Alex Bruno

“A just society in Dominica can only be obtained by your vote” – Patrick John, 1979.

The spread of radical populism and its possible impact on global election outcomes. This is the focus of my presentation on Politics & Power, Monday, October 14 live on my social media platforms from 8PM. TAG. LIKE. FOLLOW. SHARE. COMMENT. Join Live!

"Revenge don't build a nation, but forgiveness always paves the way for a nation to rise" - Mandela. Lessons from the wise which could benefit Dominica's cause.

Leonard "Pappy" Baptiste is a progressive Dominica who has achieved tremendously and is woefully underestimated.

This outspoken founder and leader of the Dominica Progressive Party (DPP), is known for his fiery and fearless political narratives, but I suspect that few people have taken the time to study and understand Pappy. I have!

Pappy, according to the Sun News Paper of Dominica, is a "perennial politician and former prominent businessman". The statement is correct, especially the 'prominent businessman' part. I urge researchers to investigate Pappy's work.

There was a time when Pappy was easily the largest supplier of clothing, bedding supplies, shoes and household items on the island of Dominica. He is also one of the most affluent businessmen of all time. He probably lacked the business discipline to become super wealthy. I don't think that wealth was on Pappy's radar anyway. Pappy's business was serving the people's needs.

With its main outlet in Castle Bruce, a branch in Roseau/Canefield and one in Calibishie (there may have been other stores elsewhere), Pappy's stores catered to low income residents; some of whom had never won shoes before Pappy came on the scene. He also employed several Dominicans.

As to how Pappy got started and how and why his business empire crumbled, this could probably discuss this at a different time. However, I simply wish to shine a light on my friend, brother and parent-figure - Pappy - in this shout out.

I remember visiting Pappy at his business location in Cranefield (on several occasions): that is the road leading to Donkey Beach. I believe he once owned a large trunk of property there. A number of Dominicans flocked to the facility on a daily basis. I saw Pappy giving people money for no good reason.

Pappy was always welcoming, and he was always willing to share great ideas. He called me Alix! He believed that I could be his first winning candidate of the Dominica Progressive Party. We always joked about that, but he was serious. I wasn't!

Anyway, Pappy has a vision for Dominica which may seem crazy for the casual onlooker, but some of Pappy's political views are not completely crazy. Pappy takes himself seriously, and he believes in the power of hope and love.

Pappy is Dominica's first populist nationalist. Politicians like Pappy have won elections in several countries - including one which we know all too well, and that person might or can even win again. In fact, Pappy supports that politician with a passion. I somehow suspect that this is not news...

When one listens to Pappy side by side to this well known politician, there are great similarities with the syntax, style, attitude and flavor of their respective narrative. Now, I do not believe, nor am I suggesting that Pappy should be our country's leader. I am only equating his style to another country's former leader.

I have heard people refer to Pappy as a newsense, but that is not how Pappy sees himself as. Pappy once told me that he makes the most political sense on the island. Some see Pappy as being insultive, but Pappy believes that people refer to hurtful facts as insults.

Pappy is not an ordinary man, even if he is an ordinary man. What I mean by this is that Pappy once occupied a position of prominence on the island, and now that the pendulum has swung the other way, he understands society from both perspectives.

Pappy is not a mad man, he is only mad about his country. Mad here means 'to be totally dedicated to the cause of preserving the island and its people'. Pappy is a real Dominican patriot!

My friend, Pappy, is a living example of how 'society' can chew you up and spit you out if you do not conform. This, however, should not discourage anyone from challenging society's elite. At issue is how the challenge is carried out, and it is the how that has probably gotten Pappy in trouble. Patrick John as well.

Leonard "Pappy" Baptiste makes for a fascinating case study in Dominican politics. He is a son, husband, father, teacher, politician, political marxman, businessman, humanitarian, patriot, agitator, humanitarian, philanthropist, and whatever you think he is.

Did I say that Pappy is my friend? Well he is. I remember Pappy doing a favor for me by employing my Guyanese friend, Faye. I am sure he can remember. I ate at Pappy's home (several times), I was frequently in and out of his house, and I shared several private conversations with Pappy and his wife.

