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Cops Closing In On Kimberly’s Killer?
SATURDAY, february 16, 2019
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Kimberly De Leon was found dead in her home last October. She had been shot once in the head!
Nothing Personal. It’s Just Business.
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Celebrating Saint Lucia
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REFLECTIONS
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(An over-my-shoulder look at life)
february 16, 2019 THE STAR
Dunnattor Multi-Disability Centre gets Tech Boost with DASH, Partners' Donations
Monkey Business By Michael Walker
T
here was a time, before we came to Saint Lucia, when we spent much of each year on the west coast of Africa in the Gambia, the smallest country on the continent, surrounded to the north, east and south by Senegal, where French is the official language. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean. English is the official language, but most people speak one or more of several local languages. I’ll return on occasion to the Gambia in these Reflections because the country holds so many happy family memories for us. Not far from Banjul, the capital city, in fact the only city in the country, there is a large protected area called Abuko. It’s actually a game reserve, or at least I hope it still is because all this happened some forty-five years ago when we used to visit the country as many as six times a year either for business or pleasure because many of the schools used our books. I haven’t been back in over thirty years so I don’t know how things are today, but way back then it was as close to holiday heaven as you could get. We had a friend called Lamin Jeng. His skin was black, black, black, gloriously ebony black. He had no children of his own and he loved our kids to death and they adored him. They went everywhere with him; Lamin and his two blond followers. Early on, I had bought him an old jalopy that he used as a taxi; it gave him and his family an income and also changed the life of the people in his village. The vehicle provided transport into town not only for people but also for produce that could be sold at the market. His village was on the Atlantic coast so the ocean was an important source of food and income once they could get their harvest to buyers. We often visited Lamin in his compound, a fairly large, almost square, enclosed area with several small dwellings in it. His father, whom strangely I cannot recall ever meeting, had several wives and each wife had her own living space, or so I remember, though I may be wrong. The floors in the houses were the bare ground but they were polished to such a degree that there appeared not to be a speck of dust anywhere. Harmonious is the way I would describe life there. There were quite a few kids running around and they welcomed ours into their games. Mealtimes were fun; our children quickly learned how to form a scoop with their fingers and eat rice from a communal bowl while sitting on the ground. Africa, Africa! The early morning smells
and scents of the Gambia will remain with me forever. Leaving the hotel before the sun had barely risen, chugging along in Lamin’s car, one of us next to him, the others in the back seat, windows down, the smoke from predawn fires filling the air as we drove through small villages towards our destination, a trip we tried to make at least once a week, and then the almost narcotic aroma of roasted peanuts from the factory in town, almost the only staple that the country exported, it seemed, filled our nostrils. Some people called the peanuts groundnuts; others called them monkey nuts, but whatever you called them they seemed to be the country’s only major crop. “I like bananas, monkey nuts and grapes—that’s why they call me Tarzan of the Apes,” sang the kids in anticipation of a morning filled with adventure in Abuko’s jungle. Little did we know . . . Once we arrived, we checked our water supplies and sandwiches and said goodbye to Lamin for the time being. He would wait for us at the other end of the park where we would emerge a few hours later. We normally followed a trail that could either be three miles long or five miles long depending on our energy level and the heat of the sun. For the most part we walked through dense trees that protected us from the sweltering weather. On this particular day, the kids had run ahead while we meandered behind when the air was filled with blood-curdling screams. We broke into a run fearing the worst only to find our daughter and son dancing happily in a ring, hand in hand with a family of four chimpanzees. We cracked up laughing at the sight. The chimps were hugging our kids, and almost nonchalantly tossing them back and forth like children in a playground; Disney could not have produced a better scene. And then things changed, all of a sudden, unexpectedly… It was time to go. The kids were reluctant to leave, so we stretched out our hands to take theirs when the big male chimp bared his teeth threateningly; the female grabbed the kids from us. The kids belonged to them. There was no way they were letting them go. What the hell was I going to do? How could I have been so stupid? The kids were panicking. The game had changed. At that moment our guardian angel appeared in the form of a park ranger, “So that’s where you are!” she said. “Stop that nonsense at once and give the people their children back!” she ordered, and the chimps backed sheepishly off. “They can be a bit of a handful at times,” the ranger explained. “Enjoy the rest of your walk!
DASH Executives, along with representatives of Unicomer Courts and The Cell, present tablets and a printer to the Dunnattor Multi-Disability Centre.
D
ASH, Saint Lucia’s most colourful Independence event, has amplified its annual support to the differently abled children of the island with a technological injection poised to make their learning experience, and that of their dedicated caregivers, that much easier. The DASH executive team on Tuesday presented two Samsung Galaxy Tablets and a fully digital HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 all-in-one printer to the Dunnattor Multi-Disability Centre (DMDC) in partnership with longstanding event sponsors The Cell and Unicomer Courts. The DMDC is the primary learning facility for most of the patients of the Child Development and Guidance Centre (CDGC)—the charity of choice for the DASH Independence Colour Run. Principal of the DMDC, Anita Joseph, said that over the years DASH has assisted in a variety of areas including the purchasing of teaching aids, wheelchair access transportation, school scholarships, the importing of paediatric therapists, and more. “This donation will benefit our centre for children with multiple disabilities and improve the efficiency of what our teachers do to help the students greatly. I know our students are very much into technology so, of course, the tablets will
also assist in that aspect in the classroom,” Joseph said. For the past few years, DASH has solidified itself as a staple on the Saint Lucia Independence calendar, bringing increased focus to the event and, most importantly, the cause, allowing for new crosssector partnerships, as with the Saint Lucia National Youth Council (SLNYC), which allow for more hands-on impact with the island’s youth. Director of the CDGC. Dr. Kim Gardner, said, “DASH has allowed us to show people of the community that children with disability should not be excluded or forgotten but rather included and showcase the ability in their disability. The management of DASH has always allowed us to better help both the children and the public understand and embrace their differences. Any hole that needs plugging, DASH has essentially assisted with in one way or another.” DASH 2019 was officially launched on January 24 under the Saint Lucia Independence theme 'All In—Our Journey, Our Future' with its directors committing to delivering another substantial experience for participants and beneficiaries. “We are more than happy with the way this year’s planning is coming along and we are looking forward to maintaining the relationships
we are building between the CDGC and our partners here with us on this particular presentation. With The Cell’s edge on technology and gadgets, as well as Unicomer’s reputation on furnishings and office supplies, we are certain that both the children and caregivers could continue to benefit considerably through these alliances,” said the DASH executive team in a brief statement. Jermile Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of The Cell, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to not only partner with the CDGC but gain firsthand insight into what it represents for the differently abled children in the island. “We at The Cell are happy to be associated with yet another undertaking such as this one as we continue to embrace our Corporate Social Responsibility by connecting with the communities around us, bridging the gaps in technology where it is needed most, and making available the necessary tools and facilities to provide empowerment,” Daniel said. Elwyn Phillips, Integrated Solutions Manager at Courts, added, “At Unicomer we are always willing to assist when and where we can.” The 5th edition of the DASH Independence Colour Run will be staged on Sunday February 24, 2019.
THE STAR
T
february 16, 2019
local
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Cops assessing samples analysis in De Leon Case
he investigation into the murder of Kimberly De Leon took an unexpected turn last week when the mother of the deceased, Mary Williams, vowed during a televised interview that she is prepared to put her neck on a guillotine to get justice for her daughter. She claimed the investigating officer handling the case had been ignoring her since last December. Police representatives had earlier stated that results of samples sent to St. Kitts for analysis would be picked up by a police officer. But Ms. Williams suggested that the mail had been used instead. "What if it gets tampered with?” she asked. “What's going to happen? I'm very concerned." A subsequent police release sought to shed light on the matter. It insisted that at no point is any material that is subject to analysis transported via mail, and that law enforcement officials escort these items at all times. "Only reports can be transferred through secured mail services and it is not possible to tamper with the material therein, as the
is encountering any difficulties she has easy access to the Commissioner of Police through any avenue she desires." ACP for Crime and Intelligence Wayne Charlery also addressed the situation during an interview with the STAR on Tuesday. He said the investigating officer has made himself available in the "limited time that he has" and that the matter is still under ACP Wayne Charlery investigation. "It's not a matter says that police are still in of just bringing in somebody the process of assessing and questioning them," he reports from Kimberly said. "We have a lot of rules De Leon’s murder. and procedures in terms of information contained is also gathering evidence. We have communicated verbally." to do things appropriately Regarding the claim and properly. To do things of being ignored by the appropriately it takes time.” He investigating officer, the police said assessment of the St. Kitts stated that a decision was taken report “is still ongoing”. in the preliminary stages of the On the murder of Robert investigation that all updates to Hathaway earlier this year, the family would be conveyed Charlery says that it is complex through the office of the and police could do with some Commissioner of Police. "Since help. “We are following various then, the mother, Ms. Williams, leads and right now we’re just has met with the Commissioner waiting on some information fortnightly, as well as so that we can further the exchanges via telephone. We investigation.” understand and empathize with Ms. Williams, and if she ---Joshua St. Aimee
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Police refuse to confirm Arrests in relation to Jacmel Murder! said Wassouf’s body was found outside his vehicle. He is survived by two children: a nine-year-old boy and a girl aged seven. “Until now they don’t understand what’s going on,” said Hanna. “They’re looking at people and asking: ‘Why are they dressed in black?’ His daughter whispered in my ear: ‘I want my Dad’s body, to bury him.’ She went to play
Dean Nestor
T
he family of Souheil Wassouf, a 49-yearold resident of Rodney Heights, Gros Islet, is still in shock following news of Monday’s fatal shooting at Jacmel. “It is unbelievable that a good fellow like him passed away in this manner,” said Isa Hanna, brother-in-law of the deceased, in an interview with the STAR on Thursday. “The family, his wife, children, sister and his parents who are overseas, are all very shocked,” said Hanna. “We cannot believe we are waiting for the post-mortem results of our brother. This is unbelievable.” Wassouf came to Saint Lucia from Syria in 2000 and established his own clothing store here. Hanna recalled his brother-in-law would drive all over the island to sell his goods. He was doing just that in Jacmel on Monday when he was shot. A police press release
afterward. It’s a little hard for them to understand. They’re still expecting their father to bring them toys and drop them off to school. They cannot believe what has happened.” Hanna went on: “We are from the Orthodox culture and they cry a lot and they dress in black and it’s a very, very bad situation. We’re still busy with the funeral arrangements.”
He also said that he heard the police have picked up two individuals for questioning. However, the police refused to comment on the matter when the STAR consulted them. The February 11 fatal shooting brings to four the number of homicides committed in Saint Lucia since January. Last year the police recorded 42 homicides.
Digicel steps in to help After-school Care Support Group
Souheil Wassouf’s relatives are having a difficult time coming to grips with his sudden death by gunfire.
Students and volunteers at Stepping Stones are delighted with Digicel’s donation of equipment and access to its internet network.
