Councilors of the Canefield Urban Council on the outskirts of the capital Roseau and the municipal body’s chairman Simeon Albert are at loggerheads over the removal of the council’s logo on its vehicle.
According to one of its members Maximea Powell, the council took a decision in July/August 2011 to place its logo on the vehicle, but that was stoutly resisted by Albert.
Trouble erupted after the clerk of the council took the initiative last week and got the logo placed on the vehicle.
However, it is alleged that, as a result of her action, she was physically abused by the chairman.
“I got a call on Saturday January 14, 2012 from the Clerk of the Council, Mesma Alexis, stating that the Chairman came to her home, asked for the keys for the vehicle and entered her home and physically abused her for it and the logo was removed,” Powell told Dominica News Online.
“We took a decision to put a logo on the vehicle (that) decision was taken July/August and last week the logo was finally placed on the vehicle. As Councilors, we took this decision to have this logo and although it was met with resistance by the chairman, it was placed by the clerk,” Powell explained.
Powell said the council held a meeting to discuss the matter on January 17, 2012 and at that meeting, the chairman said he wanted to sell the vehicle. However, according to Powell, the council did not approve.
“The matter (the alleged physical abuse of the clerk) is now in the hands of the police. Albert told the meeting that it was the clerk who had fought with him,” Powell stated.
He added that this was “nonsense and we cannot have this going on and we are very unhappy about it. When we take decisions it has been overridden by the chairman”.
DNO called the clerk for her side of the story but she responded “It’s an internal council matter…I have nothing to say.”
However Council Chairman Simeon Albert, spoke to DNO and vehemently denied the allegations of physical abuse calling the issue “political and gross insubordination” by the clerk.
“The allegations that I fought with her is an untrue statement. I told them that I don’t want (a) logo placed on the vehicle for security reasons. I loaned the clerk the vehicle and she placed the logo on it without my authorization so I removed it”.
“To have placed the logo on the vehicle is clear insubordination by the clerk after the council, following a request from me had agreed to delay placing the logo on the vehicle until I got alternative transportation,” Albert said.
I can see light at the end of the tonnel labour must fall thats a must.
Simeon is time you grow up, get back to your workshop and make you own money and buy what is yours and support your kids,now is not the time to involve in business and pleasure but remember i told you the evil we do will come back to haunt us
This is a case of ‘Relationship gone sour’ coupled with lack of respect by both parties not leaving out insorbodination, of course in spite of the decision. I am not surprised.
He should be sacked ,for insubordination and for misuse of public transport, using it as his personal belonging.
The council should table a vote of no confidence!
But ay ay. DA get a kind of a way eh… Ehbeh power doing fings to people papa. What boooyyy…
If mr. Albert is so concerned about security, publish the description and reg. no. of the vehicle so we can all keep an eye out for him and make sure he comes to no harm. Since this is a publicly funded vehicle there should be no secret about this. We can even give him a “toot” of recognition with our horns or give him an encouraging “V”ictory sign of appreciation!
You are killing me…well it must be a TJ since is company ride
i think he should read about the rules established in the council
HMMMMM we need REAL MEN in Dominica…..Have we lost our CLASS people??????? Why do people in authority feel that they must always abuse their authority????? we are at a really LOW point in Dominica papa!
All long rope have an end. Don’t worry. Let him fly his kite, high, high, high. Tantot, tantot…
Are you all surprised? Another clear example of the DEKALAYING (MASHING UP) of our institutions. Not one is exempt from the onslaught. Remember how the Independent Electoral Commission is being highjacked? About 7 years now, No signs of Electoral Reform, Production of VOTER ID CARDS and CLEANINGF UP of an UNCLEAN VOTERS” LIST, as that institution recommended, to ensure FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS. Simeon is wrong is wrong is wrong.
It seems the Minister of Community Development has abandoned the Canefield Community by not intervening to RIGHT that blatant, in your face wrong. The Local Govt. authorities are failing the Community Big Time by allowing the continuation of that unfortunate situation.
Would anybody else, especially a non-suppoter of the ruling DLP Govt. get away with such callous disregard for the decision of Council? So it is not that what Simeon is doing is wrong, but because is Simeon and his political affiliations, he could do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants as Chairman (imposed) of the Canefield Urban Council?
