Dominican bids for senate in St. Thomas

Paul Alexander

Paul Alexander, a native of Dominica and a prospective US Virgin Islands (USVI) senator, said that he will make representations to President Barack Obama for visa waivers for Caribbean nationals who want to visit the United States, especially the USVI, in case of emergency.

Alexander made the disclosure at the launching of his campaign for the Senate at a rally, which was attended by hundreds of supporters at the Fort Christian parking lot on St Thomas on Saturday night.

He said that most of the US Virgin Islanders have their roots and close relatives in the Eastern Caribbean and many of them are unable to attend funerals, weddings, graduations and emergencies in the USVI, because they do not have visas and it was costly in terms of air fares and hotel accommodation for them to travel to the US Embassy in Barbados.

He pointed out that European Union citizens can travel to the United States without restrictions and also pointed out forcefully that the Caribbean is playing a major role in fighting the drug trade and deserves better treatment by the US government.

People from the Caribbean continue to make valuable contributions to the USVI in various walks of life, he said, recognizing the territory is the melting pot of the Caribbean and home to many nationalities.

Tourism is the USVI’s main revenue earner.

In outlining his plans, Alexander pledged to work assiduously to make the USVI a better and safer place for all residents. He said that he has been living in the US Virgin Islands for 29 years, more than half his life and he intends to improve the quality of life of the people.

Veteran politician Mourine Ramjeet, of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who lived in several Caribbean Islands, including Grenada, Montserrat and Dominica, before moving to St Thomas 16 years ago endorsed Alexander at the rally and spoke highly of the Dominican-born candidate.

Marsley Prosper and John Leatham gave endorsements on Alexander’s behalf. A tribute was also paid to the candidate by Shirley Harve.

Leatham was chairman of the proceedings. He gave a good account of Alexander’s contribution to the USVI.

Calypsonian Scrunter of Dominica entertained the crowd with his version of One Love, adding, “We have to love each other no matter where we come from.”

Elections are scheduled for November 2 to elect a seven-member Senate for St Thomas.

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31 Comments

  1. Realist
    August 24, 2010

    @Well SAh: @Well SAh: I am replying to “Well Sah” and Mr. or Mrs. “Vex”: Don’t you realize that the USVI election is not a Dominica election? Come on!! Stop being niave. USVI voters are not going out on November 2, 2010 to elect Dominicans, St. Lucians, Kittians, Antiguans etc. They are going to elect US Virgin Islands candidates. There are no seats reserved for Dominicans or natives of any particular Caribbean Island. It is people like you all who sow seeds of confusion, division and hatred. Stop misleading the readers on this blog. Again! There are seven seats to be won. Mr. Lately is only asking for one. Stop worrying about him he is already in. Take that!

  2. August 21, 2010

    @wecandobetter: Why you want to vote out Hill he is a true Dominican who has help his people both in St Thomas and Dominica.. No Mr. Lately please!!! Remember proven leadership and is what it takes. and that with Lois Hill all the way

  3. I KNow Mr Lately
    August 21, 2010

    @vex: Proven leadership? I’m sure if Mr. Lately is given the chance Mr Hill was given, he will prove his leadership abilities. Once again there are 7 slots.

  4. Garford GEORGE
    August 21, 2010

    Yo Congratulations Paul Alexander A K A Lawa.I Feel Proud reading this article about you,Bids For Senate in St.THOMAS Vi Rock City.I remenber you were my teacher @ GrandbayHighLand
    Public SchoolYou were the the yougest teaher who taught me. in 70’s.You have always try to makea
    big difference in Things.I hope Tommians,DA Massive,Caribbean Massive come out to suport you.
    Big up Grandbayrians, Contance & Grandunion.Big up John Leatham.
    Good Luck, ,
    Bon Chance,
    God Bless,
    Garford George

  5. wecandobetter
    August 20, 2010

    Me and my neighbor voting “Paul Alexander” and will be voting out Hill, the … behind the DeJongh administration. Time to go Louis…

  6. Realist
    August 19, 2010

    @vex: Why are you so selfish? Grow up man. The USVI elections are not about Dominica or to elect a single senator. It is to elect 7 senators. Mr. Lately is vying for only one seat. There are six more for others to win. What point are you trying to make?.