A
ttending to the needs of at-risk students once they’ve left the school playground is never an easy task, particularly for working parents with little to no extended family support. So when Digicel heard about Stepping Stones after-school care and support group, serving the broader community of Castries, it offered its help and support in a number of ways. The Stepping Stones facility in Sunny Acres has been changing lives since 2015, providing a safe haven in the community for children in need so they never feel left out or forced to manage on their own. It strives to build self-confidence and a love of learning in all who venture through its doors—a goal that recently struck a chord with the staff and management at Digicel. To help the 25 registered students, aged 8 to 18 years, (and also the volunteers charged with their after-school care) the region’s foremost total communications and entertainment provider, Digicel, has gifted the support group
with new whiteboards and free access to its internet network. “This will assist the kids in conducting research for assignments and expose them to a wealth of knowledge,” said Joan Sylvester, Managing Director of Stepping Stones. She continued, “Most of the children do not have internet service at their dwellings and quite a few do not have electricity, so this assistance will greatly impact their lives. And accessing content via YouTube and other websites can also be helpful for our volunteers in terms of teaching, so we are all extremely appreciative of Digicel’s gesture.” Yaroslav Baturov, Digicel’s GTM Proposition Manager, was equally eager to praise Stepping Stones. “It’s a fantastic charity, helping our youth see the full potential life can offer,” he enthused. “Without Stepping Stones, all these students may otherwise see is a future marred by violence, poverty and crime.” Yaroslav is no stranger to the positive impact of a steady, guiding hand. He began
his journey with Digicel on a programme designed to help underprivileged students travel and experience life working abroad. He moved from the Ukraine to Ireland, and has never looked back. “If I can change even two or three lives, in the same way Digicel changed mine; if I can prevent even two or three kids from choosing the wrong path, I will be happy.” On presenting Stepping Stones with whiteboards and free internet from Digicel, Yaroslav also pledged his personal time, offering to assist with after-school lessons once a week. “I loved maths when I was studying. I had a maths teacher who ignited my interest and I hope to do the same thing at Stepping Stones, encouraging my students to pursue careers similar to mine.” In his closing remarks at the presentation, Yaroslav passionately quoted Nelson Mandela: “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest assets as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth who care for and protect our people.”
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february 16, 2019
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february 16, 2019 THE STAR
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What will it take to Effectively Secure our Schools? Claudia Eleibox
I
n last weekend’s STAR we discussed Timothy Poleon’s Hot Button Issue (his last?) about schoolbag searches conducted by teachers and the potential life-threatening hazards. Poleon’s topic was likely inspired by the firearm incident two weeks ago at Corinth Secondary School. On Tuesday this week another group of teachers and students at the Camille Henry Memorial School were threatened by an individual some have described as a “madman”. He was reportedly threatening children, parents and staff at the school and also attempted to make off with someone’s vehicle. The man was overcome by the staff, bound and kept on the premises until the police arrived. In addition to the point
made last week, that teachers should not be responsible for protecting themselves and students, questions still stand: How was this man able to enter the school premises? Where was the security in the government-managed school? Just what will it take before the authorities recognize we’re living in especially dangerous times and that they have particular responsibility for the safety of teachers and students during school hours? It’s not as if this dangerous invasion is new: worshippers in church have been wounded and killed by people who should not be on the street. School safety involves many players, new policies and laws. However, it starts with understanding what schools face. This reporter sought this week to establish how many of the nation’s schools had security measures in place. The consensus: government must
School principals say the security guards at schools are mostly unarmed ‘watchies’ who have to protect teachers and students against possible dangers, while ensuring their own safety.
do a whole lot better when it comes to protecting the lives of students and teachers. Some principals said that they “cannot complain” because “we have not had a major incident”. Not surprisingly, some educators placed much faith in the tightness of their communities and “the strong social bonds” in
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their area. Some schools have more protection than others, with CCTV cameras and floodlights. All the schools I contacted had “contracted security guards provided by the government”. Some are expected to protect the school compounds in the daytime, others after school
the invaders did not take with them was rendered unusable. Reportedly, the unarmed guards had to conceal themseleves for fear of being attacked by the armed burglars. Evidently they never thought to call the police from their safe havens; or were too scared to act or had no cellphones. Later they complained about being “traumatized” by the experience. Shortly afterward it was St. Mary’s College that was hit by burglars. Last year a security guard at the Entrepot Secondary School was so badly beaten by intruders that he fell into a coma. So again I ask: Must it take the death of a student or teacher before the authorities wake up and smell the danger in the air? When will parents demand protection rights on behalf of their children? Now here’s something worth marching for, for a change!
hours. “But they’re mostly watchies,” one principal revealed. “They are poorly equipped, with no powers of arrest. They undergo no special training. They are unarmed.” Another principal said she often takes the bull by the horns and reminds watchmen of their responsibilities. “I can’t remember any government providing security training in the first place,” she added. Another principal observed: “It’s one thing to have someone watching out for suspicious situations but quite another when there is an attack by some individual with a gun or a cutlass.” Students, teachers and principals have good relationships with their security guards and watchmen but they must face the scary parts of the job together. In 2017 the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School experienced a major overnight burglary. What
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february 16, 2019 THE STAR
That No Confidence Motion:
The View From London! By Horatio Anthony
D
ear Rick: I watched your first show of the year last night. Good one, as usual. Your theme that “we don’t care a damn” is so, so true. Good that you were able to say it like it is when talking about the contributions of both Tim [Poleon] and Juk Bois to Saint Lucia media and social/folk history. Yes, a lot of people underestimate Tim’s knowledge of Saint Lucian political life. Good of you to give him his props in this regard. You were most kind in not letting a caller go into Philip J. Pierre’s statement that he would “make a better prime minister than Compton”. You saved his bacon on that one. In the current climate of the defeat of the opposition’s No Confidence vote, which is strongly identified more with PJP than with the Labour Party, the public is not in a tolerant mood. Not even Kenny, who has been a prime minister, would disrespect the office and person of Prime Minister Compton in this manner. The Saint Lucian public—UWP or SLP—would not accept such a statement. Sorry, sorry . . . sorry. That one will come back to haunt my dear friend PJP. People forget that Compton provided equal chances to our best, regardless of party affiliation. George Odlum to the United Nations, comes to
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mind. When Michael Bartlette was sacked by his bosses at the government printery, he went on the run. Even some of his relatives kept their distance. He was unemployed and not able to take care of his family. Then he bumped into Compton, while he was still trying to kick him out of office, and Compton offered him his job back. Incidentally Rick, when the UWP returned in 2006, he had several meetings in New York and Saint Lucia in relation to the Helenites building. You may or may not know Michael and Kenny were the best of buddies, until the Labour Party threw Michael under the bus. I would like to move on to the No Confidence vote. To be fair to both sides, I watched the entire debate, thanks to NTN, YouTube and Facebook, in intervals. Last night I watched Guy Joseph’s contribution; twice, back to back. It’s on YouTube under ‘Guy Joseph destroys . . .’ Why did I watch it twice? There have been many memorable contributions in the House over the years. This last one was top of the pile. If anyone wants to point me in the direction of a better demolition job, please please go ahead. I am ever keen to learn. That construct may have been put together by people beyond Guy himself, but boy did he ever deliver. When people can look beyond the notion that politicians with degrees and PhDs after their names are the most effective, they will discover that the former taxi driver has lots more to offer as a parliamentarian. He skillfully demonstrated he is more talented by far than his educated-onpaper-only fellow MPs. Why do I rate his contribution so highly? His first salvo: that the leader of the opposition had brought a motion citing bad governance/ mismanagement in office, yet he, Philip J. Pierre, in his capacity of Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, had not called one single meeting. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! PJP’s credibility was in tatters even before Guy Joseph got into his stride. Poor Philip, who is so easily distracted, who should have dropped his shovel right there, instead picked it up and dug himself into a hole so deep one wondered if he would ever emerge again. His reply that his position as chair of the Public Accounts Committee had nothing to do with the running of the country had me holding my head and shouting no, no, no at my computer. This was not just kicking the ball into his own goal; here was a man conceding a penalty, and a kick is taken while there is no one between goal posts. Painful to watch, for friends of PJP like myself. He made it so easy for Guy. When Guy’s measured delay ended, with a daggered smile he told PJP there existed in the Public Accounts all the information about what was going on with the government’s finance. So, far from the PAC being a time-wasting forum, it was actually the best source, and PJP should have been cognizant of that. The cameras focused on a very uncomfortable opposition leader sliding down
Opposition leader Philip J. Pierre stated in a release last week that despite his no confidence motion biting the dust, “the people won!”
in his chair. His fellow SLP MPs knew this was not a good start for their leader and, to a man, they buried their heads in the documents in front of them. Look anywhere but at the camera! In their contributions, opposition members spoke about wasteful spending by the current regime. Guy, with the skill of a London Barrister, gave the names and original cost of projects undertaken by the Labour Party, and what they ended up costing. He cited cost over-runs of $80 million, $25 million, on and on and on. For the open-minded, Labour was now in the dock. Guy reminded all that the term “cost-overruns” was introduced to the Saint Lucian populace in the time of Kenny Anthony. So obviously wounded was the Labour Party that the Member for Castries South (who must have been quietly enjoying the fact that he was occupied elsewhere when cost overruns was king, be it in West Indies cricket or in London appointing a terminally ill Saudi to the IMO) tried to place a Band-Aid on the bullet-riddled opposition corpse. “Mr. Speaker,” he said, “can these be made a document of the House?” Every listener, with a nod to red, be they in Brooklyn, Canaries, Vieux Fort North and South,
was praying that the offending material would go away. But no, the former cricket administrator wanted the document, with its damaging figures against his party, set on record by asking for it to be a document of the House. The lesson: Be careful what you pray for! The Labour Party had, with the forensic accounting guideline of the local mouth of the people, Richard Frederick, arrived at the figure of $1.7 billion borrowed by the current administration. That figure was delivered by the opposition members time and time again. So when Guy ‘Perry Mason’ Joseph brought it up, I wondered where he was headed. I didn’t have to wonder too long. Reading from a letter signed by Kenny Anthony only three months before the June 2016 elections, Guy revealed the Labour leader agreeing to engage in a manufacturing project—in the south, in his own constituency area—that would require some $500 million to be spent on machinery alone; 1,000 acres allocated, etc. Yes, the tidy sum of $2 billion that Kenny Anthony had signed his name to was declared a letter of comfort by the opposition side. This had to be the most comforting letter ever written to a potential
foreign investor. Definitely a record of sorts. When the Labour Party had accused the government of handing 1,000 acres to Desert Star Holdings, Guy ‘Perry Mason’ Joseph pointed out that Kenny Anthony’s comfort letter signalled the handing over of a total of 4,000 acres. Yes four times more land would have been given away by Kenny & Company. This is, of course, my Saint Lucia where the unexpected is always expected. Especially effective was the way Guy Joseph, Rick Wayne-style, broke down every phrase, every sentence, every word. Only the deaf may have missed the message Guy delivered: the Labour motion was ill-conceived, badly worded, full of stale fish and rotten potato. The killer punch: “If after 25 years in this House this is what they can produce . . . I would produce a far better motion after just one year in parliament!” That was in response to Philip J. Pierre’s reminder that he was a fiveterm parliamentarian. As I studied the body language of Kenny Anthony and Ernest Hilaire I wondered what these two talk about when there’s no one else around. What they said about PJP’s leadership in their private exchanges. In truth it was a not only a bad day at the office for the Labour Party, but both KDA and PJP were deeply wounded. Their records in office were almost word for word similar. To cap it all, when Guy reminded the House that Allen Chastanet was elected by one of the largest margins in local political history, the ego that would not rest put up his hand, and the mischievous Guy acknowledged that the Member for Castries East had indeed been the MP with the largest majority. But of course, Guy already knew that and may have been testing whether the opposition was too beat up to realize what he had said. Interesting that it was Ernest, not Pierre, who stood up to set the record straight. I really felt sorry for my friend PJP. Editor’s Note: The author requested his real name not be used if the STAR decided to publish the preceding.
