Prime Minister, Opposition, New Year Speeches. Will It Be Glad Tidings, Fake News, Or Same Ole?

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020

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Prime Minister, Opposition, New Year Speeches

Will It Be Glad Tidings, Fake News, Or Same Ole?

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Prime Minister Allen Chastanet can be expected to revisit his successes as well as goodies not yet delivered, for which delays he will no doubt point to “opposition for opposition sake!”

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Republic Bank Hamper Presentation to Salvation Army

DAYS OF YOR LIFE

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he Chinese New Year starts on January 25, 2020. It is the Year of the Rat (YOR). While we who follow the Chinese path will stick with the old ways and beliefs, there is a move afoot to replace the Rat and make this the Year of the Lawyer.

This is because there are now more lawyers than rats, medical researchers are not as emotionally attached to lawyers as they are to rats, and regardless of how much pressure is exerted on them, there are some things that rats will not do. You may ask, why are they waiting until now to have a “Year of the Lawyer” or even of other professionals? Why haven’t doctors, engineers or university lecturers, especially economists and political scientists, featured in the Chinese horoscope or the astrological signs we grew up with? The Chinese and the West both have twelve signs but while we start ours with Aries, the first 30 degrees of celestial longitude which originates from the constellation of the same name, the Chinese start their cycle with a rat.

According to the ancient Chinese story, the Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. He sent an immortal being to spread the message that the place they would hold in the Emperor’s esteem would be determined by the order in which they arrived at the heavenly gate. The quick-witted rat, with guile befitting the most highly-paid Queen’s Counsel, asked the diligent ox to help him across the river. Unfortunately, the ox did not smell a rat. As they reached the gate, the rat jumped down before the ox and won first place in the Emperor’s hierarchy. Ox was second, followed by Tiger and Rabbit in third and fourth place. Dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said Dragon's son could be sixth. But Dragon's son didn't come with him that day. Just then, Snake came forward and said Dragon was his adoptive father, so Snake ranked sixth. Horse and Goat came seventh and eighth followed by Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. In

the astrology I grew up with, apart from Taurus, which has a foot in both camps, the others like Leo, Sagittarius, Pisces, Scorpio, Gemini and even Capricorn all suffer with Cancer. None of them made the Chinese first team. Neither did the lawyers who were probably chasing ambulances at the time, or maybe lost whatever appeal they had with the Jade Emperor.

As it is, the first year in the twelve-year cycle is The Year of the Rat. Also, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold (Metal), and Water—and this is the year of the Golden or Metal rat. While the Wood Rat is a team-player and the Fire Rat is energetic and brave, the Earth Rat is amiable and honest, and the Water Rat is talkative and wise. But it is the Golden Rat that takes the cake and, in my experience, even the bread, cheese and roti. According to the seers, “Goldie”, despite having a strong sense of self-awareness, or perhaps because of it, is hot-tempered and jealous.

One of the most frightening things about being a Rat in a Rat year, or as I found out in 2017, which was the Year of the Rooster, my Chinese sign, is that the year of one's birth sign is the most unlucky year in the 12-year cycle. In 2017, what I had mistakenly thought would be my year, turned out to be the worst year I ever had in my life. Yet, it will not be even close to what is predicted for anyone, especially women, dealing with Rat men; “Due to a lack of courage, as well as good command skills, they are not capable of being leaders.

Opportunistic and picky as male Rats are, they do not have broad minds but take a narrow view of things.” Other experts say that all rats, both men and women, find it easy to start a new relationship with someone, but they also break off relationships easily, which results in trouble with infidelity. Rat-women though “are pretty, smart, and lovely.

They have quick minds and dexterous hands, and are able to learn anything.”

This mental ability of women born in the Year of the Rat, as well as their dexterity, led me to wonder what the Year of the Rat holds for me as

a Rooster as well as the rest of you including those who don’t give a rodent’s rectum about horoscopes or horrorscopes. First, people born in the year of the Ox, Rat’s close companion in the trip to the Heavenly Gate, as well as the Rabbit and Dragon, will do well this year. Rat and Rabbit couples will have a “good year” without tiring or retiring. Unfortunately, the ones who will have the greatest problems will be those born in the Year of the Horse, and Roosters like me who tend to go off halfcocked most of the time.

The one who will do best is not a person or even an animal. It is a brand.

Nike. The company’s News says, “The Year of the Rat— YOR—begins a new cycle in the 12-year Chinese Zodiac Calendar. It also coincides with the globe's most well-known sporting event, in which China and Nike share a rich, interwoven history. This recurrence is the backdrop for the patterns in Nike's 2020 Chinese New Year collection, incorporating designs from the last four YOR cycles into footwear and apparel from Nike and Jordan Brand . . . the extensive collection will include the Air Max 1, Air Force 1 Low, Air Max 720, Air Max 90. The ladies will also be receiving their own special colorways of the Air Max 90, Air Force 1 Shadow, Air Max 270 React, and Joyride Run 2.”

This Nike link with the Chinese forced me into some serious ratiocination.

It is good to see the Chinese being taken for the same kind of ride they are taking others for. I know that such a massive and totally rational sweetheart deal between the two global giants was set up by the highest paid and most capable corporate lawyers in the world and for the time being both parties are sole-mates, but why do I still smell a rat?

Tony Deyal was last seen asking what NIKE said when it heard that the Year of the Rat was being changed to the Year of the Lawyer?

“Just Do It.”

january 11, 2020 THE STAR

Spreading Christmas cheer, Republic Bank officials donated hampers to the Salvation Army.

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n the spirit of giving and assisting the less fortunate, the staff of Republic Bank's Castries branch continued their five-year tradition of preparing hampers for the Salvation Army. The bank matched funds raised by staff to purchase the items for the hampers which were presented to the Salvation Army on December 23, 2019 at the banking hall on William Peter Boulevard, Castries.

Republic Bank, Country Manager, Gordon Julien congratulated the Salvation Army on over 117 years of service to Saint Lucia and said the bank was pleased to join hands in supporting the organisation in bringing Christmas cheer to the less fortunate.

The bank's management and staff are thankful for this opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to making a difference in their community and look forward to partnering with Captain Derek Mitchell and the wider Salvation Army team again in 2020.

OECS Member States excel at 2020 Caribbean Travel Awards

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he Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States extends heartiest congratulations to the OECS Member States that topped the Caribbean Journal’s 2020 ‘Caribbean Travel Awards’— winning 8 of the 21 prestigious tourism honours.

This year’s Caribbean Travel Awards included winners across 21 categories, selected by Caribbean Journal’s editorial staff and its network of contributors. Editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal, Alexander Britel, said the Caribbean Travel Awards honoured the hotels, destinations, experiences and, most importantly, people that make the Caribbean the greatest travel destination on earth.

The five OECS destination award winners selected were: • Antigua and Barbuda, winner of the 'New AllInclusive of the Year', and the ‘Caribbean Spa of the Year Award’; • St. Kitts and Nevis, winner of the ‘Cruise Destination of the Year Award’; • Martinique, winner of the ‘Culinary Destination of the

Minister of Tourism of Saint Lucia Dominic Fedee, winner of the ‘Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year Award’.

Year Award’; • The Commonwealth of Dominica, winner of the ‘Luxury Destination of the Year Award’ and the ‘New Hotel of the Year Award’; and • Saint Lucia, winner of the ‘Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year Award’ and the 'Caribbean Chef of the Year Award'—Orlando Satchell.

Tourism Specialist at the OECS Commission, Maria Fowell, highlighted the importance of these awards as an acknowledgment of the key achievements of multiple

stakeholders in the tourism industry.

"The tourism sector plays a significant role in OECS economies. Substantial investment and effort has gone into developing and enhancing the tourism product in the OECS. We are delighted with this recognition and will continue to work closely with our Member States to ensure that the Eastern Caribbean remains amongst the most iconic destinations of the world,” Fowell said.

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

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Trust Makes its Move and Awaits Chastanet’s Reaction! that in the next six months— as the Trust continues to carry out its mandate in a genuine way—everyone will recognize its focus is not on politics but he council [of the Saint on looking after the nation’s Lucia National Trust] patrimony. shall, with the approval

Bishnu Tulsie is going of the minister, and upon ahead with his retirement such terms and conditions plans, and will proceed on as it may determine, appoint several months’ leave at the a director.” So states Section end of this month. In the 46 of the National Trust Rules interim there will be an officer established on June 2, 1984. in charge. “Very likely,” said The minister referred to is also King, “it will be Jeannine.” the nation’s prime minister,

Asked what will happen who recently gave the thumbs when Tulsie’s leave ends and down to the Trust’s submission the director position becomes of Jeanine Compton-Antoine open again, King said: “We as a replacement for the will decide what we do at present director Bishnu Tulsie, that point. It’s still early so we soon to proceed on retirement. have some time to deliberate Council Chair Allison King (left) and Director Bishnu Tulsie insist It is unclear whether the and decide how we move that the Trust’s only motive is to find the best balance between rules require the minister to forward.” development and conservation. offer reasons for his approval

Will Compton-Antoine, in or disapproval of Trust charge, add more tension to referenced the prime decisions were guided by the Antoine, save for what he said an already rocky relationship? submissions. minister’s radio call: “We results of a rigorous fourduring a call to a radio station. King said it may very well,

In a lengthy document on feel that the reasons given step screening process that Nevertheless Compton-Antoine but her wish is that as Wednesday, the organisation are either not grounded on was hired in December 2019, concluded that the chosen revealed that Prime Minister Officer in Charge, Comptonfacts or seem to have some as corporate services manager, Antoine will demonstrate candidate was competent.

The Allen Chastanet had stated considerations that we did first and second candidates on a one-year contract. three main reasons during a her capabilities. Outgoing not put into the decision finally were unavailable, so the Chastanet raised call to a local radio station director Tulsie added: “The we arrived at.” Tulsie said Trust turned to Ms Comptonquestions about this decision, Trust pursues an agenda that last month for his disapproval political issues were not on the ground that the Trust Antoine whose score was of Ms. Compton-Antoine as tries to balance conservation taken into consideration in had circumvented the spirit just 6 per cent lower than the director of the trust: political and development. Whether it the recruitment phase. As front-runner’s. of the Act by creating a new disagreements with the is me, or Jeannine, or you in for competence, he said that

Council Chair Allison position. The Trust countered applicant, the fact that she this job, our actions will be King told reporters the prime that the position in question was not the Trust’s first choice, Compton-Antoine, like other guided by the dictates of the candidates, was assessed minister had provided no had been created when the and ability to do the job. members of the Trust and by based on the criteria for reasons for not approving 2009-2019 strategic plan was the principles laid down by the

At a press conference the job. He insists that their the appointment of Comptonapproved. King is optimistic on Thursday, Bishnu Tulsie Council.”

Joshua St. Aimee

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Prime Minister to Deliver New Year Address tomorrow

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rime Minister Honourable Allen M. Chastanet will deliver his New Year Address to the Nation on Sunday January 12, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. featuring a review of 2019, with projections and outlook for Saint Lucia in 2020.

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service will touch on key areas including security and justice, healthcare, education, investments and major projects and will speak about the continuing journey to bring empowerment to the people and plans to build a new Saint Lucia.

The Address will be carried simultaneously by local television stations at 8:00 p.m.

NEXT ISSUE

Who will be STAR Person of the Year?

Don’t miss next issue!

SAINT LUCIA INTRODUCES A TOURIST ACCOMMODATION FEE

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ollowing consultations with stakeholders in the industry, the Government of Saint Lucia will be introducing a tourist accommodation fee to be used for destination marketing and development. As of April 1, 2020, stay-over visitors to Saint Lucia will be required to pay an accommodation fee on their nightly stay on the island.

All accommodation providers on the island (hotels, guest houses, villas, apartments etc.) will be required to collect from their stay-over guests US$3 and US$6 respectively on a nightly rate below or above US$120. The fees will be paid by the stay-over visitor and collected by accommodation providers who will remit the fees collected to government

via the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA). Guests at accommodation services sourced through sharing platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO will be subject to an accommodation fee of 7% on the full cost of stay.

The tourist accommodation fee will be used to finance the destination marketing activities undertaken by the SLTA as it promotes Saint Lucia’s tourism product worldwide and particularly in key markets within the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Europe.

The fee will also be used to support village tourism development, and destination management and development of the local product in Saint Lucia.

The intention is to strengthen the SLTA’s ability to increase its marketing of the destination and to support tourism development in Saint Lucia with the collection of a fee that correlates to visitor arrivals.

Saint Lucia attracts up to 350,000 stay-over visitors to its shores every year. The SLTA has set a target of 541,000 stay-over visitors by 2022. It wants to increase airlift seat capacity and load factor on all flights into Saint Lucia to 85%.

The SLTA is also working towards increased awareness of brand Saint Lucia. Its annual budget for marketing and promotion is approximately $35 million.

The business of promoting a tourism destination is becoming

increasingly challenging and highly competitive as countries worldwide try to capture a greater share of the growing tourist market.

Given this, it is now a common practice for countries to finance the marketing of their tourism product through an accommodation fee or levy paid for by stay-over visitors to the destination.

More established destinations with far greater resources than Saint Lucia such as Canada, the US and Italy all make use of accommodation fees for destination marketing purposes. In addition, many Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Barbados and Belize and those within the OECS including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis

and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, have implemented accommodation levies. These levies are often applied on a per room, per night basis and are sometimes scaled (tiered) based on the type of property.

