Silence of the Bobbies!

E-reader

www. Pressreader.com

The Star (St.Lucia)

Silence of the Bobbies!

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

$2.00

THE STASRSwEEk altH e H & S t r o E p S n i A SAINT LUCI BuS ence

Building Resili

OUR www.gov t.lc

Nothing Personal.

It’s Just Business.

n of

in this editio

tAR.CoM

SBW

dollarT The eC f aCewilllsooif e n be a thing ecad geTs a er banknotes region gets set to Towards a d crumpled, pap bby, worn andthe Eastern Caribbean as the Gru cy. ren cur d ed in t Lucia 2019 ernment of Sain MARCH 16, rt from the Gov

CiAs www.stlu

ress Repo Bi-monthly Prog

of ICT ann

Innovatio

of the past

plastic-bas welcome new

By Catherine

Morris, star

Businessweek

ISSUE 239

SatUrday

16 marCh 2019

THE STAR EEk BuSinESSw

e: Poker Fac Beyond thethe Gambling Growth in Industry s industry has alway The gambling of fierce political ct s been the subje the case in nation debate. This is Caribbean, throughout world throughout the the d and aroun the Americas,

t

CorresPonden

Page 3

er Festival Fev to soak a great place Saint Lucia is take a break from the up the sun and it’s also a good place daily grind, but and more tourists to party, as more, thanks to a plethora are discovering ned to festivals desig of ts of events and rs to all aspec introduce visito island life Page 7

Continued on

40

page 4

urin Michael Math nge

Rugby Challe

r Sta r hE aPE IN tEWSP N

EE

FR

SportS & HealtH

INC

STAR Businessweek:

16 Mar, 2019 Issue 20 |

INC

While cops remain tight-lipped on Rehani, Hathaway, Pratt and other high profile cases, their reputation takes a beating!

ACP for crime Wayne Charlery.

Happy th Independence Anniversary Saint Lucia • Tel: (758) 450-0021 / 31 / 728 1000 • Fax: (758) 450-0092 • Email: info@bluewatersslu.com • Website: www.bluewatersslu.com

info@stluciastar.com

1

02 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

WHEN IS A SICK-OUT NOT A SICK-OUT?

REFLECTIONS

d

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

No Passing Romance

By Michael Walker

F

lying is my passion. By flying, I don’t mean sitting up in First Class sipping champagne forty thousand feet above the earth—though I have done more than my fair share of that, I admit—no, by flying I mean actually sitting in the left seat of the cockpit, taking off, climbing to altitude, descending and landing again. By the way, the Pilot In Command always sits in the left seat of a plane; in helicopters, on the other hand, the PIC usually sits in the right seat; I am not quite sure why.

In 1972 a friend nagged at me until I reluctantly joined him in a single-engine plane for a spin from the local grass-strip airfield. Five feet after lift-off I knew my life had changed forever. I started flying lessons the very next day; first my private pilot license, which allowed me to fly in good weather, then my instrument rating that qualified me to fly in bad weather, and then my multi-engine and commercial pilot ratings, which allowed me to fly-for-hire, something I never did. For me, the joy of flying was reward enough. I travelled to Florida and became a flight instructor where I dabbled with seaplanes. Back in Sweden I learned to fly helicopters, a special kind of joy. Finally, I took the ‘big one’—my Airline Pilot Rating.

Hardly a day went by without spending some time in the air.

Once I had my instructor rating I began teaching old and young how to fly. Teaching is in my blood. There is nothing like observing your student progress from frustration to satisfaction as what seems impossible at first suddenly becomes ‘a piece of cake’; it’s just a matter of doing things right and following the rules. Flying is not like driving: you cannot pull over and stop when things go wrong.

Flying demands discipline, but the rewards are immense. Nothing can beat the success of a difficult landing in a crosswind or severe turbulence that results in a squeak of tires on asphalt without the hint of a bump.

The whole family joined in. Our daughter supplemented her income by working at a flight school during her university studies in the USA. Our son travelled to England and took his private pilot license when he was just 17. Back in Sweden, he had to cycle to the airfield every time he wanted to go flying because he wasn’t allowed to drive a car until he was 18. My wife had a two-seater that she used when she flew down to visit her parents. It took her less than an hour. By car it would have been almost four hours each

way on busy roads. And it wasn’t expensive.

Of the first three planes we bought, none cost more than EC$25,000. When we got them they were not exactly in prime condition but love and care soon brought them up to scratch. Because of the very strict service requirements—planes, even privately owned ones, have to be inspected and serviced according to strict schedules every 50 hours—planes can go on and on and on to a ripe old age and, unlike humans, still remain as good as new.

I had a twin-engine, pressurized beauty that I bought in Detroit and flew back across the Atlantic via Greenland and Iceland, When we moved to Saint Lucia I flew her (planes are always female) across the Atlantic, down the east coast of the USA, through the Caribbean to our new home. Amazingly, I used to fly all over Europe from country to country with scarcely a care in the world, but once I got here things were different—paperwork, paperwork, paperwork was bad enough, but the bureaucracy was even worse, something that after decades of living here I found to be symptomatic of life in the islands.

If memory serves me well, I think thirteen forms in all had to be filled out for a flight down to Trinidad. Trinidad, by the way, insisted that the plane be sprayed with a named anti-bug spray before landing. To save time and effort I used to print out my forms before leaving home. On one occasion an official at Health in Port of Spain questioned my health declaration by asking how I could print the form before I sprayed the aircraft. She grilled me, clearly not believing me, asking what spray I had used and demanding to see the actual can of Baygon that I had obviously left in the plane. In the end I had to go back through security and walk across the massive apron in the pouring rain to fetch the damned Baygon to show ‘the lady’, which of course in no way proved that I had actually used it.

In all my years of flying I never accepted any monetary compensation for instruction, training or trips; as I said earlier, the pleasure in sharing the joy of flying was reward enough.

I took people back and forth on medical emergency, sporting or shopping trips, treated whole school classes to aerial views of their communities, and taught people to fly, amassing over 10,000 hours in the air, all for the fun of it. But now, with 80 being closer than 70, I have let my licenses lapse though in my mind I still follow planes overhead as they travel the SIDs (standard instrument departure) and STARs (standard terminal arrival routes) in and out of the nearby international airport that was for years my second home. All in all, not a bad life.

MARCH 16, 2019 THE STAR

t has been widely reported this week that teachers all over the island staged a sick-out on Tuesday, following the Teachers’ Union meeting at the National Cultural Centre the day before. Evidently SLTU President Julian Monrose was not informed.

When this reporter invited him to comment on the presumed protest action, he answered with a question of his own: “What sick-out? Had there been a sick-out, it would be more than one day, I can tell you.”

He offered this clarification: “Teachers had called to say they were sick. There is a memo describing what happened on Tuesday. I will email it to you.”

The email never arrived. I received instead a WhatsApp message from the SLTU’s president that reads in part: “It has been brought to the attention of the SLTU this morning that teachers are

Julian Monrose (pictured) says there was no sick-out by teachers on

feeling sick/unwell. The SLTU understands the situation, given the fact that you work under such strenuous conditions with little support from the employer. We also understand the debilitating effect that some

of our school plants have on your health. On top of all this, we understand the additional stress that you feel not knowing when you will be afforded a salary increase that would help you cushion the pressures of everyday living. All of these have serious implications for the wellness of teachers.”

We have no way of knowing when the above was written or disseminated; neither the number of teachers who received it, and when. The promised email would have been far more useful to this reporter.

The STAR can, however, confirm that as of Friday morning the SLTU was of the view that its meeting on Thursday with the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) went well and that there are no plans for a strike or sickout. The union also says the GNT has promised to re-engage them in the next two to three weeks.

---DN

ST LUCIAN START-UPS GET READY FOR FINAL SHOWDOWN OF 'GET IN THE RING'

O

n Thursday March 8, the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture held a speed consulting forum and pitch training session in preparation for the preliminary round of the Get In The Ring competition.

This year saw an increase in the number of start-ups visiting the Get In The Ring event page with 14 completing the application process.

Participants were required to present their ideas or startup before a panel to receive feedback and advice, and returned to the Union Orchid Farm on Thursday March 14, when the six finalists were selected to advance to the Final.

After intense training and a packed programme, the following start-ups squared off and battled their way to the grand showdown which will be on March 28, 2019 at Caribbean Cinemas from 4 p.m.: Mr. Gilland Avril of Ngage, Caleb Jallim of Fleek It, Amy Antoine of T&A Household Décor, Sherman Sidonie of Saveur St Lucia, Vernon Jean of Easy Click Solutions, and Martin Hanna of Penny Pinch.

Get In The Ring is a global start-up pitching competition that challenges teams from

Jury members with GITR finalists at Thursday’s event.

around the world in a fastpaced match, held in a boxing ring. The competition specifically targets start-ups less than 8 years old that are scalable and innovative. GITR is staged as a TV production, showcasing the talent and economic viability of the participants. No cash prize will be given although the winner will receive an all-expensespaid trip to Berlin in June 2019 for the Global Meet-up.

The Get In The Ring Foundation gives start-ups a fun and global podium to make valuable connections to start, grow and scale up their business. The event is known for its innovative format where start-ups literally face off in a

boxing ring. A battle between two start-ups consists of five 30-second rounds about the team, achievements, business model and market, financials and proposition, and freestyle.

Get In The Ring St. Lucia seeks to focus on the holistic development of entrepreneurs and, as such, compiled an intense yet impactful programme for participants.

The Chamber expresses its gratitude to the many mentors, adjudicators, partners and agencies who provided support for the 2nd annual Get In The Ring competition. It continues to seek support and invites you to partner with this global pitching event by calling 452 3165 or emailing gewslu@gmail.com

THE STAR

local

www.stluciastar.com

march 16, 2019

03

Cedars shopkeeper Congratulations Fond Doux Plantation & Resort fatally shot!

S

Grandalene Pistol found her husband in a pool of blood at the mini mart he operated at Cedars, Castries. He was shot several times.

S

tan Pistol, 51, and a resident of Cedars in Castries, was shot multiple times on Wednesday night at Kross Roads Mini Mart, his place of business. The fatal shooting only marked the final attack on Pistol, said his wife Grandalene. More than once he had been robbed at gunpoint.

This time the robbers were not satisfied with robbing Pistol’s till; they also took his life.

“We’ve been targeted before,” Grandalene told the STAR. “Twice before last night they held him at gunpoint for money.” The incidents did not go unreported. Stan Pistol had gone to the cops “numerous times about the threats and attempted break-ins. All they ever said was the matters were being investigated.”

Her husband was not the only target. “They’ve tried to break into this place before,” Grandalene repeated. “They’ve come in on my staff. I had two young ladies working with me. They left because of the attacks; they were threatened at gunpoint for money. On numerous occasions reports were made and my staff had to leave. Who wants to work here when the place has been targeted so many times?

"Everybody is scared.

That is why my husband and I decided to run the place on our own.”

She said the robbers always wore masks but she cannot say if they did when they killed her husband. “I was not there. I haven’t spoken to anybody who’s seen anything.

So I don’t know if they were masked or unmasked last night.

I run another food court in the market while my husband ran the mini mart here at Cedars.”

She recalled her worst nightmare: “I came home from the food court expecting to meet my husband to close up the store. I heard gunshots while I was still in my vehicle.

I saw a young lady running up the road. I rushed to the store to find my husband lying in a pool of blood—with gunshot wounds all over his body.”

She said her husband’s murder has “left a void in my life and in our children’s lives.”

Her message for his killers: “I hope it fills that void in you.

What you’ve taken from me . . .” She could not complete her statement for her sobbing.

The Pistols had been married for 22 years. Stan Pistol left behind, other than his wife, a 16-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son.

---Dean Nestor

aint Lucia’s renowned eco-luxury boutique resort, Fond Doux Plantation & Resort, was awarded as Saint Lucia’s Luxury Resort of the year 2019 at the Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards.

The award recognizes sustained commitment to excellence in hoteliering and outstanding achievement in the international luxury hospitality industry. The resorts directors, Eroline and Lyton Lamontagne, were extremely honoured to have captured the award.

The 2019 Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards was designed to recognise the companies, brands and individuals who are excelling in the ever-growing industry of luxury hospitality, especially those who 'go beyond' to exemplify experiences clients are seeking when looking for their latest getaway.

The dedicated team of in-house researchers handpicks each participant, ranging from the very best boutique hotels to beautiful beach resorts and experts in tailor-made getaways. This proven approach ensures that awards are given on merit and not popularity.

Executive Director Eroline Lamontagne said, “Fond Doux continues to make its mark globally, not only as an ecofriendly boutique resort but an

eco-luxury plantation resort.

The success of our plantation resort, the international awards that we win, the environmental standards that we set, the guest satisfaction reviews that we receive and the ability to make a difference in Saint Lucia would not be possible without our dedicated and professional Fond Doux team who go above and beyond each day to create authentic Saint Lucian experiences for all guests.”

