Another Family Weeps For Justice!

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

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ANOTHER FAMILY WEEPS FOR JUSTICE! Friends, family and other grieving citizens this week held a memorial march for Arnold Joseph, a 17-year-old student allegedly shot while police were in hot pursuit of what they described in a press release as “a suspicious motor car”.

One of the three in the vehicle was also wounded, though not fatally.

Issue 27 | 22

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

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june 22, 2019 THE STAR

Solstice Facts That Everyone Should Know Y

esterday was June 21, 2019: the day of the solstice. Although there are many factors at play that determine the behaviour of each planet—its spin and orbital angular momenta, the eccentricity of its orbit, the effects of General Relativity and the other planets—there's only one that determines when the solstices are: axial tilt. As every planet revolves around the Sun, it rotates on its axis, and only the orientation of that axis matters.

Dependent on which side of the equator you're on, you'll experience the summer solstice when your hemisphere (north or south) is maximally tipped towards the Sun, and the winter solstice when your hemisphere is maximally tipped away from the Sun.

The solstices are colloquially known as the longest or shortest day of the year. While this is true, they represent so much more than that. Here are the facts that everyone should know.

Solstice literally means "Sun stands still" in Latin.

If you were to trace out the path of the Sun in the sky throughout the year, such as with a pinhole camera, you'd find that the Sun follows a set of paths that all correspond to it rising somewhere in the east/ northeast/southeast, reaching a maximum height overhead, and setting somewhere in the west/ northwest/southwest.

But over the course of a year, one path will be the longest and reach the highest point, while another path will be the shortest and reach the lowest maximum height above the horizon. These correspond to the solstices: winter and summer solstice, to be precise.

The reason it's called the solstice is because—for approximately a week on either side of the solstices—the apparent change in motion of the Sun is largely imperceptible.

The Sun appears to "stand still" and the word solstice comes from the Latin "sol" (for Sun) and the verb "stare" (to be

fixed/rigid/unmoving).

The solstices, despite being the longest and shortest days of the year, do not correspond to the earliest or latest sunrises and sunsets.

Since the winter solstice corresponds to the shortest day of the year, with the least amount of sunlight, then you might expect you'd see the latest sunrise and the earliest sunset of the year on that day.

Similarly, since the summer solstice is the longest day of the year, you'd be reasonable to expect the earliest sunrise and the latest sunset of the year.

But this isn't the case for any of these expectations. While the Earth's axial tilt determines solstice and equinox, the ellipticity of our orbit helps determine the time of earliest sunrise and latest sunset.

The naive expectation would only be true if our orbit was a perfect circle. As it stands, the earliest sunrise occurs before the June solstice and the latest sunset occurs after the June solstice. The farther away

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With a large amount of atmosphere to pass through, light from the Sun (or Moon) reddens tremendously when it's close to the horizon. Neither the latest sunset of the year nor the earliest sunrise of the year corresponds to the summer solstice.

from the equator you are, the closer these dates will be to the solstice, while the closer to the tropics, it might be as far as two weeks away.

The solstices mark the most favourable time for taking the first-ever 360° star trail photo.

The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours, and the Sun has to be about 12° to 18° below the horizon in order for the sky to darken enough to reveal a substantial number of stars. If you're close enough to the appropriate pole (north or south) during the winter solstice, and your skies are clear, you just might get a continuous 24 hour view of the stars.

This would enable a lucky observer to complete what's known as Lewin's Challenge, which is the endeavour to photograph (with no tricks) a set of complete, 360° star trails.

Technically, an observer at the South Pole has about five weeks on either side of the solstice to accomplish this. Clear skies at the poles during winter are rare, but if you're already at the poles, you owe it to yourself to try!

The full Moon closest to the solstice will trace the maximally opposite path of the Sun.

When the Earth’s axis is maximally tilted towards the Sun and the Moon is full—as in, on the other side of the Earth from the Sun—that means the Earth’s axis will be maximally tilted away from the Moon.

To within a variance of just 5

degrees, Earth-Moon orbital plane's inclination, the time when the Sun appears to carve its highest path through the sky, the full Moon is carving its lowest path through the sky.

The exact opposite is true during the winter solstice: the Earth's axis is maximally tilted towards the full Moon and away from the Sun. If you caught Monday's full Moon, it marked the highest full Moon of the year for observers south of the equator, while it marked the lowest full Moon of the year for northern hemisphere observers. If you come back for the full Moon of December 12, 2019, you'll catch the same phenomenon, except for opposite hemispheres.

The solstices are neither the hottest nor coldest days of the year.

This one is actually very specific to Earth: the hottest times of the year typically correspond to approximately six weeks after the summer solstice, and approximately six weeks after the winter solstice.

Other planets don't have this same phenomenon for one very important reason: they don't have the majority of their surfaces covered in liquid water.

The oceans themselves, being composed of large quantities of water and containing approximately 1,000 times the mass of Earth's atmospheres, contain a tremendous amount of heat, and are slow to change their temperatures. We might receive more (or less) energy from the Sun on the summer (or winter) solstices, but

the oceans require time to heat up or cool down. Global average temperature extremes, therefore, usually occur in early August and February, rather than at the June and December solstices.

The June and December solstices mark two incredible milestones in space exploration.

In 2004, SpaceShipOne completed its maiden suborbital space flight on the summer solstice: June 21. Yesterday, therefore, was the 15th anniversary of the unofficial start of the era of commercial spaceflight. It's a stark contrast to the space exploration milestone that occurred much longer ago on the other solstice.

On the December solstice, the Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed mission to reach and orbit the Moon, was launched in 1968. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders became the first humans to view Earth from such a great distance, beginning their journey away from our planet on the darkest evening of the year. Three days later, they plunged behind the Moon, rendering both the Sun and the Earth invisible for a few hours. When the Sun and then the Earth re-emerged over the limb of the Moon, they saw this breathtaking sight.

As Bill Anders said almost immediately, "We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth."

---Forbes

THE STAR

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JUNE 22, 2019

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LOCAL

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Call Centre Employees Complain of Unfair Treatment!

ormer and current employees of a local call centre are crying foul over what they claim is unfair treatment by their employer. The employees, who spoke to the STAR on condition of anonymity, allege the company is exploiting them by manipulating their working hours, consequently impacting their wages. The employees say they normally worked a 40-hour week, eight hour shifts daily. However, they allege various methods are used to deduct time from their hours worked.

“Wrap-time”, they explained, is the time used immediately after a call to enter the details of that call into the system. Once entered, the call is then saved, and they are then able to take another call.

However, the time taken to complete this process is excluded from their working hours.

The next issue revolves around the computer system employed. They said that on certain days, including when business is slow and there are fewer incoming calls, the system suddenly crashes. Although the workers have no control over whether the system works or not, they are not paid when it’s down. Another method of manipulating time, they said, centres on when an error message occasionally pops up on their screen while dealing with calls. The system freezes while the message is on-screen.

Then there’s the issue of bathroom breaks.

During that time, the system is paused and calls cannot be taken. They said time is also unpaid.

One employee said that on some occasions when no breaks were taken, there were still deductions.

A worker complained: “Sometimes I give my whole eight hours for the day and when I look at my time card, it has break times I know I didn’t take, and wrap-time I know I didn’t have.

Sometimes they just come out from nowhere.”

Said another: “There are certain days I have to force myself to stay seated and don’t take any

EU REMOVES DOMINICA FROM TAX BLACKLIST

T

he European Union has removed the Caribbean island of Dominica from its list of uncooperative jurisdictions in tax matters.

Dominica changed its tax rules to comply with EU requirements meant to reduce the risks of tax evasion, the EU said in a statement.

The Code of Conduct Group, which assessed the compliance of countries with EU tax criteria, had already de-listed Aruba, Barbados and Bermuda on 17 May.

Dominica implemented its commitments and addressed EU concerns regarding the automatic exchange of financial information after it ratified the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance. As a result, Dominica will exchange tax information under the common reporting standard with all EU member states from December 2019.

The EU says its list is contributing to ongoing efforts to prevent tax avoidance and promote good governance principles such as tax transparency, fair taxation or international standards against tax base erosion and profit shifting. Only 11 jurisdictions remain on the tax blacklist. They are American Samoa, Belize, Fiji, Guam, Marshall Islands, Oman, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.

bathroom breaks. Sometimes I have no choice but to put the customer on hold as I rush to the bathroom.”

The workers are not represented by a union. Attempts at reaching the business for comment proved futile. The Labour Department’s Dan Darrion told the STAR his office could not comment on whether a complaint has been made against any business. However, he explained that it would be contrary to labour laws for any business to operate in the way complained about. He promised nevertheless that his department will look into the matter.

--- Joshua St. Aimee

Call centre employees have complained about unethical rules at work that the Labour Department says are unlawful.

04 local

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

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Botham Jean’s mother addresses vigil for teen victim of local police shooting!

Joshua St. Aimee

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ainfall on Wednesday afternoon could not deter family members and friends of the late Arnold Joseph from hosting a vigil in his honour. A fifth form student at the Entrepot Secondary School, the 17-year-old was fatally shot during an attempt to stop a vehicle in which he was travelling with two other individuals. Held in Castries, the vigil began with a march from the intersection of Chaussee and La Pansee roads, to George V Park. As loved ones marched on—some in tears—they sang Kathy Troccoli’s Go Light Your World. There were also “Justice for Arnold” chants along the route.

“The reason I did the vigil is because I wanted to clear the air about who my son was,” said Joanna Joseph at the park. “For those that have been saying he was a bad boy, his name is Arnold Jonah

Joseph. He went to the Entrepot school. He’s from Marigot and we lived in Sans Soucis. He was a loving child. He loved his sister; he protected his sister with everything that he had. He loved his school; everybody at his school was his brother, his sister, his mother and so forth.”

Ms. Joseph said she did not want to talk about how police had handled the incident that took away her son, but will have much to say in due course.

“When I’m ready for justice,” she said, “nobody can stop me.”

Columban Sextius, father of deceased, thanked the gathering for their support. He said it was about time people stood up to the wrongdoings of the police who have been getting away with it, and are being covered by their colleagues.

He added: “We’re not going to just come out with a big noise and let it fade away. I promise that I’m going to stand behind it and we’re going to march until we get what we

Ms. Joanna Joseph (left) leads the march in memory of her 17-year-old son, Arnold. The funeral service takes place today at Jacmel.

think is right.” Sextius said he hopes the next march will focus on getting information from the police, and for action to be taken against the officer involved.

Acting Vice Principal of the Entrepot Secondary Ms. Andrea Jolie-Louisy spoke highly of Arnold’s tenure at the

THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT SAINT LUCIA CLAIM NO. SLUHCM2018/0006 BETWEEN:

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK (BARBADOS) LIMITED Claimant and PADRAIG FITZPATRICK Defendant NOTICE TO: PADRAIG FITZPATRICK TAKE NOTICE that the Claimant, FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK (BARBADOS) LIMITED has filed a Claim against you in the High Court of Justice, Saint Lucia, in Claim No. SLUHCV2018/0006 for which the Claimant claims sums due and owing by you for breach of contract.

AND service of the Amended Claim Form and the Statement of Claim in this action and other documents filed herein is being effected on you by advertisements in two (2) consecutive issues of the Star Newspaper circulating in Saint Lucia. The Amended Claim Form and Statement of Claim can be viewed and copies thereof can be obtained at the Court Office of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, High Court of Justice, La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to defend this action, you must within twenty-eight (28) days of the last publication of this advertisement, file an Acknowledgment of Service at the Court Office of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, High Court of Justice, La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, St. Lucia and within 42 days of the last publication file a Defence at the Registry of the said Court Office.

IN DEFAULT of such Acknowledgment of Service or Defence Judgment may be entered against you.

If such Judgment is entered you will only be heard on the issue of costs and as to the method of payment of the judgment.

Dated this 13th day of June, 2019 FOSTERS ________________________________ Rowana-Kay A. G. Campbell Legal Practitioners for the Claimant Presented for filing by: FOSTERS, Legal Practitioners for the Claimant, whose address for service is: Chambers, Robin Kelton Building, Choc Bay, Castries, St. Lucia. West Indies. Tel. No.: 758 453-1100, Fax No.: 758 452-4940, E-mail: contact@fosters.law The Court Office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Tel. No. 758 468-7500, Fax No. 758 468-7543. The Office is open between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Friday except public holidays. E-mail stluhco@eccourts.org.

school. She said teachers and students came to let his family know that Arnold was loved at the school. “In the five years at Entrepot,” said Louisy, “there’s not one teacher who could say that Arnold was rude or disrespectful. He was always

T

willing to help. Up until the day he was taken from us, he was at the school assisting teachers and just helping around. That’s in the midst of writing his CXC subjects.”

She recalled Arnold’s participation in the school’s

theatre arts group and his prolific acting. When the group did pieces at the school, she said, not only did he perform his part brilliantly, but if anybody didn’t show up or wasn’t able to make it, he would step in and take over their role. Louisy said Arnold was not only a brilliant actor but also a talented DJ. On the evening he was killed, she said, Arnold was headed home.

Mother of Botham Jean, Allison Jean, called on Saint Lucians to rally around Arnold’s family to ensure the police properly account for what transpired. She advised the family to come out and say who their son was so that the police do not “change the narrative on you”. She said very little was known about Arnold and every day that passes “people conjure in their minds that he was doing whatever the police say he was doing”.

The teenager’s funeral service is today at the Church of the Holy Family in Jacmel.

Sandals Staff Member brings Skills Training Programme to Dennery

he high unemployment rate and restlessness among young men and women in his Dennery community has always concerned Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort and Spa team member, Anius Regis. When he saw the opportunity to help stem this problem, he grabbed it with both hands.

Regis, known in his community as “Tiny”, wanted to help build the skill-set and qualifications of his neighbours which would ultimately better prepare them to find employment. So, with funding from the Sandals Foundation through its Team Member Support Project (TMSP) initiative, Regis has brought a skills training programme for youngsters to his community.

Through this initiative, Sandals Foundation supports one winning project proposal from each of the resort chain’s 26 properties across the Caribbean, with funding of up to US$2,500.

Regis explained, “One day at work I was speaking to my manager about my community. He told me about the programme and encouraged me to apply. I am so grateful to the Sandals Foundation for

Anius Regis of Aqua Center, Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort and Spa.

investing in our education”

Skills training will be delivered through the National Enrichment Learning Unit and will include courses in tiling, human relations, cake making and decorating, electrical installation and plumbing. All participants should be certified in their respective areas by the end of the programme this August.

