Politicians Beware! Politics And Kids A Dangerous Mix!

Politicians Beware!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2019

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$2.00

Altogether innocent pictures of children with politicians are today being weaponized by anonymous desperate party hacks. There ought to be a law!

Politics And Kids A Dangerous Mix!

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

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december 28, 2019 THE STAR

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2020, HERE WE COME I

just can’t wait for Tuesday night. Secure in the promise, if not possession, of a full year of 2020 vision, at one second past midnight I am going to take off my glasses and hide them while I take in the breeze, the way we all did so many years ago when the church bells loudly celebrated the arrival of the New Year and the entire family gathered in the veranda or “gallery” hugging one another and shouting out “Happy New Year” to the neighbours.

2020 will be a leap year and, not surprisingly, some people have leapt into it already, jumping through time and even space to tell us in advance what this coming year will be like.

Nostradamus was the first. Born in France in 1503, and before he died in 1566, he reputedly predicted the rise of Hitler, the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States, the French Revolution, the moon landing, the atomic bomb and the Great Fire of London. If you think impeaching Donald Trump is going to plunge us into an era of darkness, listen to the Carpenters again and

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they will tell you, along with Nostradamus believers, it's only just begun. According to those who claim to have deciphered the quatrains of Nostradamus, a great earthquake will hit the American continent sometime in the year 2020, there will be a major global economic crisis including bankruptcy and recession, an abrupt change in sea level caused by the melting of Antarctica, and other natural disasters including a catastrophic storm and hurricanes.

Even more scary is that I will need my glasses to get exempted from fighting in the Third World war which is scheduled for the same time.

“In the city of God, there will be a great thunder. Two brothers torn apart by Chaos while the fortress endures. The great leader will succumb. The third big war will begin when the big city is burning.” The only problem I foresee is finding the city of God—that is so difficult that even Nostradamus couldn’t identify it.

For the sceptics, an online publication, BestLife, has identified predictions about

the year 2020 they claim to be “way off”. In 1911, lecturing to the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Richard Clement Lucas was sure that because our outer toes are being used less and less, human feet will become just one big toe.

The RAND corporation, an American “think-tank”, said that the US will have animal employees by the year 2020 including great apes doing the cleaning and gardening and even being chauffeurs. Again, the only possibility I foresee is that when his presidency and business collapse, Trump will have a job.

One of my heroes, scientist, inventor and futurist Arthur C. Clarke, figured we will have houses that can go south in winter or just move when the owners feel the need for a change of scenery.

Regardless of where the houses end up, Waldemar Kaempffert believed that all we would need to clean them out would be a hose. I suppose in the case of churches we will just have to say, “Let us spray," especially for the bunch of old hose lying around. He also suggested that

we will all eat candy made of underwear which, from what I hear, is no longer Victoria’s Secret and is already taking place. I understand that for chocolate lovers, the Swiss have already changed the brand name from Lindt to Lint.

The other predictions include our having our own helicopters (I already own a Chinese chopper) and the removal of “C”, “Q” and “X” from the alphabet. The “C” and “Q” are bad enough. Imagine next year at Christmas time singing “O ome all ye faithful” or the Brits belting out their anthem “God save the Ueen”, but what will all those illiterate rednecks who comprise the bulk of Trump supporters do when they go to vote or sign an application for social security?

Among the rest, there is one I dislike and three that I can live with. I used to have a lot of respect for Nikola Tesla until he wrote that coffee, tea and tobacco, which poison the system with harmful ingredients, will no longer be in vogue. Tobacco, yes, but leave my coffee and tea alone. Of the other three, Time Magazine in

1966 predicted that everyone in the US will be independently wealthy including, I hope, all my friends in the Diaspora.

However, with all that money they will develop all kinds of mental problems and serious psychoses. Since they will be too rich to work, they will all have robots as therapists.

Also, because they will be surrounded by state-of-theart technology or machines produced by machines, there will be no need for futurists to predict the future.

Unfortunately, while this is yet to come, some psychics have not yet predicted their own professional demise and are hard at work figuring out 2020. Kristy Robinett is sure that “Even with the conflict with Donald Trump and the pending impeachment, from an astrological standpoint, there is a high chance he could win the next election. I, however, don’t see him fulfilling the second term and see pending health issues. I also see a dark horse coming into the race early in 2020 that may create a total upheaval.”

Amy Tripp, an astrologer,

REPUBLIC BANK CONTINUES TO INVEST IN CARIBBEAN COMMUNITIES

epublic Bank has provided a US$34 million senior term loan as part of a US$80 million investment in the Royalton Grenada Resort and Spa located on two whitesand beaches in Tamarind Bay, Grenada. The loan was arranged by the Investment Banking Division of the Republic Bank Group.

The Royalton Grenada is scheduled to commence operations in March 2020 offering guests the option to stay at any of its 212 luxury rooms or 49 Diamond Club luxury suites. The hotel will be managed and operated by Blue Diamond Resorts as part of a newly formed strategic alliance

with Rex Resorts, the former owners and operators of The Grenadian Hotel.

Blue Diamond Resorts, the hotel division of the Sunwing Travel Group, currently manages more than 16,000 rooms in 46 resorts located in 10 countries throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. The Sunwing Travel Group is North America’s largest vertically integrated travel company comprising, in addition to Blue Diamond, two leading tour operators, Canada’s premier leisure airline, a luxury private jet charter service, numerous travel retail businesses and a destination management company.

Stephen Hunter, CEO of

Sunwing Travel Group, disclosed previously his plan to see the Royalton Grenada become one of the leading all-inclusive destinations in the world.

“The hotel will reopen as the Royalton Grenada in March 2020. Royalton is the number one all-inclusive hotel in the world, so the number one all-inclusive hotel is coming to Grenada.”

Keith Johnson, Managing Director of Republic Bank Grenada, noted that Grenada is happy to welcome a brand of the caliber of Royalton Luxury Resorts to the Spice Island. “The Royalton brand has received various awards including being voted the

Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean and the World.

We are excited to welcome the Sunwing Travel Group to Grenada.”

Richard S. Sammy, General Manager of the Corporate and Investment Banking Division, Republic Bank noted that as a part of the Sunwing Travel Group, the Royalton Grenada will be able to realize synergies and scale that positively contribute to the occupancy levels and provide an inherent competitive advantage.

“Sunwing can create value through differentiated products, capacity control, customer focus and direct distribution and cost control which is derived from

the synergies achieved through their affiliated operations such as retail hotel operations, destination weddings, tours and excursions, commercial and charter airlines and destination management services.”

Sunwing Travel Group announced last year that Blue Diamond Resorts would begin operating six Rex Resorts across the Caribbean including in Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Tobago and two properties in Saint Lucia. Sunwing expects to invest significant capital over the coming years in these jurisdictions to renovate and upgrade these properties to the brand standards of Blue Diamond Resorts.

also predicts health issues for Trump and that “something will happen causing him not to be re-elected”.

Psychic Betsey Lewis, who five years ago predicted that Trump would become President, was also certain that Prince Phillip will die this year, gas prices will skyrocket and that Brexit won’t happen. Now she has predicted with her full 2020 vision “scandals, extreme cold and snow, worldwide civil unrest and riots, revolution, floods, earthquakes, a strange revelation by the Pope” and Trump re-elected as President.

But worse than all those disasters and catastrophes is that Prince Harry and Meghan will leave the UK and make the US their new home. Poor Boris Johnson—dealing with Brexit is bad enough but this will be a right royal disaster.

Tony Deyal was last seen watching the Disney Christmas Day parade on ABC and remembering the prediction by movie magnate Darryl Zanuck in 1946 that the TV "will disappear because people will get tired of it".

Homicide in Anse Ger

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bout 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, officers attached to the Micoud Police Station received a report of a chopping at Anse Ger, Micoud.

On arrival, officers encountered Aaron Cooper, a forty-five-year old resident of Anse Ger, who sustained an injury to his neck, following an altercation with a known male who is currently in police custody in relation to this incident.

Cooper was conveyed via ambulance to St. Jude Hospital, where he was admitted. On Thursday, December 26, about 11:30 p.m. he succumbed at the said medical facility.

A post mortem examination is scheduled for today, Saturday December 28.

This is the 48th homicide in Saint Lucia this year.

THE STAR

DECEMBER 28, 2019

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DECEMBER 28, 2019 THE STAR

Commissioner Declares 2019 A Good Year for the Police!

Joshua St. Aimee

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n Monday evening Police Commissioner Severin Monchery and his deputy Milton Desir appeared as guests on the weekly TV show Police Insight at a time when the number of homicides for the year stood at 43. With a new year close on the horizon, host Zachary Hippolyte asked Monchery what he considered to be the police force’s greatest achievement for 2019. The ebullient Commissioner took his time answering. Finally he said that there were “so many of them” that he had to be careful not to congratulate one department over another that was just as applause-worthy.

One endeavour that stood out, Monchery observed, was the funding of school fees for eight students. Then there

was the recovery of some 75 firearms, as well as community relations projects. He sounded especially proud of the recently formed Rising Stars Police Youth Club in the south of the island.

“I think we had a very good 2019,” said Monchery. “I’m happy about that and I want to thank the hard-working officers because, without them, we could not have achieved those things.”

Deputy Desir concentrated on police training; on how during the year officers had benefitted from instruction in such areas as human rights, first-responder and customer service. He was hopeful that all officers would receive such training, keeping in mind related complaints from the public.

Desir revealed plans to address the shortage of officers.

A manpower audit had recently been completed which he said would “drive the way forward in

Police Commissioner Severin Monchery (pictured) is looking forward to an improved relationship with the public in 2020.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Youth Business Trusts of Barbados, St Lucia and Dominica have received funding from the European Commission (EU) to implement the “Building Sustainable Youth Businesses Through Social Enterprise” project. The aim of the project is to support rural young people between the ages 18-35, turn good ideas into good business opportunities and provide support services to help them successfully manage their enterprises.

St Lucia Youth Business Trust invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of SOCIAL ENTERPRISE COORDINATOR (SEC) Job Summary: The SEC is responsible for the effective and efficient day to day implementation of the project and its functionality from beginning to end, including project inception activities, annual and quarterly planning and reporting, implementation of activities, project reviews and project closure. The SEC will work closely with the BYBT, primary contact for the project.

Application Deadline: January 18th, 2020 Start Date: March 1st, 2020 Expected Duration of Assignment: 2 years DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Finalize the design of the M&E activities of the project in collaboration with management • Create a detailed work plan which identifies and sequences the activities needed to successfully complete the project • Review the project schedule with management and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities on a quarterly basis; revise the schedule as required • Carrying out any other duties that are required for the effective implementation and execution of the project.

• Conduct mobilization activities to identify target beneficiaries.

• Review, maintain and update the project M & E and Learning Plan, appropriate data collection, storage and analysis tools and systems in order to capture the project process and measure its socio-economic impact • Develop a Filing system to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented and secured; where necessary ensure that information about all beneficiaries are kept confidential • Monitor the progress of the project and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the successful completion thereof • Assist with the coordination of the external evaluations to be conducted • Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including donors, partners and appropriate staff on the progress of the project

• Review the quality of the work completed on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards • Establish and maintain contact with public agencies, trade and business associates, beneficiaries and other participants in the project • Co-ordinate and collaborate with BYBT, partners/stakeholders and the beneficiaries to guarantee fluid communication regarding progress and implementation of the project • Supervise, encourage and support beneficiaries in networking, advocacy and awareness-raising/visibility activities • Guarantee that eligibility criteria are being properly met for the beneficiaries and activities of the project; • Write reports on the project for management and for the donors; also attending meetings as schedule • Administering project risk and proposing alternatives when these are detected • Liaise with partners to ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Education: • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Youth Development or related field.

• Project Management Certification would be an asset EXPERIENCE • Minimum three years project planning and management related experience in the field youth empowerment, development or entrepreneurship, • Experience with establishing and implementing project and program M&E systems, including design and implementation of surveys and other data collection tools • Understanding of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in St Lucia and the attendants’ challenges, especially those faced by youth and women • Sound analytical and problem solving skills • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format • Expert at Report Preparation and Documentation • Excellent time management skills • Familiarity with IT systems and solutions • Willing and able to travel frequently.

Work Environment: Office & Field; Must own a reliable motor vehicle.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO slybtslu@gmail.com

addressing needs.”

The fallout from the IMPACS report has been a cloud over the force since 2012. The most recent word on the subject from National Security Minister Hermangild Francis is that the United States wants prosecution before the 2013-imposed Leahy Law sanctions can be removed. The law prohibits the

US from providing assistance to the force. According to the US Department of State this law is imposed when there is “credible information” implicating units such as police departments in the commission of “gross violations of human rights”.

Monchery shied away when invited to comment

on IMPACS, except to say the consequences were “very painful” to him, and to the force generally.

He said his job was to support his colleagues as much as possible.

“Like they say in kwéyòl, I don’t want to be ‘blasaying the bobo’.

I wish I had a magic wand with which I could make IMPACS disappear but it’s out of my hands.”

The concerning issues of the May 22 fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Arnold Joseph, the December 7 alleged suicide of Shem Sinaise while in police custody, the unexplained disappearance of Michael Blaze allegedly minutes after he was released from police custody, were all side-stepped in favour of a hoped-for brighter 2020. “The main thing I would want to see happen,” said the Commissioner, “is greater co-operation between the public and the police, and a restoration of public confidence.”

Discussing the murder rate might have been a good place to start.

In closing, the Commissioner said: “I look forward to working with the public in the new year so that we can at least continue to keep those thugs at bay and continue to make our citizens safe.

I urge our citizens to work with the police. It is our duty to serve and protect and we will do that, whatever it takes.”

Chamber of Commerce invites businesses to discuss NIPP plans under Castries Vision 2030 for Derek Walcott Square

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he Castries Vision 2030 document, conceptualized by the National Integrated Planning and Programme Unit (NIPP) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Project Services, resulted in several priority project interventions which were guided by the overarching vision of “Making Saint Lucia’s Capital a Vibrant, Resilient and Smart Heritage City for Residents and Visitors.”

Emanating from these

priority project interventions was a key project which involves the re-landscaping of Derek Walcott Square.