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february 16, 2019
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february 16, 2019 THE STAR
PHILIP J. PIERRE: KING WITHOUT A THRONE OR A PRIME MINISTER IN WAITING? Peter Josie
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y his own account, he is totally fit and ready to be prime minister of Saint Lucia. He says he has served the St. Lucia Labour Party faithfully and long under several political leaders, the last of whom was a complete failure. Philip J. Pierre, commonly referred to as Pip, hardly mentioned his academic qualifications, perhaps thinking that accountancy may be inadequate for the onerous task of the office of prime minister. On this Creole-speaking Caribbean rock, we are not used to questioning people who offer themselves as candidates for elections. We question less those who take the further step of contesting the political leadership of their party. Had
loyalty and longevity alone been sufficient qualifications for the job of political leader, Philip J. Pierre would have achieved that status a long time ago. That he has subsumed his own personal ambitions for the good of his party is seen by some as commendable. Others see it as a lack of appetite for the top job, thereby dismissing Pip as unambitious. The lack of vision and statesmanship that has bugged the SLP in Pip’s time has led many to question his purported loyalty. I have known Philip J. Pierre a very long time. I knew his older brother Bert even better. My father respected Mr. Pierre senior, their dad, as a law-abiding citizen and senior police officer. One of the better moments George Odlum and I spent in London in the 70s was with Bert and his Jamaicanborn wife. Pip, in my political judgment, may well deserve a shot at the Prime Minister’s
desk. Unfortunately, it is a status he is unlikely to achieve for the following reasons. He has served for too long with people who taught their followers to hate and vilify their opponents. He remained silent when his leaders and other servants of his party abused their offices. Of late, there has been little political education of the masses, and the SLP has not taught the poor how to fish. Instead, they have chosen handouts and dependency over hands-up. That is anathema to the party George Charles and his colleagues founded. That lost tribe is not the party that George Odlum, Peter Josie and Frances Michel joined in the early 1970s. These three encouraged the metaphorically dead to take up their beds and walk. Their regular coaxing helped transform the Castries market steps into the “University of the People”. That ‘new’ SLP spent more
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Had loyalty and longevity alone been sufficient qualifications for the job of political leader, Philip J. Pierre would have achieved that status a long time ago.
time explaining the history and politics of the black people of Saint Lucia in a way that brought pride and new dignity. They explained why colonialism and neo-colonialism were economic systems designed to keep the people poor, illiterate and backward. These had to be destroyed and replaced with pride, hard work and self-belief before the people could truly be free. Pip had joined the SLP early enough to have rubbed shoulders with the above mentioned trio. He must have learned much. Still, if he wishes to make further steps in politics, he must dissociate himself from the contagious twisted minds in the top ranks of his party. In cleansing the party, he must remember that in order to make an omelette, one must break eggs. The corrupt dead-weight that stands between him and the creation of a clean, new SLP must be exorcised. His present situation as leader is a good opportunity to remake the SLP and cleanse it of the corrupt, bad blood. He should quickly return to a policy of allowing prayers which everyone must accept, or leave the party. Pip must bite the bullet and return the party to
the most High God, leading it by faith and example. Pip should read again the transformative story of the Biblical Saul to the man Paul, on whose writings so much of the New Testament rests. He needs a change of that magnitude to successfully guide the SLP towards a new horizon. He may also wish to cast himself as the Biblical Moses, who led his people to the Promised Land. He must vow to faithfully serve the people of Saint Lucia without animosity or ill will towards anyone—citizen or foreigner. To put it bluntly, Pip must cleanse himself of all the evil and negative forces around him if he is to emerge as a person the people of Saint Lucia can trust as they trusted John Compton and as they now trust Allen Chastanet. He must promise the people of Saint Lucia that he will investigate certain corrupt financial deals that took place in the SLP government and which were hidden from him and his colleagues. Pip’s greatest test will come from the wrath of the psychologically damaged SLP hacks and others who will do anything to protect themselves.
He knows by now that every UWP member who leaves and joins the SLP will be welcome with open arms. The SLP is like a bottomless pit into which spent forces congregate. Yet, the SLP behaves like a raging bull if any member leaves and joins the UWP. Why? Is the SLP the jealous man who will kill his woman or girlfriend if she decides to leave him? Isn’t the woman free to escape an abusive man? Control freaks are dangerous. Pip must be careful! Perhaps the SLP and the UWP, in the interests of the women of this country, should agree on a joint declaration on the question of abuse, whatever its forms. Pip may wish to take the lead in such a joint negotiated political position. That would be a plus for him, for politics and for our country. Pip ought to be made aware that since the mid1960s the Labour Party has consistently presented a superior intellectual slate of candidates for general elections in Saint Lucia. Unfortunately, academic achievements have often been negated by flawed character and personal greed, making them unfit to govern. In addition to surrounding himself with a new and more socially acceptable group of men and women, Pip must insist that each member of his team possesses the quality of humility and that they place complete trust in the power of truth and verifiable facts over obeah and evil. Pip must be reminded that every politician who has made a mark on Saint Lucia, including SLP founder and leader George F.L. Charles, had to leave the organisation. Pip may not need to do that. Instead, he must seize the forty-year anniversary of Independence and his 40 years in the SLP to make his own indelible mark. He must ponder the significance of forty in Christianity. He must look again at the number of chapters in my first book Shattered Dreams and know that these forty chapters were not chosen by fluke. I need not remind him that only the truth shall set him and his people free. That truth may even lead him to the office for which he considers himself most suited.
THE STAR
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february 16, 2019
INDEPENDENCE:
From Day One It’s Been Looshan vs Looshan! By Rick Wayne
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t a special meeting in London, opposition leader Allan Louisy had argued for an indefinite postponement of Compton’s independence plans. To no avail. Plagued by its own social and economic woes, the British government seemed to have ears only for St. Lucia’s premier, who was soon crowing on local TV and over the government-controlled radio that come February 22, 1979 St. Lucia would be an independent nation with its very own place at the United Nations General Assembly. Free at last! In retaliation George Odlum issued a public warning that come Independence Day, St. Lucia might not be the safest place in the world and unwittingly gave credence to the widespread rumor that he was behind the bombings that overnight had turned St. Lucians into early-to-bed chickens. A visiting representative of the British government was rudely awakened from his hotel bed by an angry Labour Party mob determined to be heard on the matter of “Compton’s independence trick.” The Special Services Unit had to be called out yet again before order was restored. Later, charges were filed against George Odlum—who had led the demonstration. Through all of that, Premier Compton prepared for his installation as prime minister of St. Lucia—even as the Civil Service Association (CSA) was gearing up for a showdown with the government over a pay dispute. Scores of teachers had gone on strike following the premier’s persistent refusal to honor the recommendations of two respected tribunals.
The late Prime Minister John Compton marking Independence with young performers at Mindoo Phillip Park in 1987. It would be interesting to discover 40 years later how their lives have changed.
Claiming that certain aspects of the dispute required further analysis, the government had appointed a third committee “to review the issue.” Its decision was rejected by the CSA. At a public meeting convened by the government in William Peter Boulevard in Castries, the premier complained that greedy dissidents were holding a gun
to his head and demanding ten dollars when they knew only too well that all he had was five. He said he had absolutely no intention of seeking another bank loan in order to accommodate irresponsible strikers. More to the point, he said he was “not about to take from the have-nots to give to the haves!”
When strikers among his audience heckled, Compton reminded them that they were free to quit the public service: the business of the country was getting along just fine without them. Moreover, if they persisted in their unreasonable demands they would soon discover that there really was more than one way to skin a
cat. Finally, the premier ordered protesting government workers who were still serving their probationary period to return to their jobs the next day—or face dismissal. That ultimatum served further to swell the ranks of the strikers. By week’s end, more teachers had voted to skip classes in support of island-wide protest marches
that often included the Labour Party’s George Odlum and Peter Josie. If the United Workers Party brass read the portentous signs, none was man enough to call their leader away from his Independence Day preparations and warn him of the gathering storm clouds. By February 19
12 comment Castries was teeming with journalists from all over the Caribbean, Canada, Europe and Japan. The BBC’s Martin Bell arrived with video equipment and camera crew—and fell in love at first sight of the loquacious Odlum. Everywhere Odlum went, the Englishman followed: Marchand Road, Soucis, Morne DuDon—ghetto areas where the SLP paragon was most popular. Every explosive pronouncement that fell out of Odlum’s welloiled mouth was dutifully recorded, replete with the supportive rhetoric of beaming market vendors and suitably intimidating dreadlocked followers of Jah—for broadcast the next day in London. While Odlum made headlines at home and abroad, the de jure leader of his party quietly went about his normal shop-keeping business in Laborie, his native village and his constituency. Allan Louisy had made a point of absenting himself from Odlum’s antiIndependence marches. Louisy had stayed away from the CSA demonstrations, so he was about as hot as yesterday’s news. No one called on him for on-camera interviews; no one asked for his thoughts on St. Lucia’s problems. All roads led to George Odlum and his costumed performers who seemed never to tire of making street theater at first sight of a reporter. London’s Financial Times had clearly suggested Louisy was leader of the St. Lucia Labour Party in name only. According to the newspaper, the opposition party was split into two warring factions, one led by a “sixtyone-year-old retired judge” whose politics were strictly middle of the road, the other controlled by the island’s “most radical trade unionists.” The Times had been prescient enough to predict that the SLP would pose “little threat to Mr. Compton’s government” at election time, thanks to the opposition’s “contradictory and often vague policies”—as if crystal-clear policies had ever guaranteed election victories in the Caribbean, or for that matter, in the U.K. It is likely that the British government was thinking as clearly as the Times columnist when, over the protests of St. Lucia’s opposition party, it decided to grant Premier Compton political independence. On the morning of February 20, 1979, some one hundred festive individuals gathered at the West Indies Associated
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Foreign minister George Odlum (in white) arm in arm outside the UN with Secretary General Kurt Waldheim. States Secretariat in Castries, at the special invitation of the government, to celebrate in advance the installation of John Compton as St. Lucia’s first prime minister. The select group comprised foreign and native dignitaries, visiting journalists and local media personnel, to say nothing of the more voracious animals of St. Lucia’s social jungle. When lunchtime came and the guest of honor still had not shown up, Tourism Minister George Mallet stepped forward to deliver the official word of welcome. Mallet apologized for the premier’s non-appearance, blamed it on “emergencies” that of late seemed to crop up almost hourly, then assured all present that never mind the doomsayers of the opposition party, “St. Lucia was economically vigorous and looking forward to a record tourist season,” now that the government had secured the services of a gentleman named Ignatius Atigby. He had arrived from his native Nigeria only the previous afternoon and would be on hand to answer any questions other newcomers might wish to ask about St. Lucia and its people. Then the minister offered a joke: He would be happy to answer questions relating to his office, he said, but only after the next day’s press conference.
