STAR Newspaper - 19 May 2018

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, may 19, 2018

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Police Future In His Hands!

For nearly five years, two directors of public prosecutions have held the future of police officers and the justice system in their hands.

(Pictured DPP Daarsrean Greene)

• Tel: (758) 450-0021 / 31 / 728 1000 • Fax: (758) 450-0092 • Email: info@bluewatersslu.com • Website: www.bluewatersslu.com

info@stluciastar.com

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A-M u s i n g s Musings are thoughts, the thoughtful kind. For the purpose of these articles, a-musings are thoughts that might amuse, entertain and even enlighten.

Sheer Madness

By Michael Walker

I

’ve been watching quite a bit of television of late, mostly CNN and a spot of FOX, selfinflicted madness, I know. And the more I watch, the more convinced I become that the world is insane in allowing a nation seemingly under the command of an immature, narcissistic, vindictive ignoramus to wield such influence over the fate of the rest of us.

But it is not just Trump alone; the American Constitution seems rife with contempt for democracy. Americans talk about the separation of power yet each new president seems free to fire prosecutors nationwide and appoint people of the same political persuasion on a whim. In fact it seems that each time the governance of the people by the people changes hands, a whole new group of administrators, legislators, law enforcement officers and staff is appointed to sweep away the existing order. It is a totally political process from sheriffs to rat catchers.

Then, of course, there is the Second Amendment that allegedly gives everyone the right not only to bear arms but also to carry rapid-fire weapons of mass destruction.

Somehow, in the confused minds of many Americans, allowing people to carry these weapons makes the world safer for those of us who do not carry guns. Oh, and by the way, the right to bear arms dates back to the time when rifles had to be front loaded, one shot at a time, gunpowder and all, giving intended victims plenty of time to dash off and hide.

Lobbyists run the Senate and the House of the US government. Lobbyists even have offices within these hallowed walls. During the recent up-rise among students following yet another school shooting, this time in Florida, light was focused on the number of politicians, just about all of them, who received donations and other support from the National Rifle Association in return for their vote and continued opposition to Gun Control in any form. Anywhere else in the world, this institutionalized payment for favours would perhaps be called by its proper name: BRIBERY! And, don’t forget, the bullies of the National Rifle Association attacked the kids who had survived this terrible attack and made it personal. Oh, and while I am on the subject, why does the NRA have Russian

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oligarchs in its membership? I truly doubt President Putin would support a Russian version of the NRA in his country.

Then there is the nonsense of the Electoral College that twice already in this young century has assured that the majority (for Gore and Clinton) of the great American people has cast its vote in vain as the minority (for Bush and Trump) seized power thanks to the peculiarities of the Electoral College system. How can any country call itself a democracy when its own institutions thwart the will of the majority of its people?

Then there is, of course, the greatest idiocy of all: the immunity of the President to prosecution under the law. Trump famously declared that he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and nobody would care. However preposterous this might have sounded at the time, it seems he was right.

It was the so-called Founding Fathers who, according to Trump’s apologists, ‘In Their Wisdom’ made the President of the United States immune to charges of lying, cheating, stealing, bribing, indiscriminate fornication, money laundering, collusion with a foreign power, conspiring to defraud the American Electorate and breaking international agreements. I believe that one Washington newspaper that keeps track of Trump’s lies has so far enumerated over 4,000 lies—about 20 each day since his inauguration.The news media have been keeping track of Trump’s lies in many ways through recordings—audio and video—of him actually telling untruths, yet the Great American People turns a blind eye to his mendacity time and time again.

Politicians the world over are living under a cloud of suspicion and mistrust.

Political parties are losing credibility at an astonishing rate. Republicans and Democrats alike are failing to address the abuse of power that Trump displays on a daily basis and the world sits by and watches instead of standing up to the bullying of a former friend and ally. If Putin’s aim was not merely to rig the American election, it was certainly to destroy the European Union through Brexit and sow dissention among America’s global and western allies. Trump’s turmoil is tearing apart old alliances while Putin enjoys his reascendancy towards world domination.

Wow! That was quite a rant, but it feels good to get it off my chest, not that Trump will ever know my feelings about him. Pity.

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CCC CALLS OUT VENDORS' PRESIDENT FOR ‘MISLEADING’ MEMBERS

he Castries Constituency Council (CCC) has expressed shock over the recent turn of events among a small grouping of vendors who staged a protest on Tuesday morning outside its offices. In a press release on Thursday the Council credited itself with having led “a bold campaign in recent times to clean up the capital city, making it more conducive for businesses to thrive, and for pedestrians to move around safely." Throughout its efforts, the CCC claimed, it has “always maintained a very transparent and consultative approach".

The CCC release also states that the Castries mayor, Mr. Peterson D. Francis, along with members of his management team, held “two very cordial meetings with the President of the Dry Goods and Craft Vendors Association to consult on the city cleanup campaign and redevelopment plans, the last held just a month ago".

Following the meetings, notes the CCC release, a number of decisions were agreed to: both the CCC and the Vendors Association President agreed that many metal stalls, pallets

The Mayor (pictured) accuses Peter Isaac, president of the Vendors Association, of being a hypocrite for having joined vendors in protest.

and concrete stumps left behind on a daily basis by some vendors, pose a serious hazard and should be removed from city sidewalks; the CCC would implement a Vendors Registration Programme to better formalize the operations of vendors in the city; in addition to agreeing and giving support to the plans tabled, the Vendors Association President assumed responsibility to convey the decision to his members and further consult with them on the way forward.

The release quotes the mayor as saying “It is very hypocritical and sly for the

Vendors President Mr. Peter Isaac to join disgruntled vendors in protesting over lack of consultation and moves to clean up the streets and sidewalks, decisions which he, as the vendors’ legitimate representative, agreed to behind closed doors".

The CCC has called on city vendors to hold their association`s president to task for his failure to convey the information and provide quality representation and leadership, while he sits comfortably with all amenities in the Vendors Arcade, doing little to better the lives of vendors on the roadsides.

World’s Finest Chocolate (Union Vale Estates Ltd) makes Cheque Presentation to Junior Achievement St Lucia

O

n Wednesday, May 15 2018, World's Finest Chocolate (WFC), through its subsidiary Union Vale Estates Ltd (UVE), presented a cheque to Junior Achievement St Lucia for the implementation of the Junior Achievement Christian Husbands Agripreneurship Project (CHAP).

In collaboration with UVE and WFC, the CHAP was developed to honour the legacy of Mr. Christian Husbands, Board Chair of Junior Achievement and Manager of Union Vale Estate, who passed away on June 10, 2017. A champion for youth development, with a passion for agriculture, Mr. Husbands frequently lamented on the numerous opportunities which exist within the sector but are underutilized.

This agricultural-based programme will empower the youth with relevant information that will enable them to view agriculture as a possible career path.

WFC and UVE have made available US$15,000 (EC$40,753.50) to pilot the

Kirt Hosam (middle), Chairman of Junior Achievement St Lucia, accepted a sizeable cheque on behalf of the youth development organisation.

project in six schools and impacting 60 students.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Renwick and Company have partnered with Junior Achievement, WFC and UVE to provide technical support.

During the cheque presentation, Estate Manager and Director of UVE Mr. Terry George said, “We are extremely excited to partner with JA by providing the finances and technical support for the implementation of the CHAP; it is a great opportunity for the youth and we are proud to be part of a programme where avenues are created for the

youth to develop and grow”.

In receiving the cheque on behalf of JA, Chairman, Kirt Hosam, thanked WFC and UV saying, “JA programmes focus on three pillars of success: Financial Literacy, Work Readiness and Entrepreneurship to enhance the ability of the youth to achieve success, and this contribution from WFC and UVE will ensure that we accomplish this goal.”

For more information about Junior Achievement or to find out how you can get involved, call 452 5995 or email jaslu@candw.lc

THE STAR

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

By Michael Walker

A coastal scene.

A

new inter-active series of programmes from IETV to engender pride in our nation by promoting literacy and local general knowledge. The series can be viewed on channels 118 (FLOW), 102 (Karib analogue), 32 (LIME) and on NTN.

1. This is a scene on the

5. The headland is called

a. East Coast. b. West Coast. c. South Coast.

a. Trou au Diable. b. Grand Caille Point. c. Rachette Point.

2. The beach is called

6. The mountain behind and above the town

9. This spot is

a. has no name. b. is called Mount Soufriere. c. is Gros Piton.

a. to the north of Soufriere. b. to the south of Soufriere. c. to the east of Soufriere.

7. The mountain behind the beach is called

10. Which is correct?

a. Anse Chastanet b. Anse Mahaut. c. Anse Jambon.

8. The hotel high on the hillside is called a. Jade Mountain Resort. b. Soufriere Hotel. c. Chastanet Beach Club.

3. The water is

4. The tiny view of a community is a. Micoud. b. Laborie. c. Soufriere.

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a. Mount Chastanet. b. Mount Lastic. c. Morne Jade.

a. Jade Mountain Hotel is on the beach. b. Anse Chastanet Hotel is on the beach. c. Anse Piton Hotel is on a the beach.

Answers: 1 b, 2 a, 3 b, 4 c, 5 b, 6 a, 7 b, 8 a, 9 a, 10 b.

a. the Atlantic Ocean. b. the Caribbean Sea. c. the Soufriere Bay.

Government Extends Condolences to Ferdinand Henry Family

he Government of Saint Lucia extends condolences to the family of former Parliamentarian and Government Minister, Mr. Ferdinand Henry, who passed away on May 10th 2018 at the age of 76.

Mr. Henry is a former Member of Parliament for the Dennery North Constituency and was well known throughout the agricultural

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areas of Dennery. He worked extensively with the Agricultural Department of the Caribbean Development Bank. Mr. Henry also served as a parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Health and is a former Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, Forestry and Cooperatives.

Mr. Henry, born and educated in Dennery, was known as a hard worker and in 1979 he captured the Dennery

North seat for the United Workers Party and held that seat through to 1992. He was a devoted and highly respected representative of the people.

The Government and People mourn his passing and extend deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs. Jacinta Rita Henry and his children, and to his other family members and friends.

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Digicel Embraces Artificial Intelligence as a Force for Good

n Thursday May 17, when World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) was commemorated under the theme 'Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for all', Digicel affirmed its commitment to using the futuristic technology for the benefit of all.

The total communications and entertainment provider is raising awareness about how the future driven by AI will lead to the development of smart homes, smart cities and digitally-driven societies.

AI is an area of computer science that enables machines to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as face and voice recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. Examples include: a computer that has beaten a world chess champion and one that understands voice commands on a smartphone.

And with new discoveries every day, the possibilities are endless.

“The pace of AI change is quickening, and we remain positive about its tremendous benefit to Saint Lucia," commented Siobhan JamesAlexander, CEO of Digicel St. Lucia. She continued, “This combination of humans and machines working together

is already showing positive change in the way we interact with our customers and deliver on their expectations. The best is yet to come.”

In anticipation, Digicel is constantly investing in futureready data networks that are capable of ushering in this new wave of innovation and digital transformation

AI is also helping Digicel to put its customers more in control by improving digital self-care options, making menus more responsive to voice commands, especially for the visually challenged to navigate, and upgrading the My

Digicel app to provide easyto-use options for the hearing impaired.

Mrs. James-Alexander concluded, “We stand by our belief in no one being left behind, and we’re working towards creating a more inclusive, digitally-inspired environment for the benefit of all.”

WTISD is celebrated annually by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) on May 17. As a member of the global telecoms body, Digicel joins more than 700 organisations around the world in commemoration.