Following several consultations with the Office of the Prime Minister, a directive was given to implement this project which will be undertaken in two phases, with the first phase scheduled to commence in January 2020.

Consequently, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture is co-ordinating a meeting with its members to discuss the

proposed plans for the site. The meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday January 7, 2020 at 3:00pm in the 5th floor conference room of the Financial Administrative Centre in Point Seraphine, Castries.

Members of the business community are invited to be part of this dialogue. A special appeal is being made to businesses operating in the City of Castries, particularly those situated along Derek Walcott Square.

THE STAR

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Even as her son-in-law moves to defend his good name in court, Kimberly De Leon’s grieving mother Mary Williams is determined to see justice done though the heavens fall!

LOCAL 05

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DECEMBER 28, 2019

Kimberly De Leon’s mother and husband seek justice but not for the same reasons!

ews that the wife of a ranking police officer and mother of two young children had been fatally shot at her Morne residence on the night of October 29, 2018 shook Saint Lucians to their core. Even more shocking were several revelations at a police press conference the next morning, including that investigators into the suspected murder were treating Kimberly De Leon’s husband, Leozandrae, as “a person of interest”.

At another press conference convened hours after the first, police retracted their “person of interest” statement. Instead, attendant officers indicated De Leon had been interrogated and permitted to return to his residence, now a crime scene.

Since then, police information concerning the shooting has been contradictory, at best. Finally, reporters, as well as Kimberly’s mother Mary Williams, were told the De Leon file was with the Director of

Public Prosecutions while the police awaited instructions.

Few Saint Lucians, least of all Ms Williams, could’ve anticipated last week’s news that the once upon a time “person of interest” had filed defamation lawsuits against the police, a well-known radio personality, his employers, and a so-called political activist and regular contributor to Facebook.

From the onset Mary Williams had been demanding accountability from the authorities. The reported action by the deceased Kimberly’s husband is of little concern to her family, Williams said.

Their major concern remains unchanged: justice for their dearly departed.

Since the October 2018 incident Kimberly’s two children have been living with their grandmother. Their father is seeking legal custody.

Meanwhile he is permitted to see his young son and daughter just once a week. As for Williams’ reaction to her son-

in-law’s claim that there is no legal reason why his children should not be permitted to return with him to their family home, no strings attached, she declared: “Over my dead body!” She added that she has every reason to believe her grandchildren will be safer with her. “They’re trying to cope,” she said, “but the girl cries a lot for her mother. She misses Kimberly. When we ask her what she would like for Christmas, she always says she only wants her mother back. That says a lot.”

Williams said it had been some time since she spoke with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Daarsrean Greene, but is hopeful they can meet early in the new year.

She is planning to organise protest demonstrations as part of her campaign for justice on behalf of her deceased daughter.

“It’s not easy coping with the loss of my daughter,” said Williams, “and the authorities

aren’t helping. Kimberly did not deserve to die as she did. Her children don’t deserve what they’re going through. This is something no one gets over.

However, I have to be strong for the children and to continue fighting for justice in their name.”

She paused, sighed. “I will find justice. No ifs or buts. There must be justice for Kimberly. I owe her that!”

In 2015 officer De Leon reported to the prime minister and the Public Service Commission a conversation with his commissioner, during which De Leon was warned his life was in imminent danger. Also, that the commissioner had told De Leon he could not guarantee his safety, with fellow officers associated with the IMPACS investigation convinced he was ratting on them to the Kenny Anthony government. De Leon claimed his requests for special protection were denied!

----Joshua St. Aimee

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DECEMBER 28, 2019 THE STAR

Where were the Jingle Bells this Christmas?

By Alexis B. Montgomery

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he fact that the Vieux Fort roundabout lay bare, with not a single Christmas light to spare, may have been an ominous sign that things are not too bright in the country.

After all, Vieux Fort South is represented by Kenny Anthony, prime minister of Saint Lucia and leader of the opposition, the purveyor of the “better days” syndrome. But it seems that Christmas this year has missed the people of Vieux Fort South, not to mention the rest of the country.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony and his administration have continued to administer medication, which is evidently bad for the country’s ailments.

In the face of such poor economic stewardship they have the gall to brag about it. As we know, self-praise is no praise and he who feels it knows it.

For a cadre of politicians who created a monster by making unrealistic promises while in opposition, and by feeding the people with copious amounts of supposed answers—particularly to fix our economic problems—it must be a frantic existence, now that promises have been replaced by excuses, pleas for understanding and patience, that is, when they are not busy blaming the previous government. It must be remembered that this very Labour Party administration assured the populace in no uncertain terms that they possessed the skillset, intellectual agility, good reputation internationally, and professional experience, to redefine the economic fortunes of Saint Lucia.

Now the government has resorted to asking the public to provide the answers to the challenges confronting the country. There seems to be a complete dearth of ideas, imagination and innovation by this administration.

The harsh reality that the prime minister has been masking and sugar-coating for political expedience is that the Saint Lucia economy has

seen three successive years of decline, inclusive of this year. We refer to consecutive declines in 2012 and 2013, which by any definition amounts to a recession. By all indications of economic activity in 2014, we have little reason to expect that the trend of economic decline will be miraculously halted in 2015.

The UWP opposition, almost always in snooze mode, has certainly given the government more than enough breathing space, in order for them to implement optimum solutions to the economic and fiscal challenges confronting the country.

Apart from the introduction of VAT, which is supposed to boost government revenue, the extent of the government’s brilliance to address the economic challenges has been to squeeze more from the people through hikes in cellphone, utility and sewage charges, as well as a reduction in subsidies on essential food items. There are other proposed reductions of the disposable income of workers through a 5% cut in salaries. So there we are, squeezed on the expenditure side, squeezed on the income side and, of course, there is the pending increase to bus fares which has already been negotiated and approved.

To the best of our knowledge, under the Labour government’s so-called shrewd economic policies, Saint Lucia’s fiscal position has deteriorated. The national debt is now over 80 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

This government has failed to meet its fiscal targets over the course of three years at the helm. The circumstances the SLP administration inherited, as the PM loves to say, have taken a nosedive. Increasingly, government’s poor economic management is being reflected in a rising fiscal deficit and national debt. Is this a report card to shout about or celebrate?

Ironically the prime minister of Saint Lucia was recently the Chair of the Monetary Council of the ECCB where he was expected to preside over, lead and advise on

wider economic and financial woes within the sub-region, while there were ongoing precipitous declines occurring in his own country. His tenure hardly served as a model to be followed by other ECCB members, given that the Saint Lucia economy is in shambles.

It must have been a relief to hand over the role to his successor.

In the face of this gloomy commentary, pray tell, what is Labour celebrating and bragging about? A perusal of the latest Economic and Social Review and an appreciation of the figures therein, as pertains to key areas such as the Real Sector—tourism, construction, manufacturing, agriculture among others, figures on Central Government Fiscal Operations, Public Debt, the Monetary & Financial Sector, Trade & Balance of Payments and so on, are not cause for celebration but rather cause for serious concern about the island’s viability and future.

“Notwithstanding the recovery in the global economy in 2013, economic activity in Saint Lucia remained sluggish.

Preliminary estimates indicate that growth in the domestic economy contracted further in 2013 by 2.3 per cent. Most of the productive sectors recorded declines in 2013, led by the construction and distributive trades sectors. During the review period, there was a sharp decrease in construction activity, mainly reflecting significant declines in public investment and foreign direct investment related to hotel developments.”—Economic and Social Review 2013.

It is instructive to note that the trend of economic decline being experienced in Saint Lucia is in stark contrast to what is happening in a number of other Caribbean economies that are on positive growth trajectories, which is in line with the upward trend of the global economy which is showing a positive growth trajectory of about 3 per cent. We can cite Guyana, Surinam, Antigua, Jamaica and Trinidad. These economies have stabilized and started to grow after the 2008/09 crisis.

So what is wrong with Saint

Lucia? The short answer is Kennynomics. Populism and political expedience such as “jobs for the boyz” preferred over sound policies that ensure long-term economic growth and development.

At any rate the current administration can no longer continue to use the excuse that the woes of Saint Lucia’s economy are part of a wider regional or even global phenomenon. They can no longer hide behind the global economic crisis, considering they loudly disregarded this as a likely reason for any economic challenges faced by the UWP administration. So in the face of these realities, what are they bragging about?

And so it is indeed fitting to reiterate to the current SLP administration: “You can fool some people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time,” because now they see the light.

This government, in typical fashion, has made blunder after blunder, not necessarily acting in the interest of Saint Lucia but to appease narrow audiences by engaging in their interests; and by opposing, for opposing sake, too many projects or proposals advanced by the UWP; even the good ones.

In opposition the Saint Lucia Labour Party opposed the Airport Development Charge imposed by the UWP, describing it as an act of “deception and stealth”. So here we had an Airport Development Charge which is essentially a throughput tax, financed mainly by visitors who account for about 90% of airport traffic.

“The Saint Lucia Labour Party recalls that the Bill creating the tax was never circulated to the Opposition ahead of the debate on the tax,” the SLP website stated. Then in May 2012 during the budget presentation, the recently reelected Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Kenny Anthony had this to say about the tax: “In opposition, we had difficulty with this tax. In our view, this tax is unconscionable at this time especially given our challenges in increasing stay-over tourism

arrivals. It is a tax to pay for an event in the future. Not one block has been put into the ground to justify the tax.”

And then the suspension, not revocation, mind you, followed: “The Government, therefore, will suspend the application of the section of the Act authorizing the tax for the time being.”

The through-put tax is a mode of financing widely used around the world, especially in funding projects such as airport developments, and has been used effectively by many other countries.

The proceeds of the charge, which have accumulated in a special interest-bearing, locked box account, have accrued several millions of dollars which would have made the redevelopment of the airport project all the more affordable.

(What has happened to these monies?) However, for weak and tenuous reasons, the current administration has disingenuously reduced it to zero.

This proposal by the government of the day, to attempt to court a foreign investor in a Private Public Partnership (PPP) must be juxtaposed with a profound comment the current prime minister made about the Airport Development Charge: “I am advised that since the imposition of the tax, SLASPA has collected US$7.7 million thus far and it is anticipated to collect a total of US$10 million for the year 2011/12.”

Even as they have stopped the Airport Development Charge, the Minister for Ports, Infrastructure and Transport is busy looking for a private investor to take over H.I.A.’s operations. It appears that now they are willing to give up control and ownership of the airport. Many would rightly hope this one does not turn out to be another Grynberg on our hands. That’s the result of opposing for opposing sake.

Currently ‘visibility is poor’, to use a term in that sector, concerning both Hewannorra and George F.L. Charles Airports as the futures of both are steeped in uncertainty. Clearly our air traffic controllers— Kenny and company—have a

very precarious flight plan that is likely to cause a crash.

Another major blunder which is most apparent and imposed by this government but is, however, well aided by the silence of the media, relates to the government’s pricing policy of petroleum products widely known as the Market Pass Through Mechanism. This mechanism, which was set to allow a monthly adjustment on petroleum products under the former administration, was altered and increased to a three-month period. This policy change has certainly not been in the interest of Saint Lucia or consumers of petroleum products who now have to wait for all of three months before they can benefit from the current downward trend in world oil prices which has declined steadily throughout this year from a peak of over US$100 per barrel to current levels of about US$57.

Other islands in the subregion are already enjoying this relief; meanwhile local consumers are forced to pay higher prices: a gallon of unleaded gas in Dominica is $12.82 right now; in Saint Vincent it is $13.81. In Saint Lucia unleaded gas per gallon stands at $15.84. This means that Saint Lucian consumers are now paying over $3.00 more than consumers in Dominica and so on, costing the economy millions more for the commodity. The difference in the other islands is that their prices are adjusted at shorter time intervals.

It is always easier to sit from the perches of the opposition benches or the Castries Market Steps and parade as a fix-it bunch of magicians. While I have focused on the economic performance of this administration, the social side is also an abysmal failure: increasing crime, suicide, hopelessness, frustration, overall degeneration and social decline is awash in communities throughout the length and breadth of the country.

----December 31, 2014

THE STAR

december 28, 2019

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december 28, 2019 THE STAR

Pitons Cup A Trim Dream Come True Dean Nestor

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he applause and post-race adulation far surpassed what had accompanied the day’s two previous races, as the jockey Qin Yong trotted out Senor Guitar, magnificently shimmering in sweat, before an adoring public waiting to get a closer glimpse at the lightningfast thoroughbred. This race, which seemed to last mere seconds, had been decades in the making. It was the third race of the inaugural Pitons Cup held in Vieux Fort two weeks ago, and although not officially the showcase of our National Day’s four-race event, it definitely was the sentimental highlight of an unforgettable day of horseracing. But as the victorious trainer Deon Visser wrapped his fingers around the first place trophy, all eyes were on the Trim family.

Over two years ago, Winston Trim, owner of the Hoofprint Horseriding Ranch had passed away. His love for everything equine is legendary.

As Teo Ah Khing has since revealed, what ultimately led to the inaugural Pitons Cup in Saint Lucia, and to the development of the Pearl of the Caribbean, was Winston

Winston Trim was well represented by family and friends at the 2019 Pitons Cup. Left to right: Deon Visser, Winston Trim Jr., Kirley and Soraya Trim.

Trim’s determination to see the creation of a modern racetrack in his home country.

His reaction at the passing of his friend: “I speak on behalf of our entire team when I say that we were shocked and deeply saddened by Winston’s loss. He was very much a part of this project and his passing

was taken very hard, especially by our team who worked with him daily in Saint Lucia. It is our intention to ensure future generations remain aware of his legacy by honouring him every year at our feature race . . . ”

And so was born the UK Tote Group Winston Trim Memorial Trophy. On hand after

the gripping race were Trim’s son Winston Trim Jr. with his wife Soraya, as well as Trim’s brother Kirley.

Said an emotional Trim Jr: “Honestly, the fact that there’s such a big race named after my father, I can’t even . . . especially since I have the same name . . . it’s such an

honour to have a race named for him. It’s definitely something he deserved. Words cannot describe how proud I am of my father, my family, this island, Mr Teo [Ah Khing], the prime minister, everyone who worked so hard to make my father’s dream a reality, and then some!”

Additionally: “This really is a big project. You just can’t imagine how big, and what it’ll do for the island and its people.