He didn’t wish to find himself “accused of stealing anyone’s thunder.” After all, this really wasn’t his show. It was Mr. Compton’s. Mallet promised the scheduled press conference would provide journalists with ample opportunity to discover how really wonderful was the leader of the government— contrary to opposition propaganda. He reminded the gathering that it was Compton who had “rescued St. Lucia from the retarding grip of colonialism, nursed it through a delicate period of Associate Statehood,” until finally the island was ready to take its place in the international community. As if to underscore what earlier he’d said about the island’s economic health, Mallet invited the assemblage to feast on free Heineken, Johnny Walker Red, rum punch, fried fish and chicken, breadfruit balls and other local delicacies specially refined to caress the foreign palate. The booze was a gift from the local Heineken brewery— management of which included the government’s parliamentary secretary. The rest of the day’s fare was donated by the grateful owner of the island’s most popular tourist oasis and hamburger joint—an American expatriate. The party broke
up late in the afternoon. Long before that Mallet had left to prepare for the arrival at Vigie Airport of Princess Alexandra and her husband Angus Ogilvy. The princess would represent her cousin Queen Elizabeth at a special Independence ceremony two days later. If the local constabulary had nursed fears for the safety of their royal visitors, the Scotland Yard security men who came to St. Lucia a week or so in advance of Princess Alexandra and her entourage had found no cause for alarm. Darkness was already embracing Castries when the state limousine drove through the city with its royal passengers, en route to La Toc Hotel. The princess may or may not have recognized the decorative lights along William Peter Boulevard and Bridge Street. They had once brightened London’s Oxford Circus at Christmas—before they were purchased by the St. Lucia government, reportedly at a cost in excess of $100,000. The arrival of Princess Alexandra did not attract hordes of excited, cheering, calypsochanting, flag-waving natives. On the other hand, neither did it draw the massive protest demonstrations that had been promised by the armchair strategists of the opposition party. The dozen or so half-
naked Rastamen who carried anti-independence placards proclaiming the wrath of Jah had kept well within their own turf, well out of the royal vision. By 10:30 the next morning some sixty exuberant journalists had jammed the conference room at the Halcyon Sands Hotel, west of fabulous Vigie Beach in Castries, some loaded down with video paraphernalia, others, well, just loaded. At 11 a.m. the government’s public relations officer, Willie James, informed the gathering that the prime minister designate had been held up by yet another emergency. The reporters didn’t seem to mind the delay; they were in a party mood—and the hotel’s free rum punch was flowing. Shortly before Compton arrived, Willie James announced that only the visiting journalists would be permitted to question the prime minister designate. “What’s that supposed to mean, man?” asked Jeff Fedee of St. Lucia TV. Ernie Seon, a local freelance reporter, suggested that the government’s public relations officer couldn’t possibly have meant what he’d said. Of course, Seon knew better. In fifteen years St. Lucia’s premier had held fewer than half a dozen meetings with local reporters. Those who requested
The author (extreme right) wi Julian R. Hunte, George Odlum Peter Josie in New York, shor officially declared an inde an audience with the premier were told by his secretary to address their questions to the government’s public relations office. The island’s two radio stations—Radio St. Lucia and Radio Caribbean—were in effect little more than transmitters of government propaganda. News bulletins were broadcast only if they originated at the government’s PR department. Jacques Compton, the premier’s cousin and manager of Radio St. Lucia, was especially touchy about news items that tended to suggest Premier Compton and his cabinet ministers were fallible. The premier did not have a blood relative at Radio Caribbean, but its foreign owners knew better than to broadcast information critical of the government. Radio Caribbean could not operate in St. Lucia without a license. And whether such license was granted depended wholly on the petitioner’s relationship with the government. At the Halcyon Sands Hotel, seated at a table loaded down with microphones and recorders, the living monument to Savile Row wizardry who was about to become St. Lucia’s first prime minister apologized to a roomful of journalists for his late arrival. Flanked by PR men Willie and Timothy James, a stonefaced Compton said: “All right,
THE STAR
february 16, 2019
Toronto’s Ryerson Institute. Four years later, by which time Regis had graduated, the St. Lucia government had again seduced him into accepting a position at home, this time as news editor at Radio St. Lucia. Alas, Regis was destined for further disappointment. He had been at his desk just three days when he clashed with his employers. And all because he had permitted a statement by an official from the ministry of agriculture to be broadcast over RSL. The official had said, in reply to a reporter’s question, that he had no idea why the minister of agriculture was attending a conference in Guyana; the minister had not seen fit to inform him. That was all—but enough to earn Regis a right telling off by the peripatetic minister upon his return home. Regis landed in more trouble after he informed RSL listeners that a police warrant had been issued for the arrest of a local playboy—a friend of the government— who was suspected of having absconded with over $100,000, right) with (l-r) NDC chairman swindled from trusting St. e Odlum and agriculture minister Lucians. ork, shortly after St. Lucia was A news item that featured d an independent nation. George Odlum was the straw gentlemen. I’ll take your questions that finally broke the camel’s now.” back. The Labour Party radical A forest of hands shot up. had announced during a public One man rose from his seat and rally that Premier Compton was about to introduce himself was about to reshuffle his when Compton cut him down: “I cabinet. The announcement thought I made it clear that this was premature, as Regis was press conference was for visiting well aware. However, in an journalists only. Not for local effort to set the record straight reporters!” His audience groaned. he had quoted Odlum during The diminutive Willie James his lunchtime broadcast—but jumped to his feet, his PR smile with a strong denial from the desperate not to appear sheepish. premier. The news program “Gentlemen, please,” he said, had barely ended when the palms held high, as if to ward off government minister in charge the negative force. “We agreed the of broadcasting called Regis to prime minister would speak with his office and ordered him to the local press in due . . .” cease reporting news that had The reporter was still on his not been submitted by the PR feet. “But that’s the whole point,” department. Later, RSL’s news he protested. “I’m not local.” He editor was suspended, without held up a press card. “Here’s my explanation—in the same way ID.” Willie took it, then passed it on that the station’s broadcasting to his boss for further inspection. board had earlier been The reporter was no stranger to St. dismissed without explanation. Lucia, or to Willie James. Not for As things turned out, Regis nothing had he once rated among never returned to Radio the most zealous supporters of St. Lucia. Instead, he went to the United Workers Party. Six work for CBC, in Toronto. And years earlier, he had been an now he was home again, ready assistant editor at the Voice, the to cover his former employer’s island’s oldest newspaper—until for-foreigners-only press Compton enticed him away with conference—ostensibly for a job at the government’s public Canadian consumption. relations office. Shortly after St. Lucia’s prime minister the 1974 elections, however, designate carefully studied Compton had reneged on his the CBC reporter’s press card promise of a scholarship and before returning it to Willie a disappointed Gregory Regis James, who passed it on to its had packed his bags and left owner. Finally, Compton decided to study radio journalism at to continue with the business
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at hand. “All right,” he growled, eyes focused aggressively on the ceiling. “Go on, ask your question.” “In view of the atmosphere surrounding the Independence celebrations,” Regis began, “do you have a plan for reuniting St. Lucians?” Compton was still studying the ceiling. “What do you mean?” he sniffed. Regis reworded his question and Compton told him that he and his government had done everything possible to bring St. Lucians together— ”despite the enemy within.” A Barbados journalist asked why the government had chosen to seek Independence from Britain without the backing of a referendum. With a motion of his right hand, Compton brushed the question aside. “That’s irrelevant!” he sneered. When the reporter persisted, Compton said: “The way our Constitution is set up, well, any obstructionist can adversely affect a referendum.” Someone inquired about the prime minister designate’s relationship with the leader of the opposition, Allan Louisy. Compton refused to comment. Then the BBC’s Martin Bell raised his hand. When Compton nodded, Bell asked: “Why are you unable to discuss the opposition party without obvious acrimony?” Compton jumped to his feet, as if one of the microphones on his table had suddenly turned into a cobra. “You!” he shrilled, bloodshot eyeballs on open display, right fore-finger pointed accusingly at the BBC reporter. “Yes, you talk about acrimony? You came here for just one thing. That’s right. One thing only. You came here looking for mud. Why don’t you lift your eyes to the stars!” An unfortunate figure of speech, in the circumstances. After all, the star was the symbol of the St. Lucia Labour Party. Compton’s “enemy within.” Compton said it was clear to him that the BBC man didn’t give one damn about what was really going on in St. Lucia, judging by the reports he’d filed since his arrival. (Not to mention the company he’d kept. Yes, yes, the UWP’s janissaries had made certain Daddy Compton was kept abreast of Martin Bell’s movements in St. Lucia!) “The opposition claims . . .” Regis was once again on his feet. Compton cut him short. Continued on page 14
What do you remember about our first Independence Day?
‘Sarah Flood was pretty, pretty, pretty!’
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hile we pull out Lucian flags of varying shades of blue from under our mattresses the STAR sought to revisit that ostensibly special day in February 1979. We did that by asking citizens old enough to remember their participation in related events, the atmosphere and so on. This is what we found out: Lucy (87): I can’t remember anything about Independence Day! I know there was a lot of excitement around the time; not all of it was good excitement. But I don’t recall any fireworks or events or anything of that sort. Maybe I didn’t go to any. The younger people would better be able to say what happened. Maurice (48): There were riots. That was forty years ago. I can hardly remember anything but the riots. It was all over the newspapers that Compton was looking for Independence. I was in school; I probably wasn’t paying much attention. Rose (55): We were in England at that time and we were told that we would no longer be able to use a British passport, and we had to apply for British citizenship if we wanted it. There was not any big celebration among Saint Lucians where we were and we only really visited the High Commissioner’s office to get our passports. Anne (53): There was a big parade on the square and everyone was in school uniform. The UWP was in office. Some people wanted
Independence Day celebrations all look the same with young and old having fun together, but does anyone remember the day that set the tone?
Independence very much, others didn’t. Those who were happy about it felt proud on the day we became independent and there were so many people who came out to Castries on the occasion. John (59): Oh yes! I remember that day. I was almost twenty. I had on a blue shirt with a snake on the back and I went to town. There was a big parade and commotion on the square and I remember Sarah Flood being there. She was looking pretty, pretty. People like Peter Josie didn’t want us to become Independent but I think everyone was happy on that day.
Billy (79): I don’t care to even remember because I know that we should never have become independent. Forty years and nothing change. Don’t know why we celebrating a 40th Year of Doing Nothing. Lu (56): Only that I went to Independence celebrations with my school where it took place at the square. But that’s about it. I was so small so I just know that everyone was excited.