ALL ABOARD FOR THE SLAPS FUND-RAISING CONCERT

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he Saint Lucia Animal Protection Society (SLAPS) invites you to an evening of musical entertainment— an excellent way to enjoy yourself while helping to raise funds to assist stray, neglected, orphaned, sick and injured animals on the island.

The Rhythm and Soul concert, featuring the super-talented Shayne Ross, will take place from 7 p.m. on Monday 21st May, 2018. The wonderful venue is the Freewinds cruise ship berthed at Pointe Seraphine, Castries. The Freewinds Band, which is gathering quite a following in Saint Lucia on the back of previous performances, will accompany Shayne Ross. It’s guaranteed to be a great musical evening, for all the family.

Tickets are only $30 but imagine the magnificent work that SLAPS could do if 300 people purchased and attended!

Spread the word and let’s see you there!

For tickets please call 721 1976, 721 9975, 717 5277 or 384 9696.

Shayne Ross will be singing his heart out in aid of animals in need.

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Peterson to Apologize to Uninformed Vendors

endors in Castries City are infuriated at the second Mother’s Day clean-up by the Castries City Council.

They claim that last year Mayor Peterson Francis attempted to wipe out multiple vendors’ stalls, trays and tables, then requested that they pay to have them released from the Marchand Market. This Mother’s Day he did it again, they say.

One of a group of frustrated women that vend near People’s Discount Drugstore told this reporter: “Peterson Francis is a nasty man. He thinks he’s a dictator.”

Indicating with a forefinger the far end of the street, she went on: “He break all the chains the people had, and take their things and carry it away and didn’t say anything. And we know just now he coming for us.”

Another vendor referred to the mayor’s publicized plans to clean-up Castries. “The garbage he plans to get rid of is us, the

vendors,” she said.

According to yet another vendor: “He told us we would be getting tents and things.

But right now we’re paying $3 a day. When he brings the tent we’ll have to pay $40.” She said that was more than she earned daily.

In January this newspaper quoted Mayor Francis as promising improvements at no immediately added cost to the vendors. “We want people to recover their losses. We are now in the years of profit.”

The mayor further confirmed that costs for vending would not increase and vendors will be allowed as much time as possible to pay off the already subsidized costs of the tents.

The three women who spoke to this reporter accused Mayor Francis of trying to take away “our bread” by making it difficult to vend in Castries.

“We cannot take on the wickedness going on in this country.”

In his defence, the mayor said: “We didn’t dismantle any of their structures. But we could not allow the use of trays that were obviously quite unsanitary.

We took them and put them in storage at the Marchand Market.”

Back in August 2016, following his swearing-in as mayor, Francis told reporters he was looking forward to getting down to work on giving the city an image make-over. Of particular concern to him, he said, were “the city sidewalks that have become overloaded with vendors”, many of whom, he said, had set up “ramshackle shelters and enormous trays that impede both pedestrian and vehicular traffic”.

In March 2018 it was announced that the CCC “will see the permanent removal of many metal stalls, pallets and other unsightly and potentially hazardous items along city sidewalks and roads in

VACANCY NOTICE An innovative leading Law Firm on the island invites suitably qualified persons to apply for the position of:

LEGAL OFFICE MANAGER Responsibilities of the successful candidate will include: i. General oversight of the Firm’s day-to-day operations to ensure efficient and effective

management of all administrative functions, and ii. Execution and management of all administrative matters related to the functions of the Head of Chambers.

Knowledge and Skills Required: i. Advanced leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff. ii. Effective interpersonal skills, a high level of emotional intelligence, and an effective team player. iii. Excellent oral and written communication skills. iv. Ability to be proactive, exercise initiative, flexibility and adaptability. v. Ability to multi-task. vi. Demonstrated ability to maintain integrity, confidentiality and professionalism in the conduct of duties. vii. Ability to exercise good independent judgment and tact in the execution of duties. viii. Good analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. ix. Excellent computer skills. x. Ability to meet deadlines and to remain calm and composed under intense pressure.

Qualifications and Experience: Applicants with at least a Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent in Business Administration/Management/ other related field, plus demonstrated experience in managing people, will be given high consideration.

Good appreciation of the practice of Law, Paralegal or Legal Administration Certification will be an asset.

Applications with supporting documentation plus two references must be submitted by e-mail to info@kma.consulting no later than Monday, May 28th, 2018.

Mayor Peterson Francis says he does not wish to deny vendors the opportunity to make a living. All he asks is that they keep their facilities presentable.

Castries”. On May 9 a release from the Office of the Mayor stated: “On Saturday and Sunday we will be all over the city taking out all the unwanted dirty stuff left behind, especially by vendors.”

Mayor Francis suggested vendors should remove the current president of the Craft

and Dry Goods and Vendors Association, Peter ‘Ras’ Isaac, for misleading them. Said the mayor: “I personally have to go to the vendors to offer my apologies. We have been engaging with Mr. Peter Isaac for a very long time now. We discussed with him and he actually agreed that these

things cause a danger. It seems Mr. Peter Isaac never relayed that information to his people.

We were expecting them to have known.”

--- C. E. (See CCC press release on page 2.)

Form One Intake at Beanefield Comprehensive

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he Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations wishes to advise the general public that capacity constraints at Beanefield Comprehensive Secondary School do not permit a Form One intake at the school in September 2018.

Notwithstanding, the following should be noted: • The Department of Education has no intentions of shutting down Beanefield Comprehensive.

• Beanefield Comprehensive’s current enrollment includes students from Dennery to Vieux Fort, along the east coast and from Soufriere to Vieux Fort and along the west coast. Likewise, students from Vieux Fort attend schools out of Vieux Fort within

nearby education districts.

• Considering the capacities at these schools, there is more than adequate space to accommodate all students within these areas who are scheduled to complete the June 2018 Common Entrance Examination, and who may have opted for Beanefield Comprehensive as a first choice. Thus, no student will be denied a secondary education.

• An initial meeting was held with Education Officers and Principals, and further meetings with parents are being conducted. We thank the Education Officers, Principals, teachers and parents for working with us in ensuring the smooth redistribution of those students.

As a Department, we remain committed to ensuring access, equality, and equity for all children within our education system, and we take this opportunity to wish all students who will be completing the June 2018 Common Entrance Examinations every success.

The Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations also invites parents of Grade Six students in the following districts to an emergency meeting to discuss the Form One intake at Beanefield Comprehensive: • Districts 7 and 8 – Tuesday 22, May, 2018 at the Reunion Primary School • District 5 – Wednesday 23 May, 2018 at the Clendon Mason Memorial Sec.

The meetings will commence at 3 p.m.

THE STAR

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How Many of us would Describe Simply Beautiful St. Lucia as Homophobic?

Keryn Nelson

S

ince few can give a personal account of the experiences of Saint Lucia’s most marginalized group, I mulled over the ways this piece could be delivered, determined to get it done in time for International Day Against Homophobia (Thursday, May 17). For the past three weeks or so, as I considered who I might possibly interview, it dawned on me that I knew no-one on the island who was openly homosexual. Another embarrassing aspect of our society is that it quails unique self-expression, inflicting a fear of falling outside the rigid lines of what is, or is not, acceptable behaviour.

I recalled university friends who proudly showed me pictures of their same-sex partners; who openly expressed their attraction to significant others of the same gender on our nights out. I went to school in Taiwan, where things are different, yes, not in the sense that homophobia is not an issue but more so the Taiwanese temperament differs from that of Saint Lucians. For instance, my only exposure to public homophobia in Taiwan was when same-sex public displays of affection were met with a side-eye by a stranger. In Saint Lucia, however, in addition to side-eyes, I have also heard horribly discriminatory slurs, threats of violence and obscenities.

I finally managed to arrange an interview with local activist Kenita Placide.

She spoke with an assertive understanding that things were not so great but it would be counter-productive to feel despair. On my way to meet her, I called Placide to as whether there was a sign outside her office. Was I crazy? She almost scoffed, as if to say, how could I ask such a silly question. A sign outside an office related to homosexuals in homophobic Saint Lucia? Without too much difficulty I arrived at the correct address and soon Kenita was telling me about the lives, the struggles, the silence of lambs too scared to complain openly about experiences both violent

No matter one’s sexual orientation, Saint Lucia should be a safe space for all.

and discriminatory. We spoke about the things she had seen over her years of activism; progress made; the dangers and fears synonymous with “abnormal” sexual preferences.

Kenita sadly recalled the murder of a 17-year-old friend.

He was stabbed 52 times at

Trouya beach by someone he thought cared for him. There were other killings committed over the last ten years or so; one in 2005, another in 2006 and still another in 2007, all of which remain unresolved. “All of the murders also involved torture,” Kenita told me, in an almost

matter-of-fact tone.

Small wonder local gays, for the most part, stay in the closet—in the process, creating an enabling environment for all kinds of horrors, including the unreported transmission of sexual diseases. “I do believe that the transmission of HIV

between men who sleep with men is high, mainly because of societal attitudes. Consider how they meet, where they meet: always secretly and for periods too short to encourage relationships. We dare not court, go out together and just be ourselves. It’s like, we’re always meeting in secrecy.”

Kenita confessed, “A couple years ago I was more fearful; I mean, twice my life had been threatened. I had a knife at my throat. But one can reduce the risks by where one goes, what one does in public, and so on. My attitude now is like, if something’s gonna happen, then it’s gonna happen regardless of precautions.”

She paused, moved out of the dark into the light, so to speak. “I think a lot of the fear has been reduced. I think more and more people, while they look down on us, are nevertheless more than ever tolerant. You could say that’s an improvement from being hated for just being yourself.”

Placide has been advocating for human rights for

several years now. She once served as the President of United & Strong and currently operates as the Secretariat of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality—a position that allows her opportunities to liaise with other activists regionally and world-wide.

She says that in relatively recent times there have been open conversations on the radio and on TV about sexual preferences and human rights conversations with members of government—all of which was unheard of, say, ten years ago.

And that, she says, suggests progress.

“We’re looking at evolution of the world, and evolution of the world doesn’t mean that everyone has to live one way.

This is why we have diversity: persons of different height, colour, sizes and that will also come with persons of different sexualities. We need to get to a point of understanding that not everything can be explained,” offered a not so exasperated, but more so insistent, Placide.

FRC and CDF to host St. Lucia Studies Conference 2018 W

ell before the disastrous fire that destroyed the headquarters and extensive archives of the 45-year-old Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre on March 25th, planning had been underway for the 7th St. Lucia Studies Conference.

The Studies Conference will open on Tuesday June 19 with the Hon. Harold Simmons Memorial lecture delivered by Saint Lucian Dr. Anthea Octave. The venue will be the Conference Room of the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) at Barnard Hill and time is set for 7 p.m.

The Simmons Memorial Lecture was revived at the last conference in 2016 with the support of the Julian R. Hunte group of companies which continues its support of the

key-note lecture.

On Wednesday 20 June papers will be delivered at the CDF Conference Room with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the programme continuing until 3 p.m. From 7 p.m. the conference will move to the Pastoral Centre at Marisule for the concluding presentations.

This year’s edition of the conference is jointly hosted by the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre and the Cultural Development Foundation. Minister Fortuna Belrose has promised the full support of her ministry to the Studies Conference and the continuing work of the FRC.

The overall theme of the Studies Conference is “Popular Culture, Entrepreneurship and the Saint Lucian Ethic”.

