Why Not Sir Mike? by STAR Publishing

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WHY NOT SIR MIKE? SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019

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Over the years several prestigious awards have gone to non-nationals, some with questionable reputations, so why not our latest recipient of the KCMG?

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

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Invest Saint Lucia Encourages Investors to participate in its Annual Investor Survey

REFLECTIONS

(An over-my-shoulder-look at life)

Michael Walker is back! By Michael Walker

or the past few years I have been more or less regularly contributing a weekly column entitled A-musings to page 2 of this newspaper. Generally speaking, these scribblings have been well received, except of course by my daughter-in-law who felt that the articles were badly written and made me a figure of ridicule within and without her immediate circle of Lucian society. But anyhow, be that as it may, I have decided to terminate my A-musings and turn instead to Reflections, which I have called “an over-the-shoulder-look at life”; life in this case being my life, mainly. Since Kenny Anthony’s demise and retirement from political wheeling and dealing, the environment for satire and protest has become much less interesting: less ripe. Even the perennial fiddling with public funds by those bedecked with the trappings of their skimmings and backhanders has become so blatantly open and obvious that pointing out their excesses has become meaningless. When I was young it seemed there were almost countless equally young but just as opinionated “angry young men” who created novels and plays all about the injustices of society. Of course, many of these playwrights became successful and their anger seemed to diminish as their fame and wealth increased. Let’s pause for a second, dear reader: Did you notice the word “playwright”? I suppose you did. I am sure the thought passed through your mind that a person who writes plays should be called a “playwrite” or at least, though less elegantly, a “playwriter”. I mean, where did that wright come from? It can’t be right, can it? Is there some rite of passage, some transformation that occurs when a person ceases to be a mere scribbler and suddenly becomes a writer? By the way, the online Urban Dictionary defines a “wrighter” as “a writer who honestly believes in what he writes, is committed to truth; a wrighter is intransigent in his work.” Which to me seems fairly nonsensical. A housewright is a builder of wooden houses, a wheelwright is a maker and repairer of wheels and wheeled vehicles; a shipwright is a carpenter skilled in ship construction and repair; a plowwright is one who makes or repairs plows, and a playwright writes plays, and that’s about it! Oh, shit! Sorry, merde! Amazing, isn’t it, how much more elegant things sound when expressed in another language. I was

supposed to be explaining the difference between an A-musings and a Reflections but I kind of got carried away on a lexical anomaly, which is quite normal where I am concerned. My life has not been exceptional. In fact, it has probably been much like your own with ups and downs, highs and lows, sprinkled with disappointments and pleasant surprises, so don’t expect too much. What I have tried to do is to search through my memory banks to find events that might have changed my life in some way or, at least, affected the way I view things. I’ve always been a teacher, a pedant perhaps, and I find that I try to learn lessons in everything I do. Sometimes, these lessons are pretty awful. Take for example the day I filled my pants with merde. I wasn’t very old at the time and there would have been no way I could have spelled diarrhea or diarrhoea— depending on which side of the Atlantic you happened to be afflicted—so suffice to say I was suffering from a very loose stomach. And I was in school. I must have been eight or nine and I was in Miss Clarke’s class. I suppose she wasn’t bad, as a teacher. In those days I had no way of telling one way or the other but I do recall that she was a tyrant and we were all pretty scared of her. In my recollection, she was old, very old, and thin. No one, but no one, ever spoke out of turn in her class. Every lesson had a quiet moment that sometimes lasted quite a few moments, minutes even, and woe betide anyone foolhardy enough to break the silence. Well there I was with my stomach churning and my bowels straining for relief. I raised my hand. She ignored me. “Miss," I squeaked. I tried again. In fact I made several attempts to explain my dilemma. Each time she silenced me with a glance full of malice. The pain was palpable. I squeezed the cheeks of my buttocks as tightly as I could and tried to stand. I estimated that if I could just get to the door and escape the room I might have a chance to reach the boys’ toilets down the corridor in time to avoid a catastrophe, but there was to be no reprieve. Quick as a flash, Miss Clarke leaped from the chair behind her desk and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt as my bowels emptied and I felt the stuff running down the back of my thighs. My shame was complete. That moment, I swore by everything I could that if ever I became a teacher I would treat my pupils with respect and afford them the dignity they deserved, whatever the situation or circumstances. It was, in the true sense of the word, a shitty experience.

or the past three years, Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) has been initiating contact with local and foreign investors as part of efforts to capture information on their respective economic contributions to the local economy, as well as to identify challenges within the business environment that could help guide policy makers in their bid to make Saint Lucia a more ideal place to do business. Given the feedback received thus far, ISL has been able to determine the impact of investments on the Saint Lucian economy and has also been able to ascertain those challenges within the business environment that can be improved upon. Despite the responses from investors in the past, CEO Roderick Cherry believes that the results are not a true representation of the issues faced by business persons. Cherry said, “I think we’re

JANUARY 12, 2019 THE STAR

barely scratching the surface as it relates to the feedback we’re getting. There are hundreds of investors on island, yet the participation has unfortunately not been as substantial as we would have liked. It may be a situation where business people are circumspect when it comes to providing information on their respective investments. “Let me assure you, the information which you provide will not be directly associated with you or your business. In fact, the investment figures will be compiled, analysed and reported on as clusters or by sector or subsector. Neither your name nor the name of your firm will be used in any document based on this survey.” Cherry went on to state that this year, a new strategy has been adopted as it relates to soliciting greater participation from the business community: “In the past, we’ve

invited investors on our mailing list to participate in the survey, but this is still limited to only those businesses that we have facilitated. This year, however, ISL felt it necessary to use a different approach towards encouraging investors to provide us with critical information that will feed into our strategy for improving the business climate.” Throughout the month of January, several investors who have benefitted from the changes which materialised as a result of information provided in the annual investor survey, will be featured as part of a televised public awareness campaign to stimulate greater involvement in the survey. It is anticipated that this exercise will assist ISL in collating more accurate statistical data on the economy as it relates to, inter alia, business facilitation challenges, employment creation and capital expenditure.

ECCB introduces Banknotes for the Blind

he Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA) on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 gave a glowing welcome to a new and historic initiative by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) to introduce into circulation new Eastern Caribbean currency banknotes that bear blind recognition features. The SLBWA is also pleased that the ECCB officials found it appropriate to engage the organisation as a key stakeholder ahead of its own unveiling of a campaign launch to introduce the new currency notes in the near future. Executive Director of the Blind Welfare Association, Mr. Anthony Avril, and President

of the Executive Council, Glen Simon were among five representatives who attended the meeting. Other members were: Second Vice President, Mr. Jazzy Smith, (visually Impaired employee of Gros Islet RC Church) Ms. Carmina Espeleta, (SLBWA Administrative Finance Assistant) and former Executive Council member, Miss Yasmine Houson, a blind employee of CIBC First Caribbean Bank. Avril described the move as “seminal to global, regional and local efforts to promote the empowerment, inclusion and accessibility of blind and visually impaired persons to meet the standards enjoyed by their sighted counterparts”. He added, “Moreover,

empowering individuals with capacity to verify hard printed money bills independently, meets a fundamental requirement of democracy.” Asked what he admired most about the ECCB initiative, Simon explained that the target population would not have to know braille to identify the new denominations and the public in general, especially persons who conduct business at night, may find learning the tactile features of the denominations very useful. The SLBWA team further praised the ECCB for this inclusive and indelible contribution, on behalf of print-disabled citizens of the Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS).

Not Everyone Was Amused!

ur comment on the back page (devoted to parody, satire and humor) of our January 5 issue appears to have been taken a lot more seriously than intended. We never meant to suggest “cops and politicians” would be denied service by any of the business establishments pictured. The services offered by Going Places in particular have always been available to all, regardless of profession.

THE STAR

JANUARY 12, 2019

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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Represents a Lesson to Young Women of St Lucia! Peter Josie

count as a blessing, a privilege even, that I was able to view the swearingin of Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the United States House of Representatives on January 3, 2019. Notwithstanding her experience and high office—she is third in line to the US presidency—it was the youngest member of the House who drew the interest of the US media. Whether it was on Morning Joe or on MSNBC or CBS’s 60-Minutes, the name Alexandria OcasioCortez was the talk of America, and quite possibly the rest of the western world. There are several reasons Ms. Ocasio-Cortez was such a hit with US media. At 29, she is the youngest member elected to the US House, having comfortably won the 14th congressional district of New York. At the time, she lived in a singlebedroom apartment in the Bronx with her boyfriend and child, and worked as a bar waitress, having previously earned a BA degree from Boston University. Although she defeated a four-time democratic representative for the seat, she was not popular with some Conservatives. Perhaps the qualities which piqued the ire of her opponents were her outspokenness and her demonstrated free spirit. Some attempted, without success, to make something of her dancing on camera— yes, she was fully clothed! I was tempted to quote the biblical encouragement to sing and dance in celebration of God’s love and blessings. I know some God-lovers are opposed to dancing, claiming spiritual superiority.