Through the TMSP initiative, the Sandals Foundation invites employees at Sandals and Beaches Resorts across the Caribbean to advocate for projects in their communities worthy of receiving funding. Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said the Foundation has always

recognized the importance of investing in the development of young men and women to help them accomplish their dreams.

“The Foundation is committed to providing Caribbean people with the resources and tools to reach for greatness, so having a team member propose a skills training project gives us another opportunity to do just that. It is our promise to undertake the sustainable development needed to create environments where our team members and their communities will flourish.”

The Sandals Foundation recently marked its 10th anniversary, and having impacted over 850,000 people across the Caribbean.

THE STAR

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JUNE 22, 2019

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JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

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Political theatre and abuse of House privilege not the same!

Peter Josie

S

everal books have been written that treat politics as theatre with politicians seeking to entertain their audiences even as they attempt to deliver their message. The more talented and experienced know precisely when to heighten the drama, one minute rending the soul, the next eliciting belly laughs with their jokes at a fellow politician’s expense, or their personal recall of a particular incident.

The late George Odlum tended to go for drama and wit. Our now governor general liked to dress up to deliver his platform humour. The politician’s hope is that his audience will go home well entertained but keep in mind his more serious pronouncements. Successful public performances and

scripting by politicians are not the work of nincompoops in search of professional calling.

It takes a particular talent to affect the emotions of audience, as did the two earlier named politicians.

Around 1972, the dearly departed Hilford Deterville was at his brilliant best on a St. Lucia Forum platform outside then Columbus square as he revisited the history of Saint Lucia and the rest of the Caribbean and the role of the plantocracy, then the dominant class. The large crowd listened in uncommon silence until the speaker mentioned a particular individual whom he referred to as a remnant of that class, and then proceeded to mimic his stuttering. The crowd roared with laughter as Deterville poked fun at this gentleman, normally treated with reverence.

The laughter eased the tension for members of the speaker’s

audience who may have understood his message too well, and those unable to fully appreciate the night’s history lesson.

You have correctly anticipated me, dear reader, if you perceive that the incident at a UWP public meeting at Soufriere, at which the leader of the party mimicked the non-answers of those asked to explain why they had not kept their promise to deliver both the OKEU and St. Jude hospitals before the end of 2015. The party leader’s impression of a bunch of tongue-tied failures was different in every way from what had transpired outside the square in the early 70s. But drowning men will clutch at straws. Barely was the Soufriere meeting shut down before the opposition leader started crying over his party’s concocted story that Allen Chastanet had mimicked

ELECTORAL NOTICE Revised Lists (1st) half of 2019

The words ‘wit’ and ‘twit’, besides being English, have totally different meanings.

Many Saint Lucians hope local politicians will finally learn that lesson, in the best interests of the nation!

the leader of the opposition’s speech impediment—who stated publicly something to the effect that he preferred to stutter while speaking truth than to perfectly deliver statements that were untrue.

A more astute politician might’ve kept his peace and left it to his supporters to express umbrage!

Of course, the generated storm in a tea cup was obviously meant to take the focus away from the Labour Party’s elaborate bluff, from the fact that the government under Kenny Anthony had spent hundreds of thousands of scarce dollars on a lavish naming ceremony when it was unable to pay the cost of a laundry and kitchen at the OKEU. That vicious bluff was among those recalled with deserved sarcasm the other Sunday, not the stuttering of Philip J. Pierre. But the people are not fooled, and good for the prime minister that he has not shifted his focus from the realities of OKEU, St. Jude, IMPACS, Grynberg, the invisible $3 million Lindquist report, among other bluffs.

This takes me to the most recent meeting of the House of Assembly that once again featured a calculated opposition walk-out. MPs are elected to represent their respective constituencies. Ego and other nonsense in an MP’s head ought never to lead him or her to resist the Speaker’s directives.

If a member inadvertently calls another a liar and the Speaker asks that the related statement be withdrawn, then it should be. Immediately afterwards, however, an active nimble mind might try a little wit, replete with broad smile. For instance: “Mr. Speaker, I beg to observe that the Member is a stranger to the truth.” I would go so far to say: “If the truth walked into this chamber and slapped his face, he would not recognize it.”

The quality of an MP is seen and appreciated when he or she is on their feet. They must therefore aim to be the best debater and seek at all times to heighten the level of discourse, sharing knowledge in the process. Performances in the House must not be races to the bottom. They must elevate and make the electorate proud

to be Saint Lucian. They must educate and enlighten. The prime minister and leader of the opposition must both strive to make the work of the Speaker less onerous, and parliament an interesting place to partake in witty banter and high quality exchanges—in the national interest!

It would do the opposition a world of good to play a more constructive role in parliament by standing their ground regardless how many times they may be tempted to do the predictable.

In particular, the leader of the opposition must find arguments to convince his elected members to bare their political cross with patience, humility and aplomb.

He may also wish to consider that there are people who depend on him to make things better. In the final analysis he must learn the difference between political theatre and abuse of House privilege. However fantastical some may consider the ambition, he and his team should strive to behave like a government in waiting, not a bunch of losers unable to appreciate the point at which biology and psychology interface at the edges of politics!

THE STAR

07

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JUNE 22, 2019

ELECTORAL NOTICE

For public buildings, Registration Centers and other places where the Revised Lists of Electors for the respective Polling Division of the Seventeen Electoral Districts, are to be posted accordingly;1.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT-GROS ISLET-A

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GROS ISLET COMMUNITY CENTRE GROS ISLET FIRE STATION GROS ISLET POLICE STATION GROS ISLET YOUTH & SPORTS CENTRE GROS ISLET LIBRARY VOLNEY’S GAS STATION - REDUIT MOTHERS’ AND FATHERS’ GROUP – LA FEUILLET MONCHY COMBINED SCHOOL MONCHY HEALTH CENTRE MONCHY SUB POST OFFICE GRANDE RIVIERE HEALTH CENTRE GRANDE RIVIERE SCHOOL PRINCE SUPER MARKET - CORINTHE CORINTHE SECONDARY SCHOOL GLACE MOTORS AND SUPERMARKET MARISULE

2.

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ELECTORAL DISTRICT-BABONNEAU-B ST CROIX GAS STATION BALATA COMBINED SCHOOL BABONNEAU PRIMARY SCHOOL BABONNEAU PRESBYTERY BABONNEAU SECONDARY SCHOOL GARRAND POST OFFICE LA GARE HEALTH CENTRE LA GARE COMBINED SCHOOL WIGGINS DANCE HALL – LA GARE BOGUIS COMBINED SCHOOL DES BARRA COMBINED SCHOOL BABONNEAU HEALTH CENTRE BABONNEAU COMMUNITY CENTRE BABONNEAU POST OFFICE FOND ASSAU HEALTH CENTRE FOND ASSAU POST OFFICE FOND ASSAU COMBINED SCHOOL

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ELECTORAL DISTRICT-CASTRIES NORTH-C

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CAMILLE HENRY COMBINED SCHOOL - L’ANSE ROAD SIR GEORGE F. L. CHARLES AIRPORT - VIGIE RAMON’S SERVICE STATION VIDE BOUTEILLE VIDE BOUTEILLE CULTURAL CLUB LA CLERY HEALTH CENTRE VIDE BOUTEILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL HILL SIDE PLAZA – LA CLERY COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL GABLE WOODS MALL - SUNNY ACRES DAME PAULETTE LOUISY SCHOOL - UNION UNION AGRICULTURAL STATION MORNE-DU-DON COMBINED SCHOOL

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BOCAGE SECONDARY SCHOOL BOCAGE SUB POST OFFICE HUGHS’ RUM SHOP – CACAO TEXACO GAS STATION - GUESNEAU TI ROCHER HEALTH CENTRE TI ROCHER SUB POST OFFICE TI ROCHER COMBINED SCHOOL ENTREPOT SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTREPOT HUMAN RESOURCE CENTRE MARCHAND POLICE STATION MARCHAND PRIMARY SCHOOL MARCHAND PARISH CENTRE MARCHAND POST OFFICE BRANDFORD’S SHOP – MARCHAND PAVEE DOMINO CLUB POLICE CREDIT UNION UPPER BRIDGE STREET POLICE HEADQUARTERS UPPER BRIDGE STREET

5. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-CASTRIES CENTRAL E (1) (2) (3)

ANGLICAN ANNEX-TRINITY CHURCH ROAD CASTRIES HEALTH CENTRE CASTRIES MARKET

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(8) (9) (10) (11)

(12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17)

R.C BOYS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL CENTRAL LIBRARY GENERAL POST OFFICE THE REGISTRY (BOTTOM FLOOR OF HIGH COURT BUILDING) CASTRIES CITY COUNCIL CARMEN RENE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL C. S. A CENTRE ST. LUCIA GENERAL TRANSPORT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY GAS STATION PAUL’S GAS STATION CANON LAURIE ANGLICAN SCHOOL MORNE-DU-DON LODGE ROSE HILL COMMUNITY CENTRE THREE CORNER RESTAURANT - LASTIC HILL BENE PERSE TEMPLE- CEDARS

6.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT-CASTRIES SOUTH-F

(1) BANANA SHED – LA TOC ROAD (2) SIMON JOSEPH’S RUM SHOP – FAUX-A-CHAUX (3) FAUX-A-CHAUX COMMUNITY CENTRE (4) VICTORIA HOSPITAL (5) TAPION HOSPITAL (6) TURNING POINT (7) CICERON SCHOOL (8) CICERON COMMUNITY CENTRE (9) CICERON SUB POST OFFICE (10) GLADSTONE’S RUM SHOP – TI COLON (11) LA-CROIX-MAINGOT HEALTH CENTRE (12) FIRE FLY DANCE HALL – LA-CROIX-MAINGOT (13) CHICO’S SUPERMARKET - MARIGOT (14) MARIGOT COMMUNITY CENTRE 7. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-ANSE LA RAYE/ CANARIES-G (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19)

ROSEAU PAY OFFICE JACMEL COMBINED SCHOOL DARIAH’S RUM SHOP RICHARDSON’S SHOP – MORNE D’OR DURANDEAU HEALTH CENTRE DURANDEAU SUB POST OFFICE HILTON JOSEPH’S SHOP – DURANDEAU LILBURN’S SHOP – DURANDEAU ANSE-LA-RAYE POLICE STATION ANSE-LA-RAYE SUB POST OFFICE ANSE-LA-RAYE HEALTH CENTRE ANSE-LA-RAYE COMMUNITY CENTRE ANSE-LA-RAYE SUB COLLECTOR’S OFFICE CANARIES POLICE STATION CANARIES COMBINED SCHOOL CANARIES HEALTH CENTRE CANARIES SUB-POST OFFICE ANSE-LA-VERDURE SHOP BELVEDERE SHOP

8.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT- SOUFRIERE- H

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13)

(14)

(15)

SOUFRIERE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SOUFRIERE BOYS’ SCHOOL SOUFRIERE PARISH HALL SOUFRIERE LIBRARY VALENCE RIVIERE’S SUPERMARKET SOUFRIERE TOWN HALL SOUFRIERE POLICE STATION SOUFRIERE SUB COLLECTOR’S OFFICE GAS STATION – BAY STREET – SOUFRIERE ETANGS COMBINED SCHOOL ETANGS HEALTH CENTRE MR. HARRISON ANTHANIZE – TORRAILLE FOND ST. JACQUES INFANT SCHOOL – PETIT BOUGH FOND ST. JACQUES PRIMARY SCHOOL – ST. PHILLIP BOUTON COMBINED SCHOOL

9.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT-CHOISEUL-I

(1) (2) (3) (4)

DELCER COMBINED SCHOOL MONGOUGE COMBINED SCHOOL MONGOUGE HEALTH CENTRE CHOISEUL POLICE STATION

(5) CHOISEUL POST OFFICE (6) CHOISEUL HEALTH CENTRE (7) CHOISEUL SECONDARY SCHOOL LA FARGUE (8) DACRETIN COMMUNITY CENTRE (9) MR. POLIMUS CHARLES DANCE HALL –

BELLE VUE (10) ROBLOT COMBINED SCHOOL (11) DEBREUIL SUB-POST OFFICE (12) DUGARD COMBINED SCHOOL (13) CAFEIERE (14) LONDONDERRY SUB-POST OFFICE (15) HANG OUT BAR - GERTRINE (16) SALTIBUS COMBINED SCHOOL (17) SALTIBUS POST OFFICE (18) PIAYE SECONDARY SCHOOL 10. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-LABORIE-J (1) AUGIER COMBINED SCHOOL (2) AUGIER SUB-POST OFFICE (3) PETIT BOUGH AREA (4) MARIUS GARAGE – LA CROIX, LABORIE (5) LABORIE HEALTH CENTRE – LA CROIX (6) LABORIE POLICE STATION (7) LABORIE VILLAGE COUNCIL (8) LABORIE GIRLS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL (9) LIBRARY (10) LABORIE BOYS’ SCHOOL - CITRUS GROVE (11) LA GRACE COMBINED SCHOOL (12) BANSE SUB- POST OFFICE (13) TEASER’S DANCE HALL - BANSE (14) BANANA BOXING PLAN 11. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-VIEUX FORT-K (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12)

(13)

VIEUX FORT TOWN HALL VIEUX FORT LIBRARY VIEUX FORT PRIMARY SCHOOL FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE OFFICE VIEUX FORT INFANT SCHOOL VIEUX FORT POLICE STATION SUB COLLECTOR’S OFFICE HEWANORRA AIRPORT TEXACO GAS STATION JULIAN’S SHOPPING MALL SUPER J - NEW DOCK ROAD PLAIN VIEW COMBINED SCHOOL – LA RESSOURCE TEXACO GAS STATION NO.2

12.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT-VIEUX FORT NORTH-L

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13)

GILLETTE PRINCE DANCE HALL – VIGE’ VIGE’ COMBINED SCHOOL EAU PIQUANT SUPER MARKET PIERROT SUB-POST OFFICE PIERROT COMBINED SCHOOL BELLE VUE COMBINED SCHOOL BELLE VUE SUB-POST OFFICE MOONIE’S RUM SHOP – BELLE VUE MRS. FRANCES KING SHOP – GRACE GRACE COMBINED SCHOOL GRACE SUB-POST OFFICE ELIZABETH PATRICK SHOP BEAUSEJOUR AGRICULTURAL STATION

13. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-MICOUD SOUTH-M (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

(7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)

