As a proud resident of Choiseul, I’m compelled to raise an urgent alarm over the impending sale of Bisee lands in La Fargue. For decades, the fertile lands of Choiseul have been prey to unscrupulous dealings, with politicians at the heart of these murky transactions. Today, the story is no different. The proposed sale of this land to a non-Choiseulian threatens the very fabric of our community, and we will not stay silent.
Let’s make no
mistake about it—this deal reeks of political nepotism. It’s now circulating
that the Bisee land, opposite Mathias Bar, is being sold to none other than Ian
Baptiste, the brother of Foreign Affairs Minister Alva Baptiste. We all know
Ian—he ran the infamous TIPSY Bar in La Fargue until it was destroyed by fire
last year. Now, in a conveniently orchestrated move, he’s about to secure prime
land right here in our village, despite over five Choiseulians reportedly being
denied the opportunity to purchase or lease it. What’s the justification for Ian’s
special treatment? Is it because his brother sits in the Cabinet?
This land has
history—history that belongs to Choiseul. For years, it was home to
agricultural officers like Miller and St. Hill, who served our community with
dedication. When they left, the land stood idle, its potential ignored by those
who should have cared for it. Why, now, has the government suddenly decided
it’s fit for a sale—and to a non-resident, no less? Why not offer this land to
a Choiseulian?
Adding insult to
injury, the plans for this land include establishing another bar or nightclub,
right in the vicinity of Choiseul Secondary School, just 30 yards away. Are we
really going to stand by while yet another alcohol establishment threatens the
well-being of our youth? Have our leaders forgotten the efforts of the
principal at Rivière Dorée School, who fought successfully to stop the
construction of a bar near his school?
But this issue goes
beyond just a bar. It’s about the future of Choiseul. La Fargue is the heart of
Choiseul’s development. Why isn't the land being used for something
meaningful—like a proper facility to house the Choiseul Library, Post Office,
and Village Council, all of which are currently crammed into a dangerous,
dilapidated building? This land could be the perfect site for such a
much-needed development, one that benefits every resident of Choiseul, not just
a privileged few.
The sale of the
Bisee land represents more than just a shady deal—it’s a betrayal of the
Choiseulian people. We must stand up, speak out, and demand that this
government rethink its plans. The land must be preserved for the betterment of
Choiseul, not sold off to outsiders for profit. This is our home, and we will
not be ignored.
Choiseul belongs
to its people—let’s keep it that way