As configured, Saint Lucia’s Tourist Accommodation Fee is among the lowest in the OECS and CARICOM, and other well-established tourist destinations globally. Saint Lucia’s fee structure is similar to that of the Maldives.

The SLTA is establishing a process to allow accommodation providers on island, international tour operators and booking websites to easily remit the fees they collect from stayover guests. The system has built-in mechanisms to verify that the information being

provided is accurate. Given that an automated system for remitting the fees collected from guests will be utilised, the cost to accomodation providers will be negligible.

Tourism Minister Hon. Dominic Fedee says destination marketing benefits all players in the industry: accomodation providers, airlines, tour operators, travel agents, ground handlers, sites and attractions.

He further commented, “It’s always a challenge for small countries to allocate much needed resources towards tourism marketing.

The accomodation fee allows tourism to pay for itself, as the tax will be levied to tourists to the island. It frees up much needed funds for healthcare, education and national security.”

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

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january 11, 2020 THE STAR

At last House Sitting did Castries Central MP step on Sensitive SLP Toes? cares about the plight of the malaway. Moses ‘Musa’ Jn Baptiste is famously on record as shouting from the steps of the Castries market—in he Bill before parliament Stephenson King’s time as at its last sitting of the prime minister, when Kenny year sought approval Anthony had freshly returned for the waiver of the VAT from a spell in political on funeral home expenses, Purgatory!—that the United on electricity and water Workers Party hates poor reconnection fees, as well as workers. It may also be worth on services under the contract reminding the forgetful that agreement between SLASPA at the SLP’s 64th Conference and the OECC for the HIA of Delegates Kenny Anthony Redevelopment Project. What posed the question: What does was especially interesting it mean to be Labour? He then about this part of the Bill, was answered this way: “To shape that it questions government’s the destiny of the poor and treatment of the working marginalized; to protect and class, in particular the poor, promote the welfare of those with its imposition of excess unable to do so for themselves; taxes. Even more interesting, to improve the quality of life ironic even, was the sermon for the less fortunate; to close preached by the party that the gap between the haves ultimately ignored its own and the have-nots. Being virtue signal and imposed such Labour means having a social an excessive (“oppressive?”) conscience.” tax anyway.

In the same address,

The SLP has not been Anthony recalled that “the shy in claiming it alone Saint Lucia Labour Party came Dean Nestor

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from the struggles of our workers against colonialism and the plantocracy [yes, he actually used the P-word!].

The UWP came from us. Born of intrigue, opportunism and disloyalty.”

But at last December’s parliamentary sitting it was a UWP administration that recognized the need to relieve the working poor of the “oppressive” VAT. The MP for Castries Central, Sarah FloodBeaubrun, in her contribution to the debate, went to the heart of the matter.

“I rise to support the motion before us,” she said, “and I have to admit that ever since VAT was introduced, in 2012 I believe, there’s been a question I’ve tried to answer and to this day I’ve not been able to. And the simple question: What mindset, what frame of mind caused a government to place VAT on a reconnection fee of an essential need such as water?

What mindset was responsible

At the final House sitting of 2019 Castries Central MP Sarah Flood-Beaubrun sought an answer to a question that for countless nights had kept her awake.

for that? What mindset caused a government to put VAT on funeral expenses? Why would anyone within a government, a government entrusted with the responsibility of caring for people, take the opportunity to oppress the most vulnerable by placing on them a tax that, by the government’s own admission, was ‘oppressive,

anti-worker and anti-poor?’ ”

Clearly Flood-Beaubrun was referring to Kenny Anthony’s unforgettable contribution to the VAT debate back in 2007, when he was leader of the House opposition: “We believe VAT is potentially an oppressive tax; it is oppressive to the poor. it is oppressive to workers

and wherever VAT has been introduced . . . one thing is certain: your retail prices jump, especially the price of food!”

Flood-Beaubrun in 2019: “Why would you take an oppressive tax and use it to target, attack and oppress poor people? I cannot imagine any group of people who would be more affected by a tax on reconnection than the poorest of the poor. Why would a government want to single out poor people in such a way as to oppress them?

Clearly this was a government that held poor people in contempt!”

Opposition MP Shawn Edward in his turn addressed the Central Castries MP’s observations: “Mr Speaker, she questioned the mindset of the those who presided over the implementation of VAT and in all seriousness I’m putting this down to the member having had a very stressful, very tiring year, where the pressures that bear in her constituency have been very overwhelming and she’s not been able to cope.”

The Walcott Schools Arts Festival

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he Walcott Schools Arts Festival has been a staple event of the Nobel Laureate Festival for over five years. The festival aims to ensure students are exposed annually to the performing arts, in keeping with the legacy and philosophy of the Walcott brothers.

This year the featured production is ‘A Walcott Collage – Seascapes’, a YouthSPAC production directed by Kentillia Louis and feauring not only YouthSPAC performers but students from

the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School dance programme.

A Walcott Collage is a production which explores a major motif in the work of Sir Derek Walcott: the sea. It will comprise excerpts from plays such as The Sea at Dauphin, The Joker of Seville, Drums and Colours, and the poems The Sea is History, Omeros, The Star-Apple Kingdom and The Acacia Trees. These works all share the sea motif together with song and dance reflective of our Saint Lucian cultural

narrative. This production provides an opportunity for students of Theatre Arts and English Literature to interact with Sir Derek’s work.

The production is open to the general public and secondary schools. It will be held on Friday January 17 at the National Cultural Centre, Barnard Hill, Castries from 1:00 p.m. (contribution of $5.00). Contact YouthSPAC on 287-1677 or Sanue Joseph on 519-2136, or youthspacslu@ gmail.com for bookings or further information.

Closure of Family Court

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lease be advised that in order to facilitate mould remediation and deep cleaning, the services offered by the Family Court will not be available from Friday, January 10, 2020 at 2 p.m. to Monday, January 20, 2020 except payments for maintenance fees. These payments can be made at the Civil Status Registry on Brazil Street, Castries.

The Department of Justice regrets any inconvenience caused. We look forward to resuming normal service on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

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january 11, 2020 THE STAR

Glasgow-UWI Reparations Project begins T

he historic GlasgowCaribbean Centre for Development Research, a joint initiative of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and the University of Glasgow, has begun its work. It is the first institution within British university history, dedicated to the slavery reparations policy framework. The Centre’s Board of Directors met at The UWI Cave Hill Campus in Barbados on December 18, 2019. Cochaired by Professor Simon Anderson, the distinguished Jamaican scientist who is Director of the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre at The UWI Cave Hill Campus, and the accomplished Professor William Cushley from Glasgow University, the Board consists of six senior persons from each university (including the co-chairs). The UWI directors are Pro ViceChancellors Stefan Gift and Clive Landis plus Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Professor Verene Shepherd, and ViceChancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles.

The purpose of the

inaugural meeting was to rollout the research and project development agenda for the Centre which is aimed at confronting and eradicating the debilitating legacies of slavery and colonisation in the Caribbean. Professor Sir Hilary Beckles joined Professor Simon Anderson in welcoming board members to Cave Hill, where the Centre will be hosted.

It was agreed that the Centre’s activities in its first ten-year phase will focus on three pillars:

1. The public health crisis in the Caribbean, particularly the chronic disease pandemic, with special focus on identifying research-based solutions to reduce the burden of Type 2 Diabetes and its sequelae complications, such as diabetic foot amputation.

The region has the world’s highest per capita amputation rates.

There will also be a focus on other chronic diseases including mental illnesses, heart disease, hypertension,

cerebrovascular disease and cancers affecting, in particular, women and children. It will support work that carefully considers health disparities within the broader social context including their social and genetic determinants.

2. The search for post-plantation economy development policies that are innovative and progressive in the struggle for economic growth in the global economy.

It was noted that economic practices and policy in the region are conservative and technologically transformative; effectively sustaining persistent poverty and growing inequality and designed to meet the specific needs of IMF conditionalities rather than focusing on economic diversification, racial inclusion and gender empowerment. Devising a new set of economic tools and thought specifically for the post-colonial Caribbean is, therefore, a top priority.

3. Recognising that slavery and colonialism drove deep wedges between

Homestay Family Coordinator (HFC) Needed

Peace Corps intends to offer a firm-fixed price contract to a Homestay Family Coordinator (HFC) from St Lucia. The Homestay Family Coordinator (HFC) is responsible for the general community outreach, the recruitment, interviewing, screening, evaluation and selection of families to host approximately 45 Trainees for at least 4-6 weeks from June to August 2020, in the community of Babonneau.

Application: If you wish to apply for this tender, please write lc-hr@peacecorps.gov for a copy of the bidding documents/ Request for Quotation (RFQ).

Interested vendors should submit a quote for services as described in the RFQ via email by 4:00 pm on January 24, 2020 with the Subject Line: Peace Corps Eastern Caribbean, St Lucia: Homestay Family Coordinator to the following address: lc-hr@peacecorps.gov Questions about this RFQ should be sent to Leonette Jn Pierre at ljnpierre@peacecorps.gov.

Offers received after the closing date will not be accepted.

Africa and its Caribbean family, strategies for project implementation to tackle the day-to-day cultural divide between Africa and the Caribbean are to be funded. Innovative projects to practically integrate and socially domesticate this bond are to be prioritised.

In addition to project development and applied research, there is also funding available for relevant

reparations-oriented teaching programmes. The seed budget of £20 million, to be used over two decades to develop the work, was discussed alongside other fundraising strategies.

Research proposals were also established, and joint subcommittees will begin planning for projects.

Professor Anderson expressed his delight as co-Chair to begin this historic journey, bringing together the two university worlds within a

reparatory justice framework.

Professor Cushley underscored the enormous significance that this initiative has for the world today, particularly universities that consider themselves ethical in the pursuit of excellence.

Vice-Chancellor Beckles commended the team for their positive and progressive thinking and actions.

The next meeting is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2020.

De Caires hopeful 2020 is year of change!

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aint Lucia’s Cannabis Commission has not accomplished its initial goal of submitting a report —which would give advice on a legislative and regulatory framework for cannabis—to the government by the end of 2019. Formed in August, the Commission embarked on a public consultation drive in November, making seven stops around the country. At the final town hall meeting on December 9, Commission Chairman Michael Gordon QC told the STAR he was hopeful the report would be submitted on schedule, failing which a mid-January deadline would be the latest.

In an interview on Monday, commissioner Andre de Caires told the STAR the final touches were being made by the sub-committees, and the government would soon have the report. He believes the time to work towards a regulatory framework for cannabis is now. “It doesn’t bother me,” said de Caires on the Commission missing the initial timeline. “I know they’re trying to dot their ‘i’s and cross their ‘t’s and be as detailed as possible in the report. I do realize that the process of legalization is a lengthy one because you have to come up with regulations and legislation, and that takes time, but, after the report, the government has no excuse not to decriminalize, as everybody else is doing.”

On December 23, 2019 marijuana was decriminalized in Trinidad and Tobago. Adults

Cannabis Movement Chairman Andre de Caires: He advised the powers that be to view this matter as a holistic approach to development, using agriculture as the catalyst, and cannabis as the main catalyst in that agriculture scheme.

can now have up to 30 grammes of the substance in their possession. Smoking in public or while operating a vehicle is illegal. De Caires applauded this move, saying that decriminalization should be the government’s first action in developing the industry. The Cannabis Movement Chairman acknowledged that this is a crucial decision for the government to make.

However, he is hopeful of a decriminalization announcement by the end of January, with full legalization

by June.

De Caires insists that cannabis will accomplish much for the country, especially in tackling poverty, which causes a lot of negative situations.

A certain section of society, he says, is stuck in

a perpetual cycle of poverty.

As a result of this he says that a lot of males do not finish school and end up on the block “smoking weed and coming up to no good”.

Uneducated and jobless, many turn to a life of crime for money. “We cannot save all of them but I know for sure — from hanging out with plenty ghetto yutes—if they had money coming in, they would not commit crime.

And most of them, if they know they could get a job growing ganja, they will take that job,” said the activist.

“Some of them, like I said, you can’t help them. There’s bad and rotten apples that you’ll never save. But this industry could alleviate a lot of social problems that we have in society.”

--Joshua St. Aimee

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

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The Encouraging Mission of ‘Make It Happen’ Peter Josie

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f someone were to ask me what was the most impactful event in Saint Lucia over the past decade, I would unhesitatingly point to the Make It Happen Foundation— the charitable organisation conceived by Mrs. Raquel du Boulay Chastanet, wife of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet— creating a better working environment for the police.

In addition to raising much needed funds for up-grading police stations in this country, Make It Happen also serves to give hope to thousands who see first-hand what can be achieved by the commitment and dedication of Raquel and her helpers. The group has raised the hope of individuals (and families) who have benefitted from their fundraising activities.

Increasing hopefulness, in the face of continuing efforts by some to introduce doubt and misinformation among the citizenry, is a breath of fresh air amidst stale, poor ventilation and fakery. Make It Happen also inspires others who wish to help and get involved. Such attitude is far superior to those who lack goodwill and energy, and who choose to criticize rather than appreciate that the comfort and security of our policemen and women makes for better service to the community.

