Paul Baron has been suspended as president of the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD).
In a press release issued today, the NYCD states that the Council’s Executive has taken a decision to suspend Baron as its president with effect from the 15th of October, 2019.
In its release, the NYCD executive accuses Baron of engaging “in a series of actions and statements that we, the other
executive members, have deemed unacceptable in this position[President of NYCD].”
The release goes on to state, “Since its inception in May of 2018, the new executive board has strived to be impactful, transparent and fully committed to the cause of developing the Dominican youth. However, several incidents have deemed us responsible for halting what can only be described as the tarnishing of the NYCD name and reputation.”
The NYCD executive cites, as the basis for its decision, Article 8, section 10, of the NYCD Constitution which reads: “The National Executive shall have the power to suspend a member of any Committee pending the calling of a General Assembly to resolve the matter provided that two thirds (2/3) of the total membership of the National Executive are in favor of such suspension.”
According to the release, seven of the current eight-member executive voted to suspend Baron.
It goes on to state that on the 15th of October 2019, Paul Baron was informed that he should desist from any action that constitutes him representing the National Youth Council as President until the next General Assembly.
“Hence, any public speech or statement made by Paul Baron is not to be associated with the National Youth Council of Dominica or on the behalf of the council,” the release states. “He is also not permitted to act as the NYCD’s representative in any capacity.”
Earlier this year, Chief Youth Development Officer, John Roach called on Baron to do “the honourable thing and resign” if he could not adhere to the NYC Code of Conduct.
Roach commented after a former executive member of the NYCD, Stephenson “Jeff” Bellot demanded that Baron resign because of his public endorsement of Cozier Frederick, the Dominica Labour Party candidate for the Salybia Constituency.
Bellot accused Baron of violating the NYCD constitution, a point supported by Roach based on Section 3, Article VIII (Code of Conduct) of the NYC constitution which addresses the issue of political expression and affiliation by Executive members.
This section acknowledges that an Executive member is free to have his/her independent political affiliation and to attend any political gathering. However, it also clearly 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.”
Baron’s suspension will remain in effect until the NYCD’s next general assembly which is due to be held in April next year.
An NYCD executive member told DNO that while Baron will be eligible to run again at the next general assembly, she believes that this is unlikely to happen.
When pressed on the matter of why it took so long to make their decision public, (the decision was made 15th October and the press release is dated 20th November) the executive member explained this was because the executive wanted to give Baron sometime to change his position.
First Vice President of the Council, Kerdisha St.Louis, has assumed the responsibilities of the president.
Dominica News Online will attempt to get a comment from Paul Baron.
Paul Baron is a bad example for the youth of my beautiful country.
people like him put party politics before everything and everyone.
he should not be suspended but rather expelled.
he tried the old trick of no law no constitution can stop him!
it did not work
shameful arrogant guy !
They need to kick him out of the atkinson village council too, which he has ran into the ground. Now he is going to run to his master the “Evil Dr. supermo” and cry and wine, into his arms, like he always do. I wound’t be surprise, if he gets on his knees, under the desk too
My boy you are a smart man but you made a mistake, lick your wounds and learn from it. your behaviour shows you cannot be an objective leader, But if you knew the laws and did it for your cool out!, aways, go Kempinski and free up yourself with it. Your reputation has been compromised. Don’t bother with de argument!
But the acting president isnt exactly a good respresentative either…. smh get rid of the whole board
Did Paul Baron speak in his capacity as President of the NYC? Was he introduced to speak for and on behalf of the NYC? Or did he speak for himself? If he is being sanctioned for speaking/associating simply because he hold the position of NYC President, then his rights as a citizen is being violated. If he is sanctioned because he spoke/associated with a partisan outfit, ostensibly as the representative of the NYC without authorization and contrary to the policy of the organization, in this regard, then he is deserving of some sanctions.
We must always guard against infringing on the fundamental rights of others.
Making a conscious decision to be blind is pathetic…
You cannot wear two hats at once. Whereas he has a right to support a party, in the position of the president of the NYC you cannot display your political affiliations. He clearly did so in violation of the NYCs constitution. He should be sacked.
Good riddance!
It just took too long!
This Skerrit style of leadership must be condemned!!
I have noticed something that is quite common in Dominica with both government bodies and the private sector. They make announcements giving the public almost no notice. Today is Nov 21, and I assume NYCD met a couple days ago. The article states the suspension was effective October 15. It is either the decision was taken on Oct 14 or 15 or NYCD or DNO sat on the information for over a month and finally decided to release it to the media or public a month later.
This smacks of unprofessionalism on either the part of NYCD or DNO. Perhaps DNO can shed some light on the timing.
ADMIN: We put out the information the same day it was received. The article has also been updated with a response from an executive member when asked why they took so long from taking the decision and making it public.
Thanks DNO. This update is a lot clearer about the sequence of events.
So exactly what is he suspended for! Is it because Bellot called for his resignation or he has done something else? Don’t think he should be punished without a charge.
“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.”
Well done NYCD long overdue. Finally a department with balls.
Why did it take so long? this guy has openly violated the every aspect of the council, he is a political pundit and parasite.
Good riddance, he was not only political but was there for the prestige and photo ops.
It was long overdue. This Skerrit wannabee is a disgrace to the NYC.
You free to support whoever you want, but is like everybodY want to show the PM like their are his biggest fans.
Glad to see law an order being upheld
See if the adults cannot adhere to the establishment constitution the youth has to show them how it is done. This is very commendable and encouraging to hear. Hold to the fire all who break rules.
We need to get out of these antiquated statutes. Man was born free. Can’t stand hypocrites. While you fight the man for his public activities related to his civic duties you all dp all sorts of immoral things under the cover of darkness.
All of you disagreeing post your moral report card. Hypocrites.