Following the death of Michael Douglas in April 1992, Roosevelt (Rosie) Douglas was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Portsmouth Constituency in the By-Election of that same year. At that time, Hon. Pierre Charles (Pierro) was already the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Grand Bay constituency as well as being Deputy Political Leader, Dominica Labour Party. In the ensuing period, Rosie emerged as leader of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) on the basis of which the 1995 General Election were contested. The DLP lost that General Election to the United Workers Party (UWP) but Rosie was retained as DLP leader. The confidence which the DLP Executive placed in Rosie at that time was vindicated in the next General Election of January 2000 when the UWP was defeated at the Polls and the Dominica Labour Party/Dominica Freedom Party (DLP/DFP) Coalition Government was established. When Rosie died suddenly in October 2000, after just eight (8) months in office as Prime Minister, Pierre Charles succeeded him as DLP leader and Prime Minister (PM), a position which he held until his sudden death in office in January 2004.
The friendship between Rosie and Pierro date back prior to Dominica’s attainment of Political Independence from Great Britain in 1978; thereafter, it evolved into a commitment for improved livelihoods on the island, particularly as regard the vulnerable or less fortunate among us. The political ideology of these two individuals were broadly similar which, when coupled with their sense of purpose or mission, as well as love of country, served as fuel for the mutual respect and admiration which characterized their relationship.
In retrospect, the unique nature of this partnership was forged during their collaboration in the Committee for National Salvation (CNS), established in 1979, following the demise of the Government of former PM Patrick John, and at which Charles Savarin served as chairman. Then came the period of ‘Opposition Politics” for the two (2) men, first in the context of the DFP, Government of former PM Eugenia Charles, July 1980 to June 1995, then under the UWP Government of former PM Edison James from 1995 to January 2000. During this long period in opposition for the DLP, it could be argued that it was this partnership between Rosie and Pierro which laid the foundation for the emergence of the “New Labour Party, currently led by PM Roosevelt Skerrit, an analogy not dissimilar to the rise of Tony Blair to the post of PM in Great Britain in 1997, under the “New Labour Party”.
Both Rosie and Pierro “died on the job” while at the helm of leadership of their country of birth, Dominica; they were aged 58 and 49 respectively. Neither of them had the opportunity to see the outcome of their many years of struggle and sacrifice, undertaken as patriots, aimed at contributing to an improvement in the ‘Quality of Life’ of the populace and black people everywhere. Alternatively stated, they did not live long enough to see the “seeds which they planted bear fruit”, one of which was the rehabilitation and modernization of the main airport on the island. Moreover, the tragic loss of life of these two (2) individuals from the same Political Party occurred in one election cycle; that is, between February 2000 and May 2005, the impact of which almost crippled the DLP. The fact that voters opted to retain the DLP in Government beyond 2005, with more seats in the House of Assembly (HOA) than hitherto, may be characterized as indicative of their perception of the selfless service or legacy of Rosie and Pierro coupled with the resilience of the present DLP leadership.
Furthermore, recall that it was while Pierre Charles served as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance that the Government of Dominica took the decision to embark upon the Stabilization and Adjustment Programme (SAP), the many benefits of which are still apparent today. This was done with Financial and Technical Assistance from the Bretton Woods Institutions headquartered in Washington DC, USA, notably the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but it also included other institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
The SAP constituted a comprehensive set of ‘prudent macroeconomic initiatives and structural reforms’ the core focus of which was aimed at improving the public finances and neutralizing further deterioration of the growth dynamics in the economy at that time. Moreover, as part of the package, Dominica gained access to the ‘concessional financing window’ of the IMF known as the Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF). Recall that the technical team within the Ministry of Finance spearheading management of the SAP was led by Mr. Swinburne Lestrade who was recruited in 2001 by Government specifically for that purpose.
It was on January 8 2004 that Roosevelt Skerrit at age 31 emerged from the shadows of Rosie and Pierro to shoulder the responsibility of PM of Dominica; at the time, the youngest PM within the Commonwealth of Nations, a body which comprises 54 countries and a population of over two (2) billion persons. During his tenure, the new youthful PM embraced the task thrust upon him with humility and diligence, building on the foundation laid down by his two (2) predecessors while being mindful of the many challenges confronting the country today that require his attention. So that for example, the SAP was successfully completed in 2006 … “under the watch” of Roosevelt Skerrit following which Government has continued to make the effort to follow IMF advice on fiscal discipline and macroeconomic targets.
During the official renaming ceremony of the airport on October 27 2014, Mrs. Joyce Dear, sister of Rosie (both of whom are offspring of Robert and Bernadette Douglas, deceased), spoke on behalf of the Douglas Family. Similarly, Mrs. Faiza Charles Sylvester, daughter of Pierre and Justina Charles, spoke on behalf of the Charles Family. In their respective addresses, delivered on the premises of the airport before the large gathering of persons so assembled, as well as listening via telecommunications, each speaker endorsed the action by Government as a fitting tribute.
The record will show that formulation of the Air Access Improvement Project began while Rosie served as Prime Minister. Project preparation continued under PM Pierre Charles with project implementation occurring under PM Roosevelt Skerrit. The total project cost is $135 million financed primarily by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Venezuela via grant resources.
Clearly, our country is a better place because of the work of Rosie and Pierro. Let each of us be inspired by their example and strive to …’leave our footprint in the sand of time’… and in the process, fulfill the motto …”Our nation, Our Responsibility”.
(Brother of Rosie and was serving as Financial Secretary,
Government of Dominica, on the date of death of Pierro)
Rome was not built in a day my dear… Everything happens at it’s set time.. Let not your heart be troubled.. Have you sit and think maybe this was in the pipeline all along.. Only to come to pass now..