My thoughts returned to Saint Lucia as I took in the criticisms levelled at Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. My early political vision anticipated young Saint Lucia women with the can-do spirit and brain power of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez becoming fully engaged in politics. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s successful bid for a seat in the US House has proven what many young women in Saint Lucia already know: poverty is no barrier to success. On the other hand, laziness and lack of ambition are. Being born to struggling Puerto Rican working-class parents who migrated to the US did not guarantee Ms. Ocasio-Cortez a better life. Her mother worked cleaning other people’s houses while her father ran a small business to make ends meet. Many young women in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean face the same challenges. Fact is, overcoming abuse and poverty has led to many successful careers. An appealing quality Ms. Ocasio-Cortez revealed in her many interviews was her acceptance of the label “democratic-socialist” which some have attached to her politics. The western media love to do that. They are quick to place young aspiring straight-talking politicians into boxes, which they later infuse with untruths and cynical assertions. They bend the media to render a new radical voice ineffectual, blunting its challenge to the status quo. In their cowardly moves, her opponents count support from some Christian churches. During their weekend sermons, these churches avoid any reference to the radical Jesus Christ, who was moved to chase money changers out of his father’s house of worship. Such adversaries tend to impede radical change, often stifling meaningful progress. Radical change in the social

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (pictured) has accepted her label of “democraticsocialist” but her attitude, in spite of the sexist challenges thrown at her, is what makes her a favourable political example to young Saint Lucian politicians.

and economic situation of the less fortunate in America is the dream Ms. Ocasio-Cortez pursues. No one can tell for certain how far and for how long Ms. Alexandria OcasioCortez will ride the wave of popularity, and what she might achieve for her constituents. We know that in maledominated US politics she will be sorely tested. Even those who claim to support her may prove difficult to convince that a new path forward exists.

I have often wondered why Americans, especially American men, are so fearful of having women serve in politics at the highest level. In that regard, the American male is no different from his less well-off brethren. They grudgingly accept women as equal citizens whenever it suits them. The freedom for women to dress as scantily as they please is par for the course. The dominance of the flesh, as opposed to that of the intellect or the spiritual, is

popular in western magazines and movies. Not surprisingly, western man has learned to clothe his vices for expediency. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has declared her most important agenda items: the pursuit of political, social and economic justice for women; supporting clean energy development and a recognition of the reality of climate change and how to better educate citizens and prepare them for it.

She plans to attack the scam of delineation of electoral boundaries masterminded by Republicans to win elections. She intends to help empower women so that the US Congress becomes more representative of the variety of people in the country. Her vision dovetails nicely into the broader vision of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her Democratic Party. It’s been reported that Speaker Pelosi has formed a new subcommittee to study climate change and Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has been invited on that sub-committee. Hopefully, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez will soon discover that there is little merit in offering a too reductive analysis of government expenditures that waltz pass relevant revenue information. The youth of Saint Lucia should be encouraged to observe Ms. Ocasio-Cortez's political trajectory, keeping in mind the obstacles that will be thrown in her path. Independent-minded young people who wish to participate in politics will be more severely tested because of the overarching power and influence of politics. I end on this note: The history of discoveries of the Americas informs us that one Hernan Cortes, later Marquis of the valley of Oaxaca (south-west Mexico) was the first European on Mexican soil. Is Ms. OcasioCortez’s family in any way connected to that Spanish explorer? Discovering ancestry through DNA would be an interesting exercise for the likes of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. Regardless of her blood line, I suggest the following: Keep on advocating and working in the interest of those who elected you to office; keep reading and learning about everything, especially about yourself and your history; keep dancing and never stop praising God and being a democratic radical-socialist.

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JANUARY 12, 2019 THE STAR

Do the Soufriere drownings, the numerous road fatalities, say something about personal responsibility? Dean Nestor

he January 4 drowning of Leonard Hippolyte of Baron’s Drive, Soufriere was, to say the least, tragic. Although the authorities have been reluctant to release details, on the grounds that the case is under investigation, that has in no way stopped self-styled detectives on the ground and on Facebook from arriving at their own conclusions. More than just a few have suggested, without the smallest evidence, that in the hours leading up to his death, Hippolyte was seen consuming large quantities of alcohol. The rumours were enough to bring out the presumed solvers of all our social problems. Before long they were advocating that government make alcohol consumption illegal, as if they had never heard about

If anyone really thinks about what the police are asking, it’s only that we take responsibility for our own lives.

personal responsibility. The topic was broached at a press conference this week. This was how police commissioner Severin Monchery reacted to a reporter who asked if there was anything the police could do prevent road accidents: “Drivers need to be more responsible behind the wheel. Regardless of the number of officers on the road, our drivers need to be more responsible in terms of how

they drive.” But keeping in mind the lives saved could be their own, why aren’t our drivers more careful about driving under the influence, whether of drugs or booze? Why do so many drive as if they were participants in the Grand Prix? Why should the government have to enact new laws against plain stupidity? In any event, reckless driving is already illegal. As is driving while drunk. Why aren’t

such laws enough to deter the inebriated from getting behind a steering wheel? Often driver and passengers were at the same party and equally handicapped. Still it cannot be true that every driver involved in a vehicular accident was drunk. Commissioner Monchery’s words, though aimed specifically at drivers, apply equally to non-drivers. Almost as if it were a Saint Lucian characteristic, we tend to blame others for our bad decisions: the police, weak laws, the bottle, our slave history. Oh, and the government that refuses to enact “new” laws that have been on our statute books from colonial times. Speaking of which: could there be some truth to the notion that our poor sense of responsibility is directly connected with our past, when a meal awaited the slave at the end of a day’s work on the plantation; when there was always some kind of shelter provided, regardless of how

inadequate? The slaves may have had their countless problems, but monthly rent was not among them. The same may apply to our young madmen, whom we are told consider prison a reasonable price for killing someone who “disrespected them” with a wrong look. Is a slave mentality at the root of our social problems? Is government the new massa that we expect to fulfil all our needs, including the need to take responsibility for our actions? Education minister Gale Rigobert, while attending last Wednesday’s Start-up Huddle event, stated: “We can’t leave everything to government. We need a very healthy and active civil society to help with the governance and the overall development of our beautiful island.” How many before her had stated the obvious? There can, of course, be no proper national governance, without proper self-governance. If we demand accountability

PMA/UVM Partnership Enters Third Year

taff at the Pitons Management Area (PMA) office of the Department of Sustainable Development in Soufriere have been reflecting on its three-year relationship with the University of Vermont (UVM), United States of America. The PMA office is responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of the PMA, which is Saint Lucia’s premier protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UVM’s collaboration with the PMA office commenced in 2016 with a programme of research on public awareness and community engagement with respect to the PMA’s UNESCO World Heritage status. This year’s research seeks to investigate this topic in greater depth; and surveys are currently being conducted in Soufriere and Castries. Research provides interesting insights into sustainable management, a

view shared by the Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Gale Rigobert. She has expressed her gratitude to the faculty and students of UVM for the invaluable contribution to the programme of work of the PMA office and the Department of Sustainable Development. This year also marks the 15th anniversary of UVM’s work with the Saint Lucian government. The PMA office highlighted this milestone with a community forum at the Leisure Inn Conference Room, New Development, Soufriere on Wednesday, January 9. The forum commenced with brief introductions from the PMA Manager and five-member faculty and Student Research Team from UVM, followed by a presentation and discussion session on preliminary research findings from this and previous years’ work.

of ourselves, and take responsibility for our own actions, perhaps we can attain a government truly representative of our professed high ideals. In the meantime, it is fair to say government is a reflection of the people it governs. In a phone conversation with my publisher last week, the topic of Saint Lucia’s societal ills came up. I was in the middle of identifying some of them when, not atypically, he interrupted me. No doubt he’d heard the litany countless times before. He had a question: “Dean, do you know who’s responsible for all the problems you just mentioned?” Before I could hazard a guess, he said: “You are, Dean! Unless of course you can tell me what you’ve done about trying to solve them.” I seem to remember someone else saying, “If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.”

CICERON PRIMARY SCHOOL REOPENS ON MONDAY

Soufriere residents assisted University of Vermont Student research, continuing a 15-year tradtion of sharing knowledge between the community and students from the university.

Residents and other stakeholders at the forum were given an opportunity to air their views regarding the PMA and

World Heritage Status. The forum also contributed to this year’s research report by providing

additional insights into issues regarding public awareness and community engagement within the site.

he Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations wishes to inform parents and guardians of students attending the Ciceron Primary School that, after careful consideration, officials of the ministry decided to keep the school closed due to fumes emanating from chemicals used during repair works at the school. This precautionary measure further ensured that all health and safety measures were followed to safeguard the health of students, teachers and other members of the public visiting the school. The school will re-open on Monday January 14, 2019.

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JANUARY 12, 2019

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Prices are correct at the time of going to print. Courts reserves the right to subsequently change prices without notice. Offers available while stocks last. All finance terms are subject to credit approval. Weekly prices are based on a Gold 36 months repayment plan. 3 to 36 month credit plans available. See in-store for details.

