Today the once close–knit and tranquil south eastern rural agricultural community of La Plaine which nestles between the foothills of Morne Gorverneur and the rugged Windward Atlantic coast (Au Vent) is in turmoil. This unfortunate development is largely due to the politics of blinding arrogance, divide and conquer, ‘big money’, legal manipulation and intimidation which have occurred in Dominica for the last decade and half.
This new norm has had a tremendous negative impact on the socio-economics and moral fiber of small rural communities resulting in a new sense of confusion and disorder.
This turmoil came full circle during a very disturbing and shameful event on Saturday, March 18, during the official handing over of a house by the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) to a village man, Mr. Worrell Cuffy. The event which was captured on video and quickly went viral showed Worrell praising the DLP and pledging his unequivocal support for Mr. Petter St. Jean, ‘ La Plaine MP and a Born Again Christian and preacher for the small (Dasheen) house that was built for him.
Worrell confirmed that he was beaten by St. Jean on September 24, 2016. In front of a sea of red DLP disciples who converged on La Plaine from elsewhere for the occasion, Worrell stood on the steps of the small brightly painted house and shouted into a microphone, “They bring a issue about dasheen but Mr. St Jean hit me too late! Too late!!!….” Shamefully, the crowd erupted in laughter and banter.
Contributing to the ugly spectacle was a government minister from a large southern constituency who jumped, skipped and carried-on like she was in a Carnival band. The behaviour of the DLP supporters confirmed that this ‘Mal-ea-way’, who was named after the great, highly respected late first black cricket captain of the West Indies in the 40s and 50s, Sir Frank Worrell, was now officially stripped of all his dignity and respect. He is yet another public victim of the times in Dominica.
So the 64 thousand dollar question is; why was Worrell given a house when there are so many other deserving elderly villagers? Would the answers lie in the incident which occurred in La Plaine on Saturday September which allegedly involved St. Jean, his son Dirk, Worrell and two other village men?
At issue is on that day St Jean discovered that dasheen from his small farm were missing. It is alleged that he drove around the village with his 32-year-old son and allegedly kidnapped three village men who he believed were the culprits. According to the allegations, they were taken to his house garage, where they were locked inside, interrogated and beaten mercilessly. None of the men who were allegedly picked up and beaten were found on the farm.
It is not clear what the actions the three La Plaine police officers took once they arrived on the scène. Allegations are that an officer handcuffed one of the men to the garage bars while they were ‘dealt’ with by St Jean and his son. They were then taken to the police station where they were questioned and released without being charged. The police did not release a report of the alleged incident. Later it was reported that the missing dasheen was mistakenly taken by a man who is not from the village. The man was given permission to harvest a bag of dasheen by another farmer who has an adjacent garden next to St Jean’s plot. Not being familiar with the specific garden plots, he mistakenly harvested the dasheen from the wrong (St. Jean’s) plot.
St. Jean took to Facebook and denied involvement in an alleged kidnapping matter. His posting described the reports as “A malicious attempt by criminal elements in La Plaine to tarnish my good name and that of other community members. Following the theft of a large quantity of dasheen from my farm, three suspects, neither of them farmers, were intercepted by my son and I. During the incident which was witnessed by a number of villagers tempers flared, however the police was called in and the suspects were handed over to the officers.” The posting continued, “On the day in question, there was no semblance of kidnapping and hinted that politics could be playing a role in the entire matter.”
An emotional Mr. Sylo Jno Baptiste one of the men who was allegedly kidnapped and beaten admitted during a radio interview, “He (St. Jean) told me that I steal his dasheen and I am innocent. Then he told me tell him whoever did it and I said I don’t know, so he beat me up. He take a stick and beat me up, he blows me up.” Sylo stated that he and two other men from the community were locked up in his (St. Jean’s) basement. “I felt very bad…” he said in tears. The other man Mr. Foster Laronde also appeared on the interview but Worrell but Worrell was absent.
Given Worrell’s public declaration why hasn’t the embattled PM Skerrit fire or reprimand him? Why haven’t the police arrest and charge him? If not, why hasn’t the police communicated publically that St. Jean is not a public safety threat and/or danger? Are there any laws which give him immunity from prosecution as an MP?
On the other hand, Police chief Carbon and his micromanaging, myopic and vindictive political bosses saw it fit pick up Dr. Sam Christian on bogus charges and to conduct ‘pappie-show’ pre-dawn raids with unnecessary high powered automatic military assault rifles and silly arrests of Opposition members. As a diversionary tactic, these men were blamed for the February 7th night time disturbances in Roseau by disaffected people and hooligans well after a massive anti-government rally was over. Well the only way to fix this once highly respected and now comical ‘Humpty Dumpty’ police force is by electing a new and different government.
I agree with Worrell when he said, “We all people from La Plaine we not supposed to be idiots”. While we are happy for Worrell that ‘he got something’, but it is imperative that La Plaine people respect ourselves and keep our dignity even though some of us are poor. That fact was established on April 13th, 1893, when Mr. Pierre Colaire and a band of barefooted and shirtless unarmed peasants steered down the gun barrels of heavily armed British marines on a hillside in Case 0’ Gowrie, the scene of the land tax riots.