Maintaining our faith in what is good and noble, even as we increasingly distrust the evil amongst us, is a worthy New Year resolution. Before Raquel there were sons and daughters of this fair land who believed in service before self. This is increasingly true today as more

and more people of goodwill are to be found wherever help is needed, especially in emergency situations.

We have heard Raquel on more than one occasion declare herself a du Boulay. I am not certain whether that declaration is meant to distance herself from the Chastanet clan, or whether it is to proclaim an independence of mind from that of her politician-husband, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

Whatever her reason, I feel compelled to say that Diana Ludlum-Widdowson, Raquel’s maternal grandmother, was one of the kindest persons I have had the pleasure of working with in my life.

As a young research assistant at WINBAN, I was introduced to Diana, who was the lynchpin on which the work of Dr. Edsel Edumnds (research officer) and Mr. Ian Twyford (managing director) revolved. For some reason, Diana showed me great respect and admiration, even though I was merely a junior officer implementing directives from the managing director and research officer.

It was a period of controversial political upheaval on the island, fuelled by the international Black Power movement which my colleagues and I of the St. Lucia Forum had gladly embraced.

Diana engaged me in conversation as often as she could, and sometimes offered afternoon tea and used the opportunity to get to know me better. Frequently I had to fall back on the simple lessons of good manners, of grace and courtesy, which were inculcated in me by my parents and elders.

These qualities permitted me to hold an unaffected conversation, regardless of the topic. These conversations also helped boost my confidence, encouraging me

operated the only ice factory on the island in the 1950s and 60s, at upper Bridge Street, opposite police headquarters, and next to the old post office building.

The success of Make It Happen may be explained by the vision and determination of the du Boulay genes combined with the grace and compassion of Raquel’s matriarchal side of the family. This is not meant to minimize the work ethic of the other members of the team who breathe life into the organisation. No one person alone could have achieved what Make It Happen has done in the last decade.

No other charity has dominated the news in the past three years more than Make It Happen. An important side issue of the foundation's work has been to make us aware of the many citizens who still live on the margins of society, needing a helping hand. The homeless need to be lifted from the streets and other public places and provided with suitable shelter, food, medicines and rehabilitation. A more aggressive war on drugs is needed to help destroy the sources of the evil that kills young lives. In short, we need to do more than provide jobs for the youth; we need to protect them from the scourge that surrounds them.

To accomplish this we need an increase Among the several exciting events at the most recent ‘Make It Happen’ was a fashion show that included models and designers, both local and regional.

A highlight of this presentation was the appearance on the ramp of several MPs. Pictured: Commerce Minister Bradley Felix

to express personal views that may have been unpopular at the time.

Diana was the mother of Jane du Boulay, a former tennis star on the island, who married Dunstan du Boulay and became the mother of Raquel. Those who have been around long enough will remember the hard-working du Boulay patriarch who

CGM Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited renamed Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited

A

rthur J. Gallagher & Co. on Wednesday announced that it has renamed its Saint Lucia-based operations to Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited and will now be known as Gallagher.

Gallagher will continue to provide customized insurance solutions and best-in-class customer service, and there will be no change to the terms of contracts with insurers, vendors or business partners. Its footprint spans the Caribbean with offices in eight countries and broker correspondent relationships in the remaining ones.

in private sector involvement, combined with that of civil society. It may mean the formation of a new organisation that focuses on saving the youth of the nation from harmful drugs and negative influences.

An increase in life and medical insurance for the island’s security forces should help incentivize them to battle drug lords more determinedly, while reducing the chances of accepting bribes. Customs personnel too, ought to be equally incentivized to become the front line, which protects the youth of the nation from dangerous drugs.

It may take another woman of influence to initiate and sustain this war on hard drugs, whilst securing additional medical and health insurance for police and customs officers.

There may already be sufficiently stringent anti-drug laws in place. What is needed is stronger, more efficient implementation. This ought to be job number one in this new decade. Raquel du Boulay Chastanet and her Make It Happen team have shown us what is possible. It’s time to take the second step to better protect the youth of the nation from those who would destroy them. Indeed, to focus on the social, economic, security and spiritual aspect of the youth ought to be the nation’s resolution for 2020.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority invites applicants for the position of Human Resource Officer in the Human Resource/Administration Department. The position reports to the Chief Corporate Officer.

The incumbent will provide assistance in maintaining personnel records, employee health, welfare and other benefit plans. The role will also provide support to employees with all HR related enquiries while conforming to the company policies and Labor Laws.

The specific duties for this position are outlined below: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Maintain physical and digital personnel records including but not limited to employment contracts, vacation, TOIL (Time off in Lieu) Days and Absentee days (sick, personal etc.)

Update internal databases with new hire information and coordination of orientations for new hires.

Prepare HR documents such as employment contracts and new hire guides.

Under the supervision of Head of Department, create and distribute guidelines and FAQ’s about company policies.

Assist Accounts Department by providing relevant employee information (e.g. bank accounts, leaves of absence and work schedules).

Publish and remove job or consultancy ads as well as schedule job interviews and contact candidates as needed.

Under the supervision of Head of Department, prepare reports and presentations on HR related metrics i.e. KPI’s, Performance Evaluation scores, Merit Scheme.

Assist with the development of training and on-boarding material and activities both internally and externally.

Liaise and respond to employees regarding benefits e.g. TOIL and Vacation Days eligibility.

Promotes workplace safety and ensures compliance with the organizations safety policies and rules and with national laws and regulations.

Coordination and issuance of staff uniforms; Coordination of staff events/activities.

Assist with Administrative duties to include provisioning of office supplies and maintenance of stationery inventory.

To generally assist in the work of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and undertake other duties which may be required from time to time as assigned by your Head of Department or CEO.

Qualifications/Experience: • Diploma or Associate Degree in HR, Business Administration or related discipline • Experience with HR software • Computer Literacy – MS Office • Experience compiling HR Metrics and data entry/management Skills/Abilities: • Proven work experience as an HR Administrator/Assistant or relevant role.

• Knowledge of Saint Lucia Labor Code • Strong Organization skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize workload • Demonstrated relationship building and interpersonal skills.

APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FROM SUITABLE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES BY SUBMITTING YOUR RESUME WITH AT LEAST TWO REFERENCES ADDRESSED TO CHIEF CORPORATE OFFICER SAINT LUCIA TOURISM AUTHORITY, P.O. BOX 221, CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA AND SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL AT CHIEFCORPORATEOFFICER@STLUCIA.ORG BY 20TH JANUARY 2020.

10 comment

www.stluciastar.com

january 11, 2020 THE STAR

It’s New Year’s Message Time Again:

Will It Be Same Ole Same Ole? L

awyers, as a rule, do not wish others to judge them.

Lawyers and judicial personnel treat the legal system as their domain or, to put it crudely, as their property. They constantly assume that the legal system exists primarily for their benefit.”

So confessed the lawyer in Kenny Anthony in a 2002 address to the graduating class of the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, when he cited this riveting line by the American writer, poet and dramatist John Jay Chapman: “The world of politics is always 20 years behind the world of thought.”

The politician in Kenny Anthony would have none of that. “I believe Chapman got it wrong,” he bellowed before graduating lawyers (as if Chapman in his time could’ve conceived of our nightmare circumstances), “particularly where legal matters are concerned. In my experience, the two institutions that are most resistant to change of any kind are the police service and the judiciary . . . Politicians are way ahead of the judicial and legal intelligentsia in matters of legal and police reform.”

Do I sniff in the air a non sequitur? Or do I smell a straw-man argument being burned down by its maker?

Where in Chapman’s statement is the smallest reference to “institutions most resistant to change?” Or, for that matter, obstinacy? Might Chapman’s famous observation be more related to the universal politician’s intellect? His ability to think on his feet? Or did he mean simply to state the obvious? That most politicians are dumb. Slow-witted!

The especially cynical (mark me guilty) may well conclude Saint Lucia’s then prime minister had in mind his own personal history when he addressed those law students in Jamaica. More appropriate to the occasion might’ve been Chapman’s words spoken in 1912, on the first anniversary of the death of Zachariah Walker,

a black steel-mill worker in Coatesville, Philadelphia.

On the historic occasion the chronicler had not only referred to the lynching of Zach Walker as “one of the most dreadful crimes in history” but he had also added: “The failure of the prosecution in this case, in all such cases, is only proof of the magnitude of the guilt, and of the fact that everyone shares in it. As I read the newspaper accounts of the scene enacted here in Coatesville a year ago, I seemed to get a glimpse into the unconscious soul of this country. I seemed to be looking into the heart of a criminal. The reason slavery is wrong is that it is cruel and makes men cruel and leaves them cruel. A nation cannot take a course of inhuman crime for three hundred years and then suddenly throw off the effects of it.”

Another interesting tidbit about John Jay Chapman, who died in 1933: In 1887 he assaulted a man for insulting his then girlfriend Minna Timmins, whom he married two years later. He punished himself for this act by putting his left hand into a fire. It was so badly burned he had to have it amputated. It’s not at all difficult to guess why Kenny Anthony— who has never been particularly famous for acknowledging his misjudgments—would recall Chapman only so he might disagree with one of his best known observations.

But then he leaves no room for possible misinterpretation when unambiguously Anthony confirms lawyers do not take kindly to being judged . . . that they tend to see the legal system as their property . . . that politicians are way ahead of the judicial intelligentsia “when it comes to legal and police reform.”

If Kenny Anthony is anything like the other lawyers to whom he referred in his address at the Norman Manley Law School graduation (recorded in his book At the Rainbow’s Edge), that would certainly explain his relationship as prime minister with the RSLPF,

especially in the years since 2011. Also his attitude toward the office of the DPP, and his neglect of the justice system as a whole. It goes without saying the prime ministers that followed him were doomed to inherit the fall-out.

Upon returning to office in 2011, the prime minister undertook to “make improvements at the level of the police force, the office of the director of public prosecutions, the justice system and the social sectors.” He had been in office a little over a year when he announced to the world that the U.S. State Department was unhappy with the decision by local authorities that the fatal shootings of twelve individuals by members of the RSLPF was “not unlawful.”

He confirmed rumors of the existence of a police “hit list” by saying: “I recall that in opposition I had seen such a list.” As for the State Department’s dissatisfaction, he said: “The United States believes it has credible evidence that officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force committed gross violations of human rights.”

Moreover: “Since the United States has decided to impose sanctions on members of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, then it is reasonably clear that it does not have confidence in the outcome of the inquests to bring those responsible for the killings to justice . . . Clearly too, the presumption seems to be that the killings were unlawful.”

Additionally: “It is undeniable that it is in our vital interest to maintain close ties of cooperation with the United States in security matters.”

To help bring resolution to this “unhappy episode,” the prime minister announced, the government had invited IMPACS to identify three senior investigators from the region “to investigate the so-called extra-judicial killings.” They would be required to evaluate all the available evidence and determine whether or not these matters warranted further

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet (left) and House opposition leader Philip J. Pierre are this weekend scheduled to deliver their ritual New Year’s messages. Will they be judged by what they don’t say?

Will they deliver glad tidings or fake news? Or will Saint Lucians be over-dosed with more of the same?

action.

The prime minister also promised that the findings of the IMPACS investigation “are lawfully transmitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions”—whose office up to this point was not involved.

The DPP’s office was brought into the fuzzy picture on 7 March 2015, after the prime minister had read out on TV most of the IMPACS report, including pointed allegations, among them that crime in Saint Lucia was facilitated by local businessmen, politicians and police officers.

Also that key evidence was in fact planted at staged crime scenes.

After an MP publicly took the DPP to task for, as he put it, sitting on the report passed on to her after its public reading by the prime minister, the DPP convened a press conference at which she made her own shocking revelations: What was presented to her was “not accompanied by a cover note.”

She was given no related time frame, busy with other important matters as she was. No formal inquiry was made of her in relation to the report. Meanwhile it was being politicized in the public arena. If the attorney general or any other government official considered the report of “such high national and international importance,” why then was there never an inquiry addressed to her?

Moreover, the Police Complaints Act required that investigators must transmit “all evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

Why wasn’t this done? The DPP claimed she spoke to the attorney general about the IMPACS matter and she indicated she had no idea who

had the evidence supportive of the allegations contained in the report.

The prime minister, for his part, announced that if the DPP was dissatisfied with what had been passed on to her, all she had to do was talk with him about it. So much for the separation of powers earlier cited by the prime minister himself in a broadcast. In an interview with state-employed Shelton Daniel soon after the DPP’s press conference, the justice minister explained the missing witness statements and other evidentiary matter this way: “It would be highly improper and prejudicial to have any such matters in a report of this kind.”

Nearly five years later there has been little movement with regard to the IMPACS investigation initiated by Kenny Anthony when he was prime minister. The current DPP, as well as the justice minister, speak in tongues whenever questioned by reporters. The reason is clear, at least to several lawyers and politicians I talked with. What they say implies the DPP’s hands are tied, with his office and the government stuck between a rock and a harder place.

Meanwhile, throughout the intervening years the former prime minister has more than once publicly stated “the police are in denial.” Not all, however.

Former commissioner Vernon Francois, who “voluntarily” retired after he was twice told by the Public Service Commission to hang it up or else, has written a book that speaks to the IMPACS matter. The author has not been kind to the former prime minister when it comes to his handling of the matter.

