Chairman of the La Plaine Disaster Preparedness Management Committee, Jason Fontaine has revealed that a matter, in which it is alleged that the Taberi River in La Plaine is being polluted by a pig farm owned by Dr. John Toussaint, is officially heading to court.
A number of villagers met with attorney, Julien Prevost, who has agreed to represent them, on Tuesday in Roseau and Fontaine said a letter will be sent to Dr. Toussaint on Wednesday morning (today).
“We have submitted reports and we are going to take this matter to the court and let the court decide…the court is the last resort,” he told DNO on Wednesday morning.
He said the villagers will be seeking a stop order, an injunction and the removal of the pig farm in the area.
“The people have made up their minds…there was enough time for talk and a lot of years passed on this, now is time for action,” Fontaine remarked. “We are taking this matter serious, head-on.”
Fontaine is also calling for a “national boycott” of all pork from the farm.
“We had a meeting yesterday and we are going to promote that,” he stated . “We are asking Dominicans not to buy Dr. Toussaint’s pork. La Plaine people have begun that process.”
Fontaine is appealing to residents of La Plaine who lives in the Diaspora and who support the legal actions to contact the La Plaine Disaster Preparedness Management Committee to provide assistance in terms of legal funding.
“We have already taken care of some legal fees but we are asking for more funds because there are a lot of stuff we are doing and then we need the support,” he explained. “We will be printing some t-shirts, flyers.”
Meantime Fontaine is calling for the La Plaine Village Council to be dissolved, saying it is non-functional and ineffective.
“We are asking for the La Plaine village council to step down,” he noted.
Allegations are that the pig farm, owned by John Toussaint, is polluting the river, threatening the health of residents and aquatic animals and is having a negative impact on tourism in La Plaine.
However, Toussaint has described the allegations as “untrue, baseless and malicious” which “cannot be substantiated by any scientific, visual or tangible evidence.”
“These false rumors have overstretched the limits of tolerance, hence, I am prepared to take punitive action for peace of conscience and mind,” he said in an article published on DNO on August 29.
Dr. Toussaint also made an appearance on Kairi’s Heng Program this week and said the allegations are “one-sided” and insisted there is no pollution.
DNO,why do you allow comments about the man’s criminal record on here? The man has served his time and the issues at hand has nothing to do with the past criminal records of the man! Of course I agree with the view that this island called Dominica is a fools paradise with an ignorant populace of gullible people no matter how much academic background they pretend to have! A North American once said to me that people of the island are not empowered, they accept anything their leadass does! All they say is so it is! As far as one can see, is talk and more talk by the people without action for their rights! They can talk and mind everything else that does not concerns them, but cannot deal with what’s affecting them! This is the land of the dumb and blind where an illegal rogue is prime mistake and leadass!
To all the people that put negative comments about jason labour paying all you good money to that but let me tell you all some jason is a soldier and you have nt heard the rest of him we need more people like him Toussaint and peter st Jean and any one who supports this shit is NASTY and trust thats just the beginning jason expose them we been looking for a leader like that we support you 100 percent.
So Jose, because we are not as bad as others in the region we must keep our mouths shut when thing are bad and could be better? How negative can you get man? Pretending every things fine? Like the man said of a dead person: Oh he is not dead, just not breathing, that’s all!
if the river not populated let de dr go and swim in it.
La plaine people voted this present government so they deserve to be using a river polluted by pigs. Niceeeeee!!!!!
Hello jason using his chairmanship to get popular to get a phd in corning
The same Mr.Fontaine was arrested for impersonation or something of the sort in 2013 and deported from the US for similar reasons. Can we trust what he says? Is it somewhat true, but exaggerated? Has DNO visited the site or does this media house wait for ‘ news’ to ‘ arrive at its doorstep?”
Yes, as far as I know that is the same and he acknowledged his past misdeeds in public, at least on Matt Petltier’s programme. But what has that got to do with the pollution of the Taberi river? Does it make it less appalling? Was the planning div. lying when they put a stop order on mr. Toussaint, which was ignored? Was Matt fibbing when he gave an eye witness report of his recent visit there? Also, go and visit mas in the cemetery on line, who have a visual of their recent visit titled “our visit to the Taberi river”. Man, Jason paid his price. If you don’t believe Jason, go and see and smell for yourself… and be careful, not to step in the kaka couchon!
