Below is a press statement from the Dominica Freedom Party on the passing of Ambassador Charles Maynard.
The late Ambassador, His Excellency Charles Maynard served in the Public and Private Sectors and became a Permanent Secretary at a very youthful age. He also held a number of managerial positions in the Private Sector. He was a member of the Committee for National Salvation in 1979 and was appointed Senator and Minister of Education and Health in he Interim Government.
However, it is for his Sterling contribution to the development of Dominica under a Dominica Freedom Party led government from 1980 -1995 that he will be specially remembered.
Under the leadership of the late Prime Minister, Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, Mr. Maynard contested and won the Soufriere Constituency on the Dominica Freedom Party ticket in 1985 and was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Tourism Trade and Industry. He again contested and won the Soufriere Constituency in 1990 and was re – appointed Minister of Agriculture, Tourism, Trade and Industry. During that term, he served as Minister of Agriculture for a brief period but continued as Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry until 1995.
As Minister of Agriculture under a Dominica Freedom Party led Government, he led a strong drive in agricultural diversification which was bolstered by the OECS Diversification Programme. Programmes were developed for farmers in coconut rehabilitation and production, coffee, cocoa, tree crops and exotic herbs and ornamental plants. Staff and extension services were among the best in the Eastern Caribbean, markets were assured for grapefruit juice, Bello Products were able to obtain enough marketable grade coffee, packing and shipping facilities were constructed for hucksters, livestock rearing was given a boost while programmes aimed at food self-sufficiency and import substitution were developed through the IFAD-funded Domestic Food Production Project.
Tourism figures shot up remarkably during that period with the construction of the cruise ship reception facility, the new Roseau Bay Front facility and special funding opportunities for the refurbishment and improvement of hotels. Eco-tourism sites at Soufriere Hot Springs, Fresh Water Lake, Morne Diablotin, National Park, Syndicate Parrot Reserve, Nature Trail and the Carib Territory were also initiated.
Health services were boosted with the construction of the Louis Pasteur Polyclinic, mental health services were improved to include special clinics for ear, nose and throat problems, eye treatment and gastroenterology services were introduced and 26 health centres and clinics were constructed completing the primary health care network all over the island which was recognized as a model for the Caribbean.
In Education, the St Joseph Secondary School was established, an academic programme was also established at the Grand Bay School in 1988, the technical/vocational secondary education programme was expanded to include the Goodwill, St Martin’s, Grand Bay, St. Joseph and St John’s schools.
In 1993 although he lost his contest for the leadership of the Dominica Freedom Party, he won the Soufriere Constituency in the 1995 General Election. While the Dominica Freedom Party lost the government, he continued to serve his Constituents as a member of the Opposition until 2000 when he retired from elective politics.
The Political Leader, Executive Committee and members of the Dominica Freedom Party extend sincere condolences to his wife, children, extended family and friends.
May his soul rest in peace
My condolences to the family at this time may God give you strength and peace at this time
Thank you Mr Maynard for sharing your life and your friendship with me and so many others. The tears can’t stop flowing. You were a man worth meeting and knowing. A decent man who loved God, family and country. I am previleged to have known you personally and will forever be blessed as a result.
I “fought” (condi Jean Roso) that Maynard was a Labourite.
Mr. Maynard was a true Ambassador and Patriot. I extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to his Wife and family especially his daughter Yvonne. This man loved what he did and had a love and passion to see people do well. I grew up in the Soufriere Constituency admiring this man as a true example and mentor.
my condolences to Mrs.Maynard, family, extended family, neighbours, and friends.
He did do very much for our beloved Dominica, he was humble, kind, spiritual—-a good soul.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
“It is for his sterling contribution to the development of Dominica under a Freedom Party led government from 1980 – 1995 that he will be specially remembered” Nuff Said.
I am too young to have known you, but I thank you Sir for your great and humble service to this beautiful land of ours. Dominica is so much the better for having had you for 78 years! To your family i extend my sincere thanks and prayers; know that Dominica loved him too. Farewell, a brilliant yet so humble son of the Nature Isle. Adios Sir Maynard.
Thanks Dominica Freedom Party… This is what I remember of Mr. Maynard. This is healthy, lessons learnt, credible and served well……May his soul rest in peace.
Quality work was done…there was no GREEN CLINIC, and this is where I sa we fail to have comparative study stidies and impact of national policy on our people.
THERE WAS THE SUMMER CLASS PROGRAMME, ALL OVER THE ISLAND. tHE COMMUNITY AND ITS PEOPLE WERE DIOSCIPINED TO take cntrol of heir destiny whereas Maynard did not have the guts to tell Skerrit to stop this handout red clinic and politicisation of community and self just for personal gratification. The Freedom Party was a disciplined party, people before power etc .etc….somebody remind of the rest.
May he rest n peace and condolences to his wife, children and family.
How old was Mr Maynard?
These comments would have carried weight had they been made when the good gentleman was being savaged for “keeping quiet” during the so-called scandals of the Government. We are all a bunch of hypocrites! May his sould rest in peace.
I am not sure what this statement means or intends to communicate. See paragraph 6.
“mental health services were improved to include special clinics for ear, nose and throat problems, eye treatment”
When Mr. Maynard was taken in by the DFP some whispered that he was a Labourite in sheeps clothing. When after 2000 he served under the DLP, the Freedomites said he was a traitor.
Ehlas! All the man wanted to do was to serve his country regardless of the politicians in power. Was that not better for the country than if he just stayed on the sidelines criticising everything, like so many ‘has beens’ are doing today?
totally agree!!.. thank you and to add to that nothing can take away his good name and accomplishments…