Facts on Alliance of Independent Candidate, Claude Gerald

My friends, I am Claude Gerald. Many of you know me as a teacher, an environmentalist, an opinion columnist and no doubt some of you remember me as a Director of Agriculture. I am seeking your vote in the upcoming general elections on Montserrat.

I am prepared to offer you representation of high quality and I am persuaded that when you consider my skills, achievements and interests, you will agree that I am well suited to providing you the kind of representation our country needs. In making your choice of candidates, you cannot have too much information. My purpose then is to summarize for you a few significant facts about myself. Among them, some of you may be ignorant, unaware and which you do not remember.

Facts on Alliance of Independent Candidate, Claude Gerald

Did you know that Claude Gerald, as Director of Agriculture in 1996 led the way for development of Agriculture in the North of Montserrat?

Did you know that despite much opposition he had faith that the less fertilized north would with the right kind of care and persistent effort, produce as well as the evacuated areas? There can be no doubt that this conviction guided him in the design and execution of the upgrading of farms in the various farming areas that we see in operation at this time.

You may know that Claude Gerald is passionately against using chemicals in our food systems and that as Director of Agriculture he championed the organic agriculture movement, not only here but throughout the Caribbean. You must remember the 4 acre farm of 40 organic growers he established in Thompson Field, Plymouth before volcanic eruption.

But in this context, recall that he was also the man who suppressed the dreaded mealy bug infestation when it threatened our food supply right after evacuation. It was his well reasoned fight against the use of chemicals in that effort that brought him head to head with powerful opposition. In the end, after being much maligned, the mealy bugs were suppressed by the biological agents he imported.

And did you know that Claude Gerald has been championing the protection of the environment for many years? And that he remains firm against the destruction of trees, mangrove swamps, forests and key assets of nature. That is why the official destruction of Piper’s Pond, Gun Hill and other areas on Montserrat galls his thinking.

Claude is not against infrastructural development of Montserrat but insists that we must follow the law of the land and international protocols. He insists that the provisions of the Physical Planning Act were not followed at Piper’s Pond and elsewhere in our new town development. He feels that law makers should not be law breakers.

Did you know that Claude was fired as Director of Agriculture in 2000 simply for acclaiming a fired Minister of Agriculture during the opening of an Agricultural exhibition? Claude Gerald is prepared to stand for his convictions at any and all costs. He eventually prevailed in the Appeal Court in defense of his right to speak, and he is similarly prepared to defend your right to freedom of expression.

Furthermore, did you know that the court ruled that Claude is, and never ceased to be the Director of Agriculture, and that his case is now referred to by courts throughout the Caribbean and the Commonwealth?

And it is unlikely that you know that earlier this year, that Claude was denied the right to speak on ZJB radio on the benefits of the marijuana plant to mankind.

You can be sure that Claude Gerald will strive to open up the airwaves to lawful expression by the citizens of Montserrat.

Claude Gerald is particularly supportive of the rights of the less privileged in our society and will seek to embrace their talents for the good of our country.

Did you hear that on failing to be elected in the 2006 elections that he was the only public servant not to be re-employed in any fashion by the Government of Montserrat? But in response, having being subjected to such discriminatory treatment, Claude is resolved to dedicate himself to eliminating discrimination from our society.

Also, did you know that Claude has been teaching economics since 2000 at the sixth form level? Well a good number of his students are now established in the practice of economics influencing decision making and makers, having majored in the subject. Among Claude's students there are some who succeeded in advanced level economics after just four and half months of intensive tutoring.

Significantly, Claude's defense of the rights of students to strike against high handedness at the Montserrat Community College ended up costing him his job as a tutor. Claude Gerald has nevertheless not wavered in his resolve to promote the rights of the residents of Montserrat.

He was actually further victimized after opposing the actions of the management of that institution in the sacking of a key member of staff in 2006 without just cause.

But it was this same Claude who, as a volunteer prior to volcanic eruption, had taught agricultural science for 5 years to a generation of Montserrat Secondary School students while the salaried established teacher was never present.

In these and many other ways Claude Gerald has sacrificed in putting the people’s interests ahead of his own. He knows no other way. This will not change.



Vote Claude Gerald of the Alliance of Independent Candidates