CARE.

    • DEE
      February 11, 2019

      How come i can sense an underlying fraudulent act looming .
      looking through the crystal bowl, i can see a channel through which Dominicas money going to flow sanctioned by the Minister of Finance .
      No questions asked , no account of outgoing monies available , no trace no nofing .

    • February 11, 2019

      I was with you until “capitalist greed”, because if it’s that, then so is every other economically productive activity.

      But I agree with you that it would seem that Ross owes the landlords nothing. Part of entrepreneurship is risk taking, and that means the risk of loss.

      • Ibo France
        February 11, 2019

        I thought about the same thing Mr. Forster. Going into any business is a risky adventure. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you lose. You, homeowners, took the risk and unfortunately things have gone south. Suing ROSS to recoup your losses is an exercise in futility. In fact, it’s just a bad political stunt. Orchestrated by the SC and his political stooges to ward off the justified political criticisms galloping their way.

      • Joseph John
        February 12, 2019

        The question is….Was there a contract ? Were there contractual agreements. That would put an interesting spin on this. This is business not a political issue, but some agents posting on several different aliases are trying to use it as part of an operation to bring down the government because they have nothing else to use as political weapons. They have quid pro quo promises that they are desperate to fulfill. More on this latter.

  53. jamie
    February 11, 2019

    Skerrit is manipulating the peolpe of Portsmouth for his failure,This is just waste of time and money on you all part.Ross has no compensation for any of you,this is just the continued failure of the Skerrit regime which is crumbling,Am sure Ross did all the legal work before shutting down,and moving to Barbados.Skerrit grow up and tell the people the truth for once.You have failed them.

    • DEE
      February 11, 2019

      Jamie
      Skerrit is manipulating his dumb Dominican followers interested in crumbs off his table,
      not really interested in Dominica’s future, nor that of future generations .
      this is really a great shame .

  54. Filip
    February 11, 2019

    Haha hahha boi hahaha they taking legal action against Ross??? Because ross left I mean hahahah boi what I hearing there ner… so what ross have to do with all u and what all u build… you all have a contract with Ross??? So that foolish dlp taking out the blame on them and putting it on ross… hello????? The gov for all u to sue… what u peopel are fools man? How u can take ross to court for leaving Dominica .. hahah but that is a record man. Hahah them peoplet leave Dominica to further their business…

  55. Jessie
    February 11, 2019

    The landlords are barking up the wrong tree, they need to sue the government!

  56. Looking
    February 11, 2019

    Sue Ross University for what?. Probably government may have a case (I do not know the details of their arrangement); don’t think Ross would have moved out without crossing their T’s and dotting their I’s. This is just a big show to give land owners blessed assurance; Ross is gone. Wasn’t our PM promoting promoting the sale of passports in the UAE while Ross requested a meeting with our PM? (asking for a friend). I don’t know how much longer will people remain accepting these poor excuses from their leaders. Its a travesty to make party membership part of ones identity. No wonder people will dip their heads in sands to support a party while their leaders are having a ball with states resources. Foolish pride comes before a fall.

  57. Channel 1
    February 11, 2019

    Is somebody hiding behind & using the phrase ‘Portsmouth landlords’ to fight a proxy war with Ross University?

    Investigative journalists out there, do some sleuthing in Portsmouth and among other things, look into the following:

    – How many Portsmouth landlords were actually aware of & really enthusiastically involved in this potential legal battle against Ross prior to Friday’s meeting? What are their views since then?

    – Who are the entities leading this nonsense against Ross & what are the real motivations of these entities?

    – What did Skerrit tell the landlords re: the 4 parties that were interested in the Ross University campus?

    – Was Ian Douglas part of the main delegation that met with the landlords last Friday?

    Portsmouth landlords, be very, very careful that some of you all are not duped into a fight that y’all do not fully understand. Do not run the risk of Ross University blacklisting some of y’all in the event it returns to Dominica at some point!!!!

  58. Way papa
    February 11, 2019

    This government doh tierd embarrass it self and the people who decided to actually follow. From the passage from the hurricane things was said reasons that were given now this. Way papa

  59. SN
    February 11, 2019

    On what legal theory is this case being brought? Did Ross sign lease agreements with landlords, or did students contract directly with the landlords? If Ross did not contract with landlords, there’s no privity of contract so this case will be dismissed. This is being done for political purposes so the government will say it supported the landlords. Since the government has huge influence on the judiciary, the landlords will win but will lose on appeal. Since the government caused Ross to leave, why didn’t they include the government as a defendant in the suit?