Pappy knows more than some people think. Pappy is and always shall be one of Dominica's better political minds - though he is thoroughly unorthodox. I love Pappy because he is himself 100% of the time.

One thing which must be mentioned is Pappy's vast knowledge of world affairs. Let me end by saying that a national award would not be wasted on Pappy. I hope that my brother and friend enjoys his twilight years, and I look forward to one more conversation with him.

I love you, Pappy.

Alex.

Sandy!

Her given name and stage name is Sandy. Not Lady Sandy or what have you. She is simply, Sandy. That is how I knew Sand, as Sandy; plain and simple.

Sandy has no vary, no filter, no style - well she does not cut style on people (if you are from Dominica/the Caribbean, you might know what this means), but she has style and she knows that she got it.

Sandy carries the names: June, Baby, Soans and her marital surname, Alleyne, of course. I have heard people call her by other names as well. Like The Little Dynamo, 2007 Calypso Monarch, Singing Sandy (she NEVER liked that name), Miss Wob, Champion etc...

However, I call her Sandy because this has a ring of simplicity to it, and, in my books, Sandy is a synonym of simplicity. Sandy is simple and courageous. She is diminutive and humongous. Sandy is calm and dangerous. Do not cross Sandy (or her family) if you do not want to get crossed. I can confess to Sandy in ways that many do not know her.

Sandy and I have an unbreakable bond which cannot be expressed in mere words. Sandy and I are friends to the highest degree...and to the end. Sandy makes you respect her without uttering a word; her silence is loud and her bite is her bark. Sandy does not announce her attack, she attacks and then tells you that she is going to (or you know that she has).

Sandy is sweetly vicious. She is territorial and will defend her turf, name and honor with every strength she can muster. I have seen Sandy broken. I have seen Sandy awakened. I have seen Sandy rejoice, but her rejoicing is never prolonged. Sandy believes in taking on the next challenge.

Sandy's philosophy is: Next!

Sandy is driven by something (or things) that I don't really know, or probably refuse to say, and when Sandy is at her calmest, that is when she is on the rampage. Sandy is a critical thinker and even a better executioner. Sandy is any coah's dream. Sandy is probably my Best Client Ever (BCE); she and Lady Star might be tied....hmmm.

Look, I am looking for trouble for myself.

I coached Sandy in Calypso & Life because Calypso was once Sandy's life. It probably still is, but life has evolved for Sandy. I met Sandy when she was a struggling single mother, and now Sandy is a successful, thriving family woman. Way to go, Sandy!

Let's go back to Calyps: Some think that Sandy won the Calypso Monarchy in 2007, but I know she has captured the title - in her mind - every time she set foot on the Calypso stage. I managed Sandy from 1994/5 through to 2000, and then again from about 2001/2 for a few more years.

Sandy came back into competitive Calypso in 2013/14 and left abruptly. I am not writing about this episode because it hurts too bad. All I wish to say is that, what was meant to break Sandy only made her stronger. Ironically, Sandy has a song "That's Life' with these words.

Attempts to eliminate and humiliate Sandy in Kaiso made her BIGGER!

I feel as if I am rambling on, and probably I am, but that is the way the narratives come to me. I write based on my mood and inspiration, and Sandy's Shout Out is laced with abrupt or punctuated beats and bits.

Sandy's life comes in spells, like everyone's else I suppose, but her journey has not been easy. Did I not already shout out Sandy? I get the distinct feeling that I have, but I need to do this at this time.

Let's go back to Kaiso a bit...

I was left with zero doubt - in my mind - that Sandy would have been announced the winner of the Dominica Calypso Monarch contest of 2007, but I was wrong. Hunter did win and nothing should take this glory away from him. You see, I trained Sandy how to accept defeat, and part of the training was how to turn defeat into victory. So, Sandy is always a victor.

I know and love Sandy and her Family. Brian is a Big man. She stands with, and supports Sandy as a rock. Sand herself is a rock! Sandy cares about her children (adult children now). Sandy has a 4-F rule for life (in that order) Faith, Family, Friends, Foe. She believes all four Fs play a balancing role in her life. I will elaborate in a follow-up shout out.

Sandy pays attention to critics (critiques as well)...sometimes too much!