A sincere, genuine advice to the Minister of Community Development and Local Govt. Please do not allow the derailing of all those years of hard work of Community Development by citizens who have sacrificed and stillsacrifioce their time and efforts to improve their villages. Is that the legacy you all would like to live when you are gone? Shame. But to many Dominicans these days, is no problem. Simeon is right to do what he is doing. Dictatorial tendencies is the order of the day. Time will tell.
How many times do we hear talk of coming together to build community and country from those who now sit by and allow that unilateral decision by Simeon to take a toll on the forward movement of CaneField. Who cares? At the end of the day, their salaries are sure.
Mr bold we pal. The logo should be on the COUNCIL’S vehicle FOR SECURITY REASONS/PURPOSES. Simeon I think you have it backwards, the vehicle DOES NOT belong to you, get your own vehicle so you can go park in all corners at all hours of the night (wee morning) at your own leisure and risk. The council vehicle should be parked at the office and used for council business ONLY!!!! S
Could someone make a kaiso on this incident?! Not too late
boy the apple doesnt fall too far from the tree.doesnt he sound familiar?like leader like(i dont know)..see how many times simeon used the article I in his statement…insurbodination my foot
A man force his way in a woman’s home and have not yet been arrested! simeon should be on bail right now. LAWLESS. my home seem to be becoming a crime paradise
simeon contradicted his own self with the final statement about (until other means of transportation)
clear and strait.
the council vehicle should be kept at the premises at all times unless it is used for councils business? an audit need to be carried out for the urban council. cuz to my knowledge chairmans suppose to be getting travel allowance.. is he out of that bracket?
cause if he claiming travel allowance he suppose to be using his own vehicle. i am also certin the gas money dont come from his pocket..
someone please look at the accounts of the canefield urban council
It is not the Chairman alone who drives the Councils vehicle late at night and in the wee hours of the morning, ask some Policemen who works in a specialist section within the Police Force and you will know exactly why he does not want the Logo on the vehicle.
Simeon hold strong…U are the chairman and u don’t want a logo, if the clerk and em want logo let them put it on their vehicles.
The vehicle belongs to the council, not the chairman. So your statment my friend has no bearing or sense for that matter.
Lord have mercy on my people! Imagine! Imagine! Where od these people come from? Who are they? are they really Dominicans? What has happened to my people? It is so, so sad, to see what has become of my people. Alas!
I would bet my life savings house land and u ex wife that this person is a laborite. Ignorant
Just the perfect man to be PRO of the DLP. Fits well.
“For security reasons” Simeon? Boy, you think you are that important people would want to harm you? Weren’t you democratically elected, so people must love you after al, ha, ha…. And you are the P.R. officer for the D.L.P.? Fine example you set!
correction Simeone is not the PRO for the Dominica Labour Party. Dr. Philbert Aaron is the present PRO
So bcuz you are the uncle of her son and all you tight you think you can take advantage of the woman! Shame on you simeon! No man shud raise his hand on a woman.
N to make matters worse, you say you won’t apologise! Eh! But simeon you out of order!!!
I hope she take ur rass to court!
I’d like you before but now!!! Hold ur end
Its amazing! All Roseau City Council vehicles carry logos and Albert’s(I mean Canefield) Urban Council have to ride bare back.
Well done Albert!
Did I read Simeon said he loaned the vehicle to the Clark. Hmmmmm that is something else wi and he don’t want a logo on it for security reasons.Simeon u damn lie u think the council transport is yours so gis sat marpin astphans kairi and so on should not have logo for security reason too. GO BUY YOURS all you to like company ting.buy yours and pay for your gas your tyres and pay your own money to maintain it.
Mr. Chairman even with no logo we can recognise the counsil’s vehicle under the coconut tree by the bay after midnight. What is it you are trying to further hide Mr. Chairman?
HEHEEHEEEEEEE….LMAO..SO TRUE
Mr. Chairman, you need to respect the voices of the other council members. This is not your personal organization, it is one set up for the people by the people so you should understand that your usurping of the council’s decision is not good leadership.
Why should a Logo be removed from a company’s vehicle? The reason why, they want to use that vehicle for their own personal use
What nonsense is the chairman talking? Come again Mr. Chairman
Hehehe.. Clerk insubordinate to him but he not to the Council and their decision.
