SO LONG 2019 HELLO NEW YEAR! by STAR Publishing

SATURDAY, JANUARY 04, 2020

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SO LONG 2019 HELLO NEW YEAR!

PHOTO BY RONALD RAOUL

SO LONG 2019 HELLO NEW YEAR!

Assou Square celebrants turned out in full force for the first public party of 2020!

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

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02 LOCAL

BOLD LANG SYNE

had a ball this Christmas. Just after midnight on Christmas Eve, I opened my gifts and one was a green snooker ball autographed by the all-time best player of the game, Ronnie “Rocket” O’Sullivan. Snooker is a “cue” sport (like billiards) which originated among British Army officers stationed in India in the second half of the 19th century. In those days, the term “snooker” was used to describe inexperienced or first-year recruits who were given a rough time by their officers. From this came the term “snookered” which meant that the ball you needed to hit was blocked by another ball. In other words, to be snookered means to be obstructed and to have to take a new and more difficult route to achieve your goal. In this case, when it came to Old Year’s Night this year, I was snookered. Apart from being with my family, I had no idea what to do or how to spend it. To quote columnist Alexander Woolcott, “Anything in life that's any fun is either immoral, illegal or fattening.” It was never like this in my youth. In those days there was no “New Year’s Eve”. In fact, even now, all Caribbean countries have in common that we refer to “Old Year’s Night” as preceding and merging into New Year’s Day. We all tried to keep awake and, having no clock or watch, we waited until the church bells started ringing or the old Blaupunkt or Pye radio, tuned to the one local radio station, started the countdown which led to “Auld Lang Syne”. This was a song some of us had learnt at the Anglican school we attended and belted out loudly for the benefit of the neighbours. In truth, we never really understood why “old acquaintances” should be forgot and never brought to mind unless they “thief” something from you, but we put it down to the contrariness of the British and their language, not realising the poet who composed it, Robert Burns, was Scottish. What we appreciated was the cup of kindness, coca cola (our favourite “sweet” drink when we were little) and whatever else we were allowed to drink as we grew up. In those days, people who had firearms were allowed to “bring in” or signal the New

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Year by firing their shotguns in the air and competing with the church bells and radio in terms of noise. I can still see my father’s face, flush from the several days of almost non-stop drinking, as he pointed the gun high in the air and, holding it tightly, allowed me to pull the trigger. The first time I did it, I was five and still remember the laughter when the recoil threw me flat on my rear. There was always a lot of food around and snacks which, once a year, we were allowed to eat and better yet, go to bed without brushing our teeth. My grandfather’s house was in the deep countryside in a village called South Oropouche and it was there my mother and I went to join her family for the New Year. My grandfather was a hunter and had a shotgun. It was in his hands being oiled and cleaned as we waited impatiently, the older folks gossiping and we, the children, playing games in the yard. The Smith alarm clock my grandfather had got from a departing Englishman was not working because, perhaps from sheer excitement, it was wound-up too tight. The radio he had bought was unable to pick up the Port-of-Spain signal, he said, so we had to wait, kerosene lamp burning, for the church bells. We were very surprised when the bells starting ringing loudly, madly, out of tune and timing, more a cacophony than a celebration, clanging and banging, but we were ready. I was the only one who knew the appropriate song and my family thought I was making up a song about Mr. Syne, a contractor friend of my grandfather. In the midst of the laughter, the gunshots made their trails in the air, filling the room with smoke as the loud echoes died down. My grandfather’s hunting hounds were barking loudly in excitement, thinking he had shot something. Then, the Anglican priest and some of the church people, including Mr. Pollard the village shopkeeper, one of the teachers and a few ladies, arrived and angrily shouted at my grandfather to come outside. I knew immediately it concerned my Uncle Slug. This was not my uncle’s real name but a nickname bestowed on him by his friends, a gang of young men

who terrorised the village, not from malice but because of pure mischief and devilry. “Slug” was Western talk for “bullet” and my uncle could be lethal. My grandmother had no control over him. My grandfather got angry once when Slug decided to go and swim in the nearby river. He warned Slug, “When you go and drown in the sea, don’t come back and tell me nothing!” This was like water off a dasheen leaf. Slug never changed his ways and stayed away from home for longer and longer periods. Slug and his friends were better judges of time than we were. The Anglican Church service was supposed to be a relatively long mass dedicated to praying for all of us for a better, brighter and holier New Year. It was just a few years after the Second World War and we still suffered severely from shortages and tough times. They had gathered in the church at ten o’clock in the night and started with hymns and bible-reading. At just about ten minutes to eleven, the first big stones hit the roof and started to slide down the galvanize roof, noisily landing on the ground with enormous thumps. Then what seemed to be shots from slingshots hit the wooden walls of the church in bursts like machine-gun fire. It was too much for the congregation.

They sprinted out of the church like bats out of hell, pursued by fiendish laughter and the occasional close shave from a pebble propelled by the thick car-tyre rubber used in the sling shots. Then, having gained temporary possession of the facilities, and knowing the police from the nearby station would arrive but only after ensuring there was absolutely no danger or threat to them, the boys started to ring the church bells, deceiving all the people in the village so they would celebrate the New Year an hour early. Slug was too big and tall to beat. My grandfather raged a bit. My grandmother started her usual sad diatribe about “What to do with the boy?” and her suspicion that maybe some priest or obeah man had put a “light” on him. I was secretly very proud of my uncle and his friends and resolved that when I grew up I would try the same trick in my village. Fortunately for me and my neighbours, as well as the Anglican Church, this determination suffered the same fate as all my other New Year resolutions: in one year and out the next. Tony Deyal was last seen sharing a New Year’s wish with his readers: “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.”

ST. LUCIA "STARR" TREATMENT AT BAY GARDENS BEACH RESORT

aint Lucia's locallyowned and -operated Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa, together with Dermalogics Aesthetics Medical Clinic, a medical aesthetic company, recently pampered emerging R&B/ Soul artist Lucki Starr with their world-class proprietary treatments during her first trip to the island. The U.S.-based artist and her family spent six nights at the award-winning resort, at the invitation of Dr. Desmer Destang, owner of the clinic, which is located near the resort in Rodney Bay. Ms. Starr sought out the services of Dr. Destang, a Saint Lucian-born, college-qualified, medical aesthetic clinician with 15 years' experience, for a personalized skin consultation, analysis and treatment. The two had first met during a visit by Dr. Destang to New York where the doctor recommended a skin care regimen for the star, which yielded positive results. Ms. Starr's mother, Shana Gordon, said they'd felt like they were in a tropical "home away from home" from the moment they arrived at the resort. From the daily hugs they received from "Ms. P" (resort general manager Waltrude Patrick) to Lily at the concierge desk, who arranged for a private hair stylist to come to the resort, Gordon said they couldn't have felt

Singer and songwriter Lucki Starr.

more welcome. The family also raved about the Caribbean-inspired gourmet food offered at each of the restaurants on site, including Hi Tide and Seagrapes Beach Bar, and revelled in zip line, horseback riding and other experiences for which Saint Lucia is famous. Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts and brother of Dr. Destang, said: "We were thrilled to welcome Ms. Starr and her family to our beautiful island and our resort and we're looking forward to them returning in the future." Ms. Starr and her family are already planning their next visit, hopefully for 2020 carnival, and checking back into their newly discovered "home away from home".

Implementation of the Extended Article 164 Regime of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas

he Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs wishes to advise members of the general public of the impending implementation of a CARICOMwide initiative to enable the growth and development of the Less Developed Countries (LDCs) of CARICOM. This regional initiative, which Saint Lucia is seeking to implement effective January 1, 2020 is Article 164 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) which establishes the Caribbean Community including the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). According to the RTC, Article 164 is a regime which seeks to promote industrial development among the

(LDCs) of CARICOM1. Under this regime, which was first introduced by a decision of the 21st Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development in 2006, CARICOM LDCs, including Saint Lucia, may, if necessary as a temporary measure, suspend community origin treatment on imports of a specified list of goods imported from the More Developed Countries (MDCs) of CARICOM2 and from third countries. It should be noted, however, that goods of community origin sourced from the LDCs continue to attract a duty of zero per cent. This new (and third) edition of the Article 164 regime covers 14 product groups across 39 tariff lines and provides tariff protection to most of the products on

the list for a period of ten (10) years; and a period of five (5) years for two products, namely curry powder and pasta. The remaining products include other wheat or meslin flour; aerated waters and beverages; malt; beer; stout; prepared complete animal feed; oxygen and carbon dioxide; acetylene; candles of paraffin wax; solar water heaters for domestic use; paint and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic polymers or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium, and furniture. The objective of the regime is to increase the participation of LDCs in intraregional trade and, in so doing, increase the level of equity in

the distribution of the benefits from the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) by enhancing the competitiveness of the products covered under the Article 164 Regime. Saint Lucia remains committed to improving its productive capacity in order to increase its intra- and extra-regional trade in goods and is therefore committed to implementing the full list of the new edition of the extended Article 164 regime. However, Saint Lucia will be reserving on its implementation of furniture until further notice. The full list of Article 164 products and corresponding tariff rates is published in the Saint Lucia Government Gazette via Statutory Instrument.

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october 04, 2020 THE STAR

When it comes to an IMPACS resolution the PWA remains hopeful but not confident! Joshua St. Aimee

t a press conference on December 19, 2018 the president of the Police Welfare Association, Travis Chicot, reminded attendees that justice delayed is justice denied, and called, for the umpteenth time, for a resolution to IMPACS by early 2019. In November 2018 National Security Minister Hermangild Francis, echoing the US State Department and the EU, stated that those suspected of participating in the so-called “gross violations of human rights,” which left twelve individuals dead, must be prosecuted. Before Francis, former Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, in a televised address on March 8, 2015, revealed that an investigation he had initiated two years earlier had uncovered "extremely damning findings," among them that all the police shootings reviewed were “fake encounters” staged by the police to legitimize their

PWA president Travis Chicot is hoping for an IMPACS resolution but doubts 2020 will be different from the year just ended.

actions. Further, that the weapons supposedly found at the scenes of the alleged extra-judicial killings were from sources other than the victims. By Anthony’s telling, the IMPACS investigation discovered that the weapons

were “planted on the scene of the shootings”. Anthony later claimed the matter was before the then Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Charles-Clarke. However, in 2015—after a government

