The Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) has selected Trinidad-born national Nathalie Clark to the position of events director.
Tourism Minister Ian Douglas said four Dominicans were among the seven individuals who applied for the position, but a selection panel chose Clark-White.
“Mr. Val Cuffy didn’t wish to renew his contract and we had to shop around for a new events director. Clark has worked a lot in the entertainment industry in Antigua. She has been associated with entertainment in Antigua as well. We expect her to come in with a lot of energy and experience to take up the role and allow the festival to become one of the premiere events in the region,” he said.
Clarke will take up her duties on September 01, 2010.
@jr: UR TO DAMN UGLY FOR THAT………..SORRY !!
@interested: THEY WERE JUNK THATS ALL
@TELL THE TRUTH, CHAT THE TRUTH!: u sound like someone who sells drugs on some street corner with ur low life talk. its not the foreigners fault that u Domonicans r sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo lazy and expext the government to wake up before u do and make ur cornflakes for u and serve u in bed. whats making u different than the foreigners to have ur own business running with the same concessions that the foreigners do. Cause im a Dominican with a business to and i apply and get all my concessions just like the Chinese and all the other foreigners do to. so get ur lazy DERRIERE up from that street corner n see the light boy. CAUSE IT AINT U OR NOBODY ELSE THAT CAN TAKE MRS.cLARKE OUT FROM THERE
@Overseas: u must stop thinking small for a person who lives abroad. what happen burgers u flipping for a living just to know u living abroad. y u didnt stay in DA and applied for that position. u would b surprised how well a foreigner learn ur culture and come n express it better than a local. never underestimate the world of today my friend n how pple obtain things they desperately want. Mr Alwin Bully reppin DA in JA and aint nutting wrong by the Jamaicans.so y should we have a problem. Put ur hand up when called upon for positions in DA and stop thinking so small. Besides not in the foreign u living or use to live nuh u thinking ghetto so………….geeeeez.
@interested: y didnt u have the balls or the clitoris to have applied for the position.some felt that they didnt have to apply cause of therir positions. All u not seeing Mrs Clarke is a God sent. She didnt even choose the line ups and u doe seeing hoe deadly those 3 nights are. i have not seen a good line up like that in years.everybody talking about that line up. her spirit was sensed that she was coming so the line up came out extra-ordinary(wicked to d bone). is now all u Dominicans will see what they calling entertainment at its highest level. It wont b those boring groups again that use to come. The same pple all u wanted instead of Mrs Clark that use to b bringing those boring groups and all u still was complaining.Now all u get the real person to make them events lively like how it use to b all u black pple still not happy……….geeeeez. NOW all u will see high scene from that lady cause i know her very personally and her capabilities and what she can offer in the entertainment business. Not them mahgeee we use to have. Go Mrs Clarke them haters are like are like MONGRELS……..they can only BARK but cant BITE.
@Honeyman: ahhhhhh ahhhhhhhhh shame on u. maybe thats how YOU are. and how u got around in life.Perhaps u were a PAY DOWN PON IT…………..lol
Natalie lived in Antigua for over 20 years,she worked there she was never considered to be unsuitable for any of the Positions which she held which were similar to what she is doing . Antiguans never said any of these unsavoury remarks. So many Dominicans have big jobs in other countries.
@Overseas: Most of you people are in here talking bull. Although Nathalie Clark could end up being the worse person for the job there is also a good chance that she performs way above all of our expectations. The fact is that we have to give her a chance to use her skills and produce. Regarding talk of her lack of exposure and experience as pertains to the Creole element of our product, my opinion is that it is not rocket science or some other discipline which she needs to be taught at a university; it is certainly something which she can grasp in the near future. This nonsense about her being being chosen ahead of Dominicans has to stop. We should not conveniently forget that our own Alwyn Bully was contracted ahead of some Jamaicans to take Jamaica’s carnival to where it is today. Now tell me what he knew about Jamaican culture? But he was suscessfull nonetheless!!
@GRASSROOT: the committees still remain to assist with planning the festivals and carnival she is the events Director – like Val was, Jeffrey and Eddie were…why would she take their places, when they existed while Val and the other former directors of the DFC where there
Dominicans wanna run things all over the world but when somebody get a little blessing in D.A dem vex.Come on people stop making us look ugly.
i wonder how much her salary is
are we not a people who advocate for csme. I honestly think someone like daryl Bobb Should be given the opportunity, especially as the line was named and it is approximately 6 months after the bull left the job. However, its the Board decision. is she there to organise carnival and replace people like alwin and norren joseph.
