A GRAVE INJUSTICE

Area being mined
Area being mined at Balata Estate (located between Loubiere and Pte. Michel)

The following is a paid statement.

The government often boasts how much it cares for the elderly. They have paraded elderly persons on the Government Information Service program and deprived them of their self respect and dignity. They win these poor elderly persons with gifts of free gas and money but blatantly take away their possessions, property and inheritance.                                                                                                         •

Consider the case of Catherine Peltier. This 99 year old Pointe Michel resident was born in 1915. She worked throughout her life. Now in retirement, She lives with her daughter in Pointe Michel. At this juncture in her life, the last thing she expected was to allow a developer to rob her of what is rightfully hers.

And yet that is exactly what has happened. Ms. Peltier is an owner of a portion of land at Balata Estate (part of La Falaise Estate) owned by her late grandfather Alexander Phito Charles at Pointe Michel. The government entered into an agreement with a foreign owned quarry, Carib Sand & Stone Ltd. (CSSL), in 2005 and with the owners of Balata Estate. In 2006 CSSL started to mine the land and export its pumice to Martinique and other countries. The owners of the land were told that royalties would be placed into an escrow account for their benefit. To date,

Catherine Peltier has not received a single penny for the hundreds of thousands of tons of pumice -mined by CSSL from the land she owns.

In the interim, CSSL is gleefully mining Ms. Peltier’s land. In June 2014, the Managing Director of CSSL boasted in an internet interview (with Amy Tocknell which can be found at http://www.littlegatepublishing.com/2014/06/carib-sand-and-stone/) that negotiations with the government “were so successful that the company is not hampered by any quantity limitations, allowing them to fulfill client requirements with ease.” He boasted that the company is “currently mining 240,000 and 300,000 metric tons per year.”

And yet Ms. Peltier has not received a penny of the wealth generated from the mining of pumice from her own land.

The government has remained silent about what happened to the escrow account. They have not said a word about what is owed to Catherine Peltier who will be 100 years old in March 2015.

Why is our government in partnership with a company which is robbing Catherine Peltier blind? Why is it that a government which professes to care for the poor and elderly is now driving Catherine Peltier to her grave?

A few years ago, there was a court action to determine the claims of ownership of the persons who jointly own the “Balata and La Falaise” land. A decision by the late Judge Matthew was overturned on appeal.

Justice Cottle heard the case and reserved his decision in June 2013. He promised to deliver his decision within two weeks’ time due to Catherine Peltier’s age. Seventeen months have come and gone! Not a word from Justice Cottle! Not a word from CSSL; Not a word from our government!

What has Catherine Peltier done to deserve this treatment? Why has the government allowed this to happen? Why is CSSL boasting about their financial success while Catherine Peltier cannot eat a piece of bread from her own land? Why has the Managing Director of CSSL paid some persons in England who claim to be a part owner of Balata Estate, the land being mined, over $160,000US (noting that Judge Matthew’s decision was overturned) but have not paid Catherine Peltier a dime?

Why can’t Catherine Peltier, in her old age, get the justice she deserves?

Ferdinand Fortune

Great Grandson of Alexander Phito Charles

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48 Comments

  1. March 3, 2015

    The civilization and culture of any nation is measured in part by the value it places on the lives of the unborn and the care it takes of its disabled and elderly.

    A government that issues permits for an outside company to come in and defraud its seniors and then refuses to make things right when the wrongness is exposed is doomed. You may hate me but you can trust me and wait for it to happen.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  2. February 15, 2015

    Not one penny yet of her royalties?

    Would a government actually allow this to happen to one of its own? Worse still would they allow an outside foreign company to do this? It is said some companies in Canada will actually give personal gifts to key politicians in exchange for favors, and some have been known to give a key politician a financial gift to help pay for his campaign at election time.

    Of course we would not expect this to happen in Dominica would we? But (shudder) some are saying there must be a reason for the government to look the other way.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

  3. desecration
    February 13, 2015

    i have cut out a painting from a international news paper where it shows image of early travellers to south africa, in that painting it showing that the black people giving a jar of sand as a present symbolising welcome to the land,we all know how it ended

  4. AgaChris
    February 13, 2015

    I heard there is a rumour that one newspaper refused to publish this article before
    WHY? Is this because someone from the paper was PERSUADED not to

    • February 15, 2015

      Some think it was about $$$$$. Maybe a personal gift in the form of cash?