It’s just amazing that it’s all off the strength of horses. To everyone here, horses are the way of life.”

Standing at her husband’s side, and obviously just as excited, Winston Trim’s daughter-in-law Soraya exclaimed: “Yes, it truly is amazing. He definitely deserved it. This is his dream come true.

This was his vision. And it’s come to life. We are so proud and we’re here to represent him. We’re never gonna forget him, and I hope that at all the races to come he will be remembered and honoured . . .

Oh, I’m about to cry.”

She paused to regain her composure before adding: “He never gave up. And we are beyond happy. We’re ecstatic to be here representing him and the family.”

Kirley Trim, with a broad

grin, reflected on the journey he and his brother had embarked on a long time ago: “Ever since I’ve known myself I’ve been with horses. I’ve got photos of myself at eleven months astride a horse with my dad.

When I was just four weeks old, they tell me, I was bitten by a horsefly. So it’s all in me. It’s in all of us.”

He recalled: “My brother’s dream was to have a racetrack in Saint Lucia, regardless how small, so long as it was successful. And having a successful international track right now is one of the best things that could happen to us in Saint Lucia. I believe my brother is looking on from above, yes he is!”

Kirley continued: “It’s very, very exciting for me personally. I’ve been waiting for this all my life; my brother, even longer. That vision has been in him since 1992 really, when he spoke to a good friend of his from Trinidad, Mr David Loregnard, who is the head steward down here and who’s involved in everything to do with organising the racetrack.

That was the plan from the beginning. And although Winston’s not here to see this, David, myself, his son, his daughter-in-law, are here. And we couldn’t be happier.”

Sagicor supports Ministry Hamper Drive

S

agicor stepped in to support the annual Hamper Drive led by the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment. The items in the hampers were purchased with cash and from in-kind donations from Sagicor staff across its offices in Saint Lucia.

The hampers were donated on Monday, December 23 to the Ministry for distribution.

Sagicor’s Head of Sales, Donna Hinkson, shared on the impetus behind the activity: “This is something we did last year and had already started planning for this year, but I received an email from the Ministry to assist them and we felt that this would be a

good way to ensure that our contribution went to those most in need. I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Sagicor when I say we are delighted to do this small gesture which will contribute to the families having a happy Christmas.”

Ms. Tanzia Toussaint, Deputy Director of Social Transformation at the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment explained the aim of the initiative and how the Ministry operates. She said, “Our Ministry is really involved with poverty alleviation under the umbrella of social protection.

We deal with persons who are poor and vulnerable, and

assist families using a holistic approach, via income relief and supplementing with other things.

“We’re happy that Sagicor agreed to support us this year and we are hopeful that 2020 will be bigger and better as we seek to help and influence the well-being of Saint Lucians as a whole.”

Ms. Toussaint confirmed that the hampers would be distributed before Christmas and would benefit those most in need in the community including children, single-parent households, elderly men and women as well as persons living with HIV and disabilities in several communities across the island.

The Sagicor team presents Ms. Tanzia Toussaint (centre), Deputy Director of Social Transformation at the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment with a donation of hampers to support its distribution of items to needy families this Christmas.

THE STAR

december 28, 2019

Wait Dorothy, Wait!

By Claudius J. Francis

W

ell it’s that time of the year again. A time when never mind how difficult a year we have had; never mind how many may have offended us in the most derogatory manner; never mind the bad taste in our mouths, we must nonetheless put all of these aside and smile.

Indeed, we must pretend, if only for the moment, that all is well with us. Trust me when I say that it takes a whole lot of pretending to accomplish that task. Then again, I have never been particularly skilled at pretending.

So, forgive me if I cannot find it within myself to pretend that all is well when clearly it is not. Just Sunday past I was listening to George Alcee’s show when he played the Black Stalin classic Wait Dorothy Wait and it dawned on me that Black Stalin too couldn’t be a hypocrite. In that song Stalin sings about his fans clamouring for him to write a smutty song as this was all the rage at the time. His response was, so long as his black brothers were enslaved under apartheid; so long as rastafarians were being denied basic rights; so long as women continued to suffer,

T

Dorothy would have to wait while he instead sang about those ills.

So too I cannot find it in myself to pretend that all is well in Fair Helen. I cannot say 'God bless you' to people who deny a tourism hostess the ability to earn a mere $800 monthly but have no compunction about paying a so far useless consultant millions in taxpayers’ money.

I cannot pretend I am pleased when the STEP programme, which fed so many poor people who for long had been denied employment, is discontinued while big business continues to benefit.

How can I smile when an Act put in place to support legitimate tourism products is twisted to suit the fancy of a government minister whose private dwelling was never meant as a beneficiary?

How can I send felicitations when, in an attempt at punishing one man, the powers that be are saying we do not care one hoot about the welfare of our police officers?

How can I sit back and smile a Christmas kind of smile when one of the few freedoms which remain, the freedom to express our discontent, is being stifled on the pretext that it is bad for business?

How can I turn a blind eye to the fact that a retired British cop who was only recently discarded as a police consultant could immediately find a job as a security consultant at a leading hotel? How indeed?

Considering his dismal failure during his tenure with the police, what now qualifies this man over better suited Saint Lucians? Isn’t this the same individual whose failure to properly communicate information almost led to the shooting deaths of several police officers from the Drug Squad, SSU and Marine Unit? And I am supposed to be happy because it is Christmas?

Am I supposed to be pleased that at $147 a barrel of oil, gasoline retailed at $12.75, but at $43.00 a barrel of oil, we get a measly $1.00 reduction?

Am I supposed to be pleased that minibus drivers get an increase at precisely the time the price of oil plummets? Equally, am I supposed to be happy about an increase in the price of bread when everywhere else in the Caribbean the reverse is the case?

Why should I smile when no one seems to care that a bakery has dismissed three poor people because they are being blamed for the loss of money during an

armed robbery? Do we care that these people have families too?

And how can I turn away when our Constitution, the most sacred of our laws, is daily being violated with impunity? How can we justify a near two-year delay in granting a man his citizenship when the Constitution says he is entitled to it? Who gave the Ministry of Home Affairs the right to decide whether a foreigner who has married a Saint Lucian should be made a citizen?

Since when does that ministry, or any other for that matter, have the right to disregard the Constitution?

For all the foregoing reasons and more, I cannot pretend things are not what they are. So, like the Black Stalin, for all of you who want me to just wave away our troubles and dance, simply because it is Christmas, I must say 'Wait Dorothy Wait'.

Even within my sadness though, I say thank you to my children and their mom, my parents, my brothers, sisters and other relatives, my dear ones, my friends and my colleagues, for their support over the past year.

Merry Christmas and a hopefully better 2009 to all of you.

God Bless!

----December 13, 2008.

RUBIS Spreads Christmas Cheer

eam RUBIS hit the road again this Yuletide season to spread joy by delivering festive hampers to residents across the island.

The process began with RUBIS team members nominating one or two less fortunate persons from each of their communities, as well as identifying homes for the elderly and children, who would, they believed, benefit from their assistance.

With a list of 25 locations, hampers in hand and led by RUBIS Country Representative Gary Gustave, the team began their island-wide deliveries.

Christmas cheer was shared with persons in the communities of Castries Basin, Ciceron, Dennery, Vieux-Fort, Soufriere, Anse La Raye, Fond St. Jacques and Gros Islet.

Mr. Gustave remarked: “During our travels we met with children whose eyes lit up with

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unabated joy and excitement; the elderly, the incapacitated, the critically ill and the less fortunate who welcomed us into their homes to celebrate, for a few precious moments, the joy of giving and receiving at this wonderful time of the year.” He added, “We wish to thank them for what they have also given to us with their genuine smiles and wishes for happiness.”

It was an exhilarating and heart-warming experience for the

entire RUBIS team, who have co-ordinated this initiative among themselves for the past three years.

This event was held in conjunction with a series of customer appreciation promotions at various RUBIS service stations in December.

Fuel and LPG customers had the opportunity to win sweet treats, hams and hampers to kickstart their festive season.

FROM WINTER SNOW TO SUNNY SHORES, SAINT LUCIA WELCOMES INAUGURAL AMERICAN AIRLINES NON-STOP FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO

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he Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, together with the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority, welcomed an inaugural non-stop American Airlines flight from Chicago on Saturday, December 21, 2019, with festive celebrations in each destination to commemorate the occasion.

To honour the departure of the first flight, Minister of Tourism Honourable Dominic Fedee greeted passengers at the gate in Chicago before take-off. The atmosphere was convivial and Minister Fedee helped to build excitement for passengers embarking on their Saint Lucian vacation by providing details about the destination while they listened to live steel pan music, had photos taken with Saint Lucians attired in colourful national wear and enjoyed breakfast treats.

During the flight several lucky passengers won prizes that included branded gifts, various classes of catamaran cruises sponsored by Carnival Cruises, and a complimentary five-night stay with luxury allinclusive resort East Winds.

Upon landing in Saint Lucia, the flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute and live music by local steel pan youth band, Laborie Pan Project. In a press conference at the airport, Minister Fedee presented a plaque to the American Airlines Captain Kate Magon and her accompanying crew members.

“We are pleased

to welcome residents of midwestern states to Saint Lucia, where they can experience our renowned cultural experiences, bask in our perfect weather and enjoy a warm welcome from our local Saint Lucian residents,” said Minister Fedee.

“American Airlines passengers now can fly direct to Saint Lucia from Chicago, Charlotte, Miami and Philadelphia, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the airline,” the minister added.

The non-stop service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) will depart weekly on Saturdays.

AA1910 departs ORD at 8:20am Central Standard Time (CST) and arrives in Saint Lucia at 3:50pm Eastern Caribbean Time (ECT).

For the return, AA1910 departs from UVF at 4:47pm ECT, arriving ORD at 9:20pm CST.

With the addition of the Chicago flight, American Airlines now flies to Saint Lucia with direct service from four US markets, including Charlotte (CLT), Miami (MIA) and Philadelphia (PHL).

Year to date (YTD) November 2019, AA has provided over 101,600 seats to Saint Lucia—43% of the total seats from the US. AA has also brought in roughly 80,000 passengers to Saint Lucia in 2019 (YTD November), which represents 40% of total passengers from the US.

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City of Dallas dismissed from civil lawsuit over Botham Jean’s death T

he city of Dallas won’t be held liable for the death of Botham Jean, a federal district judge ruled this week.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn dismissed the city from a civil lawsuit filed by Jean’s family.

Jean, a black man from St. Lucia living in Dallas, was killed in his own home by Amber Guyger, a white off-duty police officer, on Sept. 6, 2018. Though the lawsuit did not seek a specific amount, Guyger is now the only defendant in the civil lawsuit filed in 2018, making a high-dollar settlement unlikely.

Guyger was still in uniform when she shot Jean using her service weapon. She said she believed she was in her own apartment. She was later fired from the department. In October, Guyger was found guilty of murder in Jean’s death and is serving a 10-year-sentence. The two-week trial captivated Dallas and the world as it renewed focus on white officers shooting

After off-duty police officer Amber Guyger shot Botham Jean (pictured) in his apartment, his family said police practices were to blame.

unarmed black men.

Jean’s family argued in their civil lawsuit that Jean’s death was a result of a pattern of excessive force by Dallas police and that better training could have prevented his death.

"By simply following proper police procedures and the best

police practices and not the protocol of the DPD to 'shoot first and ask questions later', Defendant Guyger would have not shot Jean," the lawsuit read.

"Essentially, Officer Guyger was ill-trained, and as a result, defaulted to the defective DPD policy: to use deadly force even

when there exist no immediate threat of harm to themselves or others."

The city countered that the lawsuit failed to provide evidence to their claims and could not prove causation. Prior to Lynn’s decision, a magistrate judge agreed with the city and

suggested it be dismissed from the lawsuit. Legal experts said that because Guyger was off duty, a lawsuit against the city was unlikely to be successful. Dallas interim city attorney Christopher Caso declined to comment Thursday.

Daryl Washington, the Jean family’s lawyer, said he had not reviewed the latest court documents. However, he maintained that Guyger acted and was treated as an on-duty officer at the scene of the crime and therefore the city should be held accountable. He also referenced testimony at the trial, where Guyger and others talked about police training in response to threats. “There are a number of things that Amber Guyger did not do or said she did not recall how to do," he said. "If this stuff was drilled into police officers, we would not have people saying they weren’t familiar with deescalation practices.”

The lawsuit was filed by Jean’s parents, Allison and Bertrum Jean, and his sister, Allisa Findley. Jean grew up in St. Lucia but came to the U.S. to attend college in Arkansas. He later worked as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dallas.

Dallas bucks the national trend in holding police officers accountable for murder. Since 2016, four Dallasarea police officers have been indicted on murder charges.

Guyger was the third to be sent to prison.

In an exclusive interview published this week in The Dallas Morning News, Allison Jean said healing hasn’t been easy but she wanted to move on. “I have no hatred toward Amber Guyger,” she said. “It’s time to focus on me and heal in the best way I know how.”

---The Dallas Morning News

OECS ICT Companies connect with Global Tech Leaders at TechBeach Retreat in Jamaica S ix companies from the Eastern Caribbean participated in the 4th edition of the TechBeach Retreat which took place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from December 5 to 7, 2019. The two-day event brought together hundreds of participants including technology entrepreneurs from the Caribbean and North America, and 52 world-class keynote speakers from multiple global companies like The New York Times, Forbes and Inc. Magazine, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Massy and Airbnb, among others.

The six participating technology companies from the Eastern Caribbean were: IslandTEK, eMagine Solutions Inc, Converge Solutions Inc, and Big Brother Technologies, all based in Saint Lucia; and airZoon and Wimediacom, based in Martinique. The mission was part of the INTERREG Trade Enhancement for the Eastern Caribbean (TEECA) project which is co-ordinated by the Chamber of Commerce of Martinique

(CCI Martinique) along with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export).

The delegation was led

by OECS Competitive Business Technical Specialist, Kwesi Roberts; and Special Advisor for Trade and Legal Affairs at the Caribbean Export Development Agency based in Barbados, Gayle Gollop.

This year, the TechBeach Retreat was sponsored by Google and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Participants had the opportunity to attend key presentations on the current state of innovation, entrepreneurship and disruptive technology in the region. The event also enabled the six entrepreneurs to participate in B2B meetings during which they had the opportunity to network with global players in the area of technology, access new products and services, and showcase innovations made in the

The OECS delegation that attended the TechBeach Retreat.