The other Councillors must be afraid of Simeon Albert. If a decision was taken at a meeting of the Council since July/August of last year 2011, to put the council’s logo on the Council’s vehicle, the councillors should have ensured that the decision of the meeting was carried out. To allow Simeon to override the decision of the meeting so blatantly is spelling disaster for the council.
Simeon claimed that the clerk placed the Council’s logo on the vehicle without his authorization. So the Chairman’s unilateral decision takes precedence over that of the Council? So the Canefield Urban Council is Simeon? Simeon, as Chairman, is the Council? Is so then in Dominica?
If the vehicle is the private property of Simeon, so be it. Is it? According to the article, the vehicle belongs to the Council. So how could Simeon, even he is Chairman, could continue to disrespect and disregard the meeting’s decision? Isn’t such behaviour dictatorial?
The Chairman of any organisation should never be allowed to do such things. But is so Dominica come.
What stupidness is that about no logo on the Council’s vehicle because of security reasons? What an excuse!! Simeon’s behaviour in that matter is detrimental to the smooth running of the Council. The Councillors must muster the strengh to disallow that situation from putting their Council in such bad light.
What about the Local Govt.’s role? Certainly, they should be aware of the situation and the behaviour of the Chairman. What about the Minister of Community Development? So Nothing wrong with that kind of action by the Chairman, Madame Minister? That kind of high-handed action by the Chairman is being condoned? How could a community develop by such callous behaviour?
The vehicle is not yours Simeon. It is the property of the Council, yet you want to do what you want against the decision of the rest of the councillors.
In Dominica, there are several examples of such arrogant behaviour and dictatorial tendencies. Who from the Local Govt. Dept. is willing to step in and put things right? WILL THE Minister OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT step in to put things right? Your guess is as good as mine.
Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to say.
Well Mr.Albert, I find your actions to be distasteful. The council’s vehicle is not your personal vehicle…. well you are a very impossible man!!! We allow persons to believe that Government’s vehicle is their personal property…awah…we must stop it!I’m glad it’s not my house rates that paying for that!
what is happening in that country??!!!So it is not the council’sbusiness whether or not simeon has alternative transportation or not…its in the council’s interest that a logo be placed on the vehicle though…Shame on you simeon…AH! magway sa!
“To have placed the logo on the vehicle is clear insubordination by the clerk after the council, following a request from me had agreed to delay placing the logo on the vehicle until I got alternative transportation,” Albert said.
But I don’t understand you Simeon Albert. The vehicle is not your personal property. You cannot decide when the logo will be placed on the vehicle. The majority in the Council had agreed to do so since July 2011.
Why you guys feel you can do what you want with taxpayers’ property? 18-3 does not provide you and your ilks the legal or the moral right to ride roughshod over the public interests and democracy.
Simeon you playing with fire. My cousin you meessing with boy? You better watch out. Maybe Canefield people fraid you but not portsmouth people.
Tell him again, we coming right canefield and manivway him, mensma just call us and yuo will see the amount of jean lagon dat coming canefield for him, jean lagoon and jean dierre larosin
Laborite fighting laborite for bad laborite attitude
Why should the Council have given Simeon a Vehicle to drive around in the first place eh? If the council has a vehicle then the council’s logo should be on there period…..Security reason? Man you working get your own vehicle stupes
u see wen de top is rotten it will eventually trickle down. Ppl may say don’t bring politics into it but that’s just how it is wif those guys. Any way she (the Clark) was one of those campaigning for him. so let those labourites roll. De same way de pm behaving is de same way dat one (simeon) wants to behave too. He did not even top the polls in the last election.
As I recall it he was imposed on you, poor people of Canefield by political expediency. What does that say about people claiming to support democracy?
A record that man! If we agree then it must be done. Mr private ride that there man! But that good for all you!!!
I smell a Rat on this one. Let some body else comment on that one.
You are a clerk so know your place!!