Sandy cares about people. Sandy is of, and from the ghetto, but she does not permanently reside there. In fact, I don't think that she ever really resided there. The Ghetto was simply where Sandy emerged from, and the will probably always have a place in her heart (as it should), but Sandy was not bound by her circumstances.

Should I go back to Kaiso....?

Probably not.

I'd better end now while I can.

Sandy has been an exceptional friend, confidant, colleague and client. Thank you, Sandy, for helping to shape my life.

Thanks for being totally vulnerable with me and for letting me learn how NOT to take advantage of peoples' vulnerabilities.

Thanks for crying openly, for hours at a time (with no exageration), and for consuming me completely at a time when, if you didn't, I might or could have lost my way.

Thanks for helping me to appreciate beauty from inside out. Thanks for being real. Thanks for taking me on the journey of life with you. This journey is still taking place even if we are oceans apart and I have not seen you (in the flesh) in a decade and more.

Be true to who you are, Sandy. Remain simple...Sandy. Link me.

Alex.

A shout out to Dr. Rachel Andrew aka Lady R.

I first knew her as Rachel Andrew, then as 'Lady R' and now, she is Dr. Rachel Andrew.

She is the daughter of David Andrew, former (has he retired) ranking police officer in the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Service (CDPS).

David is from Calibishie, or at least that is what I thought. He was certainly raised in Calibishie by Misss Elmina - his aunt. David's dad was Michel Andrew and Michel was the son of Mèzè Ann.

Nuff said about David. Let me focus on his daughter - Rachel, who is the subject of this shout out.

Rachel has Calibishie roots. I am claiming her, not only because she is a top achiever, but because she actually is a Bishie girl - through her dad, David Andrew. Okay, no more mention of David.

I knew Rachel in her formative years at her parents house on Watty’s Lane, Goodwill. I saw all the stages of her growth. I recall Recall Rachel as a high school girl. Oh my, she was always resplendently attired. I can see her now: her hair combed back and placed in a dand, her brown socks all the way up to her knees, with shoes polished black and shiny, her shirt flawlessly tucked into her pleated skirt which was always spotlessly neat, her face clean and glowy, her head up, chest back as she marched through the gates of her house before entering her father's vehicle for the short drive to the Dominica Grammar School. Was it Grammar School? I believe so...

Her dad and I would be waiting in the vehicle. I had been close to her dad, because I always wanted to be a police officer and he was the best of the best - he was also from Calibishie. Therefore, I routinely visited his house and tried to emulate him. Oops, I referred to her dad again, but I did not call his name. Back to Rachel...

Rachel has always been quiet. She is intense, mysteriously intriguing, infectious, sometimes unreadable, and always very approachable. Rachel has always been inquisitive, but quietly so. She, of course, has a tinier frame than many, but she is an absolute heavyweight.

Rachel's smile is louder than her voice, she is of stern quality, and her resoluteness can be missed because of her timorous disposition. Rachel has a gaze which pierces defenselessly through with no apparent effort on her part. Rachel could actually see peoples' minds. I believe Rachel has the gift of 'size-up-ability' (my word/phrase for being able to read people and a room).

I know Rachel well. We once worked together. She was 'Lady R' then. That was when Kairi FM was Kairi FM. Our stint together showed me more about Rachel than I'd already known, because she was a bit more experienced. However, experience did not change a thing about Lady R. It made her a more efficacious version of herself.

It has been years since I last saw and spoke to Rachel, but I know that she has kept climbing the ladder of success. Now a medical doctor who specializes in cardiology care - a profession reminiscent of her passion - I am sure that someone else has come to realize just how special a person she is. Dr. Andrew touched and mended my heart many times before she became qualified to do so.

My feelings and thoughts about Rachel, sorry, Dr. Andrew, are planted in her belief in and respect for me. I believe in her and respect her as well. Dr. Andrew is a gift, a treasure, a phenomenon, one-of-a-kind, a jewel....sigh. I love you, Rachel. I am proud of you.

Let me end.

Dr. Andrew, whatever you are doing and wherever you are, remember that you have my love, admiration and deepest respect - always! Thanks for trusting me, for keeping me real, for accepting me as I really am, for making me feel worthy of your companionship when others scorned me, for listening, caring, for showing compassion; for helping to make me a better person.

Give your family my love and let's chat soon.