Speakers include Msgr. Patrick Anthony, the founding director

The FRC continues to support cultural traditions, such as folk drummers, by hosting the St. Lucia Studies Conference. of the FRC; Embert Charles who is one of the co-ordinators of this year’s meetings and the first Executive Director of the FRC; architect Mark Hennecart; UWI graduate students April

Louis and Rhyesa Joseph, and SALCC lecturer and Saint Lucian writer Vladimir Lucien. Topics will range from the Queen’s Chain to calypso and society in Saint Lucia; from traditional

Koudmen to African religious systems of Ifa. Msgr. Anthony, in the final session, will present a paper entitled ‘Dreams for my people: a cultural manifesto’.

In the light of the recent disaster, which has thrown into sharp relief the preservation of national and cultural archives, a panel discussion has been organised titled ‘Cultural preservation, sustainability of livelihoods and identity’.

Panelists invited include representatives of the Saint Lucia National Trust, National Association of Librarians and Information Professionals, (NALIP), FRC and the National Archives.

Persons interested in registering for the Studies Conference are invited to call the FRC at 453 1477 or come to its temporary offices at the CDF, Barnard Hill.

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08 COMMENT

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Is There a Doctor in the House to Prescribe a Remedy for Prejudice and Convenient Amnesia? health crisis. Yes folks, “crisis” has been we business from way back. Some of the ust over a week ago, a horror stories, including the colleague shared with aforementioned, inspired me a story, one that is winning calypsos. Surely we all too common here in Saint all recall Tricky’s ‘Doctors Lucia. He had been to at least Mistakes’ relating to four three doctors, complaining of mysterious deaths at Victoria stomach pains and an irregular Hospital. The relatives of heartbeat. He was treated for Samantha Atkins, who died acid reflux. Still, my friend’s there after birthing twins, condition did not improve; it and Daniel Esnard, a stabbing seemed to be worsening, even victim who died after being as he accepted medication for stitched up and sent home in acid reflux.

2014, are among the stories

“One day, as I was walking documented by the STAR. There from police headquarters on are a litany of such stories, Bridge Street in Castries to some even more macabre and the nearby bank, I felt a sharp horrific than anything Stephen pain in my stomach. I was also King (the author, not the doctor) having difficulty breathing,” could ever imagine. said my friend. “At that point I

And while much has been decided to get in touch with my said on political platforms and son in the United States. He had manifestos about healthcare been advising me for months to in Saint Lucia, there has come to Atlanta to see a doctor.” never been an organisation

A few days later my friend or institution espousing the travelled to Atlanta. On the day strong sentiments of the public of his doctor’s appointment or putting pressure on any he collapsed in the hospital’s government to get us out of parking lot and had to be rushed this cesspool. Even when there into the emergency unit for was an outcry in 2012 about heart surgery. It was discovered the government’s imposition that he had developed serious of VAT on medicine, the Saint complications with his arteries, Lucia Medical and Dental which could’ve killed him but Association appeared to be for the emergency surgery. treading over-cautiously. I recall

Countless other Saint interviewing Dr. King at the Lucians, who had been wrongly time. He was quite vociferous in diagnosed or simply given his independent capacity.

Panadol, were not so lucky.

The Saint Lucia Medical

For as many years that I and Dental Association existed have been in journalism, I have as far back as 1983, I am told. never heard of a doctor being But it appeared to operate sued for malpractice (save for more like a social club than any a recent case in 2017); nor advocacy group. Never mind have I heard about medical its stated policy on its website: licences being revoked. Getting “We are the national voice of doctors, lawyers or engineers to physicians and we advocate on comment on anything “suspect” behalf of our members and the within their profession is as general public for access to an difficult as getting Drake to improved health-care system confess his obsession with as well as provide leadership Rhianna. It seems the objective and guidance to medical of local doctors is to protect practitioners.” members of the brotherhood at I would love to read some all cost. I have vivid memories of these policy statements and of a case in 1999, when a child hear some public speeches was taken to the dentist for decrying what has passed all what was supposed to be a these years in our country for simple extraction. On the advice modern healthcare. I would also of the dentist, anaesthesia like to know when anything was was administered by his said about the illegal practice assistant. That was the last of some eye-doctors refusing to time the parents would see give patients their prescriptions their daughter alive. She never or why a full visit fee is charged regained consciousness. patients for medical tests to be

The story featured in read to them. the STAR and the authorities

For years the public has were repeatedly called upon cried about malpractice, to no to answer questions as well avail. What a surprise to hear as to address a worsening the fuss about the SLMDA’s

higher. Is it because we have become tolerant of the fact that our healthcare will never be given deserved attention, except by politicians with one thing on their minds?

In 2014 Melanius Alphonse, who describes himself as a management and development consultant and columnist, wrote: “The truth of the matter is that Saint Lucia’s fiscal challenges are managed by a finance minister with arcane economics and financial management skills; while the public medical resources are equally in the hands of an incompetent minister of health.

These two scenarios have worsened the ability to absorb the volume of highly trained medical professionals that

By Toni Nicholas

J

are required in the primary health facilities on the island, namely, St. Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort, Dennery Hospital, the Soufriere hospital, Victoria Hospital; and now that the new hospital in Castries is scheduled to be commissioned, this poses a more complex challenge.”

On the occasion of his aforementioned talk-show appearance, Stephen King (no, not the horror monger) quoted prime minister Allen Chastanet as saying, “The health system in Saint Lucia cannot continue as it is,” adding, “And we both concur.” The all-important question is: What do we do about it that will not worsen an already intolerable situation?

Prince Charles to Walk Meghan Markle down the Aisle Dr. Stephen King: he could write volumes about Saint Lucia’s healthcare crisis, going back to 1997!

major public statement a few weeks ago, relating to the state of healthcare in Saint Lucia. According to the group’s leader, Alphonsus St. Rose, his organisation was disturbed by the “current state of emergency” (who declared it, and when?) regarding healthcare and our nation’s healthcare institutions, particularly Victoria and St. Jude hospitals.

Apparently it has only just dawned on the SLMDA that “the existing hospitals are in a most deplorable and unacceptable state of operation, with medical and non-medical staff understandably demotivated and morale at an all-time low”.

The statement failed miserably in putting the current situation into context, sticking to the point that the “crisis” we find ourselves in existed due to occurrences of the last eight years. I consider the SLMDA’s statement quite disingenuous, I having been privy to some of the facts—like so many other Saint Lucians. VH has been in a deplorable state for longer than the SLMDA has existed. As for the “new” hospitals, they were promised a lot longer than two years ago.

Dr. Stephen King, who is a member of the SLMDA,

confirmed during one of the SLMDA’s recent PR efforts on radio and TV stations that a “crisis” already existed back when approval was given to move from a 162-bed VH, where many of Dr. St. Rose’s members operate under limitations to a 122-bed OK-EU. There was no mention of the inadequacy of that facility by the SLMDA.

A 2011 Action Programme for Saint Lucia report states, in part: “The Government of Saint Lucia is committed to the United Nations Declaration that health is a human right . . . The construction of the New National Hospital will be completed by the end of April 2012.” Four years later and months before the 2016 general elections, the former administration held a lavish ceremony to name a yet to be commissioned OK-EU, spending over $100,000 on the occasion. We have also not heard much from the SLMDA about the 1997 strategic healthcare reform project, or about the national healthcare programme whose reports and brochures are collecting dust, who knows where.

In the Caribbean several surveys indicate that healthcare is not the number one concern occupying the minds of people; unemployment and crime rank

Meghan Markle is marrying into the Royal Family but in an unconventional manner.

K

ensington Palace announced yesterday that Prince Charles would walk Meghan Markle down the aisle at her wedding to Prince Harry today. Her escort to the altar, however, will not walk with her all the way from outside St. George’s Chapel, in a break with tradition.

“Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George’s Chapel on her Wedding Day. The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way,” the palace said in statement.

In a break with precedent, Markle would walk the first part of her last stroll as a single lady on her own—or at least unaccompanied by any other adults. A contingent

of young bridesmaids and page boys—including Prince William’s children—would accompany her down the first part of the aisle instead.

Thomas Markle Sr., Ms. Markle’s father, is reportedly recovering from surgery after a heart attack. Earlier in the week, he was embroiled in a controversy over tabloid photographs, reportedly telling TMZ he staged images to show himself in a positive light.

In yet another possible break with tradition, Markle may deliver her own speech at the wedding reception.

On Friday afternoon, Prince Harry, Markle and her mother Doria Ragland arrived at Windsor Castle for Ragland’s much anticipated meeting with the queen.

---CBS News

LOCAL 09

www.stluciastar.com

may 19, 2018

Spokesman for Police under IMPACS Cloud says: ‘We Are Ready For Court!

Claudia Eleibox

I

t’s mid-2018, some eight years after the phrase “extrajudicial killings” was first connected by the United States Department of Justice with police officers in Saint Lucia, and five years since IMPACS impacted our justice system, thanks to then prime minister Kenny Anthony. Travis Chicot, president of the Police Welfare Association, spoke with me this week about the effects of the unresolved issues surrounding the deaths in 2010-2011 of certain citizens “deemed to be criminals” at the hands of the police. He cited members of the force who in recent times have been brought in for questioning by fellow officers in relation to the fatal police shootings at the time of Operation Restore Confidence (ORC). The officers are being treated as murder suspects, said Chicot. “Whether you’re brought in by an attorney or are taken in with handcuffs, you know you’ve been arrested.”

Chicot said the effects on the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force have been “devastating”.

He complained of wall-to-wall depression, “psychologically challenged” officers and families concerned about their future. Said Chicot: “Wives are panicking. Their kids are asking questions that they cannot answer, like: When will their fathers be arrested again? The children are reluctant to go to school where they face all kinds of questions by other students and even teachers.”

Meanwhile the suspect officers continue to do their work in various key departments and are being productive despite that some have complained about victimization. “How can you be required to do your best at work when you have no idea what your immediate future holds; when you know promotion is out of the question; when you don’t know if you’ll still have a job a month from now? These are men with regular family responsibilities. It’s been eight years since this whole thing started and still certain officers are under a cloud, with no idea what to expect. No one is telling them what’s going on.”

According to Chicot,

Travis Chicot, president of the PWA, is urging the authorities either to prosecute over IMPACS or clear the dark clouds over the heads of affected police officers and their families.

certain police officers are restricted from taking leave or from seeking employment outside the force, all because of those “serious but unfounded allegations that no one seems in a hurry to resolve”.

Last week the Prime Minister, Mr. Allen Chastanet told reporters, “To say that it has been ongoing for all these years is unfair to my administration. This is something we inherited.”

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), whose year-old contract was renewed in October 2017, is fully responsible for the investigations concerning IMPACS, according to the prime minister.

Chicot insists the officers he represents need to be told something other than “it’s in the hands of the DPP”. He says that after eight years, the DPP’s office should have something useful to say to the affected officers. “By now something should have been articulated to our members: whether or not they are going to be charged with a crime. Police also have rights under our constitution.

We are ready to face the courts if need be.”

Last November in an interview, the Home Affairs Minister Hermangild Francis— himself a former police officer—like the PM, expressed confidence in the DPP’s office insofar as the IMPACS

investigation is concerned.

However, he went a step further.

“I have never second-guessed the police,” he said. “I am still of the opinion that most of what happened can be justified.”

Concerning related restrictions on Saint Lucia under the Leahy Law, Chicot said: “If we want to please particular countries, we need to say the truth. There was nothing ad hoc about Operation Restore Confidence, as some who know better have claimed. The police were carrying out their duties; they were not, to the best of my knowledge, operating as some kind of gang. They didn’t just decide to arrest and shoot people. ORC was a police operation.”