Lyton Lamontagne added, “Our staff are a huge credit to the resort and it is very important we take the time to recognize them for their worldclass hospitality.”

Over ten of Fond Doux’s team members were recognized this week at the Quarterly Staff Awards for their commitment and outstanding work.

In celebration of the Islands 40th anniversary of Independence, the resort released a new book.

A Modern History of Fond Doux Plantation & Resort brings together many strands of the Saint Lucian legacy as a people, community and nation.

The book features a Hall of Fame which includes Nobel laureates Sir Derek Walcott and Sir Arthur Lewis; entertainers Ronald“Boo”Hinkson and Arthur Allain; sportswoman Levern

Fond Doux Plantation & Resort captured another international award soon after launching a history book to celebrate Saint Lucia's 40th anniversary of Independence.

Spencer and leaders Sir John Compton, Allen Chastanet, Stephenson King and Dr. Kenny Anthony.

The Lamontagnes have affirmed that Fond Doux Plantation & Resort will continue to make powerful strides in expanding and improving its unique product as well as guest experiences. Exciting plans

are in store this year, which include upscale cottages to reflect the eco-luxury aspect of the plantation resort and comprehensive staff training and development. They will be focusing their efforts on climate change and sustainability as well as working closely with their suppliers for the complete ban of plastic bottles.

CIBC FIRSTCARIBBEAN HOSTS THREE DAYS OF EVENTS FOR IWD 2019

T

he three-day programme of activities to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2019 at CIBC FIrstCaribbean International Bank had the aim of connecting with female staff, women from vulnerable communities and students.

On Thursday March 7, 2019, female staff picked from all branches of the bank were celebrated in a novel teambonding Paint & Sip evening of fellowship and fun. The highlight of the evening was the collection of donations for the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre and the Upton Gardens Girls' Centre.

The combined total received was $5,000.

The evening opened with a motivational presentation

by Leadership and Human Resource Development specialist, Dr. Thecla FitzLewis on this year’s theme,

SALCCs Tara Moses (left) understudies Branch Manager Smerna Pompelis-Kangal.

#BalanceForBetter. The event also patronized the business of a young female entrepreneur whose product aligns with this year’s theme—Bel Koul Paint & Sip Entertainment Services, operated by Ms. Maundy Lewis.

The following day, International Women’s Day, saw Miss Tara Moses, a secondyear student from the Business Administration Department of

Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) shadowing Branch Manager Mrs. Smerna Pompelis-Kangal’s duties for the day. Ms. Moses described the experience as “very informative” and added that it introduced her to “a new side of banking and financing which I had no idea about”.

Mrs. Pompelis-Kangal said, “In addition to joining in

the expression of solidarity with women the world over, the bank also embraces the role of raising awareness about International Women’s Day and its significance both internally and within the community. As a rule, team members were encouraged to incorporate the IWD brand colours of purple, green and white into their dress for the day, and to support corporate outreach initiatives through personal contributions.

“Our internal focus is also intended to encourage our team members to see themselves both as empowered women and as champions in their own spheres of influence."

Staff members also made a donation of personal care products to the female section of the Bordelais Correctional Facility on Monday March 11, 2019 to complete their IWD activities.

04 LOCAL

March 16, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

REHANI ISIDORE: ARE COPS SILENT IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS?

By Dean Nestor

T

he European Convention on Human Rights (Article 2) creates a positive duty: “When the state takes away the liberty of an individual and places him or her in custody it assumes responsibility for protecting that person’s human rights, the most fundamental of which is the right to life.”

Tell that to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force. On March 5 it issued a statement confirming that “on February 28, 2019 one individual was taken into police custody” in relation to a bomb threat to George Charles Airport at Vigie.

“On the same evening,” the statement continued, “the suspect was transported to Victoria Hospital having ingested a substance.” Finally, “the suspect is in a critical condition at a medical facility and has not been charged.”

The police statement was confusing, to say the least. By the time of its release there

Most of the media, like the police, have opted to stay silent on the bomb threat suspect.

was hardly anyone in Saint Lucia who did not already know the “suspect” referred to was HTS news reporter Rehani Isidore. And while the police neglected to mention what he “ingested” that had landed him at Victoria Hospital in critical condition, social media

was telling the whole world the reporter had swallowed a powerful cleaning liquid while in police custody. There have been no official updates on Isidore’s condition, no word as to his location. On the one hand the police had stated the patient was at Victoria Hospital,

then that he was “in critical condition at a medical facility.”

Did that mean Isidore was initially taken to the named hospital then removed to another facility?

This reporter sought clarification from the police but all ACP Wayne Charlery

offered was “no comment”.

This despite swirling rumours at home and abroad about why the reporter had to be hospitalized shortly after police took him from his work place for questioning in relation to the airport bomb square.

The police are also silent on the matter of Kimberly De Leon, fatally shot in her home last year. There have been no arrests. Initially her husband was declared “a person of interest” in the case but shortly after the announcement the cops reversed their position. They told reporters that Kimberley’s husband had applied for, and been granted, leave. There was further confusion after the ACP with responsibility told reporters that samples from the De Leon crime scene had been sent to a St. Kitts crime lab for analysis. Later he said a police officer had been assigned to pick up the result. Still later he said local authorities were studying the analysis conducted in St. Kitts.

As if further to muddy the already messy situation, Kimberly’s mother told reporters that the police were giving her “the runaround”.

She said she was told the St. Kitts crime lab had “mailed” the results of their analysis to the Saint Lucia police. Since then, there has been no further word from them.

There has also been no new word on the brutal murder of Bob Hathaway, whose naked and bloody body was discovered in his bed several weeks ago.

The British press featured a whole lot more information on the murder than was available to local reporters.In several instances the foreign journalists claimed they received their sensitive information from police sources in Saint Lucia!

To return to Rehani Isidore, there is much speculation as to who may be in more trouble, the bomb scare suspect or the cops who permitted him to swallow a bellyful of toilet cleaner while in their custody.

SLSM STEEL PAN CONCERT

By Doretta Francois

L

ast Saturday evening’s concert, organised by the Saint Lucia School of Music (SLSM) was a sell-out event. Perhaps it was due to the School’s reputation for delivering professionalism and entertainment; undoubtedly a contributing factor was the attraction of the wonderful sound of a steel pan band as the SLSM presented Interlude at the Beach 3 featuring Andy Narell and Laborie Steel Pan.

Richard Payne, Executive Director of the SLSM, welcomed the packed audience to the St. Lucia Yacht Club and introduced the players. Anybody with an interest in steel pan could tell you that Andy Narell is

one of the best known and most recorded steel pan artists in the world, having made 16 albums as leader and many others as a collaborator. He has toured extensively and is internationally recognized as a world-class performer, composer, arranger and scholar.

In 2017 he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.

Narell came to Saint Lucia almost twenty years ago to play in the Jazz Festival and was asked to play a free concert in Laborie. Friendships and connections were made, Jazz in the South was launched, and Narell ended up falling in love with the village of Laborie and its warm-hearted residents.

The rewarding result is that he has worked with Laborie Steel Pan for the past eight years and, in 2018, helped steer them

Andy Narell (left) and Laborie Steel Pan performing last Saturday at the St. Lucia Yacht Club.

towards winning the national Panorama competition.

Laborie Steel Pan showed the yacht club audience why

the band deserved the title of champions. Ranging in age from 11 to 22 years old, the talented youngsters clearly

adored playing alongside their mentor and friend, Narell, and he was obviously proud of their skills and passion for the music.

Narell took time out to educate the audience about the origins of steel pan, referencing one of his heroes, the late Ellie Mannette (19272018), who had made the pans on which Narell was playing last Saturday. He spoke of the first Panorama in Trinidad in 1963, and how the competition is now held all over the world. He explained that it was the Laborie Steel Pan senior band delighting the audience that night, and that the village also had a junior band for kids aged four to ten years old.

Last Saturday the youngsters were certainly demonstrating the band’s slogan: ‘Youth Empowerment through Music’; that, and creating beautiful music that elicited cheers and resounding applause.

THE STAR

MARCH 16, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

SHOP NOW AND PAY ABSOLUTELY

NOTHING

FOR 30 DAYS

05

06 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

March 16, 2019 THE STAR

Cayman Health City nothing but a Temporary Helping Hand announced that out of several possibilities, Health City Cayman Islands was the only organisation willing to do a joint venture with the government.

“The consultants will be rime Minister Allen Chastanet says that simply working with the board in terms of a new organisational moving staff from Victoria structure for OKEU, and at some Hospital and relocating to the point we’re looking to revive Owen King-European Union the one at St Jude’s,” revealed Hospital would be an injustice Chastanet, who added that both to them and those they serve. “We’ve seen that there’s Health City is going to assist in interviewing staff to pinpoint a gap,” he said this week. “We shortcomings in the hospital’s don’t have an organisational current management. structure to move into. That’s Short-, medium- and longbeen the biggest disagreement; term solutions will be plotted if we move everybody in, really during Health City Cayman what you’re doing is taking an Islands’ tenure. “Maintenance, old process and putting it in a new building.” Instead there will radiology . . . there are a lot of be a consultancy process during critical areas that we are very weak on,” said Chastanet. “This which Health City Cayman is a hospital that will continue Islands will assist the Victoria Hospital board of directors with to be run by the board, by Saint the transition period to the new Lucians, and all they’re doing is supporting us in that regard.” building.

The prime minister

Last August Chastanet Claudia Eleibox

P

anticipates a maximum twoyear process. The consultants will be contracted for a year, after which the agreement may be renewed for another year.

He said, “The idea is to work with Cayman Health City to identify people to go into these positions on a longer-term basis until Saint Lucians can replace them.”

He went on: “As minister of finance, I have to be satisfied we’re getting full value for our dollar.” However, at press time he was not able to divulge the final consultancy cost. He said, “The number has gone from between $54 million and $70 million. There were studies that have said the OKEU would increase the cost by $70million.

Victoria is $35million.”

Other plans for the health sector under the Allen Chastanet administration include completing the St Jude Hospital and a national health insurance

Available land for purchase Location

Vanard, Anse La-Raye Morne d’Or Anse La-Raye Bexon, Castries Piat, Grande Riviere Gros Islet Cas En Bas, Gros Islet

Lot Size (sq.ft.) Lot Price ($sq.ft.)

13,340

$10.00

20,608 7,590

$10.00 $12.00

14,423 8,002

$13.00 $45.00

Contact:

485-7506/456-7533/456-7530/485-7503

The prime minister is determined not to transfer Victoria Hospital’s present organisational structure to OKEU.

programme. As mentioned in the 2018-2019 Budget address, Chastanet says plans for St Jude Hospital are on schedule.

“Everything’s coming along just great. The designs have been completed. The funding for the project has been acquired, work has begun and we hope in the quickest time possible we can produce a new hospital for the

south.”

Concerning health insurance he said: “Certainly, when we’re going to introduce a health insurance system, we have to make sure that that’s not being abused.

We’re working with NIC to be able, by January 2020, to have at least a basic healthcare insurance that will cover

primary health and secondary health.”

Currently the government classifies St Jude and OKEU hospitals as secondary health institutions. The prime minister still maintains the view that Saint Lucia will not be able to sustain a tertiary level institution without medical tourism.

UWI Open Campus Hosts 3rd annual Patricia Ismond Literary Workshop

T

he UWI Open Campus Saint Lucia brought the curtains down on Nobel Laureate Festival celebrations by hosting the 3rd annual Patricia Ismond Literary Workshop on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The event took the form of an intensive examination preparation workshop for all students across the island currently preparing for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), Literatures in English.

The workshop is dedicated to the memory of Saint Lucian literary icon and long-serving UWI Professor of Literature, Dr

Patricia Ismond, in whose name a posthumous scholarship for Saint Lucian students studying Literature at The UWI has also been established. To date, three students have been the recipients of the scholarship generously provided by her sister Ms Hester Ismond. Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, as well as Ms Hester Ismond addressed the students prior to the start of the event.

Facilitating the workshop was Saint Lucian-born Dr Antonia MacDonald, former SALCC lecturer and current Professor of English Literature

and Associate Dean in the School of Arts and Sciences, St. Georges University.

Committed to empowering through education, Dr MacDonald has been active in the development of academic programmes that offer quality instruction and respond to local, regional, and international educational needs. She is currently working on the development of postgraduate programmes that, through interdisciplinary initiatives with other regional and international universities, will increase educational opportunities in the Eastern Caribbean. She has also written extensively on the literatures of Caribbean women.

THE STAR

MARCH 16, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

07

08 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

march 16, 2019 THE STAR

SLTU General Meeting A Private Affair!