Once the Clerk got the authorization from the Council to put the logo on the vehicle she has every right to do so, so when you commenting know what you are saying Mystic. Alot of you people out there think that a Clerk of a Council has no rights at all but what you don’t know is that a Clerk is the “Chief Executive Officer” of her Council, she can either lead her Council to success or destroy it people have to learn to respect Council Clerks some Chairmen think that becuse they are sitting in the Chair they are the boss, no! Chairman you are there to lead not to boss and you are not more important than any of the other Councillors remember Chairmen come and Chairmen go but the Clerk remains. It is time that people who believe that they power and they can use it to push people around stop it NOW! Mr. Albert is on the Council for a while now therefore he should know that if the the Council take a decision and majority agrees upon it that decision stands and he alone cannot override it. If the Council took a decision to place a log on its vehicle you cannot say that you do not want it, it’s not your personal propety come on man! shame on you!
So she must not do her job then… Well u impossible!
u dont know nothing about the rules of the council so if u dont have nothing to say that makes sense stay mute please
ACCORDING TO HUNTER,TYPICAL DOMINICAN.THEM FELLARS FROM THE DLP ALWAYS BELIEVE ANYTIME SOMEONE HAS A DIFFERENCE ON OPINION,POLITICS IS THE SCAPEGOAT. WE HEARD THE SAME CHORUS FROM CECIL,AND WE HAVE HEARD SIMILAR LAVAY FROM SKERRIT. PWD,SOCIAL SECURITY, BUSINESS PLACES,DBS TO NAME A FEW PROUDLY DISPLAY THEIR LOGOS AS A FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT,THEREFORE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. THE COUNCIL LAID DOWN A POLICY THAT A LOGO SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE,THEREFORE,WHY IS HE GIVING THE NICE AND QUITE LADY ALL THAT HORRORS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE MAN SHOULD ONLY USE THE VEHICLE ON THE COUNCIL’S BUSINESS. IT IS ALLEDGED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SEEN IN ACTION AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT. WE HAVE HEARD IT SAID ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MANY INSTITUTIONS IN DOMINICA THAT ARE BEING DESTROYED,ITS TIME DOMINICANS GET SERIOUS.
the man forget the vehicle was not his. he boosting about it and vehicle using for personnal reasons now with the logo they will see him where he is not suppose to be. The pot burst. hahahaha
Too much power is the problem here. The chairman does as though the vehicle is his personal property, hence the reason why he resisted putting the logo.
Security reasons my foot!!
Let him get his own vehicle!!
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER . MEM BET MEM PWEL. THEY ALL HAVE DICTATORIAL ATTITUDE. BOLD FACE
whoever says council vehicle belongs t o the chair? this vehicle should be use solely for the purpose of the council. This practice must stop not just in canefield but also the government..should anyone need a vehicle why dont they purchase their personal vehicle for their use. lets start the process by the clerk filing charges against the chair for assaulting her in other to obtain the keys to the city vehicle, please remind him that the use of city vehicle for personal use after office hours is fraud.
develope co operation as much as possible.
It is not about personal agendas but about a culture reflecting a true community.
When we remain selfish, the more it becomes difficult to be.
The president can never be justified to have autonomy over what he figures is his in the council. Otherwise the council is run without the power oflaw. That looks like a small dictatorship.
Correction: So what is the issue about alternative transport? Am I to understand that the council’s vehicle is being used by simeon for his personal reasons hence his not wanting the logo on the vehicle? Isn’t that eating your cake and wanting to have it still? If he is using it for personal reasons then why can’t he use it with the logo on it? And re the statement of the clerk am I missing something here? It’s either he physically abused you or he didn’t. If he didn’t then you should say so without fear. If he physically abused you then that cannot be internal council business. This would constitute a civil issue and a police matter as far as I read it was reported to the police. The clerk if this really hyappened should not feel intimidated and should take a stand against the same if true.
So what is the issue about alternative transport? Am I to understand that the council’s vehicle is being used by simeon for his personal reasons hence his not wanting the logo on the vehicle? Isn’t that eating your cake and wanting to have it still? If he is using it for personal reasons then why can’t he use it with the logo on it? And re the statement of the clerk am I missing something here? It’s either he physically abused you or he didn’t. If he didn’t then she should say so without fear. If he physically abused her then that cannot be internal council business. This would constitute a civil issue and apolice matter as as far as I read it was reported to the police. The clerk if this really hyappened should not feel intimidated and should take a stand against the same if true.
