New Kalinago Chief, Lorenzo Sanford has called for those who campaigned with him and those ran against him to join with him to work together for the betterment of the Kalinago Territory.
A final count on Tuesday morning, of the votes cast in the election which was held on Monday, confirmed Sanford as the newly-elected Kalinago Chief.
“I would like them to join with me because at the end of the day, we all have something greater for the Kalinago Territory. We were here and we said that we were going to help throughout our campaign, I would like to say come on board if you are really interested in working with our people and the development of our people. Join me and we shall bring this Kalinago Territory where it belongs,” Sanford stated.
Sandford thanked his supporters and everyone who stood by him and the people of the Kalinago Territory for believing in him and granting him the chance to be their Chief.
“I want to thank all my supporters. I want to thank God for this day; I want to thank him so much for everything he has done, for the support everyone has given me throughout the campaign especially my elders who prayed for me and guided me on my way,” he said.
Sanford said Bataca is his home town and he realised that if he did not have support in his community, he would not be strong anywhere else so he mended himself and built a foundation in Bataca. He expects his fellow Bataca residents to support him and to guide him.
The focus of the young Kalinago Chief will be on the young people and the elderly.
“It’s not what’s next for me, it’s what’s next for my people because I have made my plans and everyone has seen my plans and I will continue to work with them and, with their help, I will continue to make what’s on my plans possible for the Kalinago people, for us, for our development,” he explained.
Sanford will need the support of his people if his plans for the Kalinago Territory are to succeed and some residents who participated in a motorcade on Monday night to celebrate the young Chief’s victory, are already voicing that support.
“He is a young man and that’s just an example to the other young men and women in the village to show that it is not only for the older folks and I think what we have heard from him [that] he is going to do positive things and he is going to have the help of the seniors, the elders, to work with to just bring the territory to a higher level,” one celebrant said. “We have to look at the elderly and there are so many talents in the territory and they really need some young persons to really put some energy into the Kalinago territory.”
Voter turn-out among the youth was, according to another resident, unusually high which redounded to Sanford’s benefit.
“I heard a lot of the young persons came out and I hope that that is the general trend around the country that we are going to have younger people taking part in our general elections. One thing we have to pray for is unity. All those who did not make it, at least they could be part of the council one way or the other …. the same fever that they had when they campaigned and all the promises of what they would do, put that together and we will have a better Kalinago Territory,” he suggested.
Chairman of the DLP Salybia Constituency Association Paul Baron, who, as president of the National Youth Council (NYC), was criticized for endorsing Sanford, said that from the beginning, the new Chief kept a humble approach to his campaign and that is why he [Baron] openly endorsed him and supported him from day one. He said Sanford’s victory is not just for himself but for the entire Kalinago territory.
All people see is youth. Sometimes youth doesn’t always mean better. This is a position for someone with experience and maturity. Does this young man even understand the Kalinago constitution and is able to use it? Does he know how to plan, manage and execute projects and budget ? Does he know how to negotiate? This isn’t a school experiment. People’s livelihood isn’t child’s play. I am thoroughly disappointed in the Kalinago people. Youthfulness has it place and this most definitely isn’t the place. Yes it’s nice to have young people come forward and work within the community but at the end of the day the young man doesn’t have the skills or knowledge to fulfill this position.
Baron again, stay out of Kalinago people business, you are the chairman of Atkinson Village Council, you too like to show off, your impressionist.
Congratulations young Chief; you now have the mantle to change the mind set our youth and the way they view their role in the future Dominica and Kalinago people; you are the standard bearer and I’m call on you to pick up your bow and arrow and lead the charge and fight for what is justly yours like our Kalinago ancestors. At the top of your agender should be the restoration of the US $10,000000 which rightfully belongs to you and your people; listen to your elders and stay away the bad examples set by the disapointing once young leader of our country.
Is the older mature Kalinago that have the territory so for year. Put your support and faith in the youth. All we need is guidance. Time for them old man to retire and go and sit down.
Hey, don`t do this to this young man. It is people like you, with you silly sayings and weird thoughts that prevent young people from being brave to step up to take leadership roles early in life to work towards their communities rather than in drugs and alcohol. We complain that these youths are not serious, we have one right before us and you want to mentally, intellectually, psychologically bury this young brave man into his bedroom and never come out. Kalinago Justice, we would like to know what role you play in your community or are you just a chatterbox? Please do not be one. You and others please align yourselves with Carib Chief Sanford. Give all the support he needs. The Kalinago Territory is yours, please work to build it. Don`t rely on Skerrit, he`s a big failure, knows nothing of development. It was not the government who build the nice Clinic and staff quarters at Salybia. It was Francis Joseph, who worked with family in the US who gave the funds. Respect all & God Bless.