MOREAU SUB-POST OFFICE RHODA BICAR’S SHOP – DUGARD DUGARD COMMUNITY CENTRE TI ROCHER COMBINED SCHOOL TI ROCHER COMMUNITY CENTRE MR. EVERARD JOHNSON’S SHOP – TI ROCHER LA-COUR-VILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE ANSE GER SECONDARY SCHOOL ANSE GER MOTHERS & FATHERS HALL BLANCHARD COMBINED SCHOOL DESRUISSEAUX SUB POST OFFICE DESRUISSEAUX HEALTH CENTRE DESRUISSEAUX COMBINED SCHOOL DESRUISSEAUX PARISH CENTRE

(15) TEXCO GAS STATION - DESRUISSEAUX 14. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-MICOUD NORTH - N (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)

PRASLIN COMMUNITY CENTRE LIVE AND LET LIVE DISCO - PRASLIN MON REPOS COMBINED SCHOOL MON REPOS SUB-POST OFFICE MON REPOS HEALTH CENTRE MON REPOS GAS STATION MR. HILARY CHARLERY’S HOUSE – PATIENCE PATIENCE SUB-POST OFFICE LA POINTE COMBINED SCHOOL HIGHWAY GAS STATION MICOUD POLICE STATION MR. MAURICE DANTES RUM SHOP – MICOUD MICOUD HEALTH CENTRE MICOUD COMMUNITY CENTRE MR. LENNIE HENRY’S GAS STATION

15. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-DENNERY SOUTH-O (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)

LA CAYE DAY CARE CENTER LA CAYE HOUSING AREA DENNERY POLICE STATION DENNERY COMMUNITY CENTRE SUB COLLECTOR’S OFFICE DENNERY INFANT SCHOOL CLUB OF STARS DISCO – DENNERY BY PASS

BY PASS RESTAURANT – DENNERY GAS STATION – DENNERY DENNERY SECONDARY SCHOOL DENNERY FIRE STATION

16. ELECTORAL DISTRICT-DENNERY NORTH-P (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)

(9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)

GRANDE RIVIERE SUPERMARKET GRANDE RIVIERE SECONDARY SCHOOL MABOUYA VALLEY POST OFFICE RICHFOND GAS STATION RICHFOND COMBINED SCHOOL DERNIERE RIVIERE COMBINED SCHOOL DERNIERE RIVIERE SUB-POST OFFICE GEORGE JN. BAPTISTE SHOP – DERNIERE RIVIERE LA RESSOURCE COMBINED SCHOOL LA RESSOURCE HEALTH CENTRE LA RESSOURCE COMMUNITY CENTRE AU LEON POST OFFICE DESPINOZE COMBINED SCHOOL LA RESSOURCE CREDIT UNION

17. ELECTORAL DISTRICT CASTRIES SOUTH EAST -Q (1) SIR ARTHUR LEWIS COMMUNITY

COLLEGE – MORNE FORTUNE (2) DEGLOS – BOXING PLANT (3) MR. DELMAR’S DANCE HALL – TROIS PITON (4) TI ROCHER COMBINED SCHOOL (5) FORESTIERE COMBINED SCHOOL (6) FORESTIERE BOXING PLANT (7) FAR HORIZON DISCO – FORESTIERE (8) MR. RUDOLPH WEEKS RUM SHOP - MARC (9) NICHOLAS THOMAS SHOP – BEXON (10) BEXON SUB-POST OFFICE (11) FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS UNION – MARC (12) L’ABBAYEE COMMUNITY CENTRE (13) MR. GEORGE ROBERT CHARLES – SAROT (14) BEXON COMBINED SCHOOL (15) BEXON HEALTH CENTRE (16) BEXON PARISH CENTRE (17) MR. GHIRAWOO’S SHOP – ODSAN (18) LA-CROIX-MAINGOT HEALTH CENTRE (19) GONZAGUE JOSEPH RUM SHOP – LA-CROIX-MAINGOT (20) MR. IGNATIUS DARCIE’S RUM SHOP –

BARRE DENIS (21) BELAIR COMMUNITY CENTRE (22) ODSAN COMBINED SCHOOL

08 local

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Another Mother Expresses Lack of Faith in local Police!

Dean Nestor

S

omething is definitely rotten in this state of ours, particularly when it comes to the May 22 fatal police shooting at the corner of Chaussee and La Pansee roads. This time around the victim was a 17-year-old Entrepot secondary school student named Arnold “Jonah” Joseph. Also wounded, though not fatally, was Glen Gabriel, who was accompanied by his 19-year-old brother, a school teacher.

By police account: “About 10:30pm, officers attached to the Special Services Unit received information regarding a suspicious motor vehicle, at Reclamation Grounds, Castries.”

What made the vehicle

suspicious has been left to public conjecture.

Still according to the police release, the responding officers made attempts to stop the vehicle with the mentioned three individuals inside, but to no avail. The motor vehicle in question failed to stop when ordered to and instead “ventured through one-way streets about the city, contravening traffic regulations.

During an attempt to apprehend the individuals, one individual was fatally shot, whilst a second was non-fatally injured. A third male was arrested without injury.”

The Use of Force policy, approved back in 2015, “recognizes that law enforcement officers must have the highest regard for the constitutional rights and human rights of all persons.

Therefore, as far as possible,

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• At least five years relevant work experience in a

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of PR/Communications strategies and techniques,

along with writing for an external audience.

• Knowledge of marketing, public relations,

advertising, promotion and communication methods.

• Knowledge of current events, social media,

theories and practices in investment promotion

law enforcement officers should use only that force which is objectively reasonable and necessary to accomplish lawful ends.”

The police press release claimed “one nine millimetre (9mm) firearm was recovered by officers from the said individuals.” The RSLPF has not said if any shots were fired at officers by the occupants of the “suspicious” vehicle, contrary to what has been bruited about by the Johnnie Cochrans of social media.

Police have listed a number of related charges but not a word about a firearm.

After acknowledging he had not yet been briefed about the case, that he was vacationing off-island at the time of the incident, Police Commissioner Severin Monchery told this reporter there could still be gun-related

and marketing.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially

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• Knowledge of production and technical standards,

visual and aural discrimination, copyright, ethics

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the initiative to identify opportunities and to

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• Ability to make effective presentations; • Must be a strong and confident communicator with

a friendly, outgoing personality and must be sales- oriented.

• Proven ability to work in a demanding, deadline-

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REMUNERATION Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants for the above post should submit a resume including two letters of reference and certified copies of relevant qualifications to: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER ATTENTION: SENIOR MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES Invest Saint Lucia First Floor, Heraldine Rock Building P.O. Box 495, Castries, Saint Lucia or via email at info@investstlucia.com Deadline for submission of applications is Friday 5th July at 4:30p.m.

Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and experience will be acknowledged.

Although determined to see justice done, Joanna Joseph, mother of Arnold (pictured), says she has little faith in the police, based on their actions following the fatal shooting of her son.

charges laid. He advised the investigation was ongoing and it could reveal reason for additional charges. “When you’ve decided to charge somebody and bring them before the court, you need to ensure that you have enough evidence that will allow you to secure a conviction against this person in court,” he said. “So it

is not something that is unusual for people to be released and then be rearrested.”

That explanation did not fly with Ludicia Gabriel, mother of the two Gabriels who survived the police shooting. “I want the truth to come out so we can be done with this case,” she said.

“I know my children. I know they are not violent children,

so I just want these things to be cleared up. My older son, Glen, cannot work because he is nursing a gunshot wound.

Right now he’s asking why these things are happening to him because he knows he doesn’t put himself into those kinds of situations. He was just going to drop Arnold off at his mother’s home in La Clery and look at what ended up happening.”

Gabriel said her two sons are still very affected by their experience with the police.

“My younger son is still crying about it. Both have not been eating since this happened.

They don’t like what they’re being accused of. They lost a friend who was like a brother to them. They buried two of their brothers two years ago; one of them died in the Rayneau quarry explosion.”

Yet another case remaining to be reported on by the office of the DPP.

Gabriel also spoke about Joanna Joseph, mother of the deceased. “She visits my sons from time to time. She’s always there with them, trying to cheer them up.”

Recently the police confirmed there were approximately 500 cold cases on their books, including Kimberly Williams-De Leon, whose husband is a member of the force.

QUOTE OF THE YEAR! The people of Saint Lucia kicked us out because they didn’t like the way we were going!

----Philip J. Pierre Leader of the House Opposition At House meeting June 4, 2019

THE STAR

JUNE 22, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

LOCAL

09

Government passes Bill banning Styrofoam and Plastic Food Service Containers

L

ast Tuesday’s House of Assembly sitting saw the tabling of the Styrofoam and Plastic Food Service Containers (Prohibition) Bill, which seeks to ban the importation, manufacturing, sale, use and distribution of Styrofoam and plastic food service containers.

In introducing the Bill, MP for Dennery North Edmund Estephane explained that while there are many advantages of the products, they are not biodegradable and therefore remain in the environment after disposal.

He said that the products constitute thousands of tonnes of waste each year, cause build-up in drains, litter the beaches and cause marine pollution. He says the negative environmental impacts have led the government to the adoption of various measures to eliminate their use.

A phased approach will be utilised to eliminate the use of the products. The importation of disposable trays, hinged take-away containers, bowls, cups, plates, cup lids, bowl lids and Styrofoam disposable plates will be prohibited from August 1, 2019. The importation of disposable forks, spoons, knives, straws, stirrers and egg cartons will be prohibited from August 1, 2020.

In phase 2, the manufacture, sale, use, distribution and sale of food in disposable trays, hinged take-away containers, bowls, cups, plates, cup lids, and bowl lids will be prohibited from August 1, 2020. The prohibition will apply to disposable forks, spoons, knives, straws, stirrers and egg cartons from August 1, 2021.

Any individual who commits an offence outlined under the Bill can be fined from $3,000 to $15,000.

The Bill also empowers authorized officers to enter premises and seize Styrofoam and plastic food service containers that are being used contrary to the

Strengthening relations between Venezuela and Saint Lucia

L

ast Thursday, a group of participants of the last academic module of the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation (IVCC) in Saint Lucia received their approval certificate of the Spanish language by the authorities of said institute and of the Embassy of Venezuela in Saint Lucia.

With an impeccable staging, which was part of a cultural project highlighting the Latin American culture of Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela, the students put into practice the knowledge acquired during their training period of the Spanish language, with a representation of the food, traditions and natural aspects of these countries. After the staging of the project (which since 2016 has been a fundamental requirement for the approval of the course), the final evaluation and respective delivery of certificates was carried out. These students can now perform different jobs and trades, especially in the tourism sector, making use of the Spanish language.

In the final phase of the event, the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Karla Fermín, emphasized, "Venezuela ratifies its solidarity with Saint Lucia, even in the economic scenario limited by the actions of the United States blockade, consolidating through the Venezuelan Institute of Culture and Cooperation, the teaching of the Spanish language. We continue with the commitment that President Chávez taught us and that currently ratifies President Nicolas Maduro Moros, to bring solidarity and knowledge to all the peoples of the Americas."

The event was attended by the principal of Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Ms. Marval Daniel, the staff and teachers of the IVCC and students and representatives of the Embassy of Venezuela. The occasion was opportune to invite the participants’ family and friends.

To register with IVCC for the free courses that will be offered from September for children, youth and adults email: ivcc.stlucia@gmail.com.

provisions.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet described the legislation as timely, and said that the impact the products have on the environment have been “long understated and misunderstood”. Referring to the garbage dumps on-island, he said that the products that are being dumped will take hundreds of years to decompose. He admits that the changes will take getting used to, and this will be the “most difficult aspect” of the process. He pointed out that there are readily available substitutes, like replacing a plastic straw with a paper one, and going to stores with our own containers. “We have

to take our environment very seriously,” said the prime minister, “and while we’re not going to be able to solve the problem by ourselves, I am extremely encouraged by the movement that’s taking place throughout the length and breadth of the world; of countries that are moving very quickly in order to implement the same legislation. And I would like to think that the Caribbean is going to be one of the leaders in that and that Saint Lucia will play its role.”

--- JSA

10 local

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Pierre sets the record straight: "I am not a political actor!"

A

s hard as I’ve tried, still I cannot find a dictionary definition for Janeka Simon’s “political actors”. She used the phrase during an oncamera interview with Miguel Fevrier, following last week’s much discussed confrontation outside the House. On Tuesday I put to the SLP leader Philip J. Pierre this question: “Based on your own understanding of the term ‘political actor’, would you say it covers journalists?”

“No,” he said. “I think Janeka Simon made a perfect definition of what a political actor is.” Actually, Simon never offered a defintion. What she did was express her opinion that all journalists were political actors.

Pierre went on: “There’s a political actor and a political practitioner.

We are political practitioners, but I don’t think that the journalist you were speaking about is a political practitioner. But she has to be a political actor.”

Suddenly switching from political practioner to news reporter, Pierre addressed me: “Aren’t you a political actor?”

“No,” I replied, “I’m not. But you are.”

Pierre fired back with an adamant: “I’m a practitioner!” Yes, he considers himself a political

Can you spot the political actors here? Left to right: House opposition leader Philip J. Pierre, Choice News editor Janeka Simon and Castries South MP Ernest Hilaire.

practioner, not a political actor.

It got more confusing, with Castries South MP Ernest Hilaire adding his two cents: “If you exist in the political system, you’re a political actor in a sense. You vote, you’re a political actor. If you want to get theoretical and go into what a political actor is then let’s go down that road. If you vote, you’re a political actor, if you follow politics, you’re a political actor. It’s the broadest possible conception.” A definition which would make most of this island’s

population political actors.

Earlier I’d asked Pierre: “Is a journalist who doesn’t cover politics also a political actor?”

His response: “Journalists, by the nature of their job, have to be involved in the politics of a country.”

Since the term "political actor" is related to "political action", perhaps taking a closer look at the latter will help clarify what the former means. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines political action as

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“action designed to attain a purpose by the use of political power or by activity in political channels specifically: such action by organized labour through recognized political means (as participation in party organization, in elections, and by lobbying).” To the best of

my knowledge that does not define journalists. But I continue to peruse other dictionaries, perchance to discovered a useful definition for political actor. I have no doubt the Facebook lexicographers already know.

Said Simon last Tuesday: “I think that it’s unfortunate that a

veteran member of parliament such as himself [Guy Joseph] would continue to confuse partisanship with political action.” But isn’t political action in democracies more often than not partisan? Now there’s another interesting question!

--Dean Nestor

Financial Action Task Force Recommendation 21: Tipping Off and Confidentiality By the Attorney General’s Chambers and the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC)

R

ecommendation 21 of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) Forty Recommendations at its foundation examines the ability of financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) to report suspicious activities to the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) without repercussions.