      Big companies would be more likely to purchase big advertising in the newspaper. This is legal but it is corrupt when it is done to buy the paper’s silence.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. international Evangelist.

  5. never shameful
    February 13, 2015

    Well I guess it’s another 5 yrs for those in power to rob the people of Dominica. I wonder who put this government back in power?? Oh I forgot it was the people!!

  6. The Facts
    February 12, 2015

    I hope she made a will. If not, it is necessary to make one immediately. Her executor who may be a family member should pursue this injustice. You I expect.
    I recommend that a registered letter be sent to the government with a request to respond as soon as possible. Give a date. If no response, then pursue the matter through the Court. Get good lawyer representation.
    The lady must receive a share of the proceeds of her property which she is entitled to as soon as possible.
    Good for you that you took the time to inform DNO readers and others about this sad situation which indeed is a grave injustice against this lady. We are on your side. Keep us informed of what transpires from this situation.
    I wish her a happy 100th birthday. God bless her!

  7. out of south city
    February 12, 2015

    Once you hook up with Europeans, that’s what is expected. They are never satisfied and they always prey on other people’s land. Their history is evidence of this. They have taken from the people of the earth, especially Africans, from the time they came on the scene. If we had more resources they would set up their businesses everywhere. They are truly thieves in the earth. They take what does not belong to them and they kill in the process.
    Politicians can be sold out to people such as these and have no consideration for the poor. This is a shame that Ms. Peltier, at her age, has not been compensated. We really need to wake up on this island. We must not be brainwashed by politicians because when they are running for office, they make promises that they don’t keep.
    ONE LOVE

    • Ba Yo Bwa
      February 13, 2015

      The premise of your comment demands not only “compensation” for the lady, but outright return to her of her lands. Otherwise, what you suggest is mere hypocrisy on your part. You can not come here and lament how evil Europeans are; how they take Africans’ land and kill them off in the process; and then call for recompense as your remedy to this “grave injustice.”

      Seems to me the gravity of the situation (as you describe) should be met with an equally strong, uncompromising response, manifest in the rightful giving back of every square inch of the lady’s misappropriated inheritance. Anything short of this is not justice!

  8. Listener
    February 12, 2015

    In my opinion i think that story missing parts and i would like to hear the other version of that story to me it really sounds tasteless, just one question doesn’t Granny have someone to act on her behath? i rest my case.

  9. waypapa
    February 12, 2015

    this governmennt works for the devil

  10. RDD
    February 12, 2015

    smh. No matter how plainly the truth is showcase there will always be ignorant and arrogant people who choose corruption over justice. But pride goeth before a fall and this government will fall from a very high height. I pray that these people stop hardening their hearts to the plight of their people. What they allowing to happen to Dominica is not right. It’s time for this government to stop making false promises and start doing all the good they said they would do. All of them looking for their pocket but who’s looking out for Dominica’s pocket.

    • The Facts
      February 16, 2015

      Let justice reign and prevail. He is speaking on behalf of his Great Grandmother who apparently does not have a voice and the strength to pursue this since she is now aged, although she may be still aware of it if her memory is still intact. Who could be a better person but her very own family? I am certain her Great Grandson, concerned for his Great Grandmother’s property and welfare, did this in good faith.
      I would not be negative about it. I did not give it a thought that he may stand to gain. Why should anyone? After all he is a close relative. Who knows? He may be the Executor of her Will. Therefore, allow him the privilege and concern of informing others of her plight.
      It appears to me they have destroyed the lady’s property. It should be returned to her but with full compensation of the time they used it and based on the profit they made from it. If they are unable to return it, pay her what they owe her and what is due to her. This is fairness and justice.

  11. forreal
    February 12, 2015

    DNO please do some journalism investigations into this matter,this is one side of the story i would like to hear the government side of the story or their involvement and as to their interest,this story seem to have fragmentation about land ownership,the person who claims to be great grandson,could be just looking out for his interest to,stiil waters run deep brother,give us the both sides.

    • la poite my big toe
      February 13, 2015

      like i said the government has been payign the money for the past years its all being paid to the owners of mally taxi service in loubiere there last name is peltier but i dont kno if or how the two famillies are related

  12. Funnybone
    February 12, 2015

    No one has mentioned that after mining, that land will be completely useless.