As I write it is being

announced that the prime minister is scheduled to deliver his New Year’s address tomorrow (Sunday).

Will he have something useful to say about the over-burdened and besieged police force that includes a possible IMPACS resolution? Will he comment on the present status of Grynberg, keeping in mind recent news concerning oil in Guyana.

It is unlikely the House opposition leader will broach the mentioned two subjects. While he has promised there will be no related investigations under his watch, he has nevertheless announced his intention, if he should make it to the prime minister’s chair between now and 2021, to enact an anti-corruption law that will conceivably achieve what existing integrity-in-office legislation has obviously not. Somewhat perplexing is that shortly after his announcement the opposition leader publicly welcomed to his flock the only government minister to be declared guilty of office abuse. His history as an optometrist in Canada and elsewhere is, to say the least, not flattering—at any rate as served up by Wikipedia. I should add that it was Kenny Anthony, as leader of the opposition, who had successfully charged Keith Mondesir, in private life the owner of a small hotel, with receiving from cabinet colleagues concessions to which he was not entitled. At the time it was the Labour Party’s view that Mondesir’s character flaws rendered him altogether unfit for office. It remains to be seen whether the cited attitudinal change in the party leaders, then and now, is shared by the majority of the electorate— and what might be Mondesir’s disposition to the proposed anticorruption legislation.

And now, dear reader, are you thinking, as I am, about John Jay Chapman’s assessment of the worlds of politics and thought?

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

www.stluciastar.com

year in review

11

2019 in the rear-view mirror!

T

he year 2019 kicked off on a devastating note, especially for residents of Rose Hill, Castries. A New Year’s Eve fire wiped out seven homes in the close-knit community. “The fire took all my tools,” said 65-year-old victim Omer St. Rose, whose family owned three of the destroyed houses. “All my clothes, everything—even my dentures, both up and down.

All of that burn. All I saved were the clothes I had on: a T-shirt and boxers.” Shortly after the incident, a committee was formed to aid the twentyone affected individuals.

One year later, none of the homes has been rebuilt and the families are still appealing for donations.

Also in January Saint Lucia was thrust into the international headlines when the bloody, lifeless body of Englishman and longtime resident Robert Hathaway was discovered in bed at his Piat residence. Hathaway’s gruesome murder garnered much media attention with one UK online publication observing: “Such violence would have horrified Saint Lucia’s rich visitors, but will have come as no surprise to those who live there. Away from the spotless beaches and infinity pools, the island is gripped by a violent crime epidemic rooted in drugs and gang culture.”

(On November 4, 22-yearold Elizabeth Volney was charged with Hathaway’s murder.)

Former senator Dr. Ubaldus Raymond: Calls for his resignation in 2018 eventually died but were renewed last year after his involvement in another scandal.

Parliament building was especially buzzing with activity on January 29 as supporters of the island’s political parties turned out in full force to witness first-hand the outcome of the historic and highly controversial no-confidence motion by opposition leader Philip J. Pierre against Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. Government MPs argued that the motion was unconstitutional by virtue of Section 60 of the Constitution. Speaker Andy Daniel disagreed. After several hours of debate the motion predictably failed.

The opposition leader exited the building even before the Speaker had officially declared, for a change, “the no’s have it.”

There was more firerelated news on March 13 when firefighters announced they were on strike. The chairman of the Saint Lucia Fire Service Association, Shane Felix, said members were reacting to the refusal of successive administrations to resolve their complaints.

Following meetings with Labour Minister Stephenson King and National Security Minister Hermangild Francis, the strike ended on March 25.

In April the Allen Chastanet government said farewell to another senator.

Following highly publicized telephone conversations between a Trinidadian woman and the senator, Ubaldus Raymond—who held

Opposition leader Philip J. Pierre delivers the no-confidence motion to Speaker Andy Daniel.

Bob Hathaway was Saint Lucia’s first homicide of the year. Found in a pool of blood at his home, his death led to Saint Lucia being heavily criticized in the international press.

responsibility for the Public Service —resigned. (In 2018 Raymond had been at the centre of another scandal, this time involving two young women he claimed had tried to extort money from him.

The matter ended through mediation.) On April 25, while on administrative leave, Raymond appeared as a guest on Rick Wayne’s TALK show.

He stated then that from day one, and despite his poor judgment in some private matters, he had dedicated himself to serving his country well. On August 5 the prime minister announced: “Dr. Raymond has talent. He made an impact in my government and I was very happy with the work he was doing. I would certainly like to be able to use him, if not in my Cabinet, then somewhere else.” To date that has not happened!

charged with traffic violations.

So far there has been no further word regarding the 9mm firearm. Meanwhile, Joseph’s devastated relatives are proceeding with a civil lawsuit against the police. Joseph was a fifthform student of Entrepot Secondary School and was in the process of concluding his CXC examinations. The vice principal of his school described Arnold as a good student, always well behaved and willing to help teachers and fellow classmates.

July saw the announcement by British airline Virgin Atlantic that from June 8, 2020, its flights from London to Saint Lucia would cease. The government explained that the company had demanded an EC$20 million subsidy over a three-year period to continue the route. Addressing

On May 22, 17-year-old reporters on August 5, Prime Arnold Joseph, one of three Minister Chastanet stated: aboard what was officially “Virgin Atlantic has made a referred to as a “suspicious significant contribution to the vehicle,” was fatally shot by officers. In a press statement, development of this country, and for that I am extremely the police said they opened fire on the “suspicious vehicle” grateful. But the airline has made a business proposal to after its driver refused to stop Saint Lucia, and Saint Lucia on command. Another male has taken a business approach was also shot but survived. in our response.” On August 22, Police initially claimed they government announced that had recovered a 9mm firearm two additional British Airways “from the individuals,” then (BA) flights had been secured, later adjusted their statement which meant 600 additional to say the firearm was found seats. This is scheduled to “en route” to where the begin on July 4, 2020 and end incident occurred. The driver on August 29, 2020. of the vehicle was in June

Hundreds of city residents and visitors showed up in William Peter Boulevard on November 21 to watch the historic Adjodha building going up in flames. Acting chief fire officer George Victorin later confirmed before media reporters that the firefighters had confronted several challenges but were nevertheless able to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. The Adjodha building once housed a cinema and a nightclub.

At the time of the fire the Voyager store and other businesses operated under its roof. Economic Development Minister Guy Joseph congratulated the firefighters on a job well done.

The death of Shem Siniase at the Laborie Police Station on December 7 sent shockwaves throughout the community.

Two days later the police disclosed that the 34-year-old man had been arrested on December 5 and then, on December 7, charged with causing harm and stealing. The police said that, at one point, Sinaise asked to use the bathroom. When an officer went to check up on him minutes later, he reportedly discovered Sinaise’s body hanging from a window.

He had used “a cord from his clothing" to commit suicide.

The year came to an end with a surprising twist in the Kimberly De Leon homicide. The mother of two was fatally shot in her home on October 29, 2018, with no arrests to date. Last month the deceased’s husband, police officer Leozandrae De Leon, filed defamation lawsuits against the police, radio host Juk Bois and soi-disant Facebook activist Venus Cherry. De Leon is also fighting for custody of his two kids, currently living with their maternal grandmother Mary Williams who is determined to “get justice for my daughter Kimberly.”

--JSA

12 quotes of 2019

january 11, 2020 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Quotable Quotes From

(What’s this thing between th

Laborie MP Alva Baptiste.

“My name is not written on any position in the SLP. My navel string is not buried in any position in the party. I did not enter politics to gather triumphs of personal distinction.

No, it cannot be about the preservation of personal political power because we can only lead our party back to victory if principle and unity are values above selfish ambition.”

"I am my own man. I don't have to define myself. I will not be like a rat and say that I agree with this and I agree with that."

- Philip J Pierre (November) “Listen, Mr. Speaker, that’s the party which speaks about friends, family and foreigners.

But here’s what they did. They introduced VAT in a manner that gave foreign entities an advantage over local manufacturers. We’re finally putting that right today!”

Opposition leader Philip J. Pierre.

defend it, it will be trampled upon by the politicians; they love to do that. If we don’t, who will? You think somebody will come from Mars and do it for us?"

- Martinus Francois (September)

“There are no plans to have her Majesty replaced on our banknotes. Until such time as we decide otherwise, that is part of our notes . . .

- Alva Baptiste after his As a legal matter, if we ouster as SLP First Deputy have to change the image Leader. (October) of her Majesty, we have to - Guy Joseph (November) seek the express permission of her Majesty, and obviously “Obviously the criminals “I have ample time to serve the that’s a process and that takes have taken their game to a time.” new level and it is up to law Speaker and serve him I will. enforcement to up our game.” Our Constitution is only a piece of paper; it does not defend - ECCB Governor Timothy Antoine (June) - Police Superintendent itself. It needs the citizens to George Nicholas (November) defend it. If the citizens don’t

Vieux Fort South MP Dr. Kenny Anthony.

“In the coming days people will feel the wrath of the police. People will really see what the police are doing. Not that we’ve not been doing, but we are going to intensify some of the things we’ve done.“

Prime Minister Allen Chas

came in walking bent over but I’m coming out walking straight. Everybody should come. Bless up the Americans!”

“I couldn’t believe what I was hearing this morning from the member for Castries Southeast. He’s a seasoned parliamentarian of great dexterity, shall we say . . . ”

that have happened in this country; have they ever brought children to view it? We build several hotels, we build HESS, we had so many major investments. But look at how the government believes that they can take people for a ride. So you give them ice cream. This is cynical and I don't want to tell you what that means because I'll be offensive if I say it on the air. It is cynical. So you bring them and you give them ice cream. Come and see, come and see horses in stables . . . So what are you doing? You nurturing a culture of gambling."

- Kenny Anthony (December)

- Philip J. Pierre (November)

"Listen to the dangerous part of it: We take our school children to visit that, we give them ice cream. I mean; this is cynical, Andre, it's cynical!

It's disrespectful! Look at the number of investment projects

“The running of the inaugural Pitons Cup stamps Saint Lucia as the newest member of the international racing family. More particularly, it launches the Pearl of the Caribbean Development, a project of such breadth and sophistication, it may

- Evan Jn. Baptiste (September)

- Police Commissioner Severin Monchery (October) “A Philip J. Pierre administration will not conduct an inquiry into a matter that it doesn’t think deserves an inquiry. That includes Grynberg and many other things.”

- Philip J Pierre (May) “They call it a hospital ship . . . but it’s also a hotel.

Everything is nice here.

You get your food, they see after you night and day. I

Governor General Sir Neville Cenac.

Attorney Martinus Francois.

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

quotes of 2019

www.stluciastar.com

13

m the House of Quotes!

the LOO and Rats, Anyway?)

len Chastanet.

Castries Southeast MP Guy Joseph and reporter Janeka Simon.

not only regenerate Saint Lucia’s south but be positively transformative to the nation as a whole.”

- Sir Neville Cenac (December) "Be careful of the United Workers Party, very careful of them.

Do not fall for their tricks. And I'll tell you something: you see all what's happening in Dominica, that's well planned. And it was planned in Saint Lucia, it was planned in Saint Lucia to happen in Dominica."

- Dr. Ernest Hilaire (December) "If we have to go further, it’s also in our laws that a man cannot marry his sister, neither a woman her brother.

So if two persons are grown and they want to do it, should we change the law to accommodate them? Should

a mother be able to marry her son?”

- Bishop Thomas Eristhee (October) "You know, Mr. Speaker, I sat quietly, listened to what the members had to say; continuously misleading the house, continually lying, continuing to exaggerate what the truths are."

- Allen Chastanet (June) “I see the DPP as being very ambitious. But the DPP needs to come out and tell us what’s happening with IMPACS. As we’ve said before, if he has evidence regarding any of the killings, he should prosecute.

Let the courts decide the veracity of the evidence.”

Commissioner Severin Monchery.

- PWA President Travis Chicot (July)

with different men, following the pattern of their mothers and their grandmothers.”

“I have no intention of answering any questions you ask. If you want to be a politician, be a politician. Then we will deal with it from a political perspective.”

- Allen Chastanet (May)

- Guy Joseph to Janeka Simon (June) “As I have said before, journalists are political actors.

I make no apologies for that.”

“Mr. Speaker, when I got the order paper and a copy of the amendment on Thursday or Friday, it looked very simple to me. But I had to look deeper to find out what was there, knowing the government has a tendency sometimes . . . that in order to kill a rat, they burn a house.”

Castries South MP Dr. Ernest Hilaire.

the case. If in fact the former Prime Minister Dr. Anthony refuses to speak on the issue or to provide any of the details, then maybe he’s gonna have to do it in front of an inquiry.”

- Allen Chastanet (June) “Don’t rough your life too much. If I had roughed my life when I was young, I wouldn’t be alive today!”

- 108-year-old Annius Sonny (November)

- Philip J. Pierre (November) - Janeka Simon (June) “What’s the root cause of crime? One of the main ones is the number of young girls who are having children under the age of 18 and having children

“If you truly are sorry, I can speak for myself, I forgive you.

“I stopped listening to Dr. And I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive Anthony a long time ago.