This recommendation requires DNFBPs, financial institutions, their directors, officers and employees to be protected from any criminal or civil liabilities if they breach contract disclosure restrictions by filing suspicious transaction reports (STRs) with the Financial Intelligence Authority. This protection must be embedded in legislation.

Further, financial institutions and DNFBPs (referred to in the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act as “a person engaged in other business activity”) should be

prohibited by law from disclosing or tipping off the person who is the subject of the report to the FIA.

These two areas are covered under the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act, Cap. 12.20 (MLPA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act, Cap. 3.16 (ATA). Under the MLPA, section 37(2) states that "civil or criminal action may not be brought nor may any professional sanction be taken against any person or against directors or employees of a financial institution or a person engaged in other business activity who in good faith transmit information or submit reports to the Authority".

Further, regulation 16 of the Money Laundering (Prevention) (Guidance Notes) Regulations states that "it is an offence for anyone who knows, suspects or has reasonable grounds to suspect that a disclosure has been made, or that the authorities are acting or are proposing to act in connection with an investigation into money laundering, to prejudice an investigation by so informing the person who is the subject of a suspicion, or any third party of the disclosure, action or proposed action. The punishment on

summary conviction is a term of 5 years (not exceeding 10 years) or a fine of not less than $50,000 or both".

Section 32(5) of the ATA states that “no civil or criminal proceedings shall lie against any person for making a disclosure or report, in good faith”.

The confidentiality of STRs is important because if the subject of the STR is tipped off, this can adversely affect the intelligence gathering and investigation processes, resulting in the person disposing of assets or fleeing.

Additionally, confidentiality ensures the safety and security of the person who is filing the report.

During the mutual evaluation process, assessors from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force will examine whether the legislation in Saint Lucia adequately covers tipping off and confidentiality. Further, during the on-site visit scheduled for September 16-27, 2019, the assessors will seek to determine how effectively these laws are being implemented.

More detailed information on Recommendation 21 can be sourced from the CFATF website at www.cfatf-gafic.org.

THE STAR

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

JUNE 22, 2019

11

Planned Parenthood says government’s $30,000 subsidy “embarrassing!”

Claudia Eleibox Mc Dowell

P

lanned Parenthood is widely perceived as an organisation primarily focused on securing women’s rights against a wave of abortion restrictions in several parts of the United States. This includes Georgia’s controversial “heartbeat bill” that many celebrities have publicly protested. In Saint Lucia, however, the organisation is generally associated with condom distribution, not with abortion.

Formerly known as Family Planning, the St. Lucia Planned Parenthood Association (SLPPA) is an affiliate member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation. It is a non-profit that currently employs a staff of twelve. It contracts doctors, therapists and counsellors. SLPPA works directly through the Ministry of Health, the St Lucia Crisis Centre, Departments of Gender Relations and Human Services, the AIDS Action Foundation and other such bodies.

The only abortion-related services offered are pre- and post-abortion counselling.

SLPPA’s acting executive director Geralda Bray said, “Right now we adhere to the laws of Saint Lucia; we do not offer abortion services.” Bray adds that the SLPPA promotes pregnancy prevention through contraceptives as a method of avoiding abortions. Still, as is part of the mandate of Planned Parenthood’s international body, the organisation hopes to achieve safe and legal abortion in Saint Lucia someday.

“I know we watch a lot of TV and we tend to associate a lot with the American culture,” Bray observed, “but getting down to abortion, we have a long way to go because of the strong position of the Catholic Church and other religious groups. I think that the will is there among healthcare providers and women, but when you look at the individuals who can really impact the decision, I think it would be an uphill battle.”

In the past, the SLPPA has attempted to work with the clergy on abortion issues and share information about the negative impact that religious pressure can have on women’s health and

decisions. “We need to be openminded,” said Bray. “We need to give women all the options so that they can live healthy lives and not have their fertility impacted by poor choices.”

The organisation has chosen not to concentrate on abortion issues, partly because the general consensus on abortion is not likely to change soon, and also because SLPPA has a wide range of other services and responsibilities: cancer screening for the reproductive organs for both men and women; contraceptive services; gynaecological services; screening, diagnoses and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; general health screening—hypertension, glucose, weight, pre- and postnatal care; counselling services for individual and family; educational sessions with faith-based and grassroots organisations; and the peer helpers programmes in secondary and primary schools.

“Last year we had over 72,000 services given. For individuals under 24 we did 17,000 and for individuals 25 and over we did over 55,000 services,” said Bray. The SLPPA

still wants more Saint Lucians to take advantage of its services because certain demographics are not up to standard on their healthcare. But Bray said there are hindrances. She claims that the religious culture earlier mentioned is not limited to abortion issues, and young people raised in religious groups are sometimes not privy to the dangers of unsafe sexual and reproductive practices. Bray insists that if these organisations do their part, the youth will have better control of their healthcare.

There are other factors.

“Right now, the age of consent is 16 but a 16-year-old cannot see a doctor without a parent present,” said Bray. “If they can consent to sex, then they should be able to visit a doctor about sexual health without parents being present.”

Then there is the challenge of depleting funding options, for which Bray blames reduced interest on the part of international donors. “People

want to send their money where they can have the most impact,” she says, “In the Caribbean our population obviously is not as large as, say, Africa or Central America. Sometimes, there is a problem with data collection. We do a lot of work but sometimes the collecting of the data leaves much to be desired. Ministries don’t have the necessary data to make a persuasive case to the donors; sometimes we find ourselves missing out on opportunities because of that.”

She argues that it’s easier to get funding for infrastructure than for social services.

By Bray’s account, the health ministry offers just a little over EC$30,000 annually. “Well, to me it’s an embarrassing figure. I have been to the Ministry of Health, the finance minister. They say they are financially over-stretched.”

(Health Minister Mary Isaac redirected this reporter to the Department of Gender Relations for comment.)

As part of its restructuring period in the latter part of 2020, the SLPPA is aiming to become self-sustaining by reaching out to more Saint Lucians to use its services by raising public awareness of sexual and reproductive healthcare. For Bray, it’s important the SLPPA keeps up its work to help combat common myths about healthcare, such as those associated with bush medicine, and to counter stigmas and attitudes, such as the male population’s demonstrated lack of interest in healthcare.

The SLPPA also focuses on providing services for marginalized groups, including patients from the Vulnerable Persons Unit and members of United and Strong and the LGBTQI community.

“We provide healthcare,” she said. “We need to take care of our people. The quality of life for every Saint Lucian must always be a priority.”

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6th July 2019

Interested candidates can apply along with your CV and required documents to recruitment@eastwinds.com or drop it off at the security booth by hand.

12 COMMENT

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JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

Where there’s no can there be law E

ven before I’ve gotten into my stride it occurs to me that I risk being falsely accused of stooping to whataboutery, defined as “protesting at hypocrisy.” I will not be accusing anyone of “similar or worse faults.”

Nor will I be “refusing to act in an instance unless similar action is taken in other similar instances.” My purpose here is to serve yet again another reminder that where there is effectively no law there can be no useful discussion of lawlessness. Additionally, if we choose to live like animals by the law of the jungle, we should not be surprised if the most successful among us are those who are strong and apply ruthless self-interest.

Pointless sermonizing about right and wrong, good and bad—and “emotionally unintelligent”—only when the consequences of evil too long tolerated are at our doorsteps.

(Among the behaviors typical of the emotionally unintelligent is a tendency to focus mostly on what they perceive as wrong.)

“Apart from themselves, of course, everyone needs to improve. So they will show a lack of positivity and generally give negative feedback.

Emotionally intelligent people give feedback in a ratio of three positive comments to every one negative.” (At any rate so professes Steve Neale, who considers himself “Europe’s leading expert on personal and professional growth.” I accidentally came

upon his blog this week, while searching for something related to the legendary Christopher Hitchens.)

If only for a few more days, last Tuesday’s House session will be remembered. But not for the motions controversially adopted. The seasonal criers for decorum and civility, if only during meetings of parliament, will as usual seek to keep on their political front burners Guy Joseph’s hardly precedential encounter with media personnel, two of whom were especially interested in the MP’s “disrespectful” comments at a recent United Workers Party rally.

The MP was also asked to confirm an allegation that in the time of the Stephenson King administration, almost a decade ago, he had tried to bribe two Cabinet colleagues. His terse response: “Ask them to prove it!”

Referring to the question about his demonstrated lack of respect for Kenny Anthony’s wife, the MP said he had decided not to take any questions from the reporter who had asked it. He suggested she was pretending to be an objective reporter when in fact she had a political agenda. The MP said he had “a problem with that.”

Following the heated exchange outside the House, one of the two participants interviewed on-camera the other on her perspective of what had occurred minutes earlier.

She said she was surprised that

as seasoned an MP as was Guy Joseph he seemed not to know “journalists are all political actors.”

Whatever may be her definition of “political actor,” I can see nothing wrong with a reporter who happens to have his or her own thoughts on the politics of the day. Indeed I am unlikely to read, to listen to—or to trust!—a reporter claiming to be neither fish nor fowl. I truly believe human beings are altogether incapable of being neutral in the way some countries claim to be in times of war. To my mind our make-up simply does not permit it. I would go so far as to say neutral too often resembles complicity.

None of this is to say I endorse fake news, in times past referred to as fiction; yellow journalism; fabrication.

Long before Donald Trump imbued the term with his own self-serving meaning, reporters caught publishing factoids were immediately dismissed.

Some who “enhanced reality” suffered a similar fate. But it should always be remembered, especially by politicians and their supporters, that reporters are people too, and do have their biases. That is why some esteemed writers, among them Truman Capote, have stubbornly asserted that there can be no such thing as pristine truth. Truth is not like distilled water, they say, and can never be as pure since it comes from imperfect beings whose sensibilities were formed by

The vast majority of reporters at White House press briefings do not get the opportun local politicians and

their education, experiences, beliefs, religious upbringing and so on. It doesn’t help that a large portion of the caring Saint Lucian public is incapable of arriving at reasonable conclusions, consequently must depend for their information on politicians or particular reporters. Therein lies another obvious problem.

I should add that while journalists may imagine ourselves near perfect beings,

the inescapable truth is we are just regular individuals who make our living passing on to otherwise preoccupied others our views of what’s going on in our world. Shades will vary, which is why readers must be educated if they are to understand what they read, well enough to embrace or dismiss it as uninformed, egregiously biased or plain disinformation; calculated propaganda. Ideally, readers should be in a position

to judge for themselves the value of what they read and hear.

As for reporters who claim to be the collective voice of the people, I contend that’s immeasurably presumptuous. We are simply storytellers, some more gifted than others, some more committed to reporting truth as they know it, some with good intentions, others full of malice. In the real world, unlike here, reporters must earn their stripes.

Only after years of news writing, often without a byline, can a reporter hope

THE STAR

no law how wlessness?

e opportunity to put questions to the press secretary, unlike the relationship between cians and reporters.

to rise to the position of editor or columnist. Is there a limit to what reporters may ask politicians?

Certainly not. It’s up to the politician to answer in such a way as will not hurt his image. A vacillating politician will soon be found out, especially in this age when almost everything is on record and easily accessed.

Is a politician compelled to speak to reporters just because he is paid out of the public purse? Ask Donald Trump.

Ask Putin, Theresa May. Yes, ask Kenny Anthony. Consider the White House

REGIONAL 13

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JUNE 22, 2019

press corps. While almost every known media outlet is represented at White House briefings, only those most trusted by the administration— or who cannot long be ignored without a heavy price—get to put questions to the White House press secretary.

A politician may from time to time be ambushed by rakes in the grass, but if he knows his onions he’ll smile, wave, and keep on walking. Again

keeping in mind our times, a politician can keep his vow to be accountable without once speaking to a reporter he does not trust: he can issue press releases that say only what the politician feels a need to say. Or he can invite particular reporters to his office. Again ask Kenny Anthony about that.

In any case most of what’s reported locally are the answers to questions from the same one or two reporters.

CCJ AFFIRMS GUYANA’S NO-CONFIDENCE RULING

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled on a trio of cases related to the motion of no confidence that was made in the National Assembly of Guyana on 21 December, 2018. In the judgment delivered on June 18, the CCJ declared that the motion of no confidence in the Government is valid.

Guyana’s Constitution states that the Cabinet, including the President, is required to resign if the Government is defeated by the majority vote of all the elected members of the National Assembly “on a vote of Few see the need to ask confidence”. In December 2018, a politician questions that the Leader of the Opposition sprang from the reporter’s own had moved “a motion of no research. confidence” in the Government.

And so we come to Guy Mr. Charandas Persaud, a Joseph’s latest platform member of the Government, statement, deemed by two had joined the 32 Opposition particular reporters possibly members in voting for the disrespectful of Kenny motion so that 33 members Anthony’s wife. I’ve heard voted in favour of the motion the recording from the UWP and 32 voted against. meeting in question and formed Another provision of the the impression Guy Joseph was Constitution required elections underscoring what he has often to be held within three months referred to as the “hypocrisy of of the defeat of the Government the SLP’s friends, foreigners and on a motion of confidence, family,” the party’s most recent unless two-thirds of the invention.

National Assembly determined

What he said in effect, at a longer period before the any rate from my perspective, holding of elections. Despite was that the former PM the Speaker of the Assembly professes not to love foreigners, declaring that the motion at least not nearly as much had been validly passed, the as does his successor, yet is Government neither resigned married to a foreigner with nor announced impending whom he nightly shares his elections. This triggered a bed. How is that disrespectful number of legal challenges in of Kenny Anthony’s wife? If I the courts in Guyana, which said Kenny Anthony claims not ultimately led to two days of to hold Arabs in high regard hearings at the CCJ in May yet bestowed our country’s 2019. highest honor on a particular

There were three main Middle Easterner, would that issues before the Court. be disrespectful of, say, Gilbert The first issue related to the Chagoury? number of votes needed to As for those who say the pass a vote of no confidence. wives of government leaders The CCJ decided that the are off limits and should never requirement for “a majority of be brought into the politics all the elected members of the of their spouses, say that to National Assembly”, referred to America’s First Lady, Melania; a majority of the total number of Theresa May’s husband Philip; votes or seats in the Assembly, Carla Bruni, the singer wife irrespective of the number of of Nicolas Sarkozy, former members who actually vote. In president of France. Closer determining that majority, the to home: Remember that Court was of the opinion that evening when a fired-up antithe “half plus one” rule was Independence Labour Party not applicable. The Court stated mob descended on the prime that the majority was clearly at minister’s Vigie residence? least 33 votes. The second issue With just one police officer on was whether Mr Persaud was guard duty, and in the absence ineligible to vote as he was a of the man of the house, dual citizen. Dual citizens are Lady Janice and their young not allowed to put themselves children were handed the worst up for candidacy in elections to nightmare of their lives. The the National Assembly. attacks continued even after her The Court found that the husband’s passing!