  13. Mahaut talk roro
    February 12, 2015

    Well the was spent on election can’t you see my PM got dollllars think hard my ppl,,,,,

  14. February 12, 2015

    Normally I would not even comment on a matter like this in another country. But my God is a just God and He is the |God of all people. I am a evangelist who works internationally and the Bible I preach from is about justice and righteousness.

    God will NOT honor a government nor a company that treats another human being like this. Let me assure you that God has a special interest in the elderly. He will plead their cause and make an example of those who hurt them.

    This is robbery plain and simple. It should be as simple as having the company charged with theft. Surely there is an honorable lawyer in your nation who would take this dear woman’s case free of charge. If a judge is afraid of some politician or party, if he is afraid of a company, he should step down! Find you a lawyer who will take this case to a higher court to be tried before a competent judge.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, D.D., International Evangelist.

    • The Facts
      February 16, 2015

      Rev. Hill, I am a Dominican, residing in Toronto. I take an interest in what is occurring in D/ca, thanks also to DNO.
      Do not feel that you have no right to comment on this matter. Just think, we are all God’s children and we are obligated to stand up and speak out, be it to write about injustices which are committed in our world especially against the vulnerable, whether in our environment or not.
      You know, we are the world and we are the children of the world. God expects us, as people of the world to speak out, wherever we reside. In any case, with world-wide Web, we are only “a click away”, if we think of it. :) It is our right to do so.
      I hope something worthwhile comes out of this, in the lady’s favor and soon enough. I pray God will put a hand and she receives full compensation of all what she deserves.
      Her Great Grand Son is assisting her. May he be successful. God bless him for coming to her aid in this matter.
      God bless you!

  15. February 12, 2015

    yes we care that doing that :lol:

  16. Francisco Telemaque
    February 12, 2015

    How much more backward will our country get under Skerrit, and the rest of his incompetent associates. if the following is true and correct, why has the government allows a foreign company into the island to rip off the poor of the country as in the case of this ninety (90) year old woman! Why not manufacture cement in Dominica rather than sell pumice to Martinique?

    “The results of investigations on the suitability of using volcanic pumice (VP) as cement replacement material and as coarse aggregate in lightweight concrete production are reported. Tests were conducted on cement by replacing 0% to 25% of cement by weight and on concrete by replacing 0% to 100% of coarse aggregate by volume. The physical and chemical properties of VP are critically reviewed to evaluate the possible influence on both fresh and hardened state of cement and concrete.”

  17. February 12, 2015

    Is this for real ? wow . One day justice will prevail .

  18. Merlot
    February 12, 2015

    And she will never see a penny!!! Why? Because you all are afraid to stand up for your rights. You all KNOW the injustices being perpetrated against you but you do NOTHING…you KNOW what wrong the government has done but you are all afraid of your shadows so you shut up and let it happen. My heart goes out to this poor lady, but in all honesty, nothing is going to come of her situation. Dominicans have become pathetic.

  19. Sad
    February 12, 2015

    This is really sad. It is time for her to get a good lawyer to file suit for breach and get a seizure before judgment thus preventing the company from operating and forcing them to the table.

    • joe
      February 12, 2015

      Thank you sad for this great advise, this is my sentiment exactly!!! Ferdinand word from the wise my friend!!!

  20. Land grab
    February 12, 2015

    it is called land grab. the car park at the merigot air port is a other example of land grab where this present administration just took the land from another elderly man

    • February 12, 2015

      No government has the authority or right to take land from a lawful landowner. Nor can they make you “sell” your land to anybody not even a big company.

      I don’t care what THEIR “laws” say when they do not line up with the Word of God! Who gave THEM the authority to make such laws? This is contrary to the laws of God and Divine justice which makes it invalid.

      If a government can do this to an individual or a family where will it end?

      I have heard of the rich and the powerful in America and Canada forcing poor people out of their homes to get land for their own interests. Politicians provide muscle and no doubt receive donations for their future campaigns at election time.

      Obviously they are waiting for the woman to die so it will be thrown out. You would be a fool not to see this.

      Somebody please come to this woman’s help. The nation will praise you and history will honor your name.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

      • February 13, 2015

        The fact that this company promised the lady money for the pumice taken from her land and have paid her nothing is the crime in this case.