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JANUARY 12, 2019 THE STAR

Police say Kimberly de Leon Samples due here Today or Tomorrow

VACANCY

For the position of

Assistant Training and Development Manager Summary/Objective The Assistant Training Manager is responsible for analyzing training needs, developing curriculum and delivering courses. The Assistant Training Manager evaluates the trainee for effectiveness of training and individual employee growth. The Assistant Training Manager is responsible for development of reporting for measurement of training needs and results. This position conducts needs assessments and development of measurement instruments for instructional assignments. The Assistant Training Manager engages in professional training evaluation services in support of organizational and departmental training initiatives. Required Education and Experience 1. Computer literate with computer application and software i.e. Windows/Excel/ Access/Outlook. Ability to input and access information from a computer 2. Bachelors in Education, Human Resource Management or similar certification. A degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management or any other related field will also be considered 3. Minimum two years’ work experience in a leadership position 4. Minimum two years’ experience in the Hospitality Industry 5. Experience in Adult learning theories and instructional methodologies Knowledge of the following theory, principles, practices and/or content: 1. Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. 2. Knowledge of the principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Knowledge in the principles of research 3. Ability to assess hotels’ training needs and deliver programmes 4. Competency in following up on issues related to the training and development on property 5. Excellent organizational and presentation skills 6. Ability to communicate in both written and oral effectively and to enforce standards on hotel properties 7. Ability to focus on details 8. Ability to effectively multitask 9. Excellent documentation and management skills 10. Ability to maintain confidentiality 11. Understanding and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and therefore promote harmonious relationships (inter and intra-departmentally) 12. Ability to perform job functions to standards under pressure 13. Sound leadership skills and therefore the ability to work without direct supervision 14. Ability to be flexible with work schedule and a possible 5 or 6 day work week 15. Ability to apply principles and techniques of coaching, mentoring and performance consulting Should you meet the above requirements, please submit your application and curriculum vitae on or before January 19, 2019 to: HR Recruitment and Compliance Specialist Sandals Resorts International Email: catherine.louisfernand@sri.sandals.com Only applications meeting the minimum criteria will be considered.

Kimberly Williams-De Leon’s friends and family might soon get an update on the investigation into her death.

commissioner denied he had promised the results of forensic lab analysis would be in Saint Lucia a week following he January 8 Royal Saint Lucia Police Force presser his initial announcement. He opened with Commissioner offered this correction: “I said I would have an update by the Severin Monchery providing following week.” a short update on the At the press meeting investigation of the fatal this week, he said: “Up to this shooting of Kimberly WilliamsDe Leon. Monchery had relayed morning [Tuesday] I spoke to the Commissioner in St. Kitts. to the media in November last Those samples have been year, that samples from the analysed and the results are crime scene had been sent waiting to be picked up. We are overseas for testing. supposed to be collecting those When pressed for further results on Thursday. An officer information this week, the

By Dean Nestor

is supposed to be going up there to return by the weekend. So by next week I should be in a position to give you an update as to the analyses done.” The STAR has confirmed that an officer travelled to St. Kitts on Thursday and is expected back in Saint Lucia “by the weekend”. As for Kimberly’s husband, a police sergeant earlier declared “a person of interest” until that information was withdrawn, Commissioner Monchery confirmed he’s still on leave.

A worthwhile New Year Resolution!

recently read about a certain group here that purports to care for the more unfortunate among us. Their latest project was advertised as a fundraising drive to construct a home for those they say they care about. Sounds good but I’ve learned from experience that things are not always as they seem. I’ve therefore decided to warn unsuspecting Saint Lucians and other well-meaning citizens to be very careful of persons who approach them seeking financial assistance on behalf

of the less fortunate. I know of some, including women, who seem to like nothing better than to use the electronic media to promote and advertise themselves and their opposition to the Allen Chastanet government. They cannot help themselves; their greatest satisfaction comes from using other people’s money corruptly. That may be at the root of their disaffection with Chastanet. The police would do well to thoroughly investigate these often bogus organisations so

as to be in a position to advise the public and possibly save them a lot of trouble. Some individuals will do anything to get themselves noticed, or to raise funds for one political purpose or another, which is not illegal. But collecting money for one purpose and then using it for personal or political activities, sounds to me like false pretence. And that’s illegal. Remember, con artists have no conscience. -----Peter Josie

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JANUARY 12, 2019

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JANUARY 12, 2019 THE STAR

Poppy Ajudha and SLTA Sing in Perfect Harmony!

he year 2018 was, for London-based jazz singer Poppy Ajudha, 23, a very good year. And not only because she received the shout-out of all shout-outs from former United States president Barack Obama. By widely publicized account, Mr. Obama had been particularly impressed by Ajudha’s contribution to Tom Mich’s “Disco Yes”, to the extent he had included it among his favourite songs of 2018. Ajudha also released last year two EPs entitled “Femme” and “Patience”. Come March, Poppy Ajudha will embark on a United Kingdom and European tour of over ten cities including Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels and Manchester. The rising star was recently in Saint Lucia to announce a partnership with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, which will see her performing here and collaborating with local artists. At a conference convened on Tuesday, the SLTA introduced Ajudha to reporters. The young singer revealed that she had grown up in the

different and unique.” When someone brought up the Dennery Segment, the UKborn singer said: “I’m interested in what they do, even though it’s very different from what I do. But I mean that’s what’s really beautiful about music and that’s how collaborations become really unique.” A representative said the SLTA considered music a great marketing tool and the authority is looking forward to using the music of local artists to advance (Left to right) SLTA PRO Geraine Georges, songstress Poppy Ajudha, and Jackie Mathurin.

UK around music, that she’d always dreamed of becoming a performer. The holder of a degree in social anthropology, Ajudha said there’s a lot she wants listeners to take from her music. “I try and talk about issues that I feel are pertinent to now, and especially in London, with my experiences with young people and the issues they go through. A lot of my work is about race, gender, sexuality, and social economic issues. A lot of my songs are about

feminism, equality for women and strength in women to pursue their goals.” She thanked the SLTA for hosting her and said she is excited to solidify a work relationship on the island. She considered it a privilege to do here what she is most passionate about. “I’m just excited to meet people,” she said. “I’m just interested in finding as many people as I can to just see how we work together and whether we can make something

The Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation is accepting applications for the post of WIRE Network Program Manager (Part-Time). The primary purpose of this position is to lead the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network. She will provide lead support for managing WIRE and its various partnerships with the Caribbean Electric Utilities Association (CARILEC) and others. This person will focus on growing the impact of WIRE to reach and support more women in the renewable energy sector with leadership and professional development opportunities. This position is part time and can be undertaken remotely/virtually. However, this position has the potential to become full-time in the future. Qualifications and Requirements: • Minimum Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Environment, Communications, Human Resources, International Development/relations, Geography or other related fields • Acceptable: Master’s in public administration, Environmental Management or other related fields • Experience in the Gender and Energy sectors • 3 years’ experience with a regional and international non-profit/NGO and working in a developing country context; experience managing grants and in fundraising. • Minimum 1 year experience in community management and capacity development • Strong written and verbal communication skills; • Must have excellent ability to understand and communicate complex program and practices to a wide variety of stakeholders; • Ability to learn how to adopt a system thinking approach to their work; ability to listen to colleagues, partners, and clients to understand the interconnected relationships between and amongst the elements in the energy and climate system and/or an individual project, and to synthetize ideas and concepts. • Ability to work in a varying schedule including nights, early mornings, weekends and holidays. • Ability to travel domestically and internationally, and work on multiple time zones, as necessary. • Ability to work remotely, given projects will be based in a number of different countries. To learn more about the Duties and Responsibilities visit: https://www.carilec.org/home/career# Please email resume including two references and cover letter to jobs@carilec.org Or mail to: The Training Manager, PO Box CP5907, Sans Souci, Castries, Saint Lucia Deadline: January 31st 2019 Only suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.

destination Saint Lucia. “When we supported the Dennery segment tour last year,” he said, “we had in mind the fact that music can reach areas that our regular marketing efforts cannot. We can show our Saint Lucian-ness via our music. We now hear the music of Dennery Segment in the most unexpected places; places we’d not penetrated earlier.” Is there a possibility that Poppy, whose father is Saint Lucian, will perform at this

year’s Jazz & Arts Festival? She said that she’d attended the festival many times as a child and would love the chance to perform. Said the SLTA’s Jackie Mathurin: “We would love to have her for our Jazz launch in London, and yes we would love to have her for our Jazz festival. We’re going to work on the specifics and see how we can work that out.” ---JSA

We would not recognize nepotism if it grabbed us by the throat!

epotism is defined as the act of using your power or influence to get good jobs or unfair advantages for members of your own family. (Cambridge Dictionary) Sometimes, a man’s contributions to a society or country become entangled in the brush of ever shifting political squabbles, eventually choked from the minds of easily swayed plebeians who, not too long ago, cheered their now former hero from the sidelines. But the current public discourse, dictated by a relatively recent shift in the political spectrum (where the aforementioned hero is concerned), demands that an award earned after a lifetime of unquestioned service to “Queen and country” be pushed back, delayed and balked at, simply because he happens to be related to a particular individual. Michael Chastanet’s acknowledged services, including “training and employment for thousands of Saint Lucians . . .” must all take a back seat to the unproven claim, that the award he’s about to receive for his continuing good works is wrapped up in “nepotism”, all because the day’s prime minister just happens to be his son. Michael Chastanet’s critical error in all of this is that “he’s lived long enough to see himself become the villain”, if only in some suspicious minds. After all, it wasn’t too long ago—under a different prime minister—that he was awarded the OBE for the same reasons he is now being knighted. What crimes has Papa Chastanet committed since receiving the

What has Michael Chastanet or Prime Minister Allen Chastanet done for the former to not receive knighthood?

