Kenny Says Caribbean Airline is "Abusive" to Caribbean Travellers

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018

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There was a time when the former prime minister of Saint Lucia demonstrated much love for all things Trinidadian. Not anymore!

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KENNY SAYS AIRLINE ABUSIVE TO CARIBBEAN TRAVELLERS!

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CASTRIES CONSTITUENCY COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW CEO

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.

Anything Goes

By Michael Walker

I

was chatting to my friend Nadia the other day about her line of business; perhaps sideline would be a better way of describing her work. Nadia is one of the better students in my class, very ambitious, and has a clear plan in life. She already has a Master’s Degree and wants to come to Europe to earn a PhD. She speaks English quite well considering she learned the language at work, on the job, so to speak, lots of oral contact.

Nadia told me that massive debts accrued during her studies pushed her into prostitution, or as she calls it ‘hostessing’.

She is self-employed, and by her own account she pockets $3,000 in a good month, more than enough to finance her frugal student life and allow her to travel around the region during her ‘working vacations’ at the end of each semester. Prostitution is illegal in Taiwan, and she was once arrested and given the option of three days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000. Nadia is philosophic: “It was only three days, so I took the jail. Anyway, I needed the rest. This is only a temporary occupation.

It’s not a job for life.” Once she gets her Doctorate she hopes to join the world of academia. “I like the way you live,” she told me.

Nadia believes there may be up to 100,000 sex workers in Taiwan, including hostesses in clubs and karaoke halls. Many countries in Asia and beyond are struggling to balance demands for social order with the protection of sex workers' rights. Nadia knew what she was talking about. Prostitution is legal in more than 70 countries worldwide, illegal in more than 100, and restricted in others. Thailand and the Philippines are well-known sex tourism destinations, despite a legal ban on prostitution in both countries.

Mainland China officially bans prostitution but swings between looking the other way and harsh crackdowns. Japan permits sex services short of intercourse, but Nadia wonders how they enforce this rule.

As elsewhere, in Taiwan women's rights groups say the sex trade exploits women, is plagued with trafficking and ensnares under-age girls. But sex workers’ rights groups say the sex trade isn't going away anytime soon, that bans are counterproductive, and that prostitutes deserve dignity and good working conditions as much as any other labourers.

Nadia believes that the government plans to scrap the penalty on prostitutes, and has even floated the option of legal "sex zones", or letting small brothels of five or six prostitutes run their own small business out of apartments anywhere in the city.

Women's groups take a dim view of either scenario. The Garden of Hope's Wang said that since 90 per cent of sex workers are female, "We think it's an issue of gender inequality." They want the laws to remain as they are, and to make it illegal to pay for sex, too, an idea that Nadia scoffs at. She points to a recent survey released by the Taiwan AIDS Society that revealed that approximately 20 per cent of young adults in Taiwan have had sex with strangers or people they do not remember, exposing themselves to the risk of HIV infection. The survey also found that 77 per cent of young people engage in sexual activity while on vacation. “What’s the difference,” asks Nadia, “between me and 20 per cent of my contemporaries? We all have sex with strangers. We all have sex on vacation. The difference is that I get paid for it too – and I take precautions!”

The report from the Taiwan AIDS Society goes on to say that while 19.4 per cent of young adults have had sex with partners other than their girlfriend or boyfriend, 8.7 per cent have had sex with someone they met that same day, and 10.1 per cent do not remember afterwards with whom they have had sex.

“Which is exactly what I do!” adds Nadia.

Also, 51.7 per cent did not use condoms, revealed the survey, which was conducted among 1,036 students aged 18-25 in major population centres such as Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.

Nadia insists on condoms, and even though, as she says, men long for condom-less sex and are willing to pay two or three times the going rate, she is never tempted. “And I never miss my monthly check-ups,” she adds.

Nadia considers people that have indiscriminate, unprotected sex with strangers to be a menace to society. According to the president of the Taiwan AIDS Society, the latest survey showed that the number of people in Taiwan known to have HIV exceeds 33,000, of which 50 per cent were under 30. In a kind of mixed message, Nadia added scornfully, the president also said that people should not be afraid if they are infected with HIV, because drugs are now available to control the virus, that allow patients to live to 70 years old on average. I found Nadia to be a very bright, young girl.

AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

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he Castries Constituency Council has appointed Mr. Wilfred Pierre as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr. Pierre, who holds an MBA, MSC in Management, and a BSC in Economics, joins the organisation with a wealth of experience, coming from the public service where he once served as Director of Special Initiatives and National Authorizing Officer within the Office of the Prime Minister.

Mr. Pierre also served as the Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Agriculture and as General Secretary of the CSA.

The new CEO will assist with the general administration of the Castries Constituency Council under the direction of Mayor Peterson D. Francis and will be responsible for enhancing and delivering the council’s strategic plans.

Mr. Pierre will also build on the existing institutional framework and complement the management of the organisation. He will conceptualize new profitable opportunities and assist in driving revenue, with an intensified focus on improving the productivity of the council.

Mayor of Castries, His worship Peterson D. Francis welcomed the new CEO remarking, “Mr. Pierre shares our vision for the future of the Castries Constituency Council,

Mr. Wilfred Pierre now serves as the CEO of the Castries Constituency Council.

and serving recently in the capacity of Initiatives Director, he has a proven track record.

His experience will certainly add incomparable value to the already transparent and robust organisation.”

In his response, Mr. Pierre expressed his commitment, stating that he is up for the challenge ahead. “I am humbled yet grateful for the opportunity and eager to advance the

institution at all altitudes with a number of unique ideas. I am looking forward to working with the many stakeholders, employees, business owners and investors who are enthusiastic and dedicated to the longstanding development of the City of Castries.”

Mr. Pierre will be based at the Offices of the Mayor and Castries Constituency Council on Peynier Street in Castries.

HOW DO ST. LUCIANS FEEL ABOUT FLOW? We have received at the STAR numerous requests over the last several months, pleading with us to ask our Saint Lucian readership to let us know how they feel about the service provided by FLOW. Here is your opportunity. Address your praise/complaints to stluciastar.com or to STAR Publishing, Massade, Gros Islet. We look forward to hearing from you.

THE STAR

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AUGUST 11, 2018

Peter Walcott Art Exhibition

aint Lucian fine artist Peter Walcott will launch his collection of works to art lovers in the “Ioüanalao” Art Exhibition at the Inner Gallery, Bois d’Orange, Gros Islet. The exhibition is an exciting vista of our island, first named “Ioüanalao” or “Hewanorra” in Amerindian, which means “There from where the iguana is found”.

“My paintings are filled with Saint Lucian imagery,” says Peter Walcott. “An artist can do a tropical painting which could be of anywhere; instead I

RISE AND SHINE! W

hat was the core message delivered at the many political meetings on the Castries market steps during the mid-70s to early 80s? Answer: To encourage citizens to rise and shine.

During these lectures (the market steps were dubbed the ‘university of the people’), the now Lord Mayor of Castries, Mr Peterson Francis, occupied a front row seat on the veranda of his parents' CDC apartment, opposite. That may explain why he has taken to his current job like a duck to water. He seems to have been preparing all his life for the job of mayor.

There is no smooth and easy transition from private business to public office. Those who replaced the public speakers of the 70s and 80s appear to have diverted their attention from the rise and shine slogan to a more self-serving agenda. Mayor Francis is attempting to return the rise and shine idea in the way he handles his job. Those who know him well say he was an asset to the city long before his appointment. But, rather than compliment him, some have chosen to stand aside and criticize. A few, who clearly know not that they know not, have taken to spinning news that even a blind child could see is fake!

Recently Mayor Francis had to rush to the Martinique media to correct a vicious lie that had been circulated on that island. The sick story had originated locally (the mayor knows the original prevaricator!): that the city was overwhelmed by murders and other serious crime. The liar suggested our Martinique friends had better stay home. (Remember when a certain former prime minister spoke similarly with reference to overseas investors?) Mayor Francis convinced concerned citizens of Martinique that there was no cause for alarm. My question is: Who are these local bad-news bears trying to harm? The lie reminded me of the presumed mad person who not so long ago had taken it into his or her head to spread a skin irritant around the lounges at Hewanorra airport. Who loses when visitors decide to give our country a wide berth on the basis of fake news? Not the would-be tourists, for sure!

Not satisfied with the bad mouthing, others took to the local newspapers to report more lies and false news. They fabricated stories about the relationship between the mayor and the minister for local government. The experienced permanent secretary in the ministry of social affairs explained the reason for the audit at the CCC. Some party hacks, posing as reporters, disregarded the official explanation. They preferred to focus instead on a fabricated conflicts.

Mayor Francis is just getting started. The new mayor is about to introduce parking meters that will greatly enhance visits to Castries. Already Saint Lucians are asking him to take a look at Vieux Fort, Soufriere, Gros Islet, even Laborie and Dennery.

--Peter Josie

want viewers familiar with Saint Lucia to recognise my paintings to be that of our beautiful island and its unique scenic sights.”

Peter Walcott’s ability to express his vision comes alive on canvas with his precise choice of palette, full of bright, light, acrylic paint, applied with controlled brush strokes, influenced no doubt by four years of formal architectural training.

Art to Peter Walcott is “simply about the joy of creating”. The Inner Gallery invites you to experience his vivid, light-infused paintings capturing Saint Lucia’s unique views in his semiphoto realistic style. The exhibition runs from this Friday August 17 to Friday September 14, 2018.

Artwork by Peter Walcott.

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AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

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Saying Goodbye to Her Majesty! knew, I was at my homestay, discovering what it meant to wine.

After lots of hard research, t was St. Patrick’s Day in New Zealand and I was about I realized there are three stages to wining—the first a pint and a half deep with being the Subconscious Wine. a stomach coated of bacon That’s where your Caribbeanand eggs at 10:00 a.m. when I checked my email inbox. It was embroidered brain hears slight Christian Wayne, a name that at music and subconsciously sends powerful, yet undetected the time meant nothing more signals to your lower half to me than a faceless textbox and causes it to pulsate. The across the world inviting me second stage of wining is the to take up an internship with Social Wine. This is during the the STAR. If you either: a) didn’t read my articles over the beginning stages of a party and people want to dance past seven weeks; b) are not but the party isn’t winfected employed at Purdee’s House of yet (wine-infected). The final Roti or, c) are not Minister Gale stage of wining is called the Rigobert, there’s a fairly good chance you don’t know me. So, Seismic Wine: This wine is so powerful that Caribbean folklore to inform you: I am a Canadian journalism student from Toronto, attributes the Titanic tragedy who came to Saint Lucia for an to the first coming of the Seismic Wine. This overpowered internship with the STAR. subgenre of wining is the not

I remember how jarred generally known reason our I was on my way to Castries carnival was moved to a month from Vieux Fort. Drool ran during the Atlantic hurricane from my mouth to my black season.

T-shirt as a sleep-induced

Seismic wining and stasis overcame me; courtesy shaking my booty in the of an uncomfortable taxi-nap name of culture (kolcha?) that attempted to compensate was something I had never for three days of snoozeless experienced before. And that travel and jet lag. Next thing I

By David Venn

I

was only the beginning. There were plenty more learning curves that I went through working at the nation’s most provacative newspaper. I recall the first time I got a call from Mr. Rick Wayne. It was quite possibly the scariest moment of my young reporting career.

My colleague handed me the telephone and said, “It’s Rick.”

A sentence that can induce fear into anyone—from meatheads, to radio show hosts, to politicians.

However, he didn’t say anything bad at all. It was actually during the next half dozen calls that I got the Rickact read to me. But during the first call, he commended me for my ability to jump into a strange country and pick up where everyone else already was and write coherently, as if I were myself a Looshan.

During my time here I wanted to try and dig a little bit deeper than most. I wanted to get from officials answers beyond PR statements and rehearsed one-liners. Since I was an add-on to the STAR’s staff, I had some freedom to

Toronto resident David Venn with STAR reporters at a farewell get-together at the end of his recent internship at the publication. Clearly a good time was had by all. Left to right: Christian Wayne, David, Claudia Eleibox, Joshua St Aimee and Keryn Nelson.

roam and produce stories I thought were important to the community. In retrospect, I believe that was my goal. It was to show Saint Lucia how wonderful this country can be, and not only to wish for more, but to go out and get more.

The STAR’s place in media, I discovered almost on arrival, isn’t necessarily to uncover “breaking news” or to publish 30 articles every day. It’s here to create unsettlement, drive discussion and show a different perspective rather than

Kenny Gives Media a Tease!

regurgitating what politicians and public relations officers are feeding the nation. That’s something I will forever be proud to say I was a part of. And it’s also something I hope the nation of Saint Lucia grows to appreciate more.

I’ll miss all the lovely people I met along the way and the extravagant views Saint Lucia is known for; but will forever be grateful knowing I experienced the true beauty of this country in a way not many visitors have.