        Does anybody know who owns CARIB SAND AND STONE LIMITED? They should be investigated. If they would defraud a 100 year old lady they would do anything they perceived
        to be in their best interest. They are operating in other countries not only Dominica. These people may have an interesting history.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

        Former Licensed Private Investigator under the Province of Ontario, Canada. License number 142306.

  21. February 12, 2015

    The biggest fraud stars are politicians,it is time that dominican’s open their eyes in order to see who is honest and who is not honest….a corrupted gov’t cannot do better but to pocket as most as they can while they are in power …shame on them …they want this old lady to die ,the best thing that she should do now is to make a will for her children or any close family before it is too late…because in every country if there is no will ,mouth to ear say does not count when there is a dispute over wealth,it will be the law in the country that will have the last say…

  22. joe
    February 12, 2015

    PLEASE READ THIS BELOW:

    Ferdinand after reading your story i am still wondering where is GOVERNMENT coming in that?? This appears to me to be a private entity with a private arrangement with owners of private properties so what do you expect from the GOVERNMENT??? The only role government played in all of this was to grant a license to the company, and to ensure they follow the necessary laws and regulations, that’s all!!!!

    My advise to you boss is get a damn good lawyer, one with experience and knowledge in dealing with cases of such nature and ask to leap frog to the CCJ!!!!!! You write as an educated person but confuse with POLITICS and that’s one reason we sometimes loose what is ours!!!!! EVERY DAMN THING CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE GOVERNMENT!!!! The investor must be smiling all the way to the bank with our ignorance!!!!
    And we cannot answer the US$160k paid you should ask them.

    And yes this government does care for the vulnerable among us and that includes the elderly…

    • February 15, 2015

      Whatever license or permit the government gave to Carib Sand and Stone limited should have been revoked when the government learned the company had not kept its word to Ms. Peltier and was not paying her the promised royalties.

      Are the men who are working on the job site Dominicans or workers from outside the country? If the latter do they not require work permits or visas to work in Dominica? If so these should be withdrawn.

      This amounts to fraud. It is a police matter. If you are not getting the help, you need from the police contact your government’s minister of justice if it has one. There is no way this would NOT involve the government. By not coming to Ms. Peltier’s help the government is leaving itself open to suspicion.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

      Former licensed Private Investigator under the Province of Ontario in Canada. License number 142306.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.

    • The Facts
      February 16, 2015

      The government must have given them permission. Therefore, the government, his member of parliament is involved. Whoever approved the license and signed it are responsible. If they care, they should have been concerned about the lady and her property.
      Too many people take advantage of the vulnerable. It bothers me when others take advantage of anyone. The enterprise made a promise to her and did not live up to it. I am wondering if it was a verbal or written one.
      They are using the lady’s land to make money and not paying her a cent. This is not fair. In fact, they should be renting it thereby paying her rent and royalties from the profit they make.
      Yes! He needs an extremely good lawyer. He may have to import one from overseas. I wish him well.

  23. Commentry
    February 12, 2015

    Good story. It saddens me to see the nonsense thats going on in Dominica hence spearheaded by the Government. Remember all doggie have there day that will soon come to and end because all good things have to come to an end. Nuff said

  24. alas
    February 12, 2015

    It saddens my heart to read of your plight Ms Catherine Peltier.
    i imagine that people in Government circles will be scrambling right now to see how they can clean their name and put de blame on some other party. i don’t expect the government to apologise and come clean with Miss Peltier in an open and transparent manner.
    lawyers will have to do some footwork behind the scene.
    I am not surprised by the denial of justice for 17 months.
    Remember GON Emmanuel’s house fire?
    There is a record to follow.
    We always hear of our governments indiscretions with its own citizens.
    Why is it that foreigners always seem to get de upper hand over OUR GOVERNMENT AND ITS CITIZENS!!!
    DOES IT ALWAYS SEEM LIKE THE GOVERNMENT STANDING ON DE FOREIGNERS SIDE AGAINST ANY LOCAL.
    GARDAHKAN
    CSSL
    WEST INDIES LIGHT AND POWER

    That legacy will be written in history books.
    De truth will never be hidden for ever!!

  25. Shameless
    February 12, 2015

    Welcome to Skerritnica (not Dominica) where people and their rights are bought by those who feel the country was willed to them. Before the December 8th general elections we were all warned but all we were concerned about was the bling and sewo that was flowing from an apparent source. Now the trinkets and sew have dried up reality has finally began to set it and boy oh boy. Even our currency the EC $ almost got replaced but BITCOIN while our soverignity is being sold to the highest bidder at the Labor Department by those in high office.