OH BOY US DOMINICANS AT IT AGAIN..THERE ARE DOMINICANS ALL OVER THE WORLD WORKING IN OTHER PEOPLES HOMELAND..GET OVER IT..WELCOME MRS CLARK….
@TELL THE TRUTH, CHAT THE TRUTH!: are you aware that there is still a board, made up of all Dominicans, that assist the DFC is preparing for the events…we need an international qualified individual to take the WCMF and the Real Mas and all our events that are to bring foreign exchange and visitors to Dominica to the next level…get out of the damn dark ages Dominicans we need to embrace change and stop dragging the country down…she could make steps in 2 years or so that a Dominican can take over after, think of it like that and not like we taking the job away from Dominicans.
@Overseas: you cannot be based overseas…if you are you living under a damn rock….do you not hear the multitude of accents representing countries where we know that is not the local accent and language…get real please and speak like you are in the global atomosphere and not a hole.
@interested:
the question is not if there were qualified Dominicans is did they apply….and then when can talk….someone said only 4 Dominicans applied…that means we aint interested.
The woman has not done a thing yet..give her a chance.maybe we need someone who not invested locally to get this failure of WCMF in order…the festival makes no money and cannot sustain itself not even to make a deposit to the acts…change was and is necessary.
And addtionally and maybe most importantly the DFC’s job encompasses more than managing the WCMF so why is that alone we focusing on.
Trini in the house! i do not blame the person or presons who selected miss Clarke for the job cause when a trini put a wine on we Dominican menwe do not let go it must be the same thing in this case. My only concern is if she is so qulified why not publish her qulifications for all to see we say we are about transparency and all that bull. I smell a p……….. power in play and some one got hooked if she is not married she will be soon to a Dominican and we will always keep it in the family Good luck to her and hope she does a great job in turning our beloved W.C.M.F.into a soca festival. YOU GO GIRL! TRNI TO THE BONE??????
There are some jobs in any country that should only be done by a native born of that country, The Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) is one of them. To disqualify Dominicans for that job and hire someone from the foreign is very disrespectful. Hire her to coach our local Director, if you must, but you do not hire her to tell other Dominicans about their heritage and culture. This is not a man woman issue, this ethics in business.
Can you imagine attending a meeting overseas for the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) and having the announcer say: Please Welcome Ms. Clark from Trinidad the Director of The Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC). I would hide in my head in the sand because not ONE person from Dominica could qualify for that position.
CHUPPS!!!!!!!!!!THIS IS A MATTER OF NATIONAL PRIDE!
Even DNO found it alarming, this is the heading of the article: “Trinidadian is new DFC events director”
Stupzz… so long the festival in the hands of a Dominican and it cannot grow…
so what?
just keep it local and stagnant?
now i dont know how qualified she is, cause knowing this government qualifications are not always a top priority. I really hope she moves the festival a bit further that where it has been slid from since 1999
I hope she has a solid fundation about world class sound and can help repair the damage done by the Barbadian sound company (A&B) to the music festival .
Before criticizing the lady does any of you know who are the 4 dominicans who applied for the job and what are their qualifications. That should be taken into consideration before being so negative. Let her prove herself before being so judgmental. Good luck Ms Clark!!!!
Congrats to Mrs White and all the best with the new job. I have no idea who you are but I am hope you put your best foot forward. I must tell you that not all Dominicans are ignorant as the ones who post negative comments here. We are friendly loving people. It is shameful that people believes that when a woman gets a top position anywhere that it is something to do with her looks or sexuality. This concept is very backward and sexist to say the least. Would we be so critical if a foreign male was chosen for the position. I am so sick and tired of masochist men who think that women who move up in life only do so because what they look like or who they associate with. It is an insult to all the hard working ambitious women who work their ass off to go to get an education and build a successful. I have never heard anyone say that man got a job because of his good looks or because some woman in the organization must want him. Do you see the double standard? We need to give women the credit they deserve. If these comments are coming from women get over your jealousy of your sisters, if they come from men get over yourselves!
The other thing that amazes me is that many of the people who comment on DNO leave overseas…I wonder how the people in your job feel about you being there. Others have said it before, there are many Dominicans working all over the world. Nobody cares where you come from. The CSME provides opportunities for all of us. If you are qualified for a position then apply for it.
