​Bernard Hurtault, the political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party, notes that knowing its strengths and weaknesses is essential for improving and transforming Dominica’s Economy and Society. He observes that determining the capacity to produce and generate value must be the government's aim. Direct goals and objectives must be set, and they must be followed by thorough record keeping so that the public may see the results and outcomes in an open and transparent manner. He emphasized that this is what a government must do in order to change this country.

Bernard Hurtault, Political Leader of the Dominica Freedom Party.

It would appear that the law only matters to one sector of our society, revealing a frightening reality of the times we live in. This from Pastor Randy Rodney sharing his views on the current examples being set by members of the highest offices in our society; examples that in the view of many, seem to indicate a perpetuation of a governance style that ensures the ruling regime remains at the helm, even if that means maintaining a tainted electoral process.

​Pastor Randy Rodney
 
Meantime, ENT Specialist Dr. Irving Eipigh Pascal spoke on the roles and responsibilities of the president, which raises questions as to his relevance in office, especially if he neglects to carry out his duties.

​ENT Specialist, Dr. Irving Eipigh Pascal

​Gun violence was unheard of in Dominica, says Paul Baron, former President of the National Youth Council of Dominica. Mr. Baron observes that the legal system is attempting to address the issue in a somewhat reactive manner. Although one cannot investigate the subject of the underground economy without a legal framework, but he wondered why the government waited until the situation reached this point.
 
Baron opined that he doesn't often hear Dominicans speak passionately about the need to address the current issue of gun violence, & that It took 20 years to get to where this is now tolerated, and people now perceive leaders as colleagues with known drug lords and those who may be engaged in illicit operations.

​He continues that Dominica is currently in a very bad position, and this situation needs to be addressed because, if it is not, lives will be lost, and families will be torn apart. The community and society is experiencing a level of fear that would not have been the case otherwise. He noted that Dominica used to take great pleasure in being a caring and peaceful country, however, drugs and gang violence will impact our image and our tourism product, if the international community becomes more aware of our situation.

Paul Baron, Former President of the National Youth Council of Dominica 

​Dominica missed the 2000 information technology train, but according to Bernard Hurtault, political leader of the Dominica Freedom Party, "we now have a second chance of gaining additional income in the knowledge and datafication sectors".
 
He pointed out that in the next 5 to 6 years, Dominica can train a workforce that can start earning substantial sums of money in regions around the world that are short of the necessary human resources and technical expertise.
 
This is because we would be moving beyond information technology into the knowledge economy and datafication that is taking place in the world. To advance the nation on this platform, the government must devote the required time, money and energy to its people, for this to become a reality.

​Dominica Freedom Party's Political Leader, Bernard Hurtault 

​Another perceived shortcoming of the current DLP administration is on inadequate improvement of the lives of vulnerable citizens in society, and that is now raising concerns. At the media launch yesterday afternoon, one of the journalists asked the President of the Dominica Council on Aging, Mrs. Ophelia Olivacce’ Marie, about the subvention received from the Government to help the council in its operations.
 
She confirmed that the council receives a yearly subvention of $16,500, which translates to $1,337 each month when divided by 12 months. Although Mrs Olivacce’-Marie did mention that the government also pays for the facility and the salaries of two staff, she subsequently suggested that this amount should also should be reviewed by the government.

​Mrs Olivace’-Marie emphasized that issues of elder abuse, including sexual and financial exploitation, are a further concern for the council. Additionally, she made a tragic point about how the elderly are treated in hospitals and the posture of the justice system toward protecting older people.

President of the Dominica Council on Aging, Mrs. Ophelia Olivacce Marie

​Source: Dominica News Online
 
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has issued a call for submissions for the Caribbean Hotel Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) Awards, which honor best practices in four categories—business operations, human resources, sales and marketing, and sustainability. The CHIEF Awards recognize and acknowledge the best practices that CHTA member hotels and other tourism-related businesses have implemented to raise the standard of travel, the Caribbean's main source of revenue. The awards are open to all members of the CHTA, and members of one of the regional National Hotel and Tourism Associations (NHTAs), as well as to trade press, sponsors, online travel agencies (OTAs), travel intermediaries, ministries or departments of tourism, partners in the travel industry, and general public.
 
The NHTA supports nominations after they have been submitted to CHTA. All nominations will be reviewed, and the winners chosen by a panel of judges, each of whom represents the top professionals in the relevant industries. It is recommended to submit nominations with illustrations such as graphics, movies, charts & graphs. The judges will score the submissions based on the strategy used, how it was put into effect, and the outcomes obtained. They will then choose three finalists, with one overall winner for each category.
 
"The awards this year take on enormous importance, especially coming out of two years of the pandemic and the degree of talents that are required to be deployed to drive recovery," said Nicola Madden-Greig, president of CHTA. It will be beneficial for us to be able to exchange best practices if we can now thank our members for their efforts. Bill Clegg, chair of the CHIEF Awards, added: "We are thrilled to be able to have the awards presentation once again after the pandemic-related interruption."On Monday, October 3, 2022, shortly before the formal start of the first Caribbean Travel Forum in Puerto Rico, the top three finalists in each category and the winners will be revealed at an Awards Luncheon.

​Under the subject "Building our resilience," the Dominica Council on Aging (DCOA), the island nation's official umbrella organization for the aged, successfully declared September 1st to October 1st 2022as “Month of the Elderly”. The council has put together a calendar of events to honor and show respect for the many older people in society who have made major contributions to the advancement of society as part of the celebration of this month.
 
Speaking at the Council Office's Media Launch this afternoon, DCOA President Mrs. Ophelia Olivacce Marie, provided background information on the annual celebration, and highlighted some of the events that will be held and announced with some excitement, the new insurance Scheme for members of the council and prospective members.

​Ophelia Olivace’ Marie, President of the Dominica Council of Aging.

In order to experience a more prosperous and desirable society, we need to get away from misleader ship.This from leader of Opposition leader Lennox Linton speaking on Q95’s ‘Talk On the Block’ showthis morning, where he highlighted some of the current issues facing the country, and that some Dominicans continue to accept as business as usual. He says the issue of ethics, morality and social progress at the expense of an entire generation, calls into play the discussion on governance.

​Leader of the Opposition Lennox Linton.

We are a tribe of the Neg Mawon, and it is up to us as a people to demand electoral reform before the next general election. Former Dominica Civil Service Association (DCSA) General Secretary Alvin Thomas, speaking as a special guest on Sunday’s Civic Vibes program, made clear his orientation on the necessary actions we need to take, as well as the necessary mindset we need to have, in order to see electoral reform become a reality.His statements are framed in the recommendations and observations made by the CCJ and the OECS on our electoral process.

​Former Dominica Civil Service Association (DCSA) General Secretary Alvin Thomas.

According to Dr. Dave Lloyd of the Waitukubuli Advocate for Viable Environment (WAVE), if Dominicans continue to lose and destroy the natural resources that God has given them, it will not be in their best interests or the interests of future generations. He was speaking on the Lifeline Program over the weekend.

Dr. Lloyd added that both citizens and policymakers in Dominica need to adopt a different attitude toward environmental issues.

​Dr Dave Lloyd of the Waitukubuli Advocate for Viable Environment.