National Assembly (Validity of

Elections) Act required that a petition alleging that Mr Persaud was disqualified from running for office would have had to be filed in the High Court of Guyana within 28 days after the publication of the results of the 2015 election.

Since this case was filed in January 2019, the Court held that the challenge to Mr Persaud’s election to the Assembly had been out of time. The Court also rejected the submission that Mr Persaud was absolutely required to vote against the motion of no confidence along with other members of the Government.

Another issue hinged on the differences between a “motion of no confidence” and “a motion of confidence”. It was argued that the provisions in the Constitution only applied to “motions of confidence” which could only be raised by a member of the Government. The Court. however. held that the reference to “a vote of confidence” in the Constitution included “a motion of no confidence” which could be raised by any member of the Assembly, including the Leader of the Opposition.

The main judgment was delivered by the President of the Court, the Hon Mr Justice Saunders, with concurring judgments by the Hon Messrs Justice Wit and Anderson and the Hon Mme Justice RajnauthLee. The bench also included the Hon Mr Justice Hayton. Mr Justice Wit said that while the Constitution contained provisions that prevented members from “crossing the floor” and gave the representative of each, both the Government and the Opposition, the power to recall and replace a member. Those provisions could not, and were not, meant to prevent members from so voting.

Mr. Justice Anderson said that there may be need for drafters to revisit the language of “confidence motions” provisions in the Constitution to bring about more clarity. He also said that while challenges to disqualifications for elections were generally barred after 28 days after the election, in his opinion, there may be cases such as fraud where the Court would have jurisdiction to hear the matter.

In the coming days, the Court will hear further arguments from the parties on the consequences that should flow from the validity of the motion of no confidence. The full judgment of the Court, along with a judgment summary, is available on the Court’s website at www.ccj.org.

14 LOCAL

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

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Taiwan Committed to Teaching us to Catch our own Fish!

S

itting at the Republic of China’s (Taiwan) Council of Agriculture were journalists from St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Eswatini and Saint Lucia—which I was proud to represent. Council members often referred to their country as small, despite that none of the populations of the listed territories comes close to Taiwan’s 23 million.

For the Pacific Islanders and those of us from the Caribbean, no matter Taiwan’s perceived grandeur, the challenges to its agriculture are quite similar to ours. In the 1980s farming in Taiwan was rapidly dropping down the list of desired occupations for reasons similar to those that confront rural communities worldwide. So the government introduced a policy that enables older farmers to lease their lands to more able and willing younger farmers. Loan and equipment subsidies and practical training from Taiwan’s Farmers’ Academy are also up for offer to the country’s young people.

The government also assisted with forming 302 farmers’, 40 fishermen’s and 17 irrigation associations. Establishing these associations created

a way to privatise services such as agricultural extension, supply and distribution, credit and insurance, and financial services and it gives the farming population full representation when communicating with the government. Additionally, farmers and fishermen are provided with pension schemes and their children offered academic scholarships by the Taiwanese government.

The 1980s agricultural meltdown was turned around by the accommodations that the government made for its agricultural population, and rural communities focused on becoming more sustainable.

But the Council relies heavily on other strategies of innovation and research to ensure that Taiwan’s agricultural sector remains adaptive to the changing economies and climates around the world. For example, ten agricultural research stations were established around Taiwan for farmers’ education and training in cultivation methods, prevention and control of pests and diseases and mitigating production loss in the event of natural disasters (seasonal typhoons, heavy rainfall, flooding, harsh winters and earthquakes). The government

This year’s International Cooperation and Development press group to Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture represented ten countries which benefit generously from Taiwan’s agricultural research.

has also encouraged specialized farming on larger scales through farming marketing groups and cooperatives, with priority placed on crops that can substitute for imported ones. For Taiwan’s staple crops, such as rice and fruit, they have focused on diversifying into agro-tourism.

The Taiwanese chose not to confine produce to the primary state and sought partnerships in other industries such as science, technology and biomedicine to enhance competitiveness.

The innovations are endless, including the farm-to-table policies, marketing techniques and thorough strategies for

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environmental protection.

Taiwan’s agricultural sector still has a long way to go but the Council is proud that it is no longer a subordinate industry.

The Council credits the farmers’ willingness and dedication to helping implement new strategies for the industry’s growth.

Currently Taiwan generates an

I

economic output of about US$16 billion a year. Agriculture and related practices account for 11% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Much of Taiwan’s crossborder cooperation is through agriculture and fisheries. It’s easy for Taiwan to understand the agricultural needs of small-island

developing states and it has already pledged assistance in many ways. In Saint Lucia, Taiwan has dispatched a technical mission that shares industry knowledge and training gained from Taiwan’s research. The Banana Productivity Improvement Project is also an attempt to implement mitigation techniques and help farmers understand new threats to bananas. Taiwan has also offered aid here in poultry, fish, other crop farming and flora.

Judging from Taiwan’s agricultural strategy, the necessary tools for growth are training, education and external funding, but farmers must also recognize the important uses of privatised services, technology, diversification and innovation.

Our hosts informed us that Taiwan’s strategy does not stop at handing us fish. Even more important to them is to teach us to do our own successful fishing!

---Claudia Eleibox Mc Dowell

C&W Communications prepares for 2019 Hurricane Season

nge Smidts, CEO of C&W Communications—operator of the consumer brands Flow and BTC, and the C&W Business brand in the Caribbean—issued a call for all families and businesses to be fully prepared as another Atlantic hurricane season kicked off on June 1, 2019. The season got an early start this year as Hurricane Andrea, a low-powered storm, formed on May 20 some 300 miles west-southwest of Bermuda. Though the storm made no landfall it brought sharply into focus the need for the Caribbean region to once again prepare for what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is calling a “fairly normal” hurricane season. This year NOAA is predicting nine to fifteen named storms with possibly two to four storms becoming major hurricanes.

C&W has been actively preparing for the 2019 hurricane season. It has already completed a series of rigorous hurricane drills across its markets and has begun customer awareness campaigns encouraging everyone to be on alert and ready to take the necessary steps to protect their families and property.

Following 2017’s disastrous hurricanes across the central and northern Caribbean, C&W invested approximately US$50 million in hurricane restoration across its Caribbean operations. Some of this funding

CEO Inge Smidts hopes that no C&W customer will be affected by hurricanes this year but she urges everyone to make adequate preparation.

went towards upgrading cellular towers in impacted markets to higher category-rated models built specifically to withstand more extreme wind conditions.

Additionally, the company’s world-class subsea network remains one of the most secure subsea cable systems in this hemisphere with increased redundancy added by building alternative routes for data and mobile traffic, in the event of an emergency.

CEO Smidts said, “While we

are hopeful that no customers will be impacted during this year’s hurricane season, we must also ensure that we are ready to face that reality if it comes. We are enormously proud of how our network performed in the hurricaneimpacted islands in 2017, and we know that our customers were relieved that they could have access to family and friends during that time. We have invested in strengthening our networks, whether through new and improved technology or ensuring we have alternate ways to back up our data and mobile traffic in case any part of our network is compromised.

"I urge families to take a moment to formulate their own hurricane safety plan. Check with your local disaster preparedness office or online for easy to use templates, and decide now what you will do as a family in the event of a hurricane. Keep this plan handy with your emergency supplies and, of course, your Flow and BTC handset.”

According to Smidts, “Nothing beats preparation. It must be a priority for everyone including regional governments and organisations like ours. We at C&W continue to hold true to our commitment to keep our customers connected to family and friends, especially during the moments that matters most, such as during times of disaster.”

THE STAR

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LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

JUNE 22, 2019

15

THE BEAT GOES ON

grew up with engines—not just the massive and noisy Mack trucks owned by our neighbour Mr. Esack, but the green, steambelching ones owned by the sugar estate that were up and down the narrow gauge railway line just about a hundred yards or so from our house in the little village of Carapichaima in Central Trinidad.

Further west, intersecting the main road as it meandered towards the Gulf of Paria, was the east-west running train line of the Trinidad Government Railways (TGR) which linked the main cities of Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Arima in the west, and Siparia in the deep south, an artery through which goods, steam and people moved ceaselessly. It was then, too, when my cousin Harry was heading off to England to study and the entire family went to see him off at the Port-of-Spain docks on the ship, the SS Ribiero, that I took off on my own and ended up in a huge, noisy room filled with machines pumping and I was grabbed by one of the sailors there and taken back to the top to rejoin my father and uncle who were so busy consuming the cheap whisky that they did not know that I had gone AWOL.

These were the early days and in addition to the calypsos and Indian songs on the radio and from the raucous drinkers in the three rumshops within a few yards of my grandmother’s house, there was also what we called “pan”. Our little village steel band was across the road in a little shack behind Miss Robinson’s huge clay oven. This was 1955, I was ten years old, and the song was The Happy Wanderer, an original, lilting German composition that won the Road March. I still know the opening lines: “I love to go a-wandering . . . ” and the chorus: “Valderi, Valdera . . . with a knapsack on my back.”

In 1956 our village headmaster was transferred to Port-of-Spain and our parents felt we should follow him. I ended up in an area that was among the most violent but also the most musical in Trinidad.

As Carnival approached, I heard and learnt to differentiate among the sounds from the Laventille Hills (Desperadoes), Duke Street (All Stars), Observatory Street (Casablanca) and others all around like Silver Stars and Dixieland, Invaders, Renegades, Hi-landers, Sunlanders, Boys Town and Katzenjammers.

There were two things I learnt in that period. The first was the importance of the rhythm.

The humble iron-man who was not in the frontline “beating”

the pan was the one who set and maintained the timing for the tune. I can still see some of them, sweating profusely but not distracted from the task of hitting the brake-hub without stopping until the tune ended.

The second was the leadership. While in today’s pan world, the “Engine Room” is where the iron-men are housed, in the early days and still, to a major extent today, it is the leader of the band who is the real engine room. In this sense, the men with the iron and the man with the iron will, are the hub, wheel and dynamos of the band.

This became even clearer to me when we moved to the town of Siparia and became part of a community known as “Peyton Place”. The “panyard” in those days was right across the narrow, downhill street from me and was a real yard, unpaved and for a while without electricity.

The dynamo who ran the show was a pan-fanatic named Ellis Knights and he called the band the “Siparia Deltones”, a big name for a little band of mainly unemployed youths; while our leader for the entire community, cricket and football captain, as well as organiser of everything legal and illegal, was a tough, uncompromising, no-holds-barred and no-quarter-given individual we called “Rabby”, who boasted openly that all his convictions were for wounding, Ellis remained on the periphery, focused on his steel band and dreams of pan glory.

I remember one Carnival when Rabby decided we should have a Carnival Band of “Dutty Sailors”—essentially men in sailor outfits notorious for sprinkling powder on anyone they encountered in the street, rolling around on the ground in alcoholic splendour or stupor, and chanting, “What the sailor like?” to the chorus of “Big, fat women”. The band was supposed to move out at 10:00am and we were in the rum shop, costumed and waiting.

Rabby was fuming. Nolan, a gambler and petty thief normally specialising in cattle, was on one of the two sets of bass drums mounted on a manually drawn, low wooden cart. He was keeping us back because he had no wheels on his cart.

Rabby, angry and cursing loudly, threatened Nolan with grievous bodily harm if he was not ready. Nolan smiled and headed across the empty playground that separated us from civilisation and said, when he was out of Rabby's reach, “Don’t worry. Ah coming back jes’ now.” About forty minutes later, with Rabby fuming and even more

from the community.

The band’s Executive Director, Akinola Sennon, reiterated the band’s determination, based on a Sudanese proverb, to bequest two things to the children: the first one is roots; the other is wings.

In the ensuing years, Deltones moved into the town’s abandoned train station, the last stop on the line, and used it as a springboard to excellence.

Now the engine room is in a real engine room and the human engine room, Akinola, with his vision and energy, provides the tempo and rhythm for a sustainable and successful future.

It has taken sixty-two years and will need more, but the train that Ellis Knights built and drove is on track and in good hands.

In the pan world the engine room either houses the iron men or the man with the iron will.

impatient, almost murderously angry in fact, we saw Nolan heading down the hill on a bicycle. He rode past us down to the bottom of the street to an area we called the “Cave”, took the wheels off the bike, threw the

rest into the Cave, walked back up the hill, attached the wheels to the cart and off we went—sailors ashore in complete assurance we would win the local band of the year competition because we were the only band in town.

I thought of this last week went I went back to Siparia to an event that the Deltones steel band, now the Deltones Institute of Steel and Music, held, featuring not only its superb music but also art produced by the young people

Sir Hilary Beckles goes to Congress U

S Congresswoman, Democratic Representative of Texas, Sheila Jackson Lee, extended an invitation to Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies and Chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission, to participate in the decades-long anticipated, historic sitting of Congress on reparations.

On Wednesday, June 19, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties convened a hearing on H.R. 40, the path to Restorative Justice. Keenan Keller, Senior Counsel to the House Judiciary Subcommittee, informed Sir Hilary, “Given your longstanding interest in H.R. 40 as a model for legislative action that has positively impacted the reparations movement in the Caribbean, Rep. Sheila

Jackson Lee, lead sponsor on the Bill, would be honoured by your attendance at this momentous hearing.”

Sir Hilary has been a longstanding ally of former Congressman John Conyers who, for over forty years, struggled to get a Reparations Bill through Congress. On several occasions, Sir Hilary and Rep. Conyers addressed the Congressional Black Caucus in an effort to build support in Congress. Their long history of lobbying has now matured with this hearing.

Sir Hilary noted that it is a special tribute to the leadership of Rep. Conyers, as well as CARICOM, and Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves in particular, who, five years ago, established the path-breaking Regional Commission on Reparations that has inspired the political

movement in the USA. With reparations taking centre stage in the current presidential debates, there is great anticipation that CARICOM and Congress will work more closely in advancing the cause that has eluded people of African descent for over a century.

Sir Hilary’s participation in Congress follows his contribution at the British House of Commons in 2014, and his delivery of the keynote address at the sitting of the United Nations General Assembly to Launch the International Decade (2015 to 2025) for People of African Descent.

Following the hearing of the House Judiciary Subcommittee, Sir Hilary joined Rep. Lee and actor Danny Glover before delivering the closing address at a public forum where he placed the Congressional event within global perspective.

Tony Deyal was last seen reciting the Dutty Sailor’s chant but not loud enough for his wife Indranie to hear.

