Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, is pointing to the fear of overcrowding particularly this evening- Christmas Eve- as the reason for the abrupt closure of ‘Santa’s Mall’ on the Roseau Bayfront.
Yesterday – Dec. 23- Mrs. Poponne-Skerrit announced via her Facebook page, that she had decided to shut down the Santa Mall completely, without going into detail as to why this decision was taken.
Many were left to assume that the less than one-month-old mall which featured an array of Christmas decorations and entrepreneurs, was taken down because of what appeared to be an outcry from the public over what many regard as the unfair enforcement of COVID-19 regulations by the authorities.
While she notes that all COVID-19 protocols were strictly enforced and adhered to, the Roseau Central MP stated that she took into consideration the concerns which were raised about the possibility of this activity causing the spread of the virus.
“Recognizing the fact that this event was becoming very popular, I was concerned about the possibility of the huge crowds especially on Christmas eve, therefore, I did not want Santa’s Mall to be associated in any way with any new cases, God forbid a surge of cases in Dominica,” she said.
“After deep reflection and consultation, a decision was taken to cut the duration of this production,” Poponne-Skerrit added.
She stated that plans are already in place to ensure that the event, which she says was created to bring life into the city during the Christmas season by the placement of Christmas lights and life-size motives in Peebles park and along the bay front, will be “bigger and more exciting” in 2022 and will be also be extended to the second town of Portsmouth.
For his part, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has hinted that “the selfishness and grudgeful nature” of certain citizens is what may have brought about the premature end of Santa’s Mall on the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard.
“I am very disheartened this morning by the decision to shut down the Santa’s Mall on the Bay Front, where 60 small business owners, more than 90% of what was being sold, made from their hands and who were seeking to make a daily bread but there are some in this country because of their selfishness, appear to have an issue with this thing,” the prime minister stated yesterday.
“How are we a Christian nation if we begrudge people who are making their daily bread. This is not the county that we want. We want a country that celebrates people’s success; we want a country that uplifts people, encourages people,” he added.
The day before the removal of the decorations, Mrs. Skerrit took to social media, encouraging the public to bring their families down to Santa’s Mall “for a wonderful Christmas shopping experience.” This came hours after a statement from the police which discouraged public gatherings over the holidays even among family members.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Davidson Valerie has since sought to clarify that statement pointing out that there is nothing in the law that prevents people from visiting families and friends and loved ones anytime during the Christmas season but that what is not permitted is the hosting of a party with people who are not from the immediate or same household.
Speaking on the information previously released by the police which had garnered several negative reactions from the public, Skerrit labelled such criticism as baseless, noting that the police officer who made the announcement has simply misspoken.
“The police has been exceptional in providing support to us in the fight against COVID-19. Even when many of their men have gotten sick, they continue to persevere not only security on the land but security at sea as well. And because the police may have misspoken then there is a whole attack on the police and a whole attack on the system, “ the prime minister stated. “Yes the police may have misspoken and I think the assistant commissioner would have spoken out of sheer concern for the COVID-19 ensuring that we take heed and we do not let our guard down.”
According to a letter from the Roseau Christmas District Committee which Dominica News Online (DNO) has received, a percentage of the application fee will be reimbursed to all registered vendors. Such vendors are asked to contact 1 767 614 7097 to arrange the settlement and provide a receipt for the issuance of reimbursement.
The mall, which previously operated daily from 9 am to 12 am, was expected to remain open until January 2022.
I can see protecting us from covid but… in this day and age ‘Santa’s mall’? How backward can you get. This be more appropriate in Vielle Case where most of us won’t see the ‘white’ facial hair, even if you paint it black.
Melissa and her husband came up with such a foolish name. They have no self awareness. Do you expect better of them? Come on!
Bravo to the citizens who vociferously spoke out against the potential super spreader event that Melissa gave birth to.
Skerrit should hang his head in eternal shame for supporting and defending his wife’s opportunistic and political shenanigans.