Dean Nestor

M

onday, March 11, 2019 was the date of one of the most anticipated St. Lucia Teachers’ Union meetings in recent memory. By last week, all the talk of corporal punishment suspension and the “lack of consultation by the education department” had reached a crescendo. The excitement clearly bubbled over into this week, as teachers from all over the island marched up Barnard Hill to their meeting place, the National Cultural Centre.

SLTU President Julian Monrose stood at the podium, white shirt falling above black trousers, his inscrutable executive seated onstage behind him. Anticipation was on every face before him and Monrose was programmed not to disappoint. “Colleagues,” he

said, in his typically throaty tone, “there has been a lot of speculation. When we called this meeting, they said we’re meeting to discuss corporal punishment. You think that’s why we are here?”

The response from the crowd was a booming “Noooo!”

“We are not here to talk about corporal punishment,” their leader reassured them. “It was over six years ago we got a salary increase!” More shouts, more punching the air, more hysteria. “We are here today to say we want the suffering over!” The message was clear: the meeting was about wages!

Nevertheless, for the next fifteen minutes or so, the SLTU president talked about corporal punishment. The Union had no problem with the decision to suspend corporal punishment in the nation’s schools. What concerned them was the way the suspension was handled by the Chastanet

NEBOSH International General

Safety Certificate May 27 -­June 1, 2019

This safety certificate accepted internationally.

Start a new career or enhance your professional status.

NEBOSH is a UK accredited provider of Safety and Health Training Programme includes eLearning, classroom workshops, & UK exam Venue: Bay Gardens Resort Reduit Beach, Rodney Bay Village Gros Islet, St Lucia Register at www.osheconsultants.com Call or WhatsApp – 1.917.324.0746 Email: admin@osheconsultants.com

administration. “The Ministry of Education was disrespectful.

It is the modus operandi of the Ministry of Education to do anything, anytime, anywhere, anyhow, without consulting the practitioners, the real practitioners of education!”

At the end of his delivery, as he opened the floor to the general membership, Monrose offered this reminder: “The St. Lucia Teachers’ Union is not a partisan political organisation.

We don’t exist to further the cause of any political party and so therefore I will plead with all political operatives to go either on the market steps or on the William Peter Boulevard, or elsewhere, to make your partisan political points. We are in a situation with our employer, which just so happens to be the government, not a party. Let us deal with the issues. With that understanding, the floor is open.”

He then turned to attendant media representatives: “At this point I wish to thank the media for being here in such large numbers. You’ve been our friends, but there are times people must get into their own private bedroom to discuss their own business. I will ask that you cease recording and allow our teachers their privacy. I am declaring as chairman of this meeting that this section of the meeting is private and therefore all recording is disallowed.”

For once I chose to live dangerously. While my colleagues filed out of the auditorium, I stayed in my corner trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Which was how I discovered the reason for the president’s little speech about political operatives in disguise. The first contribution from the floor addressed the corporal punishment issue. She was followed at the mic by a male teacher who said: “Before we move forward with this negotiation, I have an issue with the last one that I need the executive to address. At that earlier meeting Mr. Monrose hinted that we, the teachers, took a wage freeze. As far as I remember, we never met in this forum to discuss this issue . . .”

The interrupters countered: “No, they met with us!”

The Trade Union

Jam packed! Many teachers could not remember important details of the 2013 wage negotiations.

Federation’s (TUF) now infamous 2013-2016 wage negotiations, referred to by the interrupted teacher as “the last one”, occurred when the Kenny Anthony administration was still in office. In a 2013 statement, the TUF’s President Julian Monrose, had relayed this message to his fellow Saint Lucians: “We are convinced that the government can reach a 6% salary increase for public servants without carrying out its threat to cut programmes which benefit the poor and the youth . . . The situation will not be resolved by the government arrogantly telling workers that it is 4% or nothing or by the workers insisting that it is their demands or nothing.”

Just a year later, Monrose would describe the TUF’s acceptance of a wage freeze as a “sacrifice” to benefit the nation during those tough economic times. As he put it: “The Federation conveyed to government its understanding of the current economic situation facing the country and was ready to assist by making certain sacrifices towards alleviation of the situation.”

The SLTU is a part of the TUF and so that decision was made for the teachers—without consultation. Back in 2014, this reporter, then a teacher, was present in the staffroom of the Babonneau Secondary School talking with colleagues about that very controversy. They

angrily called out Monrose and his executive for unilaterally agreeing to terms offered by the SLP administration. Teachers island-wide shared that sentiment.

At this week’s meeting, however, it seemed the more vocal were in the grip of amnesia. “Let me say that again,” said the man at the mic.

“As I remember, regarding the wage freeze, we never met in this forum to discuss the issue.

The executive took a decision on our behalf.”

He had a question: “I would like to know if this is the norm. Is it proper not to have consultation?” Addressing those at the head table he demanded “a response from the executive on this matter; whether this is a trend or whether we can expect it to continue, or whether this was an error and you are ready to apologise for what transpired”. At the end of his contribution the applause was muted. But he had made his point.

Monrose took over the mic. To the obvious surprise of the majority of his audience, he said, referencing the earlier speaker: “You are correct.” With those three words, the SLTU president confirmed not only my own recollection of events, and that of the teacher who had bravely chosen to swim against the tide, but Monrose also rendered hypocritical the grumbling dissenters who had

sought to drown out the voice of truth.

Monrose admitted, “There was not a meeting in 2013; there was not a mass meeting to discuss the matter of negotiations. The executive met at the time and felt it didn’t make a lot of sense to call teachers to a mass meeting just to tell them they were not going to get an increase.”

Monrose had clearly been knocked off his stride by the teacher’s question. The confident and brash speaker who had opened the meeting had been abruptly replaced by a deflated, stuttering, unsure figure at a loss how to deal with a tough question. Meanwhile, I was wondering: Is this the kind of exchange that the SLTU president wished to keep private? As to whether the teacher ever got a response to his question—that the 20132016 executive decision would become the norm—I cannot say for certain. Not long after Monrose had spoken on the side of truth, his grim-faced first vice president reminded me that media personnel were not welcome during the section of the meeting in progress. It seems the SLTU considers the media to be friends only when we report what the organisation wants us to report. In other words, we’re friends only when we serve the SLTU’s purposes.

Alas, that’s public relations, not journalism!

THE STAR

MARCH 16, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

09

10 LOCAL

march 16, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

To Save LIAT, Governments Must Reduce Taxes!

F

ifty-plus years ago, when I first travelled by air to Barbados, the return fare on LIAT from Saint Lucia was less than $50. Twenty years ago, a return trip from Saint Lucia to Barbados cost around $350, most of which went to LIAT. Today, the return fare is $817.48 and this can climb to as high as $1,000.00 depending on the time of your departure. Ticket prices escalated when governments began adding taxes, thinking that only those who are rich travel by air. The government tax on today’s ticket is $317.48. LIAT receives only $410.00 of the $817.48, which includes a service charge. The government tax of $317.48 is shared between Saint Lucia and Barbados.

Ten years ago, a return trip from Saint Lucia to Guyana via Barbados cost less than $600. Today, it is more than $2,000. After

paying government taxes for Saint Lucia and Barbados, the traveller to Guyana pays an additional transit tax, if they fly via Barbados.

Please note that separate fuel charges are included in the price of all air tickets.

About eight years ago the former prime minister of Saint Lucia was forced (persuaded?) to pump money into LIAT. To his credit, Dr. Anthony did not purchase shares in an enterprise he knew was bleeding money. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet afterwards agreed with Dr. Anthony and went further by insisting that LIAT be reorganised as a business, with CARICOM countries purchasing shares in the company. That has not happened. Why? Because there is a selfish fly in the ointment, and the leaders know that.

If LIAT is properly reorganised (restructured?) with efficiency and profits in mind,

100% FLEXIBLE 100% ONLINE 100% RELEVANT

chances are that the airline will be centred elsewhere and earn more money from greater efficiency serving the greatest number of Caribbean citizens and visitors to the region.

Those who wish for cheaper fares on LIAT must campaign for a reduction in government taxes by at least 50% on LIAT tickets, as a start. This is bound to result in greater air travel within the region. It is anticipated that the greater numbers of frequent travellers will spend more than the reduced air fare in each island. Governments are bound to recover larger returns from regional expenditures in hotels, guest houses, restaurants, taxis and visits to places of interest than the air travel tax foregone.

These prime ministers should have the gonads to try something new with LIAT. Repeating over and over again that which does not work, will not cut it. If the leaders and

shareholders can agree to experiment with reducing the taxes on LIAT air fares by at least half, to begin with, it would be the best thing that these sons and daughters of former slaves would have done for the people of the Caribbean since the region’s emancipation from slavery.

I suggest that Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, who has worked with other airlines and in the tourism industry before politics, canvass his regional colleagues and call an emergency meeting of heads to keep LIAT flying, by first reducing government taxes, and then by agreeing to purchase shares in a revamped LIAT with headquarters further down the islands than Antigua.

----Peter Josie, former Minister of Government.

11th March, 2019 Commonwealth Day Message from Her Majesty The Queen

C

ommonwealth Day has a special significance this year as we mark the 70th anniversary of the London Declaration, when nations of the Commonwealth agreed to move forward together as free and equal members. The vision and sense of connection that inspired the signatories has stood the test of time, and the Commonwealth continues to grow, adapting to address contemporary needs.

Today, many millions of people around the world are drawn together because of the collective values shared by the Commonwealth. In April last year, I welcomed the leaders of our 53 nations to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, and we all witnessed how the Commonwealth vision offers hope, and inspires us to find

ways of protecting our planet, and our people.

We are able to look to the future with greater confidence and optimism as a result of the links that we share, and thanks to the networks of cooperation and mutual support to which we contribute, and on which we draw.

With enduring commitment through times of great change, successive generations have demonstrated that whilst the goodwill for which the Commonwealth is renowned may be intangible, its impact is very real.

We experience this as people of all backgrounds continue to find new ways of expressing through action the value of belonging in a connected Commonwealth. I hope and trust that many more will commit to doing so this Commonwealth Day.”

Edinburgh Napier University Online Programmes are endorsed by the St Lucia Department of Education

APPLY NOW FOR MAY 2019 INTAKE

MBA/MBM Exceptional value — earn an accredited UK MBA or MSc

Business Management (MBM) for under US$10,000 • Can be completed in 18 months • Option to earn both an MBA and MBM in 24 months

Specialisations: No. 1 in the UK for Value-added (The Guardian, 2017) Top 10 UK University (Graduate Employability)

Banking, Criminal Justice , Entrepreneurship, Events, Finance, Health Management, Hospitality & Tourism, HRM, Info. Systems, Leadership & Innovation, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Marketing & Sales, Project Management

INFORMATION SESSION

Date Time Venue

Contact

: Tuesday, 2nd April : 6.30pm-8pm : 5th Floor, Finance Administrative Centre, Point Seraphine, Castries : info@SEIdegrees.com for reservation

Free Apple iPad Mini 4 (Conditions apply)

MSc HRM (SHRM Recognised) MSc Data Science MSc Construction Project Management (RICS and ICE accredited) MSc Transport Planning and Engineering PG Cert. Learning and Teaching PG Cert. in Career Development

BA Business Management (Top-up) Final Year Entry to holders of Associate Degree and/or Diploma Specialisms: Finance, Hospitality, HRM and Marketing BA Business & Enterprise (Top-up) BA Marketing Management (Top-up) BSc Nursing Studies (Top-up)* *for Registered Nurses

www.seidegrees.com

Regional Office: 27499 Riverview Center Blvd., Suite 223, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134, USA • Tel +1 239 444 4399 • Fax +1 239 444 4398 • info@SEIdegrees.com

THE STAR

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

march 16, 2019

11

A Fat Lot of Good!

By Tony Deyal

T

here are at least two sides to every story, even those about God. One is presented as a statement of fact: The difference between God and a doctor is that God doesn’t walk around behaving like a doctor. The other comes from a story about a man who died and went to Heaven. When he arrived, St Peter smiled and said, “Welcome to Heaven, my son, for all the good deeds you did on earth. One thing you must understand—here everyone is equal.” The man was then given a tour of Heaven and found that it was indeed true. Regardless of who you were on earth, Pope or peasant, all are treated alike. Then he felt hungry. With St Peter, he joined the cafeteria line for his serving of fruits from the tree of life.

While waiting patiently for his turn, a man with a black bag in one hand and a stethoscope round his neck rushed to the front of the line and was served his food ahead of the rest. The newcomer got quite upset. He shouted to St Peter, “Didn’t you say everyone here is equal?

Then why was this guy allowed to jump the line?” St Peter replied with a smile, “Oh him?

That’s God. He just thinks he’s a doctor.”

A recent fat-shaming incident in Trinidad best illustrates the doctor dichotomy.