Once we get advice from the you. Again I’m speaking for myself, but I love you just like lawyers, one of the options clearly is to be able to have an anyone else. I’m not gonna inquiry to find out the details of say I hope you rot and die

Annius Sonny.

just like my brother did, but I personally want the best for you. And I wasn’t going to ever say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you, because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do. And the best would be to give your life to Christ. I’m not going to say anything else. I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again, I love you as a person and I don’t wish anything bad on you.

"I don’t know if this is possible, but can I give her a hug please? Please?”

- Brandt Jean (October) addressing the female officer found guilty by a Texas court of shooting his brother to death in his own apartment.

Brandt Jean.

14 COMMENT EASTERN CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (ECTEL) VACANCY NOTICE

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to the post of DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES with the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) based in Saint Lucia.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Director of Technical Services shall be expected to, among other things, • Provide policy advice to the Managing Director, Board of Directors and Council of Ministers on a range of issues in telecommunications and information and communications technologies (ICT).

• Develop policy papers and strategic plans for the development of procedures and regulations on telecommunications and ICT issues.

• Represent ECTEL at regional and internal fora and advise on matters relating to spectrum management, licensing, numbering and technical standards.

• Undertake technical evaluation of licence applications for the provision of telecommunications services.

• Undertake technical evaluations of licence breaches by providers.

• Advise the Directorate on developments relating to the trends in the telecommunications and ICT sector and on their implications for the Directorate.

• Maintain and periodically review the ECTEL Spectrum Management Plan and the ECTEL Numbering Plan, and perform the actions required to facilitate the use of the spectrum and numbering resources by providers.

• Manage the Technical Services Department, including direct supervision and development of the staff of the Department.

• Provide technical assistance and training to the NTRCs in the management of the sector.

• Liaise with other departments to facilitate the delivery of various technical functions, procurement related to ICT projects and technical training in ECTEL Member States.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The applicant should possess: • A Masters degree in Telecommunications, Electronic Engineering or other related field; • At least ten years experience in the field of Telecommunications or Information and Communications Technology (ICT), with at least seven years at a senior management level; • At least three years of working experience at a senior level in telecommunications or other similar regulatory environment; • Knowledge of Telecommunications and Information and Communications Technology Policy Issues at the regional and global level; • Knowledge of the operations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), WSIS, ICANN and Telcordia would be an asset.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES • • • • • • •

Results orientated and sound decision-making ability Strategic leadership and management skills Teamwork and team building Influencing and partnering Comprehensive knowledge of Telecommunications/ ICT Excellent communication and presentation skills Performance management and resource management skills

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT The successful applicant will be offered a permanent position following the successful completion of the probation period.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE The compensation package is set at Grade P5, is free of income tax, and includes housing, communication and vehicle allowances.

DUTY STATION The successful applicant will be based at the Authority’s Headquarters in Saint Lucia and will be entitled to a relocation grant and baggage allowances if recruited outside the duty station.

APPLICATION PROCESS Please go to the website, www.ectel.int and click on “About Us” and “Career Opportunities” or follow the link to apply https:// ectel.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=3 Applications should be accompanied with a curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of two referees, along with certified copies of relevant certificates.

Deadline for Applications: 24th January 2020

www.stluciastar.com

january 11, 2020 THE STAR

Cocktail Diplomacy and Brown Sugar:

A

A lethal combo!

mong the more telling indicators of a man’s nature—not to say the quality of his education—is, to my mind, whether he cares enough first to research the meaning of words and their correct pronunciation before he permits them to fall out of his mouth. Whatever might legitimately be said at the expense of Velon John, I cannot recall having heard him mispronounce pellucid, or salubrious, or any of the other sesquipedalian jaw-breakers that during his time as an MP typically peppered his verbal callaloos.

Today, incurable gluttons for punishment that we’ve become, we swallow without complaint buckets of dee-vahstate in place of devastate; fern-nee-cha (emphasis on the second syllable) instead of furniture; and U-row-peen (again accent on second syllable) rather than European—with emphasis on the penultimate syllable.

The cited aberrations are tossed with reckless abandon around the House and living rooms the world over via TV and the Internet, with no thought for impressionable young ears in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The presumed bons mots are more often than not accompanied by countless spoonerisms and malaprops, enough to jolt comatose sleepyheads in the public gallery. Indeed I have often wondered why even the famously fastidious and well-spoken W. St. Clair Daniel (deceased), in all his years as House Speaker, had never admonished a single MP for his or her abuse of the Queen’s English.

Then there is what today passes for House humor. Quite recently one of our selfdescribed orators, desperate to justify his tax-funded over-generous entertainment allowance while requiring his constituents to tighten their already over-tight belts, asserted: “Cocktails are the lubricants of diplomatic intercourse.”

No surprise that he brought the House down. Even the politicians in bras gently tapped the table with their moisturized clenched hands in dutiful acknowledgement of the demonstrated wit. I, on the other hand, couldn’t help

wondering how long it had taken the MP to fine-tune his X-rated thigh slapper.

I mean, cock-tales?

Lubricants? Diplomatic intercourse? It couldn’t have been easy, stringing together in one sentence so many (wink-wink) suggestive zingers. At any rate, I think I know now who should get the credit for the health minister’s “you are what you eat” House contributions.

Speaking of which: was I the only one who noticed the way Wonderboy’s face lit up during the most recent House session, when the Castries Central MP suddenly broke into Don’t Cry For Me Argentina? True, there’s nothing new about politicians singing for their suppers, but that Argentina shtick was a showstopper. I mean, who knew the once upon a time “most frightening prospect” could sound like John Legend?

Or was it the sound of Vybz Kartel I heard?

All of which leads me to wonder why the prime minister—after Didacus Jules deserted in favor of larger pastures of green— never thought to engage the particularly gifted MP to write his more important addresses?

By which I mean those read by the governor general at budget time. Certainly the prime minister and his tool on the hill might’ve been spared having to serve so many meaningless words, too often with forked tongues.

Consider the following that The Gifted One had penned for himself and read out loud before the NTN cameras, with unusual mellifluence, it need be said.

The year was 2007, when his party was in opposition: “Madam Speaker, during the prime minister’s budget presentation last Thursday evening, Madam Speaker, I could not help but remember the words of my predecessor the Honorable Velon Leo John, who in response to a typical budget presentation by this very same prime minister some time during the 1990s noted: ‘Mr. Speaker, if during the prime minister’s budget address a Martian, assuming that there are Martians, Mr. Speaker, a Martian had mysteriously entered this august assembly, he, the Martian, would have come

Former Foreign Affairs Minister and self-proclaimed President of the Republic of Laborie Alva Baptiste: His double entendres could stop a pachyderm in its tracks.

to the seemingly ineluctable conclusion that this prime minister was indeed a virginal prime minister entering his very first term in office, pregnant with the seeds of reorganization and bald intentions.”

A pregnant Jewish virgin, maybe. But a male prime minister who was not only like a virgin but also pregnant— with seeds?

The Gifted One went on: “My predecessor made this remark because year in and year out, he would listen to the prime minister deliver glittering accessories budgets in this House and very little was achieved, Madam Speaker. So, Madam Speaker, I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided and that is the lamp of experience.

I know of no better way of judging the future but by the past, and judging by the past, Madam Speaker, what sudden magic has this prime minister emerged with to justify the hopes with which honorable members opposite have found it fit to solace themselves and this Honorable House, Madam Speaker?”

The following tidbit might be especially interesting at this particular time. The prime minister he referred to was Sir John Compton. Remember the year was 2007. April 23, to be more precise. As I say, The Gifted One was then a member of the opposition.

He was reacting to what he considered fresh taxes

when the prime minister had earlier promised no new taxes: “Now you slap another $100 without explanation of whether or not you are going to reduce fuel prices. I must object very strongly to the prime minister’s recommendation of what he intends to do during the financial year.

“Now Madam Speaker, to make matters worse, the prime minister came there and announced Value Added Tax, VAT. And you know, Madam Speaker, on top of all of this fuel, cooking gas and all types of things, he came to talk about introducing VAT.

“Madam Speaker, I do not believe the prime minister and his government have the capacity to implement VAT in a fashion that will not further burden the malaway in this country. I want you to just read the experience of Grenada and Belize to prove my point.” Indeed.

His leader picked up where The Gifted One had left off: “Mr. Speaker, this budget is so interesting. So interesting. There is one outstanding feature of this budget. It is that it has decided to postpone Saint Lucia to the future,”—as if indeed he knew how to “postpone Saint Lucia” to the past!

The budget had also “condemned Saint Lucia to tomorrow. It has offered to tell us what will be done interestingly about our hills, our valleys.

Suddenly the people of Saint Lucia have disappeared from the radar. The Minister for Finance has declined to tell us how he intends to sustain growth after Cricket World Cup which he described as a party . . . What will happen when the party is over?”

Obviously, de party eh done— even with the tax-funded partygivers nearly as hungry as those ever ready to do whatever it takes to “get a pick.” To end as I started, a word about words that when too often abused bite us in the butt.

The 2007 opposition leader has the floor. “For the record I want to say . . . the SLP government was never convinced VAT was the right way to go. Never! We were never persuaded that VAT was the wisest choice because we believe it is potentially an oppressive tax. It is oppressive to the poor.

It is oppressive to workers and wherever VAT has been introduced . . . one thing is certain: retail prices jump, especially the price of food!”

The more things change . . .

The preceding was first published in 2014

THE STAR

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january 11, 2020

A timely reminder from former governor general: A society without the creative arts is a cultural desert!

E

ight days ago we entered the fifth decade since a native son of ours was awarded a Nobel prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards. Two decades later, we earned a second Nobel prize. Many the world over continue to marvel at this phenomenal achievement for so small a country as ours, as indeed it is, and we are justifiably proud.”

So proclaimed Dame Pearlette Louisy on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the launching of this year’s Nobel Laureate Festival. She was, of course, paying homage to Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott, who were awarded the Nobel prize for Economic Sciences and Literature, respectively.

This year’s festival runs from January 10 to February 6. Celebrated over the past 27 years, the numerous events endeavour to nurture, cultivate and encourage a deeper appreciation of the notion of excellence.

It is for this reason, said the former governor general, that the theme 'The Celebration of Excellence' is recurring. This year’s sub-theme was coined 'Vision 2020' as together they recognize the clarity of purpose which energized the laureates’ work. She reminded the gathering that this celebration started modestly as Nobel Laureate Day, celebrated only on January 23rd —the birth date of both laureates. The celebration then graduated to Nobel Laureate Week and now it is the Nobel Laureate Festival.

“Had they lived,” she continued, “Sir Arthur would have been 105 and Sir Derek 90 years old this January 23rd. Let not their years relegate them to the backwaters of history and our memory. Instead, let it inspire us to believe that the longer we live, the more opportunities we perhaps have of excelling.”

Recalling Sir Arthur Lewis' admonition that "a society without the creative arts is a cultural desert", Dame Pearlette urged the nation to build the type of resilience in the cultural realm that will bolster economic development.

Finally, she welcomed the contribution of the private sector to the festival, namely Bank of Saint Lucia and long-time sponsors First Citizens Investment Services. Other partners include the Cultural Development Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, the National Trust, the National Archives Authority, St. Mary's College, the UWI Open Campus, the estate of the late Patricia Ismond, the Laborie and Dennery development foundations, Choice TV , 758 Books, and the Office of the Governor General.

On Monday January 13, thirteen schools from across the island will perform in a music festival at the National Cultural Centre. The event begins at 10:00 am and will include choirs, solo singers and instrumentals. A wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled for Friday January 24 in remembrance of the two laureates. The ceremony will commence at 10:00 am at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, where the two are buried.

On Tuesday January 21, from 7:30 pm, author and playwright Mac Donald Dixon will deliver the Sir Derek Walcott Memorial Lecture under the theme 'After Derek Walcott - The

Saint Lucia Poetic Tradition'.

Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, will deliver the Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture on Thursday January 23. Titled 'Socio-Economic Transformation by Invitation and Innovation', the event kicks off at 7:30 pm. Both

lectures will take place at the Financial Administrative Centre, Point Seraphine.

The full schedule of events can be viewed on the Nobel Laureate page at facebook.com/ NobelLaureateWeekSaintLucia.

--JSA

Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival committee Dame Pearlette Louisy says that the great achievements of our laureates should serve as inspiration.

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA SETTLEMENT UPGRADING PROJECT CONSTRUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL ACCESSES, DRAINS AND FOOTPATHS INVITATION FOR BIDS The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to USD6,233,000.00 towards the cost of the Settlement Upgrading Project and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. Payments

by CDB will be made only at the request of GOSL and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than GOSL shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Project is being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Development, Housing, Urban Renewal, Transport and Civil Aviation Programme through the Regularisation of Unplanned Settlements (PROUD) within the Department of Housing, Urban Renewal and Telecommunications. The PROUD has contracted a Consultant who will assist PROUD with delivering the Project. The Consultants have prepared designs and contract documentation and will assist in tender administration and evaluation and supervise Project Activities.