Chicot insists it’s high time the authorities made a statement about the way forward. He noted, too, that the only officers being interrogated are “from the lower end”.

Meanwhile, the former prime minister who initiated the

‘

THE STAR

IMPACS investigations had said in a televised speech that not only were police officers involved, but “also businessmen and politicians”.

Chicot is nevertheless being careful. He said: “We want to tread cautiously because we don’t want it to appear like we’re interfering with the proceedings of judicial matters. But soon you will see movement. The Constitution says that charges against citizens should be heard within reasonable time and I think eight years is more than reasonable. All we have are a bunch of shocking allegations by a prime minister supposedly reading from a report that should properly have been in the hands of the DPP, not a politician. How much longer will IMPACS be held over the heads of certain police officers? Another eight years?

Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Blind and visually impaired Massage Therapist Spotlighted

T

he Month of May is observed as Blindness Awareness Month.

The month calls attention to issues affecting blind and visually impaired persons, and opportunities available, including the various ways in which the society can advocate on behalf of the blind and visually impaired.

The St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association continues to advocate for more employment opportunities to be afforded the blind and visually impaired persons in Saint Lucia. The Oasis Spa at The BodyHoliday resort (formerly Le Sport) embraced the opportunity to have two blind and one low vision massage therapist in their employ. Meet Etta Mertelly and Stacia Jules. Etta is a Massage Therapist; she has a health condition called macular degeneration.

“At the age of 18/19 my eyes started degenerating to a point where I wouldn’t see.

It got fuzzy; it just affected me on the whole, especially when I was going up the Morne; it affected my work. My As went down to Bs, went down to Cs because it was a little difficult

Etta Mertelly is one of a number of Massage Therapists at The BodyHoliday.

for me to see,” Etta explained.

Stacia has been completely blind from childhood. She has been employed with The BodyHoliday for the past eleven years. “I am very happy to have a job here. I am very grateful that they had the confidence to employ me as a blind person.

They did not know what to expect but they still took a chance. So I am happy with that,” said Stacia.

Enacted since 1972, the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association

(SLBWA) is mandated to provide education and training, job placement and social services for blind and visually impaired persons. Executive Director of the SLBWA Anthony Avril is hopeful that many more employers will provide opportunities to the blind and visually impaired segment of the population.

Declared Avril: “I really would like to encourage other employers to emulate the example of Le Sport by

providing opportunities for persons affected by blindness and vision impairment to be gainfully employed.”

Human Resource Manager at The BodyHoliday, Alison Chitolie, said management of the resort believes in creating opportunities for anyone from any walk of life.

Etta and Stacia are both grateful for the SLBWA’s efforts in securing employment for them. Etta divulged, “Without the Blind Welfare, a lot of

persons in Saint Lucia would suffer. There are persons who are visually impaired or blind, or even have problems with their eyes and they don’t even know.

They suffer with headaches or migraines and don’t even know that’s what they have and by going to the Blind Welfare you find out what’s wrong with you.

You end up getting your glasses at a reasonable rate without suffering.”

Stacia added, “I think they are very instrumental in helping blind persons to actually live a better quality of life with the services that they offer.”

The HR Manager believes more can, and should, be done to support the blind and visually impaired in Saint Lucia: “I think companies can go out and do that. I think it’s a good thing.

You do not want to alienate the team members or the people who are visually impaired.

They belong in society like everybody else. They have to make a living, they have families and they’re no different to us. So I think we should encourage everybody to participate and donate as much money as they can to make the Blind Welfare Association get back to where it was.”

10

LOCAL

Customs & Excise – Saint Lucia Notice of Seizure and Information for Claimants To: Ronald Parris

Date: May 12, 2018

Corinth, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.

You are hereby notified that the merchandise, conveyances or the articles listed in the Schedule I to this notice were seized as liable to forfeiture for violations of the Customs Laws or the other Laws enforced and administered by the St. Lucia Customs Department indicated in Schedule 2 to this notice.

The facts available to this Customs Department indicate that you have an interest in the seized property. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of the options available to you concerning this seizure.

1.

You CHOOSE TO TAKE NO ACTION. If you take no action the Customs Department will after one (1) month from the date of this Notice condemn the said property as forfeited by administrative action, in accordance with section 130 and the Fourth Schedule paragraph 5 to the Customs (Control and Management) Act, Chapter 15.05 of the revised laws of Saint Lucia or 2.

You may CHOOSE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING. If you choose administrative processing, you must within one (1) month of the date of this Notice make an appointment with the Comptroller of Customs to appear in his office or that of a designed officer where you will be advised of the decision of the Customs Department regarding this matter; or 3.

You may CLAIM AGAINST THE SEIZURE. If you claim that the seized property listed in Schedule 1 to this Notice is not liable to Forfeiture you must within one (1) month of the date of this Notice of your claim in writing to the Comptroller of Customs at any office of Customs and Excise.

Your notice must specify your name and address. On receipt of a claim against the seizure, the Comptroller of Customs may initiate proceedings for the condemnation of the property by the Court.

If you have any questions concerning the reasons for, or the circumstances surrounding the seizure, or the procedures to be followed in connection with this matter, or if you require additional information, you may request an in formal conference with the Comptroller of Customs or one of his designated officers.

…………………………………………….

For Comptroller of Customs and Excise

SCHEDULE 1 (List of all property seized) ONE (1) MOTOR VEHICLE: - - - -

Type: Chassis number: Year Model: Colour:

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Toyota Lexus GRS191-0001559 2005 White

This vehicle was imported into Saint Lucia via ocean vessel, Ivory Arrow of 04 June 2016.

SCHEDULE 2 (State relevant section (s) and summary of the offence) Section Violated

Description of Violation

Section 32 (1) (a) (iii) of the Customs (Control and Management) Act - Chapter 15.05

The item listed in Schedule 1 of this Notice, being goods chargeable on their importation with duty, was without that payment of duty, removed from an approved wharf.

THE COOLIE TOWN TRAGEDY REVISITED!

By Joshua St. Aimee

T

hree weeks ago, families who lost their loved ones in the Coolie Town incident in March of this year, voiced their displeasure with the way the issue was being handled, especially the lack of communication on the part of the authorities. The original time frame they were given had not been met. Then they were told they would have to wait a while longer.

That they had not been allowed to view the bodies of their dead relatives further soured the situation.

Three weeks ago, the Major Crime Unit’s acting inspector, Mr. Leroy James, updated the STAR. He stated samples had been sent for analysis overseas and results would soon be in. Also sent overseas for analysis were samples of the drink consumed by the four men shortly before they expired.

James confirmed: “There have been no arrests. We are still working on leads. We’re still trying to establish who exactly brought the substance to Coolie Town and how it got consumed.”

The latest word came this week from the inspector of the Crime Unit, Peter Ermay. He said the results of tests on two of the samples had been received and that the outstanding

Coolie Town holds its collective breath as police announce that investigations related to the mysterious deaths of four residents are ongoing.

ones are expected in a matter of days.

The body of one of the four deceased has been released to his family. The man’s funeral was held on Thursday this week. The authorities have promised to hand over the other bodies as soon as possible. Meanwhile there have been no related arrests and police seem to have no suspects. As usual, “investigations are on-going”.

Saint Lucian Journalist Participates in U.S. Government-Sponsored Leadership Program

W

inston Springer, news editor at Helen Television System (HTS) in Saint Lucia, is currently in the United States participating in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). He is taking part in the prestigious “Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists: New and Traditional Broadcast Media” from May 14 to June 1.

Mr. Springer has worked at HTS for the last 17 years, and in his current role as news editor, he leads a small newsroom of young, vibrant, and talented journalists. He also trains his young reporters in objective, fair, and accurate reporting.

The IVLP program in which he is participating aims to illustrate how new technologies shape the way news is gathered, reported, distributed, and consumed; explore the crucial role of responsibility and accuracy in reporting in a democracy and the emergence of “fake news” and the efforts of fact checking groups. Participants will also examine how broadcast media influences and reflects American society; examine the influence of social media and digital technologies on how citizens use and share information; and explore the current and potential contributions of broadcasting to the formation of an informed citizenry within a diverse, democratic, and decentralized society.

The cohort, which includes journalists from Rwanda, Pakistan, Moldova, and Mauritius, will examine the history, structure, and function of broadcasting in the United States and the challenges and opportunities posed by social media. They will also examine the influence of radio, television, cable, and new technologies in a pluralistic, decentralized, and democratic society. The project will also address journalists’ ethical responsibility for accurate reporting in an information environment that is increasingly complex.

Ambassador Taglialatela pictured with Winston Springer of St. Lucia.

The program began on May 14 in New York, New York, and includes travel to San Francisco, and Sacramento, California. Participants will then be divided into teams and travel to four cities across the United States: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Lincoln, Nebraska; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and St. Petersburg, Florida. The group reconvenes in Washington, D.C, where the program ends on June 1.

The IVLP is the Department of State’s premier, professional exchange program. The program brings together emerging leaders in their respective professions to learn how U.S. experts in that profession operate and to share best practices with the other program candidates who hail from the same region and across the globe.

THE STAR

COMMENT 11

www.stluciastar.com

may 19, 2018

There Can be No Tolerance of Mediocrity in a Progressive Society!

Peter Josie

T

ransforming a society means changing the thinking and behaviour of a targeted population from mediocre or average to excellent. What concrete evidence can we show to prove that point, and what exactly does transformation mean in the context of Saint Lucia?

The halt in the spread of bilharzia by changing the behaviour patterns of certain rural communities on the island in the 60s and 70s and by making pipe-borne water available to these communities in exchange for the use of river water, comes to mind.

Government intervention through rural community education, the provision of public standpipes, laundries and baths worked together for the eradication of bilharzia disease on the island.

Another meaningful transformation has been the construction of primary schools island-wide that afforded students the opportunity to learn to read and write.

Transformation is often a long-term process. The need for education and use of clean water persists with every new generation. It

Mr. Allen Chastanet: The prime minister must do all in his power to restore confidence in public affairs!

never ends! Another unending transformative process is the way citizens dispose of waste.

This subject has long been discussed on the island and there has been improvement.

Still, there is much more to be done if we are to maintain a clean environment.

The pro-active Mayor of Castries, Peterson Francis, has taken his ‘clean the city’ crusade one step further by offering to pay cash for garbage collected in city streets and drains. The mayor’s action

reminds us that in the 1970s the John Compton government established ‘litter wardens’ whose duties were to warn, dissuade and prosecute persistent litterbugs. Perhaps the mayor also has in mind the use of strong disciplinary incentives with matching public education as he applies the carrot and stick approach to keeping our city clean. Every right-thinking citizen wishes the mayor success. He has certainly set out to transform the city of Castries from the

smelly dirty urinal it was fast becoming to a place where one can, well, breathe easily.

The renaming of the former Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry of Social Transformation is a hopeful sign that social and economic progress imports the idea of transforming the behaviour and attitude of people for the better.

This needs to be underpinned by a clear command structure and prescribed periodic review of the delivery mechanism of the relevant government department. I have stated in previous articles that the new nomenclature ought to be used as a foundation upon which the work and life of the island’s Nobel laureates would be used to bring the people out of the country into the light; from mediocrity to excellence.

The process of transformation is even more crucial as the government embarks on investigations into IMPACS and Grynberg.

These investigations must not be vengeful and threatening, as were past enquiries.

Instead, they must be looked upon as a search through the recklessness and incompetence of poor management decisions, and procedural missteps, to better guide decisions and management of state affairs.

