CEO of WICE/Q95 FM Radio, Sheridan Gregoire, will be addressing what has become a very public matter between himself and famed sports commentator, Ossie Lewis. The issue erupted days ago on social media when a letter to Lewis from Gregoire began circulating in which he informed Lewis that due to health concerns, the Sports Rap host should no longer report to the radio station to host his sports show.
“Please be advised that in consideration of your health, I have decided to ask Sebo to be the lead host of the Sports Wrap effective tomorrow Thursday, April 4, 2024. You will no longer come to the studio for Sports Wrap; *Ronald Lander will be a co-host in the studio at Q95,” the letter, which was written in all capital letters, reads. “Lobie and you will be online co-hosts. Sherwin will provide a link for you and Lobbie to participate in the show online every Thursday. I look forward to Sebo being given the fullest support and cooperation of Ossie, Ronald, and Lobbie.”
But the letter did not go down well with Lewis who blasted Gregoire for not actually considering his health.
“I am referring to your correspondence of Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in which you stated certain decisions you made in respect of the Sports Rap Programme ‘in consideration of (my) health,'”
Lewis wrote to Gregoire: “Have you ever really considered my health? You have never once inquired from me about my health. Do you have a medical report on the state of my health? Yet, without a scintilla of evidence or even discussions with me about my health, you arrived at your decision to ‘ask Sebo to be the lead host.’
He further stated that Gregoire has tried to portray himself “as a believer/practitioner of natural justice and fair play,” and questioned whether he, Lewis, had rights to a fair hearing.
“I have devoted ten (10) years to the Sports [Rap] programme from its genesis on March 20, 2014, to the present time and I am confident that I have left an indelible mark on Sports [ap], locally, regionally, and internationally without remuneration after the last seven years,” Lewis stated.
“However, it would appear certain devious ‘forces’ have conspired to achieve their goals. Your letter and the tone therein reeks of crass authoritarianism, a lack of civility, a lack of democratic tenets, and epitomizes injustice.”
Lewis continued with the matter on a Facebook Live program with Loftus Durand. He said the first thing that struck him was the fact that the letter was written in all capital letters to him. He also repeated his assertion that Gregoire sent him written correspondence about his health when he had never personally inquired about the matter.
In response to Dominica News Online, Gregoire gave the assurance that the matter would be addressed this week.
“I intend to address that matter on the Ossie Lewis matter on Sports R6ap this Thursday night,” he stated.
The issue has generated enormous interest on social media and it appears that many will be listening to what Gregoire has to say.
Mr. G are you afraid that Mr. Lewis falls off from one of the torn-up dilapidated chairs you have in the so-called studio, or he crumbles down this wooden old stair? Where in Canada have you ever entered and see chairs in such indecent state? If that’s the case, then ship some new ones to Dominica? Mark you it is not only Ozzie who has some weight. Others who are seated on them daily are mightily gaining weight. Change the chairs and please leave this distinguished man alone.
This man Gregoire aka Mr. G is very disrespectful. How can you Mr. Gregoire just state to anyone that his/her health is not warranted to be on your job or place of business? Where in Canada where you reside this could ever happen? This is so rude and out of place of you to dictate such demand to anyone. Are you a medical physician? It is well known that you are a very out of place employer who portrays yourself with your low tone passionate voice as a man of reason. You and others whom yourself laments about are too authoritative in Dominica and have treated Ozzie (a loyal Dominican of distinction) very harsh. Ozzie deserves an immediate apology, and I will listen on Thursday to hear you do just that. You have not spoken to Ozzie; you have not seen him nor have you in your possession his medical report and even if you did YOU JUST CANNOT DO WHAT YOU DID. You damn know better.
Enjoy your retirement Mr. Lewis and stop making a fool of yourself. At 80+ you should be the adult in the room not fighting for talk show positions. By the way have you applied to Cricket Australia(your favorite team), they might just have an opening.
Stop exposing your astounding stupidity and toddler mentality. Because of your extremely limited cognitive development, you should be institutionalised.