According to news reports, Candice Santana, on Ash Wednesday had gone on social media “documenting her experiences with fat shaming and discrimination as a masquerader”. Ms. Santana stressed that she had to remind herself that she was a beautiful person inside and out, that she loved the way she looked in her costume, and expressed her appreciation for her positive self-esteem. Former Health Minister, Dr Fuad Khan, a urologist, referred to Ms. Santana as “a tub” and urged her to lose weight.

Fat-shaming is a serious global problem. A 2012 study by the University of Washington, which surveyed over 2,000 medical practitioners, revealed that doctors have similar levels of anti-fat bias as the general public which, in most Western cultures, is conditioned to condemn overweight individuals. Healthline quotes

psychologist Dr. Lila Graue: “By body-shaming, doctors further risk harming patients’ sense of self-efficacy, which then adversely affects all health-related behaviours, well-being and quality of life.”

Dr. Graue pointed out that when people living in larger bodies have traumatic healthcare experiences, they sometimes avoid seeking healthcare and develop otherwise preventable complications which all amount to inequity and injustice in the delivery of care to larger people.

It is like the man who complained that his doctor said he was fat. When the man asked for a second opinion, he was told: “OK, you’re ugly too.”

But this preoccupation with weight led me to a Trinidad medical professor who tried to pressure me to get an intestinal bypass costing more than $100,000.

A University of London study of some 3,000 British adults found that “weight discrimination does not encourage weight loss . . . it may even exacerbate weight gain. Stress responses to discrimination can increase appetite, particularly for unhealthy, energy-dense food.”

Fat-shaming by doctors also jeopardizes the mental health of patients and, according to Joan Chrisler, a Psychology Professor at Connecticut College: “Studies show that the most common source of fat-shaming is the family, followed by doctors.

I find that kind of upsetting, because these are the people who should have your best interests at heart, and instead they’re making you feel the worst. Doctors need to be aware of this tendency for bias and should be making efforts to stop such behaviours in their offices.”

Clearly, being called a tub by a doctor, not even in the privacy of his office but publicly in the newspapers and on social media, can do tremendous damage to anyone’s psyche or self-esteem. From a urologist, it would have the impact of coming down from a great height indeed.

On the other hand, despite the many horror stories globally, doctors resort to fact-shaming those who accuse them of fat-shaming. The abstract of a study, “Obesity in the Caribbean:

Visiting the doctor should be the norm, even for overweight people but why would they go if they’re being fat-shamed?

S

A Case for Public Policies,”

by Fitzroy Henry of Jamaica’s University of Technology states: “The silent escalating epidemic of obesity is the underlying cause of most deaths in the Caribbean. If action is not taken to curb our increasingly overweight populations, the resultant burden of chronic diseases will overwhelm our health systems and ultimately retard our overall health and economic development.” Two years ago, research showed that close to 360 million people— around 58 per cent of the Latin America and Caribbean region— are overweight. The highest rates in the Englishspeaking Caribbean countries are Barbados (36%) and Trinidad & Tobago and Antigua & Barbuda (31%).

Dr. Khan is unrepentant.

He said: “This is tough love in its strongest form.” He added that when one practises tough love, one has to be harsh, strict

and firm. As for the case of Ms. Santana: “Maybe the harshness was hard but it brought the point across.” Most people, including Khan’s colleagues, medical and political, believe that it is not the point he made but how he made it. And as the research clearly shows, he may have done much more harm than good to that person and others like her. He reminds me of the doctor who told his patient, “I’m afraid I have some bad news. You’re dying and you don’t have much time.” The stunned man could only mumble, “How long have I got?”

“Ten,” the doctor replied.

“Ten what?” asked the patient. “Months, weeks, what?”

The doctor responded quickly: “Ten, nine, eight, seven . . .”

Tony Deyal was last heard quoting a man who complained: “When I told the doctor about my loss of memory, he made me pay in advance.”

Serenity at Coconut Bay honoured with 2018 British Airways Customer Excellence Award

erenity at Coconut Bay, Saint Lucia’s newest award-winning, adultsonly luxury all-inclusive, has received a British Airways Customer Excellence Award for 2018. This award comes from unbiased customer reviews and is designed to showcase the hotels making their guests the happiest, with Serenity at Coconut Bay receiving an impressive overall score of 9.0 out of a possible 10.

“Serenity at Coconut Bay has been recognised by British Airways Holidays customers for providing a high-quality customer experience. We are delighted to inform you that you are one of our highest-rated hotels for 2018,” said Claire Bentley, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays.

As part of its commitment to providing high-quality holidays, British Airways uses customer feedback to find its top-rated hotels. British Airways Holidays, one of the UK’s leading tour operators, works with Reevoo, an independent and impartial third-party company, to collect reviews

Serenity’s award-winning pool is one out many features that the luxury resort offers to visitors.

from genuine British Airways Holidays customers who are asked to score hotels based on location, service, cleanliness and sleep quality.

“We are honoured to receive this distinction from British Airways Holidays and thank all of our guests who made this award possible by taking the time to share their insights,” said Mark Adams,

CEO of Serenity at Coconut Bay. “Our dedicated staff strive to exceed our personalized service standards and our guests’ expectations in every aspect of the Serenity experience. This recognition is a testament to their hard work and consistent delivery of exceptional service.”

Serenity at Coconut Bay’s personalized experiences include intuitive butler service,

in-suite dining, and expansive suites featuring private plunge pools designed to surround guests with the feel of natural Saint Lucia. For guests ready to explore the sun and sand, Serenity creates the ultimate sunbathing indulgence with signature private cabanas and pampering services at its awardwinning pool and mile-long beach.

12 LOCAL

march 16, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Cannabis to be decriminalized!

Joshua St. Aimee

T

he government of Saint Lucia may soon join fellow Caribbean Community (CARICIOM) members Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica that have decriminalized cannabis. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet made the disclosure during an exclusive sit-down with the STAR this week.

Although possession of the substance is illegal here, there has been a major decline in related charges over the years.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Office, in 2007 there were 415 “crimes detected” concerning the unlawful possession of cannabis. Crimes detected refers to matters that are investigated, individuals arrested and charged, or given a warning. In 2008 that number declined to 326. From 20132017 there were 217, 101, 82, 107 and 132, respectively.

Will these violations soon be a thing of the past?

“We had some very good meetings before Christmas,” said the prime minister, “and we’ve agreed that we’ll be

going through a process of decriminalization.”

The next step, he said, will be to tap into existing commercial opportunities.

Concerning cultivating for medicinal purposes, he said his government has been struggling to ascertain what laws and guidelines Canada will abide by, regarding importation of hemp oil into that country, and is hopeful that companies that have expressed interest in coming to Saint Lucia will assist in that regard.

“It’s still very unclear how big that market is going to be, and whether its going to be a completely legal market; what’s going to be the rules regulating the cross-border exportation of hemp. So we’re speaking to several companies in hopes that we can make that happen,” Chastanet said.

Last week the chairman of the local cannabis movement Mr. Andre DeCaires expressed disappointment with the length of time it’s taken Saint Lucia to start a cannabis industry.

He claimed the tardiness had resulted in a potential investor deciding to move to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has been estimated that St. Vincent’s

T

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet: This week he announced that government has decided to decriminalize cannabis. Will it become a reality?

medical cannabis industry will generate EC$5 million in 2019.

Chastanet said that it was more important to get things right than to speed into trouble.

“It’s not necessarily true when people say we’re missing out on opportunities. Small island that we are, we have to keep in mind that whatever we produce from hemp, there are more developed countries that can produce it in bigger quantities.”

He acknowledged that while

it may be true the industry is growing, still it must be handled very carefully.

Chastanet says the government must ensure that support mechanisms are in place, in terms of determining consumption rights, setting standards and so on. “That’s not to give an excuse,” he said. “We are moving forward with this, but we obviously understand there are still many questions to be answered.”

Financial Action Task Force Recommendation:

Financial Institution Secrecy Laws

By The Attorney General’s Chambers and the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC)

F

inancial Institutions (FIs) recur frequently throughout the FATF’s Forty Recommendations.

This is evidence of the importance attributed to them. Recommendation 9 examines Financial Institution Secrecy Laws.

This Recommendation requires countries to ensure that the secrecy laws of FIs do not inhibit the implementation of the FATF Recommendations.

Recommendation 20

requires FIs, if they suspect funds to be the proceeds of criminal activities or are related to terrorist financing, to report such to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Also Recommendation 21 calls for protection under the law for directors, officers and employees of FIs who may breach their contract by reporting suspicious activities to the FIU.

Saint Lucia, in its fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, recognizes that FIs have to maintain confidentiality. However, when there are suspicious activities, those who report them should be protected under the law. The Money Laundering (Prevention)

Act of Saint Lucia offers this protection. Section 37 of the Act reads: “Proceedings for breach of banking or professional confidentiality may not be instituted against any person or against directors or employees of a financial institution or person engaged in other business activity who, in good faith, submit reports on suspicious activities to the Authority in accordance with this Act. 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”.

Saint Lucia’s legislation therefore ensures that the spirit of Recommendation 9 is preserved.

This recommendation will be one of the forty assessed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) team of assessors when they make their onsite visit to Saint Lucia from September 16 to 27, 2019.

The country will have to prove that it is in compliance with this recommendation.

Information on this and the other recommendations can be obtained from the CFATF’s website at https://www.cfatf-gafic.org

Gua Organisat

he Ceremony officiating Guadeloupe as an Associate Member of the Organisation took place in Basse Terre, Guadeloupe on Thursday March 14, at 5 p.m. at the University des Antilles.

OECS Chairman and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. The Hon Ralph Gonsalves said the accession of the French Territory was a momentous occasion in the life of the OECS and in furtherance of the deepening and broadening of the regional integration of small Eastern Caribbean islands.

“Our geographical propinquity, shared history of European colonialism, and the reality of our Caribbeanness— the essence of our Caribbean civilization—all predispose us to a closer union in the interest of our people’s humanisation,” said Prime Minister Gonsalves.

“The enlargement of

T

the OECS, with the accession of Guadeloupe to associate membership, opens up tremendous possibilities not merely to survive but to thrive more markedly across the arenas of economy, society, culture and polity.

While centuries of European colonial rivalries in the Caribbean have contributed to the fracturing of our countries in differing linguistic groups and a contrived island separateness, it is these contradictions and separations which are the very seeds which predispose our territories to a greater and more perfect union," said Prime Minister Gonsalves.

The Chairman, in extending a warm embrace to Guadeloupe as an Associate Member, noted the accession of the French Territory added tremendously to not only the land and sea space but to the economic potential of the regional grouping. In his concluding remarks.

Chairman Gonsalves said: “Our shared contemporary reality, the memory of the pains and joys of our historic journeys, and the imagination to

Sandals found out for coral

he Sandals Foundation launched its coral restoration project in Saint Lucia in 2017, and established coral nurseries in the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA). The project’s aim is to create a restoration programme that creates livelihood opportunities, and increases the resilience of inshore coral reefs around the island.

This week, the “Coral Nursery Dive” was launched at the Sandals Dive Center, Auberge Seraphine, in collaboration with Clear Caribbean, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Department of Fisheries and the German International Development Agency (GIZ).

Bianca Young, environmental officer of the Sandals Foundation, says the project is about building and creating a healthy reef that fish can thrive in, which in the end would support not just the tourism industry, but the fisheries industry as well.

A recent dive was undertaken in Sou made in the pro

“So the project started in 2017 which involved primarily the creation of a coral nursery, and that coral nursery has up to 2,000 fragments that are ready to be out-planted,” said Young. “This dive is the second phase to get it out-planted, but it

THE STAR

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

march 16, 2019

13

uadeloupe formally joins the sation of Eastern Caribbean States

Chairman of the OECS and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves (left) and the President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe Ary Chalus.

capture a spirit devoid of learned helplessness were now grounded in a confidence that better years lay ahead for the regional grouping together."

President of the Regional Council

of Guadeloupe Mr. Ary Chalus welcomed the distinguished Heads of Government and the OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules. President

Chalus said on behalf of all Guadeloupeans, the accession was a historic moment in the life of the Territory.

“Our Caribbean region is a remarkable space, a cultural and natural wealth often praised, even envied, yet still underestimated, with an immense potential before it.

“Our shared history, geography, physical and human ties are self-evident in institutionalizing corporation with our neighbours for the promise of a better future for our youth and the development of our people. Co-operation, as we understand it today, between the islands of the Caribbean goes back to the post-war period, even before the independence of the English-speaking territories," said President Chalus.

President Chalus added that the expression of the new levels of collaboration that

Guadeloupe as an Associate Member of the OECS could look forward to, included functional cooperation such as the INTERREG III programme which was delivering solid development outcomes for the Eastern Caribbean. “The programme contributes to the integration of the Caribbean space and responds to the aspiration of our populations, and our accession will seek to deepen this cooperation and outcomes.”