Tribute to Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James

he Ministry of Health and Wellness recognizes the contribution to healthcare of Dr. Merlene Fredericks–James as the first female Chief Medical Officer of Saint Lucia. Dr. Fredericks-James graduated from Medical School at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, attaining her MBBS in 1997. She worked as a Senior House Officer at the Accident and Emergency Department of Victoria Hospital for a number of years and then in the Emergency Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados and later at St. Jude Hospital. She commenced work as a District Medical Officer in June 2004 and later became the Senior Medical Officer in April 2007. In May 2008 she completed her Masters in Public Health with the University of South Florida. Dr. Fredericks-James

assumed the responsibilities of Chief Medical Officer in October 2009. During her tenure as Chief Medical Officer for the last ten years, Saint Lucia has noted marked improvement in public health care under her stewardship and guidance. She has been instrumental in the development and establishment of the present public health structure within the Ministry of Health which has facilitated the capacity to manage a wider range of programmes. One of her greatest passions is professional development and training of officers. As a result, she has encouraged and facilitated the training of physicians, nurses, environmental health officers, health educators and surveillance officers, to name a few. This has strengthened the Ministry of Health to

develop programmes for areas such as HIV/AIDS, disaster management, chronic noncommunicable diseases and immunization. Dr. Fredericks-James’ influence was noted in the development of the CAMCaccredited Medical Internship Programme, which ensures a structure is in place to facilitate the medical familiarization and training for the range of medical school graduates. Through her chairmanship of the Public Health Board, she has reduced nuisances which affected schools and homes, and increased licencing compliance of licensable establishments such as food handling establishments and hotels, ensuring safer health conditions for all. During the last ten years, under the stewardship of Dr. Fredericks-James we

minister had publicly accused her of sitting on the matter and consequently delaying a resolution—the DPP revealed at a press conference that the report had been handed her following two televised addresses by the prime minister. Moreover, that while it contained several serious allegations, she had received no evidence supportive of them. She also stated a number of related things about the investigation and that the report "did not conform with the requirements of our laws in Saint Lucia". In an interview with the STAR on Tuesday, Chicot once again complained that the matter had been lingering for too long. While the association will not interfere with the decision-making process, he said, the situation needs resolving. He lamented that police officers are providing a service while their fate hangs in the balance. Chicot recalled that "some time in November this year the Minister of National Security announced that

his office would deal with IMPACS before the tenure of the government is over. But we believe that was not a calculated statement. The statement has further demoralized the men and women of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force." On November 27, 2019 Minister Francis was a guest on Timothy Poleon's Newsmaker Live programme, at which time he assured the population there would be some prosecutions before the end of the government's term in office. Asked whether his comments could do more harm than good, Francis reiterated that prosecution does not in any way mean a conviction. He reminded viewers that suspects are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by the appropriate authority. But Chicot has taken issue with the minister’s comments. He said the IMPACS matter had been turned into a political football match. He advised the authorities to be careful they do not further reduce police

morale with more careless statements. Pronouncements should always be responsible and well thought out, he said. “They should not be made only to appease certain people. We’ve already had too much of that.” Chicot expressed confidence that 2020 will be an eventful year for his association. He said the PWA planned to grab the bull by the horns and spare no effort in organising activities to benefit its membership. He is hopeful that a number of policies, including those of sexual harassment and ethics, will be implemented. Training programmes and conferences covering financial management and higher education are also on the cards. However, Chicot is not holding his breath when it comes to a resolution of IMPACS. "I'm not going to give myself any false hope,” he said. “Based on trends that I have seen, I believe nothing will happen in 2020 and we'll be singing the same old song, to the detriment of all concerned.”

Fredericks-James has worked to achieve gains to reduce the impact on our people. She led plans and protocols, surveys such as the Behavioural Risk Factor Survey/STEPS, HEARTS programme for control of high blood pressure, as well as public health legislation amendments, including for tobacco smoke-free public places. Dr. Fredericks-James collaborated with regional public health agencies such as Pan American Health Organization, Caribbean Saint Lucia’s first female Chief Medical Public Health Agency and Officer Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James the Organisation of Eastern (pictured) served for a decade. Caribbean States to ensure improvements in health in gaps, in order to decrease have successfully managed Saint Lucia. numerous outbreaks and maternal and infant mortality. She has touched the Further, initiatives public health emergencies lives of all of the officers with have been implemented including the H1N1 Influenza whom she has worked, always pandemic, Dengue Fever, Zika, to reduce the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases, offering sound professional Chikungunya, Pertussis and advice, while maintaining a the threat of Ebola, to name a including campaigns, vaccine surveys and the introduction of humble disposition. few. The Ministry of Health In an effort to improve new vaccines and the updating and Wellness wishes to thank of the vaccine schedule. maternal and child health Dr. Fredericks-James for her Chronic nonoutcomes, with the support hard work and tremendous of PAHO she facilitated the communicable diseases contribution to healthcare in continue to be a challenge Perinatal Audit and ensured Saint Lucia and wishes her the that the necessary measures for Saint Lucia, the region best in her future endeavours. and the world at large. Dr. were put in place to address

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Police: Poor Conflict Resolution at Heart of most Homicides in Saint Lucia Dean Nestor

wo days before the close of the old year, yet another chopping incident occurred on the afternoon of December 29, 2019 in Riviere Mitan, Gros Islet. “Two male individuals were involved in an altercation where one injured the other with a cutlass,” said Superintendent of Police George Nicholas at a press conference on Tuesday. Nicholas added that “an offduty police officer intervened by discharging one round of ammunition in the right leg of one of the combatants.” Just three days prior, on December 26, 45-year-old Aaron Cooper died from the effects of chop wounds to the left side of his chest, back and neck, sustained in Anse Ger, Micoud. This marked the 48th homicide for 2019. By year’s end it had climbed to fifty.

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Poor conflict resolution played a major role in Saint Lucia’s homicide tally last year, as it has done going back several decades. As Nicholas succinctly put it: “Most homicides have been the result of persons not being able to control their temper or anger, or being able to resolve a situation amicably, and we preach every day that persons should try to exercise tolerance and try to deal with altercations in a more amicable way. I said some time ago: if you find yourself in an altercation, you should walk away. But persons tend to believe they have the right to take the law into their own hands.” Saint Lucians also tend to take cutlasses and other dangerous weapons into their hands in order to perpetuate violence upon each other. As Nicholas revealed: “On a daily basis, police on routine patrols recover weapons; not only

Statistical Officers at OECS Commission and Central Statistical Office of Saint Lucia trained in Population Estimates Computation

Are our police officers sufficiently equipped to tackle the issue of poor conflict resolution, which they acknowledge contributes to most of our homicides? (Pictured: Superintendent George Nicholas.)

cutlasses, but also scissors, knives, ice-picks and other dangerous weapons from individuals.” Nicholas went on: “It is something that you can be charged for and brought before the court if you cannot give a satisfactory account for having that in your possession.

The whole thrust of the legislation is to be able to give a satisfactory account. The charged individual would have to prove to the court his legitimate reason for carrying the weapon and the court would make a determination as to whether that reason is satisfactory or not.”

Saint Lucian crowned 2019 Miss Caribbean Talented Teen!

n December 31 Saint Lucia’s Kersandra Edwards came out on top at the Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen pageant. Held in St. Kitts and Nevis, contestants hailed from Dominica, the United States Virgin Islands, Barbados, Guyana, Anguilla, Trinidad, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Maarten, Saint Lucia and the host nation. The second runner-up was Miss USVI, while St. Maarten took first runner-up. Each contestant graced the stage beautifully and represented her country well. Kersandra Edwards is a sociable 19-year-old Libran, from the community of Mongiraud, Gros-Islet. Described as an ambitious, creative, dedicated, hardworking individual with good leadership qualities, she has always been a wellgrounded individual, especially through the guidance of her grandmother who continuously encouraged her to pursue her

dreams. She aspires to be a dermatologist and an international model, which is where her passion lies. She has hopes to some day experience walking the runway at one of the well-produced Victoria Secret Fashion Shows. Kersandra is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent and a recent graduate of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, where she studied Biology, Chemistry and Spanish. Known from a tender age to appreciate the arts, Kersandra’s hard work was evident in her achievement of a Grade One in Theatre Arts at CXC level. One of her fond memories is her role in the production of “A Little Folktale”. She participates in various sporting activities, having dominated in track and field at secondary school, and was also actively involved in community volunteering which led her to join “peer helpers” at college.

Mr. Hubert Denis, Chief of Demography Statistics Canada

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Timothy Harris crowns Kersandra Edwards.

This was Kersandra’s first attempt at a regional pageant. She believes it will be a great avenue for growth, self-discovery and her plans to make a patriotic contribution. As the reigning Queen of

Gros Islet and Saint Lucia’s delegate at this year’s Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant, she believes her journey in pageantry has been a great avenue for selfdevelopment and networking.

hree officers from the OECS Statistical Services Unit (SSU) and two from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) in Saint Lucia have been trained in the computation of population estimates during intercensal years. The five-day training workshop, facilitated by Statistics Canada, was held at the OECS Commission’s Headquarters December 2-6, 2019. The main objectives of the training were: 1. To design a methodology for the OECS countries to compute population estimates outside the population census years (censuses are conducted every ten years); and 2. To ensure the use of harmonised methodology among all OECS Member States, for regionally comparable data. Population data are required as the denominator in formulae to calculate many social and economic indicators, for example, Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) per capita and several indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Countries are currently using a simple population growth rate to estimate only the total annual population, to allow these indicators to be calculated. Participants discussed and agreed on the estimation method that was most suitable for OECS Member States. They also received practical guidance and benefitted from hands-on experience in producing both aggregated mid-year population estimates as well as estimates disaggregated by key social/ demographic and geographical characteristics, such as age, sex, single-aged groups as well as five-year age cohorts. Since 2015, Statistics Canada has been providing technical support to the Commission and the NSOs under the 7-year Project for the Advancement of Statistics in the Caribbean (PRASC).

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january 04, 2020

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08 LOCAL EASTERN CARIBBEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (ECTEL) VACANCY NOTICE

DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to the post of DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL SERVICES with the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) based in Saint Lucia. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Director of Technical Services shall be expected to, among other things, • Provide policy advice to the Managing Director, Board of Directors and Council of Ministers on a range of issues in telecommunications and information and communications technologies (ICT). • Develop policy papers and strategic plans for the development of procedures and regulations on telecommunications and ICT issues. • Represent ECTEL at regional and internal fora and advise on matters relating to spectrum management, licensing, numbering and technical standards. • Undertake technical evaluation of licence applications for the provision of telecommunications services. • Undertake technical evaluations of licence breaches by providers. • Advise the Directorate on developments relating to the trends in the telecommunications and ICT sector and on their implications for the Directorate. • Maintain and periodically review the ECTEL Spectrum Management Plan and the ECTEL Numbering Plan, and perform the actions required to facilitate the use of the spectrum and numbering resources by providers. • Manage the Technical Services Department, including direct supervision and development of the staff of the Department. • Provide technical assistance and training to the NTRCs in the management of the sector. • Liaise with other departments to facilitate the delivery of various technical functions, procurement related to ICT projects and technical training in ECTEL Member States. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The applicant should possess: • A Masters degree in Telecommunications, Electronic Engineering or other related field; • At least ten years experience in the field of Telecommunications or Information and Communications Technology (ICT), with at least seven years at a senior management level; • At least three years of working experience at a senior level in telecommunications or other similar regulatory environment; • Knowledge of Telecommunications and Information and Communications Technology Policy Issues at the regional and global level; • Knowledge of the operations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), WSIS, ICANN and Telcordia would be an asset. DESIRED COMPETENCIES • • • • • • •

Results orientated and sound decision-making ability Strategic leadership and management skills Teamwork and team building Influencing and partnering Comprehensive knowledge of Telecommunications/ ICT Excellent communication and presentation skills Performance management and resource management skills

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT The successful applicant will be offered a permanent position following the successful completion of the probation period. COMPENSATION PACKAGE The compensation package is set at Grade P5, is free of income tax, and includes housing, communication and vehicle allowances. DUTY STATION The successful applicant will be based at the Authority’s Headquarters in Saint Lucia and will be entitled to a relocation grant and baggage allowances if recruited outside the duty station. APPLICATION PROCESS Please go to the website, www.ectel.int and click on “About Us” and “Career Opportunities” or follow the link to apply https:// ectel.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=3 Applications should be accompanied with a curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of two referees, along with certified copies of relevant certificates. Deadline for Applications: 24th January 2020