I thought you had once said that Dominicans should ignore Skerrit and go on about their lives, do what you all want to do, nobody can stop you all. You should not allow Skerrit to force you to be vaccined. Now you jumping on the other side of the boat. Dominicans should not allow gatherings because they spread the virus in and around. What kind of leader are you, IBO France? No matter what Skerrit does, you are the first to oppose all because you hate the man to death. Skerrit will not be moved today, tomorrow and yesterday. You will have to spend your entire life watching and listening to the Labour Party in power. Bring on those handbags, we will pitch them into a trash bag for pick up.
Skerrit, nobody more selfish than you! Repay us our CBI money and then go…
So Melissa and Roosevelt live in the same house and here they are coming up with different reasons why the dangerous Santa mall was shut down. Roosevelt in his usual gutter mentality speaks of selfishness because he’s just an uncaring person. The only thing that motivated him is how does the activity benefit him personally. He’s not concerned, like Melissa, about the health of the citizens but about the selling of goods. What a loser, who on one hand, asks citizens to follow protocols and stay safe during the pandemic, yet selling of bling is more important to him, because it gives the appearance that the economy is bustling, even if it’s only for 30days when people get a high about the festive season. What about the other 335 days of the year? He disparages the Constitution and precedents acceptable over decades all so that Roosevelt can benefit. Two loose cannons at the helm in Dominca is more than the country needs. Dominca has other festivals Melissa.
I think that it should also be stated that the police has been going around forcefully shutting businesses down, arresting individuals while 60 businesses are allowed on the bay front. So are those 60 businesses the only businesses whom have households and livelihoods to support? What about a plan for the entire country to be able to enjoy a livelihood, and this is where the discrimination is why treat those 60 vendors who by the way are not permanent, with privilege when compared to other regular businesses? Yet skerrit speaks of grudge and selfishness. As a PM who has responsibility over our nation, this man should understand that he wields great power and should’ve even greater responsibility in managing the state, skerrit stop the division and discrimination, you’re only destroying Dominica with those irresponsible statements. We as a people should recognise those atrocities cause it’s poor leadership.
With the growing number of covid cases this mall should not have been opened the the first place.
Skerrit (Dominica) we all know that you do read most or maybe all comments associated with you on this medium. Therefore, I want you to know and please understand that you don’t take the Almighty Jehovah Allah Jah God for mockery. Please be assured that you are mocking your own self and your selfish life. Be the very last cacarat to lament about Christianity. There is nothing, I mean absolutely nothing in you to indicate any form of Christ in you. You are a bad, very bad being with a tongue molded with evil and mark my words that it will be heard and seen during your agonizing days. No holy water will cease it from blab Laing. I do hope that a God sent angel will pay a visit to you soon and a reformation of the real Roosevelt Skerrit will be born. In the meantime, you are a very bad man, and you know it.
Doh try dat olive branch talk again……. Skerrit you act like a fraud!
Grudge who?
Selfish of whom?
You way way up in your high chair eh
So Melissa organized her event in de middle of a festive season and didn’t expect crowds?
Melissa was busy selling all her Chihese imports oyts8de her shop this afternoon. The Skeritts dont care about local producers for 50 weeks of the year. Hypoctites who are now sulking like spoiled children.
This is a key example of how Skerrit is a textbook narcissist. He amazingly framed it as people ‘hating’ and not the fact that people were arrested for doing the exact same thing Melissa was doing. Melissa did the responsible thing (and props to her for seeing the equity of the situation – although late) but Skerrit sullied it with even more divisiveness. This is our Prime Minister for 20 years ignoring and preferring to take advantage of the citizens. Embarrassing.
If it was “the selfishness and grudgeful nature” of certain citizens that may have brought about the premature end of Santa’s Mall on the Bay Front, so be it. Thank goodness that those citizens were concerned about taking precautions in addition to, or other than, vaccination.
On the other hand, I am pleased – but somewhat surprised – that more than 90% of what was being sold by the 60 small business owners, was made from their hands.
Normally well over 90% of what is sold by Bay Front stall holders on Cruise Ship days is imported.
Roger, you are very polite. Normally what is offered to tourists on the bay front is mostly tat made in China and has little to do with local handicrafts. Don’t be afraid to call a spade a spade my friend.