14 comment Continued from page 13 “I’m not interested. We’ve been here fifteen years and we’ll be here for another five . . . and another five after that. You can tell that to your friends!” “I only wanted to ask . . .” Compton’s hands flew to his temples, his eyes shut tight, as if he’d suddenly developed an unbearable headache. “I am not prepared . . . No sir, I . . . next question, please!” Trevor Simpson of the Caribbean News Agency wanted to be told how St. Lucia would benefit from independence. Compton said he had grown impatient with that question. So Regis offered something fresh. “Would you care to tell us what the national debt is at this time?” Compton adjusted his tie and cleared his throat before replying. “I don’t know,” said the prime minister designate, who was also the minister of finance. For once he’d looked into the reporter’s eyes as he spoke—almost threateningly. At this point Martin Bell walked out with his camera crew. Regis had a final question: “What about your plans for St. Lucia’s social development?” “What does that mean?” asked Compton. “That’s too broad a term. Social development? Define it.” The reporter suggested that perhaps he could cite an example but Compton would have none of that. “No examples,” he sniffed. “Just define your term. I’ll offer the examples.” “Well,” said Regis, “there have been charges that the Hess Oil project is encouraging rampant prostitution at Culde-Sac. How do you propose to deal with that problem?” St. Lucia’s prime minister designate had finally caught a ball he could run with. He knew his supporters would be glued to their transistor radios, taking in the press conference live, rooting for their leader regardless, fully expecting him to slay this quisling dragon who
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had dared to sully the good name of St. Lucia. Compton fully intended not to let his supporters down. Judging by all he threw at Regis, you’d have thought the St. Luciaborn reporter had identified Compton’s mother as one of the Cul-de-Sac whores! Meanwhile, in William Peter Boulevard, the disgruntled schoolteachers and maybe a score of sympathizers, unaware that their movements were being closely monitored, were getting ready to sling more mud at the prime minister designate. No one seemed particularly concerned about the blue truck that was parked but a hundred yards from where the teachers were preparing for their meeting. Nicknamed “The Cage” by the local Rastafarian community, the wire-meshed vehicle had once served as transportation for transgressors who had been sentenced to incarceration at the Castries prison. Lately, however, “The Cage” had become synonymous with Compton’s Special Services Unit—and unspeakable police brutality. The teachers had not actually presented their first speaker—they were still trying to correct a problem with their public-address system—when the SSU attacked. Within seconds the normal happyhour lunchtime atmosphere of William Peter Boulevard was replaced by the sounds and smells of a war zone as shoppers, children on their way home from school, other curious bystanders and swearing CSA members fell over each other in their desperate efforts to escape the choking tear gas and swinging police clubs—and all of that within range of the BBC’s cameras! Later, Compton would announce that Martin Bell had known in advance that there would be trouble in William Peter Boulevard and that was why he’d left the Halcyon Sands Hotel early. Bell’s BBC colleague, Roger
Cook, vigorously denied Compton’s allegation and took the opportunity to point out that St. Lucia’s prime minister designate had only himself to blame if his Halcyon Sands press conference had not lived up to his expectations. Compton had overreacted to run-of-the- mill questions, said Cook. Where the Illustrated London News was concerned, it was a pity that the leader of St. Lucia’s government had chosen to attack the British press. Journalists, like prime ministers, had a duty to perform. But Compton had clearly indicated by his attitude toward the reporters at his press conference that he did not share the view that a democracy had to be synonymous with freedom of expression for all. Compton came back fighting: During a televised address to the nation on the eve of its Independence, the prime minister designate appealed for peace. His black and white TV countenance lit up by the excitement of the occasion, he proudly acknowledged—in his own inimitable fashion—the presence in St. Lucia of the various representatives of the international community. “To share with us our joy on this day,” he crowed, “they come from as far away as Australia and as near as Martinique and St. Vincent. The ancient nation of China with its 800 million population will be represented, as will the new nation of Tuvalu with its population of 12,000.” Swollen with pride, he went on: “For the next few days it may be truly said that St. Lucia, perhaps for the only time in our history, will be in the center of the world stage.” He could not resist a swipe at the opposition party: “They have asked you to conduct yourselves in a way that can only bring shame upon our country and cause us untold harm in our international
affairs. From all I’ve heard and seen, I know that such counsels are being ignored. I know that the good sense of the people of St. Lucia will prevail as we show the world that beautiful face of ours, that beautiful smile, that charm and courtesy, those good manners . . .” On the evening of February 21, 1979, even as Princess Alexandra was dishing out medals to some of the island’s more notorious peace relics, SSU sharpshooters, who had earlier taken their positions on the roof of the nearby Geest banana shed and other strategic points along Faux-a-Chaud Road, were keeping a sharp lookout for trouble, ready to eliminate the smallest threat to the Queen’s peace. But Compton needn’t have worried. The ceremony ended shortly after 12:30 a.m. without a shot, save for the blanks fired by the special police guard of honor. Throughout the ceremony, Radio St. Lucia’s Margaret Robert-Steele had kept sleepy eyes awake with tantalizing minutiae from the ceremonial site, gleefully noting along the way that the prime minister’s wife and their lovely children were “simply exquisite, even though it’s way past their bedtime.” By all that Ms.
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Robert-Steele dutifully reported, she might just as well have been covering a carnival queen show. Everything had gone exactly according to schedule. At any rate, where Compton’s Independence committees were concerned. For others, however, it was an altogether different matter. The cardboard revolutionaries who had taken on the task of prematurely terminating the flag-raising ceremony were, when it was time to carry out their assignment, too high on Dutch courage to stand up without assistance. Another squad led by a well known city sot had managed to knock-out several private telephones at the northern end of the island but their prime target, Radio St. Lucia, had continued to broadcast the Independence proceedings island-wide— without interruption. Too late, the would-be saboteurs would discover that they had cut down the wrong utility poles. The two-storey Radio Caribbean building had also been marked for demolition. But the born-again Che Guevara who had volunteered to effect the big blowup remembered at the last moment that his employment situation was such that the smallest assault
on the station would send “The Cage” racing to his door. Alas, enough to cool anyone’s revolutionary zeal. Then there was the Castro clone who, with his toothless chauffeur, had set out with a carload of gelignite but had been forced to abandon his mission—thanks to his antiquated transportation that had overheated and stalled when he was within sight of his target but too far away to do anything about it. It had taken both men almost an hour to offload and stash their deadly cargo—by which time the Independence ceremony had been safely concluded. The crew that had drawn responsibility for putting out the lights at the ceremonial site had been equally effective. At first sight of the SSU, these dedicated defenders of “the people’s revolution,” had decided that it made no sense at all to expose their hides to machine gun fire while their “comrade leader” sequestered himself miles from the battlefield, snuggled up with his fat-assed libidinous alibi. The preceding is from Foolish Virgins by Rick Wayne
SNAKEBITE TREATMENT IN ST. LUCIA
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n a ground-breaking event in the history of medical co-operation between Martinique & St. Lucia, the National Trust, Victoria & Tapion Hospitals, as well as the Caribbean Doctors Association, hosted over sixty medical, forestry, and health professionals at the launch of a new protocol for the treatment of snakebite in St. Lucia. Also attending was Mr. Davidson Alfred, aka Webster, a snakebite survivor, who was medically evacuated to Martinique on New Year’s Eve in Dec 1998, where he spent
several months. The protocol was designed by Dr. Dabor Resiere of the University Hospital of Martinique, and Professor José Maria Gutierrez of the Institute of Microbiology at the University of Costa Rica in a 6-month collaboration between March & October 2018. Professor Gutierrez developed the anti-venom currently in use in St. Lucia, which differs from the version used in France. Since the recent declaration of snakebite as a neglected tropical disease by the WHO, increased attention
is focused on treatment of this disease, which should help reassure the public about co-existence with the ferde-lance, the only venomous snakes in Martinique & St. Lucia. The protocol will update procedures already in place in Martinique. Dr. Resiere is a qualified toxicologist, as well as being the deputy head of the ICU at the University Hospital of Martinique, and President of the French-registered non-profit Caribbean Doctors Association. Caribbean Doctors Association Tel: 484-3646
THE STAR
february 16, 2019
What are Approved CIP Applicants Investing in? Joshua St. Aimee
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nder the Citizenship by Investment Programme there are four options open to applicants for Saint Lucian citizenship: investment/ donation into the National Economic Fund, Real Estate Projects, Enterprise Projects, or the purchase of government bonds. The CIP website says that when an application for citizenship by means of an investment in the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund is approved, the minimum investment is US$100,000, if applying alone. If applying with a spouse, or with a spouse and up to two qualifying dependents, the cost rises to US$165,000 and US$190,000 respectively. Thereafter, for US$25,000 per person, additional qualifying dependents can be added to an application. Once the cabinet of ministers approves a real estate project, an applicant can choose to invest in it. The two categories of Approved Real Estate projects are: high-end branded hotels and resorts, and high-end boutique properties. The minimum investment is US$300,000.
Mr. Nestor Alfred, CEO of Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Enterprise projects are also considered by the cabinet for approval, and can fall into seven categories: specialty restaurants; cruise ports and marinas; agro-processing plants; pharmaceutical products; ports, bridges, roads and highways; research institutions and facilities, and offshore universities. A minimum investment of US$3,500,000 is required for a sole applicant. For more than one applicant the minimum investment is US$6,000,000. The last investment option is the purchase of non-interest bearing government bonds. The bonds are to be registered, and remain in the name of the applicant for a five-year holding period from the issue date. A minimum investment of US$500,000 is required if applying alone. Applying with
a spouse, or with a spouse and up to two qualifying dependents costs US$535,000, and US$550,000 respectively. Additional qualifying dependents can be added for US$25,000 per person. Based on CIP annual reports for the financial years 2016-17 and 2017-18, 205 applications for citizenship have been granted. During 201617, seventeen applications were granted, twelve through investment into the fund, and the remainder through the purchase of government bonds. In 2017-18, the investment option for all 188 approved applications was to the fund. “I don’t think it’s a matter of concern,” said the CIP’s CEO Nestor Alfred, “because you can develop the programme and generate significant revenue by the donation mode. However, you’d appreciate that the programme is very price sensitive. You’d also recongise that the donation contribution amount is not as significant as compared to the other routes for the grant of citizenship.” Mr. Alfred says he believes this route is more popular not only because it’s the cheapest, but also because individuals like the notion of their investment going into a national economic fund, which goes towards assisting in the
Radio’s Pied Piper lands New Show at Real FM! last week that she wanted to concentrate on rebranding the station. As far as her company and Poleon were ust over a week after concerned, Gibson would say parting company with only, “It’s a private matter and RCI over “irreconcilable I don’t wish to dwell on it.” differences”, Timothy Poleon was snatched up by Real FM to She acknowledged Poleon’s “valuable contribution” to the do for the station what he did station over the years, adding, for the old every weekday for “People arrive at crossroads almost 30 years. “I had several invitations,” and must decide what will be he told this reporter, “but settled their next step.” In her interview with on Real FM, primarily because the STAR at last Thursday’s what they were offering was Rebranding Event, Gibson more acceptable and in tune with my plans for the future. For said she had anticipated the questions about Timothy Poleon, one, I now have greater control but the event was not about over my programme.” His new show, like the one him. “He is part of our story that spans 58 years, so we’re he recently left behind, starts not discrediting his contribution at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. One thing the show doesn’t to the station. Not at all in any way.” yet have is a name. Poleon Poleon started work at expects to change that situation soon. In the meantime it seems his new location on Monday. He his own name is magnet enough was not surprised at the number of old voices that welcomed him for his fans here and abroad. As for his new employers: back on radio: “The response “They are comfortable with the has been great because I have my regular callers. They are arrangement we have.” calling in. They are contributing RCI’s managing director, as always and I have a greater Tamara Gibson, told the STAR
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By Dean Nestor
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It didn’t take long for the popular talk-radio host to land a new show at a new location following his departure from Radio Caribbean International. No surprise that his legion of fans has followed him.
sense of who is listening because we monitor via social media and we’re discovering we have a lot of people from North America, from Canada and the UK listening as well.” He also had kind words for his new employers: “They’ve been very welcoming. They are very impressed, primarily because the time slot I’m utilising right now would have been used mostly by DJs. Now, clearly, they have a larger audience.”
country’s development. On the other hand, said Alfred, “if any country is to make a success of this programme, the entry for the grant of citizenship cannot be simply by donations. I have no grave concern that where we are concerned the main route is via donation. However, I believe we have to explore the other routes as a means of creating a more attractive programme.” The CEO singled out the real estate option in St. Kitts, where there have been reports of extensive fraud. He says there are a number of approved projects but “we have not gone the route of offering them to investors simply because we’ve taken the position that everything must be in order before such a product is made available”. He revealed that in recent days a real estate project was approved for the south of the island and that from all indications it should start this year. Alfred says that for a jurisdiction which has just come on the market, Saint Lucia’s CIP programme is holding its own “but there’s always room for improvement”.