The PROUD now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for Construction of Residential Accesses, Drains at Bexon Heights, Contract No. /SUP 53/SFR – OR – STL (P2) Consideration will be limited to firms or joint ventures of firms, which are legally incorporated or otherwise, organized in, and have their principal place of business in an eligible country and are either; (a) more than 50% beneficially owned by a citizen or citizens and/ or a bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country, or by a body corporate or bodies corporate meeting these requirements; or (b) owned or controlled by the Government of an eligible country provided that it is legally and financially autonomous and operated under the commercial law of an eligible country and otherwise meets the eligibility requirements of the CDB Guidelines for Procurement (2006).

Eligible countries are member countries of CDB. Eligible bidders will be required to submit full qualification information with their bids establishing their eligibility to bid and qualification to perform the contract if the bid is accepted. Tender and qualification information are to be submitted in the English Language on the prescribed forms inserted in the Bid Documents. Submissions that do not provide the information required, or do not demonstrate the prospective contractor’s ability to perform satisfactorily, will not qualify and will not be considered for further evaluation.

Qualification requirements include, inter alia: 1. an average annual turnover (defined as certified payments received for works in progress or completed) within the last six (6) years of XCD3,500,000.00 (USD1,298,750.00) or equivalent; 2.

a demonstrable cash flow (including access to credit) of XCD550,000.00 (USD204,090.00) or equivalent; and

3.

experience as prime contractor in the construction of at least two (2) assignments of a nature, scope and complexity comparable to the proposed works within the last six (6) years (to comply with this requirement, works quoted should be at least 80 percent complete).

Bidding Documents may be obtained by eligible bidders from the address below for a non-refundable fee of XCD300.00.

The Project Coordinator Department of Housing, Urban Renewal and Telecommunications 7th Floor Conway Business Centre Cnr. John Compton Highway & Jn. Baptiste Street Castries ST. LUCIA, W.I Telephone: 1-758 468-2600/2609 Facsimile number: 1-758 452-1838 Email: cuthbert.mcdiarmed@govt.lc Requests may be made by written application including email.

Written applications must be clearly marked: “Construction of Residential Accesses, Drains at Bexon Heights, Contract No. /SUP 53/SFR – OR – STL (P2)”, along with the name, address and contact information of the bidder for which Bidding Documents are being requested. Payment should be by wire transfer, bank draft or bank guaranteed cheque made payable to Accountant General.

Information to pay by wire transfer can be obtained from the address above.

Applicants who request that documents be forwarded to them must submit an account number from a local courier agent that accepts freight collect charges. Documents will be promptly dispatched, but under no circumstance will PROUD or their authorised agent be held responsible for late delivery or loss of the documents so transmitted.

Submissions in sealed envelopes clearly marked “Bid for the Settlement Upgrading Project (ICB) – Construction of Residential Accesses, Drains at Bexon Heights, Contract No. /SUP 53/SFR – OR – STL (P2)” must be received at the address below no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Bid opening will take place at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at the address below in the presence of bidders representatives who choose to attend.

The Chairperson Central Tender’s Board Department of Finance, Economic Affairs and Social Security Financial Administrative Centre Point Seraphine Castries ST. LUCIA, W.I All bids must be accompanied by a Bid-Securing Declaration.

The PROUD reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to terminate the process and reject all bids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected prospective bidder(s) or any obligation to inform the affected prospective bidder(s) of the grounds for the PROUD action. The PROUD will not defray any costs incurred by any bidder in the preparation of bids.

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Contract Inked for New Micoud Wellness Centre

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n January 7, 2020 the contract for construction of the new Micoud Wellness Centre was signed, heralding a new, modern era of health care for residents of Micoud and neighbouring communities.

The construction of the Wellness Centre is being funded and implemented through the government’s Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) which aims to build the country’s resilience to climate change impacts, including

january 11, 2020 THE STAR

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enhanced disaster risk and varied health sector impacts.

In keeping with the latest trends in global healthcare, the new facility focuses on wellness, preventative care and early interventions. Speaking to the importance of this approach, Honourable Minister Dr. Gale Rigobert, parliamentary representative for the Micoud North constituency and Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development explained, “We

need not wait until a citizen is so unwell and, in some cases, unable to fend for him or herself or his or her family, to make an intervention. So, the emphasis on wellness and preventative care is central to what we will be doing at this Wellness Centre and undergirds health services nationally as well. Community healthcare is very much a feature of our national culture, especially in the rural areas; it is what we rely on and we have a cadre of health service providers

in the village that we can boast of.”

The 4,000 square foot modern facility features triage, nurses’ station, pharmacy service area, dental services, auxiliary water supply and a generator house and is climate-controlled to effectively deliver health services. The facility is compliant with global standards for healthcare delivery and is designed to withstand climate change impacts, including stronger hurricanes and more frequent flood and drought events.

Honourable Minister Guy Joseph, Minister for Economic Development, Transport and Civil Aviation under whom the DVRP falls, as well as Honourable Minister Dr. Gale Rigobert, were integral in bringing the project to this stage and

were present at the contract signing. Minister Guy Joseph described the project as one that would be welcomed by the community and said that it is long overdue. He complimented Minister Dr. Rigobert on her commitment to the project and expressed his delight saying, “The project is something the people of Micoud deserve.”

Dr. Rigobert expressed her equal gratitude to Honourable Guy Joseph, his Ministry and other stakeholders who have been instrumental in ensuring that the project comes to life. “I am very excited and relieved that we’ve been able to sign this project off today which means that we should see blocks going up shortly, and anticipate a ribbon-cutting ceremony soon! I wish to thank Micoudians for their patience, perseverance and understanding over the last few years. For me this is the best start to 2020—the people of Micoud will finally get their Wellness Centre!”

Dr. Rigobert also thanked the dedicated healthcare professionals of the present Micoud Health Centre for their unwavering commitment to service, notwithstanding the challenging circumstances.

At the contract signing Mr. Ned Sammuel, Managing Director of Mega Contracting Inc., which was awarded the contract following a competitive bidding process, reiterated the significance of the project and gave his company’s commitment to delivering the project on time and within budget, while providing meaningful employment and economic opportunities for the community. The contracted company emphasized that the majority of labour for the project will come from Micoud.

As part of the ongoing commitment to keep residents informed on the project, a community meeting was held on Wednesday January 8, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the Micoud Secondary School.

There, more details about the construction were provided and an update given on compensation for the existing structure on site. Minister Dr. Rigobert stated emphatically that Micoud residents will be “meaningfully engaged” in the project and urged residents in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting to express their interest in employment opportunities.

150 Teachers to be Certified in Specialised Reading Instruction across the OECS

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he USAID/OECS Early Learners Programme (ELP) is placing much emphasis on teacher professional development and training to ensure that the overall quality of reading instruction is improved at the Grade K to Grade 3 level across the OECS Member States of Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Eastern Caribbean Joint Board of Teacher Education has been engaged by the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) within the OECS Commission to develop and administer a certification course in specialised reading instruction for teachers of Grades K-3 who aspire to advance their professional skills in the teaching of reading.

This professional development initiative contributes to achieving the ELP’s overall objective of improving student learning at the end of the primary education cycle with the specific objective to improve the reading achievement levels of all learners at the early primary level (Grade K to Grade 3) in the six (6) independent Member States of the OECS.

The programme will incorporate a capstone project that allows the teacher to experiment with approaches aimed at addressing students’ difficulties with reading and reading instruction.

This certificate course is scheduled to commence January 2020.

THE STAR january 11, 2020

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INTERNATIONAL

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Caribbean Islands are the Biggest Plastic Polluters Per Capita in the World

n 2016, global plastic waste amounted to some 242 million metric tons. Of this, 137 million tonnes (or more than 57%) originated in East Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Central Asia and North America, much of which made its way into the ocean. In 2015, the Journal of Science surveyed 192 coastal countries and confirmed that Asian nations, most notably China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, were 13 of the 20 biggest contributors of marine plastic waste. But as is often the case, numbers alone do not tell the entire story.

Case in point: the little island of St. Lucia, which produces the 6th largest amount of plastic waste per capita in the Caribbean, generates more than four times the amount of plastic waste per person as China—the world’s largest plastic polluter in absolute terms—and is responsible for 1.2 times more improperly disposed plastic waste per capita than China. (Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser in https://ourworldindata.org/ plastic-pollution)

Of the top thirty global polluters per capita, ten are

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from the Caribbean region.

These are Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Guyana, Barbados, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada, Anguilla and Aruba; and every year, these ten island nations generate more plastic debris than the weight of 20,000 space shuttles.

The biggest culprit is Trinidad & Tobago, which produces a whopping 1.5 kilograms of waste per capita per day—the largest in the world. At least 0.19 kg per person per day of Trinidad & Tobago’s plastic debris is almost guaranteed to end up in the ocean due to improper disposal, amounting to more marine plastic originating in Trinidad & Tobago (per capita) than 98% of the countries in the world. (2010)

Inadequate waste management is at the root of the problem. Across a sample of Caribbean countries, an estimated 322,745 tonnes of plastic goes uncollected each year, resulting in 22% of households discarding waste in waterways or on land where it can end up in waterways (World Bank). According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 92% of marine litter in the Caribbean

Of the top thirty global polluters per capita, ten are from the Caribbean region.

comes from land-based sources, as compared to the global average of 80%. (2014)

In July 2019, NGO, Parley for the Oceans shared a video depicting alarming amounts of plastic off the coast of the Dominican Republic. The video was captioned, “After three days of cleanups we have intercepted over 30 tonnes of plastic, but there is a lot more work to be done.”

Between 2006-2012, UNEP marine cleanup data for the Wider Caribbean Region revealed a total of 3,990,120

plastic debris items that were removed from coastal and underwater sites, covering 2,317 miles.

For a region that relies on the Caribbean Sea for more than $400 billion in income per year, the 18 billion pounds of plastic pollution that are disposed into the ocean each year is a real and dangerous threat.

According to National Geographic, “the Caribbean Sea’s $5 billion annual trade, its 200,000 direct jobs, its 100,000 ancillary services,

food security for 40 million coastal inhabitants, and over $2 billion in dive tourism [are] at risk.”

14 Caribbean countries have begun to address this threat by banning the use of single-use plastic bags and/or Styrofoam and by implementing civic education programs.

There have also been a number of innovative approaches to managing plastic waste through reusing and repurposing. Since 2017, Hewlett Packard has been manufacturing ink cartridges made from over a million pounds of recycled plastic bottles from Haiti and NGO, Parley for the Oceans has been cleaning up coastal waters, repurposing plastic marine debris into a fibre called Parley Ocean Plastic which is used to make fashion items such as clothes, bags and shoes.

The fact is, however, that the most significant change will be felt when waste management and waste infrastructure, such as garbage collection, recycling centres and secure landfills are improved.

According to a study published by the Ocean Cleanup Foundation, mismanaged plastic waste

generated each year could triple by 2060 if these systems are not brought up to scratch.

Increases in plastic pollution will disproportionately affect the Caribbean. After all, small coastal communities with ocean-dependent economies that are fraught with inadequate waste management systems are far more vulnerable to the impacts of plastic waste than their larger, more industrialized counterparts.

It is too simplistic to make global comparisons based on absolute numbers.

Ranking total plastic waste production per country masks global systems of inequality and overlooks the vulnerability of small, seemingly “insignificant” coastal communities. Rather than vilifying individual countries, we must deconstruct systems of inequality that perpetuate plastic pollution and increase vulnerability among select populations.

An analysis of per capita plastic waste in the Caribbean, with a focus on causes, impacts and solutions, is a far more enlightening exercise than Asian finger-pointing will ever be.

---Forbes

Iranians clear crash site of wreckage, as calls for transparent investigation grow

he site of a crashed Ukrainian airliner near Iran’s capital Tehran has been cleared of all large pieces of debris and locals are trawling over the remaining wreckage, as calls grow for a full and transparent investigation into the disaster.

The lack of security at the scene has raised concerns over the inquiry’s credibility, just a day after western intelligence officials said Iran shot down the jet with surfaceto-air missiles. Iran has denied any hostile act, calling the assessment a “big lie.”

An eyewitness at the crash site told CNN that looters and “garbage men” were “wandering around,” picking up debris, objects made of aluminum and anything else deemed valuable, as police and Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to disperse them.

Normally, forensic officers from major investigative

organizations would be poring over the wreckage to see it in its natural state before removing it to a secure area.

The head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Authority Ali Abedzadeh told CNN on Friday that fragments of the plane had been taken to a hangar off-site to “reconstruct” it for “investigating the cause of the crash,” and that the remains of victims had been sent to a forensic lab for DNA testing.

All 176 people on board the Boeing 737-800 were killed when the Kiev-bound plane crashed shortly after taking off from Imam Khomeini Airport on Wednesday. The victims include 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three British nationals.

Abedzadeh urged those speculating about the cause of the crash to wait until after an evaluation of the aircraft’s

black boxes—the flight data and cockpit voice recorders— which he said was set to begin on Friday and could take up to two months. The plane’s black boxes were damaged in the crash and fire, so Tehran may need help decoding them.

If Iranian authorities are unable to reconstruct and analyze the information from the fight data recorders, they said they would seek help from international partners Russia, Ukraine, France or Canada.

The Iranian government, which under international protocol has control of the investigation, has said it was willing for the US and Boeing to be part of the probe, after previously saying they would not allow their participation.

The recent escalated hostilities between the US and Iran have only further complicated the thorny task of investigating the crash. US government investigators, for

Ali Abedzadeh urged those speculating about the cause of the crash to wait until after an evaluation of the aircraft’s black boxes.

example, cannot fly into Tehran and meet with government officials without a license.

