Among the immediate intentions for the newly elected member of Parliament for the Salisbury seat, Mrs. Jesma Paul, is proper access to the feeder roads, a river defence wall for the disaster-prone Coulibistrie village, and a back road for the community of Mon Rachette.
In an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), the newly elected independent candidate for the agricultural and fishing communities said, “These are the things we have been requesting from the government for a number of years, but we have not yet received it, so this is what I will be advocating for.”
Mrs. Paul, who won by a margin of 617 to 463 votes over Lynsia Frank of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), maintains that the western community has been neglected, but she declared that she is prepared to use her voice to “get better” for the three villages.
The new member of parliament thanked the constituency for electing her and acknowledged that the task ahead will not be easy. As a result, she pleaded with the residents of Salisbury, Coulibistrie, and Morne Rachette to support her wholeheartedly in her official capacity.
Despite the unfamiliarity with active politics, the new MP maintains that she is not intimidated by what lies ahead because “in Salisbury we are strong and we are independent and we shall remain that way.”
As the country enters a new era, she has also appealed for unity across the nation.
“Politics has been dividing the country and we need to get together because if we divide ourselves we cannot stay strong,” she asserted. “So I am calling on those who voted for me and those who didn’t to join hands as well as those who voted for the DLP, an independent candidate, or stayed away, to now work together for our nation.”Despite never having imagined herself participating in politics, the community advocate has stated that she will accept her new position and serve her village to the best of her ability.
Regarding her future in politics, the MP emphasized that if it is the will of the people in her constituency, she will avail herself to continue to be their representative. While congratulating the newly elected representative, former parliamentary representative of the constituency Hector John thanked the people for allowing him to serve them for 13 years and vowed to work with his successor to advance the communities and, consequently, the nation.
“I am extremely happy for Jesma and our community. Salisbury and Marigot sent a very clear message to the world that they will stand on the side of Dominica and Jesma as our representative has the support of the people,” He told DNO.
“She only entered on nomination and she has been able to unite the people behind her.”
John continued, “Though our party stayed away from the election, I am with my village. I am in full support of who the constituency voted for and that’s what it is all about, democracy is working in Salisbury but we would like to see it working all around Dominica.”
He described Paul as having always been a “community person” and therefore he assured the constituency’s members that they are in capable hands.
“I am going to help her push her plans in the constituency because we are a team in Salisbury, so we will be working together,” he avowed. Both remarks were made on December 6, 2022, the day that Jesma Paul and Anthony Charles, another independent candidate for the Marigot Constituency were elected to the parliament, making history.
On that same day, the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) won 19 of the 21 seats in the House of Assembly, according to preliminary figures from the Dominica Electoral Office.
Since then, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit expressed his congratulations to the two independent candidates and revealed that he plans to meet with Paul and Charles to map out the country’s future.
If Hector John can congratulate the new candidate of Salisbury on her victory, it tells me that he Hector John was in full support of the just concluded General Elections. Sadly, he won’t be getting a pay check anymore. He will have to enroll in the red clinic to get some food stamps.
@ds
You ds blogg like an uneducated moron. A semi illiterate with no modicum of ethics and selflessness.
Why do you think politics is all about a pay check? Is that what satan Skerrit has taught you? Politics in Dominica was never about money? Is it because Skerrit has changed it?
Honourable John is from Salisbury, why can’t he congratulate someone from Salisbury (his village) on her success?
Remember Skerrit vilified and denegrated ALL the independent candidates, should honourable John do the same?
Shame on you shameless ……!!
Work with predecessor,this woman is already playing BACK to a low ball.Her predecessor was a waste of time,who got nothing for Salisbury.I wish Skerrit would forget about Salisbury.The problem with this DLP is that they forget who put them in office,and help those who try to cut their throats.
Its very strange that UWP does not recognize the DLP’s victory which they deemed a sharmed election, yet they recognize the INDEPENDENTS’ victories in Marigot and Salisbury in the SAME election. Is something wrong with my logic and reasoning? But i still POTO WORKERS THOUGH!!!!
Absolutely nothing wrong with your logic, POTO UWP! You are spot on!
Look out in the months ahead for more examples of this confused pressure group called the UWPwee.
It was not a rejection of the Labor party candidate but a rejection of the Labour party. the same applies to Marigot. These two constituencies are strongholds of the Opposition candidates or parties. Just as the Soufriere Constituency was back in the sixties and seventies – always voted against the Labour Party.
@Fake POTO UWP
What you are saying there is pure nonsense…Yes something is wrong with your logic…It’s not because Skerrit lambasted, denegrated, castigated and rediculed ALL the independent candidates, that other people should follw this unethical and morally depraved Skerrit..
You are 100% wrong!!
Fake POTO UWP RESPONDER. You have not address the subject matters whicb was spoken about in the starement!! The statement dealt with being ‘selective’ of who to recognize in the SAME election.
Here is your second chance for an INTELLIGENT and GERMANE reply
As a resident of Salisbury I do wish to both congratulate and to encourage our new parliamentary representative as she ardently pursues her vision for the constituency. My prayers are with her particularly for the monumental task in building bridges across the wide partisan gaps which have polarised these communities for too long and mitigated against a vibrant wholesome and productive community spirit. May God give you favor with the people and bless you with the requisite capacity to succeed.🙏
It is all well and good that you will work with former Parl Rep Hector John, but he cannot get you what your constituents need. If he could he would have gotten that feeder road a long time ago. He failed the people of Salisbury for 13 years. If you are possessed with any wisdom you will meet with the Prime Minister ASAP. He is the only one who can help you to get what your people need and want.
To be an effective politician you must not take things personally. Skerrit will work with you if you demonstrate that that you are willing to work with him. Do not listen to the perpetually negative fools who, for 13 years, only made fools of themelves in Parliament.
Jaded: “To be an effective politician you must not take things personally. Skerrit will work with you if you demonstrate that that you are willing to work with him. Do not listen to the perpetually negative fools who, for 13 years, only made fools of themselves in Parliament.” I think this is the best piece of free advice to the new Parl Rep that I have read so far. Mr. Charles of Marigot has already shown that he understands the power structure. She too, should pay attention and learn to do the smart thing.
Spaggs was always poison for Salisbury and the UWPwee. This new Parl Rep will follow the same fate if she holds on to Spaggs as her mentor.
It’s not about elected office but it’s positive and respectful representation. As long as you surrounded yourself with negative people under no circumstances you will ever progress in life. Stay far away from negativity and ignorance about representation. Good luck 👍 and stay positive and focus always. Unity don’t comes easily by winning an election. Be humble and respectful at all times.