  60. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    February 11, 2019

    ” landlords themselves have retained lawyers, headed by Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan and a team of lawyers to pursue legal action for loss of business that they intended to have in the short to or long term, medium term,” he told Kairi News. ”

    I have never heard anything that ridiculous in my life!

    That does not make any sense! Rather than blame Roosevelt Skerrit, Ian Douglas, and the rest of his incompetent clowns who caused Ross University to leave after forty years, they are going to sue for loss of business; any lawyer who take a case like that believing they can prevail against Ross is not much of a lawyer!

    Roosevelt Skerrit fail to fulfill his lying promises to the institution, which jeopardized  Ross; were they supposed to, remain a backward place until they could no longer attract students and go out of business?

    The land lords are all making fools of themselves, even if the had a lease agreement with Ross they still do not have a case!

    • Silver fox
      February 11, 2019

      @ Francisco, You seem to know it all could you give me all 6 numbers for this week UK lottery please, I want to be a millionaire!!!

    • %
      February 11, 2019

      I fully concur with you.

  61. LifeandDeath
    February 11, 2019

    Let’s see if Dominicans will really continue to play the foolish games of Skerrit and the DLP. This is your opportunity to get rid of that corrupt and inept group of misleaders in the Country. See how they change the Focus from them to RUSM. I have never seen a Gov’t that can do no wrong. Just for losing Ross alone, the people of Dominica should make a vibrant statement of their dissatisfaction by Voting Ian out and by extension the DLP..WTH!!..Are Dominicans completely out of their minds?

  62. Neville
    February 11, 2019

    This is nothing but a pre-election smoke screen orchestrated by this useless government and little As. taphan. The question the people of Portsmouth should ask why Skerrit let Ross go. He made no effort to persuade them to stay, in fact he couldn’t even be bothered to talk to them. Where is he anyway? He hasn’t been seen in DA for the last 3 weeks again!

  63. Truth Be Told
    February 11, 2019

    Landlords should sue Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Labour Party Government for negligence! Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Labour Party Government did not negotiate to get Ross to stay! Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Labour Party Government played with your lives and your livelihood! Sue Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Labour Party Government, these are the people that we Dominicans should be talking about taking to court!
    Who let Ross go? Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the Labour Party Government !

  64. Truth Be Told
    February 11, 2019

    One crucial piece of information is missing from this analysis by Landlords, Government, Parl Rep and Senior Council, in which court do you plan to pursue this matter because Ross is under no obligation to appear in a court of law in Dominica. Ross now has no business resident in Dominica. So are you going to take the matter to the USA court (State or Federal?) where Ross is Headquartered, or attempt to sue the school in Barbados, which is a new corporate entity? Where are you all going to take Ross to court? You see, this is all gimmickry! Take Ross to court in the USA or Barbados and Dominica losing every time! But like all things Labour Dominicans will believe this!

  65. February 11, 2019

    The UWP and its supporters will no doubt be on the side of Ross in this matter. A real bunch of patriots these clowns are.

    • my dominica
      February 11, 2019

      not uwp supporters it’s just people who have common sense will be on the side of Ross. Ross that ask them to build apartments? the landlords only had contracts with students all Ross did was make sure the apartments where at a standard for those students. that’s just making the landlords look like a fool and desperate. I worked in the Picard area for many years. Ross never had contracts with landlords.

    • Channel 1
      February 11, 2019

      @Anon – And what’s the side of Ross in this matter?

      Where are & what’s the update on the 4 interested parties that Skerrit indicated were showing interest in the Ross University campus?

      Skerrit in an interview at the Kempinski hotel site in October 2018 had even given some time frames indicating that the 1st interested party was supposed to have been visiting the island sometime in the week of October 11th, 2018 – ie the same week the Chinese Hospital ship came to Dominica & when Skerrit ended up in Canada to receive some useless piece of paper bearing the name Honorary Doctorate.

      November 2018 was also supposed to see another of these interested parties on the ground checking out things.

      I read Ian saying that the landlords left the meeting optimistically :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    • DD
      February 11, 2019

      @ Aaron, because they have sense and can analyze the situation and see its total BS

    • jamie
      February 11, 2019

      The truth always hurt fools like you,Red Clinic Begger,this is why the country continues to fail,these landlords are just being fooled by the slave master Tony and his peasant Skerrit.

    • Dominica
      February 11, 2019

      What does this have to do with patriotism. The landlords are no suing for country, they are suing for their own interest. Which makes no sense, because I do not think ROSS had any contact with any of the landlords. These lawyers will put you all further in dept

  66. Winston Smith
    February 11, 2019

    Support the landlords until we develop the University of Dominica. Start right now and stop waiting for something or someone to come along and do it for us – which is currently our default position. Then let it grow year-on-year. something of our own. Something to be proud of. Subjects: climate, earth science, heritage, art. Come on!