Caribbean.

Co-Founder of TechBeach Retreat, Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, highlighted: “The event sought to foster collaboration among

like-minded individuals in the area of technology and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

The non-hierarchical nature of the

event allows people to meet tech leaders and exchange ideas in a relaxed environment.”

Panel discussions, round tables and presentations were

delivered on the following matters: • The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Fifth Horizon; • Life with Machines: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation; • Blockchain Technology and Digital Assets; • Cashless Societies: Scaling Fin-Tech Solutions to Mainstream Impact; • Smart Infrastructure and the Future of Cities; • Google Innovation and Reinvention: The Intelligent Enterprise and the Experience Economy; • The Future of Work: Exploring the Technological Transformation of Industries; • Cyber Security and the New Paradigm of Everyday Life; • The Future of Health and Well-Being; and • Entrepreneurship and Innovation within the Digital Revolution.

Participants also attended workshops for start-ups and corporates on eGovernance, scaling and venture capital.

THE STAR

december 28, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

LOCAL

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1ST NATIONAL BANK LAUNCHES CALENDAR HONOURING CARNIVAL LEGENDS Power Your Journey at Sol The Sol Group, a member of the Parkland family, is the leading supplier of petroleum-based products and energy solutions across 22 territories in the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America.

Sol is an equal opportunity employer and we value safety, integrity, respect and community. As a dynamic and trusted partner, we are committed to doing things right. We are seeking individuals who embrace our mission, promise and values, and are eager to deliver creative solutions that fuel our communities.

T

he much-awaited 2020 Calendar for 1st National Bank has been launched.

This year the Bank has recognized the work and legacy of twelve Carnival legends and icons who blazed the trail and shaped this country’s most popular celebration into the phenomenal national spectacle it has become.

The annual calendar from 1st National Bank has become a major outlet for documenting the outstanding achievements of Saint Lucians in all fields of endeavour. These range from culture and entertainment to industry and enterprise, sports, women and community development.

The 2020 calendar focuses on Carnival and those who unselfishly devoted time, their talent and creativity to what has become Saint Lucia’s biggest cultural event. Robert Fevrier of 1st National Bank says the objective was to ensure that those who have contributed selflessly to carnival be celebrated and documented: “We are pleased once again to be the first corporate entity to engage a project of this unique nature, honouring in a single document the men and women who have blazed the trail in their individual areas of Carnival”

Fevrier says the process of research was quite a revelation: “Our country has many legends

and icons who have been, and are still, involved in Carnival.

Our challenge was to have criteria that would narrow down the field to twelve persons to fit within the natural space of a twelve-month calendar.

As such, we decided to look at those who were either first in terms of their contribution or those who stood above the crowd in terms of awards. We are happy to overcome the challenge of selection and have presented a wonderful mix of the past and present, men and women, young and old across the many aspects of Carnival”.

Those honoured in the 2020 1st National Bank Icons and Legends of Carnival calendar were pleased to have their achievements documented for posterity. The calendar celebrates the following icons: McGriffin Pancras Theodore, "Mighty Terra": National ‘Kaiso’ trailblazer, first and only to win eight consecutive titles; Regina Edwards: dress designer to the Carnival Queens; Leonard Wellington, "Scrub": Pan maestro extraordinaire; Trevor Anthony, "Jah T": modernizer of Calypso composition, first major exponent of Creole Kaiso; Euralis Ethel Therese Bouty: first female president of the Carnival Development Committee; Antonius Gibson, "Secra":

Mas maker extraordinaire, first mega band owner and creator in Carnival history; Desmond Long, "Mighty Pep": Caribbean Kaiso maestro, eight-time Calypso Monarch of the modern era; Martina Francis, "Lady Spice": Saint Lucia’s most flamboyant and controversial female Calypsonian, first female Calypso Monarch; Norma Beaubrun: first Carnival Queen; Agnes Louis, "Black Pearl": exponent of Creole Kaiso, first female Socal Monarch; Teddyson John "TJ": Saint Lucia’s foremost Soca Ambassador, first Groovy Soca Monarch; Jeff Eyre Elva "The Mighty Pelay": prolific Calypso writer and performer, first Soca Monarch.

The 2020 1st National Bank calendar marks an outstanding year for the Bank which started in 1938 as the Penny Bank.

Just a few months ago it was judged the Business of the Year by the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce and recognised by the internationally-acclaimed financial magazine The Banker of London as the “Bank of the Year Saint Lucia” for 2019. And as recent as a few days ago it announced its agreement in principle to fully acquire the operations of RBC Saint Lucia and St Vincent and a stake in RBC Grenada.

Sol has an immediate vacancy for the following position:

OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR The requirements for this position include, but are not limited to, responsibility for local distribution operations including receipt, storage and distribution of packed and bulk products by road transport to customer or to subsidiary depots, maintenance of all retail, commercial, marine and LPG customer assets, installation of LPG bulk facilities, fueling logistics to the depot and day-to-day assistance with construction projects.

Ideally, a first degree or higher, national diploma in a technical subject area with greater than five (5) years relevant experience at supervisory level within a distribution operation. A basic knowledge of industrial HSSE requirements, excellent and effective verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills; and proficiency in Microsoft Office are definite requirements.

Requirements also include demonstrated professionalism, integrity, reliability, passion and teamwork, and the ability to manage flawlessly multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

For more information or to apply for this position, please visit our website at www.solpetroleum.com. Application forms must be downloaded and submitted along with your CV via email to careers@solpetroleum.com on or before January 10, 2020.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Sol people BUILD • Sol people OWN • Sol people LEAD • Sol people DELIVER

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DECEMBER 28, 2019 THE STAR

A Word To Our Power

Hands Off The Na

H

wa is thet mei thet hors wettrien the him self nule drinken. Read aloud, sounds like Greek, doesn’t it?

German, even. Gobbledygook?

Believe it or not my opening line first appeared in English Homilies in 1175. It is the single oldest English proverb still in use today. Then there’s the easier understood version from John Heywood’s 1546 proverbs collection: “A man maie well bring a horse to the water but he can not make him drinke without he will.”

Fascinating, isn’t it? The English language, I mean. As for the proverb itself, I wouldn't bank on its potency in this day and time when it seems all things are possible, depending on who says so and to whom.

Some here will swear on the lives of their several baby mamas that they witnessed, as they strolled past the recently completed public Square in Soufriere at two in the morning, a bolom pick up a parked truck and hurl it in the manner of Thor to the top of Gros Piton.

Or that they had seen running in the recent National Day sweepstakes horses earlier pronounced dead by well respected local veterinarians whose names they had vowed never to reveal. (For those yet to read Father Lambert St. Rose’s riveting accounts of his supernatural encounters: A bolom is a homeless fetus understandably possessed of a vile disposition and unlimited strength. And just in case you’re wondering, the good Father is

alive and well and still turning out Netflix-worthy stories despite having wrestled a bolom or two.)

As mindboggling as are such tales, the inventors are somehow able to convince even the more celebrated brains on this rock of sages of their veracity, to the extent that they experience no discomfort repeating them to ever accommodating Andre Paul on What Makes You Mad. In these Trumpian times of miracles and wonder, when more than a few of us believe dead thoroughbreds can gallop at hair-ripping speeds, who will say for certain that you can’t lead a horse to a long dried up river and watch him self nule drinken!

It’s simply impossible to determine these days what is or is not believable, or how people will react to what’s in front of them. Hardly had the cover of last Saturday’s STAR appeared online than the discombobulating fantastical comments started appearing.

Among the more fascinating: “Replace Chastanet with a picture of Jesus. What’s the difference?”

Non sequitur, you say?

A juiced-up antichrist grinch gone bonkers? I promise you, dear reader, it’s about to get weirder. But first, a recap for the benefit of those who may have missed the previous edition of this newspaper featuring an item centered on a devilish meme that could have been concocted only by a particularly

repugnant racist, a deranged power seeker—or one of those nameless non-nationals in our midst referenced by a sweating Ernest Hilaire during the widely monitored most recent general elections in Dominica.

What evidently inspired the devil meme was a harmless photograph of two brothers, both minors, posing happily together with the country’s prime minister at the recent Pitons Races. In the picture, posted online, everyone is appropriately attired for a day of outdoor fun.

For purposes unfathomable to regular minds, an unknown miscreant artist had doctored then reposted the picture with the boys now shirtless and muddy, iron collars and chains around their necks. The prime minister’s image was left unedited. So too the happy faces of the two minors.

Last Saturday I took the unknown meme maker to task. Accompanying my piece was the obnoxious item, but with the boys’ faces rendered unrecognizable—not only to spare the minors and their parents further embarrassment but also because of universal child abuse laws and others relating to the publication of obscene and racist depictions.

Now that you’re in the loop, dear reader, perhaps you’d like to take a shot at what may have inspired the earliermentioned antichrist reaction.

In any event, you’ve been warned: this story gets more

twisted. An overseas reader and son of the soil opened the batting with a phone call early Saturday morning: “What kind of monsters is Helen producing these days?”

“Monsters?” I asked.

And he said: “What else but a grimy swamp creature would do this? I’m ashamed even to discuss it with Caribbean friends out here, let alone with guys at my golf club who are used to hearing me brag about the fairest isle of all the earth. How do I speak in the same breath about Botham Jean’s little brother and that aberration?”

“Oh,” I chuckled, “you’re talking about that business at Marigot last weekend. Well, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it appeared in . . .”

He cut me short. “Marigot my ass. Drunks at least have an excuse for their pig behavior.

But we’re talking about kids, man. Minors. How could anyone manipulate a picture in this way? Who does this?”

Suddenly the British singer Max Bygraves sounded in my head. “When it comes to politics,” I said, “fings ain’t wot they used to be. Not even in God’s country where recently the antisocial media scored the resignation of a California Congresswoman, while the leader of the free world lives for the slightest opportunity to ‘grab ‘em by the pussy!’ ”

The overseas caller and I have long been friends.

We share a penchant for understatement, sailor humor and biting sarcasm. Not so on Saturday. “Quit shitting around,” he said, not a little agitated.

“These are grown-ups you’re talking about. Guys three times married who invite Russian hookers to pee on them.

Politicians are free to carry on like monkeys in heat. But we’re supposed to protect kids. Not put them online like dogs with

Local politicians, even with the best intentions, must be people. Internet miscreants can turn even the mo those portrayed. (Pictured: Allen Chastanet differently-abled chi

collars around their necks. Man, I gotta go, I can’t talk now, I’ll call you later.”

Over the next several hours I took more calls from folks I believed had long ago expired. Some were fearful their commitment to the Red Zone might be at risk should it leak we were on speaking terms.

I offer two samples of their

shared concerns:

“I hope you don’t think that damn picture in your paper had anything to do with the Labour Party.

I know how your mind works. Next thing you’ll be telling people on TV that Pip’s behind it.”

I reassured him. “The Philip J. Pierre I know would never stoop so low,” I said. “It’s some of you who want to turn him into a George Odlum

THE STAR

DECEMBER 28, 2019

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13

er Hungry Politicians:

Nation’s Children!

, must be careful about pictures that place them in the company of young en the most innocent photographs into tools by which to embarrass hastanet at the Prime Minister's residence, handing out gifts to abled children at a party in their honor.)

that existed only At the Rainbow’s Edge.”

There was no reaction. I dug my thorn deeper into his side.

“Actually, there’s a chance the slave picture was commissioned by someone desperately seeking to impress Kenny,” I teased. “But if not the Labour Party’s dirty tricks department, then where else could it have come from? The ONE guy

can barely string three words together, let alone use sophisticated image-altering software.”

He rediscovered his voice, coughed: “You tryin’ to say it have something to do with Mondayzod? Why you eh saying is one ah dem fellas that promise last year dey was goin’ to cross the floor and then dey get some big Christmas money to change their mind?”

I let that lying fleabag sleep, feigned confusion: “Mondays odd? What’s so odd about Mondays, anyway?

Who the hell is Mondays Odd?”

He gurgled again: “Rick Wayne, boy, you eh changin’

at-all-at-all-at-all. You gon die so.

Have a blessed day.”

Sample Two: “I tellin’ you straight. Anyone do dat to my child I drawin’ pictures on their chest.”

He paused, snorted before adding: “You know I is de kinda artist does use cutlass as paint brush, eh? Like Jallim Eudovic. Jwé épi mwen pas jwé épi ich mwen—“Mess with me, don’t mess with my kids!”

I’ve saved the best for last: a call from a once upon a time shopping arcade jester, notorious now for his often bizarro postulations and farout conspiracy theories. He started typically. “Whenever something like this happens,” he said, referencing the devil meme, “a bunch of well organized UWP hacks come together to accuse me on Unitedpac of all kinds of things I know nothing about.

I can take it. I know how to fire back.

You want to hear something? I found that meme quite disappointing.”

“Disappointing is the least of it,” I said. “To use kids in that way is illegal in every civilized country.

It also reeks of racism. Pots calling kettles white!”

He disagreed. Politicians all over the world use kids in their campaigns, he insisted, and cited as evidence leaders of political organizations here and abroad.

He turned without signaling: “What about the two youths on your show that said they wanted to shoot Kenny Anthony?”

I set him back on track: The defaced minors in the offensive meme were with their parents at the National Day races when they bumped into the prime minister.

Their mother asked him to pose with her two little boys. As for the young men who had appeared on my show some four years ago, one was in his late 20s. The other had just turned 19. Only the last mentioned had referenced the day’s prime minister—and only after I asked him how his unemployed friends were coping with the difficult times. His answer was that most of them were frustrated, to the point that one had called him to moan about being broke and unemployed for more than a year, with a jobless girlfriend and

baby to care for. Several weeks before the TV episode another former schoolmate of his had told my guest during a phone conversation that he sometimes felt like picking up a gun when the prime minister was talking his talk at the Castries market and . . .

The resultant outrage was fabricated. My guest had said nothing that was not already well known. According to a 2002 World Bank Report on Caribbean Youth Development, “A large number of at-risk Saint Lucian youth feel excluded from decision making in the development of the country and even from their own communities. In addition, at-risk youth, especially males from ghettoes, are branded and socially excluded because of the communities in which they reside, further promoting their isolation. Feelings of rage are prevalent among youth . . .”