  7. August 19, 2010

    @I Know Mr. Lately: Yes and the wise choice is to vote for Patrick Hill proven leadership.

  8. I KNow Mr Lately
    August 18, 2010

    @Vex: I know Mr. Lately. It is the views like people like you that will continue to be our people’s downfall. There are 7 spots for the senate seat in the Virgin Islands. Not one! I encourage people to vote wisely. Support the candidates and come together as one. Get out of that jurassic mentality.

  9. catherine xavier
    August 18, 2010

    I am proud of u Lawa. Continue to be the person that you are. God looks out for his own, so he will look out for you. You are in our prayers, and we will rally for you among Dominicans at home so that they can encourage their relatives in the USVI to put their support behind you. You have been good to many of us and I know that you are a community person, who puts himself out to help others and to develop wherever and whenever you get the opportunity. Thank you Lawa. Keep up the good work. GOD’s richest blessings on you and your family. You are a Winner.

  10. August 17, 2010

    I want all the Dominicans in St Thomas to continue to vote for Patrick Hill.. Hill is already a senator in the USVI from Dominica and has shown his great leadership and experience.. Where is this Mr. Lately coming from thinking that he will get the Dominican people in St Thomas to support him. Patrick Hill all the way for the USVI senate.

  11. August 17, 2010

    I wonder if he have Mr. Obama phone number to call him so that he can make the changes he talks about????

  12. Lloyd Pascal
    August 17, 2010

    All Power to You My Comrade Lawa. If I was in the USVI I would surely be on your campaign team to assist you to secure that much deserved victory. I have no doubt that you will win . You have been a very strong inspiration to me from the early days when we struggled together for a better Dominica. I always know you as a champion for social justice, freedom and prosperity.
    I must congratulate you for taking on such an ambitious undertaking.
    Congratulations and All the Best. I wish you win that senate position that you seek
    ONE LOVE MY BROTHER AND COMRADE!

    Lloyd

  13. NATURE LOVER
    August 17, 2010

    Good move.Paul,support you all the way,you will surely ensure adequate representation of the islanders–your recoprd of community service speaks for itself

  14. pam
    August 16, 2010

    congratulations may God guide you through it all, one love

  15. August 16, 2010

    @Domnichen en tere: sz
    aying that he is from granbay is the WORST way to promothe the man. leave it as it is , he is from dominca. we all know the reputation of grandbay. geeze man,

  16. August 16, 2010

    All the way Mr Alexander, with God’s Grace and prayers you will surely make it, keep up the good work, Son of the South, proud Granbarian, and to the person who said why the article did not mentioned from which village of DA he came from, i totally agree with you, whatever good that comes out of Grand Bay some people find it’s always hard to mention, not matter what they do or say they can’t keep us Grandbarians down, good Lawa, Son of the Soil, Son of South City GRAND BAY

  17. August 16, 2010

    Mr. ALexander should come back to Dominica and make his country better instead of staying in other people country saying how he will be making it better. That’s the problem with we Domincans we can stay in other countries building them up instead of coming home to DA and contributing to uplifting of Domininca. Struups!

  18. August 16, 2010

    MR Alexander with all due respect we have heard this line before therefore do not come on board with your typical politician approach of promises, promises,for a promise is a comfort to a fool. it`s good to know that you are prepared to take this journey with our full support but to deliver is another thing nonethless Good luck and God`s speed we will support you till the end.

