Newly-elected Mayor of Portsmouth Vernon Daniel said he is satisfied with the work that the Dominica Labour Party has done for the people of Portsmouth.
There have been widespread criticisms that after fifty years of dominance by the DLP in Portsmouth, the town is still lagging behind in the area of development.
But Daniel said while this may be the case, the DLP only took up office since 2000.
“In order to really do a lot, a party needs to be in government and while the DLP has been dominating Portsmouth for 50 years, they have only been in office since 2000. I think during that time span, they have done a lot. It’s true that it looks like they did nothing and people expect more, but I would say that between 2000 and 2010, they have contributed adequately to the constituency”.
He said that if they remain in office, the DLP will do more.
@STAFFEE:
delapidated state, man open your eyes, Portsmouth look better than most places in Dominica so what are you talking about delapidated, speak for yourself ok, we are hard working people who never and i stated never depends on government to build us, we are strong people with our own drive and ambitions and we build our town on our own, with freedom, with UWP and with the DLP them as well we will continue to build us because Portsmouth has something that you cannot understand if you are not from Portsmouth, we have learned not to wait for party or govenment to develop state we do it our selves. There are just as much people coming to Portsmouth to work as there is going to Roseau the city so what are you talking about.
Who tell all u that this labour party is the really labour party? Boy laugh all u self labourites.First thing first the head, Skeritt was trained by the freedomrite. Next is the president and the speaker this are people who loved mamo. Then you got saravin who would turn the country upside down for mamo.Maynard; if rain falling,he do not have an umbrella, he will take of his clothes to shelter mamo.If i had to go on and on there would be to many to mention. The point behind that is, this labour party is a freedom party in disguise for all skeritt adviser is one way or the other a freedomrite in mamo time.
Ambition and Biscuit I know you are a true Porssie person by your screen name. I support your point on the yachting facility. A yachting facility would have been a better than this fisheries dock. The fisheries complex was a bone offered by the DLP prior to election. The government did not perform an economic viability assessment , project analysis – nothing. If that is what we call development then may the forces be with us
Awa, Thank you for your kind and complimentary comments. Honestly, if I could come back to Dominica, especially Portsmouth believe you me I would. Unfortunately it is much easier said than done. I left when I was a young girl to join my parents, grew up in London , also has a family and now grandchildren. Also I have and is still working in the public sector I need my pension to enable me to live independently in Dominica upon my return, so I am afraid I willnot be able to come home and can only be helping to develop Londonin the meantime.
Meanwhile, I will continue to pray for you and the current Mayor to grow and develop in each and everyway that seems fit formy hometown Portsmouth.
All the very best in all your endeavours!!
Are any of the negative-minded Portsmouth people leaving down there. Do they really understand that development is not always government led and driven. Government provides teh necessary conditions for growth and it is pushed by the private sector. The rest of teh country is essentially led by the ‘Portsmouth economy’, persons move to Portsmouth for work. People invest more in Portsmouth than anywhere. It leads in foreign investment and will do so in coming decades. Maybe he nay sayers need to join that pro-development mindset and boast of what good is happening down there!
Maestro there are those off us from Porssie that are smart enough to avoid that stupid one track minded tradition in Portsmouth. Many off us have worked very hard to help develop our town and do have a right to speak out against those including the mayor who foster division by making such statement. While I applaud your effort to rally support we can also contribute constructive criticism. As it is and has been people it is sacreligious to criticize DLP in Porssie. When Porssie people can stand up and demand respect and recognition from the DLP then we can begin to move forward as a unit. The former mayor had legitimate concerns with regards to the lack of support from the central government. Guess what the people stoned him at the cross. Note that Errol was a DLP supporter.
Maestro the moral of the story is that people like you and me must rid ourselves of our grand parents mentality and be independent minded. We need to be accountable to our community even when we decide who should represent us in parliament or at the local government level. I’ve seen hard working community minded people come and go , I’ve seen those who are DLP supporters community bedrocks who attempted to represent Porssie on a DLP ticket and because these people were not Douglases they were derided , humiliated and embarrassed.
Maestro this is the problem with Portsmouth. We are not exposing our dirty laundry here – Everybody know that Portsmouth people can’t see past DLP politics or maybe Douglas politics.
Maestro, i could shake your big toe. good advice. All those in the Diaspora do is talk….blah blah and no help while they develop other country.
maybe if u come back to, d/ca and help develop it instead of developing London it would be a much better place.
Vernon as a young man started as a Major of Portsmouth, am happy for you, but don’t let people
use you up.
You must remember you are serving the people of Portsmouth and not the DLP.
Portsmouth is in a dilapidated state and needs urgent repairing.
In times of the first Prime Minister of Dominica under th DLP, The Honorable Kernel Patrick Rolland John.. Portsmouth was much better off than today under the Skerrite regime of the DLP.
Keep your head high and careful with the current.