Tony Deyal is from Trinidad. He now runs a column in the Jamaica Gleaner, NationNews Barbados and the St Lucia Star, and runs a free literary magazine on mytrinidad.net.

Tony can be contacted at tdeyal@ yahoo.co.uk or on 1-868-351-1000.

CALL FOR DAGRI ALUMNI

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lumni from the Division of Agriculture (DAGRI) at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College are invited to participate in a Climate Smart Agriculture Project. The Division has partnered with Colleges Institute Canada (CiCan) in designing training programmes aimed at launching Agriculture into the Green Economy.

Alumni who completed the Associate Degree and Certificate programmes in Agriculture between 2013 and 2018 are needed to participate in a baseline survey that will help to inform and shape the training programmes offered by DAGRI. They are invited to visit the College’s Facebook page or call the Division on (758) 457-7343 for more information.

16 local

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www.stluciastar.com

Rainforest Adventures launches Rainforest Yoga

ainforest Adventures (RFA) has significantly enhanced its tour experiences with the recent launch of Rainforest Yoga. Adding to the global interest in health, wellness and holistic therapy, RFA is now offering yoga in its therapeutic and tranquil rainforest.

Earlier this month, RFA invited its on-island industry partners to experience first-hand its unique yoga experience which was coupled with spa treatments.

General Manager Daryl Raymond expressed that the partners were very enthusiastic and they were all impressed with the overall tour experience. It was felt that yoga was a perfect fit with the natural ambience and serenity of Saint Lucia’s protected rainforest.

He added, “Wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing and evolving areas in tourism and this rainforest yoga experience will assist in boosting Saint Lucia’s product offering.”

Rainforest Yoga is conducted by a well-trained and experienced yoga instructor and involves a combination of yoga styles including Traditional Hatha, Pranayama Class, Sivananda Yoga and Kemetic Yoga which

A Rainforest Yoga experience for RFA’s industry partners earlier this month.

are designed to improve flexibility, breathing and blood circulation.

Marketing and Sales Manager Donna Compton-Charles reiterated, “Rainforest Adventures is committed to helping persons find their Zen and reconnect with nature.” She also pointed out that “RFA is modifying its positioning strategy by becoming the ultimate haven for health and wellness and will continue to revitalize its product and service

offerings to create unique and memorable guest experiences”.

Rainforest Yoga can be combined with the company’s other tour offerings including the aerial tram, fern trail nature walk and another new addition, mini spa treatments.

Members of the public can book their Rainforest experience via telephone: (758) 458-5151 or 461- 5151 or via email: reservations.slu@ rainforestadventure.com.

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

THE FUNNIES!

THE STAR JUNE 22, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

HEALTH

17

Men have a biological clock too – so why is women’s fertility still such big, often unregulated, business?

By Georgina Lawton

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t’s a truth universally acknowledged, that a woman over the age of 25 is likely to be reminded of her ticking biological clock by friends, relatives and strangers, every year, until the year in which she conceives. The unsolicited advice ranges from: “You better hurry up!” or “When do you think you’ll have kids?” to “Oh, you don’t want to leave it too late now”. As a twentysomething myself, I’ve heard these comments become more frequent (and no less annoying) in your thirties.

We love presuming that all women want kids and scaremongering others into thinking that women’s fertility accounts for any problems when trying to conceive. But contrary to popular opinion, studies show that around half of all cases of human infertility are caused by factors related to the male partner. Somehow, the

age-old stereotype of the barren old maid prevails, while it’s still incredibly rare to see the words “male” and “infertile” paired together.

A recent study review confirmed that men also experience physiological changes after a certain age, which can decrease a couple’s chance of becoming pregnant. The 40-year review of previous medical literature by researchers at the Women’s Health Institute at Rutgers University found that men past the age of 45 found it much harder to get their partners pregnant, even if the woman was much younger.

They also found that men aged 45 years and older can increase their partner’s risk for pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and premature birth, and increase the likelihood of the child being born underweight, with congenital heart disease or a cleft palate.

Babies born to older

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research and active targeting.

• Guide investors through local requirements and

approvals such as licenses, concessions,

interpretation of local laws and post approval

services.

• Evaluate and disseminate investment and

economic data.

• Keep abreast of international, regional and local

developments which affect investment and the

local business sector.

• Respond to queries from prospective investors,

entrepreneurs or other businesses on matters

pertaining to investment.

• Take ownership of designated sectors to

promote/facilitate investment.

• Identify, develop and promote Packaged

Investment Opportunities.

• Effectively represent ISL on committees/

associations as required.

• Prepare reports as required.

KEY COMPETENCIES: • Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies or equivalent.

• Minimum 3 years’ post qualification experience

in a related role.

fathers also suffered higher incidences of newborn seizures and, as they matured, were found to have an increased likelihood of childhood cancers, psychiatric and cognitive disorders and autism. In short, evidence proves that men are very much in possession of a ticking biological clock, too—so why aren’t we talking about it?

It’s probably because women’s fertility—and our subsequent fears around it—is big business. Google “How much to freeze eggs?” and you’re met with over 56 million search results. Switch the word “eggs” for “sperm” and you’re met with less than 5 million matches. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority notes that “the average cost of having your eggs collected and frozen is £3,350” and that “the whole process for egg freezing and thawing costs an average of £7,000-£8,000”. But for men they quote just “£175-£450” per year as an average cost for

• A strong understanding of the global and local

economic/investment climate.

• Ability to make effective presentations;

knowledge of a foreign language would be an asset.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

• Marketing, planning, financial analysis, sales

and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to understand business plans and

analyse financial proposals.

• Must be available for overseas travel.

• Must be a strong and confident communicator

with a friendly, outgoing personality and must

be sales-oriented.

• Proven ability to work in a demanding, deadline driven environment.

REMUNERATION Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants for the above post should submit a resume including two letters of reference and certified copies of relevant qualifications to: POST OF INVESTMENT SERVICES OFFICER ATTENTION: SENIOR MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES Invest Saint Lucia First Floor, Heraldine Rock Building P.O. Box 495, Castries, Saint Lucia or via email at info@investstlucia.com Deadline for submission of applications is Friday 5th July at 4:30p.m.

Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and experience will be acknowledged.

sperm-freezing.

A recent four-year study of 350,000 fertility patients also found that private fertility clinics are leaving the NHS with annual bills of around £120m, after failing to treat sick and premature babies born in their care through complications.

Dr Gulam Bahadur, a senior consultant fertility specialist at North Middlesex University Hospital in London, who led the study, explained that private clinics are profit-led, and will often push expensive IVF treatments which can lead to more complications like twins and triplets.

While the clinics charge women high prices to get them pregnant, the NHS then foots the bill for any other complications. Dr Bahadur commented: “The people operating these clinics are taking the profits and not paying anything for the mess they are making.” He also found private clinics are less successful than they market themselves to

be, noting that “73 per cent of people who have IVF treatment never get a baby”.

In the States, where Alabama recently waged war against women’s reproductive rights by passing a neartotal ban on abortion in May, women’s health remains an ideological and political issue too. One popular female health app has recently come under fire for offering biased advice and concealing its funding sources.

Femm, which has been downloaded over 400,000 times around the world and is designed to help women track their menstruation cycle to plan or avoid pregnancy, as recently reported by The Guardian, was revealed as receving most of its funding from the Chiaroscuro Foundation—a charity supported by wealthy, Catholic, pro-life hedge fund manager Sean Fieler.

Fieler has also backed vice president and anti-abortion campaigner Mike Pence. The

SENIOR INVESTMENT SERVICES OFFICER Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) is seeking a Senior Investment Services Officer to support the Investment Services Manager (ISM) with the investment process.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES: • Generate new investment leads through research

and active targeting.

• Monitor the generation of new investment leads

and provide guidance to Investment Services

Officers (ISO’s), responding to queries and

addressing complex situations.

• Review and preparation of reports, collation of

information from ISO’s.

• Work with ISO’s to discuss and compile

recommendations for process improvement.

• Deputise for the ISM as required.

• Lead and refine the Aftercare process, take

ownership of designated sectors to promote/

facilitate investment.

• Assist in the identification and development of

investment opportunities.

• Work closely with supporting teams to promote

Saint Lucia and link potential investors with

investment opportunities.

• Develop and execute plans related to investment

promotion, facilitation and reinvestment.

Establishes excellent relationships with external

agencies, key personnel and investors across all

sectors, locally and internationally.

• Keep abreast of international, regional and local

developments which affect investment.

• Effectively represent ISL on committees/

associations/boards as required.

KEY COMPETENCIES • Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies or

equivalent. Specialized training in Investment

app’s literature also questions the safety and effectiveness of hormonal birth control, despite the fact that natural family planning—the method promoted by Femm—has been proven to be the most unreliable.

The gender bias in the public discourse surrounding pregnancy and fertility is clear, and is having notable impacts on the quality of healthcare women are receiving around planning, having or aborting a child.

Sadly, it doesn’t look like change is coming any time soon; laws are becoming more draconian in the States, and here in the UK the methods of fertility clinics are incredibly exploitative. It is therefore more important than ever to keep yourself as informed and up to date as possible on your medical options. Because when it comes to women’s health, the personal is certainly always political.

---Independent

Promotion and Facilitation would be an asset.

• Minimum 5 years’ post qualification experience in

a related role.

• Strong supervisory and team building skills.

• Strong understanding of the global and local

economic/investment climate & knowledge

of Government and business operations, approval

processes, challenges and solutions.

• Ability to make effective presentations; knowledge

of a foreign language would be an asset.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

• Skills in planning, financial analysis, sales and problem-solving.

• Ability to understand and analyse business plans

and financial proposals.

• Must be available for overseas travel.

• Must be a strong and confident communicator with

a friendly, outgoing personality and must be sales oriented.

• Proven ability to work in a demanding, deadline driven environment.

REMUNERATION Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants for the above post should submit a resume including two letters of reference and certified copies of relevant qualifications to: POST OF SENIOR INVESTMENT SERVICES OFFICER ATTENTION: SENIOR MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES Invest Saint Lucia First Floor, Heraldine Rock Building P.O. Box 495, Castries, Saint Lucia or via email at info@investstlucia.com Deadline for submission of applications is Friday 5th July at 4:30p.m.

Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and experience will be acknowledged.

18 HEALTH

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

KIM’S KORNER

CERTIFYING ENGINEERHEWANORRA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (UVF)

Since 1984, Virgin Atlantic has been the long haul airline for people who want flying to be an adventure.

Every year thanks to our partnership with Delta Air Lines our customers can connect to 200 destinations all around the world.

The Certifying Engineer is responsible for accomplishing and supervising all on-aircraft maintenance activities associated with the transit checks carried out on Virgin Atlantic Airways aircrafts and 3rd party contracts when delegated by the Station Maintenance Manager. The Certifying Engineer has direct involvement with the maintenance tasks, whilst supervising Virgin Atlantic employee(s) and contracted agencies, to ensure the relevant tasks are completed to the requirements of the Company.

• Do you have sound aircraft engineering background with extensive experience in line maintenance?

• Hold an EASA license or equivalent?

• Have experience on the following aircraft types: A330 series, A350 series, B747 series or B787 series?

• Supervisory experience and proven team leadership skills?

• Excellent communication skills?

• Have successfully completed a recognized aeronautical college course or formal training package?

• Possess a valid driver’s license?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then we’re looking for you to join our Engineering team.

Our pioneering spirit and passion keeps our brand vibrantly alive. That’s why we give our people the rewards that they deserve. We have a whole host of benefits in place to help you enjoy life to the fullest.

We offer a world of travel opportunities, including up to seven flights a year to a wide range of fabulous Virgin Atlantic global destinations, and excellent discounts across the Virgin Group of companies. Virgin Atlantic provides competitive salary packages, with superior health, dental and vision coverage, as well as a generous pension plan. Qualified candidates should send CV by email to Caribbeanjobs@fly.virgin.com.

Please reference Certifying Engineer – UVF Airport in the subject line.

The application closing date is Friday, July 5th 2019.

Please note, acknowledgements will only be sent to short-listed candidates under serious consideration.

Virgin Atlantic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

J

The Hip Bone’s Connected to the . . .

oint pain at the hip and knee is something many people experience, especially as they age.

Where possible, non-invasive, conservative management of joint pain is the first choice of treatment, especially exercise.

However, in cases where treatment options such as medication, physiotherapy and lifestyle changes have failed to manage pain and increase function, then surgery may be the best option. The most common reasons for a joint replacement are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or deformed joint, usually congenital (from birth).

A joint is where two bones connect to form movement, but not all joints are the same.

The knee is known as a hinge joint and allows the movement of flexion and extension, whereas the hip joint is known as a ball and socket joint and allows the movements of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction. Depending on the damage to the joint, your surgeon may either suggest a total joint arthroplasty or a hemi-arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty literally means the surgical repair of a joint— arthron=joint or articulation; plasty =moulding, grafting, or formation of a specified part.

The first joint replacement on a human was performed some eighty years ago, and in 1947 a surgeon called Stephen S. Hudack operated on a 38-year-old woman who had a tumour in her upper leg, replacing her hip joint with a plastic one. Her only option at that time was an amputation but, thanks to Dr Hudack, she did not lose her leg and was reported to be walking around with no compromise of her hip joint. Since that time the materials used and the procedures have changed but the objective is the same, to allow someone to move around pain-free. The most common joints that are replaced are hip, knee and shoulder but it is also possible to replace the ankle, elbow and wrist joints.

Hip replacements can either be total or hemi (that is where only part of the joint is

Joint replacement surgery is sometimes the best option for joint damage.

replaced, usually the head of the femur. The hip is the largest joint in the body This ball and socket joint is formed by the head of the femur which fits into the acetabulum, a cuplike shape on the pelvis. In a total hip replacement both the head of the femur and the acetabulum are replaced with a prosthesis. The most common reasons for a hip replacement are pain and stiffness usually associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, injury or fracture. Other less common causes are avascular necrosis (usually the result of an injury that leads to a disruption of the blood supply to the head of the femur, causing the bone to weaken and crumble) and childhood hip disease or congenital problems.

Knee replacements, like the hip, can be total or hemi.

The knee is made up of three parts, the medial compartment (inner part of knee), the lateral component (the outside of the knee) and the patellofemoral joint. Depending upon the area of damage, a total or hemi replacement may be recommended. A total knee replacement involves replacing both sides of the femur and the shinbone, whereas a partial knee replacement is a replacement of either the medial or lateral aspects and in some cases maybe just the patella. The main indicators for surgery are usually knee pain exacerbated by walking and tasks like negotiating stairs.

