The Dominica Time News Paper returned with a bang when on July 9, 2008 its editors published a front page story “Exposed!”
The news paper was missing in action after its last two publications “million dollar assets 5000 salary” and “lies to the rescue” had two law suits brought against it by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
But all this is beside the point; the fact is the Times is back and as controversial as ever.
In its July 9, 2008 issue the paper highlights the plight of a former lay minister whose wife had been cheating with their pastor for an extended period of time.
According to the man they pastor who was having an affair with his wife went as far as counseling the couple during their troubles times. (you can obtain a copy of the times for all the details).
That was not all, in its second issue the paper continued the episode this time disclosing the identity of the man who said he was the victim of the behind the pulpit tricks.
Samuel Augustine said the church is not happy that he went public with this information notwithstanding this he also appeared on a popular morning radio talk show, giving even more details.
What is your view on this, should Augustine have gone public, what do you think should happen to the pastor, should the wife be forgive?
Feel free to post a comment on my blog.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Minister says no rise in serious crime
Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore, has denied suggestions that there has been an increase in serious crime this year.
He told lawmakers in the Dominica House of Assembly that the statistics for crime this year are consistent with previous years.
“From 2006-2007 there has been a six percent reduction in serious crimes,” Blackmoore a former police officer said.
There has been two murders in his constituency alone for the first half of this year the most recent being the killing of 23 year old Anita John.
Making reference to data from 1994-2007 the minister said only four deaths were classified as murder 94 and the numbers have been relatively consistent through to 2007.
“Thus far for this year we have recorded six deaths categorized as murder. Based on the statistics that is cause for concern but it is consistent over the period of time,” he said.
In 1995 there were six murders 1996 six 1997 eight. 1998 nine, 1999 six, 2001 one, 2002 ten, 2003 eight, 2004 eight, 2005 eight, 2006 five and 2007 seven.
But with six murders already this year should we be concerned?
Feel free to post a comment on my blog.
He told lawmakers in the Dominica House of Assembly that the statistics for crime this year are consistent with previous years.
“From 2006-2007 there has been a six percent reduction in serious crimes,” Blackmoore a former police officer said.
There has been two murders in his constituency alone for the first half of this year the most recent being the killing of 23 year old Anita John.
Making reference to data from 1994-2007 the minister said only four deaths were classified as murder 94 and the numbers have been relatively consistent through to 2007.
“Thus far for this year we have recorded six deaths categorized as murder. Based on the statistics that is cause for concern but it is consistent over the period of time,” he said.
In 1995 there were six murders 1996 six 1997 eight. 1998 nine, 1999 six, 2001 one, 2002 ten, 2003 eight, 2004 eight, 2005 eight, 2006 five and 2007 seven.
But with six murders already this year should we be concerned?
Feel free to post a comment on my blog.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Better Legal System coming?
Attorney General, Francine Baron Royer, said Wednesday that the government of Dominica is placing emphasis on improving the legal system in Dominica in an effort to impact on the time and cost of doing business here.
The first female attorney general of Dominica said in her contribution to the 2008/9 national budget in parliament that this fiscal year will see due attention given to the ministry of legal affairs.
“As we strive to achieve these goals work is on the way to reform the High Court Registry. There will be greater emphasis on training of staff, so that a more effective service can be given to the public,” Royer said while noting that birth and death certificates could soon be administered electronically.
She noted that government is also looking at ways and means to strengthen and improve the service provided by the courts, “to ensure that matters are dealt with in a more timely and efficient manner.”
But she warned that this would require the amendment of legislation to make the system more users friendly.
There are also plans to construct a new hall of justice here to house the Court of Appeal, the high, magistrates and master’s court, registries and a modern law library.
Meantime, the attorney General has been defending the delay in implementation of the integrity in Public office act.
She told lawmakers that the delay was due to certain financial measures, which have to be taken while noting that the Roosevelt Skerrit government was not the only administration to delay the implementation of laws.
“Financial provisions have to be made for particular measures to be implemented. If the finances are not available at the time then those measures cannot be taken,” Royer stated.
Opposition groups and members of civil society have been calling for the implementation of the law by the Labour Party government in 2003. But even after Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced in this year’s budget that government had made provisions for the implementation of the act, opposition leader Earl Williams said he was not convinced.
