Two other members of the executive of the Alternative Peoples’ Party (APP) have resigned as a contentious situation within the fledgling party continues to escalate. Whitney Mélinard, 2nd deputy political leader, and executive member Sherlyn Sabaroche, tendered their resignations within the past 48 hours.
This week, the APP, not yet two years old, became embroiled in a controversy surrounding the resignation of political strategist, Alex Bruno when the party announced in a press release, that Bruno had resigned via a WhatsApp message to APP president Julius Corbett. Bruno vehemently denied that claim but mere hours later, he submitted what he said was his official resignation letter which was shared with the media.
APP officials told DNO at the time, that based on a series of actions taken by Bruno within the past few weeks which they chose not to disclose, they agreed that a parting of the ways was the best option to protect the party’s integrity.
In her letter of resignation dated 13th, October 2021 addressed to the party’s president Julius Corbett, the youthful Whitney Mélinard who describes herself as an “independent thinker, one with a passion for active participation in our nation’s development,” begins by stating that she gravitated to the party because she saw it as a grassroots movement that could “catapult” her continued advocacy for equality and equity for all Dominicans.
However, Mélinard notes that “over the past weeks, I have watched in disbelief as we have all, myself included, destroyed a movement that had become so central to us. I add myself as part of the problem because there were moments when I should have spoken, defended or mediated but as a rookie on the political scene, I fooled myself into believing that “the adults would sort themselves out”. I was wrong.”
She adds that instead of engaging in conflict resolution or attempting to reach a compromise, members of the party “dug our feet into the mud just to ensure that “we” not APP, won the tug of war.”
The twenty-year-old goes on to state that the executive of the party allowed what she termed “egocentric tendencies” to cause them to lose sight of the bigger and brighter picture-” DOMINICA.”
According to her, the haemorrhaging of unfortunate and disturbing events that should have been dealt with internally, maturely and professionally, has left her with no option but to distance herself and brand from an “impending implosion.”
“I am therefore tendering my resignation as the 2nd deputy leader of the Alternative People’s Party to take immediate effect,” her resignation letter states. “I will cherish the teachable moments that I was privileged to have, the kindness of many members such as Ms. Tahira Blanchard and Mr. Alex Bruno as well as the opportunity that the position of 2nd Deputy Leader afforded me.”
She pledged her continued commitment to championing the cause for an “island-home” where all citizens can live to their fullest potential and where their growth is not “stunted by victimization and prejudice” and where one’s political affiliations do not determine their success.
“I will take this political sabbatical as a moment to renew my warrior spirit and to focus on my studies for the next three years and I will be back,” the current law student stated. “I am promising myself to return with a fiery energy – more than before – to rejoin the fight (wherever it may be). A fight for the island home which I am convinced that my people and I deserve.”
The letter was copied to Tahira Blanchard- Political Leader (Ag), Sharon Vidal-Deputy Political Leader (Ag), Kendra Stephen- Founders’ Conclave Chair and Sherlyn Sabaroache- Executive Member who, herself, the very next day, submitted a comparatively brief resignation letter to the party.
“I regret to inform you that I am officially resigning from my position, effective immediately, as an executive member of the Alternative People’s Party,” Sabaroache said.
“Having been given the chance to be part of the Team was an honor [for] me. I cannot thank you enough for providing the opportunities and the experiences while serving on the executive board of the party, but due to the recent unexpected changes, I will not be able to continue supporting the movement,” the letter stated.
Dominica will always remain a backward, confused, poor; and miserable place!
Not to long ago we heard of this so called new political party; I don’t know if there has ever been a public meeting held, never mind contesting an election; however, all of a sudden, you commenced fighting against yourselves.
How can someone resigned from something not yet in existent?
How can there be a power struggle among members, when there is nothing to fight over; how can this thing ever get support from the public when from its inception there is already back stabbing?
I telling u all u Dominican people will always be corrupt .. greedy.. stupid.. you form a lil party ..not try u have to try to gain popularity and remove thst currupt labour party in office ner? Join hands to uproot that currup disease virus labour’s party ….instead all you joining them..? Money all you people behind like thsy ..that’s The thing all u black people just a bunch of greedy people with no principles.. dominica will move nowhere all you people are a disease .. just like them greedy hyenas ministers…those people ther more they have is more they want.. I never seen people so bloody greedy in my life..
Half of the founders of the defunct App just came out of diapers. They have hardly any practical experience about life or anything else. Were the more mature members serious or this was just a facade?
Were the youngest members used as pawns or were they into it like Tahira to muddy the political waters.
My thoughts exactly. They were used.
Meanwhile the current government continues to run the country into irrelevance. When will people put egos aside?
Change for the sake of change is never a good thing. An “anyone but Skerrit” mindset is also politically counter productive. With the apparent sunami like growing anti-Skerrit sentiment, you figure someone would have come up with a viable opposing political strategy by now.
Let’s be realistic, the four time incumbent will not be easily ousted unless he plans to forego re-election. That in itself may be wishful thinking, considering the relative young age of the Region’s longest tenured political leader.
I am all for the development and grooming of our aspiring, bright and young leaders; however, battle in the political arena calls for experienced, reselient and seasoned warriors. In that regard, the APP have only succeeded in making themselves a “pappyshow”.
A more serious question is will any opposition party have the wherewithal to make a successful challenge next election cycle? It ain’t looking likely right now!!!