Eisenhower, what does this TRIBUTE have to do with Dominicans, on a whole? This TRIBUTE should be written years ago. These people are gone, what they did or did not do has NOTHING to do with today. You should have written about ROOSEVELT SKERRIT and what HE did and not what he completed. So far, Roosevelt finished what was started, he has not started anything in his 14 years in office. I applaud your efforts for reminding people of DOUGLAS’ and CHARLES. WHATEVER.
This is a VOTE FOR Roosevelt.
Eisenhower, this is an excellent article on all concerned, giving due compliment and honor where they are due and deserved.
We just believe that tribute was relevant before world creole festival when the issue was that.. I not hearing saying of the oversight in de manifesto about Roosie being PM in 2000 and Pierro in 2000- 2004..
Eisenhower says……My God this man brave
“During his tenure, the new youthful PM embraced the task thrust upon him with humility and diligence, building on the foundation laid down by his two (2) predecessors while being mindful of the many challenges confronting the country today that require his attention. So that for example, the SAP was successfully completed in 2006 … “under the watch” of Roosevelt Skerrit following which Government has continued to make the effort to follow IMF advice on fiscal discipline and macroeconomic targets.”
I wonder if Eisenhower is really serious. This young man has been a disaster to Dominica and has made Dominica a starving begging bowl….a mendicancy society…………lacks vision and has abused the services of the state to prey on the poor and vulnerable of Dominica.
A man unable to debate “Blessings” let alone Lennox Linton
He has a poor vocabulary and lacks substance, principle and disrespects Dominica’s constitution
This man MUST b e kicked OUT OF OFFICE FORTHWITH ON THE MONDAY 8TH DECEMBER
GOOD BYE SKERRIT….GOODBYE EISENHOWER
A very well written article from a person who knows the truth. One of the best articles I have read on DNO in a very long time. For those of us who were unaware of the closest of these two leaders this article is timely and very important and clears the air on many untruths.
The Prime Minister and the Government did a very good and honourable thing in renaming our airport the Douglas Charles Airport in honour of the two former Prime Ministers. Good article.
DOUBTING – here’s your answer below…read carefully…the issue is why now. These two gentlemen were disrespected by the Skerrit DLP…..being used for cheap opportunistic politics
“The question on my mind having read this tribute, is why now. Skerrit has been at the helm of the party for ten years. Never occurred at anytime to honor the memory of his predecessors. Now on the Eve of an Election where he faces the battle of tenurr He chooses to play on the emotions of the people of Dominica and rename the airport. That is all good. But why now. Ten years later and on the Eve of elections”
Eh be weh so disrespectful what next you guys cannot help it
Funny how people are always bigging up those Douglas people, yet every time I visit Portsmouth all I see is a rundown town and no other edifice supports my view than those that were erected by said family.
Roosie and Piero had a better dream for Da than de rubbish Skeritt doing now with skeritt he just starting communism
OK but was renaming the airport at this time as a cheap political move? I agree that the contribution’s of these two gentlemen made to our land need t be applauded and recognized . But then given the vicious and divisive politics at time doesn’t this name change lessen the contributions of these two men Mr. Eisenhower Douglas ?
I suppose the history books and not Eisenhower Douglas as a hard (‘poto’) partisan Skeritt cannot do no wrong Labour supporter party supporter and benefactor will answer this question in a more fundamental and clearer manner.
Roosie and Pierre Charles were good Domincan citizens, I will not use this comment to to say otherwise. I also have no problem with you personally praising your brother. But sir you are now “singing for your supper”. I guess you have the right to use your post as your support for the leadership of the current administration as well; that is the beauty of democracy. Pretty strategic time to sing the praises though. The big guns are now firing, but I must also say this is well written with no “mud slinging”.
You are a foolish person. The article is in tribute to Rosie and Pierre of DLP and the continuation of their works by PM Roosevelt Skerrit also as a tribute to him of his achievements. He is giving compliments to all of them where they are due. Something your envious heart is incapable of doing. Jealousy will get you nowhere.
Eisenhower Douglas has a PhD. Why would he be singing for his supper? The man is well-off to a certain extent and better off than you are. Some of you write a lot of nonsense on this Website and always project negativity which are your traits.
GREAT.
Eisenhower listen Make way for the Blueeeeeeeeeeeeeee
who is dat man and what’s his relevance now?
Stupes
The only legacy Rosie has left is the amount of children he has that no one knew about and are now coming out of all hole. You guys trying to paint a history that never existed.
The history pertains to his achievements for Dominica while in office.
And see about your life and your soul. 
You will be judged two- fold according to your words and deeds. 
Some of you like to throw words, get personal and delve into the personal lives of others as if you are perfect. Tell us about yourself and your lifestyle.
You know, it always takes two, man and woman. Therefore, since you are exposing his personal life, expose the women’s. This also includes yours, your ancestors and those who are still alive.
Mind your own business.
Oh please Eisenhower, let it be. This is not the time. We all know what contributions Rosie and Pierro made. No need for eulogies for political propaganda purposes now. Let our boys rest in peace and our memories of of them undisturbed.
In memory of them. It is a fitting tribute. Lest we forget.
What is your problem? When you die would you not like to be remembered whether you are in Heaven or Hell?
The question on my mind having read this tribute, is why now. Skerrit has been at the helm of the party for ten years. Never occurred at anytime to honor the memory of his predecessors. Now on the Eve of an Election where he faces the battle of tenurr He chooses to play on the emotions of the people of Dominica and rename the airport. That is all good. But why now. Ten years later and on the Eve of elections