To my homestay and extended family, Noa and Siam Redjil, thank you for adopting me into your family with such love. To my editor, Rick Wayne, I’ll always remember your most common phrase as “I think you rushed this one,” plus “You’re going to be a damn good journalist one day.” I appreciate your support and advice during my time here.

To his son who brought me on board, Christian Wayne, thanks for taking the chance on some kid who emailed the editorial department asking for a spot on the team. To Shauna Sylvester, your smile that greeted me at the office every morning represented the welcoming of the entire building. To Doretta Francois, you are the only person who was able to get me to care about grammar; my future editors thank you. And to Keryn Nelson, Joshua St. Aimee and Claudia Eleibox, I’ll miss hearing you laugh, sneeze and type away while I stand underneath the air conditioning to cool off. Thank you all for having me; this will always be a prominent moment in my life.

Youth Ambassadors participate in US Government-sponsored Leadership Program

By Claudia Eleibox

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H

e handed his party’s leadership to Honourable Philip J Pierre and now plays peek-a-boo during sittings in the House of Assembly; but when he does come out from hiding, Kenny Anthony still keeps to bringing threats against, not the government, but Allen Chastanet specifically. In his last address in the house, Anthony said in relation to announced investigations: “For months, I have been waiting for it.”

Whether the looming possibilities of those investigations has been the reason the once dynamic and animated politician has been so recently quiet or not, the media was unusually graced with his presence on Tuesday.

The St Lucia Labour Party called a press conference attended

by Anthony, Pierre and four other members, two of whom spoke independently while the rest, Anthony included, sat sparsely rendering chuckles over comments about Allen Chastanet being a top notch liar and crier.

Even when Dr. Anthony

Former PM Kenny Anthony came out of hibernation for a mere hour for media to capture his face on camera.

was pried from his seat to the podium by a question directed to him by this reporter, his answers were sharp and barely delivered with a few sentences. Then when the media expressed gratitude for him making an appearance and probed by: “We hope to see you more often,” Anthony was quick to reply with a shake of his head from side-toside; a response to the effect that those press conference attendances would remain a rarity. And when asked why, all he gave was a similar headshake.

S

The Youth Ambassadors and their mentor.

even Youth Ambassadors from the Eastern Caribbean are in the United States for the 2018 Youth Ambassadors Program in the Caribbean. During their exchange, participants will focus on the program’s themes of civic education, leadership, and community service.

Students will also create social action plans at the end of their community program that each will then implement in his or her country.

Richardo Lockhart of Antigua and Barbuda, Kai Allman of Barbados, Aliyah Jean-Jacques of Dominica, Rhion Charles of Grenada, Jhie Auguste of Saint Lucia, Safin Connor of St. Kitts and Nevis, and Rhobyn Barnabe-Grant of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, accompanied by mentor,

Natasha Nation of Dominica, are taking part in the three-week exchange program, along with participants from The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The goals of the exchange program are to prepare youth leaders to become responsible citizens and contributing members of their communities; foster relationships among youth from different ethnic, religious, and national groups; create networks of hemispheric youth leaders; and promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States, South America and the Caribbean.

The Youth Ambassadors Program, which is implemented

by World Learning, began on August 7 in Vermont, and concludes in Washington, D.C. on August 28.

THE STAR

AUGUST 11, 2018

LOCAL

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Kenny Anthony Says Caribbean Airlines Sucks!

‘Piarco no longer the hospitable place it used to be for Caribbean Travellers!’

T

he following appeared on Kenny Anthony’s Facebook page on Sunday: “I really do hope that circumstances do not compel me to travel on Caribbean Airlines in the near future.

Recently, on a trip from Havana, Cuba, I took a connecting flight on Caribbean Airlines BW434, from Trinidad to Saint Lucia.”

In his post, the MP for Vieux Fort South revealed he carried a bag weighted 27 kg when the allowable weight is 22.7 kg. He claims he was charged US$75 for the excess poundage—which the former prime minister considered “nothing less than extortion.”

It was not the first time he had “suffered this fate at the hands of Caribbean Airlines,” Anthony posted. Paradoxically, he did not object to a charge for the excess weight, “but to pay US$75.00 for 4.3 kg extra weight from Trinidad to Saint Lucia is unfair, unjustifiable and abusive.”

By his presumed impeccable measure: “The Saint Lucian staff at George FL Charles are absolutely superb in their handling of passengers to Trinidad and Tobago. Caribbean Airlines would do well to send its staff in Piarco to Saint Lucia for training in handling passengers on its flights.

Something has gone terribly wrong at Piarco Airport in Trinidad and Tobago. Piarco is no longer the hospitable place it used to be for Caribbean travellers.”

Some may well wonder whether Kenny Anthony has had falling out with all things Trinidad & Tobago—his wife’s birthplace, where they were declared wife and husband, and demonstrably one of his favorite homes away from Cul-de-Sac and the Saint Lucia House of Assembly.

I am reliably informed that had Anthony been traveling from Saint Lucia to Piarco last Sunday via Caribbean Airlines, with the same piece of luggage, the local attendants would’ve charged him the same US$75 for his excess luggage. As for the training of local staff, it turns out that they receive

Delay of Grade Six Textbooks T

he Department of Education, Innovationa and Gender Relations wishes to inform parents/guardians that the shipment of Mathematics textbooks for Grade six (6) has been delayed and will be available in book stores towards the end of September 2018.

The Department apologies for any inconvenience caused for the unavailabilty of these textbooks presently in book stores locally.

training from Caribbean Airlines experts, both Trinidadian and Saint Lucian.

In all events, why would Caribbean Airlines personnel, whether based here or elsewhere, single out Kenny Anthony for “unfair and abusive” treatment?

Why does Kenny Anthony imagine himself representative of “all Caribbean travellers?” It would be instructive to learn what may have brought about Kenny Anthony’s demonstrated new attitude to his wife’s fellow countrymen.

At least the Piarco folks did not lose his luggage!

---Rick Wayne

Former prime minister Kenny Anthony recently revealed to the world that Caribbean Airlines has lately adopted an especially unfriendly attitude toward him.

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august 11, 2018 THE STAR

MPs and Senators Unite to Eulogize Departed Colleague Arsene James

he impression the late Arsene James appears to have had on his parliamentary colleagues was that he rarely talked about himself, never blew his own trumpet. In turn they remembered him, at Wednesday’s joint meeting of the House in his honour, as being silent yet strong, discerning, a man who talked little but, when he did, everyone paid attention. At least one MP said he had decided, at the passing of the former representative for Micoud South, to do his best to adopt some of the deceased’s characteristics.

A small irony: more than once punctuality was liked to the departed. But as the Minister for Culture observed, the special House sitting in honour of Mr. James had started a full hour behind schedule.

On the same matter Ezechiel Joseph, the MP for Babonneau, said: “He was very punctual.

It’s disheartening to see that we have a joint sitting today and it started one hour past

the time we were supposed to start. He would not have been happy about this. Just this once we should have made a special effort in recognition of his insistence on showing up always on time.”

The rest of the sitting was devoted to the recollection of anecdotes and lessons learned from the way Mr. James had lived his professional life.

Economic Development Minister Guy Joseph said: “I must say I believe Mr. James lived the life he wanted to live. A fulfilling life. A life of service. A life that gave to his community what he believed he was called to do . . . What I especially loved about Mr. James was this: no matter how we tried to get him to sleep in Castries after a House session had ended especially late, we never were able to persuade him. I remember him saying the last time he slept in the city was in 1975.” It would’ve been interesting to hear what was responsible for that!

The Vieux Fort North MP, Moses Jn Baptiste, recalled

Southeast Castries MP Guy Joseph offers condolences to wife of the deceased following this week’s joint House meeting in honour of dearly departed Arsene James.

his time as a student at the Vieux Fort Secondary School, with Mr. James as principal: “I can never forget the incident with a gentleman called Ballo, when we were in Form V.” By the MP’s telling, Mr. James had summoned him and Ballo to his office to be disciplined with a strap. But he changed his mind suddenly. Years later, by which time they were in the political arena, they would share the memory, made laughable by

time.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, whose political career got off to a winning start after Mr. James gave up his seat shortly before the elections of June 6, 2016, was in tears as eulogized the dearly departed. He recalled his final private moments with Mr. James, just prior to his leaving for Martinique for treatment: “I decided, and I don’t know what made me do it, but I decided to

go down to the airport to see him off. He was on the tarmac and was being transferred from one bed another. And again, the intuition or fear of the worst caused me to go and hold his hand. Not knowing what really to say, because we had spoken before about his ailments and feelings, the best I could come up with was, ‘Arsene I love you.’

His last words to me were: ‘I love you, too, take care.’”

Earlier the opposition

leader Philip J Pierre had said: “Sometimes I know in the practice of politics the people that support us push us to do things that we may not want to do, and that is the reality of our game. So we have to try to exercise some control . . . our basic humanity, our love for each other ought to manifest itself in our profession.”

From the Security Minister Hermangild Francis: “We are witnessing a decorum in the House today that is pleasant to all in attendance and to those following on television and radio.

I therefore challenge every one of us to take this opportunity to reflect on how we conduct our business in the respective Houses.”

The outpouring of appreciation and inspiration from all quarters may indicate that though now physically absent, Mr. James will live on in the memories of Saint Lucians, regardless of political affilliation.

No doubt, attendant relatives of Mr. James came away with the feeling that he was generally appreciated, and not only for matters related to local politics.

--- Keryn Nelson

THE STAR

AUGUST 11, 2018

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08 COMMENT

AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Slavery is alive and well . . . and officially endorsed!

By Rick Wayne

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im seemed to be doing just fine as he opened Monday’s Newsspin with an innocuous peachy-preachy sermon about how regrettable it was that Emancipation Day— “a time for deep reflection”—had long ago transmogrified into just another boozy public holiday replete with tragic trappings; another Funday; another opportunity for the largely unemployed and broke workforce to forget its troubles and dance. As if to make matters worse, Tim observed, this time around there had been not a word, not a word, not a related word from “the authorities.” All of which struck me, in our socioeconomic circumstances, as, well, just a tad naïve, not to say ironic.

I wondered what other countries observe Emancipation Day and vaguely recalled reading somewhere (that was a long time ago, the source now eludes me!): “Emancipation Day is celebrated in many former British colonies in the Caribbean and areas of the United States on various dates in observance of the emancipation of slaves of African descent.” I had formed the impression that, “areas of the United States” notwithstanding,

FORM P7: ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT Rule 15 The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA CLIAM NO. SLUHPB2018/0098 In the Estate of Wilson Joseph late of Marigot in the Quarter of Castries in the state of Saint Lucia, deceased TAKE NOTICE that an application has been filed

by Lucy Alfred of Union in the quarter of Castries, in the state of Saint Lucia for a Grant of Letters of Administration to the applicant who is niece of Rita Joseph, the wife of the deceased, the deceased having died intestate on the 27th day of April 1960.

Any person having an objection to the grant of Letters of Administration to the application shall file an objection within 14 days of the publication of this Notice.

Dated this 24th day of July, 2018.

Presented for filing by: MESSRS. PETER I. FOSTER & ASSOCIATES, Legal Practitioners for the Applicant, whose address for service is: Chambers, Robin Kelton Bldg., Choc Bay, Castries, Saint Lucia. Tel. No.: 758 453-1100, Fax No.: 758 452-4940, E-mail: contact@ piflaw.com The Court Office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Tel. No.758 468-7500, Fax No. 758 468-7543, e-mail: stluhco@eccourts.org. The Court Office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Monday to Thursday and between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Friday except public holidays

Emancipation Day was mainly a Caribbean ting, a black-Caribbean thing, that is—unlike our irresistibly all-inclusive carnival.

I cannot recall offhand whether Africa was among the nations that ostensibly observe Emancipation Day. With all its ongoing horrific black-on-black tribal violence, its trafficking in black flesh, its genocidal tendencies, its enslavement of little black girls and boys for the prurient enjoyment of deviant Europeans, perhaps I should let this particular sleeping dog lie.

Just before he turned Newsspin over to his lunch-time audience on Monday, Tim remembered to read a Bar Association press release that proved to be yet another toothless threat from a legal fraternity long tolerant of its working conditions, at any rate, such as have always existed at the nation’s court buildings, the upkeep of which is the government’s responsibility.

The first caller blamed the regrettable Emancipation Day situation on local parents that had neglected to teach their offspring to be appreciative of their freedom, for which countless nameless slaves had paid with their African blood. The second concurred but then quickly sank his fangs into Tim for what the caller perceived as the host’s empathy with the complaining lawyers.

From the caller’s perspective they, more than any other group, were responsible for the mounting crime and the growing tendency among citizens to take the law into their own hands. Nothing Tim said in his own defense or in support of the complaining unidentified lawyers was enough to change his caller’s mind.