OBE? Evidently his detractors blame him for his son’s existence. Furthermore, if a thorough investigation were to be carried out into every award or nomination doled out by the officials of this state where everyone is everyone else’s cousin, we’d have to choose only foreigners for our most prestigious awards. At which point the controversial Gilbert Chagoury comes to mind. The knighting of Michael Chastanet is not a Saint Lucian issue. It is a political issue, made so by the most narrowminded among us. We should see it for what it is—and treat it with the contempt it deserves! Then again, bad habits die hard. Remember when then prime minister Kenny Anthony publicly announced he would cease referring to John Compton as Sir John, on the basis he was not expected to come out of

retirement to do battle against the Labour Party in 2006? As Stephenson King pointed out recently, if the Queen saw any reason to consider Michael Chastanet underserving of high honour, she’d have so stated. “The Queen understands that the gentleman [Michael Chastanet] is the father of our prime minister. If the Queen thought the recommendations made in support of the award were unethical she would not have accommodated them.” As stated in the 188th Volume Issue 1 of the Saint Lucia Gazette, with regard to Michael Thomas Chastanet OBE, CMG: “The Queen has been graciously pleased on the advice of Her Majesty’s Saint Lucia Ministers to approve of the following award in the New Year Honours List, 2019: K.C.M.G. (Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George).” ---Dean Nestor

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CAREFUL WH YOU PRAY FOR O

ver the holidays I joined two colleagues for dinner at Big Chef in Rodney Bay. It wasn’t long before we were discussing the particularly low points of yet another all-lows year about to evanesce. With few reasonable explanations for the current state of once simply beautiful Saint Lucia, one of my companions did what most of us do when confronted by the consequences of our persistent inertia: he passed the buck. “What we need here is a leader like Donald Trump!” he said. I was reminded of another unforgettable encounter at least a decade older with two locally renowned businessmen, one of them a respected engineer. Determined to convince him of the near limitless power of combined effort, I proffered the following scenario: “Imagine your life depended on lifting a heavy lump of iron from the ground to knee height. You try with one hand. It does not budge. What’s your next move?” His lightning-fast response short-circuited my brain: “Make it lighter.“ “And how do you do that?” I asked. “I don’t know!” Since then I’ve come to accept as a Saint Lucian idiosyncrasy our abiding interest in other people’s motes, whether or not Internet inventions. But back to my fellow journalists at the dinner table. “Why do we need a Donald

Trump?” “Well,” he said, “Trump doesn’t just talk the talk. He keeps his word, regardless of what others may think.” “Are you saying what we need in Saint Lucia is some kind of banana republic dictator?” He wasn’t ready for this one. He blinked, but that didn’t mean he was about to change direction. In Saint Lucia, consistency is everything; regardless of how foolish. It’s we kolcha. “Well, yes,” he replied, “if you wish, go ahead and call him a dictator. But he gets the job done. People seem not to understand Trump made promises to his base and obviously he’s determined to deliver.” I reminded him that in recent times the president’s approval rating had plummeted; he was the focus of several investigations involving his business adventures in various parts of the world, including Russia, that may have impacted his run for the presidency. “Hey, c’mon,” my friend chuckled while dismissively waving me off with his free left hand. “That’s mainstream media stuff. I never watch CNN and I read neither the New York Times nor the Washington Post. They can’t be trusted. All they ever carry on Trump is fake news.” He named as his more reliable sources two or three online publications. I’d never heard of them before, an admission that seemed to afford

him pleasure beyond measure. I went on: “What do you know about your favorite online authors? Do you fact-check them? Do you even remember their names? Their history as reporters?” On all counts his answers were negative. I had just one more question: “How can you be sure what you read about Trump, what you see on his favorite TV stations, aren’t specially filtered with folks like you in mind?” He admitted he couldn’t prove otherwise. Then again, that’s what faith has always been about: deep irreversible belief without proof. It would’ve served no useful purpose to bring up that Trump had openly advocated violence against those not supportive of his election campaign. My friend had to have known that already. Or that Trump had publicly demonstrated a callous attitude to those differently able. Or that the President of the United States thought nothing of grabbing women by their doodahs. I have absolutely no doubt that had I mentioned porn phenomenon Stormy Daniels and former Playboy bunny Karen McDougal my dinner companion would’ve struggled to recall intimate details about Monica Lewinsky. In Saint Lucia the only thing more commonplace than belief in boloms is whataboutery. We return to my friend’s earlier expressed dream

Long before Donald Trump publicly labeled certain countries “shitholes,” long before h prime ministers throughout our region were carrying on as if they were above the law, doin with the current widely despised President of the U

wish: a home-grown Donald Trump; a leader for whom good governance was all about dat base (apologies to Meghan Trainor). Throughout our exchanges our other friend had been uncharacteristically silent as he concentrated on his seafood plate and his wine. “I’m not the only one who thinks we need a leader like Trump,” said the declared Trumpostle at our table. “So does he!” Not anymore, it appeared. I tried to draw him out several times but he seemed abruptly to have undergone an attitudinal

sea change. We spent the rest of the evening, 30 minutes or so, trying in vain to figure out what might be the motive behind Philip J. Pierre’s no-confidence motion, reportedly scheduled for parliamentary debate later this month. What continues to occupy my mind weeks later is my colleague’s long-distance love affair with a Donald Trump who may or may not actually exist. How telling that he seemed to know intimate details about the American president but barely remembered who was

Allan Louisy or George Odlum. As for his dream wish, I dare to say we’ve never had a leader who did not demonstrate while in office the contemptible characteristics now synonymous with Donald Trump. Where Saint Lucia is concerned, Donald Trump is déjà vu. Consider the 1994 story about a local prime minister’s extra-marital shenanigans with a schoolgirl not yet sixteen. On countless occasions he had applied to the British, Canadian and American embassies for visas in the name of the young girl, whom he falsely claimed as a relative—and on paper embossed with the nation’s

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Police Deny Burgled Premises Housed Passports Claudia Eleibox

g before he explained on TV the best way to treat a lady, e law, doing with impunity most of the things now synonymous nt of the United States.

coat of arms. Could Trump have survived such behavior? I doubt it. But his local counterpart certainly did! I could name at least one prime minster of a sister island who was more than once publicly accused of sexual assault without suffering a dent in his approval rating. You’re probably thinking, so what? Trump got away with that too. In which case I would advise you to wait until the fat lady sings her version of Estelle Waters’ Stormy Weather. Could President Trump have gotten away with Frenwell and

Grynberg? Again, I have my doubts. But a local prime minister certainly has. Remember when candidate Trump told the world he was so popular that if he were to shoot someone on New York’s Fifth Avenue he wouldn’t lose a vote? Idle hyperbole? Braggadocio? Maybe, but more importantly, Trump stopped short of naming his target, unlike a campaigning local prime minister who in 2016 had identified a father and his son as marked men—again with impunity!

he Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is investigating the Christmastime break-in at the Lamar Building in Castries. The building houses the criminal administration office, and the Vulnerable Persons Unit. It is unclear exactly when the break-in occurred. As assistant police commissioner Wayne Charlery explained this week: “We shut the building on Monday 24. The burglary must have happened between then and Wednesday.” Questioned about CCTV cameras at the premises, Charlery said to answer that would amount to sharing information that could hurt police investigations. It had been bruited about by anonymous Facebook investigators that seventy-five passports had been taken from the building by the burglar or burglars. Charlery dismissed the report as “totally erroneous, not true at all”. He confirmed that the rented space was used only as “an extension office of the immigration department”. The police indicated that around $300 had been stolen but it had not yet been determined whether any documents may have been removed. “Passports are not kept at this office,” said Commissioner Severin Monchery. Charlery agreed security at the Lamar building was obviously inadequate. He added: “Certainly this is an

Police commissioner, Severin Monchery said this week that although the RSLPF was a tenant at Lamar Building, the force is not directly responsible for security. The building was burglarized between Christmas Eve and the following Wednesday.

embarrassing incident. These commercial enterprises would not have initially been constructed structurally or architecturally for top-notch security. So that poses a challenge. When the police acquire commercial spaces, they should be fortified to suit. But that costs money.” Monchery added: “At the end of the day we are tenants and don’t have full control of that building. Even though we have some departments in

that building, there are other tenants. We do not have full control of the entire building.” Monchery dismissed the notion that the break-in was meant to teach the police a lesson. He said, “We have to understand that these are not departments that are directly under the control of the police. It would be a completely different matter if burglars were to break into a police station. We need to look at the motive. When the investigation

has been completed, we will be better placed to give more defining responses.” The police say that there are “some very good leads". The burglary was reported over two weeks ago but to date no arrests. Charlery appealed to the public to “just bear with us. We’re doing our best in our circumstances and will continue to be upfront and transparent. We’ll offer updates whenever there’s something new to report."

