Businessman concerned about Scottshead, Soufriere youth

A Soufriere resident is calling on the Soufriere, Scottshead, Galion Village Council to play a more active role in providing assistance to the youth of these communities.

Businessman Jeff Bellot told Dominica News Online that he is becoming increasingly concerned about the youth there and is suggesting that the local government body form of a joint committee to address some of the pressing issues.

“The Village Council should also organize educational activities for the young people there and there is also a need for the parliamentary representative to do more work with the teenagers and groups in the community,” he stated.

He pointed out that the young people are frustrated because of a lack of job and that does not bode well for them.

“The parents should also step in because they can encourage their children to get involved in community projects instead of getting involved in drugs, violence and sex. There is a great sense of urgency right now for everyone to get involved to bring this community back to what it was,” he said.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

36 Comments

  1. natureislelover
    February 8, 2011

    Exactly,…….
    What are the parents doing where are the boundaries…..why are the young boys upset with playing like gangster USA delinquents…..where is their spirit, their creativity…why are all the young men under the influence most of the time ….whats this orange crew nonsense about do they think they are in the deepest USA ghettos what is their obsession with the USA…..wake up get real with the programme…..
    many of the young people in Scottshead leave school with sufficient qualification to make something of themselves ……they just need steering in the right direction this is where community and local government reps come in to play ….but for many THE PARENTS ARE TO BLAME…they know who their kids are they know what they are up to they need to take hold of the situation…discipline, boundaries, respect, ambition, drive good old fashion moral WORK ethics…who said government have to do everything for all the people all the time…..

  2. naturelover
    February 8, 2011

    Halo soufriere and scottshead passy, with all thes $$millions on your bueatiful sea/wall bayfront development… plus all the other attractions,,,,.make it work for you–let the creative ideas flow,

  3. de caribbean change
    February 7, 2011

    I had thought that the Simons, Delsols, Etiennes, Pacquettes had set the stage for them to move on and takeover. Looks like it did not work. We will be back one day soon.

  4. St.Mark Resident
    February 7, 2011

    Alot of the youth from the village Soufriere and Scott’s head drop out of school at an early age and just sit down by the roadside not doing anything. When they have time like this on their hand they talk about forming gangs and get involved in all other illegal doings. Something needs to be done to ensure that they all stay in school especially with help from the parents who sometimes have no control over their children actions even before they reach the age of consent. We didn’t make our kids for the government to take care of them. We can’t always blame the government for our wrong doings. We as parents need to stand up for what is right for our kids and raise them up the right way because some of them have no respect whatsoever for anybody.

  5. Orange Crew Member
    February 6, 2011

    I’m from scott’s head and i don’t know what jeff bellot has ever done for us; all he does is to come to dominica once a year and run his mouth;

    the orange crew are trouble makers and we need to face that. village council and parl rep can’t help dem; they need to help themselves. they need to elevate themselves. the adult education division has tried on a number of occasion to start classes in scott’s head, however they don’t turn out at the meetings.

    so what do we expect the parl rep to do force dem to go. he can do it for them they have to do it if they want to. their parents can’t either cause they will fight and swear at their parents. that’s the way the young boys live now.

    drugs and rum is their life.

    • wow
      February 6, 2011

      that’s not right, using some groups name to send bad vibes,, perpetuating to be a member of the group, that’s low mindedness

    • scott's head youth
      February 7, 2011

      orange crew member.
      That’s a lie, Because if anyone knows Jeff Bellot at all, one would agree with me when i say that every year he comes to Dominica he tries to get the community; especially the youth involve in something positive….He came for the christmas season and instead he spent time with his family he host a singing competition with the young people from the village and other villages and if there had 30 adults supporting him…….then i a tellin u, there had alot…

      so shut ur damn mouth and get up and try something before you critize what another person is doing.

    • Anonymous
      February 7, 2011

      Don’t forget my brother was an active village council member, he was a member of the improvement committee and he was a very active person in the community. Don’t forget the various activities he organised during St. Peters. All these activities the youth were invited to take part such as races etc.
      He still cares about the community. Dont forget the water problem in the castille estate area, praise god he was home for christmas and the problem got some attention. Please give my brother a break.

      • dominica overseas
        February 7, 2011

        true say Jeff is my family and yes i agree with anonymous he did alot for the village so give him a break

    • Stop Lie
      February 7, 2011

      If Dominicans pay attention to news, they will remember that Jeff gave back to his country not to long ago, so what is lil scott’shead for him not to give back, please stop trying to spoil the man name,personal issue should never come between those things.