Best regards,

Alex.

This is a Triple Shout Out to Cora Richards, James Dominique, and Urania Williams.

I decided to present this Triple Shout in commemoration of Thea Lafond-Gadston's success in the Triple Jump field event in Paris 2024. She jumped 15.02 m to take gold at the summer Olympics.

The reason for combining these three remarkable individuals in this shout out is clear. Cora, James and Uran operate (operated) a the very top when it comes to global telecommunications.

Cora Richards believes in God, Family, People, Teamwork, and Success through Honest Means...somewhat in that order. Cora believes in service to community and country. She is a resolute professional who makes little allowances for errors, and when mistakes happen, Cora is the best fixer one could find.

I know Cora, I have worked with her, I have seen her in action under pressure, and the greater the stress the better she comes through. I have seen Cora relaxed, I have observed her being annoyed. What is unique about Cora is that anger looks pretty on her. Don't ask me how; ask her.

Cora would appear stern, but beneath the sternness resides a smurkish smile which whispers hope, love and compassion. Cora was a master at executing tasks (probably she still is), and when things didn't go as planned, she let it be until the next time.

Cora is honest and fair. She detests - with a pasion - laziness, and motivates people by doing the simplest of things. I remember Cora gifted me a compilation CD which featured my song - Osama Say. This was special...I was indeed motivated to produce more great music, and the very next year, I had another hit - Child Money.

Enough for now...

James Dominique is ia a master craftsman, a reliable field operator, a man af all seasons, the dirty work specialist, (he was Mr. Exquisite when he needed to be), he was a front man, a point man, a reliable team player; James is the person you called when you want to get something done at once. Believe me, James got it done right and right, and he is always the last man to leave. I never understood why.

Just give James a plan & tools necessary to accomplish the mission, provide the human resource and consider the job done. I believe that James is a workaholic! Water and a towel were/are James' preferred tools, and his energy, willpower, overall work aptitude and acument made him invaluable. Yes, in my view, James was/is invaluable.

There is a particular kind of honesty which comes with being James Dominique that is very uncommon. Unreliability and lack of punctuality probably rubs James the worse way. I can say so, because I have witnessed his displeasure when people whom he relied upon did not deliver.

James respects authority, but he did not see subordinates as less than anyone else. In fact, James would stand up for his people against the will of the principals of the company. I believe he might have gotten in trouble (once or twice) doing so. James, however, respected authority - he just found a way around....

Urania Williams is an elegant leader of leaders. He was slow to act, but when she did, her actions were swift and the effect sank deep. If you want to cross someone, Uran should not be that someone.

Uran has a mind of gold, and everything that her hands touched blossomed. Uran does not like double, two-faced, no face, bold face, tricky, unrealizable people. I suspect, as well, that Uran does not appreciate it when people speak before thinking. Uran does not do well when she is misinformed or ill-informed.

If you are going to report to Uran, make sure that your information is full-proof and that there should be no questions when it comes to the veracity of the fats.

Uran called me, Alec. She scolded me once, and it never happened again. She once told me (almost verbatim): as a Cable & Wireless employee, your word is golden. I rely on what you tell me to inform the higher-ups, so come good! I came good every time after that.

I am here rambling on, but I have not said how I know Cora, James and Uran. Well, Cora, Jame and I belong to an elite group of Dominicans who have been sold from one company to another.

Yes, sold! Cora, James, Uran and I were sold in that deal from Cable & Wireless to Lime - Flow, but it was Cora, and it was Urania, Cora and James who were responsible for me being sold. I was a contracted Cable & Wireless employee on a continuing contract that had a very lucrative financial consideration.

To say that I was well compensated would be an understatement, and it was Cora, James and Uran who advanced arguments in my favor. Thank you, Cora James and Uran. I am not sure that any current (or past) telecommunications brand ambassador enjoyed the sort of benefits which I received, and this was mainly due to Cora, James and Uran. Thank You!

I worked with Cora, James and Uran for over a decade, and when they left the business, I continued on a slightly different arrangement. But the same good ole love and respect remenined through Ferdina Fernanda Frampton, Phenomenal Woman, Bertrand "Berty" Phillipson, Jofa et. al.