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Will CCJ hopes of Bar Association President join forgotten recommendations? L ast week’s issue of The STAR Businessweek spotlighted the newly elected president of the Bar Association, Ms. Renee St. Rose. A practising attorney for 17 years, she identified among her goals that Saint Lucia move from the Privy Council to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal. Pin-pointing the financial aspect of the Privy Council, as well as the distance involved, she considers it important that this nation makes the change. Saint Lucia’s Court of Appeal, she said, determines hundreds of cases a year yet only a fraction end up at the Privy Council. As to the fear that the CCJ’s judges can be influenced by politics, she insists that the organisation is independent. Dominica, Guyana, Belize and Barbados are the only countries that have adopted the CCJ, established in 2001, as their court of last resort. St. Rose’s call for change is not new. In 2011 the Constitutional Reform Commission, led by Justice Suzie d’Auvergne, addressed the issue. The Commission rejected the notion that the region had not produced qualified jurists to perform on an appellate court. The Commission noted in its report that the Privy Council approved of many decisions by the Court of Appeal. The report recognized that the method of appointing judges to the CCJ was almost identical to the system employed by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Said the d’Auvergne report: “The Commission noted that with the exception of the selection of the Chief Justice of the CCJ, governments of the region played no role whatsoever in the appointment and selection of judges. The Commission acknowledged that this was peculiar to the court and unique in the world.” More importantly, the support for the CCJ is founded on the belief that breaking ties with the Privy Council is an important step in completing Saint Lucia’s journey of Independence, the report observed. “The Commission considered

Justice Minister Hermangild Francis supports a move to the CCJ but says a collective cabinet decision has not been reached.

the mandate entrusted to it by the Parliament of Saint Lucia, and agreed that Saint Lucia had reached a stage in its development where it could take full ownership and responsibility for its judicial policy and affairs,” the report states. Additionally: “The Commission was convinced that a commitment needed to be made to complete Saint Lucia’s growth as a civilization in its own right, and that the umbilical ties to the former colonial motherland needed to be broken. The Commission regarded it as incompatible with the status of independence that the interpretation of Saint Lucia’s laws should be done for it by a foreign power, on foreign soil.” In a July 2018 interview with the Jamaica Observer, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said that although the CCJ was a critical issue, it was not a priority for his government. Turning around the economy and dealing with unemployment, Chastanet said, consumed his government’s time. Earlier this week Justice Minister Hermangild Francis

said there has been no formal discussion on this matter. However, it is his view that Saint Lucia should adopt the Trinidad and Tobago-based court. “I am all for the CCJ,” he said. “I think our judges have demonstrated their ability to dispense justice. To go to the Privy Council takes too long and it’s too expensive. With our own court in the Caribbean we’ll be able to dispense justice more quickly.” Francis said that early in 2020 cabinet will solicit a collective decision on the way forward. In 2018, referendums held in Antigua and Grenada on whether to adopt the CCJ resulted in overall negative votes. In 2013, the Court of Appeal ruled that a referendum was not needed in Saint Lucia. ---Joshua St. Aimee

TRADE LICENCE RENEWAL NOTICE

he Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs notifies all persons who are required to have a Trade Licence to conduct business in Saint Lucia in accordance with the Trade Licence Act Cap 13.04, that the deadline to renew the Trade Licence for 2020 is January 1st, 2020. Persons must ensure that the relevant compliance documents and notarized copies of bio pages for all shareholders, beneficial owners and directors are submitted along with the completed application form for the trade licence.

Applications for outstanding years should be submitted immediately to avoid further action, pursuant to Section 13 of the Act. Please note that application forms can be found on the website www.mesa.commerce.gov.lc All applications must be addressed to: Secretary of the Trade Licence Advisory Board, C/o Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, 4th Floor, Heraldine Rock Building, Waterfront, Castries

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2019 SALCC Valedictorian has his Eyes on Bigger Prizes!

t is generally accepted on this rock of sages that if you can survive a one on one with the host of TALK, then you’re ready to take on Goliath with one hand tied behind your back. Rahym Augustin-Joseph has done precisely that, not once but twice. No surprise then, that the 18-year-old was not only last month’s winner of the history prize at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College’s 33rd graduation exercise but he was also the valedictorian. Even less surprising that Rahym wowed his audience with a speech that will be remembered for its boldness and its eloquent delivery. Not for him were the predictable platitudes about his experience at the college. Instead he seamlessly wove together his own message with others garnered from the wellknown songs of Bob Marley, Teddyson John and Koffee, and from the words of JFK, Ursula K. Le Guin and our own Adrian Augier. Typically, Rahym made certain his valedictory speech will not be soon forgotten, that his words will be remembered for inclusion in future addresses at SALCC. “I had big shoes to fill,” he said in an interview with the STAR. “I followed Sam Eudovic who was amazing, allowing his audience to understand his message through different genres. With mine, I battled to a

2019 SALCC graduation valedictorian Rahym Augustin-Joseph (pictured) receiving the history award. Augustin-Joseph, though very preoccupied with his country’s future, paid homage to his fallen friend in a memorable valedictory speech.

certain extent with what exactly to tell my colleagues who are at critical junctures in their lives. I asked myself: ‘What exactly can you tell them that will help propel them to the future?’ That’s what I wanted to focus on. I’m an avid lover of music, as are my friends and colleagues. I knew the songs they would relate to.” He added: “I’ve always had a love for public speaking. I participated in the Windward Islands Debating Competition in 2018 and ’19 and on both

occasions emerged overall best speaker. But even before that, at St Mary’s College, I always placed myself in position to participate in competitions. What also inspired this last speech was my ambition to help inspire this country to be better.” I could not resist asking Rahym if he saw himself one day sitting in the chair now occupied by Allen Chastanet. He said: “Before that I want to get my Bachelor’s in Law, because I think it is fundamental to governing. I’m not discrediting

Botham Jean's family to appeal ruling dismissing Dallas from wrongful death lawsuit

awyers representing the family of Botham Jean have filed a notice of appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans after a federal judge removed the city of Dallas from their civil rights lawsuit. Guyger shot and killed Jean after mistaking him for an intruder in her apartment when she was actually at his unit. Jean's family sued the city last year, along with Guyger, and the lawsuit accused the city of negligence in police training. Last week, federal Judge Barbara Lynn dismissed the city of Dallas from the lawsuit. “To be honest with you, we were really surprised by this,” said Daryl K. Washington, attorney for the Jean family. Gugyer was at what she thought was her apartment. Her shift had ended, but Washington said he believes she acted as an on-duty police officer using her training. “She thought a crime was being committed. At that point, she became—

even if she was off-duty—she became on-duty because she had reasonable suspicion that a crime was being committed,” Washington said. “So if something was being committed in that apartment, all right, Amber Guyger would have had the legal authority to place that person under arrest. So there is no question that she was onduty at that point.” Judge Lynn dismissed the city from the lawsuit, saying the plaintiffs failed to state a claim against the city. “The facts that existed in this case did not marry with the law in order for this case to proceed,” former prosecutor Aaron Wiley, who is not involved in this case, said. “Something so bad and so egregious happened. Who pays for this? Who pays for this? But it’s not the city of Dallas.” Wiley added that no other officer-involved shooting of an unarmed man in Dallas has this set of facts. “They're so unusual and so unique, and that the

person is not on-duty and the person is not acting in an official capacity,” Wiley said. “And to try to ink that with either the responsibility of the city, or the training of their officers, is a very difficult task.” In response to Judge Lynn's ruling, Washington filed a notice to appeal for Jean’s family. “What I hope happens at the Fifth Circuit is that the Fifth Circuit looks at the fact that Amber Guyger was actually an on-duty police officer, and that our pleadings properly show other incidents in Dallas that involve police officers shooting unarmed individuals. And based on that, we would have alleged enough facts that would allow this case to at least go forward,” Washington said. It’s not yet known when this appeal will be heard. Guyger was found guilty in Jean’s murder, and is serving a 10-year prison sentence. ---Fox4News

the other disciplines but I think law is the bonding agent of any society and everything we do is based on the premise of law. Once we have a firm understanding of that, then everything else falls in line.” He had some related concerns, nevertheless: “There is the perceived relationship between politics and corruption and we’ve seen first-hand the

consequences. We’ve seen what works for the good of all and what doesn’t. Our generation understands what exactly needs to be done. We’ve lived through it and have a pretty good idea what needs to change in the interest of a more productive future.” As for his appearances on TALK, the 2019 SALCC valedictorian observed: “Young people and politicians shy away from that platform because Rick asks the hard questions. He puts you to the test. But I won’t ever want to shy away from him. He gets you to practise introspection. After my last appearance, I started thinking that for Saint Lucia in particular it’s about restoring, and not only about being innovative. There’s no difference between the mind of a child in China and the mind of a Saint Lucian child. What exist are our structural surroundings, China’s and ours. Theirs cater to the innovative mind; we can see innovative minds flourishing. First, however, we need to seek to restore. Then we can pivot from there. I speak of a justice system, of education, of the police force that’s continually demotivated, as the security minister recently said. I speak of using tourism to

propel growth and it being allinclusive. These are some of the things I speak of that could help us restore, and from there Saint Lucia could be on the right path.” Going back to his appearances on TALK: “If you’re not nervous about being interviewed by Rick Wayne, the valedictory address ought to be easy. But for me there was a bit of nerves coming through.” Dhanraj Chaz Cepal, Joseph’s friend and cricket teammate, died in a car crash last August. “It was a very important moment to reminisce on the loss of our friend and I could have pinpointed where he would have sat in that ceremony. I know there was a part of my speech that paid tribute to him. I even imagined what he would have said about my address.” Listening to Rahym Augustin-Joseph, experiencing his infectious optimism, makes it pretty difficult to accept the gospel of mindless pessimists that would have us believe "Saint Lucia is not a place", or that it’s "a place without a future”. How could that be with young people like Rahym ready to dispel the darkness by flicking on the right switch? ---Dean Nestor

Career OppOrtunity Tapion Hospital needs a suitable competent professional to fill the position of HR Officer. RepoRts to: MediCal direCtOr Responsibilities: 1. Recruitment, selection and orientation of employees. 2. Training and development of staff, using in-house and external agencies as appropriate. 3. Institute a culture of Motivation and Empowerment to ensure a highly productive and empowered cadre of employees. 4. Institute appropriate and timely communication to staff. 5. Develop and implement an effective performance management programme tied to rewards which would be guided by financial status of the organisation. 6. Help develop employee recognition and rewards system quarterly and yearly, based on a meritocracy. 7. Work with senior hospital personnel to enhance policies and procedures for the hospital, and to ensure compliance. 8. Create and implement employee relations policies to help increase employee job satisfaction, while serving the needs of the hospital 9. Review scheduled annual leave based on company requirements and employee needs. 10. Develop HR service standards to ensure timely and adequate responses to queries/complaints from staff, patients, doctors with privileges and affiliated service providers. 11. Oversee and ensure compliance with employment and labour laws of St Lucia (Labour Act). 12. Be responsible for the revision and updating of the Tapion Hospital Hand Book. 13. Serve as the Company’s primary liaison with the employees legal representatives/Labour Union and the Department of Labour/Labour Commissioner’s Office as necessary. Qualifications: • Experience in a HR leadership position. • Strong knowledge & understanding of the interviewing process, benefits, administration, and other HR functions. • HR certification would be an asset. • Excellent communication, leadership and planning skills. How to apply: Interested persons can email or mail their resumes to the attention of Medical Director Email address: tapion@candw.lc OR Medical associates ltd tapion Hospital p. O. Box 1780, Castries Deadline for submission is no later than January 15, 2020.

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january 04, 2020 THE STAR

THE SEE-SAW ENERGY EQUATION Trump approach: Drill baby, drill!