Ossie Lewis record is immaculate. His contributions to Dominica’s development are unrivaled. Let this esteem nation builder live the rest of his sunset years peacefully. Leave the gentleman alone.
I support the position of Q95 about the direct link to that great man’s home, with his health today at the station there is no elevator the steps from downstairs are too steep, with these reason i support that position.
Ossie is a very private person, great commentator, master of the english language, great personality , when it comes to football, cricket, tennis , calypso , body building, even mable hole Ossie would make it exciting .
I came home for the test match west indies vs india when i listen to the commentary i ask where is Ossie, is he out of state ? they told me they did not ask or even contacted him, i said what!!! a gentleman on my left hand side shout out Politics . Sports have no color but in Dominica it look like it exist, man what a ashame. I am a constant listener of Sports Wrap i look forward for a thursday night for the program, we who live in the US its always nice to hear whats happen in the field of sports on island it can be very…
This man has no business owning business. He’s a big child. If you don’t know, now you know!
Well, since he is the owner/Ceo and no contacts were broken, he should be able to hire, demote, and fire someone. Look at it this way, there is nothing wrong with retire, go home and play with grand kids, let the youth get a job opening.
woy, all what that gang of gestapos is accusing The PM of its they that embodies them. They will continue to expose and fight each other
@Kingsman
What are they accusing the PM of? Of not being on Sport Wrap? Does Skerrit know what is sports? Go around Dominica and ask the people of several communities why has Skerrit wrecked havoc with their playing fields. And learn how to use the term gestapo, because you dont seem to know the meaning.
Didn’t it take the Labour Party under the Skerrit Administration to transform Windsor Park into an International Cricket Stadium? Why do people like you like criticizing the man for doing his best when you have nothing to contribute to or offer your own country?
Most local sports fans are waiting with great anticipation Mr. Gregoire’s explanation for banishing Ossie Lewis as host of Sports Wrap. Look at the manner in which was done! By any stretch of the imagination, the manner in which Mr. Lewis was discarded, after giving his time, effort and dedication to elevate the program to what it is today, was disrespectful, uncouth and hideous.
Mr. Gregoire portrays himself as a magnanimous, compassionate and altruistic individual. His actions are incongruous with the squeaky clean, benevolent image he wants to create of himself.
What he has done to Mr. Lewis, he did similarly to Loftus Durand when Lofty refused to push the covid-19 vaccine agenda on his radio station. He has no appreciation for those who worked tirelessly to help to build Q95.
Typical UWPwee mentality; Once it does not please you, fire ‘pon it; tantrums and brimstone. Sheridan owes you all nothing. It is his station, his vision, his money. There is a good reason that the letter was sent to Ossie, himself, and not posted in the news…because this matter is a management decision for a private sector organization. All who vex, toofay! Let the man (Sheridan) run his business.
You, Ibo are a beneficiary of Sheridan’s generosity to use his radio station. So, do not bite the hand that feeds you, even if you think this handle (Ibo France) shields your identity. It does not. Sakway kopawayzon. Out of place.
It’s healthy to exhale, but you all are acting like TWO little children. It’s both disgusting and shameful, and has dealt a ‘low blow’ to Sports Wrap, a programme to which i am an ardent listener. This could have been settled on the telephone. OMG!
And sometimes we blame the younger folks??????
@MEME
Short and sweet.
You got my THUMBS UP!
Ossie, sorry. Now you know but it’s too late, THEY are the ONES WHO KNOW IT ALL and can do no wrong. Maybe if you were more political. Daycalay Skerrit and the labour party and the government you would have survived that faithful day. Anyways take your blows. You gave Skerrit enough
@KID ON THE BLOCK
Learn to make a sensible comment. I wonder if you even understood what you read. That’s how a drunken man would respond. Stop the alcohol.
@me, learn to respect another one’s opinion. You understood what I wrote that’s why you responded. You may think you are smart but you are not clever to understand. That’s how a Parro would respond. Stop taking the hard drugs.
On point, Kid!!