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THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA CLAIM NO. SLUHCV2006/0704 BETWEEN: FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK (BARBADOS) LIMITED Formerly CIBC CARIBBEAN LIMITED Claimant and 1. MONA DONAVAN 2. LUCIUS GERMAIN GIRARD Defendants NOTICE OF HEARING TAKE NOTICE that the Application for Permission to do an Inspection of Property to Undertake Valuation & A Valuation filed in this matter has been scheduled for Chamber Hearing at the High Court of Justice, La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street in the city of Castries on Wednesday, the 6th day of March, 2019 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon before Justice Cadie St RoseAlbertini. DATED: this 1st day of February, 2019 (Sgd.) L. Soomer-James for REGISTRAR OF THE HIGH COURT To: FOSTERS Legal Practitioner for the Claimant Robin Kelton Bldg. Choc Bay, Castries
Mona Donavan Defendant in Person Sans Souci, Castries
Lucius Germain Girard Defendant in Person Sans Souci, Castries
The Court Office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Tel. No. 758 468-7500, Fax No. 758 468-7543. The Office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Friday except public holidays. Email stluhco@eccourts.org.
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february 16, 2019
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Serenity Park renamed in honour of former Castries Central MP and Governor General! By Dean Nestor
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o borrow from Mark Twain: “Truth is stranger than fiction.” It certainly is true in the case of Serenity Park. For most supposedly informed citizens, the park near the Sans Soucis bridge, not far from the government’s waterfront buildings, was named by a certain controversial former minister. Others closer to local happenings believe an unidentified infant school student suggested the name as his or her contribution to a school contest. It’ll come as no surprise that relatively new MPs had no idea until recently who, other than the former Castries Central MP, may have named the park. When it got out that it was to undergo a name change, however, the public reaction was enough to send the present administration in a spin. Rick Wayne was first to put his foot down on TALK. He lauded Frederick, the former Castries mayor Irving John and his city council associate Mr. Louis Fernand. Mr Wayne also recalled the school competition that had delivered the name Serenity Park, and what a slap in the face of youth if, as rumour suggested, there was a renaming in honour of a long deceased, near forgotten once upon a time Castries Central MP. In all events, by the time the scheduled renaming ceremony got underway late Wednesday afternoon, the authorities had learned more about the park, enough to have invited a certain St. Aloysius R.C. Boys’ School teacher to the event to hear Mayor Petersen Francis credit her with coming up with the park’s original name. I spoke with teacher Verlina Joseph following the ceremony that also involved the unveiling of a plaque. Her story: “Back in 2011, correspondence came informing us about a competition for the naming of the park. The contest was open to students and teachers.” The name came to her as she was driving along John Compton Highway. “There was some construction going on in the area of the park but it all looked so serene, so peaceful and, you know, the name Serenity just came to mind. I can understand how some people assumed it had been submitted by a child. Actually I was a class teacher at the time; a Grade 2 teacher.” She said the mix-up never bothered her. That recognition was given to the school was good enough for her. “I actually submitted the name on behalf of the school.” As for her last-minute invitation to Wednesday’s ceremony: “They actually called asking for the child who had submitted the name. And I told them that it was actually I. And that’s how I got to be there with my principal to hear the announcement that Sir George Mallet’s name would be added to Serenity Park.” She was happy for all the unexpected attention she received this week but what pleased the teacher most was that the school was also recognized. As for the political overtones, Joseph said, “We’re not part of that.” She made no bones about distancing herself and her school from the political noise that continues to reverberate around the decision to name the park after a UWP icon. “As for the political undertones we’re not into that. R.C. Boys’ Infant School is not a part of that.” She admitted, however, “When I first heard there was to be a renaming, I felt a bit disappointed. What was the point? But then I received the call and was
assured they would not actually be changing the name. They were only going to add another name to what’s there.” Contrary to rumour, Richard Frederick was not invited to Wednesday’s renaming ceremony.
Teacher Verlina Joseph (front left), moments after being recognized for her contribution to the history of the renamed Sir George William Mallet Serenity Park.
GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA/ EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (EQuIP) CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR CURRICULUM REVIEW AND REVISION TO INCORPORATE A FOCUS ON SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQuIP) and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOSL and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than GOSL shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing. The Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations, the Executing Agency, now wishes to procure consultancy services to review and revise the National Curriculum, to make it appropriate for helping learners with Special Education Needs (SEN) to achieve to their fullest. The objective of this consultancy service is to assist the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations with the review and revision of the National Curriculum and the development of programmes of study and curriculum guides to assist learners with SEN to achieve to their fullest potential. The duration of the assignment is expected to be for a period of a maximum of 120 person-days over a 12-month period. The Consultancy team shall possess expertise and academic qualifications in Special Needs Education, Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology and Curriculum Development at the postgraduate level. Work experience in Special Needs Education is required and knowledge of the Region will be an asset. The Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations now invites interested eligible consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of these consultancy services. Consultants shall be eligible to participate if: (a) in the case of a body corporate, it is legally incorporated or otherwise organised in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50 per cent beneficially owned by citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of eligible country(ies) or by a body(ies) corporate meeting these requirements; (b) in the case of unincorporated firms, the persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an eligible country; and
(c) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country. Eligible countries are member countries of CDB. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of CDB’s Guidelines for the Selection and Engagement of Consultants (2011), setting forth CDB’s policy on conflict of interest. In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to technical competence, qualifications and experience, local and regional experience on similar assignments, financial capability and existing commitments. All information must be submitted in English. Further information may be obtained from the Address 1 below between 09:00 and 16:00 hours Monday to Friday. THREE hard copies of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the first address below no later than 16:00 hours on February 21, 2019 and one hard copy must be sent simultaneously to CDB at the second address below. The sealed envelope containing each submission should include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Curriculum Review and Revision to Incorporate a Focus on Special Needs Education”. Following the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three and not more than six applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical and financial proposals to undertake the assignment. GOSL reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not short-listing any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest. Address 1 Project Coordinator (EQuIP) EQuIP Project Coordinating Unit Department of Education, Innovation & Gender Relations 3rd Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront, Castries, SAINT LUCIA Telephone: (+1 758) 468 5251/5257 Email: equip@education.gov.lc Address 2 Procurement Officer Caribbean Development Bank P.O. Box 408 Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados, W.I. Email: procurement@caribank.org
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february 16, 2019
KIM’S KORNER The Way you Move R
ecent advances in technology have brought changes, both positive and negative. This is particularly true of physical activity in young people 5-17 years old. At the risk of sounding like my mother, I must acknowledge “things were different back in the day”. I’d come home from school and would rush to do my homework so I could watch an hour of TV before rushing out to knock for my friends, with whom I’d play and run around until it was time to bathe and head to bed. Most times we pushed curfew to the last possible minute, which meant we had to sprint home. Weekends were spent running, cycling and playing sports. We never got lifts or rode the bus. We depended on shanks’ pony (our God-given legs) to get around. Today’s young people in the digital age have it easier (sounding again like Mom) but easier is not always better, especially when it gets down to staying fit and healthy. Sedentary behaviours can have detrimental effect on a child’s health and development that can lead to bad habits that may manifest later in life, affecting metabolism, neuromuscular activity, posture, socio-emotional experiences, cognitive experiences and sleep patterns. Research in adolescent behaviour has linked time watching TV to substance abuse, reduced self-worth and self-concept, reduced bone health—all of which increase risks associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, poor pro-social behaviour, increased aggression, reduced academic achievement, depression and reduced quality of life. Being active, on the other hand, has many positive benefits on physical and social development. It helps to build strong bones and muscles, improves movement, balance and co-ordination, plays a role in brain development and learning as well as having a positive role in nurturing social skills and the concept of taking turns and working in teams. It also has obvious benefits like weight control and mood enhancement. The World Health Organization is committed to encouraging physical activity in both young people and adults
and recommends the following activity guidelines. Babies 0-1: This may seem like an early age to encourage physical activity but it is a very important period during development and growth. Babies should spend no more than an hour sitting in a stroller or a high chair and should definitely not be sat in front of the TV. In fact, it is important that babies spend time on the floor interacting with their environment with at least 30 minutes on their tummies. Toddlers 1 -2: This is the age when toddlers have usually found their feet and are happy to stand up and use the furniture or other stable (and sometimes unstable) objects to move around. Of course, once on their feet, they spend a lot of time falling over. It can be a hard time for parents with no eyes in the back of their heads. The temptation, for your child’s safety and your sanity, is to sit your child in front of the TV to keep them amused. But sitting in one place for too long can have consequences. Although it may be difficult to keep twoyear-olds away from the TV, screen-time should be no longer than an hour, and preferably not an option at all. Instead, toddlers should be encouraged to explore and engage in energetic play for at least three hours throughout the day. Pre-school children 3-4: By now physical activity should be part of everyday life and it is recommended that three hours throughout the day should be spent playing, with at least an hour of that in energetic play. Parks are ideal for this but when not available there is always the beach. The opportunity to run up and down the sands, build sandcastles and swim are among the things that
make living in the Caribbean special. In between vigorous activity, quiet wind-down time is recommended. Playing with blocks and bricks, or reading, beats sitting for hours in front of the TV, any day. Children aged 5-17: This group spends a lot of time sitting on classroom chairs and it is important to include physical activity in their routine, whether that means running around, playing with friends or participating in sport. It can be a time of extreme pressure to learn and to fit in, with peer pressure being a large influence in their daily lives. Exercise is not only good for keeping healthy, it can improve self-esteem, self-image and mood. It is also a good way to develop social skills and the skills necessary to excel at work and play. After-school playing is not as common these days as in the past and, unless your child participates in an after-school sport, there is a large temptation to head for the TV or video games. Sedentary pastimes are becoming increasingly popular but should not be done for more than two hours a day. Playing video games or spending long hours on a computer, phone or tablet are not only anti-social and lacking in health benefits but using these devices just before bed can also have a negative effect on sleep as they emit a blue light which suppresses the release of melatonin, the chemical responsible for inducing sleep. So, encourage your child to get up and run around. In the final part of our series next week we will look at physical activity in adults because running around is not just for the youths.