Power Your Journey at Sol The Sol Group, a member of the Parkland family, is the leading supplier of petroleum-based products and energy solutions across 22 territories in the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America. Sol is an equal opportunity employer and we value safety, integrity, respect and community. As a dynamic and trusted partner, we are committed to doing things right. We are seeking individuals who embrace our mission, promise and values, and are eager to deliver creative solutions that fuel our communities. Sol has an immediate vacancy for the following position:

OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR The requirements for this position include, but are not limited to, responsibility for local distribution operations including receipt, storage and distribution of packed and bulk products by road transport to customer or to subsidiary depots, maintenance of all retail, commercial, marine and LPG customer assets, installation of LPG bulk facilities, fueling logistics to the depot and day-to-day assistance with construction projects. Ideally, a first degree or higher, national diploma in a technical subject area with greater than five (5) years relevant experience at supervisory level within a distribution operation. A basic knowledge of industrial HSSE requirements, excellent and effective verbal and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills; and proficiency in Microsoft Office are definite requirements. Requirements also include demonstrated professionalism, integrity, reliability, passion and teamwork, and the ability to manage flawlessly multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

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

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

By Wayne Kublalsingh

nation lives and dies by its capacity to access reliable and affordable energy; whether it is firewood, animal fats, palm oil, coal, windmills, watermills, nuclear, solar, or oil scraped up from ponds or mined hundreds of metres below the earth’s surface. Or whether it is gas, trapped undersea in crustacean or plankton decay north-east of Tobago, or the North Sea (Britain), or under the continental ice of Siberia. Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipelines are now supplying Ukraine, Germany and Western Europe with gas, and Mr Trump and Washington are vexed. President Trump is pretty clear why he is vexed. He wants no more wars in the Middle East and North Africa; he is pulling out the troops. He is not, by nature, a warmonger; he is a businessman. He wants the US to be less dependent on foreign oil. Often he has boasted: We have gotten rid of ISIS, but we kept the oil. This is peace oil, not war oil. He has obeyed an oft used dictum in the energy industry: drill baby, drill. He has cut down on regulatory safeguards, opened up Alaskan fields and is supporting energy farms for shale, coal and gas, everywhere in America. The US is now a net exporter, not importer, of energy. He wants Europe to buy US oil, not Russian. But Russian gas and oil, for Europe, is cheaper. The Russian oil pipelines run right into the ribs of Europe. They are providing a better deal for Europe. And Germany, and the EU, must now determine, in the face of Trump and the Russians, not only their energy politics but, to quote a phrase used by our energy experts, their ‘energy mix’. Russia and China are now great friends; China will buy all the oil in the world from Russia; it will maximize its advantage, become the undisputed global leader in

exports and manufactory by 2030; and Europe and the US, the world’s default imperialists, the historical despots of the global economy over the last 500 years, will lurch into war. In this global historical context, large contending parties and global war, what is to be our ‘energy mix’ in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean? The phrase ‘energy mix’ is unsatisfactory. Our energy aristocrats have given themselves the prerogative of deciding what this ‘mix’ should be. They have been dismally wrong in the past. Second, it is confusing; it lacks clarity. Third, it does not show a trajectory; how we get from here to there. The phrase ‘energy equation’ is preferable. Equation implies a formula, a systematic and calculated approach or process. For ease of illustration, we may use the term ‘the see-saw principle’. As we go up with one form of energy, we go down in the other. This is as true for transport, food, technology and energy. As we enhance, or go up with, the diversity, safety, affordability and efficiency of public transport (train, bus, bicycle, boat, ferry), we go down with the number of internal combustion vehicles in the system. As we go up with, or boost, local horticulture in fruit and tree crops, and the mainstay of our agrarian sectors, vendors, farmers, and fishermen, we go down with our food and pharmaceutical imports. As we invest up in protonic technologies, digital technologies in banking, money, crime-fighting, and affordable sustainable housing, less WASA and T&TEC, and less reliant on government jobs, we go down on our reliance on government largesse and subsistence dependence. And as we invest more on solar and wind, we gradually diminish our dependence on fossil fuels. Solar manufactory plants, building solar panels and batteries, and wind factories,

should be pursued post haste in Tobago and the Eastern seaboard of Trinidad. As whilst we increasingly engage our own innovative youth and business entrepreneurs in the areas of physics, silica and battery technology to develop our own Caribbean panel and battery pack, we import plant, technology, capacity and disseminate its products to all our communities. The sun and wind do not charge; not one cent. And they hardly go out, as they frequently do in China, Europe and the United States. We have full-blown, free sources of energy. Ease upward with this source, boost it, and ease down on fossil fuels. This is the ultimate see-saw equation for reviving and boosting economic production in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2001 the government put a huge bet on fossil fuel. Misconstruing the Gaffney and Cline Master Gas Energy plan, which gave guidelines, not solutions, to our energy mix, ministers embarked on a fatal gas-monetization plan. It involved the construction of fourteen large heavy gas-based complexes in the South West Peninsula and South Central Coast of Trinidad. They bounced their heads. We did not have the gas. A global recession hit in 2008. This was not, in any event, the best way to use our limited gas reserves. The communities, from Chatham, Cap-de-Ville, La Brea, Otaheite, Claxton Bay, Pranz Gardens and Savonetta, rose up. No way. Hundreds of millions of public funds were wasted. The government also invested heavily in energyoptimization at Petrotrin’s compound. This time ministers bounced their big toe. They lost hundreds of millions. They let Malcolm Jones, chief energy cook and bottlewasher, off the hook. They mothballed the refinery in preference to working in good faith with the OWTU; sidling, then saddling them with the mess. Not good.

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january 04, 2020

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12 COMMENT

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Are Some of Us Blurring the Crime I

t’s hardly classified information that reading is not this community’s most favorite pastime. Yet another regrettable state of affairs over the years ignored, and for which we can thank our blatantly self-interested leaders, political as well as religious. The less we know, which is to say, the more uneducated we are, the easier it is for them to persuade us to believe in things not seen, to get us hooked on spirits whether wholly holy or bottled, and to think only as directed, by which I mean not at all. This is not to say our leaders are themselves readers. But they know their territory. Life experiences had taught them that people, poor people especially, the illiterate unambitious, tend to take to heart whatever sounds good in their untutored ears: Free lunches. Jobs for all. Heavenly rewards for the meek and the humble, the unquestioning obedient, when finally they’ve succumbed to a lifetime of deprivation. Who can say for certain this kind of brainwashing is not at the root of what causes our discombobulating number of young citizens annually to take their own lives? It’s a fairly safe assumption that many among us never heard of Maya Angelou, let alone that she believed “any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of its needs, is good for him.” Or of Kofi Annan, for whom literacy was “a bridge from misery to hope.” Our politicians continue to bedazzle and impress gullible single moms with questionably acquired laptops for their school-age offspring, never letting on that

“children are made readers on the laps of their parents,” to borrow from Emilie Buchwald, author of several awardwinning children’s novels—not by reconditioned computers cynically handed them a few months before they leave school to join our ever growing army of street-corner illiterate unemployables, or to take up residence at our stand-alone and broke and misnamed correctional facility. As for the ubiquitous pushers of “the people’s opiate,” who better to elaborate than the coiner of the almost two-centuries-old phrase?: “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed, the heart of a heartless world, the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opiate of the people.” There can be no denying we live in a world today that is as oppressed as it is heartless and soulless. (Interesting that Karl Marx, widely considered an atheist, should imply that certain circumstances hint at a soul!) Just before I sat down to write this piece one of our front-row “media practitioners” went a distance, it seemed, to prove the current prime minister had not kept his 2016 campaign promise in relation to crime. Or was the reporter seeking to establish the overall superiority of the prime minister’s predecessor? The reporter offered viewers (at this time of year we can only speculate about how many were in their cups!) a purposefully resurrected 2016 news clip that featured Allen Chastanet on the hustings and, in the manner of campaigning politicians everywhere, asking and answering his own rhetorical question that for reasons of

his own our raconteur du jour curiously described as ‘this now infamous statement’: “Has Kenny Anthony made this country safer? He didn’t but we will. He didn’t but I will!” “But did he?” asked the off-camera reporter, before he presented his audience with the homicide scores for 2011 through the remaining few days of 2019, numbers he must’ve tallied over and over before taking to the airwaves—as was would any other media practitioner of his caliber: Anthony 112; Chastanet 168. A familiar police superintendent also contributed to the news report now under examination, albeit indirectly. At a recorded press gathering several days earlier he had referenced the number of homicides in 2019. “It goes back to people being unable to settle disputes without violence,” he said, head bowed. “We need to, er, and not just the police but everyone else . . .” He paused before saying, eyes now on the camera lens: “Persons including the media.” This was hardly the first time the police officer had attributed much of the violence reported by the mainstream and social media, often by the same individuals, to a poor sense of conflict resolution, family quarrels, domestic rumbles, drunken disagreements, armed warfare at a number of the island’s ubiquitous watering holes. Often the police were featured by anonymous sources in a manner calculated to make them appear incompetent, undeserving of whistleblower trust, and possibly in cahoots with unidentified criminals.

Party after political party has for countless years used crime as a tool by which to despite that fairly recent events have proved such efforts can backfire, t

Several years ago, in a desperate effort positively to affect the countless stabbings and choppings, the day’s government had enacted laws to control where and when citizens carried their cutlasses, sheathed and unsheathed. I am assured by reliable police and hospital sources, never mind the publicity afforded firearms-related incidents, that the cutlass remains the local weapon of choice. Who knows why? Could the fact that many carry a machete for purposes of regular work be a factor? Many commuters keep a cutlass within arm’s reach while driving. What conceivably they have uppermost in mind has nothing to do with the stray cows on our roadways, neither overhanging tree branches. The bloody evidence tends to suggest motorists, in the absence of any kind of highway patrol, rely on their own defenses against alcoholinduced road rage and other ominous possibilities. The above considerations have never been part of the crime discussion. Not now, not at any previous period. It

is hardly surprising, however, that a brash platform boast by a campaigning politician has grabbed the attention of a particular section of the society that enjoys shouting on cue about “politicizing crime.” It’s almost as if some believe Allen Chastanet should be locked up for daring to imply he might be more equipped to do what Kenny Anthony could not, or would not do. We might as well argue over whether Donald Trump deserves to be thrown in jail and his cell handed to Nancy Pelosi—for not delivering by this time on his campaign pledges to turn Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, Putin and Kim Jong-un into Trump puppets. Or that Kenny Anthony should similarly be ostracized from regular society for failing to take back our streets from the assassins of Michael Gaboo Alexander and Bonnie back in 1998. Also for failing in 2005 to keep Vieux Fort safe from bold-faced criminals even at Christmastime. We need not get into his failure to deliver on his promise five years earlier of state of the art hospitals north and south “before the

end of 2015!” Whether citizens feel safer today than at any other time is a question useful only to campaigning politicians and their dim-witted surrogates. Better to ask whether Saint Lucians have ever felt safe. A little reading of available addresses to the nation and countless press releases from the prime minister’s office will quickly deliver the indisputable answer: Barely a year after taking office, in 1998, so overwhelming was crime in all its varieties—from bank robberies at gunpoint to burglaries to hold-ups of visitors on tour buses and in our streets, to chain snatching, to cutlass choppings and drug busts— that the new prime minister and his police commissioner decided to launch Operation Restore Peace. He promised then to take back the streets from the criminal elements. Not so long afterwards, still not having taken back the streets, he set up a crime commission attended by leading representatives of law enforcement, as well as regular citizens and captains of commerce at their wits’ end. The police commissioner blamed the high rate of crime and the lack of arrests on deportees from the United States that he said were several times more sophisticated than his crime

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COMMENT 13

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january 04, 2020

Us Deliberately e Scene For Profit?

which to pry governments out of office, backfire, to the detriment of all.