A third caller all but damned lawyers as the root of everything evil on this Rock of Sages. He blamed them for the notoriously slow pace of justice; for what he considered an open conspiracy to keep young and poor citizens locked up for years without trials; and for not standing up to a legal system that clearly had been designed to keep the underprivileged behind bars for the smallest infractions.

As if in support of his conspiracy theory, the caller reminded Newsspin’s host that local MPs and judges were members of the same fraternity, therefore hardly likely to confront one another on the matter of justice for regular Saint Lucians. “And let’s not pretend you don’t know what I’m saying is true, Tim,” he added. “You know it is!”

What had started out as a wellintentioned invitation to revisit the past had served only to fan the flames of barely contained public rage. Of course the people have long had good reason to be angry.

George Odlum, before he suffered the inevitable consequences of residing too close to monsters, had unleashed from a public platform in Castries the following smart bomb: “The politicians have fooled the people too many times. The next batch of politicians to fool the people should be hanged in Columbus Square.”

For far too many Saintt Lucians freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose!

(Photo taken at Carnival 2015.)

If in 1972 the people had already been “fooled too many times,” imagine the damage to their mental health after being betrayed by their elected representatives for more than half a century.

Yes, so Saint Lucians are angry. And not without cause: the only security force between

law-abiding citizens and others who profit from criminality and mayhem has effectively been rendered sheep in wolves’ clothing, soft targets for dopedup teenagers often better armed than the protectors of the people’s life and property.

Recently, police officers at Richfond had to duck for cover

when emboldened drive-by snipers opened fire on their quarters.

The nation’s only crime lab has inexplicably been shut down for months, even as the killers, the rapists and other social spirochetes wreak their peculiar brand of havoc on the unprotected and frightened citizenry. Recently the prime minister announced without evidence—and without a declared resolution—that some of the worst crime experienced in Saint Lucia was committed by politicians, business people and police officers. He told journalists in London that we have “a problem with corrupt cops.” This at the time of the Ollie Gobat murder, still unresolved.

The jobless majority cannot afford transportation to the nearest hospital, let alone doctors’ fees. For too many the answer to their problems was attached to the end of a rope or in the barrel of a gun.

Saint Lucian voters are evidently mad as hell about the prospect of being forced yet again to choose between lesser evils come the next general elections. If only the nation could discover the courage to unchain itself from its selfconstructed predicament, I suspect Emancipation Day would immediately take on useful new meaning—for all of us!

--- Published August 8, 2015

Former Micoud South MP laid to rest

T

he funeral for the former Micoud South MP Mr. Arsene Vigil James took place yesterday (Friday) at the Church of the Holy Cross, Desruisseaux, Micoud.

The deceased, who served both as education and culture minister, as well as Leader of the Opposition, passed away last Sunday. He was 73 years old.

Parliament convened a joint sitting of both Houses on Wednesday morning. A special tribute was held on Thursday evening at his family home in Desruisseaux.

His body lay in repose at the House of Parliament for viewing by officials and dignitaries yesterday morning from 10:30 to 11:30.

THE STAR

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LOCAL

While doing her ‘delicate little dance’ with SALCC board did Rigobert step on the wrong toes?

David Venn

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t was Monday morning when Cabinet sat down with the Board of Directors from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College for an “emergency meeting” regarding a 100 per cent fee increase for the 2018 school year. Government officials said the meeting was to discuss the future of the college, and to ensure that they are advancing programmes, staff and facilities to justify potential future tuition spikes.

The meeting seemed to be a success: government effectively cancelled the proposed fee increase. Yet, the following morning the board resigned en masse, despite the “meeting of minds” that supposedly confirmed a mutual understanding between both parties of stakeholders.

“I think that we all left the meeting with the mindset that we were heading in the right direction,” said the prime minister’s senior communications officer Nicole Mc Donald. She admitted that while the board’s resignation was cause for concern, “We just want to move forward.”

Additionally: “Our main priority is to ensure that the community college is meeting the needs of the people and the students. That is our main concern, no matter what board

august 11, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

is in place”—by which she meant interim or permanent.

There have been questions surrounding the Ministry of Education’s role in the fee increases. Opposition leader Philip J. Pierre has said that while the government may have created the impression the tuition increase took them by surprise, that is not the truth.

According to Mc Donald, the Ministry of Education was aware that the board of SALCC wanted to institute a 100 per cent increase but did not approve or respond to the proposal. Other sources went further, saying in effect that the board’s correspondence on the matter, its complaints and suggestions, have been known to the education ministry for years but were largely ignored.

Just over a week ago, on Monday, July 30 (one day before the SALCC released its official statement), deputy permanent secretary Michelle Charles said: “It is my understanding that there will be a fee increase starting September. As it relates to matters on, well, increasing fees, the ministry . . . the ministry in no way . . . we don’t influence that decision at all.”

But the ministry does influence the decision. It took one meeting for the Cabinet to dismantle SALCC’s fee increase decision, and that was after the college had already gone public with it. And in terms of a direct influence, well, the college is

Education Minister Gale Rigobert has announced the SALCC will have a new board in place next week.

bound to its legislature.

The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College Act states that with the approval of the minister, the board is permitted to make rules regarding the “transaction of its business . . . prescribing the manner in which documents, cheques . . . shall be signed” and “prescribing the due custody of monies forming part of the funds and resources of the board.” In short, the board cannot legally move without the minister’s stated approval. So did the board act on its own, without the minister’s input?

The board could not be reached for comment, unlike the leader of the House Opposition.

“I know, and I am certainly sure, that the Sir Arthur Lewis board would never go public with such a declaration if they

did not consult with the Minister of Education. Never!” said Philip J. Pierre at a press conference on Tuesday.

Meanwhile well-placed sources tell the STAR the minister had been sitting on this potential volcano for about a year. The feeling of many who talked with this reporter is that when it came time for Minister Rigobert to account, she chose to throw her board under the bus, leaving them little choice but to throw in the towel.

Rigobert made a general comment on the matter on Wednesday morning: “From my reading of the situation, I am even more convinced that all the stakeholders involved with respect to [SALCC] want what is best for the college. There may be contending views on how to achieve [what’s best for the college] but I’m even more convinced now than ever before that all parties concerned really want what is best for [SALCC].”

When Rigobert was asked about whether or not the ministry knew about the 100 per cent increase before the board’s announcement, she did not give a straight answer.

“My politics is a people-centred politics. I'm concerned about households and how they are affected by decisions, and we’ve had a very delicate dance over the last couple years.”

Rigobert ignored the STAR’s request for further comment.

CALL FOR LANDSCAPERS

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he Department of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Labour, hereby invites all nationals of locallyowned landscaping businesses or involved in the provision of landscaping services to homes and businesses to a meeting at the Department of Commerce’s Conference Room on Monday, August 13, 2018 at 2:00p.m.

In an effort to ensure sustainability and growth of the private sector, the Department of Commerce has embarked on an initiative to develop a database of all local tradesmen and women, including landscapers. While concentration has been on the manufacturing and construction sectors, landscapers have become an important source of employment in Saint Lucia.

The Government of Saint Lucia therefore strives to promote diversification of Saint Lucia’s economy by making skills trade an important policy focus.

Efforts towards achieving economic diversification have therefore brought to the forefront the importance of private sector development, particularly the development of small to medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

Persons providing services in the following categories of landscaping are therefore invited to attend this important meeting:

Types of landscaping Services and Businesses: Brick & Stone • Brick and Stone Patios, Walks, and Steps - Install • Brick, Stone or Block Wall Install Concrete • Interlocking Pavers for Patios, Walks and Steps - Install • Landscaping • Landscaping for Yard or Garden Install • Landscape Curbing Install Lawn & Garden Care • Lawn Seeding / Hydro seeding • Shrubs - Trim or Remove For Business and Home • Lawn Care For Home and Business • Synthetic Grass for Play Area Install • Mow & Maintain a Lawn • Landscaping for Yards, Gardens & Curbing • Lawn Maintenance • Brick & Stone Flatwork

For further information on this initiative, please contact Ms. Augusta Joseph, Investment Coordination Officer, Investment Coordination Unit at telephone 468-4266 or email augusta.joseph@govt.lc.

Sulphur Springs Facilities to be Improved

AGNES FRANCIS MOVES ON

I

After serving two years with the tourist board, Agnes Francis has resigned.

n 2016, a 12-member board of directors was appointed to oversee the operations of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, with Agnes Francis serving as the board’s chairperson. Following the resignations of Director Louis Lewis and deputy director Tracy Warner-Arnold in October, Ms. Francis was then appointed executive chairperson.

Ms. Francis’s tenure came to an end on July 31, 2018.

Her resignation letter states: “The transition from the Saint Lucia Tourist Board to the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority has been completed. My work has therefore come to an end. Our association has truly been a

productive and positive one and I wish to thank you for this, and your contribution towards bringing the vision of the SLTA to reality.”

A statement released by the SLTA thanked Ms. Francis for her “inspiring leadership and dedicated contribution to the development of the tourism sector”.

Addressing Ms. Francis’s resignation this week, the prime minister’s Senior Communications Officer Nicole Mc Donald said: “It’s very clear that she has achieved what she set out to do at the tourism authority. She’s done some great work and she’s

a respected person in the industry.”

Ms. Mc Donald went on: “I know that she continues to have the confidence and respect of this government.

She did an excellent job in terms of transitioning the Saint Lucia Tourist Board to the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

“Her resignation does not mean she will no longer have input into the Tourism Authority she helped to put together. I can tell you that in the days ahead she will continue to work with the government in other capacities.”

---Joshua St. Aimee

Patrons will not be allowed access to the black water pool during construction.

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he Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF) will undertake a project at the Sulphur Springs Park, in an effort to enhance the services offered.

The project will include the construction of three additional pools, a deck, additional storage and changing rooms.

According to Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lester Cazaubon, “There has been an increase in demand for pools for a relatively long time.

To this end, the organisation wants to ensure that we meet

these demands by increasing our ability to serve our patrons and to enhance the experience at the park.”

Mr. Cazaubon further noted that the additional pools will reduce the amount of congestion on very busy days to afford visitors an uncompromised service.

The works commenced on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

The SRDF solicits the cooperation of all patrons and urges all to be patient during execution. It sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience that the project may cause.

THE STAR

august 11, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

TUE 21ST AUG 6:00PM

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12 LOCAL

august 11, 2018 THE STAR

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If it’s Visa-free for China, then why not for Venezuela? value for the state of California.

In 2017 it was estimated that 1.5 million Chinese tourists would visit California t was unfortunate last and the US Department of week, that citizens were Commerce estimates that by denied the opportunity to 2021, that figure will increase listen to constructive debate to 2.3 million, who will spend in parliament over visa approximately US$6.1 billion in restrictions for Venezuelan the state. nationals versus the lifting of

For Chinese people looking visas for Chinese nationals. to leave China, the US and Alas, many such debates Canada are the most popular are centred on party lines as destinations, followed by the UK well as which administration and Australia. favours which nations and for

Compare that to this what favours. However, there scenario: according to the UN is a compelling argument on which the reasoning for the visa Refugee Agency report for restriction, vis-à-vis the visa lift, 2017, wars, other violence and persecution drove worldwide can be based.

The undeniable fact is that forced displacement to a new Venezuela is in crisis. Everyone high in 2017 for the fifth year in a row, led by the crisis in accepts this as truth except Democratic Republic of the the leaders of that country. On the other hand, China has been Congo, South Sudan’s war, and the flight into Bangladesh churning wealth over the last from Myanmar of hundreds few years and its investors, as of thousands of Rohingya well as travellers, are looking refugees. Overwhelmingly it is for the next hot spot.

Consider this: in May 2014 developing countries that are most affected. the employees of a Chinese The UN report states direct marketing company were that the majority of the treated to a vacation on the west coast of the United States. world’s refugees find safety in neighbouring countries. In the They visited Los Angeles, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela San Diego and Las Vegas, for example, growing political, sightseeing and shopping, as social and economic tensions Chinese tour groups do. There throughout the year led to the were 7,000 of them. They took displacement of Venezuelans 86 flights, stayed in 26 hotels, with over 60,000 lodging and generated around US$85 million of revenue and economic asylum claims in the Americas

By Toni Nicholas

I

Six people were arrested following what the government described as an organised attempt at assassinating Venezuela’s President Maduro.

and beyond, including at least 27,000 who applied in 2016 mainly in Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, Spain and the United States.

The Caribbean, which is Venezuela’s closest neighbour after South America, has seen an influx in the arrival of Venezuelans since 2016, particularly Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. The majority of these travel in search of a better life in terms of jobs and other opportunities. Given the small size of some of the island states, the arrival of Venezuelans, even in relatively small numbers, is said to be having a disproportionate impact on the islands' limited resources.

Trinidad is reportedly confronted with a situation of over 40,000 Venezuelans currently present in the country,

according to a Newsday report, and as the social upheaval continues in Caracas and other major cities, this figure is expected to grow and is now of major concern to the government.

