Yesterday (Sunday) marks the anniversary of the death of Pierre Charles who served as Dominica’s Prime Minister from 2000 to 2004.
Charles was Member of Parliament for Grand Bay from 1985 until his death.
He was born in Grand Bay and began his high school education at the Dominica Grammar School. He went to the St. Mary’s Academy before continuing his studies at the teacher’s college. He served as a teacher and community organizer before entering politics.
In 1979 at 25, was appointed a Senator in parliament.
In 1985 he contested the general elections on a Dominica Labour Party (DLP) ticket and won, although the DLP lost the election to the Eugenia Charles-led Dominica Freedom Party (DFP).
He remained MP of that constituency for 15 years.
When the DLP, in coalition with the DFP, came to power in 2000 under Rosie Douglas, Charles was made Minister for Public Works and Communications. During the eight months of Douglas’ tenure as PM, Charles was often called upon to function as the acting Prime Minister.
When Douglas suddenly died in October 2000, Charles succeeded him.
He became ill in February 2003, and had angioplasty surgery.
Despite this, he continued to serve as prime minister until his death but he did take a medical leave of absence, during which, Osborne Riviere acted as Prime Minister.
Upon return from his medical leave of absence, Charles succumbed to a heart attack while being driven home from a Cabinet meeting.
….’nuff respect Pierro…all the time…
Shame on Labourites to have forgetton Pierro a real stalwart so quickly. Continue resting in peace. A corruption free man.
Those without ‘SIN’ first cast a stone. Mr. Charles was a humble, soft spoken, calm, and cool human being. I never see him angry, yelling or putting down any human being. When he use to work with FARM-TO-MARKET, a lot of farmers were having their produce sold. I remembed when FARM-TO-MARKET failed for political reasons, he very unhappy. He would make sure the farmers get paid, before he get a dollar of his salary. We do not know what weight this had on his heart.
No matter our political affiliation, DOMINICA still belong to us. Sometimes we come from the same parents, and we don’t like each other. Please give praise where praise is due. I know Grand Bay and Dominica on a whole have lost a good human being. They say, good people don’t last, it is really true. Wherever you would ask the FARM-TO-MARKET team to take you they would. Those days, even they whole Managerial team, would go without pay for months, but they would make sure the farmers get paid. Mr. Charles was a good example of putting himself at the back burner, and makeing sure his southern people were first. I missed him, and may his soul rest in peace. He wasn’t the best, but he wasn’t the WORST. PEACE DOMINICA, LET US ALL MATCH FORWARD.
all i can say is his widow the present palrep can at least put a statue of the man head on the round about at the pierre charles boulivard. after all man.
The party stalwarts doesn respect her enuff for that. You see them sending any projects to her constituency? To the north, yes. She just towing the line, not rocking the boat to get results like a true Grandbarian. They just treating her like a place holder. Shame on them.
PIERRE CHARLSE- Humility, Character,Integrity, Honest and Trustworthy. can be counted on in any situation, dependable. a roots man. A man who gave of himself for the greater good of his Community, and Dominica by extention.
I think of pierre Charles, and I recalled prior to the approaching of Hurricane David Pierro was driving around with a PA system, informing the people in the commnity, of how to protect themself from the pending storm, to seek shelter in safe houses, or buildings.
During the Hurricane, Pierre Chrales with harmmer and saw in hand, checking every home in the village to see how everyone was doing.
When I think of Pierre Charles, I remember the smile on the elderly lady in the community who was so happy to show her grand kids she too; now know the letters of the alphabet and is able to read and write.
When I think of pierre Charles, I remember the many work projects that were being undertaken in the community in Grand bay; almost every weekend. We did not have to wait for community day of service to work on projects.
When I think of Pierre Charles, I know we will not see the likes of him, but we must aspire to be lie him. When I think of Pierre Charles, I am forever greatful to have known the man. Grand Bay is better place today, for having such a selfless person, Pierre Charles.
