President of the National Youth Council (NYC) Paul Baron has responded to calls for his resignation made by Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) representative Jeff Bellot.
Bellot who spoke during an interview on Q-95 recently wasn’t too happy with Baron who endorsed Dominica Labour Party Candidate for the Salybia constituency, Cozier Frederick.
He said he will not get off Baron’s back until he does the “right thing” and resign.
Chief Youth Development Officer, John Roach has since added his voice to the call for Baron’s resignation if the NYC president “cannot adhere to the NYC Code of Conduct.”
However, Baron who spoke to Dominica News Online (DNO) during an interview on Thursday, admitted to endorsing Frederick but in the capacity of Chairman of the Salybia Labour Party Constituency Association.
He contends that the NYC constitution makes provisions with regard to political involvement by members and does not bar him from affiliating or associating with a political party.
“When I made that endorsement of Mr. Frederick, what I in fact was doing, is utilizing my capacity as the Chairman of the Salybia Labour Constituency Association of which I have been for over a decade,” he said. “It is really unfortunate that it would be perceived as if I was gathering support for any one political party.”
According to Baron, he is also a leader within the Kalinago Territory and he had the opportunity to work with Mr. Frederick, “all of my life.”
“He is in fact, an individual who shares a similar interest and similar goals and of course it is natural for me, coming from that community, to support,” he stated.
Baron pointed out that as a leader within the Dominican society, he has many roles.
“While I understand the concern that he [Bellot] may have, it also means that I am more than just one person,” the NYC president argued.
He said Dominicans clearly understand and it is no secret, “I have had the liberty of which the constitution has provided me to support the political party of my choice.”
“We have to be clear that political affiliation and association is also an international human right,” Baron asserted, adding, “I feel that the comments the gentleman is making is in fact a violation of that right.”
But Chief Youth Development Officer, John Roach has described Baron’s behaviour in endorsing a political candidate as unacceptable pointing out that it has “the tendency and the potential to undermine the confidence of the youth who look up to the NYC to address their concerns at the community, district or national level.”
Roach further stated that bearing in mind that the members of NYC may be affiliated to different political parties, “those who don’t share the NYC president’s political persuasion are likely to distrust his leadership judgement on their behalf.”
Roach referred to Section 3, Article VIII (Code of Conduct) of the NYC constitution which states:
“No member of the National Executive shall demonstrate openly in public forum, media appearance, political platform, or at such public events, show his partnership to any political party as this may have the potential to undermine the integrity and independence of the NYC. However, an Executive member is free to his independent political affiliation and is free to attend any political gathering. This also applies to any elected officer or staff of the Council.”
Roach said these factors were taken into consideration when the constitution of the NYC was being drafted and further amendments which followed, “particularly to ensure that the Code of Conduct is adhered to by persons who serve on the Executive.
Everything, every organization and institution in Dominica is contaminated by the dirty politricks practised by the dishonest, corrupt Skerrit led DLP administration. Nothing escapes. Skerrit wishes for complete domination of everything and everybody in Dominica. Through intimidation, victimization, favoritism and bribery of the electorate he does his nefarious work. Dominicans need to wise up and toss this narcissist into political oblivion. Everything is severely damaged under his stewardship. Look at the economy -ruined; the courts- tarnished; parliament – a rum bar; top brass of the police force – twisted themselves like balloon animals; his ministers – nothing more than domesticated sheep. For nineteen consecutive years this renegade leader and his malleable worshippers have taken the country to darkness, misery, abject poverty, tribal politics and barrenness. Bring an end to the decay on Election Day!
President of the National Youth Council (NYC) Paul Baron is a very dishonest man. He knows very well the constitution of the organization.
There is nothing to defend.
A bad example for the youth because of partisan politics
shame on him
“He contends that the NYC constitution makes provisions with regard to political involvement by members and does not bar him from affiliating or associating with a political party.”