As peasants from one of the poorest districts, they started an emotional protest to prevent the exorbitant, unfair and illegal land tax. The peasants restored their dignity and hope and that of future La Plaine generations. But today LaPlaine folks stand on the giant shoulders of our determined forbearers who were humiliated (some were killed) while defending themselves and their impoverished but proud community with honor, dignity and purpose.
Later that year, the Under Secretary of State for the British Colonies conducted an independent inquiry into the circumstances and conditions that occurred at La Plaine and also into the system of administration in the West Indies. The official results of the inquiry which were published in 1894 resulted in the changing of the manner in which the Colonial government imposed and collected taxes in the colonies. It also resulted in the punishment of some of the officers involved. British Crown colony rule and governance was seriously affected and ridiculed.
But the indignity and lack of respect with the Dasheen affair and why Worrell got a house represents the worst in us. We in La Plaine folks have always viewed ourselves as a very proud and hardworking people with respect for county, community and family. That ethos has allowed many of us to strive and lead productive lives. A few outstanding names are; the late Star S. Lestrade, the First native Police chief Damase Philbert, another police chief, Mathias Lestrade ( affectionately called Da-dai), Dental Surgeon Dr. J.C Williams ( my high school mentor), Cpl. Cuthbert Hurtault, U.S Army paratrooper who died in the Vietnam war and countless others residing abroad.
Many have stayed on like members of the new Village council who have not given up and are trying to reverse things in the community. Others like the late Mr. Mark Cuffy, Worrell’s father, worked hard as a grave-digger but attended to his job with respect, dignity and consideration for the ones who departed. That is the La Plaine where I was born and raised, know and love- not the divided one that is currently represented in Parliament over by Petter St. Jean and the Skerrit DLP machinery. What is history going to say about this period in Dominica?
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Dr. (King) Finn, continue to “do us proud!!”
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Until such time, lacking the knowledge of a commitment to, or commencement of, an inquiry, this will continue to appear as an abdication of justice. Certainly, this is a giant step backward for our beloved LaPlaine, where our umbilical cord remains attached…
Give Thanks!!
Bougdzac Inthevirginislands posted in The Laplaine Gazette – Where the Truth Matters.
Oct 03, 2016 11:20pm
Greetings…
I too voice interest, as this is a reflection of the ‘stat of law and order’ in LaPlaine. Such an accusation should not be left simply to presumptions, on-line discussions and opinions, but rather, it deserves a thorough investigation of an unbiased third party. Thus far, all we have is an account of the victim, introducing us to the actions that were allegedly perpetrated. Given that a LaPlaine civic leader was an alleged witness, coupled with that of the LaPlaine Police, and the alleged perpetrator, a current member of parliament, the Minister of Education and Human Resources – the LaPlaine representative – it would seem apparent that the Government is taking advantage of its less fortunate populace; or, more precisely, a law maker taking the law into his own hands!
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shame on you Sam. you talking like you are so concerned why couldn’t you have built him a house. what have you done for Dominica
Very sad to see what’s happening in My Lovely Dominica and the saddest part is to see men and women clapping at such nonsense.
Keep the pressure o; Humpty Dumpty trying to balance but it must fall.
This article points out exactly what is wrong with Caribbean governments and our people today. Our governments practice the Divide and Rule strategy and our people give blind support to political parties. Just like during Slavery where the White estate owners pitted the House Slave against the Field Slave, today our governments still practice this kind of Plantation Politics. This Divide and Rule system has aided in enriching a few and pauperize the vast majority of citizens. When one is brave enough to rightly speak out against the excesses, biases and wrongdoings of government, it is with mathematical certainty that they become targets of vicious personal attacks from the government diehard supporters. With this in mind, I commend Dr. Finn for speaking truth to power.
i was 18 years old when UWP came to the scene, and all these people have caused in Dominica is headache, strife and more strife. I have seen otherwise good people turn evil eyed following these jackasses. every last one of them dissatisfied about something or the other. I am not blind to the fact that everything in the present administration may not be perfect or above board. leave Dominica alone, you don’t love her, leave her alone.
Dasheen house, boy boy boy, what you mean by that, I wish I had that one all now. that house look pretty, double hung window, no brogodow. man move your rass ehn. you looking like you drink soup klou yeah {nail soup}. go and get a woman to boil some, good braf for you to put some hair on your chest. dam fool.
Doc, you should have given him some methadone, that would have kept him from taking de house. Sam stay in your lane. I am born and bred in Dominica, lived there and l know Dominicans. Dominicans like to beg and it is habitual for them to ask, for favor. you need to go back to america where you really want to be. stop agitating. you know well the grass not greener on the other side.
Sam find some work to do. You well need a house like the one Petter give the man. You staying at your parents home. You now take up residence in Pointe MIchel. Poor guy. What to do. I need someone to cook, wash, iron and romance me. Get some good hard work to do. You too free.