We are proud of you, for you have touched every family in our community. You always gave us your best.
this man was such a kool person with all the fun and laughter.you will be miss bro
If Pierro was alive and in good health and still the PM, one knows that the corruption and poor governance which characterise the current administration would not exist, certainly not at the levels they exsit now.
Perro you left us with broken hearts. However, you left us with clean hands and a curruption-free record. The sad thing about your depature is that of your darling wife that became part of an administration that’s very contrary to your views and vision. May your soul RIP.
THAT’S FOR SURE!
Cousin Pierre,
Your memory will remain forever. You were truly an awesome individual. Reputation is what people think about you but character is what you are. You were full of character and that cannot be forgotten.
corection pierro did not sit as a senetor in 1979 he ran for thr alliance in 1980 for the first time where he lost to the lady henderson i can remenber her maybe is jullien she came from england she ran on the freedom party check the fact
Oh boy, my heart is still very very heavy. Continue to rest in peace Pierro. What a man, what an honest man, what a man of integrity. Dominica has lost sooooo much, you, Rosie, this country suffered a great deficit.
May your sweet soul rest in heavenly peace.
May he continue to R.I.P. Gone but not forgotton. Might be dismayed at the drama we are witnessing in our Dominica at present.
While Pierro was serving, nobody thought that he would be looked at as one of the notable Prime Ministers of Dominica. What gives him stature is that his hands were clean. Those there now could not wait for him to die for them to steal the country’s money.
Can some one tell me what did he do in Grand Bay, uwp did more in the south than the dlp from 1995-2000 and 2000-2213 tell me
It’s sad to see and know that Labourites have forgotten you so fast, and are now desperately engaged in covering up corruption.
Your hands were clean Pierro. In fact it is said that when you stretched it out, noone in the present cabal held it. SHAME ON THEM!
YOU WERE A CHAMPION IN THE DAYS OF the good labour party!
BEAUTIFUL! He had integrity, and was not in it to lie, steal and cheat. RIP BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gone but not forgotten!A true PATRIOT He was ‘ROOTS TO THE BONE’
“DOMINICANS WEAR THEIR IGNORANCE AS A BADGE OF HONOUR…” May you rest in peace Pierro… our beloved and PRINCIPLED leader
but i tot he only he stayed
as pm for only six months .where did i go wrong?
Wow! your name explains it. loke like his criticism was directed at peeps like you .
I know of god the father, the son and the holy spirit but dykes?? is that not the pl of dyke.
The aforementioned is called the holy tinity.
What are dykes many mal L’hommes ooch!
Oh my original pt was what base are/were you working in? 2000-2004 is nowhere close to 6 months.
you either made a mistake (the politicians say they mis-spoke did U mis calculate?) will give you a pass U may have read and calculated 2000-2000 but the dykes part??? don’t ask don’t tell
Nah…
sorry i just came back from overs ..my apologises
He truly was a free man, who could walk amongst the people with comfort and without fear, respected by the majority and ridiculed by a few for his disinterest in flattery, the accumulation personal wealth and disdain for pomp and ceremony.
Your works on behalf of the nation lives on.
RIP Mr. Charles.
HE IS GONE TO ABETTER PLACE BUT HIS WORDS OF ADVISE TO ME STILL LEAVES IN ME THATS WHY I AM HOLDING ON STRONG THANKS PERRO ONLY IF I KNEW I WOULD LISTEN
Gone but we will never forget what he did for the community of grandbay and dominica by extention. Rest in eternal peace soldier.
May he rest in peace! Wonder what would he say today if he was alive and out of office, about our current state of affairs in Dominca. He was an honest, noble and patriotic leader who served with credibility and humility. Also his
prophetic words; “They wear their ignorance as a badge of honor on their chest”, continue to resonate realistically in each and every community/village of the land. He will forever be missed as a patriot and a loving son of the land.
@lugawoo if he was alive today you would be here trying to destroy him.
I’ll pray that you get rid of the badge of ignorance that you wear. God Bless!
may he rest in peace great son of the soil.