That prohibition is due to longstanding sanctions rather than the most recent events, according to two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The timing of the crash, which was initially blamed on

mechanical failure in Iranian state media, came just hours after Iran fired missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops in retaliation for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, who was one of Iran’s most powerful and influential military leaders.

The exchange of attacks between Tehran and Washington—both on

Iraqi soil—marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the adversaries and raised fears of another proxy war in the Middle East.

On Thursday, the US and its allies said that intelligence showed Iran had shot down the passenger plane.

A US official familiar with the intelligence said the aircraft was downed by two Russianmade SA-15 surface-to-air missiles. The US saw Iranian radar signals lock onto the jetliner, before it was shot down.

Video sent to CNN appears to show a missile fired into the Tehran sky early Wednesday morning and striking an object in the sky.

The US increasingly believes this was accidental.

The US, Britain, Canada, Sweden and the European Commission have called for an independent and credible investigation.

---CNN

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january 11, 2020 THE STAR

MEET & GREET TOWN HALL MEETING The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) in Saint Lucia continues its public education drive with a focus on consumers and has embarked on a new initiative commencing January 2020. The initiative dubbed “Meet, Greet & Speak” is a series of Town Hall meetings that will take place in various communities around the island, with a keen focus on giving all stakeholders a platform to share their insights.

One aim of the initiative is to educate individuals on the role of the Commission. The NTRC was created by the Telecommunications Act 2000. The Principal Object of the Act and the functions specified therein speaks directly to the mandate of the Commission and encapsulates the Commission’s role to regulate the telecommunications sector in Saint Lucia.

Another aim of the town hall meeting relates to the Commission’s realisation of the lack of education or the immediate access of information to the public as it relates to acceptable industry standards, laws governing the sector and even just basic consumer rights. With this limitation in mind, the Commission has set out to make this information readily available by way of its website and social media platforms. However, the need for face-to-face interaction was needed and this forum will be used to reach those persons who do not have access via the media listed above.

The first “Meet, Greet & Speak” town hall meeting, in keeping with its name, will be an open forum where consumers will have an opportunity to speak directly to their service providers. The optimal goal is to have educated consumers unafraid to speak up and take action where necessary and give providers a chance to hear their consumers and respond accordingly. Thus, considering the interests of both stakeholders as is required of a Regulator.

Consumers will also have an opportunity to engage the Commission and other agencies concerned with the welfare of consumers. Matters such as the roles of each entity, the processes to obtain redress and generally engage said entities, consumer complaints on provided services, use of services and correlated devices, and other like matters will be discussed at “Meet, Greet & Speak”. The goal is to not only focus on areas of improvement but to sensitise the collective group on matters affecting individuals and entities across the sector, and possibly highlighting plans for the upcoming year.

“Meet, Greet & Speak” is guaranteed to be informative and exciting, and so the Commission urges environs of Gros Islet, Babonneau and surrounding communities to save the date, show up, to Speak Up, Educate and Action. This is a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to chart the way forward. More information regarding this initiative will be posted via NTRC’s website www.ntrcslu.lc, persons may also follow NTRC on Facebook at NTRC Saint LuciaTelecommunications Regulator or contact us at Telephone Number 458-0585 for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you on January 21st, 2020 at the Human Resource Development Centre, in Gros Islet from 7:00 pm -10:00 pm.

Speak Up, Educate and Action!

THE STAR

january 11, 2020

HEALTH

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19

KIM’S KORNER New Year, New You! J

anuary 1 conjures up positive mental images: a clean slate, plans for a healthier lifestyle. In this modern, health-conscious world many of us recognize the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle; prevention is, of course, better than cure. After indulging throughout the holiday season, we vow to change our ways as the clock strikes midnight—the start of a wonderful new year. We promise to quit bad habits, eat healthily and get fit. So, what happens to all of these good intentions? Within weeks our resolutions are forgotten and the year continues much the same as the previous. We know our intentions make sense, so why do we fall by the wayside? Most times it’s because we set ourselves unrealistic goals. So, what is the secret to success?

• Be clear in what you are trying to achieve and focus on the short-term benefits, not just the long-term.

• Know your body and your limits.

Instead of setting

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impossible long-term goals, agree to adopt a heathier lifestyle and the rest will all fall into place. The first objective should be to know your body: • Analyze your posture.

• Do you have aches and pains?

• Do you feel tired all the time?

• Have a health check: know your blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar.

• Know your body type and the health risks.

• Are you overweight/ underweight?

• Can you comfortably walk/ run up and down a flight of stairs?

• Can you get down and up from the floor?

• Do you have a healthy diet?

• Do you drink enough water?

These are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself. Now you know yourself better, set some goals. When starting a fitness programme, make sure you do not push yourself too hard or too fast. Set time aside two or three times a week and start with something that appeals to you. If you do not enjoy

what you are doing, it will be harder to stay motivated. To get fit you do not have to join a gym; you can go walking with friends or start a dance or exercise class.

Activities that raise your heart rate will be beneficial in getting fit and healthy.

Exercise can also help reduce weight (or even help you gain weight); relieve aches and pains by strengthening muscles and joints; give you extra energy and make you feel good. Exercising releases endorphins, the body’s natural anti-depressant.

An important aspect about getting healthy is diet.

Swap foods with high sugar content for fruit, and cut back on fats, sugar, salt and refined carbohydrates. The times of the day we eat are also important, as are the portion size. Remember: breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper. As long as you are eating healthily, this is a good way to also lose weight.

Another important factor for a healthier lifestyle

You will only ever have one body. Be mindful that you get out of it what you put into it.

is monitoring fluid intake.

Water makes up about 60% of our body weight and it is vital for our survival. It helps to eliminate waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements; helps to regulate our temperature, and lubricates and cushions our joints. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, and even mild dehydration can leave you feeling drained and lacking in energy. Currently the daily recommended intake is about six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day but this will vary depending on your size and your daily activities.

Do not wait until you are feeling thirsty before you drink. If you are already feeling thirsty, chances are, you are already dehydrated.

Water is, of course, the best source but drinks, such as tea and coffee, and some fruits can contribute to our daily fluid intake. Look at watermelons, cantaloupe and grapefruit; these are 92%, 90% and 91% water respectively. Perfect for those of us living here in Saint Lucia.

So exercising, eating healthily and drinking enough water all contribute to our energy level, and we know more energy means more activity and productivity. A great start to the new year, toward achieving our goals and staying on track!

Kim Jackson is a UK-trained physiotherapist with over 20 years’ experience. She specialises in musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction including back pain and sciatica, stroke and other neuro conditions plus sports physiotherapy, having worked with local, regional and international athletes and teams treating injuries and analysing biomechanics to improve function and performance. She is registered with the Allied Health Council and is a member of PASL. She currently works at Bayside Therapy Services in Rodney Bay, O: 458 4409 or C: 284 5443; www.baysidetherapyservices.com

The Art of Teaching Yoga - Part VI

n previous articles that I wrote about The Art of Teaching Yoga, we focused on demonstration, observation, hands-on adjustments, basic anatomy, sequencing and the Sanskrit pronunciation of the poses. The remaining topics that we must consider are yoga philosophy and pranayama.

One could write volumes on yoga philosophy because yoga and the philosophy of yoga are thousands of years old. The word yoga comes from the ancient Sanskrit word yuj— to unite or join together.

It is the union of the body, mind, soul and spirit. So, what does this union mean, and how do we go about achieving something that seems to be so far out of

our reach as human beings?

The mind . . . how do we access the mind? It’s not easy, and something that cannot be achieved overnight or in a week, month or even a year. It takes focus, discipline and continued work; work that takes a lifetime. That work is through the practice of yoga.

The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two limbs of the eight limbs of the tree of yoga. The Yamas are the social disciplines and the Niyamas are the personal disciplines. They are the very basics of yoga philosophy.

They are much like the Ten Commandments in Christian philosophy.

As we teach the physical practice of yoga and meditation, the student finds that, in time, they begin

to change, becoming more confident, stronger and more flexible in body as well as in mind. As the body grows with the understanding of the practice, the mind also grows. The student learns that they are capable of achieving and advancing in ways that they never thought possible, through the practice of yoga.

How does this work? As the students begin to practice, they watch the teacher demonstrate a particular asana (pose) and think that it looks easy so they try it and feel that it’s not so difficult.

But, as they begin to learn the asana correctly, they realize that every part of the body— every bone, muscle and cell—must become engaged in the action of the asana.

This takes them inward which for most of us is a foreign

experience because we are so accustomed to living outside our bodies with our worldly desires. As the students learn each asana, they go deeper into the physical body and experience postures that they never thought they could achieve. They learn to practise from the heart instead of the head. They see that, with the proper balance and alignment, this brings the body and mind into sync.

This synchronization teaches the student sutra II- 47: “Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached”.

Meditation in movement is the going within. The mind continually tells us lies such as we’re too old, too young, too fat, too weak, too short, too

tall, not intelligent enough, not good enough and that we have no possibility of achieving the miracles in life that are our natural right. Yoga changes all of that! It teaches us that we are capable of achieving anything that we really want to achieve, so long as it is good, positive and takes us to a happier, healthier place. It breaks down the walls of fear

and insecurity by teaching us to believe and have faith that the universe brings us to the understanding that within us and guiding us is a power greater then this physical body; showing us that we can control the mind by bringing it into balance and alignment, learning to access this meditation in movement.

Jill Hagar is a certified instructor of Iyengar Yoga and a certified International Yoga Therapist.

She holds regular Yoga classes at Harmony Suites in Rodney Bay. For more information about classes please contact Jill by phone or WhatsApp on (758) 718 1297 or by email on yogastlucia@gmail.com

20 SPORTS

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Athletes honoured at Elite Track and Field Club Awards Ceremony

By David R Pascal

U

nder the theme ‘In Pursuit of Excellence on and off the Field’, one of Saint Lucia’s most successful track and field clubs recently held its Awards Ceremony at the Resource Centre in Gros Islet.

In addition to the Elite Track and Field Club hierarchy that included President Dona Emmanuel, special guests included Gros Islet parliamentary representative Lenard Montoute and his wife Barbara; plus 2018 Sportsman of the Year and guest speaker, Albert Reynolds who is also a member of this elite club.

Following the national anthem and prayer by Shanice Kirton, the proceedings got underway with opening remarks from President Emmanuel. She reflected on the year 2019, highlighting a number of the club’s achievements, including another successful staging of the Elite Track and Field Meet.

Following a performance by the highly entertaining Silver Shadow Dancers under the direction of Barry George, Reynolds, who placed third at the recent Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, fulfilled his role. The young athletes, many of whom he’s interacted with through coaching, listened intently to what the guest speaker had to say.

Afterwards Reynolds told me: “I was delighted to be the guest speaker. All the athletes I have trained and also spoken to, I always iterated to them that it is not always over in spite of the plans that we have. You just continue striving because, who knows, sometimes what you thought was your worst may turn out to be your best.”

Following his speech, which was well received, Silver Shadow Dancers made a second appearance with a contemporary piece.

Following are the various awards presented that evening. Certificate of participation and membership: presented to all athletes who competed during the last season or are current active members.

National Representation

Fourteen-and-under Male Athlete of the Year D’Andre Isidore received his award from President of the St Lucia Athletics Association Cornelius Breen.

Some of the top award recipients at the Elite Track and Field Club Awards Ceremony.

Parliamentary Representative for Gros Islet Lenard Montoute received an Appreciation Award from President of the Elite Track and Field Club, Dona Emmanuel.

Award: recognizes athletes who made a national team during the season. This year one athlete represented the country with distinction at the Pan American Games and World Championships — Albert Reynolds.

Commitment Award: bestowed on an athlete who faced several obstacles to his training but persevered through them. This year’s recipient lives in Soufriere and stays back to train. When he is unable to stay back, he is in constant contact with the coaches for his workouts so he can train on his own.

Recipient — Zaine James.

Special Recognition Award: presented to an athlete(s) who has achieved something noteworthy, on or off the track. In the past, the club recognized members

Fourteen-and-under Female Athlete of the Year Shanice Kirton with her mother Sabina.

who become certified umpires in cricket and achievements in the arts. This year’s award went to an athlete who won her school’s road race for the third consecutive year — Tesley Lesporis.

`Records Award: this recognizes members who set new records during the season. Recipients — Armani Modeste for setting a new Elite Games record of 50.24 s in the 400m, and Reynolds for smashing the national record in the javelin and setting a new record of 82.19m. Also recognized were four young men who set a new 4 x 300m relay record of 2:30:06 at the Elite Games: Ethan James, Rowell St. Omer, Joshua Gabriel and Zaine James.

Work Ethic Award: awarded to an athlete who has shown tremendous maturity over the

Senior Male Athlete of the Year Albert Reynolds and Senior Female Athlete of the Year Jola Felix.

last two years. This year’s recipient is always at practice and always gives an honest effort. He is concerned about his progress and is always communicating with the coaches about ways and strategies to improve his performance. He is becoming a student of the sport and that will only help with his continued development.

Recipient — Vincent Mitchell.

Leadership Award. there were two individuals the coaches felt demonstrated outstanding leadership through the year. These two persons led warm-up and cool-down activities on a regular basis. They took charge in the coach’s absence and were regular and punctual for practice.

