Speculation rife over resignation of DBS Board Chairman

Bennette Thomas has been named Acting Chairman of the DBS Board
Bennette Thomas has been named Acting Chairman of the DBS Board

Speculations continue over the reasons why Aurelius Jolly, the chairman of the DBS Board for a number of years, has suddenly tendered his resignation.

Jolly had been a member of the DBS board since 2000 and held the post of Deputy Chairman before he was made Chairman, when the person who held the post before him, Ian Munroe, was not re-appointed over allegations of wrong doing.

During his tenure, Jolly was involved in a legal battle with then manager, Marriete Warrington, after he dismissed her from the post.

According to a well placed source, Jolly may have resigned after he opposed the moved to have Cecil Joseph appointed to the post of General Manager of DBS.

Jolly had approved for Joseph to act in November 2014 for three months but since then Joseph has remained in the post.

“We were shocked to learn of his resignation,” one board member, who preferred to remain anonymous, told DNO.

Asked if Jolly was unhappy with the fact that Joseph remains in the post of Acting Manager which was to have been for three months, the source said, “yes, this has been a burning issue for him.”

Jolly’s resignation took effect on May 1, 2015 and Prime Minister, Roosvelt Skerrit, has appointed Director of Telecommunications, Bennette Thomas, as interim chairman of the board of the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation (DBS Radio).

The other directors of the board are Austelle Lockhart, Peter Dewhurst, Rick Blaize, Amonia Paul Rolle, Oliver Henderson and Maria Riviere.

Brian Meade was the last person who held the post of General Manager of DBS in 2011 on a two-year contract but after a stormy two years and many alleged differences with Jolly, his contract was not renewed.

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26 Comments

  1. bbmc
    May 21, 2015

    emben way papa. mi debas en ti Dominique nous

  2. May 20, 2015

    They need to shuffle DBS. I listen to the news whenever I am home early from work, I’ve heard people reading the news, and I wonder, can’t DBS do any better? Men reading the news like children learning to read. No punctuation, no rhythm, no rhyme. People listen, I ain’t calling name, but DBS needs to get with the program. We are in 2015

  3. The Facts
    May 20, 2015

    Confidence in God who said: “Vengeance is Mine! I will repay!”

    Humility and Peace – Imitation of Christ book

    Pay no great attention to who is for or against you. Be sure only that God is with you in whatever you do; keep your conscience clear and God will defend you. For if God decides to help a man no adversity can harm him. . . .

    St. Francis de Sales –

    Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow . . . The same everlasting Father . . who cares for you today . . . will take care of you tomorrow and every day . . . Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

  4. maindesk
    May 20, 2015

    I am disappointed that the Opposition has not raised a voice in the goings on at DBS. If the persons elected to the national parliament seem unconcerned with the direction of the national radio station then they are part of the problem. By their silence they have endorsed Cecil Joseph and so apparently has Benett Thomas and most importantly Skerrit. When you see the names of the board members you understand where some of the Skerrit stooges are hiding and why the radio will always remain sub-standard

    • Objective
      May 20, 2015

      Do not shift gears here. The opposition cannot storm itself into DBS. However, the voice of the opposition is very much alive. They still get out the info all over. DBS is not really needed.

  5. JoJo
    May 20, 2015

    Benette, I’m afraid you will be sitting there like a figurehead also with Cecil running the show as he sees fit, no consultation with you. You see, Cecil is the guardian of some skeletons, which certain person does not want to be exposed. Cecil running DBS with no fear or hinder my friend. Your job is just ceremonial, to comply with the statutes of DBS. Enjoy it while you can.

  6. The Facts
    May 19, 2015

    Aurelius Jolly is an educated, hardworking, disciplined and ambitious man. I hope he will now get a chance to spend his retirement years in peace without all this twaka. He is better off out of this melee and could do better elsewhere.
    Let those who are left behind wallow in their pride (which always comes before the fall) and their melee which some of them created for themselves and for others.
    We should know nothing lasts forever. We know not when it will be cut short and end.
    Little do some of us know, God works in his mysterious ways for our betterment.