Hopefully, the

Jazzmeia Horn at Harbor Club

By Cat Foster

H

ats off to Harbor Club. The jazz on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th May was sensational: true jazz delivered in an explosive, modern style by Jazzmeia Horn. And what a stylish and relaxing way to enjoy the evening’s entertainment, with dinner in Harbor Club’s Golden Grove Ballroom while guitarist Zac Popo and vocalist Maria Lamontagne put the audience in the mood for the main act.

Only 27 years old, Jazzmeia Horn already has the presence and professionalism of a jazz veteran. The winner of the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and of the 2015 Thelonius Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition, she oozed confidence and charisma as she mesmerized the gathering with her bewildering vocal range and

modulation. Every note resonated with feeling as she delivered her own compositions and covers of jazz classics. Her colourful outfits, headwear, jewellery and animated facial expressions added to her captivating stage presence but she graciously permitted space and time for her band: a saxophonist, bass player, drummer and keyboard player.

Jazzmeia Horn possesses a voice and style that will define her as one of the greats of jazz in the 21st century. She has already taken the stage at renowned jazz clubs in the States and Europe so we are privileged that she came to Saint Lucia. Hers was a performance to delight jazz purists; the kind of act that will make jazz fans the world over flock back to our shores for what is once again a genuine Jazz Festival.

C

Jazzmeia Horn delivering precisely what fans of pure jazz crave.

reconstruction of St. Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort will be included in these important investigations. The government must remain resolute in its determination to shine a light on the darkness of St. Jude Hospital. Future leaders must be persuaded to avoid similar recklessness.

It also appears that there was a meeting of minds of Caribbean governments when they agreed to introduce the word transformation into the lexicon of government services, clearly indicating their societies needed to undergo sea changes.

It bears repeating that implicit in the idea of transformation, something—usually the people—needs to be changed from backward, uneducated and intemperate to the best that can be. Indeed, transformation also means leaving behind a failed and unsatisfactory past while moving steadily into a new way of seeing, doing and being. The word imports a migration from inferior standard of thinking and living, into a better, healthier and progressive lifestyle.

Notwithstanding the above, professional engineers experienced in the construction of hospitals have all given a thumbs down to the St. Jude hospital project being completed along the same lines that gave birth to much

discussed disaster. It is difficult not to be angry with the former regime and those who now make excuses for the St. Jude hospital fiasco. I fully understand the reasons for the artificially created smokescreen (whirlwind?). My information is that there were several dummy companies entrusted with the purchase of furniture, materials and equipment for the hospital. Some of the more sensitive equipment has obviously become useless, while some is yet to reach the island.

If this is all political propaganda and speculation then the Prime Minister, and not Guy Joseph or Mary Isaac or anyone else in his Cabinet must reassure the people of Saint Lucia, that he will indeed do all in his power to clear the suffocating smoke around the issue. I repeat that the aim of the investigation must be to uncover wrongs never to be repeated. The ball is now in the Prime Minister’s court.

He cannot his sworn enemies also to be enemies of progress for selfish purpose. It is time to begin work on the new hospital in Vieux-Fort; it is also time for the start of a full inquiry into St, Jude in the best interests of all Saint Lucians.

See The STAR Businessweek lead article: From Waste to Wealth.

Chamber of Commerce Announces General Meeting

ontinuing with its programme of engagement with members at different levels on various issues of import, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture has organised a General Meeting for Thursday May 24, 2018 at the Ixora Room, Bay Gardens Inn, Rodney Bay. The meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. boasts a very engaging agenda.

The Chamber has secured the attendance of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Mr. Felix St. Hill to provide its members with an early insight into the government's proposal and thinking on National Health Insurance which was announced in the 2018 budget address by the Honorable Allen Chastanet.

The prime minister provided the Chamber Board with an overview of the proposal but Mr. St. Hill is expected to discuss the broad parameters and critical considerations being taken into account in developing the major policy initiative. With only 20,000 Saint Lucians subscribing to health insurance coverage, and government

seeking to broaden that coverage to the entire populace, businesses are particularly interested in hearing and understanding the plans and thus assessing its impact on them.

The Chamber sees this address as the commencement of discussion and substantive dialogue on National Health Insurance and plans to continue to work to educate and inform its members on pertinent related issues.

Meanwhile President of the Chamber, Mr. Martin Dorville, will update members on the work of the Chamber in the first half of the year as well as some of the imperatives which the Chamber is pursuing at this time in aid of its members.

The Chamber, in the last week, has held crucial engagements on important issues affecting members of the business community, from Crime and Disaster Preparedness to operations of Port Castries and the outcomes and plans will be shared with members, as will be discussions held with the prime minister.

The Chamber expects all members to register for this important meeting.

12 comment

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Can the Hous Leader Hea T

he following is taken from A Higher Loyalty, by the former FBI director James Comey: “It took Fitzgerald three years of litigation to get to a place where he charged, tried, and convicted Libby of making false statements in a federal investigation, perjury, and obstruction of justice.

Republican loyalists howled that he was persecuting Libby because prosecutors could never prove the underlying crime: the intentional leaking of a covert agent’s name with prior knowledge of its illegality.

Of course, those were the same Republicans who passionately believed that President Bill Clinton’s lies under oath over an affair with an intern simply had to be pursued, because obstruction of justice and perjury strike at the core of our system. Meanwhile, Democrats, who six years earlier attacked the case against Bill Clinton as a silly lie about sex, had discovered in the Libby case that they cared deeply about obstruction of justice crimes— but only when the obstructers were Republicans.”

Obviously, we are not alone lumbered with the spotlighted disease. Sheep will be sheep, wherever they may graze. Which is not to say I believe Philip J. Pierre is a sheep—even though others may think he is, based on the abductive reasoning that if

it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.

I was close to the Labour salt in 1997 when newly metamorphosed New Labour determined Julian Hunte had nothing left to take and cleverly maneuvered him out the back door to make room at the head of the table for the party’s ersatz Great White Hope.

I was also in attendance several weeks before the ’97 general elections, at a hush-hush strategy meeting convened at party headquarters on the uppermost floor of the Tom Walcott building on Jeremie Street, Castries, when it seemed the plan was to sacrifice the Castries-East candidate Philip J. Pierre. He had lost to Romanus Lansiquot in 1992, enough reason for the newly acquired SLP’s strategists to conclude the UWP’s candidate invincible. Pointless, then, wasting scarce funds on a hopeless cause. Campaign manager Costello Michel put it this way: “Better to spend the little we have where we have a good chance of winning.”

Following an instigated lengthy contrary argument, good sense prevailed. I like to think I helped save the day for my friend who went on to justify my faith when he proved his party’s premier vote catcher. Soon after New Labour took office following

the ’97 elections the prime minister, his ego powered by an unprecedented 16-1 victory, declared Pierre “too indecisive” to bear responsibility for the tourism portfolio. He replaced him, if only temporarily, with an altogether untested 21-yearold Menissa Rambally. There would be more insults and humiliations to swallow, among them Frenwell and Grynberg, about which Pierre knew only what he had read in a certain local newspaper and disbelieved.

Still his sense of loyalty to his party—to his party leader!—remained intact, if unappreciated. It is no secret that the real reason Mario Michel cashed in his chips shortly before the 2006 general elections had everything to do with the amendment to the SLP’s constitution for the party leader’s convenience. Whatever were his own personal feelings on the matter, Pierre kept them to himself. As if to allay such fears as could interfere with his leader’s sleep, Pierre took every opportunity to say how proud he was to be not only the prime minister’s deputy but also his party’s second in command.

Over and over he appeared on TV to spread the gospel according to such as Barbara Kellerman, a leadership lecturer at Harvard University—albeit misconstrued: that a man who

sought to lead should first learn to follow.

In Kellerman’s telling, there’s a lot a person can learn about being a good follower.

Good followers, she says, are passionately committed and deeply involved. They actively support a good leader, “one who is effective and ethical.” Good followers read their colleagues, co-workers, customers and other audiences. They understand what motivates them and what upsets them, skills that they can use when they become leaders. Good followers also learn diplomacy skills, like the ability to get along well with others while ignoring differences; for example, working well with a colleague who has different political beliefs.

But good followers are not sheep. They also need to learn to be courageous, says Kellerman. “Good followers can aid the leader when he or she is doing the right thing—but they also must have the courage to stand up to the leader if he or she is doing something wrong.”

I might also throw in the following by Ray Kroc, the American entrepreneur best known for expanding McDonald’s from a local chain to the world’s most profitable restaurant franchise operation: “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards he set himself.” Which returns us to Philip J. Pierre, the de jure leader of the House Opposition, who this week delivered a Statement to the Nation, ostensibly inspired by the so-called “healthcare crisis” that some have purposefully associated with the matter of St. Jude.

From his opening line Pierre rendered himself ripe

for roasting. “For the past 23 months,” he said, “the prime minister and his cabinet have sent our country into a whirlwind of uncertainty regarding the provision of healthcare, in particular the operations of our two major hospitals: St. Jude in the south and the Owen King-European Union in the north.”

I am inclined to believe Pierre again demonstrated a lack of faith in his own abilities and chose instead to depend on a speechwriter he imagined more talented than himself.

Did he mean to say that until 23 months ago the climate had been fine for sellers and buyers of healthcare? That the atmosphere changed abruptly on 6 June 2016 with the arrival of a previously non-existent “whirlwind of uncertainty?” Might this be the same devil whirlwind that awaits investigators into “the suffocating smoke” recently referenced by the nation’s prime minister?

Pierre went on: “During its four and a half years in government the St. Lucia Labour Party’s only intention was to complete the construction and reopening of St. Jude to alleviate the plight of patients at the temporary premises of the George Odlum Stadium. We sourced US$20 million loan from the Taiwanese government, all of which contributed to bringing the hospital close to completion by the year 2016.”

Better late than never, one might say: now we know from the horse’s mouth the last Labour government’s “only intention,” never mind its countless other election promises, was to deliver St. Jude. And while some might reasonably ask wha’ wrong wid

dat, the undeniable fact is that the repeatedly promised “state of the art hospital before the end of 2015” still has not materialized. And no one seems ready to say why. The opposition has vowed to go to lengths previously unimagined in its efforts to force the government to carry on regardless from where Pierre and his crew left off in 2016.

As for the government, it contends that it would be egregiously irresponsible to continue work on a half-built representation of sub-standard work and millions of dollars unaccountably spent.

As for OK-EU, Pierre revealed on Monday: “The decision was taken in 2002 to construct a new hospital. The St. Lucia Labour Party is aware of the complexities involved in the construction of a new hospital and has never blamed the UWP for not completing the construction of the OK-EU hospital during the years 200611 when they were in office.”

Nuff said. Conceivably, the same “complexities” apply to St. Jude but how different has been the SLP reaction!

Referencing privatization, Pierre said: “The SLP government had a health plan prepared by health professionals to commission the hospital and were in the final stages of initiating a healthfinancing plan to allow accessible healthcare to all Saint Lucians.”

His party strongly believes “the provision of accessible and affordable public healthcare is the responsibility of government and should be under the control of government.” Alas, Pierre did not say how privatization per se will relieve government of responsibility for the nation’s health. Perhaps more to the point, can any administration, Labour or UWP, legitimately claim it afforded Saint Lucians the healthcare demanded by the UN Declaration of Human Rights?

THE STAR

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may 19, 2018

COMMENT

se Opposition eal Himself?

I was taken off guard by the opposition leader’s shocking announcement of “recent revelations by our healthcare professionals about unnecessary deaths taking place because of the inadequacy of existing facilities.” I suspect Mr. Pierre meant to say “avoidable”— not “unnecessary deaths.”