The day following my recalled TV show the headline hunters from the various media outlets were scrambling over each other in their haste to underscore the host’s demonstrated poor judgment.

Especially busy were the more adventurous of the Red Zone’s activists. To his credit, when interviewed the prime minister said he was not unduly disturbed by the reported threat on his life, it was all par for the course, he’d been threatened several times before. But then that was hardly enough to deter overzealous cops from stopping and searching my young guest at every opportunity.

I reminded my caller that all the two minors featured in the disturbing meme had done was pose for a picture with their country’s prime minister on National Day. From their vantage, the prime minister was just another celebrity at a historic event—never mind that some with their eyes on public office had sought desperately to

turn a horse race into some kind of referendum.

Still my caller didn’t get it.

He insisted on reminding me that the current prime minister had once referred to his predecessor as “massa,” something he said no other prime minister before him had ever done, and racist.

Again I set him on course: In 1997 this was how a retired John Compton had explained to the media his unexpected return to front-line partisan politics: “I did not spend most of my life fighting the Barnards only to have another one take this country back to the time of sugarcane plantations. Massa day done!”

(Kenny Anthony’s father was the Englishman and local plantation owner named David Barnard. For reasons proffered by the former prime minister himself that I need not revisit, and unlike his siblings, Kenny Anthony had chosen to dissociate himself from the Barnard family name.)

As for the claim that Chastanet had once used the word “massa” at a press conference, that was only half true. The date, May 18, 2016.

Chastanet was in election mode criticizing a government policy he said reflected “a massa mentality.” What is undeniable is that when Chastanet still worked in the private sector a newspaper correspondent and committed Red Zoner had often egregiously referenced Chastanet’s skin tone.

The “massa” word was tossed at Chastanet more times than he’d had hot dinners, to borrow another old English cliché.

Regrettably, such exchanges among politicians, however offensive and indicative of a toad’s character, have long been the norm here—in our House and elsewhere. Permitting innocent children to be cannibalized by unconscionable power hungry jackals speaks volumes, not only about our more contemptible politicians but also about their cowardly aiders and abettors!

My caller concurred—I think!

14 local

www.stluciastar.com

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds stop off in St Lucia on first day of their holiday

B

oris Johnson and Carrie Symonds stopped off in St Lucia on Thursday to meet the Caribbean island's prime minister before jetting the final stretch of their journey to the celebrity enclave of Mustique for a luxury-laced retreat. Emerging slightly dishevelled and weary from the long-haul flight, the Prime Minister mustered a thumbs up as he wrapped an arm around his St Lucian counterpart Allen Chastanet, who congratulated him on his thumping election victory.

Beaming British Airways cabin crew also squeezed around the two leaders for a picture on the steps of the airplane which touched down on Boxing Day.

Mr Chastanet yesterday said: "Today we welcomed British PM Boris Johnson to Saint Lucia for a short layover.

I thanked the PM for his country's continued support to our country and the region and of course took the opportunity to once again offer my heartiest congratulations on his hardwon and well-deserved victory in the recent election. We look forward to working more closely together on our countries' shared mutual interests."

With a bag slung over his shoulder, the PM emerged from the plane wearing a dark suit jacket and trousers to meet the St Lucia leader.

But he is expected to leave all formal government duties at the door of his £20,000-a-week Caribbean villa where he and 31-year-old girlfriend will toast in the New Year and celebrate keeping the keys to Number 10.

Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds—who was not pictured in St Lucia—are now understood to have arrived at Mustique to get some winter sun and relax after a tough month criss-crossing the country on the campaign trail.

The couple, whose relationship has been under the spotlight since he became Tory leader in July, were hardly seen together during the

END OF YEAR STATEMENT

BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) HONOURABLE ALLEN CHASTANET PRIME MINISTER OF SAINT LUCIA

S

Prime Ministers Boris Johnson (left) and Allen Chastanet.

election. In the aftermath of his win, Mr Johnson has still not had chance to put his feet up, instead ramming through his Queen's Speech bills and Brexit withdrawal deal. Yet, still flying high from storming to the largest Conservative majority since Margaret Thatcher, he and Ms Symonds will finally recharge their batteries on Mustique.

Famed for its white-sand beaches, the exclusive island in the archipelago nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines is a favourite of the rich and famous, with Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger owning property on the island. The extraordinary six-bedroom villa is perched on the hilltops of Mustique, giving resplendent views of the island.

The couple will be staying with the Von Bismark family who are descended from the first German chancellor Otto Von

Bismark, but it is not clear who will be picking up the bill.

The island is also a favourite of the Royal Family, with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall having holidayed there as well as Princess Margaret who was gifted land on the island as a wedding present.

She was famously photographed in 1976 with Roddy Llewellyn while still married to Lord Snowden, which caused a major royal scandal.

In recent years, prime ministers have tended to take more low-key holidays with Theresa May enjoying walking holidays in Wales with husband Philip, and David Cameron and his family often holidaying in Cornwall. But Mr Johnson is clearly in the mood for a more luxury retreat after securing his passage back to No10 with a thumping Tory majority.

----Daily Mail

december 28, 2019 THE STAR

eason’s Greetings to all, and may you enjoy the festivities in the spirit of togetherness that is the hallmark of family and community.

Our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) exemplifies that spirit, when we celebrate our achievements in different fields of endeavour and when we stand in solidarity with those who are faced with adverse circumstances.

We celebrated with the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines as they recorded an overwhelming vote at the United Nations to sit on the Security Council in the coming year. It engendered great pride in both the country and CARICOM, demonstrating that there is still space at the highest global forum for us as small states.

We stood solidly at the side of the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco in the Bahamas as they were ravaged by Hurricane Dorian.

It was heart-wrenching for me to witness first-hand the aftermath of that catastrophe which claimed many lives and demolished property and infrastructure. However, it was heart-lifting to see the response as, once again, the other Members of the Community, both individually and regionally, rallied to the support of a sister state in distress, under the direction of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

It was another reminder of the effects of climate change which our Region continues to experience with devastating consequences.

It made all the more relevant the Castries Call for Collective Commitment and Action on Sustainable Development, adopted by Heads of Government, which signalled the Community’s support

for continued international cooperation and collaboration to address global climate change and provide adequate resources to assist in the achievement of sustainable development.

As we enjoy ourselves over the season let us not neglect our responsibility to maintain the environment. Let us, for example, take heed of the global anti-plastic campaign which includes avoiding the use of plastic bags, single-use plastics and Styrofoam. Taking care of the environment is one element in building our resilience to mitigate the threats posed by climate change and other issues which threaten to derail our development efforts.

We continue to build our economic resilience with the CSME as its cornerstone. We are seeking to ensure that its benefits are enjoyed by all our people. Steps that we have taken will benefit families and businesses.

Families that move with skilled nationals taking up jobs in other Member States can have access to social services such as primary health care and education up to secondary school level on the same basis as nationals. An agreement that allows for open bidding on government contracts among all participating CSME countries opens a market estimated to be close to one billion US dollars for the private sector including small and medium enterprises.

We have also moved to institutionalise the relationship between the Councils of our Community, the private sector and labour with the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) being designated as Associate Institutions of the Community. It is critical for the two organisations to work in harmony if there is to be sustained progress in advancing the CSME.

The strengthening of our

internal arrangements and our actions in concert have been critical in our attempts to minimise threats to the viability of our economies and financial sector, such as those posed by blacklisting and denial of correspondent banking. The disruption to daily life and commercial transactions by those actions is a significant fetter to stability and prosperity.

We took up this challenge head-on with the help of Romania in the European Union (EU) with respect to blacklisting and with the assistance of Congresswoman Maxine Waters in the United States, in regard to correspondent banking.

Our outreach to the international community is an important element as we seek to win friends and influence outcomes in global fora that would advance our interests. The Prime Minister of India, the Honourable Narendra Modi; the Prime Minister of Norway, Honourable Erna Solberg; the President of Estonia, Her Excellency Kersti Kaljulaid; and the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), His Excellency António Guterres, all engaged with us on climate change, the difficulty in accessing development financing and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), in particular.

I must thank my colleague Heads of Government, and the Secretary-General and his staff for their support during my tenure as Chair of the Community and I assure my successor, the Honourable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, of my fullest support.

The future of our Community is as bright as the season we are celebrating.

THE STAR

december 28, 2019

local

www.stluciastar.com

15

SALCC Gives Back to the Community S

taff and students of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College found some creative ways to give back during the festive season. On Saturday December 14, students and staff participated in a tree-planting

exercise with the Department of Forestry. Two hundred fruitbearing trees were planted in support of sustainable livelihood and land management. The treeplanting exercise took place in Richfond, Dennery.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE METHODIST COMMUNITY IN SAINT LUCIA structures in order to have strong families to help to minimize some superintendent Ministerof the ills in society that confront Methodist Church in St. Lucia us.

Circuit.

Let me pay special tribute n-behalf of the Methodist to our security personnel for community in Saint Lucia, their hard work and dedication I wish everyone a Merry to service during the course Christmas. May Christmas be of the year, even in the midst more than a holiday for you; we of challenges associated with pray it will be a celebration of their work. Let me also thank Jesus, who is the reason for the our national leaders, from both season. Be reminded that in the midst of this uncertainty in which parties, for how far they have led us in a peaceful atmosphere and we find ourselves as a society we encourage them to continue and as individuals, Christmas is to work together as a team to a time of peace, goodwill, love, shape the destiny of our nation fellowship and happiness. in a right way. So as we look

During the course of the forward to the New Year, let us year, we are not only aware of resolve to recommit ourselves the many troubles, conflicts, fighting, fears and deaths, but we to the values we share as people. Let us avoid negative are also conscious of the love, and unproductive practices joy, peace, comfort and warm that would prevent our nation fellowship we have shared with from growing. We must let our our Lord and with each another light shine as workers, traders, as people.

There are some of us who no businessmen and women or as professionals. The future of our doubt will be thinking about the nation is in our own destiny, let us loved ones we have lost during all strive to eliminate the canker the year, whether by natural or of indiscipline and anti-social violent causes. Many of us, due to various reasons, will be unable acts. This will lend support to the to spend Christmas with families. national development efforts of our country.

It could be that you are working;

As people, let us resolve providing sensitive public or to put our trust in God and not emergency services; or because your family is abroad. I encourage in mortals. The idea that we are our brother’s and sister’s keeper you to create a family setting to should encourage us to treat include those around you. Let us others as we would want to be remember that families form the basis of society and if our families treated. Let us care for the sick, feed the hungry, and welcome the are healthy, the society will also be healthy. As we approach a new stranger, no matter where they year, I encourage all of us to focus come from, or how they differ from us. on the re-building of our family

By Rev. Seth Ampadu,

O

The message of Christmas must encourage all of us to put an end to all moral ills; it is time to turn our backs to dishonesty, indecency, bribery and corruption, indiscipline, disrespect for our elders, intemperate language, violence and vengeance.

Christmas must help us to channel our efforts towards healing the wounds of division in our communities, reconciling broken families, reuniting communities, settling disputes among people of different political persuasions and religious faiths.

Next year, as we get closer to our national elections the political “temperature will be high”, so we appeal to both our political parties to be circumspect in their dealings with each other in order not to inflame passions.

We also appeal to the government to continue assiduously to make sure that the health situation in the country be fixed to provide quality health care for the people in Saint Lucia.

May we also take out violence from our roads through careful driving and give every user of the road a right to travel safely. Remember, with God as our Leader, may we be prepared to live another year under His guidance. Make it a point to start each day of the New Year we are about to enter with a prayer and God’s Word. Do not be afraid to face life. I encourage you not to take with you the memories of the past, but let them serve as your guide to keep moving on in your journey.

Students and teachers placed down their learning utensils to engage in a tree-planting exercise.

In the spirit of giving, students from the various clubs on campus came together to bring smiles to the faces of the infant students at Ciceron Primary School on Monday December 9 when they brought goodies for the children's Christmas party.

The chants of 'ice-cream, ice-cream' could be heard throughout the school compound as the SALCC students walked

in bearing goodies of ice-cream, candy canes, juices, water and other snacks.

The infant students were so excited that their principal had to concede to allowing the SALCC crew to serve them ice-cream before their party, which was slated for the next day.

Members of Lewis House held a collection drive of toys, clothing, shoes and books for children of The Holy Family

Children's Home in Ciceron.

Thirteen boxes of goods were delivered to the Home on Thursday December 12 by a representative group of Lewis House including the captain Desray Desir who made the official presentation.

The staff and students of Lewis House spent some time interacting with the children who were very happy for the company.

JOIN OUR TEAM!!!

The Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited (WLBL) and DuBoulay’s Bottling Company Limited (DBC) invites talented and enthusiastic professionals to apply for the following position: LOGISTICS OPERATOR The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring stock inventory is accurately taken and reported, operating a forklift to move, locate, relocate and stack both raw materials and finished goods. The Logistics Operator will also accountable for the safe and efficient operation of the Fork truck vehicle and will be required to perform stock counts, order filler and order verification duties.

Key Job Responsibilities:  Accurate and timely recording of incoming and outgoing stock and perform scheduled inventory checks.  Pick mixed pallets, handle blocked pallets and market returns and scrap materials according to procedures and instructions, ensuring FIFO and FEFO are 100% observed.  Ability to utilize a computer to enter receipts, movements and finished goods into the associated software.  Receive, sort, store, repair, scrap and issue Returnable Packaging Material (RPM)  Perform daily inspections and CILTS on forklift truck and ensure that fork truck is in good working condition.  Ensure all aspects of 5s and TPM methodologies are fully embedded in day-to-day Warehouse and Logistics activities. All goods are placed in the proper position; and safely stacked in the warehouse.  Initiate actions to improve in safety, warehousing processes, assets, stock quality and/or inventory management.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE  Diploma or Associate Degree  At least four years’ experience in a similar role  Valid endorsed driver’s license SKILLS Strong initiative  Inventory Management Skills  Team oriented  Adept in the use of Microsoft Office applications  Ability to grow within the organization  Interested applicants should apply by submitting an updated CV with certified copies of relevant qualifications and three listed references as follows:

By E-mail preferred: Email Titled “LOGISTICS OPERATOR to recruitment@wlbl.lc

By Mail:

“LOGISTICS OPERATOR” Windward & Leeward Brewery Limited P O Box 237, Vieux Fort

For further details on this employment opportunity, visit our website at http://www.wlbldbc.lc or https://careers.theheinekencompany.com/SaintLucia/?locale=en_GB Deadline for Submission is Monday January 6, 2020.