  6. ny
    February 6, 2011

    Well said mr bellot. I believe many of the parents need to be educated. Many of the parents are young, and did not get no proper examples from their parents. Therefore, they have no knowledge raising kids. I believe the religious leaders should play a role in the youths lives also. I wish that the villagers would go back to the old time religion. May the good lord shinee the light of his continence upon these yohths.

  7. Soufriere
    February 6, 2011

    You see the problem with some of us is that we only see the problems when we live outside. The problem in these “twin” communities is much deeper than the involvement of the village council. And it’s not about representation or lack there of. It’s about the mind set of the people. I grew up in the 80’s and back then the village felt a sense of responsiblity toward the youth. So if you were seen talking to him/her on the raod somewhere, even in plain sight whenever you got home there was hells to pay.
    Seldom did adults speak in front of us, because there were things that was not for our ears. Today, children sit and listen to parents, other adults having all sorts of converstation on all sorts of issues.
    Education was a must. The adults made us understand that poverty prevented them from reaching the fullest potential. My aunty woudl say, she didn’t reach high school, not because she couldn’t but because there wasn’t that financial support. But NOBODY could fool her. We valued education because those who raised us didn’t get the opportunities that we had.
    We valued friendships, we were encouraged to be involved.
    I remember when Soufriere had a thriving Scout troop. Was a joy to see the fellas march down to church almost every sunday. I used to get excited at the sound of the drum. The scout troup fostered a sense of belonging, of communitiy, of working together, of discipline. These guys went on many a hike, camp that sort of thing to encourage unity.
    When did all this change? When everyone started looking for themselves.
    When houses began to change, in shape, design, size. Then everyone has a tv, or landline, so no going by the neighbor to watch young and the restless or receive a long distance call at 9 in the night. When parents started telling their neighbor, “you not seeing your child is mine you want to see.” So now neighbor keeps his mouth closed when she see child doing wrong for fear of another tongue lashing. When other cultures become so pervasive because “somebody” forgot to hand down these critical aspects of our own.
    Who has failed the youth of Soufriere? It’s not the parl rep. And trust me i am no supporter of his. I know that he can do better but then lack of proper representation is something we are used to. We are all to blame for what they have become. Like youth everywhere else, they have the Life in the fast lane syndrome. And we are all at fault.
    We need to get back to the days of shared community goals and beliefs. It is never to late. Adults need to participate more in community activities. We need to lead by example. It’s no longer a case of do as i say and not as i do. The see too much these days and nobody says well all what you see isn’t right. Nobody’s helping them to think critically.
    We all need to figure out our role in community building. And to keep our youth safe, and feeling good about themselves.

  8. dominican oversea
    February 5, 2011

    ,he is not a soufriere resident,his a scott’s head resident,good job Jeff……someone had to speak up for the youth long time…….

  9. youth
    February 5, 2011

    Mr. Belot i agree with you. But i must say our Pal Rep is the worse we have ever had. He is arogant, lazy and has no class. He does not suit up as a Pal Rep at all. He is just dere enjoying the money. Imagine a Pal Rep is afraid of representing himself in public forum etc. He does not no how to relate to people at all. So he would never do any thing for the youths. You cannot even talk to him in confident for it will reach the street and he always say to you Oh is that not what you tell me nuh! imagine a Pal Rep saying that to people from his constituency. Nothing is secretive with him, he tells your business every where especially when he is drunk which he is always. He goes to church he sit at the back, he goes to functions, he sit at the back. he does not want to be seen. I think he needs to resign immediately.

    Resign Sam Martin you are a disgrace to our people who put their confidence in you. We need true Representation.

    Alas we suffering wee from that end.

    • Hahaha
      February 6, 2011

      Oh my god; u people are so full of it; your kids get drunk every weekend and fight every weekend and u guys sit there blaming the parl rep.

      u all are worse than the parl rep. u sit by the side of the road with no ambition so your kids will do the same. minding people’s business that’s all people from scott’s head do now.

      get a job and then yr children will follow in yr footstep. i am ashamed to be from scott’s head.