Recipients — Vincent Mitchell and Rowell St Omer.

Academic Awards: Elite Track and Field Club believes in the holistic development of its athletes. The club also understands the importance of promoting academic and athletic excellence. As a result, in addition to athletic awards, it recognizes athletes for their academic achievements at the primary, secondary and tertiary level. The Primary School Academic Award went to Tesley Lesporis who earned an average of 89.45. The recipient of the Secondary School Academic Award was Anya Lubin who earned an average of 82.6. The Tertiary Award was presented Armani Modeste who earned three grade ones and one grade three.

Most Improved Athlete of the Year: this athlete had personal best times in

This dapper awardee also deserved a prize for his snazzy outfit!

both of his events and was consistent throughout the year. His best improvement came with an almost twosecond improvement in the 400m, from 54 secs to 52 secs, and almost one-second improvement in the 200m (legal time). He was also a member of the record breaking 4 x 300m relay team at the Elite Games. Recipient — Rowell St Omer.

Fourteen-and-under Female Athlete of the Year: this athlete had a very good 2019 season. Her achievements include runner-up at 400m at her school’s inter-house meet; 300m champion at the Elite Games; runner-up in pentathlon at the 14-andunder Games Northern Qualifiers and finals; and fourteen-and-under long jump [Continued on page 21]

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october 11, 2020

21

Lewis hits undefeated 99 as Windies thrash Ireland

Evin Lewis had a brilliant batting performance against Ireland.

Proud members of the Elite Track and Field Club.

champion at the Independence Games. This athlete showed tremendous improvement throughout the season, achieving personal best performances several times during the year. Recipient — Shanice Kirton.

Fourteen-and-under Male Athlete of the Year: this athlete won the 80m, 150m and 300m at his school’s inter-house meet. He was the 9-10 year champion in the 80m and 150m at the Elite Games, runner-up in the 150m at the 14-and-under Games and champion at the 300m. Recipient — D’Andre Isidore.

Junior Male Athlete of the

Year: despite having an up and down season, he was the Elite Invitational Games Champion at 400m, setting a new Games record of 50.24s.

He placed third in the 200m at Elite Games and was runnerup in the 400m at the National Championships. Recipient — Armani Modeste.

Senior Female Athlete of the Year: the 2019 season was this athlete’s first competitive season with Elite. She was the winner of the 100m and 200m at her inter-house sports meet, champion at 100m at Elite Games and runner-up at 200m.

She was also the runner-up in the 100m and 200m at the Inter-school Athletics

Championships. At the National Championships this sprinter was runner-up in the 200m and fourth in the 100m, setting personal records several times during the season. Recipient — Jola Felix.

Senior Male Athlete of the Year: The 2018 Sportsman of the Year had a sterling 2019 season, going undefeated on the local scene. He set a national record in his event on his way to winning a bronze medal at the Pan American Games and competing at the World Championships. He coached young upcoming athletes and serves as a role model to them. Recipient — Albert Reynolds.

Nominations in for National Sports Awards T

he Ministry of Youth Development and Sports is currently considering a shortlist to be determined from submissions from National Sporting Associations for the most prestigious awards for the 40th annual National Sports Awards taking place on Saturday February 15, 2020.

Among National Associations making the December 27, 2019 deadline were the Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union, Saint Lucia Table Tennis Association, Saint Lucia Athletics Association, Saint Lucia Cricket Association, Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation, Saint Lucia Tennis Association, Saint Lucia Special Olympics, Saint Lucia Basketball Federation, Saint Lucia Boxing Association, Saint Lucia Football Association, Saint Lucia Volleyball Association, Saint Lucia Golf Association, Karate-Do Federation Saint Lucia and Netball Saint Lucia.

The most prestigious awards will again go to junior male and female sports personalities and Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. A shortlist for the various categories will be announced soon by the Ministry.

O

pening batsman Evin Lewis fell agonisingly short of a century as his undefeated 99 helped West Indies to cruise to a fivewicket win over Ireland, in the first one-day international at Kensington Oval on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old left-hander made his runs off 99 balls with 13 boundaries and two sixes.

After dismissing Ireland for just 180, the West Indies reached their target with 100 balls to spare.

For Lewis, it was his eighth ODI half-century but he made a gallant attempt to go to what would have been a

third century. With the scores level, he launched Barry McCarthy over extra cover but his hopes of a six to end the game in style fell just inches short.

Off-spinner Simi Singh was the only Ireland bowler to complete his 10 overs, finishing with 2-44. Earlier, West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph picked up four wickets as Ireland stumbled to 180 all out in the 47th over.

“For me, it’s a really good start to the year,” said man-ofthe-match Joseph. “It’s about putting in the hard work in training and doing the yards.

I kind of had an idea of how I wanted to bowl today, and I just kept it simple and bowled to my plans.”

Wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker was Ireland’s top scorer with 31 as the tourists collapsed following a solid start at Kensington Oval.

Joseph dismissed opening pair Paul Stirling (15) and debutant Gareth Delaney (19) as well as the dangerous Kevin O’Brien for just four as Ireland slumped from 51-1 to 88-6.

A seventh-wicket stand between Tucker and Mark Adair worth 54 runs restored a glimmer of hope for a side playing their first ODI since July 7. Adair hit two fours and a six in a brisk 29 off 34 balls before he was stumped off the bowling of Hayden Walsh, with Tucker soon departing as Joseph struck again.

The three-match ODI series continued at the same venue on Thursday and concludes in Grenada on January 12. That will be followed by three Twenty20 internationals in Grenada (January 15) and St Kitts (January 18 and 19).

St Lucia Football Association round-up

T

he Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc is continuing with preparation to launch its Adopt a Secondary School football development programme, scheduled to kick off later this month. To this end, it held another planning meeting, on Monday January 6, 2020 at the SLFA’s office in La Clery, with the coaches who will be involved in the execution of the one-year pilot programme.

The coaches were brought up to date with developments thus far, by the SLFA’s President Lyndon Cooper; and Programme Co-ordinator John Sealy.

Towards the end of last year, both the SLFA’s President and Programme Coordinator met with principals and physical education teachers of the schools involved, to further appraise them and receive feedback on the way forward for the successful implementation of the programme. So far the feedback has been positive

President of the St Lucia Football Association Inc, Lyndon Cooper.

and everyone is looking forward to its implementation.

Sessions will be held four times weekly at each school: twice for the males and likewise for females.

These will be conducted at a time period following consultation with the principal

and coaches.

The SLFA will provide the necessary equipment required to run the programme at each school: 10 footballs, 20 markers and 11 bibs. Cones will be provided at a later date. In addition, every school will receive a set of uniforms for 18 players, inclusive of shirts, pants and socks.

The schools enrolled in the programme and the coaches assigned to them are: Beanfield Comprehensive Secondary – Vance Vitalis; Grande Riviere Secondary – Ellaisa Marquis; Jon Odlum Memorial Secondary – Trevor “Flecky” Anderson; Leon Hess Comprehensive – Albert Vaso St Croix; St Joseph’s Convent – Denis Didier; Vieux Fort Comprehensive – Jamil Joseph. The designated coaches for the Anse Ger and Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary Schools will be named shortly This Adopt a Secondary School programme is being funded by the SLFA Inc.

22

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january 11, 2020 THE STAR

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West Indies Under-19 Rising Stars pre-World Cup preparation

By CWI Media

T

he West Indies Under-19 Rising Stars have continued their preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa from January 17 to February 9, with a training camp in Johannesburg from January 4 to 11.

This week there are two official World Cup warm-up matches, versus Canada (January 13) and Scotland (January 15). West Indies are in Zone B alongside three-time winners Australia, 1998 winners England and tournament debutants Nigeria.

The camp concludes a year of targeted preparation for the West Indies Under-19 team, accelerated under the revised CWI Strategic Plan that incorporates the SkerrittShallow 10-point campaign plan of “increased exposure for under-19 and under-23 cricketers”.

The targeted preparation initiatives included trial games in the Rising Stars Under-19 tournament in St Vincent, for the stand-out performers

West Indies Under-19 Captain Kimani Melius.

and players who had been introduced to the programme in December 2018, several players having participated in the victorious West Indies Emerging Players team in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup; plus a skills camp in September and the Rising Stars Tri-Series versus England and Sri Lanka, both held in Antigua.

All of these cricket initiatives were aimed at giving the team not just the best chance of succeeding in the youth World Cup, but also improving their development for the future.

“A training camp has been organised in Johannesburg

to ensure the players receive ample time to acclimatize and, more importantly, work on the focus areas that came out of the Tri-Series,” said West Indies Under-19 coach Graeme West before the team left the Caribbean on January 1.

West further reflected on what the team gained from facing England and Sri Lanka in the recent Rising Stars Tri-Series: “The encouraging aspect of the Tri-Series was that the team got into strong positions in five out of the six games that were played. The bowling unit functioned well and was backed up by some impressive fielding that was enhanced by the introduction

Welcoming the new GIFL Executive

The West Indies Under-19 Team.

of Fielding Specialist, Julien Fountain. The batsmen came out of the series with a better understanding of the skills they will need to deliver in order to achieve the team targets that have been set, and the camp will certainly focus heavily in these areas.”

He continued: “The six games have given each player a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities they will need to fulfil for the team to succeed. Equally as

important was the time the players and coaches spent together to discuss, review and reflect on the cricket that was played and identify how each player can move their game forward and give more to the team.”

West Indies Under-19 World Cup Squad: Kimani Melius – Captain, Nyeem Young, Ashmead Nedd, Leonardo Julien, Kevlon Anderson, Daniel Beckford, Matthew Forde, Joshua James,

Antonio Morris, Mbeki Joseph, Avinash Mahabirsingh, Kirk McKenzie, Ramon Simmonds, Matthew Patrick and Jaden Seales.

Team Management: Graeme West (Head Coach), Kenny Benjamin (Assistant Coach), Dwain Gill (Manager), Dinesh Mahabir (Analyst), Khevyn Williams (Physiotherapist), Martin Gallyer (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Julian Fountain (Fielding Coach).

Flow-TDFDP End of Year Treat

F

Left to right President of the Gros Islet Football League Shayne Paul; First Vice President Charde Desir and Second Vice President Marsha Smith.

T

he 20th Congress of the Gros Islet Football League took place on Saturday January 4, 2020.

The League consists of five affiliate clubs, four of which were present at the Ordinary Congress: Northern United All Stars, Monchy United FC, GMC United and Dominators FC.

Of the highlights on the agenda of the Congress was the Presidential Address delivered by outgoing President Shayne Paul, the Executive Report, the Presentation of Financials over the year 2019 and the Election of the Executive Committee for 2020 to 2022.

The following individuals were elected into office and will serve on

the Executive Committee for the Gros Islet Football League for the tenure 2020 to 2022: President, Shayne Paul; First Vice President, Charde Desir; Second Vice President, Marsha Smith; General Secretary, Raejean Montoute; Assistant General Secretary, Miran Louis; Treasurer, Jardelle Auguste; Public Relations Officer, Anthony De Beauville; Trustees, Darren Gaspard and Lavorne Verdant-Desir.

The Gros Islet Football League thanked everyone who supported the organisation and looks to venture into a new year with a new Executive Committee, and pledges its commitment to the development of football and the sporting community at large.

or the past six-plus years the Flow-Trevor Daniel Football Development Program (TDFDP) has led the way in developing young footballers. Possibly the biggest youth developing group on island, the organisation registered 358 members for 2019 in ages ranging from 3-and-a-half to 18 years.

TDFDP is well known for its advanced technique training and exciting family recreational events which are made possible by the support of corporate partners Flow, Sandals Resorts, Synergy Sport, Digicel, 1st National Bank, Ferrands, KFC, Lucelec, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, the Ministry of Education and Gender Relations, WLBL Super Malt and Crystal Clear, Castries City Council, Hobie Int, Michel’s Customs Brokerage, Paints Plus, Baywalk Mall and Joseph’s Shipping Agency. TDFDP has been blessed with the level of support it has received, and is able to share with others.

Recently over 200 pre-schoolers had a sample of what Christmas would taste like if it could be served on a cone. Nine pre-schools in the Castries basin were recipients of ice cream treats for their end-of-year celebrations. This is the fifth year TDFDP has undertaken this gesture, in an attempt to demonstrate the true spirit of the season: sharing and giving!

From January to December the “Ankle Biters” attend weekly football training sessions at Sab Playing Facility and La Clery Playing Field plus beach soccer at Vigie beach as part

The Flow-Trevor Daniel Football Development Program Coach Trevor Daniel during a recent visit to St Joseph’s Kindergarten.

of the long-term preparation and goal of getting Saint Lucia into a World Cup final.

While the training is in itself a reward for the kids, Coach Daniel and partner sponsors feel it is necessary to instil in those impressionable minds that hard work pays and that there is a reward coming for their commitment and sacrifice. It is the hope that these kids will grow with the

discipline and self-confidence that will open doors for them and give them opportunities throughout their lives, both on and off the field of play.

Coach Daniel and the TDFDP family take this opportunity to wish everyone an awesome 2020 filled with blessings of good health, joy, love, peace, health, prosperity and success in all endeavours.

Happy New Year!

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