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The Rural Unknown Home-Sharing: The Future of Tourism By Keithlin Caroo

ust before the dawn of the New Year, the President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Patricia Affonso-Dass, published a message of reflection and optimism on the past year. In it, she highlighted the resilience of our people and the “abundance of opportunities” that lie in the near future. While this message of reflection gave hotel owners, operators and government partners an optimistic outlook for 2019, 2018 seemed to me, to be a series of losses for the general populace. We underwent another hurricane season as unprepared as the year before—even with climate-resilient financing flowing into CARICOM nations. Farmers and people involved in primary industries are still largely absent in the tourism industry and, most of all, our food importation bill has not changed. While we boast of fresh produce on hotel plates,

ithin the year-long celebrations for Saint Lucia’s 40th anniversary of independence falls the 2019 Nobel Laureate Festival. What’s particularly noteworthy is that this year, the Nobel Laureate Festival’s committee is also celebrating forty years since Sir Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize for economics. This year’s celebrations continue on the festival’s signature theme, “Celebrating Excellence”, focusing on the sub-theme “Forty Years On” and it may be the biggest observance yet. Activities will start on January 14 and continue through to the end of March 2019. The 2019 Nobel Laureate Festival was officially launched on Wednesday with an

Does Saint Lucia’s focus on “big tourism” hinder the economic benefits that the island could have from the sector?

we are still consuming a largely imported diet. According to statistics, Saint Lucia boasted 1.1 million visitors in 2018; new cruise lines and air routes have

been directed our way and announcements of the opening of new hotels are becoming the norm. But with all of these developments in “big tourism”, why has this not translated

into more money earned by the wider population? A few years ago, “village tourism” was a phrase that was widely used. It was described as the advent of a new tourism that was

inclusive to all, but it seems that while Saint Lucia is following the path of “big tourism” and exclusivity, other islands such as the British Virgin Islands are on the forefront of inclusivity. Recently, the BVI signed a memorandum of understanding with homestay provider Airbnb to lease or rent short-term lodging. This move was said to “democratize the tourism economy” while driving local, authentic, and sustainable tourism to the territory. Other nations, such as Dominica and Grenada, have also followed suit after realizing the increasingly important role that Airbnb has played in their tourism sector. While traditional vacationers have used hotels as their main source of accommodation, millennials are turning away from tradition. Home-sharing has begun to revolutionize the tourism industry and has expanded opportunities for everyday citizens to earn an income. Furthermore, it allows tourists to stay in areas that are not

typically tourist-hubs, giving them the true essence of the country visited. Moreover, it can shine a light on areas that are generally overlooked which in turn would increase the development of those areas. So, the question is, where does our future lie: in the exclusivity of “big tourism” or the inclusivity of home-sharing? 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

NOBEL LAUREATE FESTIVAL WILL OFFER NEW FEATURES introduction to most of the activities on the calendar of events. Chairperson of the committee, Dame Pearlette Lousiy, spoke of the importance of commemorating Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott. She said: “There should not be a weakening of our pride in what our two accomplished sons have been able to achieve. Nobel Laureate Festival is not just simply honouring or celebrating the achievements of the two gentlemen. There is a second aspect to our celebration, and it is to give us an opportunity every year to celebrate excellence in our own achievements.” Dame Pearlette advised that whether or not you are an economist like Sir Arthur or “a man of letters like Sir Derek”, the festival is meant to nurture

Chairperson of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, Dame Pearlette Lousiy, kicked off celebrations on Wednesday.

the potential within all of us. The committee’s coordinator, Delia Dolor, revealed that some of the activities will focus on schools. The regular fixtures—the Sir Derek Walcott and Sir Arthur Lewis memorial lectures—are scheduled for January 22 and January 24, respectively. Antiguan Professor Gregson Davis of Duke University will speak to the theme “Built in the pictorial landscapes of Derek Walcott’s poetry and drama” for the first lecture. The Saint Lucia National Archives Authority will host an exhibition to celebrate both the laureates and forty years of independence. It will open on Nobel Laureate Day, January 23, and is named “Saint Lucia’s Independence Forty Years On”. National archivist Margot

Thomas said: “The exhibition will highlight the turbulent years prior to Independence . . . and the important developments during each of the four decades up to this point.” A new addition to the festival is MeCurator Art Gallery’s exhibition which opens on January 17. (See page 14.) The STAR will also have a special issue on Saturday January 19 to commemorate Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott, with exclusive interviews with friends and family who were acquainted with the two icons. For details about scheduled events of the Nobel Laureate Festival, visit the Facebook page or this newspaper’s website. ---Claudia Eleibox

LOCAL

Fake News from the Police no different from Social Media Fake News!

ime and time again since joining the STAR editorial department, the point has been driven home to me and my colleagues that social media can be both a curse and a blessing; that no reporter in his right mind would treat normally anonymous or pseudonymous FB postings as investigated facts. On the surface, Wednesday’s meeting with the police was just another run-ofthe-mill, cliché-driven activity. But this one offered more than the usual amount of food for thought. So many questions had to be answered with nonanswers. Why convene a press conference if the important answers have not yet been uncovered? The first question posed at the recalled press conference began thus: “There’s been talk of fifty passports stolen . . .” The assistant Commissioner of Police interjected with this curious line: “Presently, totally erroneous. Not true at all.” Did that mean the circulating “totally erroneous” rumours were so only for the moment and would likely prove true in a week or so?

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At Wednesday’s press conference, the police answered plenty of questions from the media but most were just “non-answers”.

Another reporter said: “It’s a travesty to have your passport office broken into.” This time it was Commissioner Monchery who addressed the reporter’s statement: “Let me just clear some things here. It is not correct to say that the passport office was broken into.” Which invited another question: “What part of the immigration office was broken into?” The Commissioner set out again to clear the musty air: “I said it was an extension of the . . . not an immigration office

. . . it’s an extension of the immigration office that deals with citizenship. Not Citizenship by Investment. So Citizenship by Investment has nothing to do with this office.” The commissioner was asked what more the police could do to get ahead of the viral circulation of fake news. His response: “I think what we need to do is, well, we have a dedicated press office that would monitor social media and those other media houses, and then we try our best when we

come across such information to give the correct information to the media.” The look on the face of the media reps said just one thing: “Gibberish!” That “correct information” about the Lamar building burglary came on January 8, 2019, two weeks after the occurrence. The police evidently had no way of knowing the exact date of the burglary, a shocking admission, considering government documents were stored in the rented premises.

Nobel Laureate Youth Art Exhibition Launch Night

he MeCurator Art Gallery, in collaboration with the Nobel Laureate Committee and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Unit of the Ministry of Education, will be launching an art exhibition featuring work by Young Saint Lucian artists aged 16-20. This free event will be held at the MeCurator Art Gallery in Massade, Gros Islet on Thursday January 17 from 7pm. This launch night is anticipated to be exemplary and will celebrate the creative excellence of our homegrown young artists who will interpret the poems of Nobel laureate Sir Derek Walcott and transform them into pieces of art. The artwork exhibited within the MeCurator Gallery will be available for purchase and investment. This special collection will be in keeping with this years Nobel Laureate Festival theme: “Celebrating Excellence: 40 Years On” which will lead into the month of February when Saint Lucia celebrates its fortieth anniversary of independence. The launch night will include entertainment, food and drinks as well as the opportunity to meet with some of the young artists, all within the modern setting of the MeCurator Art Gallery. The MeCurator Art Gallery invites you to the

P launch night and encourages you to support the future generation of Saint Lucian artists. Be inspired by one of our great Nobel laureates and be an encouragement to our future ones! For additional information, please contact Buki Cahane at MeCurator Art Gallery on (758) 722- 8303 or email buki.cahane@mecurator.com. Find MeCurator on Instagram and Facebook @MeCurator