unit, and a whole lot better armed. A World Bank report at the time observed: “Youth in the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia are untrusting of the legal and judicial systems in their neighborhoods. They report that the police are prejudiced against youth and treat them badly. This is particularly the case in poor neighborhoods, where police assume that all the youth are engaged in the drug trade or crime. Youth feel that the police fail at their jobs of providing security—instead drug dons run the neighborhoods, especially after dark. A similar distrust is felt of the judicial and more general political system, where youth feel that all authorities are corrupt and untrustworthy.” Did I mention the quoted World Bank Report was published in 2001? One year earlier, New Year’s Eve worshippers at the Castries cathedral were attacked by torch-bearing lunatics. A nun was killed at the scene. A priest died a few months later. Am I blaming the day’s prime minister for the situation underscored in the World Bank report? I most certainly am not. He inherited a crime wave from the John Compton-Lewis eras. I must also acknowledge it was in Compton’s time that Rastafarians were unofficially declared vermin

As much as we might criticize our police, that does not change the fact that, especially in communities small as ours, too many citizens profit from crime, whether directly or indirectly, thereby becoming their own worst enemies.(Pictured left to right: ACP Wayne Charlery, Deputy Commissioner Milton Desir, Commissioner Severin Monchery and Superintendent George Nicholas.)

to be wiped out, in much the same way the Jews were dehumanized by Hitler in advance of the Holocaust. For those who will accuse me of exaggeration, let them consider the reasons offered by our police back in the day for some of their atrocities, all of them endorsed, if only tacitly by our Christian society, with no complaints by our elected officials. The government that replaced Compton, headed by former judge Allan Louisy and inclusive of George Odlum and Kenny Anthony (as senator) seemed only to make matters worse. They had been in office but a few days when their supporters rioted at a United Workers Party rally and turned the William Peter Boulevard venue into an open cesspool. The day’s police blamed almost every robbery, every burglary, every assault on marijuana-smoking Rastafarians whom they mercilessly gunned down at the smallest opportunity, with impunity, all in the name of law and order. Some victims come to mind: Charlie Boo, 18-yearold Terry James, Corbeau (as

he waited on National Day for his Rastafarian lawyer Miguel to return him safely to prison). Inquest verdicts were always predictable: Death by misadventure! Allan Louisy and Kenny Anthony inherited the killing consequences of poor education, an unskilled workforce barely able to handle menial work, wall-towall frustration, pampered foreign investors at the expense of locals—as did Allen Chastanet from his immediate predecessors, IMPACS for one. For those who would conveniently insist on a connection with Operation Restore Confidence, launched by Vernon Francois with the endorsement of the Stephenson King cabinet, I am forced to repeat myself: That alleged connection remains to be established by an appropriate tribunal. On the other hand Chastanet’s predecessor went to amazing lengths to re-investigate what the State Department in a Country Report on Human Rights had described as “gross violations of human rights by the Saint Lucia police”—

contrary to the findings of local coroner’s courts that declared there was nothing unlawful about the alleged “potentially unlawful fatal police shootings, some reportedly committed by officers associated with an ad hoc task force within the police department.” The investigation was announced to the world in a televised statement by Kenny Anthony on August 20, 2013; its “damning” findings were also read on TV by the prime minister in early 2015—in shocking detail that need not be revisited at this time. Suffice it to say the revelations continue to have devastating impact on the police (Commissioner Vernon Francois was one of the more obvious casualties!), the Chastanet government and the general populace. Not that the nation has experienced crime as never before. In an earlier article I debunked the notion with verifiable facts, without dispute. What is worthy of more serious consideration is the statement by police superintendent Nicholas: that domestic violence is rampant,

that we seem unwilling to settle our private conflicts without resort to cutlasses and firearms. In most of these incidents the police are called only after irreversible harm has been done. It is also worth noting that despite our undermanned police with all their handicaps, such crimes as bank robberies, burglaries, murder for profit, tour buses ambushed at gunpoint are for the most part unheard of. Perhaps the police and the government, as responsible as they are for our safety, may not be as culpable as some of us who insist on resolving disputes with knives and cutlasses and firearms. The government would do well in the early months of 2020 to revisit the reports on the causes of crime in Saint Lucia, committed by males barely out of their teens. In his Nationwide Survey of the Fear of Crime and Community Policing in Saint Lucia, published in 2003, Professor Ramesh Deosaran observed: “There is no doubt that the problems of crime, personal safety and their serious implications are

uppermost in the minds of the Saint Lucian population. Ninety percent of the interviewed 1620 residents from all over the island said crime is a serious problem in Saint Lucia. They feared being robbed in the street, being swindled out of their money, having their homes broken into, being murdered, being attacked with a weapon.” Additionally: “The highest amount of public fear was of being attacked by someone with a weapon [65%] and being murdered [63%]. Fifty percent of the population feared being a victim of crime in the near future.” I remind readers: the cited report reflected how Saint Lucians felt in 2003. Deosaran recommended as follows: “The overall levels of fear, especially for being victims of crime, need to be carefully considered for possible amelioration.” As earlier stated, the police and the government have their responsibilities, for which they must be held accountable. But who will hold the citizens accountable for our incivility toward one another; incivility that too often has us reaching for our sharpest cutlass? To be continued!

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Assou Square 2020 a hit with all ages! T

he city of Castries came alive on Wednesday and Thursday as hundreds of Saint Lucians turned out for the annual Assou Square celebration. Touted by Castries Constituency Council as a "cultural showpiece", the event did not disappoint. On day one the focus was on the calypso and reggae genres, with fine performances by Nintus, Lady Leen, Ashanti and the reigning calypso monarch Ti Carro. A veteran performer, Ashanti lived up to his moniker of "the people's king" and had attendees demanding encores. The crowd was also bedazzled by the talent of Lightning Stars International. They combined dance, fireeating and the use of a snake in a jaw-dropping performance. The Ohiobased Terry & Eustace Bob Project capped off the evening with reggae tunes, Saint Lucia's ace guitarist Ronald 'Boo' Hinkson jamming alongside the band. On day two Dennery Segment had its turn, with appearances by Pablo, Kisha, Surbance, Alley Cat, Kelly B and Mac 11, backed up by Extreme Band. Both days attracted scores of children with brightly lit faces, descending on the many booths located around Derek Walcott Square.

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january 04, 2020

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16 INTERNATIONAL

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january 04, 2020 THE STAR

US drone strike ordered by Trump kills top Iranian commander in Baghdad

US drone strike ordered by President Donald Trump on Baghdad airport has killed a top Iranian commander, in a major escalation in regional tensions that have pitted Tehran against Washington and its allies in the Middle East. The Pentagon on Thursday confirmed a strike killed Qasem Soleimani, who as head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force became the architect of Tehran’s proxy conflicts in the Middle East. A US defense official told CNN the strike was carried out with a drone. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis—the deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—was also killed, according to a statement from the PMF, which said the pair “were martyred by an American strike.” The Trump administration viewed Soleimani as a ruthless killer and the Pentagon

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), left, and Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, right, were killed in the US strike.

on Thursday blamed him for hundreds of deaths of Americans and their allies in several attacks in recent months. “General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq

and throughout the region,” the Pentagon said in a statement, calling the strike “decisive defensive” action aimed at deterring future Iranian attacks. The Pentagon blamed Soleimani and his Quds Force

for attacks on coalition bases in Iraq in recent months, including the December 27 strike that culminated in the deaths of an American contractor and Iraqi personnel. He was also blamed for the

St Lucia Youth Business Trust invites applications from suitably qualified persons for the position of SOCIAL ENTERPRISE COORDINATOR (SEC) Job Summary: The SEC is responsible for the effective and efficient day to day implementation of the project and its functionality from beginning to end, including project inception activities, annual and quarterly planning and reporting, implementation of activities, project reviews and project closure. The SEC will work closely with the BYBT, primary contact for the project. Application Deadline: January 18th, 2020 Start Date: March 1st, 2020 Expected Duration of Assignment: 2 years DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Finalize the design of the M&E activities of the project in collaboration with management • Create a detailed work plan which identifies and sequences the activities needed to successfully complete the project • Review the project schedule with management and all other staff that will be affected by the project activities on a quarterly basis; revise the schedule as required • Carrying out any other duties that are required for the effective implementation and execution of the project. • Conduct mobilization activities to identify target beneficiaries. • Review, maintain and update the project M & E and Learning Plan, appropriate data collection, storage and analysis tools and systems in order to capture the project process and measure its socio-economic impact • Develop a Filing system to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented and secured; where necessary ensure that information about all beneficiaries are kept confidential • Monitor the progress of the project and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the successful completion thereof • Assist with the coordination of the external evaluations to be conducted • Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including donors, partners and appropriate staff on the progress of the project

• Review the quality of the work completed on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards • Establish and maintain contact with public agencies, trade and business associates, beneficiaries and other participants in the project • Co-ordinate and collaborate with BYBT, partners/stakeholders and the beneficiaries to guarantee fluid communication regarding progress and implementation of the project • Supervise, encourage and support beneficiaries in networking, advocacy and awareness-raising/visibility activities • Guarantee that eligibility criteria are being properly met for the beneficiaries and activities of the project; • Write reports on the project for management and for the donors; also attending meetings as schedule • Administering project risk and proposing alternatives when these are detected • Liaise with partners to ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Education: • Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Youth Development or related field. • Project Management Certification would be an asset EXPERIENCE • Minimum three years project planning and management related experience in the field youth empowerment, development or entrepreneurship, • Experience with establishing and implementing project and program M&E systems, including design and implementation of surveys and other data collection tools • Understanding of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in St Lucia and the attendants’ challenges, especially those faced by youth and women • Sound analytical and problem solving skills • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format • Expert at Report Preparation and Documentation • Excellent time management skills • Familiarity with IT systems and solutions • Willing and able to travel frequently. Work Environment: Office & Field; Must own a reliable motor vehicle. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO slybtslu@gmail.com

any emergency following the strike, two Iraqi security sources told CNN. In a statement, Muqtada al-Sadr, who leads the largest political bloc in Iraq’s parliament, has ordered the revival of the “Mahdi Army,” which fought US troops during the 2003 invasion. He also called on Iraqis to exercise “wisdom and shrewdness.” One pro-Iranian Iraqi cleric, Qais al-Khazali, called for the removal of US forces from Iraq and for the “demise” of Israel, as a response to the deaths of Soleimani and Muhandis. Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said he considered the killing of Muhandis an “attack on the Iraqi state, government and people,” according to a tweet by Abdul Mahdi’s media office. --CNN

Taiwan military chief among 8 people killed in Black Hawk helicopter crash

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

December 31 US embassy attack in Baghdad, and in addition to the hundreds killed in his time as a commander, thousands more were wounded, the Pentagon said. A US official told CNN the strike had presidential authorization and was a “target of opportunity.” The US opted for a pre-emptive option after the previous “maximum pressure” moves didn’t change the Iranian pattern of behavior, the official said. In a tweet, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Javad Zarif, described the US strike as an “act of international terrorism,” adding that it was an “extremely dangerous and foolish escalation” and that “the US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.” The Green Zone in Baghdad was completely locked down by Iraqi security forces to prevent

aiwan's top military official was among eight people killed on Thursday when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed in mountains in the north of the island. Gen. Shen Yi-ming, 62, the Taiwan military's chief of general staff, was en route to visit troops when the UH-60M helicopter disappeared from radar near New Taipei City while carrying 13 people, including the crew. Shen was confirmed dead along with seven other people on board, Lt. Gen. Hsiung Hou-chi of Taiwan's air force told a news conference Thursday afternoon. Five people survived. The helicopter lost contact with base 13 minutes after taking off, at 8:07 a.m. local time, Hsiung said. He added the helicopter's condition was "not ideal," and the ministry had set up a task force to investigate

the cause of the incident. There was initial hope that Shen had survived, when the New Taipei City fire department announced in the morning that the general had been rescued from the scene. Department spokesman Chen Hao-feng had told CNN that Shen was found conscious by a search team and sent to hospital. But he later clarified that it was a miscommunication from the command center. Shen, a graduate of Taiwan's Air Force Academy in 1979 and the US Air War College in 2002, previously served as the island's air force commander. He took office as chief of general staff in July last year. The crash comes ahead of the self-governing island's general election on January 11. President Tsai Ing-wen, of the pro-independence Democratic