“As he promised permission has been made in this budget for the establishment of the integrity commission. For some reason, which I am totally unable, to understand the members of the opposition refused to accept that such provision has been made,” Royer said referring to a walk out state by the opposition last Monday.
“If as they say they wanted to see the act implemented, the reaction of the opposition would have been one of pleasure, of joy, that the necessary allocation has now been made,” she added.
Feel free to react and post a comment on my blog.
The first female attorney general of Dominica said in her contribution to the 2008/9 national budget in parliament that this fiscal year will see due attention given to the ministry of legal affairs.
“As we strive to achieve these goals work is on the way to reform the High Court Registry. There will be greater emphasis on training of staff, so that a more effective service can be given to the public,” Royer said while noting that birth and death certificates could soon be administered electronically.
She noted that government is also looking at ways and means to strengthen and improve the service provided by the courts, “to ensure that matters are dealt with in a more timely and efficient manner.”
But she warned that this would require the amendment of legislation to make the system more users friendly.
There are also plans to construct a new hall of justice here to house the Court of Appeal, the high, magistrates and master’s court, registries and a modern law library.
Meantime, the attorney General has been defending the delay in implementation of the integrity in Public office act.
She told lawmakers that the delay was due to certain financial measures, which have to be taken while noting that the Roosevelt Skerrit government was not the only administration to delay the implementation of laws.
“Financial provisions have to be made for particular measures to be implemented. If the finances are not available at the time then those measures cannot be taken,” Royer stated.
Opposition groups and members of civil society have been calling for the implementation of the law by the Labour Party government in 2003. But even after Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced in this year’s budget that government had made provisions for the implementation of the act, opposition leader Earl Williams said he was not convinced.
“As he promised permission has been made in this budget for the establishment of the integrity commission. For some reason, which I am totally unable, to understand the members of the opposition refused to accept that such provision has been made,” Royer said referring to a walk out state by the opposition last Monday.
“If as they say they wanted to see the act implemented, the reaction of the opposition would have been one of pleasure, of joy, that the necessary allocation has now been made,” she added.
Feel free to react and post a comment on my blog.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
WCK Band Vs. Antigua government
Hi all,
On May 5, 2005 news emerged from Antigua that the WCK Band was detained by immigration authorities.
WCK one of the region's leading musical groups from Dominica claim that they were detained at the VC Bird International Airport for about two hours and was not given reason for their detention.
Antigua's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer later told local journalist that authorities were investigating what appeared to be a breach of contract by WCK band.
His story is that his ruling administration contracted the band to play for a political event over the holiday but the band bailed out at the last minute opting to play for the opposition instead, who reportedly were paying more.
Spencer said his party made a down payment and so far has not yet received those funds back.
The WCK Band however, refuted those comments. They told reporters in Dominica that no formal arrangement had been entered into with the ruling UPP administration. Derrick "Rah" Peters, the bands lead singer said money was placed in the account without knowledge of the band.
As a mattr of fact the band has announced that it is considering legal action against the government of Antigua for illegal detention.
The question today is does WCK have a case against the Antigua authorities based on the facts presented in this blog?
Also note that another Dominican parliamentarian and a Dominican journalist complained of receiving less than favorable treatment from the Antigua immigration in recent times.
On May 5, 2005 news emerged from Antigua that the WCK Band was detained by immigration authorities.
WCK one of the region's leading musical groups from Dominica claim that they were detained at the VC Bird International Airport for about two hours and was not given reason for their detention.
Antigua's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer later told local journalist that authorities were investigating what appeared to be a breach of contract by WCK band.
His story is that his ruling administration contracted the band to play for a political event over the holiday but the band bailed out at the last minute opting to play for the opposition instead, who reportedly were paying more.
Spencer said his party made a down payment and so far has not yet received those funds back.
The WCK Band however, refuted those comments. They told reporters in Dominica that no formal arrangement had been entered into with the ruling UPP administration. Derrick "Rah" Peters, the bands lead singer said money was placed in the account without knowledge of the band.
As a mattr of fact the band has announced that it is considering legal action against the government of Antigua for illegal detention.
The question today is does WCK have a case against the Antigua authorities based on the facts presented in this blog?
Also note that another Dominican parliamentarian and a Dominican journalist complained of receiving less than favorable treatment from the Antigua immigration in recent times.
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