Associating is already being involved in. Baron just needs to resign because he has been up and down with the labour party in everything. You can’t be the president of the NYC and do that so publicly. You can support your party yes but don’t make it so obvious to the public. You have to remember that you are dealing with the youth whether workers youth, labour youth, freedom youth. Just resign and call it a day because you can’t seem to separate your love for your party and your role as president of the NYC.
As a youth actively involved in community, I never considered the National Youth Council as anything legitimate once I began hearing internal conversations about politics and once the former president decided to denigrate opposition members publicly in a neutral forum. Its best they discard their name all together and call themselves the National LYO as their bias is glaring and do not represent the values of the youth in Dominica. Time to establish a new council. Paul has further disgraced the name of the council and its affiliates
Paul has his head so far up the Evil Dr Supremo donkey, i don’t know how he is able to breath, fresh air. He had run the atkinson village council to the ground. He needs to resign, and go serve his master, the evil Dr Supremo. I am sure he has under the table.
Daniel Thomas , please get your facts right.
I can confirm to you Jeff Bellot was never president of the DFP youth arm nor president of the NYC. It was people like John Roach, Edward Registe, Jeff Bellot and a few others who revitalized the NYC and help draft the first constitution to make sure there will be no politics interference in the NYC. We need to put politics aside and face the facts. Go do your home work my friend.
So the DFP have found a voice crying in the political wilderness. They are trying to be in the mix by trying to create an illusion of an issue. The DFP are facing a no show or an avalanche of lost deposits. AND they know it.
This is exactly the mentality of irrational Labour diehards. They always come with their accusatory nonsense. This has nothing to do with DFP. Deal with the facts of the issue. Why muddy the water with your distorted thinking? Then again, that’s who you are. Your mind has to be seriously warped and your common sense severely limited. When you can’t bend the truth just attack the messenger. This what morons do best.
Is this this guy a simpleton? Dude! The rules say you cannot be at the helm of the NYC and simultaneously take ACTIVE part in any political party!
We are going down the path of Haiti. Might is right. Rules do not matter.
So if he is not following the rules fire him.
Can someone explain Senator J Benoit position? Wasn’t he NYC president and A senator under the DLP.
I am so amused by all the comment all of you pointing the finger at him tell me which one of you that are not compromise? Jeff Ballot is guilty of starting that established practice, he used to be president of the freedom party youth arm and campaigning on freedom platform and still be an executive of the NYC, and also served as president. So why the double standard.
Admin: In doing the story, DNO specifically asked Jeff Bellot if he was ever president of Young Freedom Movement(YFM). His answer was no and added that he was never a member of the YFM.
Dominica will forever remain living in a bygone era with people like Daniel Thomas. Firstly, his accusation about Jeff Bellot being a former president of the NYC is manifestly false. Let’s assume, for a second, that this was true. Does this make it right today? Should we perpetuate wrong to justify a past wrong? Do two wrongs equal right? (wrong + wrong= right) It is alright to make mistakes but what is critically important is to learn from them and not to relive them.
Then WHY was he elected, in the first place if he was, and still remains, Chairperson of the Salybia Labour Constituency???
There was conflict of interest from the very start of his tenure as NYC President.
The deal is that he endorsed a DLP candidate. That is the biggest sin of all.. Otherwise everything is ok.
SMH. I know right
It is not he alone on that council that need to resign, because the precedent they set for the youth is totally unacceptable. It have the biggest impressionist on that council he is not no example to the youth. Council members need to be seriously vetted before they are appointed to the NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL. They need to be EXAMPLES to the youth.
I agree with you 100%. Teachers and firemen as well
:lol .
bastah boy step off your high horse!!!
“No member of the National Executive shall demonstrate openly in public forum, media appearance, political platform, or at such public events, show his partnership to any political party” .. What is dificult for Baron to understand about that??. I endorse this government and it is clear to me that the man has to resign. Unemployment is NOT a problem here so you can’t be worried about that. Just get on with it man… and stop scoring political own goals like this. Tonnerre
Here we go again, no law no constitution can tell me what to do. It is none of your damn business who I endorse, go to hel, go to hel.