Progressive Party, will face off against Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang Party, which has advocated for closer ties with mainland China. Both main candidates have suspended their election campaigns following the crash. Tsai's campaign office said she would stop electioneering for three days, while Han's campaign office announced that all activities would be canceled for Thursday and Friday. Posting on Facebook on Thursday afternoon, Tsai said she had arrived in Yilan county, near the crash site. "Chief of the General Staff Shen Yi-ming was an outstanding, competent general, as well as a chief loved and esteemed by everyone. His departure has left us with tremendous wistfulness and sorrow," she wrote. ---CNN

THE STAR january 04, 2020

REGIONAL

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PM Mottley outlines seven-year mission of restoring brand Barbados P

rime Minister Mia Mottley is promising to make Barbados great again, saying it was time the country become “an exemplar for others”. She made the declaration on Thursday night during an approximately one-hour address in which she encouraged the “active participation” of the majority of citizens and outlined several plans for the next seven years, while giving an update on several niggling issues affecting the country. Stating that the time had come for government to have a frank conversation about where it was, what it has achieved and where it has fallen short, Mottley said her administration was of the view that over the next seven years Barbados must be transformed into a “world-class” society. The next seven years, she said, “must be used to build the best Barbados that we can build and, in so doing, to be regarded as an exemplar for others—to be regarded as one of the best places to live and raise a family and to do business”. “These are not just words

that we are choosing, this is what we want, our lived reality of our citizens and the people who visit this country to feel and be able to express,” she said. Stressing the need for respect of each other and working together, the prime minister called on Barbadians to pause and reflect on the country’s legacy. “This philosophy will strengthen every aspect of our society and its institutions, of our economy and our ability to grow. Fundamentally it is about us as a nation fostering trust and urging co-operation. And my friend, we can, and we shall, but it requires the active participation of the majority of our citizens,” said Mottley. “In fact, it is a redefinition of how we all view our role as citizens. And it will require us being open to change: change how we eat, how we work, change how we build, change how we relate to one another,” she added. She acknowledged that the change being pursued would not be an overnight exercise, especially if the country was to be transformed into a world-class nation.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley said it was no longer sufficient for Barbados to just “punch above its weight”, pointing to the need for sustainable development in all areas.

“That is why I have set a timeframe of seven years. We might make it before and, if we work harder and faster, we can. But what we must never believe is that the winning of one race or two races will suffice. We might grow year after year but that is not what is needed now. What is needed is transformation for this nation,

our country to become worldclass,” insisted Mottley. Mottley, who is approaching the second anniversary of her historic election win in May 2018, said she understood how Barbadians were feeling in relation to economic, social and other issues, but said her administration “cared enough” to have started to address

Regional governments reach ‘consensus’ on LIAT deal Antigua and Barbuda currently holds 34% of the shares in LIAT.

new agreement has apparently been struck as the government of Barbados has apparently come off its initial stance of requesting US$40 million from the government of Antigua and Barbuda (GOAB) to acquire most of its 49 per cent shareholding in regional air carrier LIAT (1974) Ltd. “We have a general consensus on the way forward,” declared Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister

Gaston Browne. He attended a LIAT shareholder governments’ meeting held over a week ago. He confirmed that also there were Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. “That consensus,” continued Browne, “will result in the recapitalization of LIAT as well as the restructuring of LIAT to place it on a path of sustainability.” Talks broke down

between the GOAB and Barbados back in June when the two sides could not come to an agreement on the purchase price for most of Barbados’s 49 per cent shares in the regional air carrier. The Barbados government, then, was seeking approximately US$21 million more than the GOAB was willing to offer. Concerning the new deal, however, Prime Minister Browne said, “I’m not in a

some of those vexing issues. She insisted that while the bleeding has stopped and the economy was being stabilized, the next steps still required the co-operation of everyone. “For sure, we have stopped the bleeding. The issues of the domestic and foreign debt that threatened to strangle us all are now behind us. We are now on the journey

of fostering growth and fuelling transformation and we are optimistic about it. We need to stay the course with our actions over a sustained period and we will see growth year after year. But that is not the definition of success for this government. Our definition of success now has to be the transformation of this country over the next seven years,” insisted Mottley. Among other things, she said it would require the country to continue its current path of restructuring of government and many of the services it delivers in order to make it easier to conduct business. “We must facilitate investments, small and large, from all Barbadians and from visitors, and we must invest further in building, in our sense of community and society, preserving the integrity of our social capital, which is critical to maintain a society but equally acts as the best impetus, as we have seen, to increasing productivity and fuelling growth in our economy,” she added. ---Barbados Today

No Eggs Imported into SVG for the Christmas Season

aint Vincent and the Grenadines was able to reduce the importation of eggs during the 2019 position to give the details at Christmas season. Adrian this point, but to say that the Lewis, President of the Poultry issues that we’ve had, there Association, commended has been some convergence farmers for their excellent and there’s now a consensus work and dedication noting and a way forward.” that this is the first time in In November the decades that eggs were GOAB secured a loan from not imported for the festive Venezuelan bank Banco del season. The Ministry of Alba for US$15.8 million as it Agriculture currently provides expected to use most of the subsidised day old chicks acquired financing to become of broiler and layer birds to the largest shareholder of the farmers. regional carrier. Mr. Lewis, who has been The Antigua and Barbuda in the poultry industry for shareholding currently sits two decades, stated, “Every at 34 per cent. After talks to Christmas the price of eggs acquire Barbados’ shares will go as high as $30-$35 had broken down, Antigua per flat, and sometimes more. and Barbuda sought a way around the stalled negotiations Eggs had to be imported. This year we struggled to get to by seeking a capital call $15-$20 per flat. We did not through other existing and potential regional shareholding import any eggs. There is actually an oversupply of eggs governments. on the market currently.” Hon. Saboto Caesar, ---Antigua Observer

Minister of Agriculture in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in commending all local egg producers, the Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) and the Veterinary Division of the Ministry, noted that his Ministry is currently engaged in discussions with two companies in the region which have expressed interest in purchasing eggs from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Agriculture Minister also called on persons, who can, to utilise more eggs and avoid using processed foods, especially at breakfast and dinner. Minister Caesar further asserted, “Production in all areas of agriculture is on the rise. We are not only producing more for local consumption, but Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is getting ready to export as well, which is as a result of our diversification strategy. The agri-export strategy platform is obviously working well”. ---News784

18 INTERNATIONAL

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THE FUNNIES!

Anthony Joshua shows off his sporting prowess as he goes jet skiing off the shores of Barbados during festive break - weeks after huge boxing victory By Ryan Smith and Connie Rusk for MailOnline

Rose McGowan slams claims that the #MeToo movement makes it ‘hard for men to flirt with women’ because they’re afraid of crossing a line - saying it’s a ‘really stupid’ argument By Claire Toureille for MailOnline

ctress Rose McGowan has hit back at critics who claim the #metoo movement has made it harder for men to flirt with women. The Charmed star, 46, made the comments ahead of the upcoming trial against the disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, 67, who has been hit with a stream of sexual assault claims. She dismissed the idea that the movement, borne out of outrage following various assault claims against a variety of high profile industry figures, prevents men from flirting with women for fear of being accused of sexual harassment.

Speaking to Hunter Magazine —as reported by The Sunday Times—McGowan said these remarks made her want to “bang her head against the ground”. The claim that the #metoo movement has blurred the lines between flirting and sexual harassment has been made by several prominent figures of the movie world, including French actress Catherine Deneuve, who signed a letter in 2018 stating that men should have the “freedom to bother” women. McGowan said: “If you’re not grabbing people against their will, you should be OK. If you’re not seeking revenge because this girl doesn’t like you, you should be OK.” “It’s fine to flirt but it’s another thing when someone

Hollywood actress Rose McGowan, 46.

january 04, 2020 THE STAR

e started his month on a particularly high note, after wresting back the four boxing title belts he’d lost to Andy Ruiz just six months earlier, during their highly anticipated rematch. And Anthony Joshua, 30, appeared to still be in the most celebratory of moods on Monday, when he was spotted soaking up the sunshine on the sandy shores of Barbados, before hitting the sea for a jet skiing session. The British pugilist, who recently trimmed down for his bout with Ruiz, proudly displayed his rippling muscles as he frolicked shirtless along the Eastern Caribbean island’s golden coastline, before suiting up for his ride. Father-of-one Joshua threw on a life jacket before taking control of the small sea vessel and speeding through the welcoming azure waters before returning to land

buys you a drink and thinks they own your hour or that night,” she added. Weinstein will be judged on sexual assault and rape charges in early January in New York. The infamous producer will be trialled for the rape of a woman in a Manhattan hotel in 2013, and a forcible sex act on a different woman in 2006. He has denied both accusations, stating the interactions were consensual. Countless women came forward against Weinstein after revelations were made in a New York Times article of October 2017, claiming that the film mogul had been buying the silence of several women he had allegedly assaulted over many decades. Days after the bombshell article, several women shared their own experience of sexual

where he hung out with his close-knit group. Joshua, who is hungry to unify the heavyweight division, looked incredibly toned, with his biceps and rippling eightpack on display during the beach outing. He wore a simple pair of board shorts and a gold chain necklace. Earlier in the day, the star appeared thoroughly relaxed as he strolled along the beach before heading to the sea to play a game of catch with a rugby ball with pals. Joshua showed off his competitive nature as he dived into the water during the game. The boxer appeared in high spirits as he larked around in the water. While the 2012 Olympic gold medallist is taking a well-deserved rest, Joshua is readying himself for a huge year as he attempts to defend his titles as well as unify the heavyweight division. And the boxer is as hungry to unify the heavyweight division as fans are to see him try, revealing he would prioritise a Deontay Wilder bout over meeting Tyson Fury in the ring. The Watford-born

champion cruised to victory in his rematch with Andy Ruiz on December 7, putting him back on course for an iconic clash with any of the other ‘big three’ members.

harassment or sexual assault on Twitter using the hashtag ‘me too,’ which spurred a viral movement across the globe. Actresses Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowan, who worked together on the 90s hit TV series Charmed, were among the most active and prominent voices of the movement. McGowan herself spoke out against Weinstein claiming he sexually assaulted her in a hotel in 1997. Following the uproar online, some commentators offered that the ferocity of the female ire was discouraging men to flirt with women they were attracted to. In January 2018, several French actresses, including Catherine Deneuve, then 74, signed a letter which stated that the #metoo movement infantilised women and

contributed to a climate of sexual puritanism. Deneuve herself had been critical of the movement ever since the early days of its French cousin, ‘balance ton porc,’ or ‘expose your pig.’ Speaking of the #balancetonporc movement in a TV interview with the programme Quotidien in 2017, the actress said she didn’t think it would bring a solution to the problem of sexual harassment in France, and added the term ‘pig’ was too “excessive” and “terrible”. In July of that same year, Deneuve told Harpers Bazaar: “Desire is at the heart of many creative professions, like film, music, and fashion photography. The challenge is to know the limit and to understand the difference between flirting and going too far.”

Joshua trimmed down for his bout with Andy Ruiz last month.