I hope we can grow up eventually…but alas that is wishful thinking.
@TELL THE TRUTH, CHAT THE TRUTH!: Itotally agree with you. I refuse to believe that no dominican qualified. This is real sad because I know that we have dominicans ho could do the job and do it well.
i disagree totally with that decision……you mean not one DOMINICAN met the critera, come on that’s enough now….don’t you think a Dominican would be better able to sell our country, our festival and the mrs. clarke could be vice/deputy director? it’s high time dominica take care of it’s own. how do you expect us to gain experience if we’re never given the opportunity and then we’re told we don’t qualify…..damn nonsense in this place!!!!dats y we’ll get nowhere cause our own ppl keeping us down.(crabs in a barrel)
People. First of all she is the head of the Dominica Festivals Commission(DFC), not the World Creole Festival(WCF). The WCF is just one of many cultural events and festivals that are under the mandate of the DFC.
You don’t need to be familiar with creole music specifically to be head of the DFC. What she needs to be is qualified and experienced in events marketing and management. Particularly large international events.
The subcommittees of the various events would address personnel peculiar to the event in question.
We need to broaden our reasoning and not be so narrow minded.
And whats up with that insular behavior talking about foreigner. We are quick to come on here and “big up” Dominicans who take up significant appointments in other people’s countries, but when the table turns we become xenophobic.
I have lived overseas for many years, however, no matter how well I learn the culture of the country where I live I CANNOT know the culture like someone who was born and bred in that country. I also would not want a job that would showcase the country’s cultural festivities, I would not do a good job because I do not care how well learned I am there are some aspect of the culture that I do not understand.
I find it impossible that a Trinidadian is able to grasp and understand the Dominican colorful maylangre of cultures to be able to adequately represent Dominica in any cultural matter. Can you think of Ms. Clark at one of the meeting representing Dominica and a Trinidadian accent comes out of her mouth instead of a Dominican sweet melodious accent that is so distinctive Dominican.
Ms Clarke I wish you well but it pains me to think that there was not one single Dominican suitable for that position, a position that would help portray my Dominica in a positive light.
Somebody please tell me why is it that we have to make everything political??? Afterall come on man!!!
All the best Mrs. Clark-White!!!
It has nothing to do with the woman, it has to do with our people, our people always think that because someone is from a foreign they better than other Dominicans. This position is one that a born Dominican should do. If this was a position in Trinidad I would think a Trinidadian should be given that job not a Dominican. She could have been given the Deputy/Vice Director but a Dominican should head a Committee that deals about Dominica’s festivals.
No misgiving about Ms. Clark, this has to do with a nation that will sell itself to the highest bidding foreigner. Wake up Dominicans Look about you and see how many businesses and privileges are given to the foreign while the Dominican has to gwiya to get something done.
I would like to see the resume of Ms Clark and the resumes of the Dominicans who were not chosen. I would also like to compare their skin colour. What made her qualify for that position while there was not one qualified Dominican who could do that job.
Most of you bashing the woman are speaking out of ignorance and xenophobia.
As some sensible commentors have already stated, there are Dominicans in executive positions in other C/bean countries because they were the most qualified applicants…So why not this woman if she was the most qualified?
And Karkabeff you always came off as fairly intelligent so your statement is the most surprising and disappointing..
Hopefully she does a great job, and there will be a Dominican acting as a protege’ to her who she can hand the reins over to in a few years time.
What does she know about our culture, about Kweyol. Can she even speak Kweyol? Some jobs should be for the natives. Even me residing abroad with all my education cannot qualify for that position. This has nothing to do with the woman, this is a position for a home grown person to head.
@Theatrics!: I totally agree with your points.
to all the others out there whom making negative comments about a non-national getting the job can you do the job, did all these people you say are more qualified apply for the job…
next ting allu will say is why is a woman they give the job…get real…welcome to equal empoyment opportinities and the Caricom Single Market & Economy….we can go all places to get jobs.
First of all Trinidadians know NOTHING about creole music.
They call it ‘allu french music’.