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, tel. 458 4409 or 284 5443; www.baysidetherapyservices.com
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PROUDLY CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SERVING ST. LUCIANS
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Honouring Sports Legend Mindoo will Inspire Others to Follow in his Footsteps! By Sir Julian R. Hunte
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his ceremony is of special significance to me, both personally and as a former sports administrator. It marks the culmination of years of commitment and dedication to the erection of a monument to one of Saint Lucia’s greatest ever sportsmen: Francis Mindoo Phillip, a man who earned the adulation of Saint Lucian sports fans for generations spanning the fifties and sixties into the early seventies, for his tremendous achievements as cricketer and footballer, coach and sports organiser. At this stage I wish to acknowledge the presence of Helen Phillip, wife of our departed Mindoo, and her family. I am fortunate to have been personally involved with Mindoo, both as a footballer and cricketer in my early years, as well as a sports administrator and later on as Mayor of Castries, when I featured in having this sports facility named after him. Happily, his sports fans of those years have not stopped short of immortalizing him by the
naming of the Mindoo Phillip Park. They have gone further and erected this fantastic monument in his honour to ensure that the efforts of our local hero will serve as a beacon for our sportsmen, young and old. This is certainly a labour of love and appreciation. And for this I must extend my sincerest thanks and congratulations to those persons who worked so assiduously over the years since his death to bring this monument to fruition. To Dunstan DuBoulay, chairman of the committee, who worked so zealously over the past years to present the world with this magnificent edifice. Never an avid sportsman, Dunstan’s involvement was fired by the deep friendship of his family, especially his father, who were Mindoo’s admirers and supporters. It was Dunstan who almost singlehandedly pursued this quest, for the erection of this edifice, over the years, and its completion is testament to his commitment and sense of purpose. To Dunstan and his team, McDonald Dixon, Tyrone
Sir Julian R. Hunte (pictured) hopes that other talented sports personalities would be granted similar recognition for their work.
Maynard, Rupert Branford and the other members, I say, “Well Done!” for their sterling efforts. Special mention must be made of the late Stanley French, writer and regional engineer, who pioneered this project, but sadly passed on before the realization of this monument. At this juncture I wish to acknowledge the presence in our midst of Mrs. Elaine French, widow of our late, respected and lamented Stanley French. Stanley, as an author, has
immortalized Mindoo in two of his literary works. In one, he described the adulation with which Mindoo was held by Saint Lucians of all stripes. He wrote: “I think of a frail grandmother nearing eighty, now dead. I am about to leave our house to go to the park to see a cricket match which will be broadcast over a local station rigged up solely for that occasion. She asks me, before I leave, to ensure that the tuning needle of the radio is set on the station
so that when Mindoo comes to the wicket she will merely have to switch on the radio with the volume control. “And this woman, as far as I know, never attended a cricket match in all her years. The frail old woman turns the off/on control and the commentator announces that the incoming batsman is Mindoo Phillip. He emerges from the tunnel of the Cadet Pavilion. The park erupts with applause. As was the fashion with many players up to the 1950s, a necktie laces the tabs of his cream trousers. “Mike, alias ‘The Human Radio’ (deceased) gives ball by ball commentaries fuelled with alcohol through cupped hands to the under-the-pavilion crowd, escorts Mindoo on part of his journey to the wicket. The batsman’s walk is apparently heavy but padded. A fevered migration from town to the park gates begins. Trees outside the ground, but towering above its coconut branch-cum-galvanize enclosure, sway and groan under their burden of freeness spectators. Spectators hugging the boundary, gleefully wait to return the ball to mid-field so that Mindoo will oblige by
hitting it across or over the line again.” Mindoo, in his time embodied the hopes and aspirations of all young sports persons, island-wide, as one who came from the ranks to dominate the scene of the so-defined upper classes. And above all his efforts, were his massive contributions to the development of sport in Saint Lucia, initially as groundsman, cricketer and national captain, to national coach, footballer and organiser. I am extremely heartened by the fact that, with the erection of this monument, we have shown that ours is not a dead heroes society. My fondest wish is that those of our up-and-coming outstanding sports persons will continue to be accorded some recognition, maybe not as grandiose, but sufficient to inspire them to give of their very best for love of sport and country. Editor’s note: The preceding was delivered last Saturday by Sir Julian R. Hunte, at the dedication of a monument in honour of Mindoo Phillip.
THE STAR
The Rural Unknown Haiti’s Tech Summit By Keithlin Caroo
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n four months from now, from June 20-22, 2019, Haiti will host its third annual ‘Haiti Tech Summit’ founded by Christine Souffrant Ntim, a Haitian-American, Forbes 30 under-30 entrepreneur. The event has even been dubbed the ‘Davos of the Caribbean’ and has boasted speakers such as Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, and Silicon Valley heavyweight Ben Horowitz, along with representatives from tech giants Google, Facebook and Airbnb. Amid attracting investors and visitors to Haiti’s shores, one of the main purposes of the summit is to redefine the Haitian narrative through disruption. The summit has been created to be a 13-year initiative to transform Haiti through entrepreneurship and innovation by the year 2030. The beauty of the entire collaboration is that it was accomplished by a team of young Haitians, all under age 30. Ntim and her team hit on something quite interesting, that “Haiti is not open for business, it is open for disruption”. The founder noted the fact that emerging markets are often evaluated on “their capacity for formal
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industry development” rather than the potential for new start-ups to correct gaps in these fields. The summit serves as a forum to inspire and incite Haitians to invent their own disruptions that address the gaps in their economy using world-renowned expertise. If the event continues at this pace, Haiti could truly serve as a global case study for transformative change through technological revolution; change not led by governments or international funding agencies, but by a team of young Haitians looking to redefine the narrative of the new Haiti. Maybe the rest of the Caribbean could take a page from their books.
Keithlin Caroo is the founder of Helen’s Daughters a Saint Lucian non-profit with a special focus on rural women’s economic development through improved market access, adaptive agricultural techniques, and capacitybuilding. It was formed in 2016 in a winning proposal for UN Women’s Empower Women Champions for Change Program. To learn more about the initiative, visit: Facebook: Helen’s Daughters Instagram: helensdaughters.slu Website: helensdaughters.org
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Financial Literacy Important for Board Members, says CGTI
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ore and more board members are realizing that it is not appropriate to be on a board and not be financially literate,” says Ted Sehl, faculty member of the Caribbean Governance Training Institute (CGTI), who presented the company’s latest highly-acclaimed two-day ‘Financial Literacy’ seminar in Antigua in early February. According to Mr. Sehl, Managing Director of a Canadian ‘fractional CFO service’: “Financials are the scorecard for the business that their stakeholders rely on. Directors should have a good understanding of how their different financial statements come about and what areas they impact in terms of management choice and judgement.” Board members who are “financially literate” add more value to their boardroom and fulfill a crucial leadership mandate by understanding their organisation’s operations and performance via its financial statements. Financial literacy training of the board is often overlooked by companies at their own peril, which is something CGTI wants to change. The Financial Literacy Certification Program (FLCP) was developed in response to the surprisingly high number of board members across the Caribbean region who are lacking in the financial skills and understanding required to interpret and assimilate their organisation’s complex
budgets and reports. Attending this programme helps directors master the “language of business” and enhances their ability to ask the right questions and engage management more efficiently on financial matters. After the inaugural session, attendees were swift to applaud the new FLCP course. Says CEO Lisa Charles: “Our financial literacy training gives participants a strong basis for communication with management. We help directors become more comfortable with financial discussions in the boardroom by introducing them to what every director must know about the basics. By completing this course and adding the post-nominal F.Lit.C designation to their title, incumbent and potential board members are clearly stating their financial literacy accreditation.” Next up for the Caribbean Governance Training Institute is its signature three-day Chartered Directors Program (C.Dir) from April 1-3, immediately followed on April 4
by the one-day Chairman’s Course to be presented at the St. Kitts Marriott hotel by CGTI’s co-founder and Chairman, Dr. Chris Bart, FCPA. According to Dr. Bart, the chairman of every board and board committee has a critical influence on the style, composition, balance and performance of the group they oversee. Introduced last year to widespread acclaim in Antigua, this interactive workshop provides a unique opportunity to review the role of the effective ‘Chair’ in light of the most up-to-date governance best practices. “Whether you are newlyappointed or looking to improve your performance with a fresh perspective, the practical casestudies and insights shared throughout the day provide the essential knowledge and skills to fulfil the Chairman’s role successfully and with aplomb,” promises Dr. Bart. For more information and to register for an upcoming CGTI event, please visit CaribbeanGovernanceTraining. com or email desmer@ caribbeangovernancetraining.com
UPTON GARDENS GIRLS’ CENTRE To Grow is to Change
VACANCY INVITATION FOR TENDERS
To supply and install broadband equipment for improved internet access at the National Skills Development Centre – St. Lucia The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission invites tenders from eligible telecommunications providers to supply broadband and related services for the establishment of Internet access at the National Skills Development Centre, St. Lucia. The project will span across our four (4) training centres which are located in the following areas: 1. Bisee Industrial Estate, Castries- Main Campus 2. Patience, Mon Repo- Agricultural & Architectural Campus 3. St. Jude’s Highway, Vieux Fort- Hospitality Campus 4. La Fargue, Choiseul- Arts & Craft Campus Funding for this project is provided from the Universal Service Fund. Further information and tender documents may be obtained from: The Universal Service Fund Administrator National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission 1st and 2nd Floor Rajana Group of Companies Building Bois D’Orange, Gros – Islet P.O. Box GM 690 Castries Saint Lucia West Indies Tel: (758)458-2035 E-mail: ntrc_slu@candw.lc cc. Sjones@ectel.int
Social Worker A vacancy exists for the full-time position of Social Worker at the Upton Gardens Girls Centre.Visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/uptongardensgirlscentre for full Job Description. A. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 1. Knowledge of professional social work theories and related practices. 2. Knowledge of policies and social legislation relating to children, juveniles and families. 3. Knowledge of international instruments affecting children and juvenile justice. 4. Knowledge of the dynamics of family dysfunction and child abuse. 5. Skills in behaviour modification, therapeutic and crisis intervention. 6. Awareness of current and international developments and practice issues in the field of family placements. 7. Understanding of the developmental needs of children. 8. Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and sensitively with children and their families. 9. Commitment to work in a multi disciplinary team and with other significant professionals. B. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 1. A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology (with counselling) or a related discipline and training plus experience working/volunteering in a facility for children or adolescents C. Applicant must have vehicle and a valid drivers license. Send Applications by Thursday February 21st to: The Chair of the Management Committee Upton Gardens Girls Centre P. O. Box 951 Castries, Saint Lucia Or by email to uptonssecretary@gmail.com Only favourable applicants will be acknowledged
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Financial Action Task Force Recommendation: Non-Profit Organisations NPOs. This is where greater measures are applied to NPOs at higher risk, but legitimate charitable activities are protected. Countries are required to have an appropriate authority tasked with applying he Financial Action sanctions on NPOs or any Task Force (FATF), person affiliated to the NPO for for the purposes of violations. Furthermore, NPOs Recommendation 8, gives a should be required to licence specific definition of Non-Profit or register and should retain Organisations (NPOs). It reads: pertinent information such as “An NPO refers to a legal person their objectives and the identity or arrangement or organisation of the person(s) who owns and that primarily engages in raising controls the operation. This or disbursing funds for purposes information should be publicly such as charitable, religious, available. cultural, educational, social or It is also incumbent fraternal purposes, or for the upon the NPO to have proper carrying out of other types of systems in place, to record and ‘good works.’” The specifics of account for funds received and Recommendation 8 only apply ensure that donations are spent to NPOs which fall under this in a manner commensurate definition. with the entity’s objectives. The importance of NPOs Saint Lucia has a large to societies is one of the main and wide array of Nonreasons for protecting them Governmental Organisations against terrorist financing including Culture and Creative abuses. As such, countries are Industries and Civil Society encouraged to use a risk-based Organisations. Recognizing approach when dealing with the importance of these
By The Attorney General’s Chambers and the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC)
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february 16, 2019 THE STAR
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entities, and in seeking to protect and regulate them, the Non-Governmental Organisation Act was developed. This Act gives very clear guidelines on how NGOs are to operate and their responsibilities. For example, Section 8 of the Act indicates: “A Non-Governmental Organisation, its officers and members shall comply with— (a) the founding document of the Non-Governmental Organisation as amended from time to time; and (b) the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act and the AntiTerrorism Act.” NGOs are therefore encouraged to acquaint themselves with these Acts. During the onsite visit by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) assessors from September 16-27, 2019, a close examination will be done on this Recommendation to determine whether all of its tenets have been met. Further information on Recommendation 8 can be had from the CFATF website at https://www.cfatf-gafic.org
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The NURC Apprises Consumers of its Functions
hroughout the world, governments face the challenge of delivering sufficient levels of efficient infrastructural investment to support economic growth and enhance the living standards of their citizens. In Saint Lucia, the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC) is an independent, statutory body established by the Government of Saint Lucia to safeguard the promotion of the highest quality of utility services at fair and reasonable rates while building a credible regulatory regime that responds adequately to stakeholders’ concerns. In the conduct of its regulatory functions the NURC is guided by the legislative and regulatory framework set out in the National Utilities Regulatory Commission Act of No. 3 of 2016, which empowers the Commission with the regulatory tools and powers required for effectiveness. This framework gives the NURC broad responsibility for licensing and economic regulation of utility services within the energy,
water and sewerage sectors in Saint Lucia. The NURC is further authorized to licence and regulate all renewable energy generation by private persons or entities; and where applicable sets rates, technical and service standards for the sectors and entities that it regulates. The NURC, as the regulating authority for renewable energy is also charged with the responsibility of issuing permits to persons wishing to generate electricity from a renewable source. In keeping with this mandate, the Commission has developed and published interconnection application procedures for the generation of electricity from solar Photovoltaic (PV) sources. The procedures are inclusive of a PV application form which is mandatory for applicants seeking to connect to LUCELEC’s electrical network. As the economic regulator for water supply services and sewerage services, the NURC is responsible for establishing, approving, reviewing and monitoring tariff schemes
and tariffs in accordance with the Water and Sewerage Act Cap. 9.03 as amended by the NURC Act. Furthermore, the Commission works assiduously to ensure that the highest quality water and sewerage services are delivered to the customer at an affordable rate, while ensuring that WASCO can manage and operate in an economic and efficient manner. As part of its remit, the NURC provides resources which empower consumers with the knowledge needed for resolving complaints with the Service Providers that it regulates (WASCO and LUCELEC). The NURC provides free impartial information and advice to all electricity and water consumers and acts as a neutral third party or intermediary to those who have been unable to obtain redress or those who are dissatisfied with the decision of the Service Provider. The NURC’s work impacts not only the companies and individuals under its regulatory authority but also the consumers of the services.