Please note that only suitable applications will be acknowledged.

16 regional

www.stluciastar.com

december 28, 2019 THE STAR

Christmas at home in Trinidad for boys held in Isis caliphate H

ouses and malls in the Trinidadian capital Port of Spain are festively decorated for Christmas, and local parang carols drift from radios and television sets.

Mahmud and Ayyub Ferreira, now 12 and eight, have been taking it all in with wonder. The boys are part of the island’s Muslim community, but have been enjoying the celebrations both in the city and at their mixedreligion school. To their mother, Felicia Perkins-Ferreira, it seems unthinkable that, just a year ago, the children were facing another bitter winter alone in Syria, where they had been stranded since their father abducted them and left Trinidad to join Islamic State in 2014.

Their remarkable journey home in January began after the Guardian tracked down the boys’ family in Trinidad. Human rights lawyers stepped in to help them obtain emergency

travel documents and then Roger Waters of the rock band Pink Floyd offered the use of his private jet to facilitate PerkinsFerreira’s brave journey into Kurdish-held Syria to retrieve her sons from a displacement camp.

Now they’re home, the brothers are recovering well.

Ayyub likes cricket and Mahmud has gone back to playing football; he also likes art and has just been made a class prefect. Ayyub is adapting to his new Englishlanguage school; his form teacher loves him and says his grasp of the language is improving.

The boys adore their halfsister, Baiyyeenah, five, who had only just been born when they were taken to Syria, as well as their 12-year-old stepbrother, Siddiq, and all four regularly crowd around their mother while she reads a story or they look at a tablet screen to obsess over Roblox online video games.

Perkins-Ferreira herself has

recently completed a college diploma and is about to open her own physical therapy business.

She is aware of how lucky her family is to be reunited.

“Bringing the boys back was overwhelming,” she said in a recent phone call from the family home in Petit Valley, a suburb of Port of Spain. “I thank God for them every day and pray for the families who are still stuck there.”

The Ferreiras’ happiness after years spent apart and filled with danger and uncertainty throws into sharp relief the fate of the 7,000 foreign children of Isis fighters still languishing in Kurdish-run camps in Syria.

Since Mahmud and Ayyub were rescued earlier this year, the so-called caliphate has fallen, leading to an exodus of around 60,000 women and children who were unwilling or unable to leave the last slivers of the jihadists’ territory.

Almost all of them are

now being held at the infamous al-Hawl camp, where a lack of adequate shelter, healthcare and educational facilities, as well as the persistence of Isis’s toxic ideology, has created what Kurdish officials and foreign diplomats describe as a “timebomb waiting to go off”.

At least 409 children have died since arriving at the camp, mostly as a result of malnutrition and disease. Now winter has set in again, there are fears of hypothermia for infants, and residents are forced to dig up the mud or frozen ground to keep food and any important belongings from rats. The camp’s radical core cannot be controlled by the outnumbered guards, making murders and beatings increasingly commonplace.

Among the residents are 25 Trinidadian women and 71 children whom the government has so far refused to help.

Mahmud and Ayyub are the only

documented Trinidadian children to escape Syria to date.

While Trinidad is guilty of dragging its feet on repatriation, the tiny country is following the example of states with far more resources and international muscle that have also refused to address the issue, such as the UK. Only three British orphans have been returned home from Syria so far out of an estimated 60 UK national children trapped there.

Those not as lucky as Mahmud and Ayyub are living on borrowed time. In October, Turkey made good on a long-standing threat to attack Kurdish-led forces in Syria that Ankara views as terrorists, plummeting the area into fresh chaos and jeopardising the fragile status quo at alHawl. On the border, intermittent fighting continues despite a nominal Russian-brokered ceasefire.

Her children have come home but Perkins-Ferreira is

helping other affected families lobby the Trinidadian government and offering support and advice for families across the world.

She talks frankly about the difficulties she has faced since the boys returned, including fighting off attempts by the state to take them into care.

Watching her sons cry for their father, her ex-husband, Abebe Oboi Ferreira, has been particularly painful. He has been missing since the Isis-held city of Raqqa fell in 2017, which is when the boys ended up in Kurdish custody after being found on the side of a road.

All the same, she says, they have a real future now. “There’s plenty of love in this house and room for them to grow up. When he built this house my current husband made sure there were two extra bedrooms for Mahmud and Ayyoub. He always said they’d come back. We are so lucky.”

---The Guardian

I do not shy away from the rape conversation – PM Gonsalves

P

rime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said on Monday that despite being accused of rape, he does not shy away from talking about incidents of rape and sexual assault. And, persons who have accused him of avoiding the rape conversation are partisan political and are not being truthful.

The Prime Minister made these comments while a guest on BOOM FM’s OMG in the Morning radio program with Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph.

Joseph had asked Gonsalves if his alleged silence on these matters has anything to do with him having been accused of

rape in 2008. “I am glad you raised this issue,” Gonsalves told Joseph. He said that a rape allegation was made against him in a private criminal complaint, following which the matter was referred to then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin Williams.

“The DPP asked for the evidence, the information, the statement and everything, and on a review on what was given to the DPP, he made a determination that there is nothing there to prosecute Ralph on,” Gonsalves said.

He said the lawyers of the woman who was accusing him took the matter to the High Court and a female judge ruled that

the DPP was correct. Gonsalves added that the matter moved from the High Court to the Court of Appeal and a three-member panel of judges also said that DPP was correct.

“They tried to carry the case before the president of the Family Court, amounting really to a form of private prosecutorial harassment, and the president of the Family Court says that this application ‘I’m not entertaining because it’s frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court.'

“The person in question, the complainant, fired her lawyers and said she didn’t give them

instructions to proceed to the Family Court,” said Gonsalves who added that the lawyers had a public falling out.

“People don’t talk about these things . . . ”

He said a civil case was brought against him in the High Court, for which he filed a defence, but that case was also dropped by the complainant.

He added that when he hears people talk about his rape allegation, they don’t talk about it as an allegation but as a fact.

He said he has spoken out on violence against women, both in public and in parliament, “on the issues of sexual assaults,

indecent assault, rape, the whole gamut of things, but it is not every instance of it that I speak about it in the same way in relation to others”.

He noted that recently at the launch of the Police Records Management Information System (PRMIS), he delivered an important piece on the police and citizen security. In relation to persons saying that there is an upsurge in sexual crimes, and that is because “the head is rotten”, Gonsalves said that he does not agree with that way of thinking. “I don’t accept that the head is rotten, and there is no evidence that that is the case.”

He said in partisan political circles, he has been accused of many forms of misbehaviour including accepting bribes and murder. He added that the accusations were made since he has been in office, but he was still re-elected, and this shows what people think.

“There are people who would want to use everything to see if they chop Ralph down,” said Gonsalves who stressed that the government has implemented many measures to fight sex crimes including the setting up of the Sexual Offences Unit (SOU).

---Searchlight

THE STAR december 28, 2019

REGIONAL

www.stluciastar.com

17

Guyana begins Oil Production Ahead of Schedule G

uyana has begun commercial exploration from the Liza field offshore Guyana, with President David Granger declaring December 20 as National Petroleum Day.

In a radio and television broadcast last Friday, Granger said he had been “advised that petroleum production is about to begin, three months ahead of the original schedule,” adding, “Guyana has become a petroleum-producing state”.

He said that in proclaiming National Petroleum Day, it is hoped it would serve as a reminder of the duty to protect Guyana’s patrimony and to ensure the sustainable management of finite hydrocarbon resources.

“Petroleum production will be a transformative process in the country’s economic development. The petroleum sector will stimulate increased employment and expand services,” he told the nation, urging collaboration in building a prosperous Guyana.

President David Granger (pictured) has declared all Guyanese stand to benefit as petroleum production begins.

Granger said the government will unveil a ‘Decade of Development, 20202029’ aimed at ensuring that petroleum resources will be utilised to provide the ‘good life’ for all.

“The ‘Decade’ is a 10-year plan to intensify development and improve citizens’ quality of life. Every Guyanese will benefit from petroleum production. No one will be left behind. Your government has taken steps to

safeguard the national interest,” Granger said.

He assured that any withdrawals from the fund “will follow a balanced approach, prioritising investment in public education, public health, public

infrastructure, public security, social protection and other social services, and will support private sector development.”

He reminded citizens that steps have been taken to safeguard the national interest, first with the establishment of the Department of Energy to manage the country’s hydrocarbon resources and build the institutional, legislative and regulatory capacity to manage this sector effectively.

He said the National Assembly this year passed the Natural Resource Fund Act, which will ensure Guyanese benefit from the oil resource wealth while ensuring these revenues are managed in a transparent and accountable manner. Granger stated that petroleum production has brought the prospects of a higher quality of life closer to households and neighbourhoods across Guyana and it is a momentous event.

“Guyana’s future is brighter with the beginning of ‘first

oil’. The ‘good life’ for everyone beckons. Let us work together to build a happy and prosperous country for the present and future generations,” the president said.

From May 2015 to September 2019 there have been 16 oil finds in Guyana’s waters. Of these, 14 are by the US-based oil giant ExxonMobil with the other two by UK-based oil company Tullow Oil. While oil production began Friday, the first million barrels— ExxonMobil’s first entitlement— are not expected to be shipped to one of its refineries until January 2020.

Guyana’s first three million barrels are also expected to be shipped off to an international oil refinery of its choice. ExxonMobil and Guyana’s entitlements are to be refined to remove all contaminants and set a standard that will attract the best Brent crude price.

Commercial oil production from the Liza 1 field is pegged at 120,000 barrels per day.

---Jamaica Observer

A

Breathalyzer soon here so don’t drink, drive,’ BRSA warns

car crash early Sunday that claimed the life of a 37-year-old man and seriously injured a husband and wife has prompted road safety advocate Sharmane Roland Bowen to appeal for alcoholfree driving over the holidays ahead of the introduction of blood-alcohol testing.

Sharmane Roland-Bowen, the head of the Barbados Road Safety Association (BRSA) told Barbados TODAY that while she expected people to consume alcohol during the festive season, motorists must nonetheless avoid drinking and driving.

With the death of Michael McClean, Barbados has recorded 11 too many road deaths this year, she declared.

Roland-Bowen said: “We are

at that time of the year where people are driving tired, people are driving under the influence, people are speeding and we want to advise persons to be cautious and to recognise that though it is not always you at fault, there are others on the road that we drive among who may be distracted and driving.

So we need to look out for those persons on the roads too.

Please, if you know you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.”

The BRSA president also reminded drivers that there were just days until January 1 when breathalyzer testing is to begin.

Roland-Bowen, who said she looked forward to the new law which she hopes would discourage drunk-driving,

indicated that drivers need to remember that alcohol leads to impaired judgment. She said: “It makes you take risks, it makes you feel over-confident that you can get things done and, when you take the risks, some of them dangerous, you know what could happen.

“Remember, it is not about you driving alone and swerving from lane to lane, it is about your ability to think.

Alcohol affects your thinking and makes you make poor decisions when you are driving, which leads to accidents. So people need to take heed. We need people to take the last few days of the year to sober up in their thinking.”

McClean, of 1st Avenue Rockley, Christ Church, died on the spot as a result of

the accident, which occurred around 4 a.m. along Bennetts Road, St Thomas. Police reported that McClean was driving a Toyota Corolla, which collided with a blue BMW driven by former West Indies cricketer Courtney Browne, 49, of #23 Alleyndale, St Lucy. Browne was accompanied by his wife, Tricia, 47.

Courtney suffered a broken leg, while his wife complained of chest and lower abdominal pain. They were taken away by two ambulances to the QEH for medical attention. Two fire tenders responded along with 11 personnel. The ‘jaws of life’ were used to free trapped occupants from the wrecks.

---Barbados Today

Skerrit promises 5,000 resilient homes before end of new DLP term

P

rime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that five thousand resilient homes will be built before the end of the Dominica Labour Party’s (DLP) five years in office.

At the DLP’s victory rally at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium on December 21, Skerrit assured the general public that he will continue to work extremely hard on their behalf and voiced his commitment to build and achieve a “Dynamic Dominica”.

“I know we have done a lot for this country for the period of time but there is still a lot to be done in Dominica and, as I said to you on numerous occasions, I will not rest until every family has a decent home to call his and so, our commitment to build five thousand resilient homes will be achieved well before our five years is over,” Skerrit declared.

The prime minister encouraged his cabinet colleagues to stand and walk in humility for the people who, he said, have entrusted their future

in their hands. “This is a solemn responsibility and they must always show gratitude to you, the people of Dominica, for voting for them,” Skerrit stated.

Skerrit thanked his audience for “putting Dominica first “and ensuring that the DLP “secures the future of Dominica, their children and succeeding generations”.

“I get my energy from you, the Labourites, and I know that I have been, and continue to be, persecuted but I always knew the vast majority of Dominicans continue to pray for me on a daily basis and I was always comforted in the fact that I was never alone in my battle,” he said. He also advised Dominicans to stand united as a people to achieve the objectives and the goals that they have set for themselves.

Skerrit went on to invite what he described as the “leaderless” United Workers Party (UWP) to join the DLP to form one national party to work together for the greater good of Dominica.

---Dominica News Online

18 international

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december 28, 2019 THE STAR

Saudi Arabia sentences five to death for Khashoggi murder but clears three top officials S audi Arabia has sentenced five people to death for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi but cleared a former top adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a public prosecutor said Monday. There was no evidence against Saud alQahtani, Saudi Deputy Public Prosecutor Shaalan al-Shaalan announced in a televised press conference Monday. A court also dismissed charges against Ahmed al-Assiri, a former deputy intelligence chief, and Mohammed al-Otaibi, Saudi’s consul general in Istanbul when the murder took place, he said.