It was really a family affair at C & W, Lime, Flow. Oh how I miss those days. Memories are, however, significant, so let me hang on to those precious (priceless) moments which were shared with Cora, James and Uran et. al.

Retirement should not sunset the wealth which Cora, James and Uran possess. It is my view that clues for the future successes of telecommunications in Dominica rests in those who have served the industry best, and Cora, James and Uran have.

Take a bow, guys!

I end by saying THANK YOU again and again. The contribution of Cora, James and Uran to my professional life and successes cannot be overstated. I am forever indebted to you.

Best regards,

Alex.

Mr. McMillan Jno. Baptiste is unique in every aspect.

Best known for his reputation as a homegrown, from humble beginnings to famed entrepreneurial giant, Mr McMillan is known simply as Mr McMillan or Mr Mac.

I knew better not to have asked Mr McMillan: "how are things", but I did anyway, and he gave me the expected 'climbing the greasy pole' response.

This happened a few days ago (Saturday, August 17, 2024) when I last crossed paths with Mr Mac near one of his properties in Roseau. It was the first time that I actually stood right next to Mr Mac, and we greeted each other with the usual smile; then laughter broke out.

Mr Mac did not appear to be in a hurry. He never seems to be in any rush, and I realized - probably for the first time - how much of a diminutive stature anchored this huge Dominican icon.

Mr Mac is a little-big man. He stands about 5' 5" tall, but he is taller than Dominica's highest pick in terms of his reputation and work on behalf of our people and country.

I have had a working/professional relationship with Mr Mac since my early days at DBS Radio, somewhere about 1996/7. While I cannot boast of him being a 'friend', I can attest that I know him first for his generosity.

Mr Mac was, and probably still is, a long-standing sponsor of the DBS community Service Day activities coverage. I remember that Shermaine Green-Brown - Program Director of DBS - would give every driver a voucher for a full tank of gas from McMillan Gas Station to facilitate our journey around the island on November 4 - the day of national service.

Mr Mac’s gesture was both noble and significant. Back then, I could not afford to service my vehicle with a full tank of gas, so the symbolism of a full tank did me a world of good. But that's not all. Mr Mac also sponsored my tour of the island when Germain Royer, Daryl Titre and I when we embarked on a separate mission to discover Dominica's treasure - our Centenarians - in late 1999 to early 2000.

That Centenarian Project was my idea, of course, and it enjoyed the blessings of DBS' General Manager, Dennis Joseph. Mr Mac saw the value in such a partnership.

Mr Mac supported my theatre company, Teyat Pawol, as well. Whenever we took our plays out of town (at least twice a year for over ten years), my technical production would receive petron sponsored by McMillan Gas Station.

I remember Mr Mac making the argument that gas is $$, so instead of giving us $$, he sponsored through the issuance of gas. In fact, Mr. Mac was the only sponsor who never gave me cash $$. But he always gave.

I wanted to place this on record in the form of this unusual shout out to an unusual national gem. When we last spoke, Mr Mac said "I am 86 and I am still working; do you know why?" Yes, I said. Well, I have to work to earn wealth". But you are already wealthy, I replied to which Mr Mac said: "So if that's the case, I guess wealth is not what some people think?".

I did not press Mr Mac any further, because I wanted to understand what he meant from my own reasoning. He wanted me to decipher it as well.

Dominica is better because of people like Mr Mac. Mr Mac has indeed made his mark on me, and I dare say on several people as well.

Mr Mac is simple and unassuming. Mr Mac is humble and real. Mr Mac is reputable and grounded. Mr Mac boasts not of what can be boasted about. Mr Mac is a little giant of a man who can never be duplicated.

Thank you, Mr Mac, for your support. Most importantly, thank you for the several life lessons you have shared. Stay young and keep trying to climb the greasy pole, Mr Mac. This metaphor is very clear to me now.

Your climb is not in search of material wealth. Instead, your climb is in pursuit of the illusive time. Your climb is the basis of your health, health is measured in time and over time, and your health is your wealth. Your climb, therefore, is occupying time in a way that gives you maximum rewards. Keep climbing that greasy pole, Mr Mac.

I celebrate you today, my friend. I am proud to say that I have worked with you. Thank you for helping me at a time when I probably needed it most.

Alex.