Nevertheless I hope he has not forgotten the unspeakable horror outside the Soufriere hospital that had resulted after a mother in labor was refused admittance on the basis that no midwife was at the time on the premises. In all events, it would’ve been interesting to hear from Mr. Pierre what action followed the previously unreported “recent” and “unnecessary deaths.” We certainly know what did not happen following the Soufriere horror.

We need not revisit every word of Mr. Pierre’s first National Statement. Those of us who know him well will have realized by now that what came out of his mouth on Monday evening did not originate in his heart. Near the end of his address he said: “I call on all Saint Lucians to put aside their differences and come together to keep pressure on this government within the framework of the law to ensure they provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all of our citizens in the shortest possible time.” Put another way: Do what we failed to do when we had direct responsibility for St. Jude. Not a word, not a word, not a word about the protesting medics whose fees spit on the dream of affordable healthcare for the average citizen and may well be the main reason why so many “poor people are dying.”

Besides, Pierre’s statement is schizophrenic, especially when placed alongside the following: “It is most disturbing that on the matter of healthcare the prime minister and government spokespersons have chosen to communicate to the nation in half-truths and in many

cases absolute untruths and contradictory statements . . . the government is actively engaged in destroying public confidence in healthcare professionals . . . While the government and its surrogates obfuscate, ascribe blame, continue to debate which political party should have completed the hospital, which door or corridor is too small or whether germs can penetrate drywall, people are dying, mothers are losing their newborn babies, families are having anxious moments . . . The prime minister should not continue to brush aside, snub, attack and even label as acts of terrorism genuine concerns expressed from so many quarters of our society . . . The government has not demonstrated that it cares about the people it has been entrusted to represent . . .”

Spoken less like a caring citizen than a campaigning politician with no election in sight. It is my free prescription that Philip J. Pierre spend a little less time stumping bridges to nowhere and concentrate instead on purging himself of toxins he may have inhaled after too many years tailing disaster. I would also recommend he make every effort to avoid the place that in 2009 a “ready to lead again” Kenny Anthony had described as Purgatory!

On Monday Philip Pierre also said: “Healthcare must not be used to score cheap political points. The provision of public healthcare is a challenge for all governments, therefore must be handled with maturity and commitment . . .” Obviously, the toxic exhaust from his former leader never reached the heart of Philip J. Pierre!

Can Philip J. Pierre emerge from under the huge dark cloud that envelopes him? Will he remain “just a boy whose intentions are good?”

13

14 HEALTH

KIM’S KORNER Sleep Tight Every Night!

S

and brain waves slow down to prepare the body for a deep sleep.

Stage 3: Deep sleep; the brain waves slow down with occasional smaller, faster waves. This is when people experience sleepwalking or night terrors.

Stage 4: Deep sleep continues with mainly slow waves. If awakened during this stage you can feel disorientated for a few minutes.

Stage 5: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is when we dream most intensely and our eyes move rapidly from side to side.

As a physiotherapist I meet people who not only have trouble falling asleep because of pain but also feel pain during the night and on waking. I am often asked what is the best sleep position to get not only a restful sleep but to wake up pain-free. If you browse the Internet there is a lot of conflicting advice, making it

to decrease the angle at which your neck rests.

Side Sleeper: Sleeping on your side has many benefits, unless you suffer from shoulder problems, but not not all sides are equal; sleeping on the left has more benefits. Research has shown that left side sleeping can aid digestion, reduce heartburn, stop snoring, improve blood circulation and improve lymphatic drainage. But it can put pressure on the lungs, stomach, liver and shoulders.

People often complain of shoulder pain or numbness in the arm on waking, usually caused by sleeping with your arm under your head or your pillow; it is best to avoid this position. Also, when sleeping on your side, try to keep the body as straight as possible. Many

difficult to make an informed choice. So, I have decided to open the curtains and shed light on the pros and cons of each sleeping position. What works for one person may not work for you, so take time to experiment. Hopefully you will be able to find the right position to help you get a good night’s rest and wake up with less aches and pains.

Stomach Sleeper: Good for those suffering from sleep apnoea or snoring but that’s about as far as the benefits go.

Sleeping on your stomach is considered the worst position as it reduces the natural curve of the spine and can also put stress on the neck, as the head is turned to one side. If you really cannot sleep in any other position, choose a firm mattress with a pillow placed assy may unintentionally under your hips so that less have rocked the pressure is placed on your boat with its 26 April lower back. Use a flat pillow, announcement that the or no pillow, under your head supermarket planned to start charging for its plastic shopping bags. Days after the word got out there was talk on the radio and elsewhere of retaliatory boycotts. Many shoppers were of the view that Massy’s new attitude was a demonstration of greed with little to do with its advertised intention to push an environmentally friendly agenda. The sceptics questioned why the supermarket had not chosen to do away with plastic bags altogether in favour of paper or other biodegragradable options.

Notice is hereby given that the Mon Repos Eastern Co-Operative

On Tuesday this week Martin Dorville, Massy Stores Credit Union (1968) Limited will be holding its 44th Annual General St Lucia’s managing director, Meeting on Sunday 27th May 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at the Micoud and head of marketing Sariah Secondary School for the following purposes: Best-Joseph, presented a different scenario: come July 3, the charge for plastic bags will 1. To confirm minutes of the last Annual General Meeting not be the rumoured 50 cents after all but 25 cents, which 2. To consider and approve reports the company hopes will deter 3. To consider and approve Financial Statement for the year ended shoppers from purchasing the December 31st 2017 bags. The money collected from the sale of plastic bags will 4. To allocate Surplus Funds be placed in an Environment 5. To elect Officers Fund to benefit environmental awareness, recycling, waste 6. To transact any other General Business of the Society. collection and repurposing projects.

Please note that audited financial statements can be viewed prior to

During their initial media address, the company the AGM on the Mon Repos Credit Union website: representatives insisted their www. monreposcreditunion.com hope was that shoppers would be encouraged to dump an old and counterproductive habit

By Order in favour of reusable shopping Secretary bags. As for the suggested

leep is vital to maintain good health. Sleep deprivation not only makes us drowsy during the day, affecting our thinking and productivity, but it can also affect our mental health and increase the risk of kidney and heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.

For adults, 7-8 hours of sleep is recommended. Children need 9-13 hours, while babies require up to 17 hours.

There are five stages in the sleep cycle, and our ability to manage this smoothly determines the quality of our sleep. Disturbance during any of these stages can leave us feeling tired when we wake up.

The stages are: Stage 1: A light sleep where you can easily drift in and out of sleep and easily be woken. You may feel muscle spasms during this stage or experience the sensation of falling.

Stage 2: Eye movements stop

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

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NOTICE

people adopt the foetal position; this can put pressure on the neck and lower back, especially if the knees are tucked in tightly.

Back Sleeper: This is said to be the best position, unless you are a snorer. It causes the tongue to relax and fall into the back of the throat. Apart from

this, laying on your back allows the spine to adopt a neutral position, placing less pressure on the neck and back. A bonus is that as your face is not pressed against the pillow, it can help to minimize wrinkles.

May you rest in peace and get up in the morning full of beans!

Kim Jackson is a UK-trained physiotherapist with over 20 years' experience. She specializes 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 analyzing 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, www.baysidetherapyservices.com

How much more plastic do we need in our plastic lives?

M

Will a 25 cents charge for plastic shopping bags have the desired effect on environmentally unaware shoppers?

other options, Dorville explained that those were not viable, since paper bags were not expected to hold the weight of groceries. Besides, they take more energy to manufacture. As for bio-degradable materials, Dorville offered this explanation: “Just because something is bio-degradable doesn’t mean that we should not curb our indiscriminate entry of those items into the environment. The fact is, we want to reduce the amount of waste going into the environment.” Moreover: “Even when they [plastic bags] end up in the landfill, the problem does not go away.”

Plastic bags are not the only environmentally hazardous products used by the supermarket chain. Its meats, meals and pastries come in styrofoam as well as plastic containers and bags.

Dorville’s response: “We are ramping up our efforts, in the absence of legislation, to curtail and eliminate the use of

the styrofoam. It is legislated already in Guyana and in Saint Vincent, so we have the knowledge on how to get to that point a lot quicker. We are working assiduously on that project.”

Declared Ms. John: “There are areas where we will have to continue to provide those types of bags and the reason is to manage contamination as well as issues relating to hazardous material and waste around food. For example, someone may pick up a tray of raw meat, poultry or fish and there might be some seepage. We want to manage cross-contamination.”

The company's representatives also announced other initiatives in the works to provide members of the public with the opportunities to obtain free, re-usable bags leading up to July. The intention is to eventually phase out altogether the use of plastic grocery bags.

--- K. N.

THE STAR

S

www.stluciastar.com

may 19, 2018

LOCAL

15

LU CITY RELEASES ‘SA KA FÊTE’ – FEATURING GRAMMY-NOMINATED SUPERSTAR SHONTELLE

aint Lucian duo ‘Lu City’ has released its latest single, 'Sa Ka Fête' featuring platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated, singersongwriter Shontelle.

By joining forces, Lu City and Shontelle have created a fresh, catchy track with an infectious afro-inspired beat and lyrics destined to be on the lips of the masses. The track, titled ‘Sa Ka Fête’ translates to ‘What’s up?' in French Creole: homage to Lu City's Saint Lucian upbringing. On the

chorus, Jean Atem of Lu City can be heard singing 'Dimwen Sa Ka Fête' which translates into 'Tell me ,what's up?' Track after track, Lu City continues to display musical prowess and versatility, easily switching between pop, rap, EDM, soca, dancehall and now afro genres, with ease.

This release signals the return of Shontelle to the music scene after a well-deserved break. Shontelle, best known for her 2010 smash hit 'Impossible' has been sorely missed on

the music scene by her fans and peers alike, and made the calculated decision to re-remerge alongside' her boys' Lu City. This level of confidence and support speaks volumes about the potential and talent of the duo.

To top it all off, the track was produced, mixed and mastered ‘in-house’ to an unprecedented level of quality at Lu City Studios by LMG/ Lu City member Shaquille Wilkinson. A highly skilled producer and engineer, Mr.

SENIOR OFFICIALS PARTICIPATE IN STUDY TOUR TO ARIZONA

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ith the support of the United States Government, senior government officials, including ministers and police commissioners, from across the Eastern Caribbean and Guyana, have been participating in a Study Tour to Phoenix, Arizona to observe how crime and violence data is helping combat crime.

The study tour, which took place May 14 – 18, was under the aegis of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) CariSECURE Project that strengthens the capacity of regional and national institutions to collect, analyze, and use citizen security data for evidence-driven crime prevention. The tour gave senior policymakers the opportunity to understand the benefits and challenges of implementing an evidence-based approach to addressing crime and violence.

During the tour, the delegation gained firsthand experience with Police Crime Information Management Systems in the Phoenix and Chandler Police Departments.

They also met with senior U.S. Government Officials and the Mayor of Phoenix, Greg Stanton, to observe how crime and violence data is driving the City's crime prevention programmes and policies.

USAID has partnered with regional governments for more than forty years to build environmental resilience, improve health, enhance basic

Bajan songbird Shontelle becomes the next in the line of artists the Saint Lucian duo has collaborated with this year. In February the duo debuted 'Let it Go' featuring soca king Machel Montano at Machel Monday—the largest live performance show in the Caribbean, in Trinidad. In doing so, they became the first Saint Lucian duo to not only perform at the event, but also the first Platinum-selling singer-songwriter Shontelle makes Saint Lucian artists to feature her comeback alongside Saint Lucian duo Lu City.