Al-Qahtani and al-Otaibi were sanctioned a year ago by the US Treasury for their alleged involvement in the murder. Both al-Qahtani and al-Assiri were part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s inner circle and were relieved of their duties in the immediate aftermath of Khashoggi’s killing in October 2018.

“Saud al-Qahtani was questioned by the public prosecution and was not charged because there was no

evidence against him,” al-Shaalan said.

Reading preliminary rulings for 11 people who have been investigated by Saudi Arabia, al-Shaalan said five others who took part in the murder had been sentenced to death.

Another three people face a total of 24 years in prison for covering up the murder and violating regulations. He did not reveal any of their names.

The murder drew international condemnation and the CIA concluded that bin Salman personally ordered the killing.

Riyadh’s version of events on October 2 have repeatedly shifted as new details have emerged but it has always maintained that neither bin Salman nor his father King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission—including 15 men sent from the Kingdom– could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard called Monday’s court rulings “anything but justice” in a

Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and royal insider-turned-critic, was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018.

series of posts on her official Twitter account. The UN expert previously found “sufficient credible evidence” that called for the Saudi Crown Prince to be investigated.

Callamard criticized the court’s conclusion that the killing was not premeditated, citing “the presence of a forensic doctor,” how the “defendants had repeatedly stated they were obeying

THE FUNNIES!

orders” and how the consul general “took all necessary precautions to ensure there will be no eye witness present.”

She added: “Bottom line: the hit-men are guilty, sentenced

to death. The masterminds not only walk free. They have barely been touched by the investigation and the trial. That is the antithesis of Justice. It is a mockery.”

Amnesty International blasted Monday’s verdict as “a whitewash” and accused Saudi officials of failing the slain journalist and his family.

“This verdict . . . brings neither justice nor the truth for Jamal Khashoggi and his loved ones. The trial has been closed to the public and to independent monitors, with no information available as to how the investigation was carried out,” Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director, said in a statement.

“The verdict fails to address the Saudi authorities’ involvement in this devastating crime or clarify the location of Jamal Khashoggi’s remains,” Maalouf added.

Turkey also said the Saudi findings left many unanswered questions.

---CNN

Venezuela’s currency: Worth more as craft paper than as money

A

long the cobblestoned streets of the coastal city of Santa Marta, demand for bolivares from Venezuela is skyrocketing, but not for the bills’ monetary value. Instead of using his homeland’s money to pay for daily essentials in his native country, Venezuelan immigrant Hector Cordero weaves the currency into wallets and purses, which he sells to tourists in Colombia.

His artful crafts underscore the creative methods that Venezuelans are using to extract value from a currency that— amid skyrocketing inflation— many consider worthless.

“These bolivares soberanos notes are worth nothing,” Cordero, who is from Caracas, told Al Jazeera. “The notes I use are not circulating any more since last year.”

Cordero uses about 70 notes of 100 bolivares each to handcraft a small coin purse, or 100 of the notes to make a larger wallet. A handbag can take up to 1,200 notes to produce. All in all, the artist incorporates 16 different denominations of Venezuelan currency into his crafts, many of

them the discontinued bolivares soberanos.

Cordero sells wallets made from hundreds or even thousands of bills of the now valueless currency for about $8; the handbags go for about $12.

He says most of his clients are European and North American tourists—people who want to take home a piece of what was once one of the strongest economies in South America.

He learned his technique by watching others in the streets of Caracas and by studying dozens of YouTube tutorials uploaded by fellow Venezuelans to teach people how to make what has become known as origami venezolano.

“When I run out of bolivares, my brother goes to Venezuela and brings more notes,” Cordero said. “People have a lot of these notes and we buy them. We give them what they ask for.” He explained that people in Venezuela exchange unworthy bolivares by the weight for other forms of currency, usually United States dollars, or for food. People also make the swap for highdenomination bolivares—bills

that still hold some dwindling value. The crafts help Cordero and his family get by in their temporary home in Colombia, but he dreams of returning to Venezuela some day.

“I hope things change in Venezuela. I want to go back.

There’s nothing like our country and I don’t feel comfortable living in another country,” he said. “The government has let everything break down. I’m only waiting for problems to get solved so I can go back to Venezuela.”

The Venezuelan government does not publish data related to inflation, but the Finance Commission of the opposition-controlled National Assembly calculated that inflation for October 2019 was 20.7 per cent and that cumulative inflation for 2019 was 4,035 per cent. Even so, those numbers may be very conservative. The International Monetary Fund estimates that inflation in Venezuela this year will reach 200,000 per cent and that the economy will contract by 35 per cent.

--Al Jazeera

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DECEMBER 28, 2019

KIM’S KORNER The Knee - Part 2: Understanding Ligament Injuries

L

igament injuries can happen to anyone but they are more common in those that play sports. Let’s firstly review exactly what a ligament is. Ligaments are short bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones together, increasing joint stability. Most ligament injuries can be as simple as a slight overstretch. However, in more serious cases, they can tear and cause damage to other structures surrounding the knee, for example, meniscus, cartilage and other ligaments.

Ligament injuries are graded according to their severity: Grade I sprain: the ligament has been slightly sprained and is able to keep the knee stable; Grade II sprain: the ligament is overstretched and becomes loose. This is often referred to as a partial tear.

Grade III sprain: a complete tear resulting in instability of the knee.

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Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): This runs on the inside of the knee; it limits rotation and prevents the inside of the knee opening up and the tibia moving inwards. Injuries usually occur when the foot is firmly planted and either twisting or a direct impact to the outside of the leg.

Depending on the severity of the injury the following symptoms may be present: • Tenderness but no instability (grades I and II) • Pain and swelling (grades II and III) • Instability (grade III) • Difficult bending knee (grade III).

Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): Located on the outside of the leg, it limits rotation and prevents the outside of the knee opening up. Damage usually occurs after a direct blow to the inside of the knee. The signs of injury are: • Swelling • Stiffness or locking of the knee • Tenderness on the outer aspect of the knee • Instability.

Treatment of all ligament injuries should focus on

excessive rotation. It can be the site of a common knee injury, especially for those playing high intensity sports that involve jumping, sudden stops, quick changes in direction and pivoting (turning) with the foot Ligaments of the Knee firmly planted, or a direct blow Anterior Cruciate Ligament from an impact or a tackle, (ACL): This is in the middle of such as in football, tennis and the knee, running diagonally from the front of the tibia to the basketball. The signs of injury are: back of the femur. It prevents the tibia (shin bone) from sliding • Popping sound • Swelling along the forward on the femur, and also

joint line • Tenderness • Instability • Inability to fully bend the knee • Difficulty walking, inability to bear weight with the feeling that the knee will give way.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): This works in tandem with the ACL and runs from the back of the tibia to the front of the femur. Together with

the ACL, it forms a cross and prevents the tibia from moving backwards on the femur.

Injury to the PCL occurs less frequently than ACL injuries and is usually as a result of an impact below the knee, as in a car accident or a falling on the knee. The signs of injury are: • Pain that can affect walking • Swelling • Instability—it may feel like it will give way, but rarely does.

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reducing pain and swelling, and improving stability. At the first sign of a ligament injury you should follow the PRICE protocol: Protect the joint using support or a brace; Rest from any activity that causes pain or increases the risk of further damage; Ice to reduce swelling and pain; Compression to prevent swelling; Elevation to reduce swelling and pressure on the joint.

Grade I and grade II injuries can be managed conservatively. A physiotherapist will be able to assess your injury and design a rehabilitation programme based on the findings of the assessment, focusing on strengthening and exercises to improve balance and proprioception. For grade III injuries and those that do not respond to rest and rehabilitation, surgery may be indicated. However, prevention is always better than cure, and a strengthening regime that targets the muscles of the lower leg should be incorporated into your training programme.

For further advice, consult a doctor or physiotherapist.

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

The Art of Teaching Yoga - Part V

T

he previous articles on the Art of Teaching Yoga were about demonstration, observation, hands-on adjustments, basic anatomy and sequencing. We are now going to talk about the Sanskrit language and yoga.

The Sanskrit language is thousands of years old, dating back to 1700-1200 BCE. It is one of the oldest documented Indo-European languages, believed to have been the general language of the greater Indian sub-continent in ancient times. This ancient Indo Aryan language is the classical language of India and Hinduism.

The word Sanskrit means

adorned, refined, polished, perfected, elaborated or thoroughly formed. In Sanskrit the word yoga is derived from the root yuj—to join, or unite.

It is the union of the body and mind. In the Iyengar system of yoga, we teach using the Sanskrit language to explain each asana (pose), adding to the essence of the teaching. In yoga, as we practice and teach this art, science and philosophy, we are refining and polishing each asana, creating flexibility and strength to bring us closer to that union, working toward finding perfection in each pose.

Sanskrit is the language by which yoga philosophy lives, breathes and flows.

In yoga many asanas

says the name of the pose in Sanskrit and then in English. We then demonstrate the pose and give the instruction on how to do the pose. The students first watch the teacher demonstrate and then they do the pose with the teacher. After many sessions practising and hearing the names of the poses, the student begins to understand the refer to nature, such as vrksa meaning tree. Asana means pose, therefore vrksasana is tree pose, a basic yoga pose used to promote balance and centering. It strengthens and tones the leg muscles, ankles and feet as well as the groin and inner thigh.

The word asana is added to the end of the names of

most yoga poses to explain that it is a pose, such as adho mukha svanasana. Adho means downward, mukha means facing, and svana is dog, so it translates to downward facing dog pose. This pose imitates a dog stretching. It stretches and strengthens the arms, legs, and entire trunk of the body.

In class the teacher first

Sanskrit names and meanings of each pose.

Yoga is not just a physical practice but an in-depth teaching of an ancient art, science and philosophy which allows the Sanskrit language to guide us through centuries of knowledge, allowing us to create optimum health in body and in mind.

Jill Hagar is a certified instructor of Iyengar Yoga and a certified International Yoga Therapist. She holds regular Yoga classes at Harmony Suites in Rodney Bay.

For more information about classes please contact Jill by phone or WhatsApp on (758) 718 1297 or by email on yogastlucia@gmail.com

20 SPORTS

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DECEMBER 28, 2019 THE STAR

Canaries Score Big with Veterans Football David R Pascal

F

or the first time, Canaries played host to the Veterans in Sports Inc Football Tournament and, based on what transpired on Sunday on the playing field, it won’t be the last time.

CEO of Veterans in Sports Inc, Alvin Malaykhan, was thrilled with what happened.

In an interview following the completion of four games with a huge crowd on hand, he could not have been happier. “I think coming to Canaries was a good decision,” he told me.

“The atmosphere, the playing field, surface and the matches we had were excellent. I think it is what veterans football is all about—community football.

When you have the community of Canaries supporting veterans football like that, I

think it’s something I should have thought about early. I think they [the community] really appreciated this and that is what we want, good development and community involvement.”

Malaykhan gave high praise to all eight teams who played. He couldn’t help but first talk about his own squad, Caricom Masters, who played in the opening game at 2:00pm against VSADC, and said, “Caricom Masters are having a much better season this year.”

However, the same could not be said for VSADC who are struggling this season and lost 3-0 to Caricom Masters. The goal scorers were Mathius Jules in the 35th minute, L Earnest in the 39th and Vitalis Jervis in the 64th.

In the second game, Anse La Raye defeated Central Vieux Fort 3-2. Goals for the winning side came courtesy of Mervin

It was face on ball by this Anse La Raye player in a game against Central Vieux Fort.

St Croix (second minute), Greenidge Bishop (46th minute) and Cornelius Adjodhar (78th minute). The goal scorers for Central Vieux Fort were Lynton Sandiford (11th minute) and Jefferson James (18th minute).

In game three between Gros Islet and Marchand (two undefeated teams), nothing was settled with the final score being 1-1. Ian Thomas scored for Gros Islet in the 37th minute, with Alvin Xavier netting the

Alvin Malaykhan gets set for a shot on goal during Sunday’s game against VSADC.

tying goal for Marchand in the 65th minute.

Game four saw Soufriere going up against the home team Canaries. In the end, Soufriere prevailed 1-0.

That’s it for 2019 when

it comes to this football tournament but it’s far from over. There is break in the action but look forward to more excitement when the Veterans in Sports Inc Football Tournament continues on January 11, 2019.

Gros Islet Capture Island Cup in Stunning Fashion

By David R Pascal and Michael “Midget” Pierre

W

e the North! No I am not referring to the Toronto Raptors who used that slogan after winning the NBA title. In this case I am referring to Gros Islet in the north, who won yet another football title on Saturday evening at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort.

In what has been perceived as one of the most entertaining and intriguing finals of the National Lotteries Authority-sponsored Saint Lucia Football Association Inc (SLFA) Island Cup, group leaders Gros Islet, who finished the game with 10 players, played a dramatic

final 10 minutes of regulation football, stunning their opponents Vieux Fort South, to triumph and lift the coveted trophy. Their accomplishment was indeed remarkable and noteworthy, after recovering from a 2–0 deficit.

Both teams enjoyed mixed fortunes in the first half and were both guilty of squandering numerous scoring opportunities.

However, after repeated chances, Antonio Joseph was able to slot one into the back of the net to send Vieux Fort South up 1–0 in the 17th minute of play. Despite the back and forth between both teams, the half ended with no further goals scored.

Following the resumption, both teams sought the ascendancy and, despite the

It was a hard fought physical game between Vieux Fort South (front) and Gros Islet.

Gros Islet celebrate after winning the National Lotteries Authority-sponsored SLFA Inc Island Cup.

odds, Joseph registered his brace in the 54th minute.

However, when Vieux Fort South really thought they had this one sewn up, prolific goal scorer Eden Charles responded with two telling free kicks, to quash their celebrations in the 80th minute and pointedly in the second minute of added-on playing time, to even the score to 2-2.

Thus, within the jaws of ultimate defeat, Gros Islet clawed themselves back into championship mode and what a catalyst that proved to be; they went on to prevail 5-4 in the

exciting penalty shootout.

For their efforts Gros Islet were crowned Champions of the 2019 National Lotteries Authority-sponsored SLFA Island Cup. Unfortunately, defending Champions Marchand were a no-show in the third place play-off, giving Mabouya Valley a walk-over.

In retrospect, the tournament provided lots of thrills and entertainment. All the participating teams must be applauded for their sterling efforts.