    Having said that, I pray that Mrs. Peltier will soon get what is rightfully hers before she departs to the great beyond. However, those who choose to rub, cheat and steal from the vulnerable folks will pay darely some day. :twisted: Mine eyes are peeled…

    Assertive, NOT Aggressive! :twisted:

  26. Please?
    February 12, 2015

    Well i really sympathize with you guys, But what i don’t understand all this has been going on for a while but we just voted the same government back in . i mean i just don’t know how we Dominica think and operate. I am not saying you guys voted labour but why didn’t you make that a public issue during the election so at least, or just maybe the people of Point Michel could have stand by you and help you get that money from the $30 millions that was going around. Good luck and i do really hope you guys get your monies.

    • L Jay
      February 13, 2015

      If you think a change in government will stop it you are wrong. Look what Earl and the UWP did with the sand in the Layou river. Governments have always done that with people’s land. The trick is to fight them in the media. Let everyone know the story. And let your parl reps take it to parliament to change the laws pertaining to acquiring land by the government. By the mining act passed several years ago, as a private citizen you dont have alot of say if the Government wants your land for ‘mining’. Check the Gazette.

      • February 13, 2015

        You are absolutely right.

        Every newspaper and radio station in the Caribbean should be all over this! What is wrong with you people.

        Has any other newspaper in Dominica published anything? It is time for your best newspaper to send an investigative reporter in to get the real dope on CARIB, SAND, and STONE LIMITED. The public wants to know who they are. Have they done this in other countries? Put the story together and get it out to your readers!

        Some of the worst jerks imaginable operate in Canada. Usually they don’t last long. These companies all have one thing in common. They target the elderly, the poor, and the defenceless.
        They will study a situation for awhile before striking to be sure the party is vulnerable. It is sometimes found the owner has a criminal record. Usually it is a fearless member of the media who is credited with exposing them. This is often the only thing that mobilizes the police.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.

      • The Facts
        February 16, 2015

        But they must pay a relatively substantial amount that the land is worth.
        It is unfair to seize people’s private property without compensating them and sufficiently. You can’t do that!
        In all fairness, this is how it works – pay the people for their property, what the land is worth. Property increases in value. It does not depreciate.

  27. derp
    February 12, 2015

    true alot of people own different plots of land in that area around Pointe Michel and all/most of the money is being exported out…

  28. Mamizoo
    February 12, 2015

    Wow and you know Ferdinand some apologists for this administration will come on the site to either discredit your account or claim that the government matters takes time. We are not surprised by your revelation cause there is full fledged evidence of corruption in every institution of state.
    Are we surprise of the behavior of the court system.
    one thing I know people don’t just get up from bed and decide to be rebellious or a terrorist. There are countless other stories of injustices in Dominica and something got to give At some point

    • joe
      February 12, 2015

      Mamizoo you are just DUNCE that’s all!!!!!!

      Corruption? prove the corruption in all institution!!!!!!!

      • Mamizoo
        February 12, 2015

        Only a foolish dog ark st a flying bird ad so you keep going joe hanging on to your lack of wisdom but it was Pierre Carles who coined the phrase that specifically applies to you.

      • whoistoblame
        February 12, 2015

        Joe are you that dumb? Where do you live?Are you living on some other planet? Ou sort

  29. unbelievable
    February 12, 2015

    What a shame! The lady should be paid for usage of her land… that’s really sad. It’s exploitation of the elderly I say!!

  30. Elixir/Mily
    February 12, 2015

    And in the end result…..How much of our Mountains that we boast soooo much is gonna be mined? Is it ever going to stop? And why isnt every dominican benifiting from this Agreement? Why is it still so expensive for us to construct a home for ourselves…while we sell out to other countries. The Questions…The Answers…..WE WILL NEVER KNOW.

  31. point
    February 12, 2015

    Mr. Fortune instead of crying on DNO, just get a lawyer this seems to be a legal matter.

    • The Facts
      February 16, 2015

      He has the right, at least this time, to take it publicly. I hope something good comes out of it.
      There are times people try to fight a situation on their own with the Party concerned and they get nowhere. If this will help him, so be it. Consider, too, your positive comments should assist.

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