Machel Montano on a track. The soca-inspired release has since Wilkinson was also a winner (in music to compete with the best received a lot of praise from the production category) of the of them! Lu City is a name to get industry professionals and fans recent regional Digicel/Machel used to, for we are truly a force alike, with thousands of views to be reckoned with. The path Montano Music Academy. on YouTube within the first few has not been easy and the trials Eliot Bailey, Lu City days.

Manager and co-founder and tribulations we have faced Having recently declared commented, “We continue to are all a part of the journey.

Lu City co-winners of the walk the road less travelled.

Now, it just feels amazing that inaugural Machel Music we have artists whom we grew Music from the Caribbean Academy, and having opened up listening to, reaching out to usually gets typecast between concerts for artists such as soca, dance hall or reggae; us to ask when more music is French Montana and Kalash, Lu that's what you'd expect when coming! It has all certainly been City is seemingly destined to you hear 'Caribbean Music'. a humbling experience thus far take the industry by storm.

However, we are here to show and we will continue to strive to See the groups website and the world that the Caribbean release great music for our fans facebook page for information can indeed release mainstream at a steady pace!” on tour dates and new releases.

CPJ St. Lucia Limited- A leader in the Sales and Distribution sector in St Lucia, invites suitably qualified persons to apply for the position of:

Spirits & Tobacco Manager CariSECURE Tour: (L-R) Chris Cushing (USAID Mission Director), Edmund Shurland (RSS Executive Director), Ian Queeley (St Kitts Police Commissioner), Thelda Williams (Vice Mayor), Jeri William (Phoenix Police Chief), Greg Stanton (Mayor), Hermangild Francis (St Lucia Minister Of Home Affairs), David Ramnarine (Guyana Police Commissioner), Augusta Degazon (St Lucia Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Home Affairs), Khemraj Ramjattan (Guyana Vice President and Minister Of Public Security), Steve O Maley (UNDP Resident Representative).

education, and promote youth empowerment and citizen security.

Since 2010, the U.S. Government, through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), has invested $437 million toward improving citizen security in the Caribbean and addressing the root causes of crime and violence. To-date, more than 30,000 youth across the region have participated in CBSI education and work-force development programmes.

Addressing the opening ceremony to launch the Study Tour, USAID Mission Director for the Eastern

and Southern Caribbean, Christopher Cushing, stated “Under the CariSECURE project, USAID remains committed to supporting regional partners in developing integrated crime information management systems to strengthen governments’ capacity to collect, analyze, and use citizen security data to target risk factors that drive youth violence, crime, and victimization. It is encouraging to know that though thousands of miles away, we have colleagues here in Phoenix who are willing and eager to support us in this effort.”

Primary Objectives: • Spirits & Tobacco Manager is a full-time position with responsibilities for developing plans and executing programs to support the short and long-term marketing strategy related to the company’s Spirits & Tobacco portfolio.

• The Manager has a lead role in managing vendors (brand owners and caretakers) relationships and is directly responsible for ensuring Customer objectives are met related to the planned executions and targets.

• The Manager will manage and direct all communications associated with the specific product portfolio.

Qualifications and Experience Required: • Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or Business.

• Comprehensive knowledge of Micro Office Software Suite- Microsoft Word/Excel/ PowerPoint.

• At least 5 years working experience in Brand Management, Sales and Marketing or related field.

• Career Level: Experienced (Managerial) Skills and Other Attributes Required: • Demonstrate entrepreneurial Skills – (competitive, target –driven), Strong Interpersonal and Communication skills (oral and written), Self-Starter, Computer Literate, Ability to maintain a high level of Accuracy, Good personal presentation, Licensed driver with owned (road-worthy vehicle), Detailed oriented and thoroughness, Excellent Time Management Skills, Ability to work consistently towards set deadlines, Team Player, Customer Service Skills.

Please forward a cover letter and complete resume, including references to vacancies@slu.cpj.com.

We will acknowledge receipt of all applications received and will contact candidates selected for an interview subsequently.

Deadline for applications is Friday May 25th, 2018.

Only applicants who meet the criteria will be acknowledged.

16 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

THE FUNNIES!

Joshua St. Aimee is a graduate of the Hospitality Studies Department of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. A budding jazz enthusiast, he is now working as a journalist and in graphic design. For business inquires, contact: jsacartoonist@gmail.com

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

Facilitating Access to Health Services for Persons with Disabilities in Saint Lucia

T

he OECS and the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), with support from the UNDP, recently concluded a training session on the production of basic prosthetic limbs.

The training provided capacity building for income generation among the participants, while also enhancing quality of life of persons with disabilities through the provision of prosthetic limbs. Trainees will be earning a living by making limbs for sale.

Prosthetic limbs are vital to many citizens including persons who have been confronted with an unavoidable amputation. However, patients are often required to seek health assistance overseas which represents a major financial obstacle.

The two-week workshop was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the OECS Commission and hosted at the NCPD Rehabilitation and Repairs Centre in Vieux Fort under the co-ordination of NCPD’s prosthetic technician Mr. Andrew Collymore. The medical specialist completed a certification in Prosthetic Limb and Caliper Fabrication at the MUKTI Artificial Limb Center in India.

Dr. Grace-Ann Cornwall, Head of the Social Development Unit and Ms. Sharon Jacob, Administrative Assistant, represented the OECS Commission at the event The president of the organised for the closure of the training session.

National Council of and for

The workshop enabled seven participants to manage Persons with Disabilities the production process of basic prosthetic limbs and learn delivered remarks on Tuesday. technical and professional terminologies related to that particular medical area. Participants were grateful for the All participants were awarded with training which will provide them with an opportunity for self- certificates attesting the successful employment as they are now able to respond to a critical completion of the programme. need within the local market.

THE STAR

may 19, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

17

18 JAZZ

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

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West Coast Jazz - Good Enough for Main Stage!

O

n Monday morning I was inviting our entire editorial department to next year’s West Coast Jazz based strictly on last Saturday’s event. My enthusiasm had little to do with the $30 ticket price, even though it made what I was recommending to my colleagues all the more attractive. Most of the main events of Soleil Jazz were staged at our plush hotel resorts and, no doubt, patrons enjoyed the music as much as they did dressing to impress, not to say the chance to sample some expensive gourmet cuisine. For others such as me, for whom dress codes are like shackles, who enjoy getting up and walking around a whole lot more than being glued to chairs, however great the music, the fringe events were precisely the ticket.

I found myself at Quantum Gardens in Massacre, with ease of access to a parking facility (Total Construction Supplies) and shuttle service. The initial hours didn’t attract a full house but that made it easier to lie back on a blanket under an umbrella as the music flowed my way from the stage. The opening act, Charles Cadet Youth Orchestra, played in tribute to its founder Petronilla Deterville. The repertoire comprised modern jazz and soca sounds, and occasional solos. Amy Stephens offered the only voice rendition, a selfpenned song. It was proudly announced that most of the Charles Cadet Youth Orchestra reside in Anse la Raye.

Despite, the obvious talent of the Charles Cadet Youth Orchestra, my favourite moments were courtesy of Antonious Henry, for the past 25 years a member of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band.

The Anse la Raye resident, via his saxophone renditions, certainly delivered again on the occasion. Oh, but it was when Henry’s daughter joined him for a personalized duet of “Unforgettable” that my boat was truly rocked. Wherever they were, the original performer Nat King Cole, and his daughter Natalie, must’ve bowed in appreciation.

Other acts included Rob Zii & Phyness, who performed

Russell Lake’s cap: raising funds for Anse la Raye!

Great weather, great food, greater music; what’s there to worry about?

She told us she’s a member of the Royal Family!

A little Anse la Raye gossip to start things off?

Family outings always call for matching outfits.

My outfit’s cute but ice cream is better.

Quantum Gardens was filled with jazzy tunes and funky ladies.

Sax, sax and some more sax.

popular and original jazz and Latin jazz numbers, and the Adrián Oropeza Trío from Mexico. The three men—Adrián Oropeza on drums, Israel Cupich on double bass and Daniel Wong on piano—performed in a series of Soleil Jazz Festival fringe events last week, even hosting their own show for two nights.

Deboson, a band from Cuba

also performed at Quantum Gardens on Saturday. Evalucian entertained during the latter hours, when patrons were out in full capacity.

The performers from Latin America were all in keeping with the West Coast Jazz theme: “Latin Xperience”.

To tie everything together, DJ Spy Kid and the event’s host, Russell Lake, entertained

I don’t have to wait for Mother’s Day to hold the umbrella for mommy.

in-between acts. Russell even sacrificed his cap for a young lady named Janelle to collect donations for Anse la Raye’s

community development, while people made trips to the vendors for drinks, grilled fish, freshly made smoothies and

popcorn. The funds from last year’s West Coast Jazz built two houses for Anse la Raye residents, and funded a $5,000 contribution to the Charles Cadet Youth Orchestra after the performance on Saturday.

West Coast Jazz was well supported by people from all over the island and of different ages. The organisers can expect to see me there next year with my entire family!

--- C. E.

THE STAR

jazz

www.stluciastar.com

may 19, 2018

We know someone was having fun.

I know, I make jazz look good!

We bet her waistline must have been moving.

The camera wasn’t even ready for me.

Who even needs a catwalk?

Calm, cool and jazzy.

JAZZ 2018

Too many pretty smiles! Can we even choose a future Carnival Queen?

Some Mexican flavour for the Sunday special.

“Hey Lera, this sure beats working at the newspaper!”

19

These hosts were trying not to steal artists’ shine.

Rashaad Joseph (right) delights the crowd with a little help from Boo and friends.

Mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, friends the Jazz Festival was for everyone.

20 JAZZ

Boo (left) accompanies young vocalist Christian Laurence (right) of the Saint Lucia School of Music.

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

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Avery*Sunshine gave the crowd laughter as well as a dynamic voice!

R+R=NOW’s Christian Scott on trumpet.

Lalah Hathaway was surely feelin’ that jazz.

JAZZ FINALE:

WAS IT WORTH IT? N

umerous attempts by the drizzle to dampen patron enthusiasm proved futile. It would take a deluge to prevent them from getting their money’s worth at the 2018 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival finale. Labeled ‘A Mother’s Day Special’, the event took place last Sunday at the Pigeon Island National Landmark. The open-air venue was perfect, a wonderful change from the hotel setting of earlier held events.

With a solid line-up of highly distinguished jazz artists, the enthusiastic house was in for an unforgettable treat! The day began with a small but growing audience under a blistering hot sun, with the Frantz Laurac Quartet from neighbouring Martinique first to hit the stage.

Saint Lucia’s foremost guitarist, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, delivered a très Caribbean performance. He transformed popular soca songs like ‘Full Extreme’

by Ultimate Rejects into a jazz edition that had his audience jumping. Boo invited several other artists to share the stage with him, among them super saxophonist Rashaad Joseph and vocalist Christa Bailey.

Next up was the group R+R=Now, who delivered a set as unique as it was captivating. The band’s pianist Robert Glasper engaged excited fans even as his piano talked its own special talk. Alas, it was during his stint that the umbrellas came out.

Last, but not least, was singer-pianist Avery *Sunshine from the United States. Her set, including husband Dana Johnson on guitar, offered the audience several opportunities to sing along. And so they did. When Avery’s husband took time to gently wipe the sweat off her face, the ohhhs and ahhhs were almost palpable. The crowd demanded, and received, an encore at the end of the impressive set.

