Moise says he's ready for tests facing Haiti's next leader

PORT-AU-PRINCE— Repeating their stance from last year's annulled election, Haitian voters appear to have reached outside the intrigue-heavy political class to pick a first-time candidate to steer the deeply divided country as president for the next five years.

Jovenel Moise, an entrepreneur who routinely sticks to an optimistic tone, said Tuesday that he is looking forward to the challenge of building consensus with lawmakers and helping fix a political culture perpetually at war with itself.

Dorcena Forry hosts first ‘Eyes on Haiti’ conversation; focus on cholera, storm aid

Saying “it is time we responsibly manage our investments in Haiti and make sure we work collaboratively towards greater accountability in dealing with relief efforts for a sustainable Haiti,” state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry hosted the first program in her conversation series titled “Eyes on Haiti” last Friday afternoon at the Massachusetts State House.

The discussion centered on the causes and effects of the widespread epidemic of cholera across Haiti and the status of relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s passage of destruction across the island earlier this month.

Friday forum at State House to focus on Haiti

State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry will host a discussion on the response to Hurricane Matthew and the cholera epidemic in Haiti at the State House on Friday, Oct. 14.

“Eyes on Haiti: A conversation about cholera and disaster response” will take place from 1-2:30 p.m. in coordination with the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. Senator Ed Markey, who just returned from a trip to Haiti to observe the conditions after the hurricane, will be the featured speaker at the event.

Hurricane Matthew leaves southwest Haiti devastated

PETIT-GOAVE - Hurricane Matthew churned toward the Bahamas early Wednesday with a spreading mix of high winds, heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge, leaving widespread damage and human suffering behind in Haiti's poor, rural southwestern peninsula.

At least 11 deaths had been blamed on the powerful storm during its weeklong march across the Caribbean, five of them in Haiti. But with a key bridge washed out, roads impassable and phone communications down, the western tip of Haiti was isolated and there was no word on dead and injured.

First for Boston: Early vote hours for Nov. election; Oct. 24 start date

For the first time ever, registered voters in Boston — and across the state — will have the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 8 elections during an early voting period.

Boston City Hall will open up voting booths during normal business hours beginning Oct. 24 and lasting through Nov. 4. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and the first Friday of the 11-day early voting period, City Hall will remain open until 8 p.m.

Aristide returns to campaign trail after fainting at rally

PORT-AU-PRINCE— Former Haitian leader Jean-Bertand Aristide has returned to the campaign trail a day after passing out while supporting his political faction's presidential candidate.

The former president was brought to a hospital in the northern city of Cap-Haitien after collapsing while preparing to speak on behalf of Fanmi Lavalas candidate Maryse Narcisse.

On Sept. 17, Aristide told reporters he was feeling better and would continue stumping for Narcisse.

U.S. toughens stance on Haitians seeking entry from Brazil

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that it was widening efforts to deport Haitians, a response to thousands of immigrants from the Caribbean nation who have overwhelmed California border crossings with Mexico in recent months.

The move lifts special protections that shielded Haitians from deportation after their nation's 2010 earthquake. Since 2011, U.S. authorities have avoided deporting Haitians unless they were convicted of serious crimes or posed a national security threat. Now they will be treated like people from other countries.

Dorcena Forry: Let’s revisit security issues on Uber hires

Disturbed by recent arrests involving Uber drivers accused of assaulting passengers, state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, who backed an unsuccessful effort earlier this year to fingerprint drivers of app-based ride-hailing services, predicts lawmakers will need to return to the issue next session while not ruling out filing a new bill of her own.

“This is a sad day. It’s frustrating and horrifying that this is happening in our streets,” the Dorchester Democrat said of the latest reported assault incident in her district involving a Brockton man who drove for Uber.

Cullinane tops Lacet to win nomination in 12th Suffolk House district

State Rep. Dan Cullinane secured his 12th Suffolk District seat on Sept. 8, beating out second place finisher Jovan Lacet by more than 800 votes after a low-turnout primary.

Cullinane, seeking his second full elected term after filling the post in 2013, faced Mattapan lawyer Lacet and neighborhood advocate Carlotta Williams. No Republican is running for the seat, ending the contest here.

UN acknowledges role in triggering cholera outbreak; vows to help

PORT-AU-PRINCE— A U.N. acknowledgement that it played a role in introducing cholera to Haiti and vows to aid victims were welcomed this week in the Caribbean nation, which has experienced the worst outbreak of the disease in recent history.

While the number of cholera cases has been significantly reduced from the initial outbreak in 2010, the fact that the preventable disease is still routinely sickening and killing Haitians is galling to many.

Boston Haitian Reporter

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