I make this statement to the people of the Salybia constituency and to the rest of Dominica.
On the 18th day of November, 2022, at 3:50pm, I presented myself at the Salybia Resource Centre and was nominated as a candidate to contest the 2022 General Elections for the Salybia constituency.
My name is Vincia Casey and I am 34 years old. I am from Bataca currently living in Salybia. I am the mother of two young girls – ages 14 and 5. I am the proprietor of Waitukubulina Chileali, a small cocoa business which I started up over a year ago. I also make coconut oil and other essential oils.
I decided to present myself as a candidate to contest this general election because of my understanding of what would happen if no one contested these elections. I understood that if everyone, but the Dominica Labour Party, boycotted the general elections, then the Labour Party would automatically win all 21 seats in the House on Nomination Day. I heard the reasoning why the opposition parties in Dominica decided to boycott the elections but from what they were saying they were hoping that the President or Prime Minister would do something to stop the elections. I also heard people saying that nothing could be done to stop the election once the writ had been issued.
As a result, I expected someone to publicly indicate that he/she would contest the elections in our constituency and challenge Cozier Fredrick. The Kalinago people have been getting terrible representation in the House since Mr. Frederick has been our Parliamentary Representative (Parl Rep.) In fact, I believe that we were not represented by him at all.
For the past year the public road through the entire length of our constituency has been in a state of total disrepair. It has been completely ripped up and our Parl Rep has apparently done nothing to argue our case to the Government and/or to ensure that the company that is responsible for this mess is held accountable to the people. We have been left to the mercy of this company. Nobody is fighting for our rights. Very little work seems to have been done on the road and no compensation has been offered to the people who live along the road for the inconvenience, the dust, and the damage to property resulting from the careless way that this company is conducting the works.
We also have a serious situation where the Health Centre is concerned. It is in a dilapidated state and we never have a doctor there. The people have to leave the constituency to see a doctor!
I don’t know everything that a Parliamentary Representative must do but what I’d say is that I think he must at least be concerned about the welfare of his constituents. He should be willing and able to assist the most vulnerable in the community. He should work towards creating better conditions and opportunities for his constituents that would allow them to thrive and develop economic and social independence.
But what I see in my constituency is a situation where one set of people, because they have been long time supporters, continue to reap benefits and get handouts while others are left with no or little assistance. I see a certain sense of disregard/disinterest in the social condition of the people and there does not appear to be equal opportunity for all.
I believe that if the country’s resources were shared equally/fairly among supporters and non-supporters, voters and non-voters, through transparent programs that operate to distribute fairly according to qualification and not favour, there would be less tension and political dissatisfaction in the country. There is not much of a pie to share in the first place, so it must be shared fairly.
The whole time that Cozier has been our Parl Rep, I have never heard or saw him fighting for us in Cabinet or in Parliament. To me, having NO Parl Rep and having Cozier as our Parl Rep, is the same.
I spoke to people in the community about presenting themselves as candidates in the election but they all seemed afraid of being stigmatized and/or victimized. So, on the eve of the 18th November, I told some friends and my family that I was going up in Salybia. I decided that I had nothing to lose. I also determined that I owed it to my two girls to stand up for what I thought was right.
So, I presented myself as a candidate to contest the election in Salybia. At that time, I was not aware that Mrs. Muta Matthew had been nominated to contest the Salybia seat. I only found out about her nomination after I had been nominated.
I want to do everything in my power to ensure that Mr. Frederick does not continue to stand in the way of the proper representation of the people of the Salybia constituency and the Kalinago people. I want to do my best to ensure that he does not return to Parliament under the pretense of caring for us.
If both Muta and I contest the Salybia seat as independent candidates, then we will split the votes of those persons who wish to vote Mr. Frederick out and/or who wish to simply register their protest and dissatisfaction with the type of party politics that has been operating in Dominica.
Muta is more familiar with the political platform than I am. Like me, she cares about our people. She has dedicated her time and energy to assisting folks in the community and attending to the needs of the less fortunate.
Muta was the principal of the Concord Primary School and is well known in the constituency. I believe that she is very capable and would make an excellent representative in the House.