And while it is true that “the media is duty-bound to verify a lot of the information out there is true before offering it for public consumption”, it is also true that the police took way too long before attempting to debunk the social media disinformation about the Lamar building break-in. On the other hand, as it turned out, they were too quick to comment on Kimberly de Leon’s homicide. Much of what a leading officer said at a related press conference later turned out to be unproven, possible gossip, and dangerous speculation. Thanks to the police, it is likely most people believe Kimberly was shot multiple times, that the police consider her husband a person of interest and so on. It would later turn out that even as police were making their declarations before the press, the so-called “person of interest” was being interviewed by other police personnel. He was later allowed to return to the home he had shared with his wife and their two kids—the scene of the crime— with no charges. He was not required to hand over travel

documents, which would not have been the case if the police had reason to tie him to his wife’s death. As the saying goes, “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” The police seem to be perpetually putting on their boots. Yes, it is incumbent on the regular media to verify before disseminating received information, especially from anonymous social media. Some may say it is even more important that what the police tell the press for circulation must be absolute truth. Fake news supplied by the police is still fake news. The phenomenon known as social media grows worse by the minute. Referencing a Facebook video that this week went viral, the Commissioner conceded that “it’s sometimes difficult to identify the persons featured”. He said his men were investigating the latest troublesome video “and I can assure you that when we’ve identified who the people are, the law will be applied fully”. What to make of that? No doubt it will come out in the wash, sooner or later! ---Dean Nestor

Prime Minister to Deliver New Year’s Address

rime Minister Honourable Allen Michael Chastanet will deliver his New Year’s Address to the Nation on Sunday January 13, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation and External Affairs will speak on the state of the nation and on varying issues, including security and justice, health care and investments for 2019 and beyond. The Address will be carried simultaneously by local television stations at 8:00 p.m. this Sunday. The broadcast will also be available online via the following: 1. NTN - http://www.govt.lc/portal-launch 2. Government of Saint Lucia Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/ SaintLuciaGovernment/

Prime Minister Allen M. Chastanet will discuss issues pressing to the Saint Lucian public in his first televised address for 2019.

3. Office of the Prime Minister Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ opmsaintlucia/ 4. Government of Saint Lucia Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube. com/channel/UC4al3A_ gysYEIzAM1L2qZbg

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HEALTH

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Understanding Dementia Lewy Body and Parkinson Related Dementia By Regina Posvar

ewy body dementia (LBD) was discovered in the early 1900s by a neurologist, Frederich H. Lewy, MD in the same lab as Dr. Alois Alzheimer. It is the third largest type of dementia. It is also the most misdiagnosed because it is often thought to be Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. However, LBD accounts for 10-25% of dementia cases. The abnormal cell (alphasynuclein protein) is the main cause of the condition and it is not clear what the normal function is. This protein is also found in other conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s dementia and that is why it’s difficult to make the right diagnosis. There is no cure and no single test that can conclusively diagnose LBD except for a postmortem autopsy. However, there are some differences that can help a doctor diagnose, even with overlapping symptoms. The symptoms of LBD are: • Alternating levels of alertness that vary significantly in different times or on different days • Visual hallucinations (people, children or animals) • Delusions • Trouble interpreting visual information • Changes in thinking and reasoning • Parkinson’s symptoms, such as hunched posture, balance problems and rigid muscles • Acting out dreams that

than in Alzheimer’s, although Alzheimer’s can cause problems with walking, balance and getting around as it progresses to moderate and severe stages. • Hallucinations, delusions and misidentification of familiar people are significantly more frequent in early-stage Lewy body dementia than in Alzheimer’s. • REM sleep disorder is more common in early Lewy body dementia than in Alzheimer’s. • Disruption of the autonomic nervous system, causing a blood pressure drop on standing, dizziness, falls and urinary incontinence, is The alpha-synuclein protein is detected as a cause for much more common in early Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia. Lewy body dementia than in So what differentiates LBD from the other two types Alzheimer’s.” of dementia? may be violent • Malfunction of the “automatic” (autonomic) nervous system • Memory loss that is significant but less noticed than in Alzheimer’s Research has shown that LBD and Parkinson’s disease dementia are two different expressions of the same underlying problems with brain processing of the protein alpha-synuclein. In most cases doctors still diagnose both conditions separately. Diagnosis of LBD symptoms will include: dementia symptoms consistent with LBD which develop first; when both dementia symptoms and movement symptoms are present at the same time of diagnosis; when dementia symptoms appear within

one year after movement symptoms. A person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s based on movement symptoms and then dementia symptoms appear a year or more later. According to the US Alzheimer’s Association, “Key differences between Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia are: • Memory loss tends to be a more prominent symptom in early Alzheimer’s than in early Lewy body dementia, although advanced Lewy body dementia may cause memory problems in addition to its more typical effects on judgment, planning and visual perception. • Movement symptoms are more likely to be an important cause of disability early in Lewy body dementia

Rainforest Adventures Gives Back to the Babonneau Community

ainforest Adventures (RFA) is known not only for its unique aerial tram, ziplining, hiking trails and birdwatching eco-tour experiences, but the company also prides itself in serving and giving back significantly to the Babonneau community, where it has been operating for over 12 years. To ring in the new year, Rainforest Adventures, in partnership with the Babonneau Mothers and Fathers Group, distributed ten food hampers on Friday, January 4 to underprivileged families within the various communities in Babonneau. General Manager Daryl Raymond described this philanthropic drive as fulfilling, seeing the appreciative smiles on the faces of those deserving individuals who received the hampers. He added: “Rainforest Adventures remains focused on community service and this venture was just one of the ways of making a positive difference and meaningfully contributing, to those who are most in need.” The communities who benefitted from this goodwill gesture were Chassin, Fond Assau, Giraud Cacoa, Cabiche, Babonneau (Central), Plateau, Boguis, Debarras, Garrand and La Guerre. The delivery of the food hampers paves the way for a series of corporate social responsibility activities by Rainforest Adventures, planned for 2019 and beyond. To book your Rainforest Adventure, call (758) 458 5151 or email reservations.slu@rainforestadventure.com.

Questions about dementia: Q: My father has lived with Parkinson’s disease for many

years. Does this mean he will develop dementia?

population and especially if they have dementia. Medication for the treatment of behaviour A: Not necessarily. About 75% is recommended only as a of people living with Parkinson’s last resort and should be will develop dementia. closely monitored by a medical professional. Tip: If your mom Q: My mom frequently tells us is worried about the children, stories about children she sees validate her fear and worry in the house. Sometimes she before trying to distract her. gets very upset about them and it is difficult to calm her down. Is there medication that Regina Posvar is the can help the hallucinations? current president of the Saint Lucia Alzheimer’s A: Most behavioural medication and Dementia Association was designed for people and has been a licensed between the ages of 18 to about nurse for 25 years. 40 with schizophrenia and other SLADA is supported by psychosis disorders. They were volunteers and donations not designed for older people and aims to bring awareness with dementia. However, they and support by providing have used them for people awareness public workshops, living with dementia for family support, memory symptoms of hallucinations and screenings, the Memory delusions as well as agitation. Café, counselling and family Research has shown that these training for coping skills and medications have proven to communication with persons be more harmful in our elderly living with dementia.

Entertainment Manager The successful applicant will be responsible for planning various types of entertainment and activities on resort and for ensuring that all social and cultural events are well-coordinated. The Entertainment Manager will act as the main source of information for the guests as it relates to on-property activities and events and is responsible for ensuring that guests have an enjoyable experience. The Ideal Candidate Must Be: • Understanding and able to work in a multi cultural/diverse environment • Enthusiastic, engaging, fun loving, people oriented, pleasant and exciting; • Willing to go the extra mile at all times • Able to conduct intelligent and informative conversations with guests, providing them with information about the resort as well as the historical events and practices relating to the country in general • Able to train other team members and maintain a training programme; • Able to use their organizational skills to positively impact the resort’s entertainment programme • Innovative and creative; • Abreast with current trends within the hospitality industry; • Able to effectively multitask and manage multiple projects; • Able to focus on details and quality; • Able to focus on details • Passionate about perfection ;

Qualifications & Experience : • Associate Degree in Event Management & Planning or Arts Management ; or • A Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree • Minimum 5 years’ experience in related field, at least three of which must be at a senior management level • Knowledge and training in the following areas - stage management, production management and stagehand procedures; • Experience or certification in Event Management and Project Management would be an asset. Applications must include the below: • 5 x 7 Headshot of the Applicant • Minimum of three References Interested persons should submit their applications by February 10, 2019 with curriculum vitae via email to: The Human Resources Director Sandals Resorts International Email: recruitsri@grp.sandals.com NB: Please enter “Entertainment Manager” in the subject field in the email for consideration. We thank all applicants for their interest but only short listed candidates will be contacted.

he music in the background had kept seven-year old Aliya on her feet for almost all of dinner. It was a special occasion—her birthday! And the flame-adorned cake was on its way. As the traveling candle lights reached Aliya, she glimpsed a very familiar symbol (between two un-flickering flames) and to everyone’s surprise screamed “mommy look” and pointed to the ECCO License sticker that she had been seeing in every restaurant, hotel, bank and other