      • well said
        February 8, 2011

        @ hahahahaha

        u couldnt have said it any better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Born and raised in "Kass", Scott's Head
    February 5, 2011

    “It takes a village to raise a child”….. My interpretation of this famous saying is that EVERY individual in a community has (NOT should have, but HAS) a vested interest in ensuring that every child is well raised, well educated and well provided for… By every individual, I mean parents, family members, neighbors, religious leaders, teachers, officers of the law, etc… EVERYONE should take on this role in the community.

    Born in the 80’s…. From Scott’s Head…. NEVER HAPPEN….. And it’s something that’s inordinately significant in such a small community… I have never experienced being raised by this village…. Raised by my classmates at pre-school and primary school??? YEA!!!! But, by the adults…. NO WAY!!!!!!! I believe to this day, the youths of the communities have been each other’s support…. Honestly, with the recent saga of the Orange Krew, the villagers know that this group is a really close-knit group who consciously have each other’s interest at heart, but don’t have the appropriate opportunities to display such… They are not village “troublemakers”… Anyone can call on Patice or Ezekiel or Kim for a favour, and rest assured, it’ll be done….

    There’s the old school in Scott’s Head that can definitely be used as a social or community center…. There are members in the community who can “teach” classes or hold evening sessions…. Let the youths organize monthly activities… Let them feel that they are loved, needed and wanted, and not outcasts in their own communities..

    Everyone knew that Sam Martin would not have able to properly represent the communities… But, let’s remember that it was the PARENTS of these children who voted him in…. I believe that it’s time we stop relying on party and council…. We are Dominica…. It’s time that we take the bull by its horn and do what we have to do for the sake of our communities and country…. :-D

    • Raised in Scott's Head Too
      February 6, 2011

      Why blame the government of the parl rep; we as parents need to take responsibility for our kids;

      we are so blind when it comes to what our parents are doing; we know our children smoke and drink and fight but we don’t stop dem but whenever they get in trouble we blame other people.

      the so call Orange crew we all know is a violent crew; all the boys and girls in this crew do is start trouble. just cause they were arrested they are now good boys.

      Lets wake up an smell the coffee and speak to our children. the incident happened and they were arrested but yet still they are on facebook putting all sort of comments about how the boy deserved the beating he got.

      Stop cover up for your kids and let dem take responsibility for what they are doing.

      • Born and raised in "Kass", Scott's Head
        February 6, 2011

        ” I believe that it’s time we stop relying on party and council…. We are Dominica…. It’s time that we take the bull by its horn and do what we have to do for the sake of our communities and country….”

        I think you missed this part…. :)

    • I Agree with you 150%
      February 7, 2011

      So true

  11. Sprinter
    February 5, 2011

    Mr. Bellot, you are right. Have taught a number of young men from the Soufriere/ Scottshead constituency, one of the things I have noticed is that quite a number of the group I encountered do not seem to be goal oriented. There seemed to be focus on living for the weekends and amount of partying and acohol they can consume. It was always so disheartening because a number of them were very promising sportsmen and I always believe that with the right intervention there could have been behavioural changes. We are, however, the products of our environments and adults have to set the example for the youth to follow. Gone are the days when parents who struggled did all they could to ensure that their children did not have the same kind of life they did. Whether it is because despondency has set in, or because many parents do not seem to be bothered with setting the bar higher for their children, what we see now on our island is that there is no difference between child and adult behaviour. A perusal of the streets of Roseau, or a village like Soufriere/Scottshead on a Friday/Staurday night, for example, will reveal what many parents deem as acceptable for their children. Many children rule their homes, they go where they want, do what they want, keep whatever times they want to keep and there are no consequences. I want to appalaud and encourage the few parents who still have control over their homes and set standards for their children. I always smile when I see one of my boys in particular from Soufriere whose mother was determine that he would do well and he has. It is a sign of hope and Mr. Bellot with the help of our concerned villagers who have done well – there a many- can begin to intervene to turn things around in their communities. Mr. Bellot, having spoekn up for you community is the first step. I hope your voice was heard and other responsible adults in the area begin to pull their heads out of the sand. I hope that this will have a domino effect-sort of like-the village reunion thing-that the form MP for Castle Bruce was instrumental in initiating, i.e. other villages will begin to set the standards for the youth, or begin to deal with the problems that hinder youth success and as a result the country’s growth and development.