I am in total agreement with “JUST A READER” . I was home in 2008 for my mothers’ funeral and I was appalled with the understanding of the treatment that my mother had at the hospital. I can recall as ayoung child growing up in Portsmouth it was a boomng place, hospital, bank , post office, cinema, stores like RBD and Alcid and the General Portsmouth Store were all booming and up to standard.
Yet on my return several times in the past I couldnot believe the what I saw. I just couldnot understand what happened to our Town. I loved Portsmouth as I was raised there as a child and everyday myself and my childhood friends who are around the world we does had a little chat about the way Portsmouth has become. Roads are fixed, but I recalled we had all these before so what has happend. I hope and pray that the new Mayor will make a great diference.
in reading these comments, i am more ashamed of those who commented than the first statement of a young man eleceted/ selected as mayor.
i strongly believe that to effect change we need to renew our minds. the bible says this in:
Romans 12:2
for those of us in the diaspora, where are the suggestions for the young individual? where are the contact information? the email addresses, telephone #s which he can use to contact you all as you pledge your support to the development of this our town of portsmouth?
instead of just saying that more needs to be done why not highlights some of the stuff that we would like to see happening! and perhaps pledge our support towards seeing it through.
i would like in the immediate that we secure a piece of land in the portsmouth area for a landfield. perhaps we could put together a donation or one of you guys could donate a piece. i would also like to know that the town council has its own garbage truck. the one landfield in town is ineffective and in my opinion the idea of one or two trucks servicing the entire island is ridiculus.
i would very much like to see a fund set up by those in the diaspora to assist in the different projects around portsmouth. after all portsmouth is our own.
i am sure we can find a way to work this out and even monitor the usage of the funds we send. there are a few websites already dedicated for portsmouth, yes? insidepossie.com then there is pss one.
Thunder Horse if you could do it without Government why haven’t you done it?
Just a Reader, I agree with you; the people are too damn lazy, Government cannot do it alone. The people have to help themselves.
I think Vernon meant, this administration has been in office for 10 years; however, Vernon is right, a lot has been done. Look around you! The PM has to do a little in every Village.
Portsmouth is second town, SO WHAT! Who should care but the people from Portsmouth. DO YOUR OWN CLEAN UP!!!!!Stop loitering! Don’t wait for others to RAISE YOUR EYEBROWS FOR YOU.
People expect too damn much from an already crippled economy. Help the Government to help you. STOP critizing and START helping.
Do you people believe, regardless to which party that is in office, the Island will improve if you don’t HELP!
Roosevelt has NOTHING to do with the condition the Island is in. I voted once before leaving home; however, I support the PM because he is my home boy.
Whatever you all say will in no way affect me because I write what I had to say and I DO NOT look back.
Vernon you have to learn to talk like a politician because like it or not that’s what you are now!
People are going to twist your words every which way, take things out of context, make generalizations about you, insult you, ridicule you etc once you state opinions contrary to what they want to hear.
Image is everything, even if you’re affiliated to the DLP you can’t afford to look like a puppet. Your heart is in the right place though, this too shall pass. Keep your head up!
Vernon, Vernon, Vernon ………big mistake. Let your work speak for you , my brother. When you assume the position of Mayor, you become a servant of ALL THE PEOPLE. You have to mobilize all the people to succeed. Playing partisan politics will alienate a large segment of your town and your programs will suffer. Please brother, stay off that party politics.
You have a right to be a Labourite, Freedomite, UWPite or even a Parasite ( my bad; my apologies, Dr. Reviere…..But what’s the name of Para’s party? Whatever!) But don’t be preaching that kind of politics. You have to rally all the people of Portsmouth to succeed. Your success will be a boost to the DLP. Running your mouth will be a bust for the DLP and Portsmouth.
Comrade, I wish you the best!!
Well Well Vernon that is what we call starting off on the wrong foot. Note that the man or Boy as it seems is yet to mention anything worthwhile that the DLPhas done for us in Porssy – in 10 years Magwe Sa.
We don’t expect the mayor to say anything otherwise after all would you bite the hand that feed you and burn the house that shelter you (literally).
The Mayor’s comment is typical of the Town of Portsmouth. The people of Portsmouth have Tunnel vision and are quintessential idiots thus the reason why the DLP has shown them no gratitude even after all these years of voting Labor.
The only reason Vernon can run his mouth in such capacity is because the former mayor Errol Hill spoke out against the DLP’s disregard for Portsmouth. It is so embarrassing when I listen to those who are educated and sensible utter such none sense in the name of a Party that has done nothing for us. We claim that because of Porssy Labor attachment Mamo nor Edison did nothing for Portsmouth. This dud should now be ashamed to say that it is only 10 years since the DLP has been in power.
One should not be surprise that Bill was not selected Mayor as he too was beginning to call out the DLP for their ungrateful behavior. I am glad that people like Bill can untangle the rope of ignorance that restrain the development of the town – A town full of potential.
