Opahl St Marie, sales representative, Reduit: I think that his article was a very strategic move by Jeff Fedee and if I had any respect left for him I don’t think I’d have a shred of it left at this point. How can you be the government PR man, the government “mouthpiece”––as many have began to call him—and turn around and do something like that? Sure you may be a writer but you’re also working for government. I really don’t think King should keep him on as PRO, it was not like he was doing a good job of it anyway.

Lucius Isidore, bus driver, Grand Rivere: That was a very bold move on the part of Jeff Fedee but I’m not sure things are going to work out in his best interest. Though Fedee said the article was well-intentioned I don’t think it was. The fact of the matter is his contract is up and he probably already knows that government is not going to renew it.

Valentine Augustine, investment banker, Monchy: Are we really in such a desperate situation in St Lucia that now even the government Public Relations Officer has given up on his own government? I know things are bad but I didn’t think they were that bad. I don’t even want to focus on Jeff Fedee’s article because I’m sorry to say, I have not had the chance to read it. I’m really concerned about my country and the effect that financial problems in the US are going to have on sweet Ste Lisi and the rest of the world. I know it’s only a matter of time until we start to feel what people in the US are feeling if we aren’t already. I don’t think the situation in St Lucia, including of high prices for everything imaginable is going to get better. I think politicians need to stop hiding behind words they think people want to hear. They need to stop using reassuring works and come right out and tell people what’s going on. Forget Jeff Fedee.

Vince Richards, accountant, Vieux Fort: Whether Jeff Fedee had good intentions when he wrote that article or not, that remains to be seen. However, I don’t really see anything in there that calls for him to lose his job. I think people are blowing the entire thing out of proportion. Unless his contract specified that he wasn’t supposed to air his views in the local media, then he’s fine. Additionally, I think Fedee took the safe route, saying things but not really saying them.

Trent Jules, store manager, Gros Islet: I read the article by Jeff Fedee in the STAR newspaper and I actually started laughing when I came across the line about how he feels for the young people who can’t get jobs while he benefited from a well-paid government job. What a load of crap! I can’t believe Jeff Fedee actually came out and used that line. And he calls himself a writer? What does Jeff Fedee care about young people and what has he done for them lately? Why doesn’t he use a portion of the money from his “well paid government job” to do something real and show he actually cares about young people rather than running his mouth in the media!

Miranda Deterville, administrative assistant, Bexon: How can a person do something like that? How will anyone be able to trust you again? When you turn around and stab one person in the back, in this case, the government, no one else is going to want you to work for them.

Anonymous, Castries: Is Jeff Fedee still the government PRO? I don’t really follow these political issues. I’m really not concerned and can’t be bothered to read an article written by Jeff Fedee.

Jasmina Charles, customer service representative, Bella Rosa: Even though I’m sure a lot of people would love to see the back of Jeff Fedee, I don’t think that’s going to happen. You can never tell with these politicians. Maybe it was the prime minister who gave him those instructions for whatever reason. I don’t know what that reason would be but I’m just trying to come up with a reason for Fedee’s actions.

Jacintha Louis, teacher, Castries: If I hired someone to make me look good and they ended up coming out in the public eye and making me look bad, I wouldn’t even think about it, I’d fire them. That’s all there is to it. You hire someone to be your public relations officer, to present information to the public in your best interest. If government wanted something like what Fedee just did, I think they’d go directly to the local media who would certainly be more than happy to be government critics. I think Jeff Fedee just nailed the final nail into his coffin. I can’t believe that anyone could be so stupid. I’m sure the members of the St Lucia Labour Party are just sitting there laughing their heads off. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Claudianne Jn Pierre, unemployed, Marisule: Where does Jeff get off writing that sort of article? What kind of respectable person does something like that? To me Jeff came off as a bitter and conniving individual because of this latest outburst. Shouldn’t there be something in the contract of a government public relations office that holds implications for anyone who leaves and does something like this? Surely government isn’t so stupid to just leave things like that up to chance.

Candace Eugene, reservations agent, Castries: Why did Jeff Fedee wait so long after Ausbert d’Auvergne resigned or was fired to come out and support him? If he really believed d’Auvergne was the only one who could carry sir John’s “vision” forward then why didn’t he speak up while the issue was still fresh? I think Jeff Fedee is just looking for unnecessary attention right now in the wrong way. I really don’t know what’s going on with these politicians. Up to this day I can’t understand why d’Auvergne isn’t a minister anymore.