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locations she had been to within the past three months. Her mom, a songwriter/soca artiste, had taken the time to explain to Aliya what the sticker meant to mommy’s career and livelihood. Three months ago, after some dialog and debate, the mildly adversarial relationship (me against you) had come to an end between ECCO and the large music users. The music users had always wanted to play their part in developing the local and regional music industry; however, they had been slow to conviction because the link between their role and its connection to increased creativity had initially been abstract at best. Now, the majority clearly saw the link between the exploitation of the works owned by copyright owners and the development of the music industry and the islands’ economy. It was not difficult to envision money changing hands while creativity and culture flourished and transcended local boundaries. They, and much of the general public, began to appreciate how interconnected the industries were; but together they were only as strong as the link deprived… By then, Aliya had blown out the seven candles... She was now engrossed in her own rendition of “happy birthday to me”. Rather quickly, chatter had accumulated around the power and purity of her vocal chords. That was especially evident two tables away where ECCO members from St. Lucia, Dominica and St. Vincent, St. Kitts, Grenada and Antigua had decided tocollaborate on

JANUARY 12, 2019 THE STAR

a project after discovering each other’s profile and posts on ECCO’s Enterprise Social Network (ESN)—a Social Media platform for Business. All members across all ECCO territories were able to network and contribute to a rich resource of Eastern Caribbean data on a growing music industry. And to think that this ESN was not only available as a paid service but its basic version to start things off (for as long as necessary) was free! Aliya’s dad had taken five while the ladies captured the special moments on Instagram. He was shopping for that jaw-dropping outfit that he wanted to surprise his partner with for the Eastern Caribbean Annual Music Awards (ECAMA). That was a collaborative effort between ECCO, the Association of Music Professionals and The Ministries of Culture within the Eastern Caribbean. Sponsorship was partly provided by the large music users. Kudos to them!! This red-carpet event had developed from successes with the quarterly Mixers that had gained traction in each of ECCO’s territories. They were occasions to mingle and keep the energy and momentum alive--an alternative to the drag of a typical, general meeting. As for ECAMA, wherever songwriters and publishers met, Producers, Managers, Booking Agents and Promoters would come knocking. Consequently, despite the shaky start, by the following year the who’s who of the regional music industry wanted to make their presence felt… Aliya’s mom had been nominated for an award two years in a row… It was going to be epic!

If the relationship between ECCO and music users (see infographic) remains adversarial or a cat and mouse game, we will miss out on a significant opportunity for a thriving cultural environment and much needed economic growth within the Eastern Caribbean region. We will make it impossible for songwriters and music composers to earn a living from their works. The Board of Directors, CEO, Staff and Agents look forward to working with all parties who promote and use intellectual property—including our regulatory bodies and relevant government ministries. We are well aware that there are a number of persons who are passionate about what ECCO was established to do… Let us come together to make our copyright laws and the rest of IP work for us!! Happy 2019 to all!!! ECCO Territories are: St. Lucia, Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, Antigua, Montserrat, and the British Virgin Islands.

THE STAR

HEALTH

www.stluciastar.com

JANUARY 12, 2019

KIM’S KORNER

We are the largest retailer in the region, offering many opportunities for growth and development and are looking for a talented and dedicated individual to become part of our dynamic team.

A Pain in the Butt

iriformis Syndrome is a condition that mimics sciatica: pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve, usually from the back through the buttocks and down the leg. It normally affects only one side of the body. Quite often the symptoms of sciatica are caused by a problem in the lumbar spine, for example a herniated disc pressing on the nerve, but another cause may be piriformis syndrome. The piriformis is a small, stabilising muscle that sits in the buttock area and lies just over the sciatic nerve as it passes down through the buttock and into the leg. Usually the main symptoms are tingling and numbness in the buttocks which, in severe cases, can travel down the back of the leg all the way to the foot, depending on the amount of pressure exerted onto the nerve. It can be exacerbated by driving or sitting for long periods, running and even climbing the stairs. The first step to diagnosis is to rule out other conditions such as arthritic changes in the spine or a herniated disc that irritates the sciatic nerve as it leaves the spine. In some cases there is tenderness over the piriformis muscle but in cases where the tingling and numbness are severe and other neurological symptoms are present, a healthcare provider may suggest further tests, such as an MRI, to rule out serious pathology. The piriformis is at work throughout the day, during activity and at rest. Even turning in bed causes the piriformis to activate. As well as direct trauma to the muscle, such as a fall or being hit, too much activity (and sometimes not enough) can also result in injury to the piriformis. Activities such as running or over-exercising, lifting heavy objects, frequently going up and down stairs and even long periods of sitting can trigger symptoms. People who like to sit for hours on end in front of the TV, or who drive a car over long distances, are particularly at risk. The focus of treatment is to avoid aggravating factors and reduce muscle spasm. Ice is usually very effective at reducing pain and muscle spasm but in cases where ice

Debt Collectors THE COMPANY: Come be part of a team with Unicomer Group! A dynamic and fast paced retail organization spanning 24 countries, with over 1,000 stores and 16,000 talented and engaged retail professionals across Latin America, the Caribbean and USA. The effects of Piriformis Syndrome may relieve over a few days but, when pain lingers, physiotherapy can help.

is not helping, then a heat pack may help to relax the muscle. Quite often pain may resolve within a few days but where it lingers and everyday tasks are difficult, physiotherapy may help. Your physiotherapist will carry out a full assessment and physical examination to determine if there are any other factors which are slowing down recovery. They will analyse your movement, gait (walking pattern), flexibility and power. Tight muscles can also be because of weakness and altered movement patterns. Once a full assessment has been completed, a treatment programme will be planned based on your problems. Your programme may include: • Electrotherapy – An effective treatment for pain relief is a modality known as Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS). This involves applying electrodes to the skin and emitting a signal that influences the nerve signals transmitted to the brain. • Soft Tissue Mobilisation – Massage to the piriformis muscle and surrounding soft tissues can help to relax the tissues. • Stretching – If the piriformis muscle is tight there

are certain stretches that can help relieve the muscle spasm and tightness. • Strengthening Exercises – Strengthening the muscles around the buttock, lower back and legs will reduce the load and will improve movement patterns and efficiency of the muscles. • Ice and/or heat – Both of these may help to reduce pain. Ice is effective in reducing inflammation and heat promotes relaxation to reduce muscle spasm. Prevention is always better than cure so make sure you do not overwork or strain the muscles around the hip. Always warm-up slowly before exercise. When exercising, ensure that you have good posture and are moving correctly. Weak muscles often cause us to move in an awkward or unnatural way which can put stress on the piriformis muscle. If your workout includes running up hills, ensure that you have strong muscles in your legs and core. The best way to achieve these goals is to vary your training routine and always include stretching and strengthening in your weekly programme.

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

THE POSITION We are looking for Dynamic, innovative and serious Debt Collectors to drive and contribute to Unicomer’s Credit Department Portfolio.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITES: • • • •

Keeping track of assigned accounts Planning Course of action to recover outstanding payments Locating and contacting customers to inquire of their payment status Receiving outstanding payment and issuing of receipts to customers as required • Undertake authorized collection of goods and issuing of receipts • Recovering money owed in as little time as possible

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: QUALIFICATION/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: • Five CXCs including English and Mathematics

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • • • • • • • •

Ability to work with targets and tight deadlines Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Excellent communication and people skills Excellent negotiating and persuasion skills Must be polite, compassionate and assertive Confidential Customer Oriented Must be in possession of a valid driver’s license and a vehicle

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY? • Attractive Remuneration • Excellent growth opportunity

INTERESTED CANDIDATES PLEASE EMAIL YOUR applications to Hr.unicomerlc@gmail.com ON OR BY JANUARY 25TH JANUARY 2019 . PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SUITABLE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.

18 local

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JANUARY 12, 2019 THE STAR

Here’s what a physician wants you to know about marijuana By Dr Marc Siegel

lex Berenson’s new book, "Tell Your Children; the truth about Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence", is coming out at the right time, as more and more states are legalizing marijuana. Currently marijuana recreational use is legal in ten states (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, Michigan, Vermont, Mass, Maine, and Wash D.C.). Medical marijuana is now legal in 24 states. There is more public support for marijuana law reform than ever before. The latest polls show that more than 50 per cent of people favour marijuana legalization while at the same time the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) believes marijuana should be decriminalized and regulated like alcohol and tobacco. Berenson himself is not in favour of recreational use, in part because of links to mental illness and violence that he explores in the book, though he is in favour of decriminalization. As a physician, I want marijuana users and addicts to be treated as patients—and not criminals—while at the same time I am very aware that regular marijuana use carries significant health risks. I believe we should treat habitual users aggressively and warn them of the associated risks. My job is to let you know that there is no free lunch medically with marijuana or any drug. Even if a state or a society decides that it is wise economically and politically to make marijuana legal, at the same time we must be prepared for the health consequences even more than the legal ones. It’s clear to me that there is enough scientific evidence out there for me to discourage regular marijuana use for most people. Legal marijuana (both medical and recreational) is turning into a multibillion-dollar industry. Sales were expected to hit $10 billion nationwide in 2017 and grow with the legalization of marijuana in

The prospect of decriminalized marijuana sounds exciting for some but the statistics of the drug’s health effects are not!