According to the NYC code of conduct, which my brethren John Roach has shared, this act is a violation of the social norms, rules and responsibilities an Executive member must hold. While holding the NYC office it forbids any active party political participation.
I always thought of Baron as an empty vessel and his statement just confirmed. RESIGN. SMFH
ANONYMOUS.Go,read section 32(1)a page 39 of the constitution of DOMINICA.You behaving as lazy,lying and uneducated as your Blue Leader.Stop being a UWP PUPPET repeating what you hear the UWP idiots say.That is why your stupid party paid $ 350,000 to SENIOR COUNCIL SINGH and lost the case.ANONYMOUS THE PORROT.
The constitution of the NYC unambitiously states that its leader should not be involved publicly in politics. The framers were smart. They know that politics has a corrupting and disruptive influence on everything. If you need evidence the church, public service, private sector, the police and all non governmental organizations have been adversely affected by political intrusion. No one is referring to the constitution of Dominica. You now are the lazy, lying, uneducated nincompoop. Your words in your commentary with one exception.
Did you mean “unambiguouly” instead Ibo? (No criticism, junta correction).
Boss do the honorable thing n resign.
Let me give my reason why I this guy should resign immediately! This individual has admitted that he violated Section 3, Article VIII (Code of Conduct) of the NYC constitution, and he speaks as if he is immune to following the rules, he clearly understands, that govern his political relative conduct.
To claim he’s Chairman of the Salybia Labour Constituency Association for over a decade, and then admit his endorsement to a Labour candidate, stating “It is really unfortunate that it would be perceived as if I was gathering support for any one political party” is a clear indication of a rational deficiency with his intellectual and reasoning capacity.
In other words, it doh seem like mista have any commonsense, and he should consequently be removed from both positions. To further claim “it also means that I am more than just one person,” rather than I am one person with mort than role, is just plain foolish coming from a person who is playing such an important role for youths.
You have evaluated this guy with uncommon precision. He’s narcissistic, inarticulate and lack basic understanding and common sense. This statement clarified the gentleman’s reasoning ability for me: “While I understand the concerns that he may have, it also means that I am more than one person.” What an inelegant manner to explain something so simple. This guy is daft.
By his own admission he suffers from a split personality. No glue in the world can mend that.
Well Paul..it seems u want to be to many ‘people’ at the same time. U can’t have your cake and still want to eat it. U are NYC President, president of Labour committee, are u still chairman of the Atkinson village council? I also heard u wanted to be the Labour representative for the salybia constituency, but I guess the PM have common sense and chose Mr Cozier. U should hold a neutral position in political parties sòoooo all u need to do is endorse Mr Sanford as well. How about that? Take a step back Paul..check yourself before u wreck yourself… AGAIN…..
In light of the constitution baron should never of been allowed to take the position of president of the NYC since it is a conflict of interest where the constitution clearly states one as executive should not be publicly involve in politics and he claims to be the labour constituency president. This is just unethical especially as educated professionals conducting himself in such a manner. Baron should definitely resign, such unethical behavior.
Dominica will be in serious problem, if the governance of this beautiful land is left in the hands of these guys. Paul Baron has absolutely no excuse for such irresponsible, regressive behaviour. If in this 21st. century Paul Baron is still a staunch supporter of corruption, illegal acts, narcissistic behaviour, selling of diplomatic passports to crooks and criminals, persecution of opposition members, etc., etc.,, No FREE and FAIR elections, wastage of state resources then what do you expect? Hitler and the Nazis did this, using the institution like our (NYC) to bamboozle, recruit operatives deepen mental enslavement of people like Paul Baron. He even boasts of doing that in the capacity of Chair of the Salybia DLP constituency association. Shame Paul Baron. Shame. So you want to belong to those bathing in wealth obtained by dubious means? You forget what the Kalinago fought and died for? Shamer again.