THE STAR

HEALTH

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january 04, 2020

10 Practical New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthier, Happier Life N

ew Year is the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter in your life. It’s a new adventure, a new beginning, a fresh canvas to paint your life on. Make the coming year your best one yet with these ten intentional new year’s resolutions that are guaranteed to boost your happiness and well-being: 1. Practise focused breathing “Learning how to control your breathing is one of the most powerful and freeing neuro-hacks for managing all kinds of feelings and emotions,” says Stuart Sandeman, transformational breath coach and founder of Breathpod. “There are several thousands of neurons within the brainstem that are in charge of auto-generating different types of breath— regular, excited, sighing, gasping, etc. These neurons also monitor the signal they receive back from the breathing pattern and relay the message accordingly to the locus coeruleus, a part of the brainstem which then triggers a physiological response,” explains the breath coach. In layman’s terms, your state of mind and emotions are closely connected to how you are breathing. “When you feel stressed, anxious or afraid, your breath becomes short and shallow which activates your sympathetic nervous system— commonly referred to as the fight or flight response. When relaxed and calm, the breath is slow and full and your parasympathetic nervous system is engaged, creating a rest and digest response,” tells Sandeman. “By practising slow, controlled, focused breathing you can send a signal of calm and relaxation to the mind and change the way you feel at any moment,” he notes. 2. Read more books There’s a reason why highly successful people like Bill Gates, Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey invest their time in reading books. They not only impart knowledge but also boost your productivity, sharpen

your focus and memory, improve sleep and help you become more empathetic. Researchers also believe that reading may help prevent cognitive decline as it involves active mental engagement. Moreover, according to a study conducted by the University of Sussex, reading for just six minutes can reduce stress by 68%, making it a more effective way to unwind than listening to music or having a cup of tea. Nuff said. 3. Eat mindfully According to a recent report by Daily Harvest, nearly half of Americans define their diet as “unhealthy”. In fact, 57% of Americans don’t even look at the amount of sugar, sodium or protein in their food prior to purchase. “Being mindful of the foods entering your body isn’t necessarily about counting calories or tracking carbs, but rather approaching food in a way that evokes an awareness of what nourishes the mind, body and soul,” says Leslie Silverglide, co-founder and CEO of MIXT. “Having this awareness can help reduce binge eating and promote easier digestion, which ultimately increases the enjoyment of food and gives you full control of your diet,” she adds. There are plenty of ways to practise mindful eating in the year ahead. Silverglide recommends carving out time to create a detailed shopping list before heading to the grocery store. 4. Learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby Learning a new skill or activity can do wonders for your brain health. “Learning creates new neural pathways in your brain. The more you practise a skill, the more you increase the speed and strength of those neural connections. This process is known as myelination—it increases the white matter in your brain and helps it run more efficiently,” explains Dr. Gina Delucca, a California-based licensed psychologist. Think of your brain as a muscle. You need to regularly exercise it to keep it functioning optimally. Learning

something new is a great way to do that. 5. Be more kind to yourself People can be hard on themselves for a variety of reasons. “For some, their critical inner dialogue may have been learned through their past experiences. Maybe they had a very critical parent or a toxic ex and they have internalized some of the negative things that were said to them,” says Dr. Delucca, “while others might believe that their self-criticism keeps them motivated or makes them tougher. In the same vein, some might view self-acceptance as a form of coddling oneself or accepting defeat.” This is why the first step towards cultivating selfacceptance is to understand what this term actually means. “Practising self-acceptance is about accepting yourself as a human being who has strengths as well as limitations, imperfections and the potential for growth,” explains Dr. Delucca. 6. Break a sweat Despite its proven benefits, over 75% of Americans don’t get enough exercise for optimal health. Regular exercise doesn’t just make you physically healthy but also improves your mood, stimulates creativity, enhances memory and increases your productivity, among other things. Also, research shows that spending as little as ten minutes on working out is good enough to reap its health benefits. So, renew your resolve to get more exercise this year. Go for long runs, swim, hike, try kickboxing— whatever floats your boat. 7. Slow down If you think always keeping several balls in the air makes you more productive, you might want to reconsider. “Multi-tasking might give you the illusion that you’re getting more done and being more efficient but, in reality, your attention is divided, so your work quality might suffer and you might actually be less productive because

With a new year come many opportunities to practise life-changing activities.

you’re distracted and prone to interruption,” says Dr. Delucca. Similarly, overcommitting is also counter-productive and can contribute to high levels of stress. “When you make habits out of multi-tasking and overcommitting, you run the risk of putting your body into a prolonged period of stress which takes a toll on both your physical and mental health. This can contribute to the onset of burnout, body aches and pains, mental fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, depression and many other health problems,” tells Dr. Delucca. 8. Get more sleep Your sleeping habits have a huge impact on your physical and mental health. “Sleep represents a third of every person’s life and it has a tremendous impact on how we live, function and perform during the other two-thirds of our lives,” states the American Sleep Apnea Association. “It is indeed as vital as the air we breathe and the food we eat, especially for

those with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems,” it adds. According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), one in three U.S. adults don’t get enough shut-eye. Frequently skimping on sleep can have an array of adverse effects on your health, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, dementia and heart disease.

comparison, which is a natural human tendency. We can’t help but compare ourselves to our friends’ social media accounts or the Instagram models and influencers who project seemingly perfect lives. This can create a distorted perception of reality and feed into your insecurities,” notes Dr. Delucca.

9. Cut back on screen time

“It’s important to realize that when you put yourself first, everyone else benefits,” says intuitive and transformational coach, Caroline Britton. “No one wins when you are burnt out, frazzled and grumpy. So, when you find yourself going into that frenetic pace, do whatever you need to do to get yourself out of it—go for a long walk, have coffee on your own or take a relaxing bath,” she tells. Additionally, “block out at least ten minutes a day to do something that you enjoy or find relaxing,” she suggests.

Unplug from technology as much as possible. Shut it off, put it in another room or leave it at home or the office. “When you stay connected all the time, you’re likely to become distracted every time you get a notification. You may also feel obligated to give in to the demands of others whenever you receive a text message, a phone call or an email,” tells Dr. Delucca. Moreover, spending most of your free time scrolling through social media can have an adverse effect on your self-esteem as well. “Social media breeds social

10. Prioritize yourself

---Forbes

Message of Condolence

he Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) expresses deep regret on the passing of former colleague Mr. Jimmy Emmanuel. During his tenure at the OECS Commission, Mr. Emmanuel served as Director of External Affairs and Special Advisor to the Director General. He was also critical to the successful implementation of the OECS Economic Union, heading the first Regional Integration Unit and participating in negotiations with the Task Force. “We have lost an exceptional professional whose contribution to the development of the OECS region is invaluable. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family,” Director General of the OECS Dr. Didacus Jules stated.

20 SPORTS

january 04, 2020 THE STAR

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Northern United All-Stars are Gros Islet Football League Champs By David R Pascal

orthern United Young Stars put up a good showing but in the end lost to their big club brothers Northern United All-stars on penalty kicks, in the recent final of the Gros Islet Football League District Representative competition, commonly referred to as “The Spider Cup”. Surprisingly, the teams played to a scoreless draw after regulation time, despite the fact that All-stars had a one-man advantage when Linus Clovis of Young Stars received a red card from referee Sabina Kerton. A penalty shootout decided the winner with the All-stars prevailing 4-3 to claim the coveted title, and big payday that went along with it. In the third place play-off that preceded the final, GMC United shut out Monchy FC 1-0, with Tonius Simon scoring the winning goal in the 17th minute of play. Following the final there was a brief prize-giving ceremony with District Representative for Gros Islet, Lenard Montoute, among the officials in attendance. Montoute congratulated Northern United All-stars and Northern United Young Stars for making it through to the finals. He also commended all teams who competed in the tournament.

The triumphant Northern United All-stars team with the championship trophy.

Tournament Emerging Youth Player Nahum Etienne of Northern United Young Stars.

He referred to the tournament as a “protracted competition” due to the length of time it took to complete and went to say: “At the end of the day I think

Action from the recent Gros Islet Football League final (Spider Cup) between Northern United All-stars (dark shorts) and Northern United Young Stars.

we can safely say we had a wonderful season. I look forward, as parliamentary representative, to next year once again sponsoring the Spider Cup, and look

forward to keen rivalry and competition next year.” Following his brief remarks the following awards were presented: Most Goals, Troy Greenidge; Tournament

Northern United All-stars goalkeeper Giovanni Deterville (left) is congratulated by Gros Islet parliamentary representative Lenard Montoute. Deterville was the MVP of the Final and MVP of the Tournament.

President of the Gros Islet Football League Shane Paul (left) presents the second place trophy to the Northern United Young Stars captain.

Emerging Youth Player, Nahum Etienne; MVP of the Final and MVP of the Tournament, Giovanni Deterville.

Penney appointed West Indies Assistant Coach for white-ball Cricket

ricket West Indies (CWI) recently announced the appointment of Trevor Penney as the new West Indies Men’s Assistant Coach, on a two-year contract. Penney’s area of expertise is fielding, and he will work with the team for the white-ball formats (OneDay International and T20 Internationals). The 51-year-old joined the West Indies team on January 2 as they started preparations for the upcoming International Home Series against Ireland. The tour will feature three Colonial Medical Insurance One-Day Internationals and three Sandals T20 Internationals,

from January 7 to 19. Penney has a strong record as a successful coach with various teams around the world. He is also a former player for Warwickshire County Cricket Club, where he played 158 first-class matches and 291 List A matches in a career which spanned close to two decades. He has worked with several international teams as well with franchise teams. He was head coach of Sri Lanka, fielding coach of India, and consultant coach to the Netherlands. He also served as assistant coach at King’s XI Punjab, Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League; as well

as assistant coach with the St Lucia Zouks and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Most recently he was part of the Barbados Trident coaching staff during their successful campaign in the 2019 CPL. West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons said: “Trevor is an excellent coach and has demonstrated this everywhere he has worked. He has huge experience with Sri Lanka and India at the highest international level, and in most T20 leagues around the world including the CPL. He brings enormous energy and is very well respected by all the players.” Penney said: “I’m

thrilled and excited to be given this opportunity to work with this brilliant bunch of cricketers and staff led by Kieron Pollard and Phil Simmons. I’ve been lucky enough over the last few years to work with several members of the squad and the Caribbean is like ‘home away from home’ for me, being involved in the CPL. “We have two big T20 World Cups coming up [in Australia 2020 and India 2021] and it’s my aim to try and improve everybody and be as good as we can and hopefully win those two major ICC events for the great people of the West Indies.” Match schedule:

Saturday, Jan 4 - warm-up vs CWI President’s XI at Three Ws Oval, Barbados; Tuesday, Jan 7 - 1st Colonial Medical Insurance ODI at Kensington Oval, Barbados; Thursday, Jan 9 - 2nd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI at Kensington Oval; Sunday, Jan 12 - 3rd Colonial Medical Insurance ODI at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada; Wednesday, Jan 15 - 1st Sandals Resorts T20I at Grenada National Stadium; Saturday, Jan 18 - 2nd Sandals Resorts T20I at Warner Park, St Kitts; Sunday, Jan 19 - 3rd Sandals Resorts T20I at Warner Park. Team Management: Phil Simmons (Head Coach),

Troy Greenidge of Northern United All-stars scored the most goals in the tournament.

Rawl Lewis (Team Manager), Roddy Estwick (Assistant Coach), Trevor Penney (Assistant Coach), Monty Desai (Batting Coach), Ronald Rogers (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Denis Byam (Physiotherapist) AR Srikkanth (Team Analyst), Zephyrinus Nicholas (Massage Therapist), Philip Spooner (Media Manager).