California at the start of this year. In a report issued before Sessions’ announcement of a change in federal policy— the effect of which is not yet determined—BDS Analytics forecast that marijuana sales in California alone could total $3.7 billion in 2018 and $5.1 billion in 2019. In addition, states stand to collect billions of dollars in tax revenue from legalized marijuana sales, and much governmental money will be saved by not prosecuting sales and use of the drug. Colorado has already collected over $500 million from taxing legal marijuana. But what about the associated medical risks from increasing usage? This is a critical question we must not ignore. My first concern is traffic accidents, since marijuana is known to impair judgement. Statistics from Colorado since recreational marijuana was legalized show a doubling of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)— the substance in marijuana that gets users high—in the blood of those involved in fatal car accidents. This is concerning. And though alcohol impairs a driver much more, THC stays in the bloodstream longer. If the two are combined, as they sometimes are, the risk is magnified. A recent study from the Columbia University School of Public Health found that while

alcohol increased the risk of causing a fatal car crash five times, testing positive for pot increased it by 62 per cent. Those drivers who had both pot and alcohol in their blood at the time of a fatal crash were six times more likely to have caused the accident. Another area of concern is pregnancy. Many pregnant women suffer from morning sickness. But the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends against using marijuana while pregnant—no matter what. And the Centers for Disease Control warns that “marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby’s health.” Why? The CDC points to research showing low birth weight in infants, along with developmental and attention problems in children born to mothers who smoke pot regularly during pregnancy. Unfortunately, pot smoking among pregnant women is on the rise and it is bound to rise even more. A study released from Kaiser Permanente in California in 2018 and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that 7 per cent of pregnant women surveyed smoked pot, including almost 20 per cent of those below the age of 24. The number of pregnant women using marijuana will only increase now that recreational marijuana is legal in California. Berenson focuses on mental health in his book and in fact, when it comes to

adolescents and adults, longterm marijuana use has been associated with decreased school and job performance, memory loss, and psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression. With the increase in edible marijuana comes a dramatic increase in Emergency Room visits from overuse, especially among adolescents, who may be getting more THC than they realize. Symptoms include acute anxiety, rapid heart rate and paranoia. When it comes to the heart, studies show that patients with known heart disease are more likely to have chest pain and that heart attacks

are more likely to occur in the hour following smoking pot. Pot smoke is also known to cause wheezing and airway inflammation, though more studies on the long-term effects of regular marijuana smoking on both the heart and lungs need to be done. Don’t get me wrong. I must emphasize that I am not intending to weigh in here on the politics and economics of legalization. In fact, I have never favoured punishing users of any chemical substance and advocate instead for rehab programmes and peer-to-peer assistance for substance abuse of all kinds. But it’s important to note

that there is evidence that marijuana is a gateway drug to other drugs, both licit and illicit, including nicotine. This evidence must concern us even as we try to gain control over the opioid epidemic. Here’s the bottom line: Marijuana is a useful drug medically when it comes to treating chronic pain, epilepsy, as well as the debilitating pain of cancer and the nausea of cancer treatments. But it should not be used to treat morning sickness, and recreational use of any kind should include consideration of potential side effects, especially effects on mental health. ---Fox News

DIGICEL FIBRE: A WORLD CLASS, HIGH TECH FUTURE FOR SAINT LUCIA

ith the recent announcement that Digicel is ready to roll out its new fibre optic infrastructure, Saint Lucia is set to enter a new era of global competitiveness and economic development. Investment in this state-ofthe-art technology helps to ensure Saint Lucia’s future, providing a faster, more reliable Internet service on island. Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer, Siobhan JamesAlexander said, “Digicel has been—and will continue to be—the catalyst for new technology. This fibre optic network will positively impact the lives and livelihoods of Saint Lucians, making even faster internet speeds available. That’s the Digicel way!” The Digicel Fibre experience promises wider coverage, broader bandwidth,

faster connections and a crystal clear video service that won’t fade or disconnect in inclement weather, all for a very competitive price. It is ideal for businesses, improving efficiency in the office and onthe-go. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing (in a technological sense) just got a whole lot faster—and smarter! Digicel Fibre additionally paves the way for new opportunities in healthcare, including remote access to doctors and diagnostics. It also puts Saint Lucian students on an equal footing with their tech-savvy peers throughout the world. One of the most important features of Digicel Fibre is its reliability and climate resilience. Whatever the weather conditions, the network will remain dependable with no interruption to data transmission. Infrastructure for Digicel Fibre connections

to private businesses is slated to roll out throughout 2019. This will happen in step with the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program, also known as the CARCIP project—one of Digicel’s more significant undertakings in the region. Phase 1 of the CARCIP project will connect every government building to the new high-speed fibre network. Schools and hospitals will follow, making 21st century initiatives— such as Smart Cities, Safe Cities, Connected Health and Advanced Learning—a reality. For more information on Digicel Fibre and the CARCIP project, please visit www.digicelgroup.com/carcip Pre-register for our new service today, and receive an amazing discount on your plan.

THE STAR

classified 19

www.stluciastar.com

JANUARY 12, 2019

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Non –Contentious Probate and Administration of Estates) Rules Form P7 Advertisement of Application for Grant

( Rules15)

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

NEED BITCOIN?

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

Tel:

SAINT LUCIA

FOR RENT 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, unfurnished, fenced and gated bottom floor apartment at Degazon, Grande Riviere. Included amenities: Cable & Internet, and parking. (Vehicle Required )

1 758 723 5166

Claim No. SLUHPB2018/0189

Asking price is $1100 per month Inquiries call:

In the Estate of Peter Francis aka Peter Francois late of Desruisseaux, Micoud, Saint Lucia, deceased TAKE NOTICE that an application for a Grant of Letters of Administration has been filed by (1) JOHN FRANCIS and PHILOMENE FRANCIS acting herein and represented by their duly appointed Attorney Cuthbert Henry as appears by Power of Attorney dated 9th January 2018 and registered on 31st January 2018 in the Land Registry as Instrument No. PA 81/2018, the applicants who are the lawful children of PETER FRANCIS aka PETER FRANCOIS, Deceased, late of Desruisseaux, Micoud, Saint Lucia, the Deceased having died intestate on the 12th day of May 1959. Any person having an objection to the grant of Letters of Administration to the Applicants shall file an objection within 14 days of the publication of this Notice.

450-1230 / 716-3758

VEHICLE FOR SALE Silver Honda CRV, 1996 model good condition.

Dated this 11th day of January, 2019.

Best price! Best offer! This Notice is filed by the Law Offices of Oswald Wilkinson Larcher & Associate Legal Practitioner for the Petitioner whose address for service is Maison DuBonaire, John Compton Highway, Castries, Telephone Number 452-4555. The Court office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, St. Lucia, Telephone Number 468-7500 Fax. Number 468-7543. The office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and between 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fridays except public holidays. The Office can also be contacted via Email at stluhco@eccourts.org.

Please call Mobile: 730 1844 or 720 5046 For viewing

FOR sale

Land Rover Freelander V6 (Automatic) 2001 About to be scrapped All parts available for sale, all genuine Transmission, body parts and more Telephone: 284-0359, 717-9364, 453-6138

TENDERS ARE INVITED FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES

VACANCY

For the position of

HR Recruitment and Compliance Specialist Summary/Objective The Human Resource Recruitment and Compliance Specialist is responsible for recruitment and compliance support of the day-to-day human resource operations. Required Education and Experience 1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field. 2. At least three (3) years’ of HR Recruiting experience. 3. 3-5 years of relevant experience in an HR function 4. Recent experience recruiting in multiple discipline areas and levels, including hiring for leadership positions. 5. Previous experience in capturing metrics and producing various employment reports. 6. Experience in working with applicant tracking systems.

Required Competencies 1. HR Expertise. 2. Effective Communicator 3. Relationship Management. 4. Critical Evaluator 5. Consultant 6. Business Acumen. 7. Global & Cultural Awareness. 8. Leadership & Navigation. 9. Ethical Practice. Should you meet the above requirements, please submit your application and curriculum vitae on or before January 19, 2019 to:

YEAR VEHICLE REGISTRATION NO. MAKE/MODEL 1989

Dodge Renault Truck

TA4762

1991

Cherry Picker

TA7839

1999

Toyota Hilux 4WD D/Cab Pickup

TC5639

2000

Toyota 4WD Single Cab

TA4490

2000

Toyota 4WD Single Cab

TA4491

2002

Toyota 4WD Single Cab

TD1756

2003

Toyota Hilux 4X4 Single Cab

TD 2273

The vehicles are available for inspection at St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd., Cul De Sac Complex, between 9:00a.m and 4:00pm Monday to Friday by appointment. Successful tenderers will be required to pay CUSTOMS DUTIES and VAT in addition to the Bid amount on these respective vehicles.

HR Recruitment and Compliance Specialist Sandals Resorts International Email: catherine.louisfernand@sri. sandals.com

Sealed envelopes should be clearly marked “Tender for Vehicles” and addressed to: The Secretary The Tenders Evaluation Committee St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited P.O. Box 230 Castries

Only applications meeting the minimum criteria will be considered.

Closing date for receipt of all tender documents is 4:00p.m on Wednesday January 23, 2019.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019

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$2.00

Photo by Bill Mortley

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S&S

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