My fellow Dominicans I’m no Labourite. But my question is why were there no issues with him being an officer in the Labour Party before his so called public endorsement? I don’t get it.
People tend to overlook things due to ignorance or just by simple mistakes. Put the blame for this guy’s present position where it belongs, with him. The guy is dishonest, unethical and an imposter. So many bad eggs are aligned with this shady DLP.
Why do people defend wrong so stoutly? The gentleman should never have put himself in this position since he knew the constitution clearly stipulates no public involvement in politics. Case closed! That’s it! He wants to have his sugarcane and eat it. This guy is a typical Labour diehard, full of character flaws and want to lead a group of young, impressionable people. Boot him out of the organization yesterday. These dishonest law and rule breakers contaminate everything in the country with their polluted politics aided and abetted by their morally and ethically challenged party leader.
Is there an age range for membership and/or leadership in the National “Youth” Council?
UNESCO provides the following description: “www.unesco.org/…/themes/youth/youth-definition
UNESCO will then adopt the definition of “youth” as used by a particular Member State. It can be based for instance on the definition given in the African Youth Charter where “youth” means “every person between the ages of 15 and 35 years”.
I have to say the photo of the current president in this article looks – to me – like he’s at the upper limit of the above definition and should be about ready to be “aged out”. And then he would be free to endorse whomever he pleases…
Folks, you know from my nom du plume I’m on the outside looking in, so not privy to all the details those on the ground know. So, please do tell!
Nothing to do with UNESCO, leave that alone. Very simple he must follow the rules of his own NYC. He can follow whoever he wants, even the devil but not show political preference in public like that, not for any political party whatever colour. That would piss off members of the NYC that don’t support his party. Very insensitive and immature and setting a bad example.
Well Jeff the must see DFP has 5 votes to his name family only. Now the Blue Vex people, you should not be worried, because you are winning in all the polls! What is a little endorsement? According to your pollsters you have a major victory! You should be happy that labor going to get 1 seat, therefore, the election will be free and fair.? Apparently my statement hurts that it can’t make it past waiting for moderation. I will not be silent.
Well not only did it make past waiting moderation, it made to the hot debate list. You should be proud of your achievement. Doh worry man, Wednesday is coming.
Bro…you even posing like Skerrit!!!!!
The same thing your Kalinago folks are fighting for, some level of independence and respect that is exactly what you are destroying.
Your Kalinago people should ban you from any lead role in the Territory because your behavior shows you will further help to impoverish them.
UNCLE TOM!!!!!
The mark of a good leader is his humility. This young man is already cocky and cannot even explain himself that well. His explanation for contravening the rules of the constitution of the NYC is awfully incoherent. This man only brings two things to the organization, his clothes and his corrupting attitude.
Paul my boy, leave that alone and be a model!
Amen.
Paul Baron are you for real? You being chairman of a political association should bar you from being the president of the NYC. You are in clear violation of the constitution that speaks to your conduct. Stop trying to be a smart … and enough of your pontification my friend. You have been shown your wrong and you have admited guilt, now do the honorable thing or run the risk of your tenure being deemed illegal and irregular. No one will respect your contribution from now on my friend except we the herd fellows of the DLP who only see wrong when it’s on the other foot. What is the point? RESIGN!!!!!!
Then since one contradicts the other, clearly, he is one person and cannot adhere to two separate oaths, its only fair that he resigns from one position. If you are President of a NATIONAL youth council, this completely outweighs any code of a community association. either you are the Chairman of the Salybia Labour association and free to support your party, or you are the president of National Youth council and stick to that oath. you can’t do both. make a choice
Unfortunately, because a lot of capable persons do not come forward to serve in areas of society, the few who do come forward get to wear many hats. Hence Barron seems to think that he is so valuable and indispensable that he has lost all humility and decency. He sees himself as God’s gift to the Carib territory and to the labor party. Barron your absolute power posturing is ridiculous. My advice to you is to wet your huge ego with a little bit of humility. Apologize and mend fences. That’s how people learn from their mistakes. Good luck.