Quite a few of those who have been revealed as founders and leaders of this APP are young and inexperienced. What level of leadership experience have they got under their belt to now want to lead Dominca. At least Skerritt had senior and mature leaders and politicians in the Labor party when he staged the palace coupd. For this reason I don’t believe that those green, fresh-faced, political infants who have been outed are the core nor the whole team behind the APP. Time will tell and I expect the whole truth will be revealed.
I was always concerned when I heard Whitney became part of this thing. She is a young lady with a bright future ahead if she stays focus. However, getting involved with such an organization with a aesthetically pleasing exterior, but dangerous underlying motives will destroy her. Run and run fast. Go get yourself qualified because it is apparent you are naturally intelligent. I wish you the best.
They were all UWPs in the first place, they will go back to them.
Could this be sabotage?
% ,DLP has been in power since 2000.The people saw the CORRUPTION in UWP and kicked them out after four and one half years .The people see no corruption in DLP,after 21 years they are still in power.Your DON KEY voice is useless.
Clown, you are a blind. I would say it is because of corruption Roosevelt Skerrit’s party is still in power, and it is not the true original Labour Party either.
Too many resignations for a party that is not fully formed, APP should be demolish.
I Totally agree that the party should be put on hold they are not ready yet could you imagine if they were elected?
That was a koshonie. Happy that this vote splitting gimmick has imploded. I don’t buy the faux contrition that they didn’t know what was happening on the inside. If your young party is able to come up with money to spend giving handouts then they should have asked where are the source of the funds. They were working to split the votes now they are the ones who are split. Good riddance. Let’s see if Tahira Blanchard will continue to get favours from Skerritt unbeknownst to the other executive and the APP team. Dominca what have you done to deserve this? You deserve much better than “pirates” trying to suck you dry.Ei Dominique!! 🤑🥵
I have totally agreed with you Jonathan. You have shared my sentiments!!!
Mr. St Jean, I have a high degree of respect for you. Your comments are thoughtful and mostly spot on.
From the very outset I suspected something clandestine and nefarious. Politics is so polarizing yet another political party to further splinter the country into more tribal factions.
Just an observation. When I look at Tahira Blanchard’s official photo it is more suited for a beauty contest than for professional use. Those lips heavily laced with the brightest RED lipstick, her natural eyebrows replaced with black pencil marks. That photo was likely taken initially for her professional friend’s eyes only.
@Ibo France, thanks for your sentiments. However when I look at Ms Blanchard’s photo I don’t see any beauty queen but a sleazy , underneath mafia type. My premonition is correct because she admitted to working with Skerritt who she supposedly is trying to defeat. Again isn’t that sleazy and mafioso? That’s two-timing, snake-like and downright dirty.
God doesn’t like ugly and that’s what she represents to me. Keep your ears open and you will hear that Skerritt will reward her in the next election.
How could I bet against you! Politics is no dolly house business. As a politician, you affect people’s lives. Her demeanor gave her away initially. Now her actions have cemented the demise of whatever political currency she may have had. She has been immortally tainted and now rendered politically defective.
@Jonathan Y St Jean – Excellent observations sir.
This young and erudite lady, Whitney Melinard, is an exceptionally bright and intuitive person. It’s a pity she got entangled in this web of deception with the rolling stone Alex Bruno et alia.
The good thing is that she erred in judgment at a very young age so there is time to rehabilitate any damage that was done to her image.
I would like to point out to her that politics is not the only sphere where she can contribute prodigously and effectively to her country. Politics usually brings to the fore the latent vices inside of us (greed, selfishness, envy, hypocrisy, sadism, narssicism) etc.
It is up to her and if its politics that she chooses you are in no position to change that. Let the lady be! There is no damage to her image and she did not err. She joined a movement, its not working out so she is doing the honorable thing. You people think you know everything and you have a right to make decisions for people. Stay in your lane.
Why people like you deliberately misconstrue others’ comments? It was just an innocuous suggestion that other options than this tribal, corrupt, toxic politics are out there.
Why get so personal? Your angry emotions are very much displaced. Save that for the illegal occupant in the highest office in government. He’s much more deserving of your uncommon wrath moral decay that has enveloped the whole country.
Whitney Mélinard’s statement gives me hope for Dominica’s future.
Roger, I prefer to judge people by their actions over a reasonable length of time than by mere eloquent words. I really hope this was a profound teachable moment for the young lady. Wish the greatest success in all her other endeavours.
I agree IBO. But the young lady has admitted that she herself was part of the problem. And it’s only when we admit that we made a mistake, that we can begin to getting it right.
If you all were trying to be aspiring politicians, you all have driven many nails into your coffins…Were you all aware of what was going on internally? If YES, what did you all do? Why it had to take the resignation of Alex for you all to poke your necks out and resign? Was the party linked to the corrupt DLP? That’s for Tehira Blanchard to answer!!!
Where was the money coming from to do all your projects?
I dont trust ANY of you! Six of one, half a dozen of the other!!!
% why so unforgiving concerning the two youngest founders? They were sucked in to this rat nest by the guile of Alex and the charm of Tahira. These two deserve a second chance to amend their ways.
If Tahira can have her professional friend following her around like a poodle on a leash then she can get these two newly graduated adolescents to eat out the palm of her hand.
You keyboard warriors always know best!