Former local government official condemns politicization of local councils

Thomas addressing the Local Government Department awards ceremony recently 

Former Local Government Commissioner McDonald Thomas has said a council should not be used as a “mini parliament.

He was addressing the awards ceremony of the Local Government Department held at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) Building on Wednesday.

 “In effect, a council is akin to a Board of Directors or indeed the Cabinet of the community. It is not a mini parliament with government and opposition,” he said.

 According to McDonald, when a person is sworn in as a councillor, all other distinctions such as religious and political affiliations become secondary and the primary focus must be on carrying out his or her duties as the community’s government with distinction and within the parameters of the law.

“So it is disturbing and outright insulting to the status and stature of local authorities, when councils become arenas for settling political squabbles,” he remarked.

In fact, McDonald said, based on the community development model of local government here, “people are supposed to present themselves for service on local authorities as community members who are interested in the development of good government of the community, nothing else.”

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13 Comments

  1. viewsexpressed
    May 18, 2019

    Hon Linton is an honourable man and i welcome the comments of Former Local Government Commissioner Mc. Donald Thomas. Well put and said. The Local Government Service has deteriorated and insulted with limited resources by this corrupt labour government. Skerrit does not come forth as an intellectual with anything substantial to raise our island from the abyss of poverty he brought us into and raise it up back to a level of continuity development. Its all about failed Skerrit, he is running a slippery Soap Opera, its a fairy tale all about this political clown (s) and fairy outdated immature Odd Minister. This failed man must go and sooner the better. Out Skerrit, Out failed corrupt UWP.
    We need decency in government and we will await Skerrit`s downfall and welcome Hon Linton and his trusted professional UWP Team. Amen. Dominicans wake up.

  2. carlty
    May 17, 2019

    I spoke on this recently in reference to the discussions on electoral reform, the issues of the public servants including the nurses. It is instinctive of persons to act in a way that will push a political agenda especially when they are blindly devoted to the cause of their party. I do not oppose people being greatly in support of the party no matter the position they work once they are working as per the job descriptions, throughout their term, to make things better and not only during one season to create unrest and turmoil with malice intentions to make your party look good by making the other look bad. Do not take these positions to exploit the vulnerabilities of others under the pretences of caring just to make your party look better and the other bad.

  3. Jonathan Y St Jean
    May 17, 2019

    When the Prime Minister and the rest of his party operatives in Parliament can openly operate by neglecting to provide for the needs of constituencies and persons who didn’t vote for them, what message does that send to the labor party supporters who now run the village councils? Since the ascension of Skerritt to the prime minister, we have witnessed the gutting of norms, practices, and precedents that obtained in democratic countries in the free world. He took away the role and responsibility of the Welfare department and instead put in its place the “red clinic” a clear message of no support no love. This has filtered through to all of society controlled by this government. Mr. Thomas your opinion is correct but you address it to the wrong people. If they don’t do as Skerritt wants they will be discarded. Divide and rule is the real order of the day.

  4. As a former councilor,I can remember my time we work together for our community.but, today things have changed . today village council s havebecome so political that the community,s. are not being taken care of the way they should . and that is why change is a must not an option.

  5. WeNiceMan
    May 16, 2019

    I guess traditionally that has not been the case for Dominica, but all over the world local gov ‘t elections are competed on national party tickets. We don’t have to look far; thats the case in several of out sister caribbean islands. As a matter of fact local gov’t elections are used to gauge the mood of the electorate as to the implications for national elections.

    What I believe they need to is to give the local gov’t more legislative clout. But again central gov’t may not want that. But as it stands now village councils are no different than a community development committee. Village councils still depend on handouts from central gov’t to do anything. Serious funding need to be enshrined in legislation that is dispersed yearly as part of the national budget.

  6. victim
    May 16, 2019

    Facts of life :!:

  7. %
    May 16, 2019

    Thank You Sir!!
    Speak your mind on matters that are dangerous to our country. This started under Skerrit’s reign as PM..
    Oh how much this man has destroyed our institutions to remain in office and to damage Dominica!!
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

    • Me One
      May 16, 2019

      Again a boneheaded % at it. Get a life besides your constant attention seeking. A bone 🍖 was dropped and the street dog jumped on it.

      • Alas
        May 16, 2019

        Please don’t worry about this % person. constant repetition of the same thing is one or the primary symptoms of schizophrenia.

        • mmmmmmm
          May 16, 2019

          :-D :-D :-D :-D this is funny. cause our PM repeats many things… I guess he also suffers from that condition.

          • Forgotton Son of Linton
            May 17, 2019

            mmmmmmm
            Lennox definitely suffers from that condition, repeats the same thing over and over and over again no matter how old the story he continues repeating the same thing over and over and over and over again and again…. I think % is Lennox!!!! PM repeats his Policies and his achievements over and over so we the populace can understand the development processes taking place… Whilst Lennox stale news is what landed him with countless lawsuits and hatred for one man…. PM!!!!!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • ??????????????????????
      May 17, 2019

      You % do you know your history? Go get some learning done and go read some books to know about the history of the Village Councils. You always want to hit on the PM. Go ask Lennox Honeychurch to assist you. You need to go back to school even start in kindergarten because due to your comments, I perceive you have not received any form of schooling. All you can talk of “Skerrit” even calling a man who has done so much for country “LAZY”. You strike me as one who does not like to see your black bro do something good and move up. Get a life! What have a ” Non Lazy” person have done? Please start some other Story. That one stale my bro or sis. You are like a stuck record. Stale, Stale Stale % ! talk about something making sense.

    • May 17, 2019

      @%, stop been stupid, this politicizing of local government started before Skerrit was born yet the unfailing idiot that you are you blame. When the Freedom party controlled the Roseau sometime around 1970 they tried to change Queen Mary St. (now independence St.) To Freedom St. The DLP government did not let it happen.

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