Commenting on Gros

Islet’s thrilling victory, Head Coach Francis McDonald said: “Football, I have seen, has been won in two to three minutes of the game. We had to keep playing and keep playing until the final whistle. The tempo and the urgency of my team, despite being one man down, we accelerated to look for the first goal. When we got the first goal we worked to get the second goal. Our goal was to get back into the battle.”

It was a hard-fought game and Francis tipped his hat to the Vieux Fort South team, saying: “All kudos to them for how they

played in the first half.”

Vieux Fort South Coach Emmanuel Bellas was a gracious loser. He congratulated Gros Islet then said: “The result was unfortunate because nobody wants to lose a final. It was a good game, I do not think any of the teams came here with the intention to lose. I am satisfied that they put together a fighting effort, but towards the end it was just unfortunate that we did not get through to the finishing line.”

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Curtain call for ARC 2019

n Saturday December 21, hundreds of sailors from the 2019 edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers came together for a night of celebration to mark this year’s end of the world’s most popular sailing rally.

ARC crews, friends and families joined rally supporters at the Beausejour Indoor Facility, just before sunset, to enjoy an evening of festivity: not only to recognize the achievements of those who placed well in their respective classes but everyone who shared in the spirit of the ARC adventure this year.

The year 2019 is the 30th year of the ARC arriving in Saint Lucia. The stage was adorned with decorations to mark the anniversary. With the rum punch flowing and a steel pan band providing the perfect soundtrack, the evening was a classic Caribbean party to round off the adventure that began in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in November. As the home of the ARC in Saint Lucia, IGY Rodney Bay Marina welcomed 188 yachts, with the final arrival, XC38 Milena Bonatti, making landfall just hours before the prize-giving ceremony.

Since their departure from Gran Canaria on November 24, ARC crews have formed a unique ocean crossing community, representing 53 different nations and sailors of all ages. The diversity of the ARC is unlike any other sailing event, with yachts large and small carrying experienced

World Cruising Club Manager, Andrew Bishop (right) presented the Spirit of the ARC award to Manfred Kerstan.

crews and first-time Atlantic crossers who all want to be part of this special sail to the Caribbean.

The route this year saw sailors on a classic ‘south until the butter melts’ passage before turning west and pointing towards Saint Lucia’s famous Pitons. Light winds for their first days at sea provided a gentle introduction into the 2,700nm ocean crossing for the cruisers but, once found, the ENE trade winds remained steady for great downwind sailing. With the

exception of a few squalls on their final approach, it has been a year of plain sailing on the classic route and, on average, boats arrived one or two days earlier than usual, eager to stretch their land-legs and explore Saint Lucia.

At the prize-giving ceremony, as is customary for the rally spirit of the ARC, prizes were awarded to yachts finishing seventh and 10th in their Class, as well as the top three performers. In total, crews of over 90 yachts were called

on stage to be recognized for their rally achievements. Each received great applause from their fellow crews.

Some of the biggest cheers of the night came for crews who were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the overall rally atmosphere. Special prizes were awarded, including the Double-handed award, Senior Cup and Family Boat awards, along with accolades for best logs, the fishing competition and recognition for the radio

Children who were among the participants in this year’s ARC were called on stage to be recognized.

net controllers and finish line volunteers. Forty-four children sailed with the rally this year and many have already vowed to return to the ARC to skipper their own boat one day!

Whilst not a recordbreaking year, it has been a tactical one for yachts in the IRC Racing Division. Volvo 65 Austrian Ocean Racing Project claimed Line Honours, despite sailing the most miles of any ARC yacht to reach Saint Lucia. Both Class winners for 2019 were defending champions; French sailing legend JP Dick retained the title for topping IRC Class A with his yacht The Kid, and the crew of perennial IRC Racing Class B winner Scarlet Oyster were delighted that their performance was enough to top the Racing Division overall for a second consecutive year.

For the multihulls, an ever-growing division in the ARC, it was the first yacht to arrive in Rodney Bay that topped the overall standings.

French-flagged Marsaudon TS5 Hallucine skippered by ocean sailor Régis Guillemot, took 11 days and 16 hours to arrive in Saint Lucia; a sterling performance to see them come first in Class A and overall.

Decked out in co-ordinated crew shirts, the crew of Multihull Class B winner Seabra, rallied up the crowd for three cheers as they collected their silverware.

The biggest prize in the Cruising Division, the Jimmy Cornell Trophy for placing first

overall in that division, went to Sea Change, a Norwegianflagged Farr 50, and silverware was awarded to the seven Class winners: Kathryn del Fuego (Class G), Finnor S (Class F), Hello World (Class E), Sea Change (Class D), Tetina (Class C), Vahine (Class B) and Fatjax (Class A).

The ARC’s presence in Saint Lucia has been firmly felt around the island. The prize-giving ceremony gave the opportunity to thank local supporters who have provided an exceptional welcome to participants. IGY Rodney Bay Marina General Manager Sean Devaux, and Tessa Joseph for Events Company Saint Lucia both said a few words to thank their teams for all their hard work over the past few weeks, and also share their praise of the participants themselves who, of course, make the rally possible.

Another special feature of the 2019 edition has been the participation, for the first time in the rally, of the ARC Youth Team.

Aged 18-30, young people from Saint Lucia, Gran Canaria and the UK were given an amazing opportunity to take part. They received an unbelievable welcome and a fitting round of applause from their fellow rally participants as they were called on stage.

The Spirit of the ARC award was, as usual, saved for last. This year it was awarded to Manfred Kerstan who this year participated in his 25th ARC. There was a huge standing ovation as the 83-year-old arrived on stage to collect the momentous prize from World Cruising Club’s Managing Director, Andrew Bishop. It was an emotional moment, recognizing the support the ARC gives to participants, but also how it is the sailors themselves who contribute so much to the rally’s enduring success.

After thanking the dedication of the helpers from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Events Company Saint Lucia and the staff at IGY Rodney Bay Marina, plus all the ARC sponsors, Bishop and his team were offered a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd. Providing a fitting end to a hugely successful rally, the steel pan band rounded off the evening playing classics and Christmas carols as crews said their farewells to ARC 2019.

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Kick It Destiny Grass Roots Football Festival

Youngsters taking part in the Grass Roots Football Festival.

O

n Saturday December 14, Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School served as host venue to the 1st National Bank Kick It Destiny Girls Grassroots Football Festival Part 2.

Over 140 girls aged sevenplus years were expected to attend this sequel which, by all indications, should have exceeded the success of the launch festival in May earlier this year.

For the past seven months the participants have been following a training curriculum specifically designed for, and tailored to, girls, keeping as priority the mental, psychological and emotional differences between girls and boys and the way they learn/ play/develop.

Kick It Destiny is being delivered by Coach Trevor Daniel of the Flow-Trevor Daniel Football Development Program (Flow – TDFDP). It exposes over 130 girls from 13 primary schools to arguably the very best technique-specific training available for young girls.

The festival was set up in a seven station circuit format.

Seven coaches each had a 30x50yd mini field to manage and all of 20 minutes to instruct, demonstrate and execute one football-specific game/drill.

The girls rotated in groups of 8-12 to indulge in the advanced technique training disguised as fun games: Pirate Hunt, Sleepy Cone Race, Foot Golf, Foot Bowling, Rapid Fire, Dance off, Toss, Clap, Knee, Kick and Catch.

While the rains, strong winds and waterlogged field severely affected the

numbers in attendance, the girls’ enthusiasm and the quality of the drills were not compromised. It was another awesome event for the 70-plus participants on both a fun level and technical level.

Coach Daniel remarked that there was a noticeable difference in the ball control of the girls who had been training consistently, and the others. He was happy to see the impact of his training methods on the girls and expects a larger number of participants to show significant technique improvement as the school outreach training component will be implemented from January 2020.

Coach Daniel and his staff will be going into the schools for lunch time and extracurricular hour training with the Kick It Destiny participants, hence providing them with more training opportunities.

In addition to the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) sessions that they currently attend at the Sab Sporting Facility, the girls can now train at their schools midweek. The intention is to highlight the overall improvements of the participants at the end of the first year of the training with a grand festival: Kick It Destiny!

- Part 3 on Friday March 27, 2020.

Themed 'Barbie Dolls to Boots and Footballs Opening Doors', the programme takes a holistic approach to youth development, with the hope that, as the girls grow with the programme, more opportunities for education and employment will be made available to them. The belief is that as they become more confident with

the football at the feet, they will increase in self-confidence and will be more aware that they can accomplish anything if they work hard.

The aim of this project is to see that girls enjoy the game of football as they grow; improve technically as they grow; increase in selfconfidence on and off the field as they grow; make lasting friendships with girls in their

Coach Trevor Daniel of the Flow-Trevor Daniel Football Development Program.

communities, districts, locally and in other countries; have doors opened—opportunities to study and work through football; adopt healthy life choices and healthy life practices from now through to older age; have an awareness of the spiritual/moral component of their existence; are encouraged and empowered to dream big, to work hard to go after their dreams; and become good examples for

younger girls coming up.

Above all, that every participant will have a positive lifechanging experience through this festival.

Coach Daniel expresses thanks to the partners who make it possible for them to continue bringing this life-changing experience to the girls: title sponsors - 1st National Bank; major sponsors/partners - Synergy

Sport, KFC, Lucelec, Digicel, Sandals Resorts, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, WLBL Super Malt and Crystal Clear, Castries City Council and Flow; other sponsors/partners – Hobie International, Michel’s Customs Brokerage, Paints Plus, Baywalk Mall and Joseph’s Shipping Agency.

Bolt sprinkles stardust on Tokyo Olympic Stadium opening

U

sain Bolt may not be competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics but he took a star turn last Saturday in the inauguration of the new National Stadium, seven months before the Opening Ceremony.

The retired Jamaican sprint superstar jogged 200 metres around the track in an exhibition relay race alongside Paralympic athletes, in the first public event at the 60,000-seater stadium.

The show opened with a performance of taiko drums that instantly brought to mind the Rugby World Cup, where the players were welcomed into the field to the haunting sound of the drums. But the biggest cheers of the night were reserved not for Bolt, but J-pop boy band Arashi and Japanese rugby captain Michael Leitch.

"It was a great experience being here running in front of so many people . . . I was happy because I won't be getting to compete in the Olympics," Bolt told reporters afterwards.

He roundly rejected any thoughts of a comeback. "Am I coming back to running? No. I'm

Usain Bolt at the 2012 Olympics in London.

(Photo by David R Pascal)

actually in pain right now from the little run I did," he joked, adding that he was looking forward to attending the Games as a fan for the first time.

The stadium, designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, incorporates traditional Japanese design plus a host of features to beat the expected sweltering heat during the Games at the height of the Tokyo summer. There is greenery to provide shade and the eaves around the outer perimeter are designed to keep out sunlight and rain and help channel breezes into the stadium. There are also eight mist-spraying facilities, 185 fans and 16 air-conditioned lounges.

However, it will not see the climax of the marathon, after the traditional closing event was moved hundreds of kilometres north to Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido, in a bid to beat the heat.

Total construction costs including design and supervising fees came to 156.9 billion yen (US$1.45 billion), within budget, according to officials. However, a previous design by late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid was scrapped in 2016 as the costs had soared beyond $2 billion, causing humiliation to the organisers.

The first competitive sports event at the new stadium will be the Emperor's Cup football final on New Year's Day. --- AFP

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In the Estate of DEBORAH BERYL BARLEY-MATHURIN Late of Bonaire Heights, Marisule in Saint Lucia, deceased.

CASE NO.: SLUHPB2019/0274

TAKE NOTICE that an application has been filed by (1) ANSELM SOBERS MATHURIN of Bonaire Heights, Marisule Marketing Manager in Saint Lucia and (2) FRANSISCA MATHURIN-DICKSON of Balata, Castries Nurse Administrator in Saint Lucia for a Grant of Letters of Administration to the applicants who are the husband of the deceased and the paternal grandmother to the heirs of the deceased respectfully, the deceased having died intestate on the 27th day of June, 2018.

In the Estate of GERALD MAC DONALD FREDERICK also known as GERALD AUGUSTIN late of New Extension, Micoud, Saint Lucia, deceased.

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

TAKE NOTICE that an application has been filed by (1) SHIRLEY AUGUSTIN of Flat 248, Robert Lewis House, 36 Mallard’s Road ,Barking Essex IG11 OTD, spinster and (2) TOFFEE AUGUSTIN of 287 Ciceron, Castries self employed in Saint Lucia for a Grant of Probate of the Will of the above named deceased who died on the 28th day of April, 2018 without revoking a will bearing the date of the 17th day of February, 2016 wherein the applicants are named sole executors.

Dated this 19th day of December, 2019

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

Filed by Tessa Paul Attorney at Law on behalf of the Applicants and whose address for service is: Tessa Paul Chambers, Unit 5, Bicar’s Building, Lady Mico Street, Micoud, Saint Lucia. Telephone Number (758) 454-1055.

E-mail address tessapaulchambers@gmail.com The Registry of the High Court of Justice is situate at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint Lucia, and can be contacted at telephone (758) 468 7500, or at e-mail address stluhco@eccourts.org The court office is open between 9.00 am and 2.00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 9.00 am to 3.00 p.m. on Fridays except public holidays.

[FIRST PUBLICATION]

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Furnished house for rent at Beausejour Phase 2.

3 bedroom, 2 bath, master bedroom, hot and cold water, cable, internet and parking.

1. Must be registered with Nursing Council of St. Lucia.

2. With At least One (1) year experience as a Nurse.

3. To work at International all inclusive hotels in St. Lucia 4. Must have good customer service skills 5. Must be able to live on property

Dated this 19th day of December, 2019 Filed by Tessa Paul Attorney at Law on behalf of the Applicants and whose address for service is: Tessa Paul Chambers, Unit 5, Bicar’s Building, Lady Mico Street, Micoud, Saint Lucia. Telephone Number (758) 454-1055.

E-mail address tessapaulchambers@gmail.com The Registry of the High Court of Justice is situate at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint Lucia, and can be contacted at telephone (758) 468 7500, or at e-mail address stluhco@eccourts.org The court office is open between 9.00 am and 2.00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 9.00 am to 3.00 p.m. on Fridays except public holidays.

[FIRST PUBLICATION]

23

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2019

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