But Simeon you DO NOT OWN the vehicle. It’s the council and community vehicle why can’t you leave the logo on? The ABUSE part is neither here nor there until the police states so, she could very well have tossled with you, however I fail to see why you need to have the vehicle of the council as your private personal property.
what you mean ‘she could very well have tossled with you’?
we need to really pay attention you know.
the incident took place at the clerks home.
So Simeon has no right tossling with the clerk at her home. THAT IS ABUSE.
So the people’s money is used to take out and put logo on vehicle. What a waste!!
Like leader, Like PRO…is they aself.
A-A so is not council jeep? I Simone own den?
Simeon doh want people to know is council vehicle he driving. Why all you want to put logo on simeon vehicle his father give him
mem bet mem pwell. No law, No constitution, No council will stop me from taking off the logo. Labour power.. so we want it..we are the members of the ganstar cabal.
Simeon need to ask him friends for a job so he can purchase a vehicle. He wants to live a champagne lifestyle on beer money and he wants to do it at the expense of the Canefield Urban Council. The poeple did not want you their to begin with Simeon; you forced your way to chairman via you political connections and now you still want to hold up the council’s vehicle as your own. Fighting with the young lady because she placed the council’s logo on the vehicle? Their is no security reason why the logo cannot be on the vehicle. You wish to continue to fool them young girls so you dont want them knowing is not your vehicle. Shame on you. Such a dirty disgusting man. Shame Shame Shame on you. SMH
padner during the uwp reign you used to have a red mitsubishi pickup you supporting labour so much your wood work shop not doing well yet you singing the song of the labor party. Man you are a man of substance a man from the east. You know how to work hard for what you want give up the council ride resign and place your efforts on an alternative business…. ONE LOVE MAN
And a red BMW two door car too
what alternative transportation has to do with the council? man get your own damn car, stupes.
So the council vehicle’s is Simeon’s only source of transportation? his personal ride?
What security problem/s could placing a logo on the vehicle cause?
How could the clerk refuse to give the Chairman the key when he personally requests it?
Why would he even need to fight her for the keys?
Well if she doesn’t resign she may have to be let go.
Unless she and her associates can Force Simeon out First
When is this issue of Simon Albert going to be taken care of once and for all?? i mean this has gone a bit too far now. He was not legally voted in, why can’t he just be taken off as chair once and for all.
This known as “benefit in kind”. The inland revenue should have a look at this.
Thats what absolute power does. The people of canefield rejected him twice at the poles but his friends impose him on the people and you see what it has come to?
That should be polls
I want to know how comes you have Canefield Urban Council vehicle as your PERSONAL RIDE! You have too much in you, you that Simeon Albert there. Go and buy your own ride Simeon!
To have placed the logo on the vehicle is clear insubordination by the clerk after the council, following a request from me had agreed to delay placing the logo on the vehicle until I got alternative transportation,” Albert said
Mr. Albert you should not be using the council vehicle for your private randevous sir. The vehicle should not be for your private consumption at all. So sir you are wrong , dead wrong but then again who are your mentors….no law …nothing
Simeon you too bold boss, the vehicle belongs to the council and if the councillors take a decision the clerk must carry it out, you are just the chairman of the council not the boss…. get that in your head, get your own vehicle or drive it with the logo, the clerk was not’insubination’she did what was requested of her..
If you went after the meeting and request some time as you say then you should have a special meeting so that it would be reflected in the minutes… you sound like a person that has no clue of Management and how it works, i think you should resign boss!!!!
Hey hey!! So Simi, you doh want people to see you driving the council vehicle? You want people to think is yours? You wanted them to sell it so you can get a new one? Is not a council decision anymore? It is a Simeon decision? The council decide and Simeon veto? Did I hear you go to the person home for the keys? Well, Simi, you brave? I hope that clerk know nothing is going to come out of it. Let us see the ending of this one. I already know, do you?
Well more people know is not his now!!!!!
simi people dont want u there anymore do the right thing and come out of the council most of the councilers dont want u to serve as chairman please swoll your pride and step down and give up the council vehicle u still have it park in your yard u too dam bold
But he accustom to go to her home. and why was the key and, of course, the vehicle at her home anyway? from one to the next.