In April of this year the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, remarked, following the deportation of 82 Venezuelans, that his country was not a refugee camp. Intelligence in Trinidad & Tobago, as well as Guyana, suggests that there are growing rings of Venezuelans involved in human trafficking, prostitution, drug smuggling and contraband between those countries.

Here in Saint Lucia, there have been reports of an increase in the number of Venezuelan nationals being involved in narcotics and illegal

firearms. Faced with the above scenarios, any government would have to consider two things: how to capitalize on China’s growing wealth in terms of investment as well as tourism; and secondly, how to remain friends with our neighbours, like Venezuela, while protecting our very porous borders from those miscreants who may use the excuse of the crisis in their country to ply their illegal trades.

The imposition of visa restrictions is not a death sentence. Saint Lucia had it for years to travel to Martinique and this never stopped the countries from seeking bi-lateral agreements and co-operation. Conversely, the lifting of the necessity of visas

by Chinese nationals, does not mean that the red sea has now been parted and there will be a rush to Fair Helen. As I said in a previous article, presently Chinese citizens can visit seven Caribbean countries, visa-free: Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. In fact, the Chinese passport has visa-free access to 51 countries in the world.

None of the Caribbean nations mentioned has seen any influx of Chinese nationals that has become overbearing. And, as I mentioned earlier, of the 51 countries where Chinese are

SANDALS TEAM MEMBERS TRAINED TO MANAGE ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASES

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wenty-four team members from Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia, including executive housekeepers, environmental health and safety managers, watersports managers, chief engineers and nurses, have participated in a training activity to bring them up to date on Legionella disease management trends.

On average some 75,000 tourists come to Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia on an annual basis. This constant movement of people, the result of the booming global tourist industry, brings with it the need for a heightened level of surveillance, and a corresponding consistent upgrading of, and concern for, environmental health and safety standards for workers as well as guests.

Legionnaires' disease is

Sandals Managers attend Legionnaires training at Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort.

a severe, often lethal, form of pneumonia. It is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila found in both potable and non-potable water systems like pools, cooling systems and showers, all hightraffic areas used by visitors to

hotels.

In line with its commitment to the well-being of both guests and staff, Sandals has taken steps to ensure that its team members remain knowledgeable on the management of such diseases.

The special training session was held to keep team members abreast of trends related to Legionella disease.

Resort personnel were updated on the nature of this disease which will help them create a framework for successful and ongoing management. Coming out of this training, Sandals Resorts will develop unique policies, each indicating the control and surveillance methods.

The session, held at Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort was hosted by co-presenters Sanitary Engineer Andres Griffith, who focused on the management and policy formulation of the disease, and medical doctor and infectious disease specialist Alina Montane Jaime, who looked at the clinical aspect of Legionnaires' Disease.

T

welcomed with open arms, they have favoured the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia.

The task the government now faces is not just the visa restrictions on Venezuela, but to better equip our marine police, police in general, Customs and immigration to deal with immigration issues as well as the recognised situation that islands like Saint Lucia are used as a transshipment point between South America and North America for human trafficking, drugs and other illegal activity. On the other hand, the government of the day must be seen as facilitating and encouraging an environment whereby every opportunity is given to Saint Lucians to thrive in an open economic space. Whether it is owning a coffee shop, small restaurant, boutique, hotel or manufacturing plant.

It must be seen as a right of every citizen to envisage themselves as owners of a piece of Saint Lucia. It must be their choice, as well, to become builders of the economy by investing in their own business. The other option of working with one of the many investments the government is seeking to attract, or waiting on handouts from China, Venezuela, Cuba or America, must never be the only choice!

The Landings Resort hosts Career Fair for Grow Well children

he management and staff of The Landings Resort & Spa held a Career and Development Fair for the children of the Grow Well Centre on Tuesday July 31, 2018. This initiative was spearheaded by Mrs. Colleen Newman, Grow Well Secretary and Founding Member, and Coach Paul Cooper.

Mr. Paul Collymore, General Manager of the resort, who was the main facilitator of the fair stated, “We believe that every young person has talents to be discovered and, with the proper support system, encouragement and education, they can regain confidence and take control of their lives”.

The one-day fair focused on developing social skills, abilities and positive influences that would impact

the youngsters' perception, self-worth and strengthen their motivation. The children were granted a tour that included the inspection of rooms, dining areas, pools and other recreational facilities and amenities offered at the hotel.

The Landings Resort & Spa, as part of its corporate social responsibility, is committed to aid in the provision of equal opportunity and encouragement for every child to achieve their dreams.

Last summer, The Landings Resort & Spa entered into a sales and marketing agreement with Elegant Hotels Group which consists of seven properties and one restaurant in Barbados plus Hodges Bay Resort and Spa in Antigua, set to open this summer.

THE STAR

KIM’S KORNER D

o you suffer from pain, numbness or tingling in your wrist and hand?

If you answered yes to any of these symptoms you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. CTS is the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist and was first described in 1894. Since then, with medical advancements, CTS is easier to diagnose and that may account for the rising number of people suffering from this painful condition. It may also be due to change in lifestyles and technological advancements.

CTS is thought to be aggravated by repetitive movements and more and more people are now regularly using computers and game consoles, but, as it has been around for many years, we know there must be other causes.

CTS is a narrowing of space on the inside of the wrist where the median nerve and other structures pass through to the hand. The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle

finger and part of the ring finger; also innervates the muscles of the thumb. The onset of CTS is usually gradual, starting with symptoms at night, and on waking the hand needs to be shaken-out and feels “useless”, progressing to symptoms during the day as well.

But wait, before you self-diagnose your symptoms as CTS, it’s important to know there are other conditions that are similar, like repetitive strain injury. RSI can also affect the wrist and fingers but there are some minor differences.

RSI is used to describe pain and tenderness in the nerves, muscles and tendons caused by repetitive tasks, not compression, and can occur at the shoulder, elbow or wrist.

However, unlike CTS, it does not cause weakness in the thumb.

It is best to seek help early and your doctor or physiotherapist will undertake a thorough assessment to determine if you have CTS and rule out other possible causes.

A thorough history of the

HEALTH 13

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august 11, 2018

Light at the end of the carpal tunnel

tests.

The exact cause of CTS is still not known but it is more common in women than men, maybe because women have a narrower space than men.

One of the underlying causes is inflammation and it has been found that people with certain conditions and lifestyle habits run a higher risk of developing this painful condition, such as: • Diabetes • Hormonal changes that can occur during pregnancy or the menopause onset of your symptoms and • Underactive thyroid aggravating movements and • Overactive pituitary gland activities will be taken followed • Arthritis by a physical examination. Do • Wrist sprains or fractures not be surprised if the focus • High blood pressure moves from your wrist to your • Smoking elbow, shoulder and neck.

• Being overweight Some of the obvious signs that Having a job with repetitive will be looked for are muscle movements or using equipment wasting around the thumb, that vibrates also puts you at a reduced sensation, reflexes and higher risk of developing CTS. your response to special tests. But it isn’t only work that can If the results are inconclusive, be a problem; leisure activities or a clearer picture is required, like sailing can aggravate it may be necessary for you symptoms—holding the to undergo nerve conduction steering wheel or holding on

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF OFFICE STATIONERY AND SUPPLIES

Tenders are invited for the “SUPPLY OF OFFICE STATIONERY AND SUPPLIES” for the Financial Year 2018/2019 Guidelines for participation in this bid to which there must be strict adherence: i. Government does not bind itself and is under NO obligation to accept any bid or offer, whether in

part or in full, from any bidder, including the lowest priced; ii. Bid prices offered and accepted on any Tender MUST remain valid for the duration of the contract

and can only be altered on the written approval of the Central Tenders Board; iii. Unit prices offered for any one item MUST be independent of prices for all other items; iv. For precise product identification, promotional/reference material such as video or still photos,

catalogues, brochures, product reference numbers/codes or any other appropriate reference material MUST be provided by bidders as part of bid documents submitted; v. All goods MUST be delivered within three (3) months of confirmation of acceptance by a successful

bidder, of the terms and conditions of a contract awarded; vi. Barring any discrepancies, payment will be made within thirty (30) days of the full delivery of

goods and in keeping with the payment policies of the Government of Saint Lucia.

Bidders MUST conform to the “Bid Terms and Conditions” that will be provided either:

a) 2nd Floor, Finance Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine, Castries; or

b) By e-mail to an address which is the sole responsibility of bidders to provide to: 1. Procurement Officer Trevor O. A. Cyril at tcyril@gosl.gov.lc; and /or 2. Procurement Officer Lana La Force at llaforce@gosl.gov.lc.

Deadline for the receipt of Tenders is 4:00 PM, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11th, 2018.

Bids are to be submitted in a properly sealed envelope clearly marked: “TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY OF OFFICE STATIONERY AND SUPPLIES”, And clearly addressed to: The Secretary Central Tenders Board Department of Finance 2nd Floor, Financial Administrative Centre Pointe Seraphine, Castries Saint Lucia, West Indies

tight to the tiller may seem like simple tasks but not if you have CTS.

The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the better the chances of a full recovery without needing surgery. In the initial stages rest and ice can help reduce inflammation and pressure on the nerve. If you use your hands at work, whether typing, writing or using equipment or machinery, you should take lots of rest breaks.

Wearing a splint can also help stabilise your wrist and stop excessive bending. If these

early interventions are not successful your doctor may suggest a steroid injection into the wrist or, in severe cases, surgery.

Of course, the best action is always prevention; prevention is always better than cure. The first step would be to make lifestyle changes and reduce the risk factors alongside a stretching and exercise programme. Speak to your physiotherapist who will help you design the perfect programme for whatever stage you are at.

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

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY OF COMPUTERS Tenders are invited for the “SUPPLY OF COMPUTERS” for the Financial Year 2018/2019 Guidelines for participation in this bid to which there must be strict adherence: i. Government does not bind itself and is under NO obligation to accept any bid or offer, whether in part or in full, from any bidder, including the lowest priced; ii. Bid prices offered and accepted on any Tender MUST remain valid for the duration of the contract and can only be altered on the written approval of the Central Tenders Board; iii. Unit prices offered for any one item MUST be independent of prices for all other items; iv. For precise product identification, promotional/reference material such as video or still photos, catalogues, brochures, product reference numbers/codes or any other appropriate reference material MUST be provided by bidders as part of bid documents submitted; v. All goods MUST be delivered within three (3) months of confirmation of acceptance by a successful bidder, of the terms and conditions of a contract awarded; vi. Barring any discrepancies, payment will be made within thirty (30) days of the full delivery of goods and in keeping with the payment policies of the Government of Saint Lucia.

Bidders MUST conform to the “Bid Terms and Conditions” that will be provided either: a) 2nd Floor, Finance Administrative Centre, Pointe Seraphine, Castries; or b) By e-mail to an address which is the sole responsibility of bidders to provide to: 1. Procurement Officer Trevor O. A. Cyril at tcyril@gosl.gov.lc; and /or 2. Procurement Officer Lana La Force at llaforce@gosl.gov.lc.

Deadline for the receipt of Tenders is 4:00 PM, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11th, 2018.

Bids are to be submitted in a properly sealed envelope clearly marked: “TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY OF COMPUTERS”, And clearly addressed to: The Secretary Central Tenders Board Department of Finance 2nd Floor, Financial Administrative Centre Pointe Seraphine, Castries Saint Lucia, West Indies

14 comment

www.stluciastar.com

AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

Clinton visit igni controversy over and nobody has answered.

They know there is a cost. What is the cost? The taxpayers of Saint Lucia deserve to know lliance candidate in the what this is going to cost them 2001 general elections and if they can afford it at Dr. Keith Mondesir, has called on the government to be this point in time. These are “up front” and reveal how much hard times and we have to be careful about how we spend it is going to cost taxpayers the taxpayers’ dollars. This is to host former US President showing responsibility and this Bill Clinton when he visits the is showing good management.” island next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the prime

Mondesir pointed out that minister’s press secretary Earl the former president’s lecture tours “do not come cheap,” and Bousquet has responded to asked the government to reveal Dr. Mondesir’s concerns. Mr. how much Clinton is being paid Bousquet says the cost of Mr. to address an invited audience Clinton’s January 18 visit to Saint Lucia will be “minimal” of around 200. while the benefits are “sure to

“It is very hard to believe the government does not know be immense.”