The jazz presentation was followed by the unofficial launch of carnival. Numerous local acts, the likes of Arthur (with the EvaLucian band), Hollywood HP, and Ezra D’Fun Machine, among others, graced the stage. Regional acts Dj Puffy from Barbados and Shal Marshall and Destra from Trinidad also performed.

---J. S. A.

THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

may 19, 2018

Suspect in Custody, Santa Fe High School in Texas still on Lockdown after Shooting

A

shooter at a Texas high school is in custody, but a lockdown was still in place and law enforcement remained on scene, school officials reported yesterday.

Santa Fe High School Assistant Principal Cris Richardson told ABC13 Friday the shooter was arrested.

She wouldn’t comment on the number of students injured but said she “hoped the worst was over.”

The school district released a statement saying there were “confirmed injuries” and updates would be released later.

Students were being taken to a nearby gym to be reunited with their parents, the statement said.

Witnesses fleeing the scene described a shooter opening fire inside a classroom, as students ran from the school, jumping over fences and fleeing to a nearby carwash, according to KTRK-TV in Houston.

TV aerial footage showed groups of students being herded out of the rear of the school and a sheet, believed to be covering a body, on the lawn outside.

Yellow buses stood at the ready to shuttle students away.

Tyler Turner, a student at the school, told KTRK-TV a few of his friends saw the gunman with what appeared

B

In this picture, taken from video, law enforcement officers respond to a high school near Houston after an active shooter was reported on campus in Santa Fe, Texas.

to be a shotgun inside the school and pulled the fire alarm, prompting students out of their classrooms.

Megan Hunter came out of her classroom and followed the rush of students fleeing the school. “I was shaking, my anxiety was bad,” she told the news station. “I don’t even know what to think.”

Students described bloodied students fleeing the school and several stretchers of injured students ferried to ambulances. The incident occurred around 7:40 a.m.

One student, who identified herself as Paige to KRTK-TV, said she hid backstage of an auditorium as the first shots rang out. She called her mom on her cellphone, who told her

to remain calm, breathe and follow the teachers’ directions.

“I was very, very scared,” she said.

As she hid backstage, Paige said she wasn’t surprised that the shooting was unfolding at her school.

“It’s been happening everywhere,” she said. “I always felt eventually it would happen here, too.”

A dispatcher at the Santa Fe Police Department told the (Corpus Christi) Caller-Times officers were on the scene.

Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, Houston police, ATF, and SWAT also responded. Several ambulances were there. The Harris County sheriff tweeted deputies from his office also were on scene.

---USA Today

ANTIGUA HIT BY SCANDAL

usinessman Asot Michael, a longtime senior functionary in the governing Antigua Labor Party (ALP) resigned as investment and trade minister on May 17 in the midst of an international bribery scandal involving several police jurisdictions— Germany, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

Saying he did not want to further tarnish the name and reputation of Antigua and the cabinet, Michael, 48, handed his resignation letter to prime minister Gaston Browne at around midday on Tuesday as audio recordings of his conversations with British property tycoon Peter Virdee and another businessmen surfaced and were widely carried by British media.

His resignation followed hours of deliberations by the Antiguan cabinet this week as details of his demands for money, a vehicle and other items were made public from audio recordings taped by

German police. Authorities say that given the details contained in the audio recordings, it was hard for cabinet colleagues to support his retention in the system.

“The allegations have caused anxiety in some quarters of our society and are being used by opposition political elements to discredit me and the government. I have not worked so diligently over the last 21 years for the advancement of Antigua and Barbuda, and in support of ABLP to allow the reputation and standing of the nation and the party to be tarnished by political actors who are determined to pull down the government and the party by besmirching me.

The nation and the government remain of first and foremost importance to me,” Michael wrote in his resignation letter.

Browne accepted without hesitation, no longer in a position to bat for his longtime colleague.

Michael is alleged to have

demanded bribes from Virdee, an investor in a 1,000 acre solar development project in sister isle Barbuda. In the juiciest portion of the intercepted conversations, Virdee is overhead complaining that Michael wanted $2 million as a bribe for favours.

Michael’s departure from the cabinet comes just as islanders were beginning to forget about the mid-2016 incident involving then ambassador to the United Nations John Ashe who was charged by American police for allegedly taking $800,000 in bribes from Chinese businessmen, again to peddle influence at the United Nations and other forums. Ashe died weeks after, while exercising in a gym in New York.

“The media reports refer to recordings of conversations between persons other than myself, and I cannot be held responsible for their utterances,” Michael said.

--- BERT WILKINSON Caribbean Life

INTERNATIONAL

21

22 international

may 19, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

The Attorney General suing Harvey Weinstein has Resigned following his own Abuse Allegations

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ew York attorney general Eric Schneiderman resigned Monday (May 8) evening, hours after the New Yorker published a report detailing abuse allegations against him by four women.

Schneiderman was under pressure to step down after New York governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement earlier in the day: “My personal opinion is that, given the damning pattern of facts and corroboration laid out in the article, I do not believe it is possible for Eric Schneiderman to continue to serve as Attorney General, and for the good of the office, he should resign.”

In the New Yorker article, the women described the 63-year-old Schneiderman as a man who heavily drank and was physically and emotionally abusive, both during and outside of sex. Two of the four

women went on the record with their names: Michelle Manning Barish, a political activist who dated Schneiderman on and off from 2013 to 2015, and Tanya Selvaratnam, an author and actor who dated him from 2016 to 2017.

In a statement, Schneiderman said he contested the allegations: “While these allegations are unrelated to my professional conduct or the operations of the office, they will effectively prevent me from leading the office’s work at this critical time. I therefore resign my office, effective at the close of business on May 8, 2018.”

An advocate for women’s causes, Schneiderman’s profile rose after women came forward last year (paywall) detailing a pattern of abuse by Harvey Weinstein over decades. In February, he filed a lawsuit against the film mogul and

Eric Schneiderman, former U.S. attorney general.

his company for failing to protect its employees and to compensate his victims.

In the New Yorker report, the women described a different side of Schneiderman, saying he slapped, shoved, and choked them.

“The slaps started after we’d gotten to know each other,” Selvaratnam told the New Yorker. “It was at first as

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Reality TV personality Charlotte Crosby punches boyfriend as her birthday night in St Lucia ends in furious fight

if he were testing me. Then it got stronger and harder. … It wasn’t consensual. This wasn’t sexual playacting. This was abusive, demeaning, threatening behavior.”

The first time Schneiderman allegedly slapped Manning Barish, she said the blow landed on her ear, resulting in an injury that bothered her for months, with blood trickling out of her ear and onto her collarbone at one point.

“I want to make it absolutely clear,” Manning Barish said. “This was under no circumstances a sex game gone wrong. This did not happen while we were having sex. I was fully dressed and remained that way. It was completely unexpected and shocking. I did not consent to physical assault.”

Before tendering his resignation, Schneiderman in his statement characterized the events in question as “roleplaying” in the bedroom:

“In the privacy of intimate relationships, I have engaged in role-playing and other consensual sexual activity. I have not assaulted anyone.

I have never engaged in nonconsensual sex, which is a line I would not cross.”

Some of the women profiled said they were hesitant about going public with their stories because Schneiderman has been considered a strong ally to women. But Selvaratnam felt this was all the more reason to come forward: “This is a man who has staked his entire career, his personal narrative, on being a champion for women publicly. But he abuses them privately. He needs to be called out.”

Fiery pair: the night before, Charlotte and Josh shared cosy Instagrams as they rang in her birthday together.

Rodney Bay's Ultra Lounge was where Charlotte aimed the punch.

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he's celebrating her 28th birthday with a luxurious break in St Lucia.

But Charlotte Crosby's birthday night out on the tropical isle ended in a furious fight, as she was captured on video punching her boyfriend Joshua Ritchie, 23.

The reality star was seen arguing with her boyfriend at the Ultra Lounge in the early hours of May 16, before storming outside where the fight escalated.

The ex Geordie Shore star can be seen in video footage obtained exclusively

by MailOnline yelling at Josh, as he sits with their pals inside the venue.

Charlotte then storms out, followed by a girlfriend, before Josh's mate tells the dawdling Ex On The Beach hunk that they need to leave.

The fight continues --- Quartz outside with Charlotte seen

standing in the road yelling at Josh, before appearing to punch and shove her boyfriend, while shouting 'f**k you'. She eventually storms off.

A source has told MailOnline that Charlotte “stormed out of the club and started arguing” at around 12:30 am.

“She chucked her drink at a man in a white t-shirt and stormed out. I heard someone say ‘We have to get her out of here’ presumably because she was too drunk. I believe they must have gone home after that,” the insider continued.

Just hours before their fight, Charlotte and Josh appeared in a loved-up mood, as he surprised the birthday girl by decorating their hotel room with rose petals and balloons to mark her birthday.

--- Daily Mail

THE STAR

may 19, 2018

CLASSIFIED 23

www.stluciastar.com

Properties For Sale The following properties located in Vieux-Fort are available for sale.

Property # 1: A 2-storey commercial bldg. located at Beane Field Vieux-Fort Land size: approximately 11,130 sq. ft.

Gross area of bldg.: approximately 7,800 sq. ft.

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Building #1: approximately 3,300 sq. ft.

Building #2: approximately 2,216.54 sq. ft.

For further information, please contact the following: Richard Surage Liquidator Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 758-450-7777 email: admin@pkf.lc

Entertainment club in Rodney Bay is in search of young beautiful, talented and intelligent ladies between the ages of 19 – 32 to work as dancers, waitresses and bartenders.

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Boslil Bank Limited is currently seeking applications for suitably qualified persons to fill the following position of:

INVESTMENT & ACCOUNTS OFFICER GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY To ensure that the bank’s investment and finance functions are accurately and correctly accounted for; ensuring that reports are available for analysis. To assist with the automation of reports necessary for the smooth functioning of the department.

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QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance • Professional designation - Level 2 and above • Minimum of two (2) years international experience (financial services) • Strong knowledge of investments and finance • Investment knowledge and financial reporting experience would be an asset • Ability to meet strict deadlines BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS • Strong analytical skills • Strong time management skills • Understanding of Banking would be an asset • Strong communication skills (oral and written) • Good knowledge/understanding of IFRS 9 and its requirements • Exceptional commitment to internal and external customer service • Computer literate, working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite Required documents for submission: Application letter, Resume, Certified copies of certificates.

Deadline: 28th May 2018 Address: Application for the post of Investment & Accounts Officer

Boslil Bank Limited, P.O. Box RB 2385, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia Or Email: boslilrecruiting @boslil.com

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N THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA CLAIM NO. SLUHCV2004/0185 BETWEEN: FIRST CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK (BARBADOS) LIMITED Judgment Creditor (1) (2)

and BURDETTE AUGUSTIN FELICIEN PAULINA AUGUSTIN Judgment Debtors NOTICE OF HEARING

TAKE NOTICE that the Application to Vary Upset Price filed in this matter has been scheduled for hearing at the High Court of Justice, La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street in the city of Castries on Thursday, the 24th day of May, 2018 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon before Justice Cadie St. Rose-Albertini.

DATED: this 20th day of April, 2018. ……………………………….

REGISTRAR OF THE HIGH COURT To: Peter I Foster & Associates Legal Practitioner for the Claimant Robin Kelton Bldg, Choc Bay, Castries Burdette Augustin Felicien Paulina Augustin Defendant 1 Defendant 2 The Court Office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint Lucia, telephone number (758) 468-7500, fax number (758) 468-7543. The office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays except public holidays.

The office can also be Contacted via email at stluhco@eccourts.org

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