Jason Fontaine, whose involvement in local government in La Plaine has been shrouded by controversy over the past several years, continues to prevail in Village Council elections in that community.
Last week, Fontaine came second in the La Plaine/La Ronde Village Council elections.
Fontaine was first elected to the village council on January 9, 2017. However, he was expelled from the Council under the Village Council Ordinance Chapter 190 (8) which states that “if any member of a council refuses to obey and conform to the rules thereof, it shall be lawful to the council after affording such member an opportunity of defending himself, by resolution to expel such member from the Council, and to declare his seat vacant and his seat shall thereupon become vacant accordingly.”
In a by-election to fill that post, Fontaine contested and topped the poll but never took his oath. He was kept out as the Councillors walked out of the meeting every time the agenda item came up for him to take the oath of office.
Fontaine described the move then as “unfortunate” and is hoping that this time around everyone will let “common sense prevail” and work for together for the good of the community.
“We need to all work together for the community…we have a new parl rep (Kent Edwards) I have personally spoken to him and given him the assurance that we need to work closely together,” Fontaine said
Describing his win as “historic”, Fontaine said he ran on a momentum of inclusion and a need for change and La-Plaine people have spoken loudly.
“La Plaine people have clearly sent a message that they want Jason Fontaine in the council they want…we have to move on with the people’s business and get the work done,” he said.
Meantime, Local Government Commissioner Glenroy Toussaint extended congratulations to the five elected members wishing them well and is hoping for a harmonious working relationship.
“Its a new council, with three new members. The Minister will nominate 3 others to make up the eight-member council, my hope is that they put all their differences aside and work for the betterment of the community and the local government,” Toussaint stated.
His department is expected to meet with the five elected members sometime this week.
Who are the people voting for this con artist? What a shame….
I am not a fan of Jason Fontaine but the people have spoken and he did not pay for outsiders to come in and make him win.
I will never understand how a convicted con man was even allowed to contest in this election. Dominica is not a real place. In some places convicts can’t vote much less go up for a position in office. You are putting this man in a position to carry out some extravagant cons. I understand people change, but he is a repeat offender and has shown no signs of wanting to change. Also, don’t make this about politics and his affiliation to a particular party, as far as I’m concerned I see village council election as an entity on it’s own. With that being said, he shouldn’t have been allowed to contest in the 1st place.
Partner I never hear Jason deny his crimes, he admits he did wrong. Whether you like him or not he paid for what he did and serve his time so his slate is clean which is more than many others of us can say even people especially in high places. The law does not stop him from being legally elected and he do exactly that.
DEMOCRACY. THAT IS HOW. In Dominica, we like to persecute people far beyond the time they have spent behind bars and the punishment they have endured. People like you will like to see people who have been convicted removed from society without understanding that every saint that you pray to has a past, and that every sinner has a future. Martin Luther King was a convict. Even Jesus Christ was convicted and executed. Malcom X has a rap sheet as well. In a democracy, even the lowliest of man are able to rise to power, with enough support from his countrymen yes, even Jason Fontaine CAN become a Prime Minister of Dominica. In a democracy, unbelievable, it is very possible. And also stop discriminating against people, people make mistakes, there are some who really do change for the better regardless of how long their list of crimes are. There are people you respect in society who themselves have gone to jail, unbeknownst to you
This is one village who think that ,they cannot survived without a character.First is was SHORTHAND,second was PATRICK and now,they get a SCATTERBRAIN,whose next.
Congratulations Jason and the rest of the council members..
DNO, are you bankrupt of news?
Is that really news? Jason emerging second at a village council election?
If he had top the poll what would happen then?!
Admin: Are you KIDDING, KID ON THE BLOCK? The man was prevented from taking his oath of office in the previous La Plaine Village Council poll in which he was legitimately elected. He was elected again and you say that this not news. You MUST BE KIDDING!
This law giving the power of nomination to the minister needs to be rescinded. There should only be elected councilors, and five councilors are enough at the village level. Also, the number of councilors should be an uneven number so there will be a tie-breaking vote. With an even number, there could be times when votes for and against an issue are split evenly, thus hampering the council’s ability to get things done.
Ok DNO thanks for the information but why didn’t you mention the names of the other elected councilors and the votes they got? Why is the article all about Jason Fontaine? I hope the other councilors do not vote Mr. Fontaine as Chairperson because he is too controversial and political. What he said about working together with everyone are just mere words.
Admin: The story was about Jason Fontaine being elected again despite the controversy that surrounded his election to the Laplaine Council in the past. But, point taken; we should have mentioned the other councillors