Additionally: “I can assure at what cost Mr. Clinton is you that the cost to government coming and how much he will and the people of Saint Lucia be paid at the end of the day,” Dr. Mondesir said in a Radio St. will be minimal. This is a private visit by a major world Lucia interview on Thursday. public figure. And the cost to

“My understanding of the people and government of international people of Mr. Saint Lucia in this particular Bill Clinton’s status, singers, instance will be quite minimal. entertainers etc is that when they do come to the Caribbean But whatever they are, it will certainly be worth the visit by and places like that, they are former President Clinton.” paid in advance because they

The PM’s press secretary do not want to reach here continued: “In the meantime and come to find out that not enough money has been raised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is continuing to coordinate with to pay them,” Dr. Mondesir representatives of Mr. Clinton’s added. “We would like some office. Like I said, it is going further clarification from the to be a purely private visit. Mr. prime minister.”

Clinton is a world figure and

Dr. Mondesir says Saint while here he will be addressing Lucians have a right to know some 200 private and public how much the visit will cost sector leaders and, as has been against the benefits accrued acknowledged by the executive and whether the island can director of the Saint Lucia Hotel afford such an expense at this and Tourism Association, this time. visit will certainly attract the

“You must know what international press at a time it is going to cost you at the when Saint Lucia needs all the end of the day and what you international press exposure it are going to get from it and can muster, particularly as Saint I find it very hard to believe Lucia is vying for the presidency that this government, with all of the United Nations General those intelligent people, could Assembly later this year. undertake something like this

“It will also help in our without knowing how much efforts to promote tourism and it is going to cost,” he said. “I that has been acknowledged by would like some clarification from the prime minister’s office the SLHTA and members of the

By Molly McDaniel

A

Former US President Bill Clinton proved a most popular visitor in 2003. He famously left his Special Services behind as he made an unscheduled but welcome stop at the Castries market.

Saint Lucia Tourist Board. The Asked to comment on Dr. cost implications therefore have Mondesir’s suggestion that the to be weighed against the value former US president was being paid in advance, Mr. Bousquet of such a visit.”

said: “I would not wish to engage in public debate on a matter on which Dr. Mondesir is clearly ignorant. Dr. Mondesir

is in absolutely no position to know what sort of negotiations went into the visit by President Clinton. That sort of information will be made

RSVP: Thanks But No

By STAR Reporter

W

ho would’ve thought an invitation to the event of events— tonight’s exclusive dinner with former US President Bill Clinton—could be turned down?

But one individual who

won’t be caught dead at the Sandals Grande is United Workers Party deputy leader Lenard “Spider” Montoute.

In a brief interview he indicated his reasons for passing up the offer. He said it was a matter of principle and that he had reservations about the whole affair. “It’s not that I have a problem with the former US president visiting the

island, per se,” he explained, “but I have some serious concerns about the evasive and nebulous manner in which government officials have been treating this event.”

He continued: “I have grave apprehensions about the prospects of unsuspectingly being party to any kind of shady escapade. When those mandated to provide answers

are dodgy or evasive, it’s a red flag!” There was more where that came from.

“If there is nothing to hide, our transparent and accountable government should be more than happy to answer questions. The posture of government ministers in response to related questions borders on arrogance. And as long as the matter is not clarified and I remain unsure, my position

THE STAR

nites r costs available in time. However, I challenge Dr. Mondesir; I challenge him publicly, to prove that there is any proof in his claim that President Clinton has been paid in advance and secondly, that he will be charging for his lecture here.

I challenge Dr. Mondesir and I urge him that if he can’t prove these false allegations that he should desist from making these sorts of statements because he wants to be politically correct. I also question the political correctness of opposing something that could redound to the benefit of one’s country.”

Mr. Bousquet said that due to security reasons he was unable to reveal the venue selected for Clinton’s lecture until closer to the time.

Clinton is expected to address and take questions from the audience in addition to being guest of honour at a special dinner.

In a broadcast interview yesterday, acting prime minister and chairman of the organising committee, Mario Michel, also sought to clear the air on the cost issue.

“Countries and organisations have been known to pay top dollar in order to secure President Clinton as a speaker time and time again.

Fortunately for us in Saint Lucia, we have been able to secure this visit at no cost to the government and people of Saint Lucia, other than the cost of hosting the dinner.”

Mr. Michel said: “This will be of little significance to us in Saint Lucia given the status of President Clinton and the impact we believe this can have on the tourism investment climate in Saint Lucia.

He continued: “In fact, in preparation for the visit, several secret service and diplomatic personnel have already arrived on the island and we are expecting a lot more traffic from the US within the next few days.”

The preceding first appeared in the STAR in 2003.

Editor’s Note: According to a Washington Post report, between 2001 and 2005 President Bill Clinton earned US$31 million in speaking fees.

For his address, delivered at a Sandals Grande conference room, later named after the U.S. President, he received US$100,000—paid by Financial Innovations Inc. Clinton’s visit was facilitated by controversial Lebanese billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, three years ago awarded this country’s highest honour, The Saint Lucia Cross by then prime minister Kenny Anthony.

No Thanks! remains.”

Meanwhile, the STAR has also been reliably informed that former prime minister Sir John Compton will also not be attending tonight’s gala dinner. In a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs, he cited “a prior engagement” with his wife as the reason. As we go to press, we have been reliably informed that another notable absentee will be Mr. Derek Walcott.

COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

AUGUST 11, 2018

A source close to the Nobel laureate said: “Derek considers the invitation ornamental and does not endorse it. He doesn’t quite understand the invitation and what the President’s visit to Saint Lucia is all about.”

First published in 2003.

15

Bill Clinton's name stripped from NH Democratic Party fundraising gala, amid 'Me Too' movement F

ormer President Bill Clinton’s name no longer adorns the Democratic Party’s major fall fundraising dinner in the state that made him “the comeback kid” and launched him on the road to the White House.

The New Hampshire state party announced Tuesday that their annual Kennedy-Clinton Dinner will now be known as the Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner, in honour of the famous first lady who went on to serve as the first US delegate to the United Nations.

"We are proud to honour Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman revered around the world for her bold leadership and tireless efforts to create justice. She dedicated her life to helping all hard-working Americans and all those who needed a champion," state party Chairman Ray Buckley said in a statement.

The change comes amid the rise of the “Me Too” movement, which has drawn attention to examples of powerful men in politics, media and business who have sexually harassed women in the workplace.

That movement has revived longstanding sexual misconduct allegations against the former president. Clinton has sustained political fallout for years over his affair with Monica Lewinsky and allegations of sexual assault by women such as Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Willey. (Clinton has apologized for his behaviour with Lewinsky, but has denied the Broaddrick and Willey allegations.)

Still a target after all these years. While the sitting President remains untouched by the movement that has destroyed the careers of countless Hollywood powerhouses, 30 years after his impeachment Bill Clinton continues to pay for his own indiscretions!

President Trump has also faced -- and denied -- allegations of past sexual misconduct, which have grown since the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape.

The New Hampshire name change was months in the making.

Last November, hours before the Kennedy-Clinton dinner was held, the chairwoman of the New Hampshire GOP urged her Democratic counterpart to drop Clinton’s name from the dinner.

And at a major Democratic state party meeting a few weeks after the event was held, a small group of vocal activists staged a small protest urging that Clinton’s name be dropped.

While no action was taken at the time, two top state Democratic Party officials predicted there could be a move to change the dinner’s name in the months to come.

That move happened last

week, when the party’s state committee voted to strip the names of both Clinton and the late President John F. Kennedy from the dinner. The state party announced the move on Tuesday.

The renaming of the dinner may sting the 42nd president, as New Hampshire is hallowed ground for Bill Clinton. Following claims from former night club singer Gennifer Flowers that she had a 12-year affair with Clinton, his presidential campaign was at its lowest point in early February 1992, when he arrived in the state that holds the first primary in the race for the White House.

But Clinton’s strong second-place finish in New Hampshire boosted his campaign, lifting him toward the Democratic nomination and eventually the presidency.

Clinton headlined the fall fundraising gathering in 2014, when it was known as the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner. But

two years later, the event was renamed the Kennedy-Clinton Dinner when the New Hampshire Democratic Party joined other state parties in stripping the names of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson from the annual dinner over their histories as slave owners in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Now the dinner’s named after Roosevelt, the wife of four-term President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

She also served as first chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

Buckley noted that New Hampshire is the first state with an allDemocratic and all-female congressional delegation, and added that “the Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner is particularly fitting given our party’s steadfast commitment to electing Democratic women.”

16 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

august 11, 2018 THE STAR

FARMING: A BATTLE OF THE SEXES? banks to manage their daily operations when compared to their female counterparts (12.5%). And we wonder why the financial situation of so many, particularly women, is so dire. If we look closely, one-fifth of the population is engaged in agriculture and two-thirds of the population is headed by single mothers.

Most rural women who want to expand to large-scale operations and become trading partners with local businesses, such as supermarkets or hotels, are less than likely to receive

By Keithlin Caroo (Helen’s Daughters)

I

s farming supposed to be characterized by gender?

While I may have been raised in farming and regarded both grandparents as farmers, since delving into the field of agri-tourism I have often heard the phrase “men are farmers” from some of the most unlikely places; even the NGOs that are supposed to support gender equality do not consider women to be involved in agriculture. So I took a step back because it was baffling to me that farming was regarded as a maledominated field.

When you look at it, 90% of the fruit and vegetable vendors in the market are women, so I suppose the natural tendency would be to think that women are the hucksters while men are the growers? While in some cases this may be true, it is nothing close to reality. In fact, I would say that oftentimes women are both producer and seller. Years ago, I remember looking at my mother’s birth certificate and seeing my

Can gender determine the success of a farmer?

grandfather listed as a farmer and my grandmother as a housewife. This was the same person who would wake up alongside her husband at 4 a.m. to go the ‘garden’ and by 10 a.m. her stall was set-up at the market, so why would she claim to be a housewife and not a joint business partner?

I’ve seen this problem over and over where, as women, we assume the roles that we deem appropriate for ourselves, appropriate for society, but they

are not the actual roles that we play. And it shows up in our statistics, as the unemployment rate of women in Saint Lucia is slightly higher than that of men: 24.7% vs. 20.1%, but then two-thirds (67%) of small businesses in Saint Lucia are women-owned. How can that make sense?

What’s even more shocking is that male business owners are more than twice as likely (28.3%) to receive financial assistance from

WATER AND SEWERAGE COMPANY INC. (WASCO) Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) Consultancy Services to prepare a Communication and Awareness Plan Submissions are invited from suitable qualified persons for “Consultancy Services to prepare a Communication and Awareness Plan”.

Deadline date for the receipt for Expression of Interest (EOI) is not later than 12:00 Noon on 15th August, 2018.

Interested persons are requested to visit the following: The Government of Saint Lucia Website The National Printing Corporation (NPC) Website The Water and Sewerage Company Inc. Website and Facebook page for a detailed description of the Expression of Interest (EOI).

financial assistance from banks when compared to male farmers who have more access to financial institutions and capacity-building programmes because “farmers are men”. Rural women are then left with no other choice but to continue a small-scale model that is not sustainable.

Can we safely say that the game is rigged against rural women or is it all just a coincidence?

Helen's Daughters is a Saint Lucian non-profit with a

special focus on rural women’s economic development through improved market access, adaptive agricultural techniques, and capacitybuilding. It was formed in 2016 in a winning proposal for UN Women’s Empower Women Champions for Change Program. Facebook page (https://www.facebook. com/helensdaughters.slu/), Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/ helensdaughters.slu/) Website (http://helensdaughters.org/)

Young Saint Lucians to participate in Robotics Olympics!

Keryn Nelson

I

could hardly wait to join Tuesday’s gathering at the department of Education.

Three teenage students were scheduled to test-run the robot they had built to compete in the annual FIRST Global Robotics Olympics—a competition for high school-aged participants who work together to solve global challenges. The Ministry of Communications’ team comprised three 18-year old A-Level students who will be heading to Mexico to represent Saint Lucia: Taton David, Dion Racai and Anna Kaye Boodho along with their robot “Hewanorra”.

Also present was team manager Giannetti George, student mentor Kevon Clarke and Chief Education Officer Ruffina Charles. Smiling from ear to ear, Giannetti offered titbits about Saint Lucia’s robot team: “Although we have very little experience in robotics, the members of Team Saint Lucia have been very passionate about science; their mental prowess is outstanding.”

The look on their young faces said clearly they were smack dab in the middle of a dream come true. This was how Taton introduced himself: “I aspire to be a physicist. My interest lies in the realm of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Participating in the FIRST Global competition has given me the opportunity to increase my network, meet other persons from different cultures, learn from them and to also gain support from around the world

Left to right: Anna Kaye Boodho, Taton David and Dion Racai proudly demonstrate the capabilities of their invention, Hewanorra.

as I embark on my future career."

Dion offered details of the carefully mounted metal structure propped up on a table: “With Hewanorra, we had to build, wire and programme it to do several tasks. These include being able to lift a claw, open the claw to grab boxes, turn the claw, move boxes using a conveyer system, as well as spin a wind turbine. And of course it can drive, turn left, right, forward and straight.”