  19. very Good
    August 16, 2010

    WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA, AM AMAZE BY MR ALEXANDER MOVE, I KNOW HIM VERY WELL AND I CAN SAY IF HE GET THAT CHANCE HE WILL BE A REAL REPRESENTIVE FOR ALL DOMINICAN AND ALSO THE PEOPLE OF USVI, THIS GUY HAS COME A LONG HE HAS BEEN INVOLE IN EVERY THING YOU CAN THINK OF WHEN IT COMES TO DOMINICANS LIVING IN USVI SO MR PAUL MY PRAYS ARE WITH YOU I KNOW YOU ARE A WINNER BECAUSE THATS ALL YOU SET YOUR MIND ON TO BE ALWAYS UNTOP AND NOT BENEATH SO I KNOW YOU ALREADY UNTOP KEEP THE BALL ROLLING GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

  20. Bill
    August 16, 2010

    Lawa is a good candidate for the USVI Senate. I know the man and I am confident that he has academic background, intellectual capacity, management experience, leadership experience and the personality to perform well and to provide positive representation to h is constituents if elected to the USVI Senate. I believe Lawa can provide serious respresentation of the Dominican people on St. Thomas as he has done in the past, and still continues to do. I also believe he will represent the interest of all Virgin Islanders and more so all Nationalities who have made the USVI their place of residence. The man is a God fearing person and I trust that God will bless him and provide him with wisdom, good health and strength as he aspires to the office of Senator.

    Best wishes to Mr. Paul Alexander aka Lawa. I endorse the man and call on all Dominicans living in the United States Virgin Islands and on St Thomas inparticular to rally behind Lawa and to encourage all persons eligible to vote in the November Senate Elections to vote for Paul Alexander…”The Right Choice this Time.”

  21. August 16, 2010

    Lawa as we all know u.What every happens in November we know u have made us Proud, Not only bad thing come from Grand Bay as some people my think.

    D.N.O,u highlighted that a he is from Dominica which he is but nothing was said about grand Bay,where he was born bread and raise.

    Congrats my man we all wish u well.
    God Bless.

    ADMIN: This was a press release. No information was stated regarding where he is from.

  22. Agree
    August 16, 2010

    @belbagay: I agree with you. False hope to many DCANS for votes. I live in St. Thomas I know Lawa on his own mission.

  23. K.L
    August 16, 2010

    Growing up in Grand Bay as a young girl, I had heard a lot about Mr. Alexander’s (Lawa) contribution to the community via Waseen Domnic. It was my pleasure to finally meet him and shake his hand during the Grand Bay Reunion in 2008. I can only hope to contribute at least half of what this man has done not just for Grand Bay but for Dominica as a whole as an expat.
    All the best and good luck for the upcoming election. I – and I am sure the whole of Grand Bay – am proud of you! God be with you.

  24. Proud Dominican
    August 16, 2010

    Good Job Mr. Alexander… The Grand Bayrians in the USVI are fully behind you… Make Grand Bay and Dominica proud…

  25. Domnichen en tere
    August 16, 2010

    Paul is not just a Dominican. He is a Grand Bayrian, he a founding member and has been at the helm of Waseen Dominic for many years now. Why wasn’t that said in the article? Is this accomplishment to good to be associated with Grand Bay? Grand Bayrians gave Patrick Hill maximum support a few years ago even if he chose to identify himself only as a Carib when much of his life in Dominica was spent in Grand Bay where he lived and work before migrating to the US. I have no doubt that Paul will win overwhelmingly.

    Good luck Lawa.

  26. Stop all negative comment
    August 16, 2010

    Good job Mr. Alexander my god be with you all the way

  27. Gwa Bay
    August 16, 2010

    Wonder what part of dominica he from?? LOL!!! We proud of you mr alexander!!!

  28. belbagay
    August 16, 2010

    Mr Alexander, INS policies are what it is, pl dont make we caribbean believe your representation can change any thing when comes to us Immogration pllocy,

  29. USVI
    August 16, 2010

    We need good representation and Paul is a good man for the job.

  30. Smurfy
    August 16, 2010

    what stupidness is this man talking?

  31. Perseverance
    August 16, 2010

    Congratulations Mr. Alexander. Make us Dominicans proud

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