YOU can WIN a Trip for 2 to MACHEL MONDAY!!! The Wave 94.5 & 93.7fm is giving you a chance to win a trip for 2 to the biggest event for Trinidad Carnival……MACHEL MONDAY!!
TWO WAYS TO QUALIFY!! OPTION 1: Via Social Media
• Follow @thewavestlucia @GoZippyFreight @visionexpressslu @Creamnbean on Instagram and Facebook. • Repost this Artwork on your Instagram and Facebook page using the hashtag #RideTheWaveToTrinidad and tag @thewavestlucia in your post. YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL STEPS IN ITS ENTIRETY TO QUALIFY!
OPTION 2: Via On Air
• Listen for the Machel Sounder and call in at 452-3192 to identify a Machel Montano Song.
Promotion ends February 19th, Draw takes place February 20th live on the Wave. The winner and guest will receive an all-expense paid package to include: airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transfers, and tickets to Machel Monday event. All participants must have a valid passport
Trip for 2 to Machel Monday is
PRESENTED BY: THE WAVE 94.5 & 93.7FM SPONSORED BY: HILTON TRINIDAD, ZIPPY FRIEGHT, VISION EXPRESS AND CREAM N BEAN #RideTheWaveToTrinidad #RidetheWave #BangingtheHits #Promotion#MachelMonday #TripforTwo #TrinidadCarnival #YourCa rnivalStation#MachelMontano #GOAT
THE STAR
The Events Company of St. Lucia is seeking to fill the role of
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER to continue delivering on its current mandate.
Job Summary: Responsible for the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan. Work closely with the CEO to provide dayto-day management of the organization. Duties & Responsibilities: o Leads the team in the implementation of the strategic and corporate plans. o Establishes, in consultation with the team, standards and targets for performance in each area. o Ensures that performance in meeting standards and targets is monitored and evaluated. o Oversees preparation and execution of work programmes, including the setting, monitoring and evaluation of annual and quarterly targets. o Ensures that systems for proper human resource management are in place. o Ensures that the support services (Information Management & Administrative Services) are in place and are effective. o Maintains custody and control of the corporate seal and relevant documents, including leases, contracts and insurance policies. o Prepares and maintains custody of minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and its sub committees. o Assist with recruitment and selection of staff in accordance with established policies and procedures. o Supports the conduct and annual appraisal of staff performance. o Provides ongoing support to staff by communicating the ECSL’s policies, procedures and key decisions and ensuring that the resources are available to execute assigned responsibilities.
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Oversees the work of staff to ensure that it meets ECSL’s standards. Makes recommendations to CEO regarding salary levels, promotions, disciplinary action and renewal of contracts. Carries out such other duties as may be assigned, from time to time, by the CEO.
Invites applications for the position of: Applicants should satisfy the following minimum requirements:
Job Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies or related field. Training in the area of Human Resource Management would be an asset. Minimum of 8 years work experience, with at least five years at management level. Experience in supporting the work of the Board of Directors would be an asset. Desired Skills: Demonstrated leadership skills with a proven track record of effective team management; excellent communication, report writing and analytical skills. Attributes: Mature and responsible individual; highly organised; demonstrated ability to work effectively with people
RESTAURANT SERVER • • • • • • •
Minimum of 1 year experience in food service Possesses great interpersonal skills Excellent communications skills Must have Secondary education qualification or skills certificate in food service Must have minimum of three CXC passes Food Handler’s Permit Must be able to work flexible hours
The successful candidate will report to the Chief Executive Officer. Interested applicants should address and email their applications to:
Applications should be emailed or delivered to:
The Administrative Manager Events Company of St. Lucia Inc. 1st Floor, Sureline Building Vide Bouteille, Castries Saint Lucia
Human Resources Manager Sandals Grande St. Lucian Pigeon Island Causeway Box GI 2247, Castries, St. Lucia W.I Email: recruitsgl@grp.sandals.com
Email: admin@eventssaintlucia.com Deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm, local time, February 28, 2019.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Friday 22nd February 2019
Only suitable applications will be acknowledged.
CPJ St. Lucia Limited-
A leader in the Sales and Distribution sector in St Lucia, invites suitably qualified persons to apply for the position of:
VACANCY NOTICE - LEGAL OFFICER
Invest Saint Lucia is seeking a Legal Officer to provide legal support to the office of the Legal Counsel/Corporate Secretary. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Preparation and vetting of contracts and notarial documents. • Conducting legal research and preparing legal opinions. • Preparing notices, resolutions, contracts, leases, deeds, and other legal documents QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: • Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB). • Minimum 3 years’ post qualification experience. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Excellent research and organization skills. • Proven ability to work in a demanding, deadline-driven environment. • Experience in drafting legal documents, including memoranda, leases and contracts. • A good understanding of land and commercial matters. • Ability to work within a team. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office REMUNERATION Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants for the above post should submit a resume including two letters of reference and certified copies of relevant qualifications to: POST OF LEGAL OFFICER ATTENTION: SENIOR MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES Invest Saint Lucia First Floor, Heraldine Rock Building P.O. Box 495, Castries, Saint Lucia or via email at info@investstlucia.com Deadline for submission of applications is Friday 1st March 2019 at 4:30p.m. Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and experience will be acknowledged.
Position:
Senior Procurement & Pricing Officer
Reports to: Finance Manager Summary: This position is responsible to coordinate activities involved with procuring goods and services from suppliers at the best prices possible in a timely manner. The Senior Procurement & Pricing Officer must maintain the highest integrity and ensure purchases are in adherence to the established Company policies and procedures. Duties and responsibilities: • Monitors stock balances for all products within the following portfolios: Wines & Spirits, Ready to drink, Frozen and Refrigerated goods, direct purchases of Seafood and local purchases. • Maintain par levels for all product categories mentioned above. • Prepares reports for the categories above for review by the relevant Managers. • Receives monthly sales projections from the National Sales Manager as well as recommendations from the Category and Brand Managers. • Prepares weekly analysis of items backordered and provides ETAs where necessary • Maintenance of all price sheets. Maintenance of Standard cost sheets. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Food & Beverage industry experience • Container logistic experience • Excellent communication skills • Must be able to work well with others and have good interpersonal skills • Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing systems, filing and records management systems
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and other office procedures Excellent working knowledgeable in the use of Excel spread sheets Evaluation and analysis of information and data to make decisions and solve problems. These processes involve making decisions about the relative importance of information and choosing the best solution.
Education & Experience • A Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration. • Certification in Procurement Preferred • At least 5 years’ experience in a similar capacity. • Knowledge of inventory control and purchasing procedures is required. • Proficiency in Word and Excel: including spreadsheet creation with formulas, graphs and managing metrics. • Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains would be an asset. Compensation & Benefits: We offer a competitive remuneration and benefit package which will be influenced by the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. Please forward a cover letter and complete resume, including work related references to vacancies@slu. cpj.com Applications with resumes can also be mailed to: P.O. BOX BJ46 CUL DE SAC CASTRIES Deadline for applications is Friday February 22, 2019. Only applicants who meet the criteria will be acknowledged.
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$2.00
Photo by Bill Mortley
SATURDAY, february 16, 2019
HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
S&S
Happy 40th Independence Anniversary St. Lucia!
25 BALLONS SAINT LUCIA
$5.25
CAR fLAgS
$8.00
SAINT LUCIA KEY CHAINS
$3.50
HELIUM BALLOONS
$1.50
CURLINg RIBBONS
$4.25
CAR MUgS
$13.00
Also on special: PAPER NAPKINS 100 SHEETS $2.75, PIZZA BOXES $2.25, AdHESIvE BAgS 50 fOR $1.75, BOWLS 25PK fOR $4.50, PLASTIC SPOONS 20 fOR $3, gOLd CAKE BOARdS fROM $1.75, STERNO 2 HOUR CHAfINg Bois D Orange • Castries • Vieux FortfOAM fUEL $2.75, SOUP CONTAINERS WITH LId 32OZ 25PK $26.50, COCKTAIL CUPS 6PK fOR $4, 7OZ PLASTIC gLASSES 50PK www.facebook.com/the.pricebusters
$4.25, CUPCAKE CUPS 50PK $3.50, fOIL RECTANgULAR TRAYS fROM $0.75, BROWN PAPER BAgS 50PK $5, ALUMINIUM fOIL ROLLS fROM $4, PARCHMENT PAPER ROLLS $5, ZIPLOCK BAgS fROM $2.50
Printed and published by STAR Publishing Co. (1987) Ltd., Rodney Bay Industrial Estate, Massade, Gros Islet, P.O. Box 1146, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I., Tel: (758) 450-7827 Fax: (758) 450-8690, Email: info@stluciastar.com Website: www.stluciastar.com