The trio had a successful demonstration in the ministry’s lobby. Hewanorra zoomed around the room, lifting boxes and placing them down on chairs and in the hands of impressed onlookers. According to the team, the robot was made with the tournament’s 2018 theme in mind—“Energy Impact”—and meets all the requirements set by FIRST Global.

Anna Kaye hypnotized everyone when she commented on the involvement of Saint Lucian girls in STEM programmes: “I am the only

girl on the team. In a country like Saint Lucia, where more than 50% of managerial positions are held by women, that is an accomplishment for me because in some other countries women are denied the opportunity to learn about STEM or robotics or any of these things. Some of them don’t even get to go to school. So it’s a great step for Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean when we see young girls like myself involved in things like this.”

Last year in the FIRST Global Robotics Olympics, Saint Lucia’s team came in 51st place out of 157 teams, even outperforming countries like Japan and Russia. This year’s team, that according to manager Giannetti has established a sturdy, enjoyable team synergy among themselves, says their hearts are set to perform at their peak come August 15-18 when the event will officially take place in Mexico City. The team implored Saint Lucians to follow their journey at 758 FIRST Global Robotic Olympics 2018 on Facebook.

THE STAR

august 11, 2018

COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

17

‘Relevant details’ of Bill Clinton’s Return Visit to Saint Lucia! more than six months, the entire country operated its full economy with no carbon emissions; zero! I say that, not to brag on Costa Rica, but we ormer president of the have to raise the others to that United States William level. I hope that today will be Jefferson Clinton made a day which we'll all be able to his first visit to Saint Lucia 15 look back on with pride, five, years ago, in January 2003. The ten, fifteen years from now, visit was quite controversial, because it was the beginning but not on account of the of something remarkable and president himself, whose enduring." popularity was at the time still

For his part, Prime Minister sky-high. Credit for the back Allen Chastanet recalled last and forth must go to the day’s year’s devastating hurricane government that had hooked up season. "We live in a very with the Lebanese billionaire sensitive ecosystem,” he Gilbert Chagoury to make the observed, “one in which Saint presidential visit possible.

Governor General Neville Cenac (centre) is joined by Prime Minister Lucia cannot do it by itself. The Meanwhile the press was Allen Chastanet (left), former US president Bill Clinton (first from left) and world continues to see us as asking questions relating to cost Lucelec’s Managing Director Trevor Louisy, as he cuts the ceremonial ribbon. one unit, yet we continue to act (“an irrelevant detail” as far as as if we are just one individual deputy prime minister Mario Mountain Institute. purchases by 300,000 gallons that's killing and bankrupting country. In order for us to be Michel was concerned)—a

The project had its start in and supply 3,500 homes with you and generate energy from able to solve this major crisis subject that the opposition party 2013, when Saint Lucia signed electricity. the sun and wind. And while professed to be particularly up for the so-called Carbon War "This clearly makes Saint you do that, you have to become that we have, we have to unite.

This region must come together concerned about (see centre Room Ten-Island Challenge, Lucia the clean energy leader more resilient!" with one singular voice in order pages). the brainchild of Sir Richard in the Caribbean," said special Clinton pointed to strides to determine how we're going

There was nothing Branson, to take Caribbean guest Bill Clinton. "I think being made elsewhere: "I to move forward." secret about the purpose of islands off fossil fuels and onto this should be seen as the have seen in Costa Rica, for Thursday’s visit: Bill Clinton’s renewables. Actual work on beginning of a comprehensive, official reason for being here the EC$20 million dollar farm determined effort to make was to attend the opening of began in 2017 and consists of Saint Lucia, and all the island the island's first solar farm, 15,000 solar panels that will nations of the Caribbean, located in La Tourney, Vieux generate approximately seven stronger, safer and more Fort, to be operated by Saint million kilowatts of electricity sustainable."

Lucia Electricity Services. The annually—5% of Saint Lucia's

He went on: "This region project was made possible with electricity demand. With the could be completely carbonassistance from the Clinton farm in operation, the company free! What you have to figure Climate Initiative and the Rocky is anticipated to reduce fuel out is how to get off the fuel Joshua St. Aimee

F

Mr. Chastanet revealed that "60% of our foreign exchange goes towards purchasing petroleum products". With renewable energy, he said, "we don't have to concern ourselves anymore about the price of oil".

The prime minister acknowledged the previous administration’s role in the initiative, and expressed confidence the project will be a “great success”. He said: "We remain very optimistic about the future development of the electrical sector. As a government, we are committed to projects such as these, which are key to facing climate challenges."

Finally Mr. Chastanet thanked “all parties and partners in the project who worked toward its completion”.

Also present at Thursday's event were the Governor General Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac, government ministers and opposition MPs, as well as representatives of LUCELEC.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

12 Youngsters granted valuable Training at The Landings Resort

T

he Landings Resort & Spa made strides in transforming the learning experience beyond the traditional classroom, when it hosted twelve first-year interns from the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) from May 22 to July 13, 2018.

The management of The Landings affirms that these experiences are fundamental educational tools to enhance student learning and increase practical knowledge.

The students received training from department heads in the areas of culinary, housekeeping, restaurant & bar, front desk/concierge.

The interns, described as "proactive, zealous and a

joy to teach", were offered perspective and variety on a rapidly growing industry and the unique and highly sophisticated product offered at The Landings Resort and Spa. The various heads of departments catered to multiple learning styles and provided hands-on insight and awareness into careers that are available in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The reviews from department heads were glowing. The interns felt that the time spent at the hotel was significant as they were able to learn a lot. The majority found the information and experience to be extremely useful for their assignments and studies and felt that they could now relate

their assignments to real life examples from the hotel.

The General Manager of The Landings Resort & Spa, Paul Collymore, told the interns that the hotel is committed to the training and development of our future leaders. Collymore also thanked the students, at their farewell event, for being part of The Landings experience and he encouraged them to stay focused on their goals and objectives.

The management of the Landings Resort & Spa continues to remain committed to the development and advancement of our tourism and hospitality product by providing support to our educational institutions.

The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) invites suitably qualified persons to apply for the positions listed below.

• Airport Manager – Hewanorra International Airport • Duty Manager – Hewanorra International Airport • Graphic Design Specialist • Coxswain- Northern Division Job Descriptions for the above can be found on the SLASPA website - www.slaspa.com – Click on the “Corporate” tab then select the “Job Opportunities” page Method of Application: Applicants must complete the approved SLASPA Application Form which can be found on the Authority’s website or from the Reception Desk at SLASPA’s headquarters.

Completed Application Forms should be accompanied by certified copies of qualifications and should be addressed to: Senior Manager Human Resources Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) Manoel Street P.O. Box 651, Castries OR Email: humanresource@slaspa.com Applications should be clearly marked with the appropriate position being applied for.

Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, August 17, 2018 Please note that only suitable applications will be acknowledged.

18 comment

august 11, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Let’s Not Overload Captain Griffith

By Wayne Kublalsingh

I

trust we don’t load the eager and ambitious Captain Gary Griffith, Trinidad & Tobago’s top cop designate, as if he were a Sa Wa (San Juan) jackass, and when he wilts, which is bound to happen if we do this, excoriate and lambast him to the maximum, as we have done with earlier Commissioners of Police. I hope we don’t persist with ignorant and reckless socio-economic policy and, when the proverbial porridge hits the fan, cry: “Where the damn police?” I hope we don’t retire to the beach to luxuriate, or to Rituals or to KFC or the big-food and sexy-goods malls, then when things get screwy, cry: “Eh, eh! But Gary, the government ain’t fix that yet?”

Here is a summarised ten-point plan for attacking our current crime contagion: Fixing the Economic Structure The prevailing economic structure is programmed to attack local assets, local economies, substitute the destroyed production process and sell

us, at cut-throat prices, the very things that have been destroyed. We are thus corralled as sheep and goats, deemancipated, at the mercy and behest of global traders and producers. Our governments, unwittingly, ignorantly or schemily, supply the legal, financial, policy and police apparatus for this. Once local economies are destroyed—as they vied to do with the rich domestic, farming, commercial economy of Debe to Mon Desir, milk honey and forestry at Chatham, the fisheries off Claxton Bay etc, is we to catch: rural ruination, despair, unemployment, drugs, inflation.

Fixing the Police The police mechanism is the first and ultimate instrument for fixing crime. Leave the Commissioner to lead, to independently do his job instead of undermining his leadership, always looking behind his back at line or government ministers. Recruit persons who have a passion and vitality for the job; this is not a ten-day, pick-up transitory job. It demands clever technologies for detection,

information storage and public participation.

Real Local Government All crimes are committed in communities, localities. It is on the ground where the rice is boiled, where the pot gets washed. A system of polling division captains, constituency chiefs, a council of elders (business, police, church, education, farmers, fishermen, vendors, etc) overseeing and supporting selected streets and families, is a powerful asset on the ground. With the existing frayed network, police and government have no chance.

The PM or Police Commissioner could call 24 hours a day and ask serious questions of a PD captain; not just where the bandit pass but: “That elderly lady with the wheelchair, you fix that situation?”

Media Networking The government must use its authority and finances to delegate a media house solely devoted to crime. Monitoring, broadcasting, detecting, working with the citizenry 24 hours a day. Serious crimes should never be allowed

to reach the bottom file by overworked, overloaded police.

Proactive PMs The PM is ultimately responsible for taking the bull by the horns. The PM must loom large. No rest. Crime is a national emergency priority.

Muster the forces. Act. Enforce.

Hands-on and active leadership from the very top; the person who can harness shots, drive, action, is a must. Declarations are key. Declare: ‘The NonViolent Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.’ And work towards it.

The US Role The US has an insatiable appetite for narcotics. This drives the drug production trade to the South, the Caribbean, Central and Latin America. Each middle-man gets a cut. In US dollars! If we suppress the narcotic conduit in our nation, the US benefits.

US governments should be radically engaged to contribute technology, helicopters, boats, surveillance etc.

Arrest Drug Lords Arrest a proverbial Mr Big. Put him at Golden Grove Prison to plant Christmas sorrel for a lifetime.

Confiscate his property. Such an action will have a precipitative

effect, will create spin-off successes. Do the rulers have the guts to allow this?

Juridical Speed Too much paper in the judiciary and the parliament. Strengthen the Summary Courts Act to set up summary courts for serious crimes (murder, drug trading and gunrunning, grand larceny, tax evasion, rape).

Using oral and video (digital) documentation. Next to the prisons. With retired members of the judiciary. Citizens take matters into their hands because of sickeningly slow juridical processes, losing faith, ordering hits to solve problems. Or dealing with it by themselves: blows, cutlass, bullets.

A New Breed Corruption has become culturally genetic. An altered gene pool is necessary.

A new breed of citizen, ethical, hard-working, non-materialist, must be trained at the largest catchment of citizen in our nation: the primary schools.

Sports, science, reading, math.

Simplify. A primary school revolution.

Free Up Prison Space Remand

Yard is filled with users, a cockroach or spliff. Not good.

The Law needs to alter its outlook. Focus on the traders, not users! More on the source, traders of narcotics and guns.

Drug kingpins and gunrunners.

Free up space for these latter.

Our governments have become part of the apparatus of economic ruination. Why is this government vying for more ram-cramming of the East-West Corridor? With its insane plan for ten eight-storey high-rises for low and middle-income families on the St Joseph Government Farm? Aggravating social and economic stress for existing and incoming residents? With not a single square inch of land to own?

Will Captain Griffith and the police continue to be our Sa Wa Jackass?

NOTE: The author is a graduate of UWI and Oxford University. He taught for 17 years at UWI St. Augustine, is an activist for ‘ital’ development and the author of several books on economics.

He lives in Trinidad.

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back to school 19

Experts Share Tips For Coping With Back-to-School Anxiety

By Andrea Perdomo

A

h, the inevitable sign that summer break is coming to an end: back-to-school advertisements. As beneficial as they are for a parent's wallet, they may be triggering anxiety in their children as they prepare to return to school.

"For children, as it pertains to school, it's normal to feel scared about something that is coming new," said Miamibased psychologist Lina Acosta Sandaal, founder of Stop Parenting Alone, an organisation dedicated to sharing information about child development with parents.

Children of all ages experience school-related

anxiety and fear, said Jill Ehrenreich-May, director of the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment Program at University of Miami.

"In younger children, we see more fears regarding separation. As they age, they worry about more realistic fears like getting along with others and whether or not they will be bullied and if they will be able to do all of the work they are required to do and testing," said Ehrenreich-May.

While adults know that some of the things their children worry about do not actually cause them harm, Sandaal urged parents to resist the urge of telling their kids "there is nothing to worry about."

"That doesn’t resonate with the child because their brain is telling them that they are in danger,” Said Sandaal.

"So if you as a parent say that is not happening, they can't trust

Experts recommend that parents listen with empathy to their child's worries and try to help them come up with a plan to confront that fear.

you because their body is telling them that they are in danger."