President Chalus added, “With you, Territories and States of the Caribbean, we share a unity of destiny; island economies, territories vulnerable to climate change and facing the same challenges in terms of energy supply.

“Guadeloupe is determined to contribute to the vision, shared by all of you here, in which the promotion of the green and blue economy is

put forward to make the space of the Lesser Antilles, the world reference in sustainable territories.

"The triple Caribbean, French and European membership must be approached pragmatically because, like Martinique and Saint Martin, it offers Guadeloupe real opportunities for its development while nourishing the contribution it intends to make within the OECS. Regional cooperation is not an accessory; we think it inseparable from political action and it's even more natural that we share more than a geographical proximity.

“Shared education, training, health and realisation of our natural heritage and biodiversity strengthens our Territories' capacities to respond to environmental challenges, improving public services and the resilience of

populations to major natural hazards.

“Between the literary greats of Derek Walcott and Edouard Glissant, there is a unity of vision between our people and a shared culture that is our point of convergence connecting the genius of each of our territories and without which we would be mere dust in the wind.

"Our people are united by nature; mutual aid has always been at the heart of our societies and it is in this sense that we must think and act.

"Guadeloupe shares a strong community of interest with OECS Member States and we enthusiastically embrace our membership to the Organisation."

"Divided we crumble, United we stand" concluded President Chalus.

---OECS

PM steadfast: No shares in LIAT for Saint Lucia!

ndation comes al restoration A

ken in Soufriere to monitor progress e in the project.

also involves a rigorous training programme for community members to be able to become diving certified, as well as to become coral gardeners.”

Head of the environmental health and sustainable department of

CARPHA, Lyndon Robertson, said that the organisation has partnered with GIZ to sponsor the project. He said that as a regional intergovernmental agency, they are tasked by member states to provide support with regards to environmental management.

He said the project is in keeping with their initiatives in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, disaster-risk management, and building sustainable livelihoods.

“The critical aspect of this project is that the public-private partnership would secure and allow for sustainability beyond the funding tenure of the project,” said Robertson. “In our Caribbean region we do suffer from what is called a breakdown after the funding cycle of projects has stopped.

So we have decided that the best way to invest, is to have a sustainability element built into the project.”

ntigua, Barbados, Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are the major shareholders of regional airline LIAT. With the Antigua-based company experiencing financial challenges, a call has been made to other Caribbean nations to become shareholders, and provide emergency funding.

At press time, no government had announced an intention to purchase shares, but some have announced plans to provide support.

On March 5 the Grenada government announced its intention to make a cash contribution to the airline by the end of March. The island’s minister with responsibility for CARICOM affairs, Mr. Oliver Joseph, declared the exact amount will be based on information submitted to the government by LIAT’s board. The government also stated that in addition to the cash payment, it is willing to pay extra funds based on a load factor. If a flight between Trinidad and Grenada is unprofitable, government will pay to ensure LIAT breaks even on the route.

This week, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis announced

Regional airline LIAT continues to face turbulent times.

it had established an advisory committee to “thoroughly consider a number of proposals put forward by regional airline and to advise it on the possible way forward”.

The announcement came following a presentation by LIAT officials to the cabinet of ministers on Monday. But Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said that although he knows LIAT is facing difficult times, and has been for a long time, Saint Lucia’s position remains clear.

“We’ve not considered purchasing any shares,” Chastanet told the STAR this week. “If Saint Lucia’s going to buy shares, it's going to be buying shares into an entity

that we know is free to make whatever commercial decisions must be made.”

He added: “I don’t mind being a shareholder, going to my annual shareholder meeting, and if in fact the management is not doing a good job then you fire the management. I don’t believe governments themselves should be involved in the day-to-day operations of the airline.” He says that since this is what appears to be in practice, his government is not at this time interested in purchasing shares in LIAT.

Chastanet referenced a Caribbean Development Bank study last year that

outlined three options for LIAT: shutdown the entity; privatize it, or restructure. He remains sceptical of the restructuring route because it has been attempted many times. He says that unless there is going to be fundamental change, it won’t produce different results.

The prime minister believes that the time has come for competition to enter the market. “I think LIAT has been given a free rein in this region for a long enough time, so we can dismiss the idea that its losses are blameable solely on competition. I think it’s time to reintroduce competition into the market.”

---Joshua St. Aimee

14 LOCAL

march 16, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Fisheries Sector Receives Japanese Aid

S

aint Lucia’s Fisheries Sector has received some much-needed aid for the procurement of essential equipment. On Wednesday March 13, 2019 the official Exchange of Notes was held between the Government of Japan and the Government of Saint Lucia for an amount of JPY 200,000,000 or US$ 1.8 million, to be specifically targeted towards the Fisheries Sector.

Deputy Head of the Mission for Japan, H.E. Mr. Yoshinori Yakabe and Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet officially signed the agreement under the Economic and Social Development Programme.

Also present at the signing was Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives, Honourable Ezechiel Joseph and other government officials.

“This grant is presented in order to help enhance Saint Lucia’s fisheries sector,” stated Mr. Yakabe, adding that this is expected to improve the operations of the sector and create a more hygienic environment which is essential for the fishing industry. “This will also assist the Government of Saint Lucia in achieving its policy objectives in food security and nutrition.”

Prime Minister Chastanet

thanked the Government of Japan on behalf of the Government and People of Saint Lucia for “their incredible support to Saint Lucia over the last 40 years in the areas of fisheries, disaster risk reduction and education”.

“It is our government’s intention to focus on improving the ability and the capacity of the fishermen, and to help them identify new methods in order to Prime Minister Allen Chastanet (right) and Deputy Head of the Mission for Japan, Yoshinori Yakabe, at the official catch more fish and to get more Exchange of Notes.

EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (EQuIP) CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR ASSESSMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT OF THE SALCC

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST The Government of Saint Lucia (GOSL) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the Education Quality Improvement Project and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued. Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of GOSL and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than GOSL shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations, the Executing Agency, now wishes to procure consultancy services for the Assessment of Institutional Capacity and Condition Assessment of Infrastructure and Equipment of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC).

The objective of the consultancy is to: (A) Perform an assessment of the institutional capacity Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to offer and to deliver programmes and courses of relevance to market needs and the priorities of the public sector, and (B) Concurrently assist the SALCC with its decision-making for capital planning and budgeting for the expansion and upgrade to state-of-the-art, accessible, socially inclusive, climate and disaster resilient and energy efficient infrastructure.

The Department of Education now invites interested eligible consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of these consultancy services.

Eligible countries are member countries of CDB The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of CDB’s Guidelines for the Selection and Engagement of Consultants (2011), setting forth CDB’s policy on conflict of interest.

In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to technical competence, qualifications and experience, local and regional experience on similar assignments, financial capability and existing commitments.

All information must be submitted in English. Further information may be obtained from the first address below between 09.00 and 16:00 hours Monday to Friday.

Three hard copies of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the first address below no later than 16:00 hours on Monday March 15, 2019, and one hard copy must be sent simultaneously to CDB at the second address below.

The sealed envelope containing each submission should include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Assessment of Institutional Capacity and Condition Assessment of Infrastructure and Equipment of the SALCC”.

Following the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three and not more than six applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical and financial proposals to undertake the assignment. GOSL reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not short-listing any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.

Address 1

Consultants shall be eligible to participate if: (a) in the case of a body corporate, it is legally incorporated or otherwise organised in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50 per cent beneficially owned by citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of eligible country(ies) or by a body(ies) corporate meeting these requirements; (b) in the case of unincorporated firms, the persons are citizens or bona fide residents of an eligible country; and (c) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country.

Project Coordinator (EQuIP) EQuIP Project Coordinating Unit Department of Education, Innovation & Gender Relations 3rd Floor, Francis Compton Building, Waterfront, Castries SAINT LUCIA Telephone: (+1 758) 468 5251/5257 Address 2 Procurement Officer Caribbean Development Bank P.O.Box 408 Wildey, St. Michael BARBADOS EMAIL: procurement @caribank.org

value for their fish,” stated the prime minister, who added that the aim is to secure a larger market share for local fishermen.

“This is a very timely intervention and on behalf of the fishermen of Saint Lucia we want thank you for this assistance,” he noted.

Among the supplies for the local fisheries sector will be platform and countertop digital scales, coolers for fish storage on ice for landing sites, a Biogas digester and energy convertor, a Longliner vessel—40ft with sleeping quarters; tuna hooks, desktop computers and printers, tablets for real time data collection, GPS devices, VHF radios, a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for fishing vessels and main frame with software.

Republic Bank Team on Regional Tour

G

iven its intent to acquire the assets of Scotiabank in several territories across the region, members of Republic Bank’s executive team have just concluded a series of town hall meetings with the staff of Scotiabank in impacted markets.

Group President Nigel Baptiste said Republic Bank takes the existing and potential concerns of all individuals very seriously. “These town hall meetings were not meant to pre-empt the regulatory approval process but were intended to share some valuable insight on the Republic Group with the Scotia staff so that they could get to know us better,” said Baptiste.

“As an institution, we believe in full engagement of staff and, given their importance to the continued success of the operations in the various countries, it was important that the staff also be assured of the continued value to the successor organisations,” he added.

In addition to meeting the Bank’s leadership, staff of Scotiabank will also have opportunities to interact with teams from all levels of Republic, in the near future. “There is no better way for people to connect and get first-hand knowledge than through this kind of direct interaction,” said Baptiste.

Republic Bank’s commitment to keeping all Scotia staff in the employ of the Republic Group is in keeping with the Bank’s people-centred focus and its philosophy for entering new markets. “Republic Bank, across the entire group, relies on the knowledge and expertise of locals—from the level of senior management to the junior entry level staff. That is what differentiates us wherever we go. We believe in offering opportunities for career advancement, giving our talent the best possible working environments and engaging them in everything we do,” stated Baptiste.

Baptiste concluded by saying, “The commitment, talent and dedication of Republic Bank’s staff made us the success that we are today. We are looking forward to getting to know the new members of our team and to building the future of the Republic Group, together.”

THE STAR

march 16, 2019

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

15

Suspension of Corporal Punishment in Schools was a Long Time Coming imbalance. This imbalance of power is evident when we consider that teachers are granted the authority to decide he suspension of corporal whether or not to use corporal punishment by the punishment in an instance Ministry of Education is with the child having no say most commendable. It is an in this decision; but I guess archaic method of discipline being guilty of breaking a rule that fails to recognize the automatically strips the child true nature of childhood. The of all its rights, human and government’s decision opens otherwise. up the way to promote the It would be very instructive holistic development of children, to hear the voice of children rather than subjecting them on the issue of corporal to violence and abuse in our punishment. Are we afraid of school system. Some support the use of corporal punishment hearing children describe the pain and fear they experience on religious grounds, while some teachers are at a loss how when being beaten?

The violent nature of to cope with problem students. corporal punishment is even One thing which is for sure: more apparent given that the ensuing debate should children are beaten for behaving cause us to reflect on how we like children. A developmental conceptualize childhood. Also, this debate should inspire us to perspective on childhood asserts that children are challenge our understandings not miniature adults, since of violence and abuse.

Notwithstanding the nuances of childhood is a period during which the child goes through this subject matter, we should a series of physical, cognitive, all agree that government has emotional, moral and social a particular responsibility to changes towards the goal protect children at all times. of becoming a mature and Corporal punishment in competent individual; in short, schools is nothing short of an adult. physical and psychic abuse.

Notably what we Though perpetrators may use consider indiscipline is what varying intensity of force, the supporters of the developmental child is hurt in more ways than perspective would describe one, regardless. Quite apart as child exploration, or from the associated physical experimenting, which is a pain, corporal punishment is key process through which also intended to instill fear in children learn about the world. a child. Beating makes use Notwithstanding the explorative of a physical force and also nature of children, in many causes psychological trauma. instances they are beaten for Beating children conveys to acting in keeping with the them the notion that violence or the use of physical force is a nature of childhood, especially means through which to resolve when the exploration has led to them contravening a societal conflicts. norm or the directives of a The fact that corporal teacher. punishment is a long-standing Teachers inspire our tradition in our society, in tune children and youth to challenge with our culture and religious the status quo to the extent that beliefs, does not cancel the societal transformation can be fact that it is abusive. How can attained. Our teachers must be we say that a child who was commended for their sterling beaten by a teacher was not efforts and the outstanding harmed, when in fact the child results they continue to experienced pain and in many produce. As it relates to the instances shed tears? corporal punishment debate

Power imbalance is yet and suspension of corporal another crucial factor which must be present in order for an punishment, teachers—like children—should have a act to be considered abusive. say in this process. Though I Whether or not someone recognize the need for input is a supporter of corporal punishment, it would be absurd from teachers, I am not entirely sure that they should be asked for this individual to suggest whether corporal punishment the teacher-child relationship is not characterized by a power should be suspended in schools.