Shoulder replacements are not as common as hip and knee replacements. The first surgeries were performed to treat severe shoulder fractures but, over time, they have also become a treatment option for painful shoulders caused by arthritis. The shoulder joint is made up of the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade) and clavicle (collarbone).

The humerus and the scapula form the glenoid joint and the scapula and collarbone form the acromioclavicular joint. Surgery can either replace just the head of the humerus (known as the ball) or in some cases both the ball and socket (the glenoid) The treatment options are either replacement of just the head of the humerus bone (ball), or replacement of both the ball and the socket (glenoid surface of the scapula).

Less common replacements are at the wrist, fingers, ankle and elbow.

Despite being a choice for relieving pain and improving function, there are often

complications and restrictions.

The hope is that after surgery people will return to the life they led before pain but even when these operations are successful, they often leave the person with restricted range which can limit some of their daily activities. The most common complications are infection, blood clots, nerve injury and the loosening or dislocation of the prosthetic joint.

There are also minimal risks associated with surgery but these are often outweighed by the benefits. In order to maximise the benefits of surgery, most patients are referred to a physiotherapist who will focus on relieving the painful after-effects of surgery and increasing joint range, muscle strength and function.

It is not uncommon to have developed bad movement patterns prior to surgery; physiotherapists are skilled at analysing movement and have a range of skills and interventions to help people maximise their potential.

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

THE STAR

HEALTH

www.stluciastar.com

JUNE 22, 2019

19

HOW CAN YOGA MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE? W

hat does Yoga actually do for the world and how does it help to make the earth a better place for us to exist and live?

Those of us who practice Yoga learn very early about the “Eight limbs of the tree of Yoga” which are the Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

The Yamas are the universal moral disciplines; self restraints in actions, words and thoughts; the moral, ethical and social guidelines for practising Yoga and living life.

The Niyamas are self purification by discipline such as cleanliness and contentment.

The Asanas are the postures. Pranayama is Yogic breathing. Pratahara, is withdrawal of the senses.

Dharana is concentration.

Dhyana is meditation and Samadhi is complete freedom and oneness.

Ahimsa—non violence—is said to be the most important of the Yamas. Non-violence means not only not hurting another

I

person place or thing, but first and foremost to be non-violent toward oneself.

Let’s first look at our eating habits. We must be non-violent in the way that we eat and with the food that we put into our bodies. In our society we are constantly being told what we should and should not eat.

After practising Yoga for a time, it tends to guide us toward better eating habits. We begin to realize how food makes us feel. Does the food that we eat give us energy and make us healthier or will it eventually make us sick and break down our bodies so that we live miserable, painful lives with diseased bodies? Yoga teaches us to be more aware of the way that we feel when we eat.

People always ask: Can Yoga help me to lose weight?

Yes, it can. Yoga helps us to lose weight because it changes the way that we think about food; it helps us to realize which foods make us feel better and which foods make us feel bad.

We learn to slow down and

enjoy whatever it is that we are eating. Not only are cleaner, healthier foods better for each of us but they are better for the environment.

We know that the earth and our foods have become contaminated with chemical fertilizers, weed killers, pesticides and preservatives.

When we consume all of these chemicals, aren’t we being violent to our bodies? We know that these chemicals exist in our foods and create diseases and ailments which can be devastating when experienced.

Through Yoga, our bodies tell us that we don’t want this any more.

If we resist the foods that aren’t good for us, we are also helping the earth to become a cleaner, healthier place and we are becoming more non-violent to ourselves with the foods that we consume. Chemical companies that are destroying the earth and our bodies would not flourish. More organic farms would be producing foods that are healthier for us and our

world.

We can be violent in our thoughts, such as: I’m not good enough; I’m too fat; I’m too dumb; I’m not intelligent enough; I’m always the victim; I’ll always be miserable; I’ll never be successful in anything that I do; my luck is always bad; I’ll never get anywhere because I have no education, and nobody will give me a chance. If we feel this way about ourselves. how do we react to others? Our own insecurities can create bad energy in our surroundings.

Does that makes our lives, and the lives of those around us, better? All of those same thoughts can go out into the world to others, creating fear, hate, anger and, in turn, wars.

Yoga helps us to change our thoughts, and it will change the mind. In changing our own minds, we can change the world around us. We learn that we are great just as we are, and if we decide to be more, we will be more. If we decide to do more, we will do more, we will

be happier, more confident and have a more positive attitude— to ourselves, to our earth, the world and those around us.

We learn to change our thoughts to a more positive way of thinking and that whatever we put out, comes back to us ten times over. If we put out good thoughts and continue those good thoughts, good will come back to us. If we put out bad energy or thoughts, that will also come back to us.

Yoga creates constant change in our practice and our lives. As we progress in our postures, becoming more

aware and focused, we learn more challenging poses that we never imagined we could possibly do. With those changes and challenges in our practice, we find more positive changes in our everyday lives. We become more confident and less insecure. Doesn’t that make us better people? When we feel good about ourselves, aren’t we friendlier and more thoughtful to others?

If we, as a civilization, look at each other, the earth and all life in a more compassionate way, won’t that create a better world?

Jill Hagar is a certified instructor of Iyengar Yoga and a certified International Yoga Therapist.

She holds regular Yoga classes at Harmony Suites in Rodney Bay. For more information about classes and islandwide International Yoga Day events, please contact Jill by phone or WhatsApp on (758) 718 1297 or by email on yogastlucia@gmail.com

Yoga—an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition to humanity

n 2014 India put forward to the UN General Assembly a proposal for adoption of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga (IDY). The decision was cosponsored by 177 member countries and approved by 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). June 21 was declared the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. Accordingly, IDY has been celebrated by the international community since 2015.

All four previous observances of IDY have been a great success with the participation of millions of yoga enthusiasts across the globe. IDY is being celebrated this year on an even grander scale and will focus on yoga’s benefits and importance. One of the themes being promoted is the usage of eco-friendly products that are not made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and synthetics, as Yogic lifestyle is all about living consciously and sustainably.

The High Commission of India, St. Lucia with residence in Paramaribo, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations,

Government of India, New Delhi, in association with the Indian Cultural Foundation and Yoga organisations in Saint Lucia, will celebrate International Day of Yoga tomorrow morning, Sunday, June 23, from 8:00am, at Gros Islet Secondary School, Beausejour, Gros Islet.

The Yoga event will provide participants with the opportunity to learn simple yoga practices to be incorporated in their daily routines to lead a healthy and wholesome life.

The IDY protocol to be demonstrated at the event comprises some asanas and simple breathing techniques which have been found to be very effective by the international community in relieving stress, obesity and depression.

Everybody—Yoga enthusiasts, or newcomers—is encouraged to participate in the international Yoga event and benefit from the Asanas.

There is no fee for participation.

Please bring your own mat.

A yoga session run by Jill Hagar at Baywalk Mall on June 8 on behalf of the Indian Cultural Foundation and Yoga organisations in Saint Lucia.

20 SPORTS

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Two victories for St Lucia in football friendly David R Pascal

D

espite winning both friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago club team Horquetta Rangers by identical scores of 2-1, newly appointed Head Coach Jamall Shabazz feels Saint Lucian national players still have a lot of work to do in various aspects of the game.

On Sunday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground the National Senior Team, with the addition of five Under 23 players, defeated Trinidad 2-1. In an interview following the game, Shabazz said, “I thought the guys did well after three weeks’ work. They showed good organisation, good discipline. Still, at times we can see how much work we have got to do to win by putting together bits and pieces of the game. I think mainly the desire to continue working hard, even when things go well for us—not taking your foot off the pedal when you have the opponent back up against the wall—are things we need to do. Saint Lucian people are very nice and we need to develop a little bit more aggression and determination into our play.”

To ensure we were on the same wavelength, I asked the coach if he was implying the players don’t have that killer instinct. Tongue in cheek he replied, “Well, the murder rate is very low here as compared to

C

Saint Lucia’s starting 11 in last Friday’s game against Trinidad and Tobago.

as a people and give back to us who patronize them by buying Saint Lucian Captain Zaine Pierre (left) body checks a their goods and services?

Trinidadian player during last Friday’s game.

It is the funding from these businesses which will enable Trinidad and Jamaica so I can like Jesus but nobody wants to us to bring good teams. It costs a lot of money to play friendly say very easily that the instinct die on the cross.” internationals because football to kill off the opponent . . .

Shabazz also gave his is very expensive. viewpoint when it comes Because after we went up 2-1

“We will be looking to play with that brilliant goal, we had to corporate Saint Lucia more games against teams that another chance with Antonio supporting national teams: can beat and hurt us, because Myers. We could have buried “We need the funding from in doing that we will be able to corporate Saint Lucia. All them [Trinidad] and really put improve. We certainly cannot do the game beyond them.” these companies I see coming it without the help of corporate

When asked if it’s essential from Trinidad, Jamaica, they Saint Lucia, who must also come in and own all these for the Under 23 side to play recognize their responsibility to friendlies his response was: supermarkets, chain stores, the people of Saint Lucia and “Definitely. There is this feeling department stores, but the the role they must play in sport in the Caribbean that every money must be filtered back country wants to go to the World into the people. The businesses development.”

Saint Lucia also recorded Cup but it reminds me in Easter they have here, why are they time of everybody wanting to be here if they cannot work with us a 2-1 win over Trinidad last

Friday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Overseas-based professional Kurt Frederick opened the scoring for Saint Lucia by way of a penalty kick in the 15th minute which was the only score of the first half.

Tyrone Charles tied it up in the 55th minute but it was short-lived. That’s because five minutes later Andrus Remy scored what proved to be the winning goal for Saint Lucia

Following, the starting 11 in last Friday’s friendly: Vino Barclett, Dial Augustin, Alvinus Myers, Melvin Doxilly, Zaine Pierre (Captain), Kurt Frederick, Otev Lawrence, Lester Joseph, Andrus Remy, Jevick MacFarlane and Antonio Joseph.

National Football Head Coach Jamall Shabazz.

The Under 23 National Team was scheduled to play Trinidad on Tuesday at the Sab Sporting Facility. However, a spokesperson for the SLFA Inc stated that “the game had to be called off due to unforeseen circumstances”.

Choiseul Craftmasters are Digicel SPLT2019 Champions

hoiseul Credit Union’s Choiseul Craftmasters are the Digicel SPLT2019 Champions, after defeating last year’s winners South Castries Lions by 22 runs on Sunday at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort.

On a day that saw the Renegades from Mabouya Valley claim third place over the Gros Islet Knights, the final match was eagerly awaited.

Lions, being defending champions, knew they had their work cut out against an unbeaten Craftmasters team who were eager to win their first SPL title.

The much anticipated 2019 final lived up to its hype with spectators on the edge of their seats throughout most

of the game. The Craftmasters seemed to be under pressure until Audy Alexander (45 runs) and Bradley Tisson (27 from 13 balls) brought respectability to the end of inning total.

With Fletcher at the crease, one always thought that the Lions were the ones in control.

That was surely the case until Fletcher departed for 73 off the bowling of Tisson.

Once Fletcher went, so did the hopes of the Lions and, for the first time in the game, the Craftmasters looked very comfortable. Their hard work to stay in the game seemed to have paid off.

Alexander walked away with Man of the Match honours after he built the foundation for his team’s victory, whilst

Fletcher picked up the Player of the Tournament award.

Though Tisson was not named the Man of the Match, his performance will surely be remembered for his quick-fire 27 and the wicket of Fletcher, as they were two major turning points in the game.

The Digicel SPLT2019, powered by the Ministry of Sports and National Lotteries, was as exciting as it gets with all sorts of emotions. Fans witnessed many records being broken, with a few scores over 200, two totals of 99 and the first ever SPL century by Gaspard Prospere.

Fans were able to see replays of the games on Winners TV, reliving all the Nagico Maximums and Lucelec

The jubilant Choiseul Craftmsters Digicel SPLT2019 Championship team.

Power Boundaries that were hit.

The fans in their team replica shirts and the music from SPL’s main guy ScadyDotP all added to the party atmosphere at the games.

The pitches were praised by players, having been well prepared by Al Prince.

The organising team would like to thank everyone who made this year’s tournament

possible. Without you, the party would never be the same.

For all the latest news, fixtures and results from the games, follow via www.splt20.net

THE STAR

sports

www.stluciastar.com

JUNE 22, 2019

21

Shai insists Windies have not lost all hope yet

S

hai Hope has promised to do ‘whatever he can’ to help the West Indies after their latest defeat left their hopes of Cricket World Cup progression dangling by a thread.

A key performer with the bat as the Men in Maroon set Bangladesh 322 for victory in Taunton, Hope saw his side eventually succumb to a disappointing seven-wicket loss following an errant bowling display.

Tasked with being the glue that holds an otherwise powerful West Indies together, the wicketkeeper-batsmen narrowly missed out on his

century, falling to the bowling of Mustafizur Rahman on 96.

Despite the stoic knock, much of the focus in the immediate aftermath of the defeat centred on the Caribbean side’s low scoring rate, with captain Jason Holder among those to suggest during his post-match press conference that they had been under-par in that aspect .

Hope, however, brushed aside those concerns, claiming that his main aim was to add stability to a side that was losing wickets with regularity in the middle overs during the competition.

“Whenever I step to the

crease, it’s a case of batting as long as possible,” Hope said.

“Don’t leave it for anyone else in the final overs; you just have to take responsibility. I can massively improve it [the strike rate]. Whatever I can do to improve, I’ll do that. But it was a bit of a difficult spot for me in the sense that we keep losing wickets in the middle overs and putting the lower half under a bit of pressure. Having said that, we need to keep the innings together and get as many runs as we can, especially in the back-end.”

Seventh in the table after their first five games, the West Indies now face an uphill

struggle to make the World Cup semi-finals.

Next up is a game against one of the early pacesetters, New Zealand, in Manchester today, when they will face another series test of their credentials. With victory over the Black Caps now essential, Hope said now is the time for major soul-searching if he and his teammates are to turn their form around.

“It’s now must-win. We have to put everything into getting those runs,” he said.

“As a team, we have to go back to the drawing board, find solutions and go and win the game.”

Shai Hope (pictured) still has faith in the Windies.

Sandals Summer Slam Football Tournament

By Trevor Daniel Coach and Program Director, Flow TDFDP

S

andals Luxury All-inclusive Resorts and the Flow Trevor Daniel Football Development Program score big time! The two organisations, which continue to lead the way in their respective fields, once again came together to engage the youth of Saint Lucia, hoping to set the tone for their coming vacation, with the ‘Sandals Summer Slam’ in-house tournament.