In light of this, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy and to notify the Returning Officer that I no longer wish to contest the 2022 general elections. I will vote for Muta in the upcoming elections and will do my best to support her campaign going forward.
I also invite and encourage everyone in the Salybia constituency to vote for Muta.
Vote against Cozier Frederick!
Thank you.
I am sure your concerns resonate with all who reside in your constituency. Having read the statement you seems to be the perfect candidate; hope Team Muta will get the support of the constituents. I would!!!
You just did.
Smfh.
Ok Mr Smart.Skerrit invented the NEP,it has been operating for 11 years,more than 3,500 employed.Skerrit brought Clear Harbour to Dominica more than 1,000 employedemployed.Skerrit invented the Yes we care more than 150 employed.Skerrit introduced the $300 monthly for seniors,more than 2,700 are getting.The housing revolution is the brainchild of Skerrit more than 5,000 living rent free.With Skerrit as Prime Minister,he has employed more policemen,more firemen,more teachers and more nurses.Not only that,he has increased the minimum wage.Since becoming PM Skerrit has made more than 12,000 people financially better of.Despite the fact that Dominica has gone through difficult times,Skerrit has not fired a single person .After hurricane Maria hundreds of people left Dominica,one year later they were back and working.That is the reason Skerrit will never lose election in Dominica.It is all about the PEOPLE.And the people is satisfied with what Skerrit has done and is doing.Lazy,lying UWP.
Did you know Skerrit was a Freedom-right before he was nominated to lead the current labor party???
Did you know the current DLP is not the original Labor party but a mix-match collaboration of two political factions to unseat the UWP???
Wonder why Freedom Party and DLP decided to follow the guidance of Eugenia Charles to form what is now the Fake-Labour-Party (FLP)!!!
Both Regional Austrie and Skeritt are both descendants of the Original Freedom Party,,,
How is it that no one is campaigning against that!!!
How do you feel now? They have admitted what I said was indeed true. Even coming straight from the rum shop their brain still works way better than yours.
Very touching statement. It brought tears to my eyes. We need more people like that to present themselves for elections in Dominica, not those opportunistic one that are currently running on the DLP ticket. I sincerely hope that one day Dominicans will wake and realize that Dominica is ours to build and develop and not the estate of some aristocrat inherited from his grandparents. It´s a pity you decided to drop out. Let´s hope Muta appreciates the sacrifice you have made and the people of Salybia reward you by voting out Frederick!
Apart from Vielle case constituency minus Thibaud, where Skerrit is the parlrep the same named Villain prime Minister has not worked in any constituency the last 20 yrs. Portsmouth is far worse, St Joeseph, Grandbay, Mahault and others are all worse than ever before. But his strategy is to fire his paid ministers to give the impression that is the parlrep that’s not working. Last night in Marigot he said nothing is happening there the last 20 years. But Skerrit truth is there has been a major decline in every constitution and through out Dominica the last 0 yrs and if you did nothing for the constituencies that voted you like the kalinago territory not Marigot you will work. Skerrit is like a huge curse hanging over Dominica
Well said Vincia and almost believable. This is politics at its very best. Not sure who bought you out, but I hope the reward was worth it.
Well done young lady! You have taken the risk to speak your mind in a very hostile political landscape, exercising your right both to express YOUR opinion and to present yourself as an alternative! You are certainly not the only one who has this opinion yet this person hides behind a fake name to suggest that you have done this for some benefit, financial or otherwise! SHAME ON THEM!!! Their unwillingness to state their name speaks volumes!! You were eloquent and articulated your point in an exemplary way and surely would have made a great parl rep!! BE PROUD OF YOUR DECISIONS AS THEY ARE SOUND!! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU BRAVE SOUL, AND SO ARE YOUR CHILDREN SURELY!!
Continue to be brave and to work hard to be innovative and independent!! May God bless, guide and keep you and your children in his care and favor!!!
You have acted in the TRUE SPIRIT of your ancestors who died in defense of Da!
Continue to be strong and to stand for what you believe to be righteous and just!!! GOD’s…
Dominica will get nowhere with people like you. Do you think everyone is as gullible as you are? Just asking!