THE STAR

october 04, 2020

sports

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St Lucia cruise past Dominica in Under-15 Female Football By David R Pascal and Michael “Midget” Pierre

aint Lucia were anything but charitable hosts as the national under-15 female football team overwhelmed Dominica in a friendly on Saturday afternoon at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort. Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc Public Relations Officer Michael “Midget” Pierre referred to Saint Lucia’s dominance as a stroll in the park, drubbing the visitors 8–0 after enjoying a 6–0 cushion at half time. Following the opening whistle it was all Team Saint Lucia as they ran circles around their opponents with their more superior brand of football, cleverly stringing their passes clinically together. Hence it was no surprise when Annicka Louis shot them into the lead in the fifth minute of play. Before the visitors could recover, Freegeanne Joseph made it 2–0 in the ninth minute. Asa Alexander got in on the action, increasing the lead in the 15th minute of play. Some normalcy returned to the game, albeit momentarily, until Jerdel Emery made it 4–0 in the 33rd minute. One minute later, Freegeanne scored her second goal while Harmonie

St Lucia (left) and Dominica battling for ball possession.

Jones closed off the first half with the team’s sixth goal in the second minute of added-on time. Following the resumption the home team, playing to a game plan, seemed more content in maintaining ball possession and frustrating their opponents. However, that didn’t prevent them from surging forward as Petra Mathurin made it 7–0 in the

39th minute. Dominica tried desperately to reduce the deficit but to no avail as Freegeanne would complete her hat trick in the 65th minute, and so the game ended 8–0 in favour of Team Saint Lucia. Following the game Dominica’s Coach, Shane Seraphine, said: “It was a hard one today. The girls, they did their best but Saint Lucia was

St Lucia’s under-15 female football team prior to Saturday’s friendly against Dominica.

just the better team today . . . The Saint Lucian team is very good; you can see that they play more football in terms of their technique—passing and receiving, dribbling the ball— you can see that they play more football than us. When asked if, despite the heavy loss, he could take away anything from this game, he replied: “Yeah, I must say we have a group of girls with a

lot of heart. They play until the end. Before we came here I told them we are preparing for a tournament in the summer so this is a good step to see where we are and how much work there is to do. I still think there’s hope and, come summer, we will be as ready as we can be.” Commenting on the match, Denis Didier, Head Coach of the Saint Lucia Team, said:

“Today’s game was actually just trying to get the kids to play the ball out from the back and try and get to the wings and get it across. However, I believe they [St Lucia] got carried away seeing that their opponents were a little weak, so everybody wanted to score.” He also viewed the game as an assessment of where the team is currently, as they continue their preparation for the 2020 Regional International competition.

Saint Lucia Football Association Football Updates Panam Sports Updates By Michael “Midget” Pierre

aint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc held a planning meeting with the parents and players selected to attend the Free Kick College Showcase in Grenada, January 16-19, 2020. The meeting took place on Monday December 30, 2019 at the SLFA Inc headquarters where the players and parents were appraised of what will be expected of them when they journey to Grenada The players—ten males and two females—were selected following the 2019 Free Kick College Saint Lucia Try-out held at the SAB Playing

Facility on December 21, 2019. Once in Grenada, the players will be engaged in a series of drills over two days, when they will be assessed by coaches from colleges and universities in the United States of America. If successful, the players stand the opportunity of getting a full or partial scholarship. The itinerary for the College Showcase in Grenada is: Thursday January 16 – Meet and Greet Event, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm; Friday January 17 – Student Athlete Symposium, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm; Saturday January 18 – College Player Combined and Training Sessions, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm;

Sunday January 19 – College Player Combined and Training Sessions, 10:00 am – 3.00pm. The selected male players are Troy Jade Edward, Beno Wellington, Sherman Augustin, Dhamani Berthier, Liam Bonaire, Dillon Fanis, Molice Harry, Giovani Saltibus, Josh Boland, and Deneshi Duncan. The female players are Chole Prevot and Melanie Richard. The 12 players will be responsible for making their own way to and from Grenada. This upcoming 2020 College Showcase is the fourth year of the event, with Saint Lucia playing host on two occasions, Antigua once and now Grenada.

Lima 2019 Medal Table

fter a long and thorough process analyzing the doping cases discovered at Lima 2019, the Panam Sports Executive Committee approved the decisions and disqualifications proposed by the Disciplinary Commission, leading to a series of changes in the medal table of the Games held in July and August. These decisions were taken at the recent Executive Committee meeting in Fort Lauderdale, United States.

Argentina went from sixth to fifth place in the general classification while host country Peru also benefitted from these changes, adding two bronzes to its surprising medal total of 41 to achieve its historic ninth place finish. “We have been very careful with the issueof doping at the Pan American Games of Lima 2019, respecting all the corresponding protocols and processes. After our Executive Committee meeting, we have officially approved the

decisions of the Disciplinary Commission and the respective disqualifications of the athletes involved, and this has generated the changes we are reporting today. With this, we close the medal table of our Games,” said Panam Sports Secretary General, Ivar Sisniega. There were 15 positive doping cases at Lima 2019 from a total of 1,905 samples (1,652 urine and 253 blood) taken from athletes during the Pan American Games.

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january 04, 2020 THE STAR

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SeaJays end Year on a High Note

rom December 20 to December 23, SeaJays Swim Club ventured to Martinique to participate in the Meeting Air Caraibes. The Meeting Air Caraibes is the second part of the Circuit Martinique—a group of five swim meets used for selection to the French Championships in July 2020. The meet drew ten clubs and 320 swimmers to Centre Aquatique Communautaire located in Lamentin. SeaJays Swim Club had 30 swimmers registered, the youngest aged seven, to the oldest, aged 22. The team was accompanied by all three coaches, Brian Charles, Norm Banfield, and John McLennon, as well as a team manager and parents. By all accounts the meet was an overwhelming favourite of the swimmers and coaches. The performances in the 50-metre pool from all swimmers demonstrated their hard work in training throughout 2019. The SeaJays team members competed in eight to ten events per swimmer over a two-day period and brought home a total of 39 medals: 21 gold, 11 silver, and seven bronze. Overall, Tristan Dorville came away with the most age group records in long course, in the male 11-12 years 50m free, 100m free, 200m free, 200m fly and a 13-year standing 100m fly. Fayth Jeffrey achieved a

new age group record in long course for the female 9-10 years 100m breast. Last, but not least, Jayhan Odlum Smith broke the male 15-17 years 200m fly record. This was also a new national record in the event. It must be noted that competition age groups in Martinique are based on year of birth and are different for male and female competitors. As such, many national performers in Saint Lucia, such as D’Andre Blanchard and Caitlin Polius, were ranked among older competitors. Both of these swimmers ranked in the top ten of the majority of their events. Younger swimmers, such as James Sylvester and Noah Dorville, placed in the top three of their age group multiple times against older competitors. The SeaJays Executive was pleasantly pleased with the overall attitude, performance, and tenacity of the entire team throughout the meet. The display of camaraderie, as well as good sportsmanship, throughout their trip to Martinique was impressive. Upon returning to Saint Lucia, SeaJays Swim Club went straight into the Christmas spirit of giving. The Club embarked upon its year end “good turn” on Christmas Eve when members of the Club provided food, and brought good-cheer through

The SeaJays Swim Club was well represented at the Meeting Air Caraibes.

carolling, to the less-fortunate in Castries. Unfortunately, many club members were unable to attend, due to the mad rush of Christmas Eve and the inescapable bumper tobumper traffic that grips the Castries-Gros Islet Highway, but those who participated maintained the true SeaJays spirit and approached the event with as much vigour and fervour as is usually exhibited by the Club when undertaking projects of this nature. The Club served 87 wholesome, scrumptious pre-packaged warm meals comprising typical Christmas foods including ham and turkey, plus cake for dessert, prepared and packaged with love by all contributors to this

Members of the SeaJays Swim Club at Constitution Park where they distributed meals to the needy and sang Christmas carols.

worthwhile venture. Constitution Park in Castries came alive with carolling from the SeaJays

swimmers and parents who assisted in distributing meals and drinks to the poor and homeless. Members as young

as seven years old participated in the activity. President of SeaJays, Robert Blanchard had this to say: “This cause was worth all of the heat in the kitchen and battling the traffic congestion, when we saw and heard the expressions of gratitude from persons less fortunate than ourselves who would otherwise be without a meal on that evening.” The Swim Club thanks sponsors without whom the final activity on its 2019 swim calendar could not have been successful: Ramco Plastics Limited who kindly donated the recyclable food containers used to distribute the meals, ensuring that SeaJays played its part in keeping the environment clean; Massy Stores for its various contributions of food items towards this venture and for its support in the Club’s various activities throughout 2019; Sandals Halcyon and Harmony Suites for preparation of food items towards the cause. The Executive of SeaJays Swim Club wishes all members, swimmers, coaches, management and staff of the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre, the Executive of the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation and all their supportive sponsors, a healthy, positive, successful and blessed New Year 2020 and looks forward to continued cordial relationships and partnerships in 2020.

Knighthoods for West Indies greats Clive Lloyd and Gordon Greenidge

egendary former West Indies cricketers Clive Lloyd and Gordon Greenidge have been awarded Knighthoods in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. Lloyd, the 75-year-old who captained West Indies to World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979, was honoured for his services to cricket. Greenidge, the 68-yearold former opening batsman, has been conferred with the Order of St Michael and St George, Knight Commander for “services to cricket and to

the development of sport” on the overseas list. Conde Riley, President of the Barbados Cricket Association and Director of Cricket West Indies, has also been honoured for “services in the field of sport and in particular cricket administration”. Speaking to CWI Media from his home in England, Lloyd said: “This is a tremendous honour. I’m delighted and humbled to receive this honour bestowed upon me by Her Majesty. I

gave over 50 years of my life to this great game and to be recognized in this way, I know my contribution is well respected. To be honoured for playing a sport I enjoyed and which brought great pleasure to many is a pleasant surprise. This is dedicated to my family, and all the people who were part of this journey with me: the West Indies and Guyana and Lancashire players, all the West Indian people, and all those who supported us. “Also, great to hear the news that Gordon has been

Clive Lloyd.

honoured as well. He has been a great servant of the game as well and his is richly deserved.” Greenidge spoke from his home in Barbados and said he appreciated the accolade: “It’s something I appreciate very much and it’s nice to be recognized while I’m here to receive it . . . I’m happy to say it was done while I could still be around. I also want to say thanks to my many team-mates over the years. I played alongside some amazing players and formed many great partnerships and relationships. This is an honour I will cherish.”

Gordon Greenidge.

THE STAR

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Call mobile: 720 5046 For more details FORM P7 ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE SAINT LUCIA

Rule 15

FORM P7 ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT

Rule 15

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

CASE NO.:SLUHPB2019/0275

SAINT LUCIA

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

CASE NO.: SLUHPB2019/0274

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

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

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

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

Dated this 19th day of December, 2019

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

Filed by Tessa Paul Attorney at Law on behalf of the Applicants and whose address for service is: Tessa Paul Chambers, Unit 5, Bicar’s Building, Lady Mico Street, Micoud, Saint Lucia. Telephone Number (758) 454-1055. E-mail address tessapaulchambers@gmail.com The Registry of the High Court of Justice is situate at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint Lucia, and can be contacted at telephone (758) 468 7500, or at e-mail address stluhco@eccourts.org The court office is open between 9.00 am and 2.00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 9.00 am to 3.00 p.m. on Fridays except public holidays.

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Dated this 19th day of December, 2019 Filed by Tessa Paul Attorney at Law on behalf of the Applicants and whose address for service is: Tessa Paul Chambers, Unit 5, Bicar’s Building, Lady Mico Street, Micoud, Saint Lucia. Telephone Number (758) 454-1055. E-mail address tessapaulchambers@gmail.com The Registry of the High Court of Justice is situate at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Saint Lucia, and can be contacted at telephone (758) 468 7500, or at e-mail address stluhco@eccourts.org The court office is open between 9.00 am and 2.00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 9.00 am to 3.00 p.m. on Fridays except public holidays.

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