From 8:30am to 3:30pm on June 20th – Corpus Christi Thursday – the Sab Playing Facility field burst into rejuvenated life as 250-plus young football enthusiasts laced on their boots to play for gold in this one-day event. The players, aged four to 17 years old, came from 26 primary and secondary schools in the north of the island, the majority of them being members of the Flow Trevor Daniel FDP.

Everyone who signed up played three preliminary matches on medium size goals. The two top teams in the various age groups, from under seven to under 18s, played a championship match for trophies and medals.

This event is important as it is not just about football. In the current environment, children are less active, and playing outdoors has become a scarce occurrence, if at all. During the 1970s to 1990s (maybe before), summer vacations meant throwing stones at and climbing mango trees, rolling tyres with two broom sticks all day, unorganised five-hour football matches for melted icicles, marking the sidewalks with broken concrete blocks to hop scotch away, and whipping out a Chinese skip rope and jumping till after sunset.

Now kids are entrapped and immobilized by gadgets. The phones, tablets, computers and video games are doing a great disservice to the youth and the health of the nation.

While they provide a convenient form of entertainment/engagement, the increase in reported numbers of children with obesity, and the lack of an active, healthy lifestyle in adults, can be directly linked to the gadgets. An inactive nation is an unhealthy nation! The hope is that through this event, kids and parents will have been enticed to seek various outdoor activities for the summer.

The organisers believe that this tournament also offered an opportunity to see the TDFDP members play with and against kids from various football environments. Said Coach Trevor Daniel prior to the matches, “Our coaching staff will get to assess and evaluate our coaching practices and methods while the kids will be having a fun football experience, being teamed up with, and playing against, non-TDFDP members.

I

Coach Trevor Daniel, Program Director of Flow-TDFDP, with some of the younger players.

From this we will tailor our 2019-2020 technique curriculum and we will push our members further ahead, come the new school year.”

The organisers expressed sincerest gratitude to the title sponsors, Sandals Resorts International, for continued support throughout the years, and to the other sponsors, Flow and the Recreational Center of St Lucia. This event was possible only through this strong and committed partnership.

Goal Scoring Spree in SLFA Football

t rained goals galore when the quarter finals of the St Lucia Football Association Inc Under 11 and Under 13 Competitions kicked off at the Sab Playing Facility on Saturday, June 15.

A total of 41 goals was scored on the day. Valley Soccer Under 11 youngsters delivered an early Father’s Day gift when they defeated El Ninos 9-0. The lads from Central Castries, whose veins pumped orange, dominated the proceedings with a lively and attractive brand of football, in the process entertaining the modest group of parents providing support.

There was a hat trick from Daniel Zakhour in the 7th, 23rd and 26th minutes, and braces by Omarian Edwin in the 8th and 21st minutes, and Urai Clovis in the 29th and 30th minutes. The other goals were scored by Alex Devaux in the 9th minute and Jervan Grey in the 31st minute.

In another game, Northern United All Stars had a field day. They made extremely light work of their opponents, Lion Heart, whom they defeated 12-0.

Two hat tricks were registered: by Traylan Henry

in the 7th, 12th and 19th minutes and by Thierery in the 10th, 16th and 32nd minutes.

There were braces from Tevez Evans in the 8th and 30th minutes and Divinte Herman in the 17th and 36th minutes.

Rounding up the scoring were De Andre Perez in the 27th minute and Jordan Peter in the 40th minute.

Sanity was temporarily restored on the day with Shamballa getting past T Valley 4-1. The day’s first beaver trick was returned by Ngozi Marcellin in the 7th, 10th, 17th and 20th minutes.

John Harrow opened the scoring for T Valley in the 5th minute.

The mayhem continued with Lancers emerging victorious in the Under 13 competition, defeating El Ninos 13-0. Venroy Alfred scored a beaver trick in the 14th, 24th, 43rd and 56th minutes, while there were braces from D’Andre Preville in the 16th and 65th minutes, Deshaur Paul in the 25th and 67th minute, Noah Ermay in the 26th and 70th minutes and Marcus Paul in the 49th and 54th minutes. Ian Baptiste scored in the 69th minute, with an own goal rounding off the scoring.

22

sports

JUNE 22, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Top Teams and Cricketers Rewarded at Sandals Cup Under 19 Awards

By David R Pascal

F

rom all accounts it was another successful Sandals Cup Under 19, with Gros Islet again emerging with the title. The competition ended on a perfect note with an awards ceremony last Saturday at Sandals Halcyon, with a former West Indies player turned cricket commentator being the highlight of the evening.

Trinidadian Daren Ganga, having been among the broadcasters at the ICC Cricket World Cup, was the guest speaker. He delivered in a big way, not with the bat which he did on numerous occasions with the Windies, but with his immense knowledge of the game.

Besides Ganga, attendees at the awards ceremony, held in association with the St Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA), included Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estephane; Managing Director of Sandals St Lucia, Winston Anderson; Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager, Sunil Ramdeen; President of the SLNCA, Julian Charles and other executive members; sports personality and former cricket commentator, Joseph “Reds” Perreira and last, but certainly not least, coaches and players

from the various teams who took part in the competition.

During his brief remarks, Anderson congratulated not only the winning team, but all the players and officials who made the second annual Sandals Cup Under 19 cricket competition a success.

With Sandals being the principal sponsor for West Indies Cricket, Anderson put out a challenge to the players selected to play for the Windward Islands cricket team. He told them: “I want to challenge you and say to you that with the talent that we’ve seen, that you should now be putting up some serious challenge and showing off your talent, so that you too in the very near future can be part of the West Indies Senior team.”

Estephane, after praising both the winning team and finalists, remarked, “The Ministry of Youth Development and Sports takes a keen interest in the development of young sports personalities.

It is this very development, if harnessed properly, that will produce well-rounded sportsmen and women and, of course, model citizens.”

He spoke of government’s desire to have cricket grounds all over the island and that a sports infrastructure programme would see to that.

Estephane added: “It is

Former West Indies cricketer Daren Ganga (left) receiving an Appreciation Award from Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager, Sunil Ramdeen.

The winning Gros Islet team with captain Kimani Melius displaying the championship trophy.

pleasing to see that the St Lucia National Cricket Association is continuing to invest in its young cricketers. The staging of this very competition is a critical step in ensuring that these young men progress to be great cricketers.”

Charles had the pleasure of introducing Ganga but, before that happened, he spoke briefly about the competition.

He singled out players like Lee Solomon who had three centuries in the tournament and Simeon Gerson’s nine wicket haul. Charles also mentioned Akeem Auguste for making 92 runs on debut in the Windward Islands cricket tournament and female cricketer Qiana Joseph for dominating the West Indies Under 19 cricket competition.

Ganga, who delivered a lengthy but thought-provoking feature address, complimented Perreira, Charles and, of course, Daren Sammy for their contribution to cricket over the years. In Sammy’s case, Ganga recalled taking some flak from broadcaster and former West Indies teammate Michael Holding, for supporting the Saint Lucian who was named captain for a Test Match that was played in Manchester, England.

“We all know what transpired thereafter in terms of Daren Sammy,” said Ganga.

“Just as Mr Charles being a pioneer for Saint Lucian cricket, I think Daren Sammy has taken over the baton and become the first Saint Lucian to go on to play for the West Indies and represent you guys proudly.”

With T20 cricket enjoying

a great deal of popularity, Ganga cautioned the young cricketers about ignoring the other formats of the game.

He mentioned that several of the top players in T20, most notably Chris Gayle, excel because they have a database of other formats of the game.

He explained that as the king of T20, Gayle played close to 200 first class matches and got two triple centuries in Test Cricket which enhanced his overall performance in all formats of the game.

Strengthening your database across all formats of the game was his first advice to cricketers. He told them, “For many of you who value T20 cricket in your young careers as being the pinnacle, and then you put some consideration into 50-over cricket and four-day cricket, I say that needs to change.”

Ganga again emphasized that for success as a cricketer and having a career in cricket, it is important to play all formats of the game.

Training and coaching mythologies was the next subject he dealt with, saying: “It is a very different era than what we have been brought up in and I don’t think we have yet established a West Indies cricket way in coaching.”

He cautioned players about trying to emulate somebody; that instead they should try to be the best talent they can.

The importance of a player’s routine was his next item. He mentioned that it is scientifically proven that when

you are in a relaxed state you achieve maximum performance.

Having said that, Ganga spilled the beans on a teammate who performed a rather unusual routine before each game: “I am not going to call out any names, but I remember in Trinidad and Tobago when we were playing, there was this one particular player; do you know what his routine was before he played?

He was so hellbent that it was crucial for him to score runs, he had to have time to go visit his girlfriend before he played a game. And let me add—it might sound real funny—to have a hickey on his neck before he played. Now you tell me how that impacts on a guy performing.”

Turning to visualization, Ganga said: “You have got to feed your mind with positivity, and research has shown in sports that visualization is essential in achieving success.”

Ganga praised Sandals for being “responsible corporate citizens”, being principal sponsor of West Indies Cricket and for the overall development of, and commitment to, the sport.

In closing, the guest speaker, who is a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, spoke about his interaction with cricket administrators. “Some administrators are stagnated in the manner in which they do things. There are some who are not creative and disconnected with the evolution of the game, while there are many who

are forward-thinking and very efficient in how they do stuff.

I find that far too many of our administrators are not up to speed with the modern game on all fronts.”

He didn’t stop there: “From the point of view of governance, I still feel strongly that there should be term limits in terms of leadership in our cricket. I still think we should improve on our transparency and accountability when it comes to the administration of the game. I still think there is room and bandwidth for all of us to collaborate a lot more, especially in tough economic times, and that is something that should be done in a respectful manner without a personal agenda. We must see ourselves as administrators, as facilitators, and not persons who are keen just to have office.”

After Ganga's address, awards were presented. In first place, Gros Islet received the championship trophy, gold medals and a cheque; in second place, Babonneau received a cheque and silver medals.

Lee Solomon was the big winner on the night. He was the MVP of the finals as well as the tournament MVP and he also received the award for Most Runs.

Caleb Thomas was the MVP of the semi-final between Babonneau and South Castries while Gavin Serieux was the MVP of the other semi-final, Gros Islet vs. Central Castries.

Awards were also presented to match officials.

THE STAR

CLASSIFIED 23

www.stluciastar.com

june 22, 2019

VACANCY We are looking for an organized and driven

Accountant / Bookkeeper

to join our team.

Must be an energetic and passionate individual to help revitalize our record keeping and bring organization to our day to day financials.

Responsibilities Include • Perform daily, monthly, quarterly accounting activities including bank reconciliation, coordination and completion of annual reports for auditors and reviewing financial reports as necessary.

• Provide manager, directors and banks with monthly/quarterly sales, balance sheets and profit and loss reports.

• Report on financial status, communicate financial results to management and budget

preparation and analysis.

• Managing receivables, payables, payroll and all other company payments • Improve current systems and procedures • Oversee taxes and abide by tax laws Qualifications • 5+ Years accounting experience • Knowledge and experience working with QuickBooks • Extensive knowledge of St Lucia Tax Laws • Advanced computer skills in office, accounting software and databases • Excellent organizational, problem solving and communication skills • Experience in auditing • Accounting certificate Applications to reach no later than June 30, 2019 Send applications to General Manager P.O Box GM945 Castries St Lucia

FUEL SURCHARGE COST ADJUSTMENT Applied to Bills for June 2019

The fuel surcharge cost adjustment is the cost of fuel at the current price less the average cost of fuel in the twelve months preceeding 1st January, 2019 (the base price) divided by the total number of kwhs sold.

Current price of fuel EC$ 7.7083 / gallon

Average price for 2018 EC$ 7.7292 / gallon

Amount of fuel used (May 2019) 1,770,412 gallons

Cost of 1,770,412 gallons at EC$ 7.7083 per gallon EC$ 13,646,867

Cost of 1,770,412 gallons at EC$7.7292 per gallon EC$ 13,683,868

Current cost of fuel less cost at base price EC$ (37,002)

Electricity Sales (May 2019) 30,087,796 units

(37,002) Fuel Surcharge Cost Adjustment: ----------------- x 100 (0.1) cents / unit 30,087,796 2019 Tariff Rebate FSCA Cost Rates per Electrical Unit EC$ EC$ EC$ EC$ Domestic 1-180 0.763 (0.001) 0.762 >180 0.813 (0.001) 0.812

Commercial Low Tension all units 0.913

(0.001) 0.912

High Tension all units 0.873

(0.001) 0.872 Hotel/Industrial Low Tension all units 0.913 (0.0081) (0.001)

High Tension all units 0.873 (0.0081) (0.001)

Streetlighting all units 0.908

(0.001)

For SALE / LEASE or Joint Venture Use

Customer Service / Print Account Representative Overview The successful candidate must ensure that quotations are converted to accurate work orders and that invoices are generated for completed jobs.

Qualifications • Must possess at least a tertiary level certificate or have equivalent experience.

• He/she must possess strong interpersonal and organisational skills.

• A friendly attitude and a willingness to help.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Sound knowledge of email, data and word processing also a requirement.

• Knowledge of professional printing is an asset.

Responsibilities • Effectively communicate with customers over the phone, via email, mobile, etc.

• Assist with sales functions.

• Create Print Estimates.

• Prepare Sales Reports.

Submit your application to hr@stluciastar.com.

Deadline for submission: 30th June, 2019.

0.907

The Tariff Rate and the FSCA are computed in accordance with the Electricity Supply Act No. 10 of 1994, as amended by Act Nos. 12 and 13 of 2006. Note that since the average fuel price in May 2019 is greater than

the average fuel price for 2018, this has resulted in a reduction in the tariff.

Ian Peter- Chief Financial Officer

Commercial Building

VACANCY

0.904 0.864

In Vieux-Fort near Police Station 4000 Sq ft Ground Floor + 4000 Sq ft Concrete upper Deck, Small Office Spaces Starting at EC $600/ Month Free Internet, Cable Etc Large Yard with Parking for 100 Vehicles.

Vacancy

Property Development Advisor Applicants should have at least 5 years senior level experience in:

Best Offer will be accepted

• Resort development strategy • Property conveyancing with values from US$2m up to at least US$6m • Experience of working with lawyers and banks on contracts and financing plus exceptional business development skills

Call or WhatsApp 758-7192318 with an Offer, or further Details or Discussion

Apply: ian@harrison-surveying.com Closes 28/6/19

Ready for Immediate Occupancy

Selling a house? Have an apartment to rent?

Want your car sold?

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Tel: 450-7827 or Fax at 450-8690

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2019

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