The last thing the ARAB remain to do is to tell the leader with the brainless head to serve his BLIND followers with RED COOLAID, with the same substance Jim Jones gave to his followers
he may well advice him to do that during the opening of the so call $18m bridge
Every six months you find a dead body in SISARI . Patrick, Short hand. And only now you decide to speak out
These so called false supporters of the Corrupt Skerrit Labour Government are so blind that even if had full sight will be consciously blinded by false loyalty to a preacher minister and his son, not (Barabbas) and those who have defied Jesus for a few pieces of stolen silver. These so called good citizen are the creators of Bobol, fraudulent behaviour in government, economic slavery and poverty, yet the have guts to insult this man giving him in todays 2017 world a wooden structure that represents the dark ages. All of this is to remain poor, beggars and be bind to the level of development in the own village let alone Dominica and the big wigs and misfits in Roseau condoning this fraudulent behaviour while the board the next flight to a cruise or on a long holiday, crying out We Love our Skerro”. What a bastardy act. Hypocrits.
All monkey know what tree to climb! If it were a man like me the dunce minister st. jean had “kidnapped”, all now he would be no more. He would have been extracted from Earth. Once a man skin burns him he should remove the offender(s) from the planet!
But all that talk is going nowhere. The minister in question nor is not perturbed by non of this. Try something else. Can’t you see it is having no effect. Only last night the town hall meeting at Delices was well attended and no doubt one of of the of the greatest
A very sound article which is reflective of the situation in all the villages. When have our people become so broken? Almost all the communities have instances in history when poor black villagers successfully rose up against oppression. People of Massacre, Grand Bay, the Kalinagos. The irony of this situation is that the slave masters are now our own black people. Modern Slavery has been systematically instituted in Dominica. It exists in all our major institutions: Police Force, judiciary, government departments and agencies. local government. It started in 2014 when the Labour Party was hijacked. We all stood by and watched it happen. Persons who knew better said nothing’ while the supporters applauded. Now our people are broken and desperate. The poor are abused and still accept the crumbs. This is a Wicked System. Skerrit MUST GO. Thanks Dr. Christian for standing up for our poor brother. More of us need to do so. It is not his fault. The system did that to him.
You can take off someone from the ghetto, but you cannot take off the ghetto from the person.Gifts are given out and the payment will be a ballot for the giver to remain in power.What will a man eat or purchase when he or she is in a new house without any cash in hand? Illiterates put in a ballot but they remain poorer; while those who received the ballot remain in power simply to fill their pockets.As for the representative of the south; she is in this position because he was born and bred in the south. The population vote for you when they always knew you and go to school with you. They don’t know that politics is running a business.This woman has no class and she only spoils the legacy of the belated husband.
Brilliant article Dr. Finn! Your historical analysis is both hugely informative and deeply incisive. It strips the reader’s monkey mask of “SEE NO EVIL. HEAR NO EVIL. TELL OF NO EVIL.”
The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, which I have long loved and defended in numerous articles, is at its lowest point ever. Morale is at an all-time low. Failure to in investigate is a grave dereliction of duty. Allegedly handcuffing a citizen to allow assault by the Minister and his troubled son makes one an accomplice to a high-profile crime. That’s double trouble. To the officer in question and the entire chain of command, I say this: Please be advised that the time of accounting must come.
This sad spectacle is just the tip of the iceberg. As Dominicans, we’ll look back and ask ourselves, how on earth did we allow things to get so bad? LaPlaine, I’m so proud of you! You stood up. You struck a massive blow for democracy in recent Council elections! You patriots are an inspiration…
Well this is interesting. Is this a Hollywood movie? Perhaps, Bollywood? How is this happening in my little paradise? Off with his head!!!!!!
DNO. I guess that the author of the article is Dr Sam Christian! I wonder why he did not make mention of the smooth talking member of the Laplaine Village Council who has served time in jail here and in the USA for fraud and impersonation
Admin: The author is Dr. Emanuel Finn
If your house is on fire Iam certain it does not matter weather they are UWP or DLP
Sam put that in your pipe and SMOKE IT. Since when you so interested in La Plaine? Boss take your politics and shove it. There is enough division in the village.
Did Worrel actually say that? Taking advantage of the uneducated has reached a new low. Judgement day is for the man that has created this world. I also remember your children will sufer the consequences of our actions.
NOW IS YOU ALL TURN TO reject those devils AT THE POLLS NEXT TIME AROUND……..After they have impoverished the people they come with handouts,,,,KICK THEM OUT NEXT TIME!!!
They realize that Mr Worrel is indeed poor, so he is being taken advantage of. I heard of the government Minister who would have won a GOLD MEDAL at high jump, had it been an OLYMPICS COMPETITION!!! Shame on her!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO!!!!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!!
Mweh las avec say vyay UWP sa la. Awa man. really n truly Dno is a waste of time posting dat eh. LABOR FOREVER N EVER Amen!!!!
signs of the time when men of god have become arrogant and heartless…
well dominicans drinking stupid juice so what you expect?