Lady, whilst I do not support the idea of independent contesting the election you have every right to what you did , after all this is what democracy is all about. I admire your courage and frankness. Good luck with your business.
This is what genuine concern for country and constituency is all about. I’m proud of you for not being self absorbed and power hungry. Dominca needs many more people like you, Vincia Casey
JUDAS came back and he present himself all over de ISLAND, BECAREFULL. St. Joe, became the center of ATTRACTION we have 5 candidates and JUDAS is there. PM, we love you.
Judas. It is clear you do not understand the value and contribution Judas made, so please let me explain: If Judas had not “betrayed” Jesus, of course it was his role because Jesus knew what Judas was going to do and did not prevent it because he came to die for the sins of the Gentiles like you.
Thus, Judas played a great role, and just like Jesus, lost his life, no matter the conditions under which he did: for us Gentiles. You should be happy that Judas was present to give you an opportunity to go to Heaven.
Lie,lie and more lie.””I presented myself because of my understanding of what would happen if no one contested these election””I heard the reasoning”From what they were saying””But from what they were saying””I also heard people saying”Lord have mercy on the Kalinago people,another soup making lady.The young lady is contesting a general election on they say.In 2019 Annette Sanford told Dominicans she had recorded Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit offering her $120,000 to contest the Salybia seat on a DLP ticket.She said she would make the recording available to the public before the 2019 election.Sanford ran on a UWP ticket and lost.Three years later Sanford has not made the recording public.Now we have a Vincia,they say,I herd people saying,they were saying Casey.Another Hangbag,with his fifteens,sixteens and seventeen’s.That is what we have in 2022.There is more to come before the day is over.
You have no idea what you are talking about so I will not waste my time responding to you.
Well. I did not drink but I am drunk like a fish. What a rational that you were not going to respond, but I am responding to your no response. Oh Lord, where did they come from?
I commend your bravery and patriotism. Many will come with vicious attacks but they are not as brave as you to face Goliath. You are very wise to make the sacrifice to stand up and then to retreat in the face of what you consider as better representation. Good luck to you Vincia and I hope your small business proper. Stay strong!
Thank you Ms. Casey. I applaud your boldness and brilliance. I wish more people would think like you, especially those from the St. Joseph constituency – with FIVE people trying to run against each other!! I was wondering why the four or three others don’t come together to collect more votes, but I guess everybody wants to look out for their own pocket.
Kudos to the Salybia constituency… you all better vote for Ms. Muta, you hear?!!
Wow, very touchy. So very well said. I endorse everything you said mom and I am almost in tears because I personally know Cozier and I know he is one of the worse DLP candidates to ever represent the Kalinago territory and somehow he is given a second term by Roosevelt Skerrit.
I also ask myself with the caliber of women in the territory, why Roosevelt has never chosen a woman to represent the people. Let’s all vote them out
Your photograph and it’s label doesn’t match your story. I also happen to know Vincia and that’s not her image.
ADMIN: What exactly do you mean? The image of Vincia is from the campaign flyer that was sent out which you can view here: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/45-candidates-nominated-to-contest-15-seats-in-december-6-general-election/attachment/vincia-casey/
Waw DNO you’re going to be that underhanded. You know at the time I made this comment you had a photograph of the independent candidate from Salisbury attached to this article. She was standing next to a waterfront in a short dress. Shame.
ADMIN: That conclusion is an abrupt one as there was no underhanded intent on our part but you are correct that the image was changed.
We want to acknowledge that publicly as some commenters have interpreted your original comment as insincere or attention seeking.
Our original response and question was also sincere as we value your feedback.
ADMIN .. dont waste your time .. this person looking for attention
So silly. They have acknowledged it was an error but you’re still here saying I was seeking attention. This is the problem. You all always willing to comment and condemn without information. When ever I get a break from my busy profession in the US I check in with DNO for news on the land of my birth so I am on top of things. I don’t go by social media gossip like some of you empty heads.
Admin some people come here straight from sleep or from the rum shop. Just ignore them. I know Vincia Casey and this is her unless there is another Vincia Casey.