By Kendall Elva

T

There requires no consultation on whether children should be abused in any way. If an act of punishment is violent and abusive, it should immediately be abolished. Notwithstanding, there is an ever-present need to consult teachers and other pertinent stakeholders on matters pertaining to professional development, classroom management, school safety and what can be done to enhance the holistic development of students.

The suspension of corporal punishment has led to teachers and union officials calling on the Ministry of Education to provide teachers with training in alternative methods which are to be used to discipline children in schools. In the spirit of lifelong learning and recognition of the need for continuous professional development, I strongly support this call. However, it would be remiss of me if I did not point out that teachers, as part of their training at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, were never encouraged to use corporal punishment. The Class Management Course at the SALCC never taught corporal punishment as a strategy to be used to discipline children.

There exists no educational psychology or classroom management textbook which urges teachers to use corporal punishment; neither any academic theory in the field of education which advocates its use.

Oh sorry. I just remembered the Bible says: “If you spare the rod, you spoil the child.” As counterproductive as is the suggestion, it is addressed to parents, not school teachers. Suspending corporal punishment is a bold act which allows for our country to keep its end of the bargain as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which has for years called for the abolition of corporal punishment.

Nevertheless, given that we are entering unchartered waters, the Ministry and other relative stakeholders should educate the public on the benefits of abolishing corporal punishment and provide teachers with strategies on how to positively influence the behaviour of children in the school system.

The writer argues that any

act of punishment that is “violent and abusive” should not be up for debate but simply abolished.

16 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

MARCH 16, 2019 THE STAR

Tea, Testimony and a Whole Lot of Pink!

F O U N D A T I O N

M

ake It Happen Foundation’s first ever Tea & Testimony was all for a good cause—to help beef up the services of the Women’s Support Centre. While over 300 women gathered on Sunday, March 10, loaded with donations, contributions and an appetite for afternoon tea, we couldn’t help but notice the hundreds of pink dresses, hats encumbered with flowers and splaying fascinators. Who wouldn’t? Government House was swamped with these three items, but only because it was the First Lady’s preferred dress code for her inaugural fundraising tea party. All the headpieces were extravagant, but we want to show our readers some of the STAR’s favourite picks.

Tea & Testimony Mrs. Raquel Du Boulay-Chastanet and the Make It Happen Foundation would like to express sincere thanks to all those who contributed through various means to theHOSTED enormousBY success LADIES TEA PARTY of the first “Tea and Testimony” Tea Party held on RAQUEL DU BOULAY-CHASTANET Sunday 10th, March, 2019 at Government House in SUNDAY Women’s Day 2019 commemoration of International 10th, 2019 and in supportMARCH of the Women’s Support Centre.

2:00 PM -• Fond 5:00 DouxPM Plantation Resort –

• Their Excellencies Sir Emmanuel Neville Cenac and Lady Julita Cenac and the Staff at Government House • Event co-organizers Mrs. Jane Du Boulay, Mrs. Karen Du Boulay-Hunte, Mrs. Laura Hunte, Mrs. Paula Calderon and Mrs Alfrida Annius • Speakers: Mrs. Mara Thompson, Sister Marie Claire Joseph, Mrs. Paula Calderon, Mrs. Neysha Soodeen, Mrs. Michelle Anthony-Desir, Ms. Roberta Polius and Dr. Nadine Collins • Mrs. Tracy George – the host with the most • Mr. David Du Boulay – auctioneer extraordinaire • Mr. Jack Bourke – “THE VOICE” • Peter and Company • Caribbean Tents and Services Ltd. • Tomty Northern Tool Rentals Ltd. • D&B Music – Mr Dwayne Etienne • St.Lucia Linen Services • Harry Edwards Jewellers • June’s Catering • Mrs Charlie Cooper and the team of By Charlie Ltd. • Jo Salt Productions • Mrs. Barbara Montoute • Monplaisir Supplies Limited • St.Lucia Distillers • Ms. Candi Nicholls of CandiFab Fascinators • Coco Resorts • Bay Gardens Resorts • The Sands Hotel (Barbados) • Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa • Auberge Seraphine • Mrs. Kim Fleary • Christy Creations – Mrs. Christy Samuel • Ms. Jessica Alexander – Sa Nou • Mr Roger Myers • St.Lucia Electricity Services Ltd. • Illuminesse Skin Clinic • Glitter Nails • Inside Out • Abraham George • Calabash Cove • Stonefield Estate – Mrs. Cybelle BrownGross

Mrs. Eroline Lamontagne • Massy Stores • Skin Envy • Baron Foods • Royalton Resort • Hummingbird Beach Resort • Rituals • Mrs. Natalie Augustin • Mrs. Joyce Destang • Mrs. Brenda Floissac-Fleming • Mrs. Sardia Cenac-Prospere • BOSLIL • Spice of India • Big Chef • Crown Foods • Food Express • Mr. James Mason and Staff • FLOW • Dr Freezers • Digicel • DOMINOS Pizza • St. Lucia Cold Storage • Johnson’s Hardware • Sale Mart • Kaycee’s • S&S Price Busters • Fleva Hardware • Carasco & Sons • Hobie Ltd. • Rayneau Construction • Casa Bella • B1 • Body Plus • Health and Beauty Day Spa • La Dauphine Estate • Ms. Wally Ann Alfred • Mrs. Annette Du Boulay • Ms. Elsa Joseph • Ms. Kasha Foster • Ms. Kasha Daniel • Ms. Yearlyn Corneau • Ms. Kim Dennis Mondesir • Ms. Martha Antoine • Ms. Asnia Ste.Marie • Ms. Cinnamon Flavien • Ms. Darnelly St.Ange • Mrs. Diane Felicien • Courts Babonneau Steel Orchestra

GOVERNMENT HOUSE MORNE FORTUNE, CASTRIES

ATTIRE: PRETTY IN PINK (WITH A HAT) PRICE: $100.00

Everyone who purchased a ticket, got “pinked out” and came out to support our cause.

THE STAR

march 16, 2019

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

Smokey Was More Than I Remembered

17

NATIONAL INSURANCE CORPORATION VACANCY- INSPECTOR The National Insurance Corporation is seeking to fill the position of Inspector to complement its team of Inspectors at its Southern Branch Office.

Summary of Duties: To undertake activities to ensure that Employers comply with the relevant provisions of legislation governing the operations of the National Insurance Corporation and to conduct benefit claims investigations.

When it came to football, money didn’t matter to Smokey, not even when he mortgaged his home to raise funds for an under-17 team. His many sacrifices, for the love of football, should be reason enough to rename Vigie playing field.

Peter Josie

L

ast week I suggested the well-grassed Vigie playing field, now referred to as the “Sab”, be renamed in honour of Oliver “Smokey” Charles. Since then, some former footballers have called to thank me for resuscitating what they described as an old issue. The majority were in support of renaming the Vigie playing field after Smokey, whom they regard as a true sporting legend.

I did not bother to consult the book Outstanding Sports Personalities of St. Lucia by Rupert Branford before I wrote my article. I have since done so and noted the author’s reference to Jon Odlum, a former community social worker and Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Sports, now deceased. By Branny’s telling, Odlum had sought Smokey’s help in coaching a Saint Lucia youth football team (under-17) for participation in the first World Youth Football in Sweden in 1977.

Smokey told the author of

the difficulties he encountered trying to raise funds needed to get the youngsters getting to Sweden. What Smokey failed to tell Branny was that, in his determination not to disappoint the kids, he had mortgaged his home. Most people then and now would consider this pure madness. Not Smokey!

How many others would have undertaken the onerous task of raising funds to permit these youngsters to participate in a World Youth tournament in addition to coaching them and preparing them mentally for such a competition? Who else would mortgage their home to help a national youth football team from Saint Lucia compete internationally? For this selfless act alone, Smokey deserves to be remembered.

I was reliably informed that some members of that first under-17 youth team that accompanied Smokey to Sweden were Dudley Foster, Michael Jn. Baptiste, Richard Jn. Marie, Kenneth Ferari and Andy George. On that first tour Smokey was accompanied by Patrick “Pataco” Phillip, an equally enthusiastic footballer and coach from the Catholic Young Men’s Club. I am happy

to say that I knew both Pataco and Smokey personally and enjoyed many years of football competition against them.

Smokey lived for football even though the game delivered little in monetary returns. However, as is true of most great sportsmen and women, financial rewards are never their greatest motivation.

Such selfless athletes are often compared with the finest tuned cars. Both are driven by what’s inside, not by outward appearances. There is also biblical reference advising that God does not judge by external countenance but by what’s in our hearts and in our thoughts. In other words, what motivates us. Armed with such information, we can make more sense in future when naming playing fields, roads, monuments and buildings. In the process, I suggest that we keep our sporting legends high on our priority lists.

Smokey’s effort were not forgotten by everyone. At his retirement the young men he had coached and accompanied to Sweden visited him at his Vide Bouteille home to honour their mentor with a plaque appropriately inscribed. They

wrote to the former Minister of Sports and a former female operative in the Department of Social Affairs suggesting that the Vigie playing field be named after Oliver “Smokey” Charles.

That letter was written around 2007. I can only pray that my article will stir the hearts and consciences of those with the power to act. I feel certain that the youth footballers who accompanied Smokey to Sweden in 1977, along with those with whom he played local football, will see to it that the Vigie playing field is named after this most famous sporting legend.

There has been no discernible movement on the matter of elevating the Vigie playing field in name, even after the great job that was done to the surface. Letters were written to the Saint Lucia Football Association before the presidency of Mr. Cooper that evidently were lost in translation. One only hopes that genuine lovers of the sport, and especially those old enough to remember the beloved Vigie playing field at an earlier time, will wish to see its status restored by properly renaming it.

The successful candidate will be required inter alia to perform the following duties: • Conduct audits in accordance with the approved audit program.

• Conduct investigations, interview and review benefit claims.

• Confirm application for self employed registration and Life Certificates when necessary • Advise employees and employers of their NIC

responsibilities and provide assistance to them where necessary.

• Verify operating status of employers.

• Represent the NIC in court as required, in cases relating to matters of compliance.

Qualifications and Experience • At least an undergraduate Degree in Accounting or equivalent discipline.

• At least 3 years working experience in accounting, auditing or related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualities:• Ability to interpret the NIC Act and Regulations.

• Ability to work with little supervision and to function effectively in a team environment.

• Ability to interpret the financial statements of

contributing companies and to negotiate payment agreements with employers.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills • Coaching, counseling, negotiating and conflict

resolutions skills.

• Must be self driven and results oriented with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Must demonstrate sound work ethics.

• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.

Other Requirements: • A valid driver’s license.

Application Procedure: Applications along with a detailed Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of qualifications and two referees, should be addressed to :The Human Resource Manager Position of Inspector National Insurance Corporation Francis Compton Building Waterfront, Castries Deadline for submission of applications is March 25, 2019.

Please note that only suitable applications will be acknowledged.

18 HEALTH

MARCH 16, 2019 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

KIM’S KORNER

The Big Freeze

Y

ou wake up one morning with pain in your shoulder but don’t remember injuring it. You hope it will go away but weeks later the pain is still there. Then, just when you decide to go to the doctor, the pain just disappears. Now you realise you can’t lift your arm above your head. No pain, but it just won’t move. As the days pass you’re able to move your arm less and less. Sounds familiar? You may have what is commonly known as frozen shoulder. Its technical name is Adhesive Capsulitis (AC).

The shoulder joint is formed by three bones: the humerus (upper arm), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the clavicle (collar bone). It is built for mobility rather than stability and this is reflected in the fact that the stability of the joint is provided by muscles and a joint capsule instead of a deep socket, as in the hip. It is

the thickening and tightening of the capsule that is responsible for the freezing (reduced movement) in the shoulder.

The exact cause of AC is unknown but is thought to begin with injury or trauma to the area, or in some cases related to the autoimmune system. It is also known to develop as a secondary problem if the shoulder is immobilised because of an injury or fracture.

As the disease progresses, the capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint can become inflamed and in response becomes tight, causing stiffness and reduced movement.

Although the cause is unknown, there are factors that increase the risk of developing this painful and debilitating condition. As well as injuries and conditions that cause decreased movement of the arm—for example fracture, stroke and rotator

cuff injuries—systemic diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease and Parkinson’s disease also increase the risk of developing AC. Another risk factor that has been noted is gender and age; it is more common in women and people over forty.

The symptoms appear gradually, and from onset to recovery can take anywhere from a year to three years.

Despite this gradual onset of symptoms, there are three distinct stages:

Freezing -The first noticeable symptom is pain in the shoulder which may spread to the top of the arm.

This stage usually lasts for six to nine months and, as the pain worsens, sleeping at night may become difficult.