This little proud is just too proud for his own good. Did he listen to himself?
Paul Baron who fooled you? You are indispensable? But but what I hearing there with Mr. Na
You have brought the presidency of the NYC bossman leave the people thing alone before you turn it to old soup, you fo not run tings in NYC nor Kalinago Territory….ou twoh sot tan ti mal.
Your association with the dlp only confirms that you may have no moral and ethical values just like melo mills who is supposedly an educator and seem to defend Austrie blackmoore and roosvelt in all their coshonee including the alleged beating of a young lady
I guess the President of National Youth Council and the Chairman of the Salybia Labor Constituency Association are two different persons?????? This country i tell you………
Paul Baron its shocking you didnt close with “vote labour” at the end of that statement 😂 . As a youth Im constantly trying to sift thru all your political clouding to acknowledge and respect your capacity as a youth leader.
I support you and any kalinago trying to make a difference in society. So should you but youre one sided . You have your position already you doing like as iffff.The youth look up to you. You’re part of an independent association representing our youth. Act like it. Our leaders are a separate matter.
I’m not the president of the NYC and since you so biased I will mention another kalinago who you’ve made no mention of, aspiring to represent his people. Dr. Sanford. Voteeee for Dr. Sanforddddd.
You want to do what I just did ??then step down!!!!
Orrrr represent properly. ITS THAT SIMPLE.
Fella, you either wearing one cap, or the other. If you want to be in your labor youth baggai, fine. but you should not use one to influence the other if there are prohibitions.
The code of conduct doesn’t matter anymore in Dominica. Given that upper echelon of the govenment engages in misconduct and unethical behavior, other lower level officals are doing the same and disregarding the rule of law.
You should address a communication to Mr Roach in his official capacity……or resign.
Your little position is not as high as you think in your little head.
Your response to Mr Bellot sounds like an attack ..be careful…. you really showing your political side…… instead of responding to the Chief Youth Development officer.
You appear to have no respect at all for Mr Roach…..by not addressing him directly.
You have done a very silly job of defending your foolishness
That is the problem right there. Chairman of a Constituency Association and President of the National Youth Council at the same time? Who are you serving bro?
I blame the system. You should have never been President of the NYC in the first place. Bon.
I second that emotion
Baron as i said in the previous post don’t have the common sense to understand what he did was wrong or he just bold face following his leader when it comes to following laws and regulations. He refuses to see certain parts of the constitution which prevents him from making public endorsements of political candidates or probably he reading with his eyes closed.
The Code of Conduct has interesting wording. I suppose one side will say that making a personal endorsement of a single candidate is showing “partnership to any political party” whereas the other side will say that it’s merely an expression of one’s “independent political affiliation”.
So can you tell us which one you would recommend. What advice would you give the someone in a situation like this? Your neutrality is not helping the people of Dominica.
The infamous statement; no law no constitution is trickling down.
Skerrit has all of them in his pocket. Shame on them!!
How did we become so averse to following rules in this country? You erred. Just be a man about it! Stupes!
Further, the story on DBS news identified you as President of the National Youth Council.
“It is really unfortunate that it would be perceived as if I was gathering support for any one political party.”
But that is in fact what you did. Sometimes, I think some of your brains have been fried in this place.
I thought about your last sentence before I read your commentary. Paul Baron is a moron. The most tees guys can do is to regurgitate things they read or hear. They cannot comprehend, analyze, apply nor evaluate. This guy explanation amounts to unadulterated garbage.
Too much politics in everything in Dominica! All community and national organisations contaminated with politics. Never in the history of Dominica was every social and community based organisations so politically affiliated. But thanks to the politics of the Dominica Labour Party, this is how Domnica has become, everything national or community is now political and Labour! Those guys just destroyed the lovely country and communities we used to know as children! Why oh why do we Dominicans tolerate this. This does not bode well for the future development of the Commonwealth of Dominica.