These results serve as an indictment for the DLP and a ray of sunshine for the opposition UWP. Knowing the candidates personally, some of their key supporters and the way the various hamlets in the territory operates/ votes, this tells me the tide has changed and the DLP will lost this seat in the general elections. One key point to consider are the “spoilt ballots” for the young lady and the UWP candidate candidate Dr. Sanford.
This new chief needs to now engage some of the local business organisations like the DHTA, DAIC, DMA, DDA, IDA, DBF to begin a development plan or roadmap for the territory for commerce, agro processing and tourism in the territory. time to develop the plce and put the first people of the country on top. Then after your roadmap is developed, engage the relative government ministries including your parl rep to ensure that the plan is executed. while doing so, begin to apply to the various international funding institutions to begin applying for financing to execute projects in the event that the government cannot/ will not assist. In this case, a financial institution in the territory is necessary to put the granted money, instead of giving it to Skerrit to hold for you all again. Already he cannot give you all the rest of what Venezuela gave the Kalinago people. Just my thoughts on how we can raise the bar in the territory.
Caso, the new Chief is just n a leadership position, that belongs to you and everyone within The Kalinago Territory. The Chief is young and he needs help, big time. Rally people together in your area and start talking: 1. What does your area and the Territory needs to build up and manage commerce and employment. 2. Meet the Chief, meet regularly, encourage him. 3. Talk to Kalinago People overseas to donate money and stuff to raise the standard and independence of the Territory. No one can do it for you all, but with discipline, patience and planning, people will come forward to help. Ignore Skerrit, he and his government are a waste of time, do not be fooled by them. Come together, support your Chief, Clerk and councillors and be proud of who you are and love your Territory., but be serious.
The Kalinago Territory needs an upliftment. Importance are: 1. Education, make sure all children go to school, college, study Tourism and build up to raise money for all. Good Luck: Stay focus.
not just tourism, study engineering, business, learn technical skills to build and repair and innovate. Dont depend on government because they have not respected the Kalinago people. We should be treated like 1st class citizens, not afterthoughts.
What these people have in their skull. One time they held Roseau and lose it.Carib reserve, they lose that too.Kalinago they lost as well, and now, they elect a school boy for Chief.Chief of what.then what became of the parl.rep
Is you mentality that have Dominica. Because you grown ups know it all. That is why we are crippled. Respect the YOUTH my brother. We are the future and we see how we can improve your life in the same instance. Because all the old people why was in charge not doing anything. so Yes the the school vivre. One minute we want to run our mouth about oh the youth not doing anything the youth are the future the youth need to do this and that. The moment the youth step up, you fools are quick to shut us down. Yes we want to be in Government too. We want to take control of our destiny instead of leaving it up to you old fools to destroy our inheritance of Dominica before we can even get a chance to run it properly.
Look It, Are you encouraging, or just being malicious and vindictive? This is 2019, and please stay focus on this, as you are not in the mentality to refer to or make reference to historical matters. We need to be serious and we need to build up our Dominica and our Kalinago Territory and all villages, towns and city. Skerrit is loose, he has failed you me and everyone and we have to take back and care of our villages and Territory, as no one is able to do it for us. Let us be strong.
Domininca wake up , this corrupt Labour government has lost focus and clarity in social and economic development. Skerrit failed corrupted government has failed our people. They elected a little boy too, who is Skerrit and he g=has devoured and crippled our agriculture, culture, our governance and our decency n parliament. That Skerrit is a damn big Joke, he must Go. Get Lost, Go away and we make way for Hon Linton and his professional UWP Team. Skerrit must Go, he has failed and he is too immature.
Baron ou encore?
Again, congratulations to you, Mr. Sanford. Don’t allow power to get the better of you, remain humble, endeavor to unite your people for unity is strength. Once your people realize that you are fair, hard working and sincere they will lend their support to your efforts to elevate your people.. May the Kalinago people be better off because of your election. Let your tenure be so productive and fruitful that it will act like a guiding light for all Dominicans who seek public office.