Written from source news
Original Author Nelson King
President of the Brooklyn-based St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ex-Teachers Association of New York, Jackson Farrell, says he’s deeply troubled by what he characterizes as a “new low” in electioneering in his native land.
“We have taken the elections to a new low,” added Farrell in his prepared statement, taking the unusual step in commenting on the political status quo at home in his association’s official ceremony. “Tensions, divisions, character assassinations and destruction of property seem to be the hallmark of that event.
“What is even more troubling is the fact that the elections are over, but the saga continues.
“What happens to the least among us?” queried Farrell rhetorically. “What happens to nation-building? These seem to be foreign concepts at this time.”
In diverting from his script, Farrell said: “St. Vincent and the Grenadines is bigger than Ralph (Gonsalves, the prime minister), Eustace (Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace), the Red Party (Unity Labor Party), the Green Party, or any other party.”
“Those of us out here (in the Diaspora) really should be setting an example for folks back in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” but it seems to me that, in some ways, we’re worst, because of comments posted on Face Book and whatever. It’s ridiculous.”
In a recent press conference in Kingstown, the Vincentian capital, Gonsalves accused some United States-based nationals of directing terroristic activities against St. Vincent and Grenadines via the social media, primarily Facebook.
In this nexus, he said that he had informed the Barbados-based U.S. Ambassador to the sub-regional Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which includes St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Jackson also described as “ridiculous” statements made on Face Book by some Vincentian nationals in the US, urging their compatriots to boycott Vincentian-owned businesses that are seemingly or perceptibly not supportive of their political views or stance.
“The message we should be sending is that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is bigger than any political party,” said Farrell, who was considered a militant in the teachers movement before migrating to the U.S.
“The [international] airport project is very important,” he added. “If we believe that will be the alpha and omega (the beginning and the end) of the country, that will not happen.
“If we don’t have the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines working together, we will not have development, because our greatest resources are the people,” Farrell warned.
Written from source information CLNP