Iam a Trini so I can say……
‘WHAT A BIG JOKE’
is her expertise marketing? and that is the reason, that she is sooo good at marketing
that irrespective of the lack of knowledge of the product, she has the ability to sell it…..
well….let’s keep fingers crossed that we don’t have to say….told you so……
She already has the job…..so “good luck Ms Clarke”
@Karkabeff: Part of our tradition – nothing to do with Labour or Workers
Now that’s the Real Next Level!!! Take that in allu bonda. Jobs for the girls!!!! Labor Powerrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
You know what folks, I’ve always been proud that Dominica seemed to have escaped this narrow-mindedness, that jobs should only be given to locals. As someone who currently work in another Caribbean island and having faced similar statements as being dished out above to the new DFC Events Director; I am so ashamed that I now have to changed my perception. What foolishness! The best person got the job! If you know otherwise, prove it. If not, shut it!
Why so vile, Dominicans? CARICOM is all about one economy, one people. Stop b*tching!
WORLD CREOL-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E, MUSIC FESTIVAL —- LMAO – FED UP WITH THIS BULL
well mrs. White
what next with you, did know you like the creole, hope you will work well there, and not just talk and paper work, you really pull this one off must be the butter skin that blind them lol
all the best will see what you do with our festival. keep my eyes open. good luck or you have to go back …
Remember the numerous Dominican working in top jobs in the region, lets see what happens.
Ouch! These comments make me very sad. Shall we give the lady a chance before condemning her purely on the basis of nationality. The warm and friendly people of Dominica should be above this kind of xenophobic behaviour.
@LIKE HELL!!!!:
why?
So if Val Cuffy or some other dominican were to apply for the same job offered in another country, because he has the experience, he should not be given that job because he is not trinidadian or bajan or american…
How many dominican have positions on foreign Government bodies and commission, executive jobs in foreign companies and groups…the best person for the job was selected! She met the criteria that the other people didn’t….the job was advertised for months and only 4 DOMINICANS APPLIED! ONLY 4 OUT OF THE HUNDREDS BEGGING FOR JOBS BOTHERED TO APPLY!!!
It is high time that we stop thinking that things are owed to us just because we are Dominicans… The best person for the job was selected… out of those who applied, thats the way it goes…deal with it!
@LIKE HELL!!!!:
come on people we have Dominicans working in high rungs of other regional and international organisations so why should we be surprised if a foreigner is employed !?
The issue is if she is the best woman for the job.
And only time will tell.
Best Wishes Ms. Event Director!!
If you look at it on the bright side the people who intend on working with this woman can learn a thing a two from her experience. Use this as an opportunity to grow and make DFC grow. When this is done bring the job back to the locals….. Yes and I have seen dominicans obtain jobs on other island so you know what sometimes we as Dominicans need to think with logic and not think the most negative thing that ome to mind. There is a good to the situation also there is a bad but the good can conquer because in the process something great is being gained……….FOOD FOR THOUGHT…….
This is one of the things that makes me BLUE VEX!!!!! when I see such going ons in Dominica and among Dominicans. How do you bring in a foreigner the “Trinidad-born national Nathalie Clark to the position of events director” of the THE DOMINICA FESTIVALS COMMITTEE (DFC). Just seeing it in writing does not even seem right much less in reality.
@interested: Are you surprised? Is she single? Must be a beauty in the eyes of………….. The next level was never nor will it be ever understood by Dominicans. the next level could be UPWARD OR DOWNWARD. Dominicans TAKE THAT. Bernard Wiltshire initiated the idea of Waitikubuli National Trail, raised millions together with others, Govt. link up with French Co. to implement and develop the project. Washwoa Douglas and other Dominicans advised, talked for years about GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, local capabilities exist, GOVT. give exploration to foreign Co. Gordon Henderson, UWP and other Dominicans came up with idea and implementation of WCMF, now it’s in control of Trini Posse as Events Director. And so many other projects that are taken away from locals. So no Dominican is capable to direct our own WCMF? Pure BULL !!! Clarke’s beauty must have been the overriding factor?
Wonder if I could get a job like that in trini ? Lol
i hope that she will be subjected to the same treatment given by piper to val when he was there.val had his ways but that was stretching it…
Why do we always think that foreigners are better than our own. We could not find a Dominican to do the job??? what about people like Oliver St john, Leroy Wadico Charles among others. What does the trinidandian know about our festivals??? This nonesense must stop, we as Dominicans must demand respect from the authorities, we can produce if only we are given a chance.
Why
Mrs. Clark White wish you all the best, hope you learn the creole fast.
Bout time!!!