  12. Penezz
    February 5, 2011

    Adults of the community are part of the blame game. Don’t forget the children are carbon copy of their parents, if they were playing an active role in the community, the children will participate in activities in the community which will lead them to an open mind. We rely to much on government and other outside sources for help. The parents in the community can put groups together and in exchange the children will become productive.
    One more thing……
    School children need to focus on school!!!! AND STOP TAKING PART IN ALL TIN THAT BEATING AND GOSSIPING!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. Wongping
    February 5, 2011

    Submit propositions.they too need your help for ideas,more than u think.5 fingers on a hand.each has a different function.they live and die together.

  14. Ellen Paul
    February 4, 2011

    There are a number of opportunities afforded to the youth. The problem is that they do not tap into the resources. I worked for some time at Adult Education and made a number of attempts to set up some training sessions and programmes for continued education. My attempts were frutile as the target group (the youth) did not see the need for the programmes. They would not even come to the meeting so we could agree upon a way forward. So i believe the youth needs to be responsible enough to make decisions that will benefit them.

    • well said
      February 8, 2011

      thank you very much for speaking the truth. for how many months these people have put all sorts of programmes for the people to benefit themselves and the people refuse to go. they critise instead. dont feel sorry for the people of scottshead because they like the way they live. help comes right in the village and they go to see who is there instead of going and see what is offered and how it can be of help to them.
      we have the sea wall and that in itself beautifies the village. that is an ideal spot for nite lime, bring the village back to how it used to be. but the people are greedy and do not want to see others benefit so they just forget about any idea where others may end up profiting

  15. Jess
    February 4, 2011

    The man has clearly stated that these young people needs to be employed…so you all better don’t begin asking him what he is doing…..they did not vote for him, they have a parl rep and their government is in power, so they need to go shake their bags where they sold their coals.

    He has identified the problem and a possible solution,the parl rep needs to now take it and run with it.

    I suspect Portsmouth got ignited, the rest of the country needs to take it and run with it……….

    I will soon speak on the Paix Bouche constituency soon, those parl reps need to be held accountable…..they say we have no opposition, then we must take matters now into our hands and get these lazy scums to work.

    • One Love
      February 5, 2011

      8-O how you going and make dem work noh . . . parl rep you say we :mrgreen:

  16. Lenny
    February 4, 2011

    You can know when a man wnat to throw his hat in d political ring!

    Before they get elected and start drive SUV that always have a concern!!!

  17. mouth of the south
    February 4, 2011

    but i’d like to know what SAM MARTIN doing,,,, isn’t he the parl rep for that area,,,,, so labour just put any duck n the peeps vote it eh,,,, why are our people in the south making themselves so gullible,,,, i’ve understood that mr martin does not give any good representation to that area,,,, u won’t find him in the house,,,, um but in his job at the social security,,,,, he don’t even reside in the area by my investigative sources,,,,,, so wat did they vote him for then,,,,is that so huh,,,,

    • %
      February 5, 2011

      Dominicans accept any kind of comess…!!!

  18. Former president of the youth group.New lives in the UK.
    February 4, 2011

    I DO UNDERSTAND WHERE MR-BELLOT IS COMING FROM.BUT ITS PEOPLE LIKE HIM THAT SHOULD STEP IN,IN THESE TIMES AND STOP PUTTING EVERY THING ON THE GOVERNMENT HAND.

    • scottshead girl
      February 8, 2011

      Mr. Bellot lives overseas. He comes visits Dominica and tries to get the youth united through little events. however the people do not participate or care. He was also part of the village council and he did everything in his power to make the villages united as well as helping the youth, but the people just criticise insteaded of applauded the efforts.

  19. Grand Bay self
    February 4, 2011

    Thanks for speaking in defense of the youth Mr. Bellot!!!! We need more voices like yours in the country.

    Parl Reps in all the villages are disappointments to the people. We need some more state of the villages information from the different villages. This is the only way we can clearly see the true state of the country.

    Speak now for a time comes when you will not be able to speak!.

  20. soufriere lady in the uk
    February 4, 2011

    Well said Jeff i do agree with you more should be done to aviod all those confusions and the rest may god bless my lovely village

  21. Ibn Gabrioli
    February 4, 2011

    Now that’s a balanced view that concerned citizen of all stripes can support. Only thing is, Mr. Bellot could tell us what he is doing to help alleviate the problems of the youth in the region.

    • One Love
      February 5, 2011

      :?: how you mean what he is doing …. he spoke up didn’t he ….. the way these youngsters are going they might even stone him for that.

      might I ask WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP ALLEVIATE THEIR PROBLEMS? DO TELL

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available