Frozen – During this stage the pain may disappear but movement of the shoulder is restricted and feels frozen,

Website: www.pcdslu.com Email:pcdcustomerservice@thegelgroup.com Telephone: 457-7001 / 7002 / 7004 / 7005

STOCK TAKING NOTICE Please be informed that Peter & Company Distribution Warehouses at Cul- De-Sac will be closed for stock taking on the following days from 8:00am daily

Liquor Warehouse – Friday, March 15th 2019 Dry Warehouse – Thursday, March 21st 2019

Friday, March 22nd 2019 NOTE: The deadline to receive orders for facilitation of deliveries is 2pm on the day before the above dates.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Please feel free to contact us, should you have any enquires.

Unexplained pain in your shoulder? Can’t lift your arm?

You may just have a frozen shoulder.

making simple tasks like getting dressed extremely difficult. This stage can last anywhere between four and twelve months.

Recovery – Also known as the thawing stage. Gradually movement returns and your range increases but this can take between six months and two years.

Diagnosis by your healthcare provider can usually be confirmed by performing certain movements actively and passively. If it is a muscular problem, you may be unable to actively perform the movement, due to pain and weakness, but may have less pain and more range if your arm is moved passively. However, in cases of frozen shoulder, both active and passive movement will be restricted due to tightness in the capsule. It is not usually necessary to have an x-ray or an MRI but they can be used to rule out other conditions or pathology like arthritis or rotator cuff tears.

Once a diagnosis has been reached then treatment options need to be considered. In many cases this condition resolves

spontaneously but there are steps that can be taken to relieve the symptoms of each stage.

Self-care is the most important element of your home recovery. A daily routine of ice, stretching and exercise is important to try and minimise the progression of the condition.

If your symptoms are not relieving, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication for pain and inflammation and in extreme cases might suggest a steroid injection into the shoulder. In cases where the symptoms are severe and recovery is slow, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove scar tissue and release the tension in the capsule, increasing the range at

the shoulder.

However, before you opt for surgery, physiotherapy can help relieve pain and increase movement. Depending on the stage of the condition, your physiotherapist has a range of skills and techniques they can use to speed up your recovery.

If pain is the main issue, they may use electrotherapy or acupuncture. If reduced range and function is a problem then they may use a combination of massage, mobilisations and exercises to help stretch and strengthen the capsule and muscles around the shoulder.

The results are not always instant but this, coupled with a home exercise programme, could help to speed up the recovery process.

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

Humanitarian HeaLth Visit

T

he World Organization of Natural Medicine’s Clinics for Humanity’s doctors and professionals will be in Saint Lucia this month.

Free clinics will be offered to the public in general health assessment and treatment, pain management and dental health, with health lectures.

The schedule is: Thursday March 21 — Pastoral Centre, Gros Islet, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday March 22 — St. Isidore Church Hall, Soufriere, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday March 23 — Mothers’ and Fathers’ Hall, La Resource, Vieux Fort

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday March 26 — Pastoral Centre, Gros Islet 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday March 27 — Pastoral Centre, Gros Islet 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please call 453 1932 or 712 9256 to confirm attendance.

THE STAR

march 16, 2019

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

19

High Blood Pressure: The Silent Killer

By Candy Nicholas

T

here was nothing silent about the night I received the fateful news that my beloved mother had been found lying dead in her bed. I howled and screamed and there were sounds that I did not recognize coming out of me. There was nothing silent about that night.

It was the most significant loss of my life and I was not ready for it. I don’t think the loss of one’s parent is anything you are ever ready for really.

As I watched her lifeless, stiff body being carried away, and the lights went off in the house she’d occupied for the last 25 years, I knew that nothing would ever be the same. After all, she’d been my mother all my life and had occupied that house for most of my life. The howling still hasn’t stopped. It happens in random places at random times: the nail salon, the supermarket, my daughter’s school; pretty much anywhere when her infectious laugh overcomes my memory and I realize that I will never hear it again.

I have forced myself to

envision her unwell, even just slightly, to help me justify her sudden departure from the physical realm. But I can’t.

My every memory of her is of her being so alive and joyful.

She adored lovers rock and would often snap her fingers and exclaim, “Alright!” whilst rocking back and forth to the rhythm. That was Mary Clement Nicholas: alive, joyful and annoying in a way that only mothers can annoy.

When the autopsy revealed that she had suffered a Subarachnoid Haemorrhagic Stroke—basically, her blood pressure elevated to the point that it ruptured the blood vessels in her brain—I was even more shaken. About one year before, I had been diagnosed with hypertension.

Me? The green juice-chugging, herb-taking, fun-loving, spa junkie me? Never! It could not be me! Nevertheless, the numbers told another story. I was hypertensive and something had to be done to preclude heart or kidney damage or something even more extreme.

When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead

to heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage, poor circulation to the peripheries, and loss of vision from damage to the retinas. Of course, part of the process of unravelling this mystery was investigating my family history. There were even occasions where I’d call my mother and have her speak with my doctor, only to be told that there was no family history of hypertension.

She’d checked before and she was fine. But whether she was living with it and didn’t know, or developed it shortly before her demise, she was affected by hypertension. That’s exactly why it is called the silent killer. It usually has no symptoms. In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. It is not necessarily associated with being tense, nervous or hyperactive. You can be a calm, relaxed person and still have high blood pressure.

In the Caribbean region it’s important to be extra vigilant as hypertesion is particularly common in blacks. Middleaged and elderly people, obese people, inactive people, heavy drinkers, smokers, and

women who are taking birth control pills are also in the high risk categories. It may run in families but some people with a strong family history of high blood pressure never have it. People with diabetes mellitus, gout or kidney disease are also more likely to have hypertension.

I spoke with US-based Medical Qi Gong Practitioner Earthly Augustin about what can be done to prevent, manage and even cure the disease.

With over 15 years of practise of Energy Medicine, she has had great success drawing her inspiration from many nature-based remedies, such as Chinese and Japanese Medicine which harmonizes the organs in the human body to treat ailments of all kinds.

Augustin advises patients on medication to heed their doctor’s advisements first and foremost. She says that Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM increases the circulation of qi and blood by decreasing cortisol levels and releasing endorphins. Lowering blood pressure, decreasing heart rate and relaxing the muscles are

swimming for at least 30 minutes to help reduce hypertension.

Other recommendations for reducing high blood pressure: 1. Lose some weight. Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnoea), which further raises your blood pressure.

Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) Mary Clement Nicholas can help reduce your blood would have been sixty yesterday, March 15. pressure.

Sadly she died suddenly 2.Exercise regularly. Consistency a year ago as a result of is key as stopping may raise your hypertension. blood pressure.

3. Eat less processed foods, and the benefits of restoring the more real wholesome food. balance of qi and blood in the 4. Dramatically reduce your intake body. of sodium.

Here are her top 5. Limit or eliminate alcohol. recommendations: 6. Manage stress levels.

1. Movement meditation in the 7. Quit smoking. form of Qi Gong.

8. Cut back on caffeine.

2. The consumption of foods 9. Check your blood pressure high in vitamin B complex which regularly and see your doctor relax blood vessels; omega 3,6 often. and 9 which help the immune 10. Get support and an system, brain function and accountability partner or two to regulate blood pressure. help you stay on track with your 3. Walking every day or health goals.

Just what the doctor ordered

F

or the local ‘free-up the weed’ movement in Saint Lucia, March 14 marked a significant step forward—the establishment of the Herbal Medical Cooperative at the Fisheries Complex, Point Seraphine. Chairman of the cannabis movement Mr. Andre De Caires had earlier informed the STAR of the coming of the cooperative, its purpose being to provide an avenue for farmers to come together to sell their produce.

Mr. De Caires attended Thursday’s event and provided further insight. He said the movement had long realized there would be people jumping on the bandwagon in an attempt to try to capitalize on “such a massive industry” so, to protect farmers and “avoid plantocracy” ,the cooperative was the best way forward.

“It’s a win-win situation for everybody,” De Caires declared.

“It’s a win-win situation for the government, too, because all cooperatives are audited and they’ll know how much money is coming in to get their taxes.

The potential investors are also

Request for Proposals The Events Company of St. Lucia Inc. (ECSL) invites reputable organizations to submit proposals for the provision of the services listed below. These services are for Saint Lucia Jazz in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, which forms part of Saint Lucia Summer Festival.

The recently founded cooperative will seek to protect farmers, and provide a reliable market for the crop.

happy with the cooperative because it means they won’t have to deal with 200 different farmers; they can just deal with one entity. For the farmers themselves, they don’t have to hustle for a market. They can grow their hemp for medicinal oils, and everything they grow, the cooperative will buy.”

Of the over thirty founding members, an eleven-member committee has been appointed to get the cooperative registered. De Caires says the next step will see the Ministry of Agriculture’s cooperative department hosting a minimum

of three workshops with the eleven-member committee to educate them on the workings of a cooperative, its responsibilities and related laws.

The first workshop is scheduled for next week Wednesday. When the workshops are completed, registration is expected to follow. De Caires said the word “cannabis” could not be used in the cooperative’s name since it remains illegal. If and when that changes, there may be a name adjustment.

---JSA

• Catering • Crash Barriers • Customs Brokerage • Décor • Ground Transportation • Electrical Installation (Temporary) • Mobile Containerized Washrooms • Photography • Plumbing • Road Side Cleaning • Security • Shuttle Services: Patron & VIP • Temporary Structures • Venue Cleaning Please contact ECSL for detailed guidelines and submission details for any of the above-mentioned services.

Tel. # (758) 458-6076 The deadline for receipt of proposals is 4pm local time, Friday, March 22, 2019

20 LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

MARCH 16, 2019 THE STAR

HERstoire Talks About Trauma T

he HERstoire Collective, founded by Saint Lucian Dr Robyn Charlery White, is primarily an advocacy group for sexual reproductive health and rights for Caribbean women.

But since its inception almost three years ago, HERstoire has flourished from just advocacy to become a practical resource for sexual and reproductive health. The group has carried out several research drives and hosted activities tailored to deal with sexual health issues that were found from this research.

The latest of these pursuits was a day-long workshop on Thursday themed: “Broadening Our Understanding of Trauma: Psychological Consequences, Effective Treatments and How to Engage in Provider Self Care.”

Said Dr White: “Although we do have groups in Saint Lucia that deal with sexual assault, within sexual health and wellness there’s a gap between survivorship from sexual assault, abuse to fully sexual healing. We talked a lot about the issues that women, in Saint Lucia in particular, are faced with; not with just sexual assault, but trauma in general.”

About forty attendees employed at institutions which provide mental health assistance turned out to help build an understanding of trauma.

White added: “We were thinking about how best to deliver a session in Saint Lucia that addresses the issue.

We did not want to dub it as something zoning on just sexual health and abuse because we felt that women may feel shamed; and we did not want to limit it by gender or sex, or by age. We really just wanted all stakeholders to be able to learn the skills necessary to deal with this issue.”

There were two professionals who presented at this workshop. Dr Anu Asnaani, a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher from the University of Pennsylvania, specializes in the treatment of post-traumatic disorder and anxiety disorders, and their co-occurring symptoms.

Dr Tammi-Marie Phillip is an

Dr Robyn Charlery White (right) and Dr Anu Asnaani left Saint Lucia to pursue studies. They both returned because they wanted to do something meaningful for the country.

attending child and adolescent psychiatrist at Butler Hospital and is affiliated with the Brown Alpert Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island. Both ladies come from Saint Lucia and visited home to assist with the workshop.

Asnaani said: “We really did not know what the response would have been, and when we discussed it we thought we would have about twenty to twenty-five leaders in the room.”

She explained that when the event was publicized there were almost a hundred responses, which was over budget. “But from the response, it means that we hit some nerve in Saint Lucia. It sounds like an area of need, given the intense response.”

White added: “This is groundbreaking for Saint Lucian culture, talking about PTSD, anxiety and not having people telling you that’s American stuff.

It’s not something considered

local. This is why psychologists are in clinical practice here, or at the Mental Wellness Centre.

It’s not integrated into society where you can just say you have an appointment—just like when you say you’re going to yoga or to the gym.”

Reeling back to HERstoire’s core responsibility, White emphasized that without dealing with trauma, many Caribbean people are not able to explore sexuality or enjoy and embrace sexual health.

Dr Asnaani and Dr Phillip have assisted in much of Dr White’s brainchild’s work so far, offering what they can from their respective expertise.

Said Asnaani about White: “She came back and really has been, whether or not she knows it, a real inspiration for us who are up there to think about how we come back and do something meaningful for our country. I got into mental health because of the state of mental health here.”

THE STAR

march 16, 2019

BAY GARDENS RESORTS HOSTS ITS ANNUAL STAFF AWARDS & DINNER

T

he Directors and Executive Management Team of Bay Gardens Resorts continue to show dedication to recognizing the outstanding efforts of the valued team members of the locally-owned and managed resort chain. It is in this vein that the Annual Staff Awards Ceremony & Dinner was held at the Bougainvillea Conference Room, Bay Gardens Hotel on Saturday March 9, 2019.