  7. The Facts
    May 19, 2015

    Thank God He has released you from this twaka. When one door closes, another one opens. Keep your eyes on the opened door and make the most of it, whatever you choose to do from thereon.
    Be cool! Have no regrets. Think that you gave your all and did your utmost.
    Good luck Aurelius! May God be with you as always and bless your future endeavors. Enjoy your God-given precious life and time. Don’t worry, be happy! :) :lol: :)

  8. King Skerrit
    May 19, 2015

    Good. Good. Let the internal fighting begin. :twisted: :lol:

  9. Anonymous
    May 19, 2015

    I have a few questions. Does DBS belong to the PM? Why is it that he choose the replacement. Why did the other board members not be allowed to select the replacement? Everything in Dominica seem to be controlled by one man. If even DBS is a crown corporation, shouldn’t the Board Members make certain decisions? Right now we have a one sided administration with limited for sight and lacking in many ways. The other people who can manage the country are left out because they are not ‘one of the boys’. Poor Dominica your standards of development are limited.

    • The Facts
      May 20, 2015

      DBS is government-operated. Has always been.

  10. Doc. Love
    May 19, 2015

    Mr. Jolly is a University College graduate, and a very educated man. One of the qualification as regards the post of Manager of DBS calls for a University Degree in Communication. How do they expect him to agree with the appointment of a sales man as Manager, under his watch. What has come back to bite him is the policy of the Skeritt, regardless to what Dominicans say, he always favor jobs for the boys. It is alleged, Jolly is one of the boys.

  11. May 19, 2015

    The country not going nowhere with all these people. Little by little the empire they build is crumbling. There is more to come from other areas. People are getting fed up and it is about time. Dominicans are waking up but the problem is they afraid their shadow. God is in control and he will make things happen in his good time. Lets wait & see. On another note, just imagine the police force has tear gas in stock for over twenty-five years and they are so hell bent and hungry to use them, they tear down the Salisbury people. Those in command knew, yes they knew, that this was wrong. Who will now get involved? World Human Rights. Let’s see what next

    • The Facts
      May 20, 2015

      Do you think under another government, Dominica will fare better? I wonder. We cannot be certain. This is left to be seen and experienced.

      • kalinago
        May 20, 2015

        “Fun facts” you speaks like an idiot. People have different ability to manage and their are many more brilliant people with better ideas than those in power. By your utterances you lack positivity and must probably struggling to serve in this economy.

  12. Lang Mama
    May 19, 2015

    The meat is finished and vultures fighting over the bones.Ebeh Weh.Whoever said that contraversy, confrontation and taka does not follow Cecil. But like thee old people say deux Mal kwab PA ca westay en meme toux.
    They fighting for the bones now the cheese is dwindling.

  13. An employee
    May 19, 2015

    Jolly wants everything his way….however, I side with him in refuting the present manager. Everything is upside down at DBS radio.

    • Truth
      May 19, 2015

      Bring back Brian Meade!!! Cecil could be his Assistant… I know the post is a political one, but Brian Meade has the experience and the professionalism to go with it.

      Mr. PM and BOD of DBS… the populace is watching

  14. Unbias
    May 19, 2015

    It was about time!! Mr. PM this is probably one of the BEST decisions you have ever made. Probably you should even bring back Brian Meade on a contract; for during his tenure the morale of the employees was at a FIRST time high, the quality of the news was worth listening to and the customer/listeners base was larger.

  15. too late
    May 19, 2015

    the only institution dem fellas doh own yet and cannot get a grip on is Q95. other wise dem fellas have their own;
    police chief
    ipo
    electoral commission
    old speaker
    court
    church
    bishop
    priests
    head of immigration bureau
    dbs
    mapin
    gis
    vybes radio
    kairi queen
    villas
    construction companies

    • NKRUMAH KWAME
      May 19, 2015

      You forgot to mention the National Accreditation Board!!!
      HOTEP

    • More Life!!
      May 19, 2015

      Apparently you forgetting:

      Hotels
      Utility Companies
      Airport
      Port
      Customs
      Public Works
      etc…

      • Change
        May 20, 2015

        Social Security

    • Objective
      May 20, 2015

      Could not be said better. That’s a fact.

  16. grell
    May 19, 2015

    Ah boy the regime is tumbling,your not on Skerrit ship your neck will be cut,your with Skerrit or your not,the little boy regime.

  17. FOUCHETTE FEUR
    May 19, 2015

    dog eating dog. it just start

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