No but show me your friends…….its amazing you people ok with sending money to this man and you quoting of all possible news outlets mas in the cemetary????? Hahaha madness
Ohhhhhh now I see where this Jason guy is heading. Politics is his motivation. Boycott and stepping down of council?? Hmmmmm I smell a rat. These people won’t relent but to early for us to make our move. Hope they don’t call us bad names. AND I WANT TO HEAR LENNOX AND JERRY BRISBANE AND ALLLLLL THOSE WHO WAS AGAINST BOYCOTT ON THIS STATEMENT. And Dr. John I NEED 200bls of pork. Some for the festival independence and for chrismstmas so I going to call u. And my aunt and cousin needs a lot for the wedding and a bday party. Now I going to eat pork.
Hello and good evening my people. Well I spent the month of March, 2016 in Dominica and I spent three weeks in Laplaine where I told my late friend Toyoye(I love and missed you my friend) to take me to the Taberi River. He told me we can’t swim there because there is a pig farm that’s releasing the pig waste into the river and he then took me there where I saw the polluted water and smelled the pig waste in the water. This is an issue for the Health Minister, who ever that person is. That minister is responsible for all our citizens health regardless of political Affliation and Mr St Jean should address the proper disposal of the pig waste. This isn’t good for the community or for business.
But Kawi still having WET FET and No one sick yet!
I want to know why my comment wasnt posted. It wasnt libelous it is a matter of public record…..records even found on dno that Jason Kurt Fontaine of laplaine was convicted of FRAUD in Dominica. That is to say he kyoner marigot people into beleiving that he worked with a Cruise line. And Stole over 3000 dollars from them. Let me include the proof…including quotes from DNO let me see if allu party affiliations will cause you all to “moderate” my comment again.
http://www.news.dm/alleged-corn-artist-sentenced-to-seven-years-in-jail/
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/crime-court-law/la-plaine-man-jailed-for-fraud/
The man was also a big time con artist in New Jersey
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Charges too many to mention. And this man want to come and talk about send money for…
Does this make Taberi river less polluted? Not even the red herring you put up would swim in it.
Dr Toussaint should counter sue for slander, libel, character assassination and loss of money. The Fontaine guy is just seeking media coverage and trying to scam people for money.
I would love Dr. Toussaint to countersue so all this can be exposed in open court but I doubt very much that full exposure is the last thing he wants.
Don’t you think you are an idiot of the worst kind, you learn the word counter sue, and don’t know the meaning, so why don’t you shut up! Can’t you see the damage Toussiant has done to the environment, in some countries, his but would be jailed for the pollution of the river.
Counter sue who, You think because he is called Dr. he is invincible, and should be allowed to continue his crap, polluting even the air the people breath. Only in Dominica, you all make idiots of yourself behind vicious wicked unscrupulous kind like Toussiant who the hell do you think he is that he can screw up the river, and peoples life!
Dr. my behind! Maybe you live like a pig, so the pig feces you are viewing; since you live in it you are unable to see and recognize what you are accustom to wallow into.
To: Emile Dominique
Hello and good afternoon my people. If he sue then the courts would have to visit his pig farm. Well I saw the pig farm in March, 2016 and there is a catch basin where they hold the water with the pig waste. The waste water is seeping out of the catch Basin into the river because of the soft fertile soil. One can also see the difference in the river water up stream and down stream pass the pig farm therefore the Health Minister/ Government should make Mr Toussaint submit a proper disposal plan and to clean up the river.
Sorry. Dead on arrival!! But its better to try and fail, Rather fail to try. Good luck! I love LA– Plaine, but talk is cheap, and money talks B.S. walks, see how many of our people going to put their Money where their Mouth is? Sad But keeping it Real! Hope i`m wrong. We go see, read it first on D.N.O.
This is Dominica… Laplaine is a labour seat… the pig farm is a labourite own… so where do you think this matter is going to go?? ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE!!! What?? you don’t believe me?? ok cup your hands to your ears and listen for a second… can you hear the deafening silence from the tourism minister?? can you hear the even louder silence for the pal rep for laplaine?? you hear it?? ok cool… so what does that tell you?? that issues is NULL and VOID!!! a few can do whatever the hell they please and get away with it because they under the red banner. but Dominicans too docile so they have to take wood from those that realize they fraid to STAND UP!!!… what happen?? pigs immortal now man?? the pen cannot open?? strupes… on matt all you have strength to just call and cry cry cry?? stop blasted crying and DO SOMETHING!!! fed up of Dominicans now.
sorry I forget to mention that the health minister is silent as well
But isnt john Toussaint a registered Veterinarian, former minister of Health? I am appalled!! But what is really our problem in Dominica? This country is really too free. people you expect to do better these are the ones doing the worst! charge him! shut down the farm!