Instead, Sandaal said parents should listen with empathy to their child's worries and try to help them come up with a plan to confront that fear.

In order to help overcome anxiety, a child needs to be exposed to the cause of their worry.

“Slowly expose them to what they are afraid of.

Whether it’s school, whether it is going to a party, you can do it slowly and with different layers," said Sandaal.

If a child's anxiety causes physical symptoms like vomiting and sweating, both psychologists urge the parents to seek professional help.

----Wlrn.org

20 back to school

www.stluciastar.com

august 11, 2018 THE STAR

What Is Children’s Biggest Back-to-School Worry? is a kid who is just waiting to be your friend!” They’d ask, “What does he look like?” or he start of the school year “What’s her name?” I’d say, means a lot of change “I don’t know. You’re going to for children. They might have to figure that out. What wonder whether their teacher are some clues that might tell will be nice and whether the you who it is?” We’d come work will be too hard or too up with possibilities such as much. But the No.1 concern for someone smiling, playing with children as they head into the them or sitting next to them. new school year is whether they Being on the lookout for these will have a friend in their class. signs made them more aware As parents, we know it’s a of friendly gestures from their good idea to help kids get their classmates. They almost always school supplies organised and came home from school the first try to shift their sleep schedules day feeling proud that they’d with waking up early on school “figured out” who at least one days. However, paying attention new friend would be. to the friendship factor can also Beyond setting up positive be important to help children expectations about friendships, have a positive start to the here are some other tips for school year. helping your child make friends

When my children were in a new classroom drawn from young, I used to tell them, a book I co-authored, “Growing “Somewhere in your new class Friendships: A Kids’ Guide to

By Eileen Kennedy-Moore

T

Making and Keeping Friends:” 1. Encourage friendly behaviour Greeting other children, smiling, complimenting, helping and cooperating show classmates that your child is open to friendship.

Children often have trouble with this. They’re focused on their own discomfort, so they tend to shrink away from others, but that unintentionally sends the message, “I don’t like you, and I don’t want anything to do with you.” Practising friendly greetings with family or close friends can help children gain confidence with this.

2. Look for similarities Children are most likely to become friends with kids who are similar to them in age, gender, interests and behaviour.

Help your child figure out,

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“Which classmates are like me?” Some children focus exclusively on wanting to be friends with the most popular kids but, if they have nothing in common, that friendship is not likely to develop. Looking for common ground is a better bet for identifying potential friends.

3. Focus on fun activities Kids make friends by doing fun things together. What does your child enjoy doing with other kids? Whether it’s an informal interest or an organised activity, this could form the basis of a friendship. Lonely children are often inactive children. Staying home alone is not a good way to make friends. Help your child find activities that fit his or her interests, personality and aptitudes. For some children,

BACK TO SCHOOL IS HERE AGAIN

you may need to look beyond the common activities of sports and dance. A Lego club, choir, religious group, volunteer activity or less common sport like fencing may be key to helping your child find kindred spirits.

4. Replace off-putting behaviours Sometimes, because of immaturity or misguided efforts to get attention from peers, children do things that are irritating to classmates. This could include bragging, being aggressive, disrupting a game or making annoying noises. If you see your child doing these things, explain how your child’s actions make other children feel and offer better alternatives.

5. Arrange one-on-one play dates Once your child has identified some potential friends, inviting them over for a play date is a great way to deepen the friendship. Often, children hesitate to invite classmates over unless they know them extremely well. However, if your child has had fun with a classmate at school, he knows that child well enough to have a play date. Inviting someone over says, “I like you, and I want to spend more time with you!”

That’s a wonderful compliment that can launch a friendship.

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D, is a clinical psychologist, based in Princeton, New Jersey, and a mom of four.

How to Deal with Back-to-School Anxiety

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Encourage friendly behaviour, such as greeting other children and smiling, to help kids show classmates that they're open to making new friends.

Attend school (and be early!). While it’s perfectly normal to have worries when starting a new school year, it’s very important to attend school each day. A huge meltdown might have you wondering if you should simply try another day, but avoidance of school will only increase and reinforce your child’s anxiety. Missing school because of anxiety robs your child of the chance to gain mastery, make friends, enjoy a successful school day and develop a relationship with the teacher.

|

TEL: 451-6363

For more tips on how to prepare for the new school year, see page 22.

THE STAR AUGUST 11, 2018

21

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22 back to school

Bulletproof Backpacks: a New Trend in Back-to-School Gear

Buckeye St. Lucia Terminal Ltd

Buckeye Terminal St. Lucia would like to encourage all our students heading back to school, to stay focused on their Dreams through Education.

From The Management and Staff of

Buckeye Terminal St. Lucia Limited Cul De Sac

St. Lucia, WI

AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Tel: (758) 456.1600

Some parents will buy anything to protect their kids.

By Melissa Newman - Keyt.com

I

t’s a new reality that school shootings are becoming more and more common.

“My son goes to Righetti and they had a scare there last year and it really upset him,” said Santa Maria dad Damon Tell.

As parents look to find new ways to protect their children at schools, the popularity of bulletproof backpacks has emerged.

One of the major retailers now selling these types of backpacks is Walmart. We asked some Santa Maria families their thoughts on buying these bags.

“If you feel that your child

would be safe with a bulletproof backpack then most definitely I would encourage someone to get one. But if you feel like I do, and I believe it would be okay for my child to go back to school without one, then that would be okay too,” Tell said.

“Any way to protect my kids, I will do it,” said mom Amanda Torres.

Torres is not alone. A recent CBS report shows since the Parkland shooting, parents seeking these items are on the rise. Places like bulletsafe.com say sales of its backpack inserts jumped 450 per cent in the days following the massacre, leaving the company without inventory until June.

Still there are some parents who question the backpack’s purpose. “I don’t

feel that in the situation where something as dramatic as that is happening, kids would have the instinct to grab a backpack,” said dad Peter Richardson.

The hefty price tag of some backpacks costing upwards of $400 might make some interested families unable to afford it.

“I think every family should be able to afford it, especially if it’s to protect the kids; that’s what the main reason for a bulletproof backpack is—we’re trying to protect the kids,” Torres said.

Many retailers caution that there’s no such thing as a 100 per cent bulletproof fabric.

Additionally, some bags and inserts don’t protect against rifles like AR-15s, as used in Parkland, Florida.

Tips for Back-to-School Allow extra time in the mornings. Anxious children don’t like to be late, nor do they enjoy being rushed. Now that you’ve pushed that bedtime up, your child should be able to wake with plenty of time to eat, get dressed and get ready for the day.

Create healthy nighttime routines to make the mornings easier. Choosing clothes at night, packing snacks and filling water bottles and packing the backpack and placing it by the door are all time savers for anxious kids.

Watch your words. Kids look to their parents for clues. If you appear overwhelmed and

anxious on the first day of school, your child is likely to follow your lead.

anxious feelings than to suffer in silence and struggle through the school year.

It’s perfectly natural for parents to have worries at the beginning of the school year. Instead of hyper-focusing on the potential negatives or faking it, take the time to talk about feelings and worries as a family. When families work through their feelings together, they empower one another.

Get back to basics. It’s very difficult to feel calm, confident and in control when you are starving or exhausted. Anxiety can cause kids to struggle with sleep and eat a little less. This means that parents have to stay on top of those childhood basics.

Back-to-school anxiety can be stressful for families.

More often than not, the anxiety decreases as the child adjusts to the new school year. If the anxiety persists, seek help. It’s far better to learn to manage

Rest and nutrition. Set an earlier bedtime for the entire family, make sure each day includes plenty of downtime, and provide balanced meals and nutritious snacks with plenty of time to eat. Eating on the run is stressful for kids.

THE STAR

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

august 11, 2018

23

Boo Hinkson: We must take our history more seriously

By David Venn

T

Arguably Saint Lucia’s most prominent musician, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson OBE worries we may be taking our young folk down some dangerous roads in the name of vice masquerading as culture!

his weekend, the Mabouya Valley Parade of the Bands will bring the always contentious carnival season to an end for 2018. Which gives us one more opportunity to reel the minds of Saint Lucians on what carnival means to us as a country and as a people— until next year. To say the least: government’s decision to invest $3million into the vibrant month that casually celebrates the Caribbean’s most desired vices has been contested. For many, carnival season is a joyous time to celebrate the culture of Saint Lucia; for others, carnival is a shade of its former self, all it offers is a month of stateendorsed debauchery.

Ace musician Mr. Ronald “Boo” Hinkson stands impartial as he addresses the impact carnival has on our children and what the consequences are

of broken systems in a child’s life. “We must have carnival because it’s part of who we are but we must give it some direction. It can’t be a free-forall because there are going to be consequences,” he says.

He adds: “Our lives are too caught up in bacchanal, party, drinking, revelry. We go from one thing to another, to another, to another, all year.”

Hinkson says there is danger in being a poor country that loves to have a drink . . . or seven. “That is not good for us, so we need to give our kids reasons not to go down that road. We should know when it is time to party and when it is time to settle down, work and produce in the interests of self and country.

“A lot of the stuff children are exposed to today, I wasn’t exposed to that kind of thing.

The challenges today are much tougher, and because the family

structure is not as strong as it used to be, something has to replace that.”

He speaks fondly of the community that raised him as a child. His mother, sisters, brothers, friends and extended family all nurtured him and created his “ethos”.

Hinkson proposes the example that school shouldn’t just be about passing tests and getting high grades. In this modern world, there needs to be more. “We cannot divorce the building of character from our education system, otherwise we are just policing people who can pass exams. We have to teach our young people how to be civil; we have to teach them about contributing to our country; a lot of things we have to do that are not being done.”

Perhaps hiring new teachers, training the ones we already have, changing curricula; any of these options,

2

Hinkson thinks are viable. But most importantly, Saint Lucia needs to determine what truly is culture. Hinkson’s opinion: “Saint Lucia needs to address what part of its culture is truly worth holding on to. If everything to do with our culture is about alcohol, getting drunk, then we have to be careful about how important that part of our culture becomes to us.”

The musician worries about the long haul, the future of the country. “The thing I know is that the future doesn’t discriminate; the future doesn’t ask questions; the future simply accepts you as a representative of your past. As black people, our history, our journey, do not permit us to make fools of ourselves. We must take our future a lot more seriously.

If we don’t, our history will inevitably revisit us.”

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24

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AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

THE STAR

“Shout, Sister, Shout!” A Biography of Sister Rosetta Tharpe the other obvious sources will give you the music: “Up Above My Head”, “Didn’t It Rain”, “This Train”.

If Tharpe is old news to you, my apologies, but you’ve got to hear her play and sing. Little Richard called Sister Rosetta his favourite singer as a child. Johnny Cash adored her voice. Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes—they all loved listening to Tharpe and claimed her as an influence.

Like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Aretha Franklin, Tharpe Tharpe, a gospel singer, was known as the lived in the country between Godmother of Rock and Roll. the sacred and the profane, hen Chuck Berry Church, a sublime gospel singer, the Word of God and the realm of earthly, and earthy, matters. died, last year, the a songwriter, and a hot guitar obituaries were player who became known, with In the late fifties, the early good reason, as the Godmother stars of rock started hearing filled with the neon names of Tharpe sing “Strange Things sixties rock and roll mourning of Rock and Roll.

Happening Every Day” and Berry’s passing and declaring Wald, a professor of it knocked them flat. “Say, him the father of the form.

English at George Washington man, there’s a woman that But history doesn’t work University, published her fine biography in 2007, but it—and, can sing some rock and roll. I quite that neatly. Everything mean, she’s singing religious comes from multiple sources, more, Tharpe’s music—never music, but she’s singing rock quite got the attention it forms of music not least. In “Shout, Sister, Shout!” Gayle deserved. Wald will give you the and roll,” Jerry Lee Lewis told F. Wald tells the story of Sister story, from small-town Arkansas Peter Guralnick. “She jumps it . . . I said, ‘Whooo.’ Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915–1973), to the biggest stages in the country. Spotify, YouTube and all Rosetta Tharpe.” a daughter of the Sanctified

W

T

Ex Barbados Parliament Official arrested in the US

he former Minister of Industry of Barbados was arrested on Friday August 3, 2018 and had his initial court appearance on August 6. The arrest was made in connection with an indictment charging him with laundering bribes that he allegedly received from a Barbadian insurance company in exchange for official actions he took to secure government contracts for the insurance company.

Donville Inniss, 52, a US legal permanent resident who resided in Tampa, Florida, and Barbados, was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to launder money and two counts of money laundering.

“As charged in the indictment, Inniss abused his position of trust as a government official by taking bribes from a Barbadian company, then laundered the illicit funds through a bank and a dental company located in the Eastern District of New York,” said US Attorney Richard P. Donoghue.

“The Department of Justice will continue to hold accountable corrupt government officials here or abroad who use the US financial system to facilitate their criminal conduct.”

