On Tuesday 29 November 2011, staff at the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) were greeted with a chain on the front door as they came in to work. Added to their frustration were SLP supporters who were gathered outside chanting ‘en rouge’. They said they were confused and not sure whether they should return home or wait for authorities to intervene.
The STAR spoke with one of the workers who explained that this was the result of a speech given by the victorious SLP candidate for Soufriere, Harold Dalson, “who promised that should he win the election, his first order of business will be to lock up the foundation and so I believe that he did exactly what he set out to do.”
The current chairman of the foundation, in an interview with DBS news expressed his disappointment with the situation. Mr Lyton Lamontagne said that the foundation is not in the business of politics and has helped and supported residents of Soufriere over the last four years. He further explained that because residents of Soufriere are the sole beneficiaries of the foundation, locking down this essential establishment would not be in the best interest of the community. Mr Lamontagne was careful not to accuse any one whom he think might be responsible for the lock down but admitted hearing from other persons of Mr Dalson’s alleged intentions on his campaign platform. He further said that it could also be possible that a supporter who may have heard the statement from Mr Dalson could have executed it himself.
It has been speculated that the SLP representative was responsible for locking down the foundation but later that day, Mr Dalson responded by saying he was not responsible and was surprised that someone would do such. He then informed the police of the situation and requested their support in breaking the chains.
The staff has returned to work but they are still fearful for their jobs.
Mr Lamontagne told the STAR he will not be investigating the matter and plans to move ahead with the business of the foundation.
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