Dr. Toussaint is also the head of the Govt’s Agriculture Investment Unit and a director of the company, which owns the failed coffee plant in Portsmouth.
So I listened to Dr. Toussaint yesterday and I learnt that this farm has been in existent since before many of us were born and it has always been a pig farm.
The question is to a lay person listening to both sides, is this politically motivated? Please let me hear the arguments and the truth.
What does the length of time the farm is in existence have to do with anything? So because it was there before Columbus it doesn’t matter that it is a pollutant and health hazard. The main person behind this claims to be an executive member of the Labour Party, so I guess that would have to be internal Labour Party politics.
stupes tan stop by pork? hmmm wait according to one reader why now thou..
“We are asking Dominicans not to buy Dr. Toussaint’s pork. La Plaine people have begun that process.”
You know I do not agree with what Toussiant has done to the environment, and the vast pollution he has caused. Nevertheless, I think the matter can be resolved without suggesting, that people should not buy his product; or calling for a boycott, or not buying the pig meat.
We need to remember its a business, even if it only employ one person, the individual will be out of a job, if there is no sale of the products he produces. He need to do the right think, but it is not necessary to ensure the man go out of business! Two wrong does not make it right!
Now Pork is a killer, it should be up to an individual to decide whether they should eat pig meat or not!
look at roseau, the capital, how nasty and smelly it is… but the ministers driving in aircon ignoring problems
Yes I can’t understand why Roseau isn’t getting any attention
So the people who are trashing Roseau should be taken to court.
I agree. Meantime we don’t hear a squeak from the Major of Roseau or seven see her. What she doing for the city now? Just sitting on her toffe apple and collecting salary and have a free parking place? I am so disappointed in that woman.
Who makes it dirty? Smdh. Be responsible citizens. Have pride in your country . Hold others accountable when they litter.
Dominicans open you all eyes, a Pig farm, that is the most smelly thing you can have in your neighbor hood you can smell the stench miles way, and for one to dump this in the river o my God mister should be try for treason, and they say he is a Doctor ?, shame on him he is only for the money, and don’t give a dame about Dominica , and the environment , if he is a doctor then he has political clout , I am none political, I am for the betterment of my people so I ask the pal rep . to resign cus he is in ineffective, he probably getting his weekly pork chop to keep his mouth shut. hopefully that pig bone will choke him[ I may have to do the Heimlich maneuver.[for those of you that are to young to see the video 991 is a joke in your town please check it out on YouTube about giving the Heimlich maneuver [news you can use.]
I am not from LA-plain but would visit very often I know this river very well , can’t believe this is how it has become,but my question is, why now? Why did it go so far that is now actions being taken? Hope the courts agree with you all ( villagers).
what is the droll Minister of Tourism saying….that’s the hypocritical aspects of Dominicans the world dislikes….they boast about nature island my foot, yet they do things which causes many visitors to see dominicans as jokers…
this should be settled soon saspo, but again it’s dominicans they lack any common sense of reason and goodwill at anything..they will ruined da slowly for sure…
but dominicans are highly ignorant lot, look how foolish their workers are a Company’s Boss picks up workers in a vehicle carries them to be blood tested at a lab and they only speak afterwards..it tells a massive tail of how unique the ppl of dominica are…
but the facts are on point…they’re the poorest and slowest economy in the region, and will continue that pattern as they lack any brainy ppl on island, all the do is call the radio, talk, talk and more talk————–with No results..
fools paradise crowns Dominica with honours!
Stoney
I absolutely disagree with your comment that Dominica lacks brainy people. On the contrary Dominica has a great deal of brainy people, however the current system stiffles them.
Dominicans are under the thumb and are not given the freedom to demonstrate their intelligence for fear of being marginalised by the Doctor.
i feel so sorry for you. People who generalize a society as you do need to consider who really does “lack the brain”
And please, do your research… Dominica is NOT the poorest and slowest economy in the region..
i feel so bad for Dominicans who put down our country with their negativity. Stoney, poor thing…you just epitomized “fools paradise”…
It’s better if we keep our mouth shut and let people think we are wise than open our mouth and prove them wrong