The indictment alleges that in 2015 and 2016, Inniss took part in a scheme to launder into the United States approximately $36,000 in bribes that he received from high-level executives of a Barbadian insurance company. At the time, Inniss was a member of the Parliament of Barbados and the Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce, and Small Business Development of Barbados. In exchange

INTERNATional

www.stluciastar.com

AUGUST 11, 2018

for the bribes, Inniss leveraged his position as the Minister of Industry to enable the Barbadian insurance company to obtain two government contracts. To conceal the bribes, Inniss arranged to receive them through a US bank account in the name of a dental company, which had an address in Elmont, New York.

The FBI’s New York Field Office is investigating the case. In 2015, the FBI formed International Corruption Squads across the country to address national and international implications of foreign corruption.

--- justice.gov

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25

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is SLAMMED for ‘supporting animals in captivity’ after posing with sea life during trip to aquarium

H

e is the much-loved retired wrestler-turnedactor. However fans of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson turned on him after he took to Instagram to post a selection of snaps from his day at Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta on Sunday.

The Skyscraper star, 46, posed with a Beluga whale and sea lion during his day out, while also sharing an image of a whale shark.

The star appeared to have enjoy his day out, as he thanked the entire Georgia Aquarium staff for ‘being so gracious, kind and informative’ to his family and friends. However, fans were quick to slam his choice of activity as they claimed that by visiting the aquarium he was ‘supporting animals in captivity’.

One Instagram user took to the comments section to write: ‘It’s 2018. Enough is enough. There is so much more knowledge that these animals should not be in tanks’.

While another claimed they were ‘devastated’ by his post, saying: ‘Shame on you. You have the opportunity to educate folks

Pals: The star posed with a beluga whale and sea lion during his day out, while also sharing an image of a whale shark.

on how cruel it is to exploit an innocent being yet you make a joke out of their imprisonment.

How devastating.’

One person couldn’t understand why a celebrity was promoting the aquarium, writing: ‘WHY!? I can’t believe that people - especially ‘celebrities’ are still promoting animals in captivity! Shame on you dude.

However, not everyone lamented his trip, as one

Instagrammer was pleased to see that he was supporting his local aquarium. He wrote: ‘Aloha Dwayne! It is actually a sea lion!

I am happy to see that you are supporting local aquariums!

Many people have bought into the false lies of Blackfish and aren’t seeing the full picture and are commenting on subjects that they have 0 experience in.’

Another added: ‘Man when did visiting an aquarium become a crime?’

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Training Coordinator Position Overview A prestigious company is seeking a pro-active, energetic Training Coordinator.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for providing effective coaching and training support, enabling team members to meet and exceed sales targets and performance metrics. She/he will design and deliver innovative training programs to drive and sustain performance.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following: •

•

•

•

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Responsible for continual assessment of skill sets through call listening and other measures to ensure sales targets and conversion measures are achieved.

Maintain and deliver training to new and experienced team members covering a variety of sales skills and techniques.

Identifying training and development needs within the organization through job analysis, appraisal schemes and regular consultation with business managers and human resources.

Create, update and deliver all sales training in line with business requirements (including sales and enhanced sales techniques, closing the sale, influencing skills, objection handling, negotiation, dealing with customers) using a variety of different training methods and delivery solutions.

Designing and presenting learning not as a discrete event—a training course—but as a process that engages learners in a variety of ways over time through formal and informal channels as approved by the Director of Training.

Competencies/Skills: • Prior experience in creation and delivery of soft skills training courses like objection handling, delivering excellent customer service, communication styles • Experience of working in a fast paced sales environment within a customer service environment.

• Excellent presentation, coaching and communication skills with the ability to present to senior stakeholders.

• Understanding of effective adult learning methodologies and tools.

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Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.

26 local

AUGUST 11, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

National Day of the Kingdom of Morocco - 19th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Mohammed VI The following is extracted from a speech by His Excellency Abderrahim Kadmiri, Ambassador of His Majesty the King of Morocco.

T

he Kingdom of Morocco feels honoured every time hosting an event of this level. I would like, on behalf of His Majesty, the King Mohammed VI to welcome you all to celebrate the 19th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne.

Nowadays, The Kingdom of Morocco plays a leading role in the international community and maintains a strong commitment to promoting stability and security, human development, economic growth, and democracy throughout the Middle East and Africa.

In a crossroads world, with security under threat from terrorism, extremism, separatist movements, climate change, globalization and information technology, the South can no longer be regarded as a burden and needs to gain its rightful place in collective actions.

Developing countries should

not exclusively be dealt with in terms of assistance, given its human resources, natural resources and fertile lands and water.

His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, reckons South-South cooperation to be essential. In this connection, Morocco had aligned its national priorities with the United Nations principals and agenda, by contributing to strong South–South Cooperation and Regional Integration, including by chairing an international forum on migration that sought to draw up proposals looking beyond security concerns to consider the human aspects of that phenomenon. Furthermore, Morocco contributes to six peacekeeping operations all over the world.

Within the framework of South-South Cooperation, Morocco has been staunched to the Caribbean region since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The friendship and cooperation continue in many fields, highlighted by a common commitment to development, democracy,

Left to right: His Excellency Allen M Chastanet, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Sir Neville Cenac CGMG CGSL, Governor General of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Abderrahim Kadmiri, Ambassador of His Majesty the King of Morocco, Mrs. Najat Kadmiri, Mrs. Cenas.

combating terrorism, and advancing regional security and development.

Being the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Saint-Lucia and to Nine Caribbean countries, I have had the great pleasure to witness the advancements and the strengthening of cooperation between Morocco and Caribbean region. It is crucial to mention the numerous bilateral meetings and conferences that unveiled the planning and

allowed the implementation of various projects in the classical fields of fruitful cooperation: • Agriculture: by the shipment of fertilizers for the benefit of Saint-Lucian Farmers and the Agricultural field on a whole; • The visit of Moroccan experts in Agriculture in Saint-Lucia and the receiving of Caribbean technicians to benefit from Soil Fertility map project as the technical support in the agriculture field.

• Education: Saint-Lucian Students have been given the opportunity to be granted scholarships to Morocco for the past four (4) years.

• Health: Participation of Professor Raja Aghzadi to the CARIFAM – 5th World Congress of Families, under the theme “The Family Development – Strong Families, Prosperous Nations” in November 2017.

The fruitful ongoing collaboration with the Organization of Caribbean States (OECS) has also allowed the upcoming opening of an Embassy in Morocco during the 65th meeting of the OECS Authority held recently in Saint Lucia from June 18th to 19th.

In the context of healthy bilateral cooperation, it is significant to highlight the recent tour visit to the Caribbean region of highranking Governmental Officials from the Kingdom of Morocco from 8th to 15th of July 2018, in which contributed to further discussions with several Ministers from the Government of Saint-Lucia under the leadership of the Honorable

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prime Minister Allen Chastanet, OECS Leadership as well as visit to each OECS COUNTRIES (Grenada, Dominica, SVG, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados).

As a committed Friend, the Kingdom of Morocco recognizes with sincere delight the accomplishments and ambitious changes the beautiful island of Saint-Lucia has been experiencing for the past year and look forward to even more successful endeavors.

I can assure you, Esteemed Colleagues and Guests, that the Kingdom of Morocco remains and will spare no effort in promoting a better understanding and collaboration between our two beloved countries while expanding and deepening our existing bilateral relations. I am confident that the Government of Saint-Lucia shares the same commitment.

This evening marks another step on common ground for the Kingdom of Morocco and SaintLucia.

May we all, Excellency Governor General, Honorable Prime Minister, all Friends, enjoy a wonderful evening!

THE STAR

CLASSIFIED 27

www.stluciastar.com

AUGUST 11, 2018

THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE (MATRIMONIAL DIVISION)

SAINT LUCIA CLAIM NO. SLUHMT2018/0117

IN THE MATTER of Divorce Proceedings by THERESA AUGUSTIN

THOMAS for the Dissolution of her marriage with LLOYD ERROL SIMMONS.

AND IN THE MATTER of an Application for Leave to present a Petition

for Divorce before the expiration of five (5) years from the date of marriage.

BETWEEN:

AND IN THE MATTER of the Divorce Act and the Divorce Rules Chapter 4.03 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia 2013.

THERESA AUGUSTIN THOMAS Proposed Petitioner and LLOYD ERROL SIMMONS

Proposed Respondent TO: LLOYD ERROL SIMMONS -The Proposed Respondent -NOTICE OF DIVORCE PROCEEDINGSTAKE NOTICE that Divorce Proceedings have been commenced against you The Respondent in the High Court of Justice Saint Lucia by The Petitioner THERESA AUGUSTIN THOMAS. AND IT has been ordered by the High Court that service of the Originating Summons on Application for Leave to present a Petition for Divorce before the expiration of five (5) years from the date of marriage, all Ancillary Applications and all other documents within the action herein be effected on you by the publication of a Notice of the divorce proceedings in two (2) weekend issues of a newspaper circulating in the State of Saint Lucia.

IF YOU desire to defend or be heard in the matter you must within twenty eight (28) days of the second publication of this Notice enter an appearance at the High Court Office, La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street in the City of Castries in the State of Saint Lucia.

Copies of all documents filed in this action can be acquired from the High Court Office at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries in the State of Saint Lucia.

…………………………………………

ANDRA GOKOOL-FOSTER Legal Practitioner for The Proposed Petitioner

This Notice of Divorce Proceedings is prepared by Chambers Andra Gokool-Foster whose business address for service is #5 High Street, Castries, Tel/Fax No. 1-758-451-9300; E-mail: agokoolfoster@yahoo.co.uk The High Court Office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint Lucia Tel. No.1-758-468-7500 Fax. No. 468-7543. The Office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays except Public Holidays. The Office can also be contacted via E-mail: stluhco@eccourts.org

Please be advised that

Mr. Steve Martin

is no longer employed with Amalgamated Security Services Limited and is not authorized to transact any business on behalf of Amalgamated Security Services Limited or Alternative Security Services (St. Lucia) Limited.

FOR RENT 535 SQ. FT. GROUND FLOOR SPACE & 3629 SQ. FT. SECOND (TOP) FLOOR SPACE CORNER OF JEREMIE & CADET STREETS, CASTRIES OPPOSITE LA PLACE CARENAGE CALL: 456-5010/285-1430 FOR MORE DETAILS

FOR SALE 2010 Kia Sorento Crdi, 8 seater Tan and Black Leather Interior, Panoramic SunRoof, Diesel, Automatic 4WD 2016 Hyundai I20 Crossover Fully Loaded Automatic Tel:

485-2885

Vacancy EXPERIENCED COOK

For rental villa in the Cap Estate wanted.

Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

Apply in writing by August 23, 2018 to: The Manager P.O. Box GI 2115 Gros Islet Or info@a1stluciavillas.com

VACANCY

SALES REPRESENTATIVE TRADEVIN LIMITED HEALTH CARE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY INVITES APPLICATION WITH RESUME FROM SUITABLE CANDIDATES. • BUSINESS GRADURATE OR MINIMUM “A” LEVEL WITH (COMPUTER LITERACY) • SALES EXPERIENCE WITH REFERRAL WILL BE PREFERRED ALL APPLICATIONS ALONG WITH RESUME AND RECENT PHOTO TO BE SENT TO tvinmedicals@gmail.com BEFORE AUGUST 31ST 2018

VACANCY SALES ASSOCIATE REQUIREMENTS: • Experience in Jewellery Sales • Experience in Watch sales • Sales Management and or Supervisory Experience in Jewellery • A history of achieving Jewellery sales targets • University Degree is an Advantage Applicant should be a high energy, positive, forward thinking professional who is able to work well under pressure.

Ability to work well with others is a requirement.

All interested applicants should forward CV with Cover Letters to cjnpierre@shopdi.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

$2.00

Some people know the difference between faith news and fake news!

S&S

LAYAWAY NOW AVAILABLE AT S&S THE PRICEBUSTERS

girls bubblers

for $4.00

Come and apply for your S & S Loyalty Card

geometry sets

for $5.00

Bois D Orange • Castries • Vieux Fort www.facebook.com/the.pricebusters

emoji pillows

for $10.00

children raincoats

from $7.50

children aprons

from $6.00

12 exercise books

for $8.40

Also on special : cartoon lunch bags from $12, plain colour lunch bags $10, cartoon printed plastic containers $6, cartoon printed cushions $15, puzzle books from $3.50, story books from $3.25, kindergarten workbooks $4.50, 8gb thumbdrives $36, yoga mats from $24, shoe laces from $2.50, children aprons $7

Printed and published by STAR Publishing Co. (1987) Ltd., Rodney Bay Industrial Estate, Massade, Gros Islet, P.O. Box 1146, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I., Tel: (758) 450-7827 Fax: (758) 450-8690, Email: info@stluciastar.com Website: www.stluciastar.com