    • February 11, 2019

      You have a valid point but it cannot happen until we have the infrastructure, mindset to attract overseas students.

      I have been trying for a week to reach the Dominican State College by telephone. On all of their numbers I get a recorded message to say that their is no one available to take my call. On digging deeper I find that it is not that their is no one available, but that since the hurricane they have no working telephones. And that is a college that claims to be Dominica’s Premier Higher Educational Institution!

      At the very least they could take the trouble to amend their recorded message.

  67. AA
    February 11, 2019

    LOL boy all you fellas dotish wee boy. So all you was providing a service to the students who were attending at ROSS and because ROSS moved out of the island they have to compensate you? Were you all in a business arrangements with ROSS or you all were providing a service to the students of ROSS. And even though you all in a business relationship with ROSS where in the arrangements that ROSS must guarantee you business. But all you people so dotish and them politicians just using allyou to create hype. I hope is labor party that is paying for the lawyer and not the people of Dominica that paying for that a..ness. So are you all saying that the businesses that was providing service to the apartment building owners can take them to court for loss of revenue? DOH MAKE MAJEEE WITH ALL YOU SELF

  68. RandyX
    February 11, 2019

    Legal action against Ross University? I just can’t believe what I’m reading here. This is orchestrated by the Skerrit regime to show the people of Portsmouth that they are doing something. The people of Portsmouth should take Skerrit and his administration to court for failing to keep Ross on the island and for good measure they should stage weekly protests and even more important show Skerrit the red card at the next election. The lies are finally catching up with Skerrit and his decisions are becoming more irrational by the day. Get rid of this tyrant!

  69. kim
    February 11, 2019

    who is paying the lawyer? or is he doing it pro bono. inst it ironic that after a meeting with the parlrep the landlords are taking Ross to court. Next time I will hear the rest of the business like the vendors taking ross to court.

    Landlords I think you should take the government to court for deception. The government is giving you hand out they will pay you mortgage and your bills . My people is that what you want and is this what we are advocating for our children

    if so shame on us

  70. John Jay
    February 11, 2019

    I believe the landlords should pursue legal.action against the DLP government for they not coming to the table to discuss the matter between the government & Ross university. So many times Ross university asked for meetings with them and they refuse. This action against Ross is a dead house.
    All this is just political mileage by the arab and the rest. Shame on them

  71. Shaka Zulu
    February 11, 2019

    The Portsmouth electorate has the most dumbest people in the Caribbean. That place has sooo much potential but the folks elected to run seem to have to do nothing to win elections. As long as there is a Douglas running possi that place will go nowhere. Look at the RBD cinema, look at the Hampstead estate, look at the nasty lil snacket, look at the guest house. Ian, if the people choose you to succeed in the douglas dynasty the most you could do is give them honest representation. In your position you should be able to get what you want for possi since it is a labour stronghold and people there vote for douglas not skerrit if you know what i mean. You are weak and would have served Dominica better out of politics. Getting drunk with the boys while the drains in a state and drugs and crime take over is shameful. If you had any sense you would have ensured your party kept Ross. The gov have already failed the landlords but again is a set of retards that there so the buy anything.

    • Shaka Zulu
      February 11, 2019

      If the landlords themselves can hire tony Astaphans and a team of lawyers then tbey dont need financial help from tax payers nor the bank. Is this another ploy of TA to syphon more money out of you people. It would be cheaper and more effective to get rid of ian and the skerrit led administration. You dont have to spend a dime. Look around you and see the state of a place in my opinion that holds the key to Dominica development. You develop possi into and economic hub you develop Dominica. The problem is the stupidity of the people and secondly the dishonesty of the leaders.

  72. Not A Herd Follower
    February 11, 2019

    This is just a gimmick by Tony Astaphan and the DLP to shore up their electoral support in Portsmouth, which has been declining according to the poll conducted on behalf of the DLP. Sue Ross? Did RUSM had lease agreements with the landlords? And what is the nature of the assistance the government will be providing? I hope it is not taxpayers money they taking to pay the mortgages of private individuals.

  73. huh?
    February 11, 2019

    The landlords themselves have retained lawyers, headed by Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan and a team of lawyers to pursue legal action for loss of business that they intended to have in the short to or long term, medium term,” he told Kairi News.

    The landlords has contracts with Ross? Or with individual students?

  74. Bee
    February 11, 2019

    I don’t see the big deal Ian….. Remember you brought in Val Ferry to replace Ross. This sounds like a fishing expedition to keep Portsmouth people quiet until elections.

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