Many of us are aware of the fisheries complex now in construction. Did the government consult the people? No . This fisheries complex will be another white elephant. The facility will not enhance the economy of Portsmouth at least not in the immediate or distant future. A yacht mariner would cost just about the same and would have had an immediate impact. To those of us who grew up in Porssy particularly lagoon area do you remember that from August throughout April the harbor would be packed with yachts and what we called power boats. In fact as kids we made our summer money selling fruits and guarding what we called the dingy for the skipper. The bars on the beach made money, the jetty boys made money , the bay boys made money, the shop keepers sold groceries, the icemakers sold ice steadily. Ian can attest to the that and yet he stood by and allow the DLP to move forward with a white elephant.
It may seem that we are selfish but after all those years of voting labor Portsmouth deserve much better but alas that spell remain. It hurts my heart to see such ignorance and foolishness
the previous mayor head is dead so he have to run. portsmouth people have to change thier attitude and help in the developement of thier village and stop playing to wise and to big. to many people in that place think they know it all and knows nothing
Oh Please Vernon, Have you really listen to yuourself? I do not blame you though, The Parl Rep and the rest of the government helped you to become Mayor, so u are protecting their investement.
But Please, Please , Do not disrespect the people of Portsmouth with your foolishness.
Vernon, please be true to yourself. Your own words “It is true that it looks like they did nothing.” Do you live in Portsmouth? Just admit and say to DLP face that nothing was done; don’t try and polish it up. …If the downtown areas look like this could you imagine the rest of the town.
I have been complaining about the town of Portsmouth when I visited in 2007; the roads, the garbage, the old shacks, the hospital. Vernon, maybe you should take a trip outside of the country for a week and upon your return you will be able to see the difference.By the way where is Ian? Is he still a so called representative of Portsmouth?
I know you were newly elected and I commend you for at least mentioning and observing that something is not up to par in the town of Portsmouth. Remember “adequate” is not good enough. The DLP, regardless of when they were in power, has done nothing for Portsmouth.
Thought he was the mayour? He done politricking already…wow
Vernon its not surprising that within your first 2 weeks as Mayor of the “Town” of Portsmouth you are campaigning hard for your party.
Portsmouth will continue to remain as your past Minister of Tourism stated “A larger GHETTO”
The place does have potential though…
My advice to you Vernon, is to step out of your comfort zone and be a Mayor that peope actually remember!
More needs to be done at Portsmouth, the town has space for development, beautification, night life, even an all purpose mall, I belive that the council should be in a position to get such investors for portsmouth, vernon needs to pull his resourcefull people forward and find investors. We can do it without government.
Boy,you have no idea what the heck you are talking about…What the hell have the DLP done in Portsmouth.Have you looked at the Town lately,or are you just as blind as the rest of the Portsmouth people.
Portsmouth is the second Town of Dominica and it has been neglected by the DLP for years and years…..What developtment,and what progress you are talking about…..Because they fix the Indian River bridge?…that?….look at the condition of your roadways..and the congestion in the Town.How about the Portsmouth Hospital is it up to par, with its deplorable conditions? and what about state of the emergency room,or lack thereof?…Afterall, Portsmouth is the second Town of Dominica.
Take a good look at the port. Prince Rupert Bay is suppose to be the most beautiful bay(port) in D/ca.Look at it now,are you satisfied with what you see?
Don’t start running your mouth now……That is good. Congrats!…Now if you care about the Town and want to make a difference,roll up your sleeves and get to work…and don’t be a stooge or a puppet for the Govt…They just put you in their and you start running with the mouth already.What the hell do you know about Portsmouth and its rich history.If some the people of Portsmouth were not so lazy, complacent and narrow minded, the Town would be so much better…Yes it should be a booming Town indeed…but alas…some people in Portsmouth makes me sick to my stomach,the way their thought process are
Thank GOD for the late Mike and Rosie Douglas of Portsmouth for their years of dedication and contributions towards the Town, and Dominica as a whole…And also to the DLP,because without them, their would be no Labor Party.They gave their all to that Party…yes, the ultimate sacrifice,because it cost them their lives…I am quite sure that these two great men are turning in their graves today,to see what has become of the Party they worked so hard to resurrect,especially Rosie,that should be attributed to him…Not even a little headstone allu can put for them?..eh?
You guys should be ashamed of yourselves!
The Labor party was known as the working class people’s Party;the people without a voice,the ordinary man’s Party…..But now…alas,i have no idea what they are now…..(don’t start me up…hypocrites!).
My family have a very rich history in Potrsmouth,I know what i am talking about.I know Portsmouth.How about you and yours.I was there when Portsmouth was Portsmouth…waiting for the future to come….sadly,i am still waiting.
I am not against you,I am happy for you..but just don’t start with the running of the mouth business.
Thank you…..and may GOD bless and protect Portsmouth.
i argre with the previous comment. if ross go possie down! we need to get rid of that doglast family there..vernon needs to come better than that but hey,he lives with the douglases…
I’m thinking hard but the only thing I know that the DLP has done for Portsmouth is the construction of the Rosevelt Douglas Primary School (thanks to the earthquake) and presently working on a fisheries complex.