At the Vegas-style ceremony with the theme “Bay Gardens Resorts—A Winning Hand”, a number of awards were up for grabs including Team Member of the Year, Most Nominated Team Member of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Manager of the Year, Department of the Year and Unsung Hero.

The highest honour of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was bestowed on Restaurant & Bar Manager for Bay Gardens Hotel & Inn, Ms. Amella Wilness.

Joining the Bay Gardens Resorts family in 2000 as a waitress, Ms. Wilness’ exemplary performance catapulted her to the position of restaurant supervisor then Restaurant & Bar Manager—a position she has held for the past ten years.

With quality and excellence as hallmarks of her work, her professional and personal character embody the spirit of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

On display on the evening were the varied talents of team members: from Master & Mistress of Ceremony, Bartender Mr. Yohann Willix and Front Office Agent Ms. Charlene Mohammed, who conducted the evening’s proceedings with poise and precision, to Kids’ Club Co-ordinator Ms. Francisca Thomas and IT Assistant Mr. David Popo (Young DP) whose entertainment performances garnered resounding applause.

Keynote speakers for the evening, SLHTA First Vice President Mr. John Mathurin

T

team of Bodyguards who are all certified fitness instructors.

Importantly, the Foundation wanted to share with the entire Monchy Primary School body and the community, the experience of some of the exciting work it does in the after-school programme, which was launched last October.

Apart from funding the programme, BodyHoliday Cares also supports the hands-on learning efforts, by availing to the facilitators the various services at the resort. Thus, the event was an example of the fitness sessions that the

J

the corporate sector and government institutions, participants were engaged in six intense hours of teamwork, networking, pitch training and discussions to find a solution to the challenge and to pitch before a three-member jury.

The Innovation Camp offers an experiential learning environment for students, based on real-life business situations.

Presently, innovation is driving the world, enabling the youth to understand the importance of innovation and how they can apply the design thinking process to solve problems.

The challenge was to

VACANCY

REGULATOR in a supervisory authority.

Bay Gardens staff were treated to a night of fun and laughter at the annual awards ceremony.

and Honorable Minister Dominic Fedee, delivered inspiring addresses, capping off a spectacular evening celebrating the stellar achievements of the Bay Gardens Resorts team members. During Mr. Mathurin’s address he commented,“The growing demography of our tourism market wants to experience you, your life, your culture, your family, your personalities, your environment, and not one manufactured according to the fancies of

a corporate world. You, as one Bay Gardens family, are certainly leading the charge as bellwether”.

Complementing this was the Honorable Minister’s glowing commendation on the work which the Executive Management Team, led by Mrs. Joyce Destang, OBE and Mr. Sanovnik Destang, continue to do in fostering an environment where Bay Gardens Resorts will continue to be “A Winning Hand” for many years to come.

BodyGuards conduct with the children, where the learning is incorporated into their various routines, such as doing Mathematical calculations as they perform their routines or writing about their experiences, all of which helps make learning fun and interactive.

The Foundation was tremendously grateful for its sponsors who were especially keen to support this initiative: Blue Waters, Lazy Lagoon, Barbay Ltd, Nico’s Touring Services Ltd, CPJ St Lucia Ltd, Ravi Ltd, and Power Plus Sound System.

The Foundation also seized

the opportunity to reiterate its stance as an environmentally conscious organisation and encouraged others to do the same. The forks, cups and food containers on hand were all biodegradable. The water sponsored by Blue Waters was provided strictly in 5 gallon bottles that were then poured into the cups, to avoid usage of numerous single use plastic bottles.

The Cares Foundation’s primary funding priorities are education, mental wellness, and vision impairment, alongside environmental sustainability, healthy living and male youth.

Choiseul Secondary School Captures Junior Achievement–Scotia Bank National Innovation Camp Title unior Achievement (JA) St Lucia, in collaboration with Scotia Bank International, provided a platform for students of the JA Economics for Success programme to unleash their creativity and find a solution to a challenge presented. Thirty-six students, accompanied by JA Teacher Advisors, from Corinth, Jon Odlum Memorial, St Joseph’s Convent, Choiseul, Ciceron and Entrepot Secondary Schools were in attendance at the Union Orchid Farm on Wednesday March 6, 2019 for the Scotia Bank Innovation Camp. With support from mentors from

21

Applications are invited from suitable qualified persons for appointment to the post of

BODYHOLIDAY AND MONCHY KEEP FIT THROUGH DANCE

he Cares Foundation (the charitable arm of the sister resorts BodyHoliday and Rendezvous), hosted an Independence Dancercise in the community of Monchy last week, as a BodyHoliday Cares initiative. The event took place last Thursday, at the Monchy playing field, as the resorts’ contribution to the activities of the 40th anniversary of Saint Lucia’s Independence, as the Foundation represents two local companies which have grown alongside the nation over those several decades.

The event was conducted

by BodyHoliday’s dynamic

local

www.stluciastar.com

provide a solution to assist the bank to sustainably reduce its workforce while increasing profit margins by identifying ways to address this issue, meanwhile saving costs.

Choiseul Secondary School emerged winner of the competition with its Artificial Intelligence Management Interface, AIMI. It is a virtual assistance which provides customers an option of using their phones or tablet to conduct their banking affairs from anywhere. The team is now one of seventeen teams qualified to compete in the regional contest scheduled for

April 10, 2019.

JA St Lucia congratulates Choiseul Secondary School team members Sylvie Antoine, Faith Augier, Michael Stanislaus, Frayne Peter, Liam Andrew, Mindy Branford and Nial Wilson, Teacher Advisors Ms. Enda Charles and Ms. Shirley James on this achievement.

Scotia Bank is one of Junior Achievement’s strongest supporters globally. JA St Lucia expresses gratitude to Scotia Bank International and Scotia Bank St Lucia, other corporate supporters and JA mentors and volunteers in making the Innovation Camp possible.

JOB TITLE:

Regulator

REPORT TO:

Executive Director

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Monitor the activities of regulated entities to ensure compliance with national anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws.

2. Plans, conducts and reports findings of anti money laundering and anti-terrorism audits and inspections of regulated entities 3. Plans and conducts anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing awareness training for regulated entities 4. Produce statistics on the regulated sectors 5. Undertake any other responsibility as may be assigned by the Executive Director MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

AND

EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in anti-money laundering compliance or Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business Administration, Accounting or Banking plus a recognized certification in anti-money laundering compliance. or • Professional qualification in anti-money laundering compliance plus a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a regulatory or anti-money laundering compliance environment Employment will be non-pensionable. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be in accordance with the terms stipulated by the Authority ONLY SUITABLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW Application with resume including the names and contact details of two referees must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked: CONFIDENTIAL – APPLICATION FOR POSITION OF REGULATOR, and must be sent to: The Executive Director P.O. Box 959 Gablewoods North Post Office Castries LC02-501 Saint Lucia Applications should be received no later than 1 April, 2019

22

international

www.stluciastar.com

march 16, 2019 THE STAR

Is Porn Making Young Men Impotent?

T

here is an ad campaign adorning the tunnels of the London Underground bearing the slogan “ED IS DEAD” next to a photograph of a wholesome-looking man in his prime. “Don’t worry,” it says in smaller writing beneath. “Ed’s not a guy. It’s a guy thing. It’s short for erectile dysfunction.”

The posters are promoting a new brand of sildenafil (most commonly known as Viagra), which we are supposed to think is slaying the problem.

But, as it stands, ED is far from dead.

Viagra’s core market used to be older men in poor health, but according to the latest studies and surveys, between 14% and 35% of young men experience ED. “It’s crazy but true,” says Mary Sharpe of the Reward Foundation, an educational charity focusing on love, sex and the Internet.

“Until 2002, the incidence of men under 40 with ED was around 2-3%. Since 2008, when free-streaming, highdefinition porn became so readily available, it has steadily risen.” The evidence, clinical and anecdotal, is mounting that pornography use is a significant factor.

Clare Faulkner, a psychosexual and relationship therapist based in central London, is among those who link ED and pornography use.

“I now have ED clients in their early 20s,” she says. Part of the problem with pornography is that it is “a very dissociated experience. Stimulation is coming externally, which can

make it very hard to be in your body." It also perpetuates the myth, she says, that “men are rock hard and women are ready for sex all the time”.

Lone viewers of pornography become accustomed to being fully in control of their sexual experience—which again, says Faulkner, “isn’t replicated in the real world”. Being faced with a real, complicated human being, with needs and insecurities, could be deeply off-putting.

In online forums dedicated to porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED), tens of thousands of young men share their struggles to stop using pornography, their progression from soft porn to hardcore and the barriers they face in forming real-life romantic and sexual relationships. It is hard to prove outright that pornography causes ED, but these testimonies replicate findings from the clinical literature: that if men can kick their porn habit, they start to recover their ability to become aroused by real-life intimacy.

Some young men have started their own support movements, such as NoFap (slang for “no masturbating”), founded in the US by Alexander Rhodes. (Sharpe observes that young men now “equate masturbation with pornography—they don’t see them separately”.) Rhodes, now 29, started using Internet pornography at around 11 or 12.

“I was in the first generation of people who grew up on highspeed Internet porn,” he said in

Up to a third of young men now experience erectile dysfunction. Some are turning to extreme measures such as penile implants—but is kicking their pornography habit the only solution?

(Illustration: Nishant Choksi.)

a recent online discussion.

By the time he started having sex at 19, he continued: “I couldn’t maintain an erection without imagining porn. Highspeed internet porn was my sex education.” Last year, he told an audience at an event hosted by the US’s National Center on Sexual Exploitation: “Children of the United States and much of the developed world are being funnelled through an online experience where exposure to pornography is practically mandatory.”

The young age at which Rhodes started watching pornography is not unusual. In 2016-17, a Middlesex University study of children aged 11 to

16 found that 48% had seen pornography online. Of this group, the vast majority, 93%, had seen such material by age 14 with 60% of children having first watched it in their own homes. And an Irish study published earlier this year in the journal Porn Studies found that 52% of boys started using pornography for masturbation at the age of 13 or under. Social media can be a gateway, says Sharpe.

“Porn stars have Instagram accounts so they’re getting kids to look at them on Instagram, and within their material they’ll say: ‘Look at my latest video.’

One or two clicks and you’re looking at hardcore porn. Kids

of 12 or 13 aren’t supposed to be looking at hardcore adult material.”

The Reward Foundation isn’t an anti-pornography organisation, says Sharpe, “but excess porn is changing how children become sexually aroused”. And it is happening in their formative years, “at an age when they’re most vulnerable to mental health disorders and addictions. Most addictions and mental health disorders start in adolescence.” She and Faulkner believe that the rise in pornography use may at least partly explain why millennials are having less sex than the generation before them, according to a study published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Gabe Deem, the founder of the pornography recovery group Reboot Nation, speaks openly about his own experiences.

When he was 23, he said: “I tried to have sex with a beautiful girl, a woman I was extremely attracted to, and nothing happened. I couldn’t feel any physical arousal and couldn’t get the slightest bit of an erection.”

As with other addictions, says Faulkner: “People need stronger doses to get high.

It’s always about pushing the boundaries to get the same excitement. Which means what they’re watching gets more hardcore and potentially frightening. I’ve had clients tell me they’re not comfortable with the material they’re watching.” When researchers study the brains of compulsive

pornography users, says Sharpe: “They’re seeing the same brain changes that are common in all addictions.”

Some still dismiss the rise in ED among young men as performance anxiety, but Sharpe says while that may be true for some, “What we’re hearing from clinicians, sex therapists, doctors and people dealing with compulsive sexual behaviour is that more than 80% of issues are pornrelated.” The Reward Foundation has been running workshops with healthcare practitioners across the UK and found that doctors and pharmacists don’t even consider asking their young male patients who have ED about their pornography use.

“They’re giving them Viagra and that’s not working for many of them,” says Sharpe.

“It’s not dealing with the underlying problem.”

When the drugs don’t work, Sharpe has heard of young men getting penile implants (prosthetics implanted in the penis to help erections).

“One of the medical participants at one of our workshops last year said a patient had had two such implants.” No one had thought to ask him about pornography use.

On a recent school visit, Sharpe recalls, a teenage boy asked her how many times a day masturbating to porn was too many. “They’re using it all the time,” says Sharpe, “and nobody’s telling them it’s a problem.”

---The Guardian

Social media scrambles to remove videos of New Zealand Christchurch mosque shooting

F

acebook said it quickly removed videos of a gunman opening fire inside a New Zealand mosque on Friday who appeared to have live-streamed his attack in a 17-minute video that looked to be recorded on a helmet camera.

The Facebook video began with the man driving up to Masjid Al Noor mosque in the city of Christchurch.

After parking his car, the man armed himself with at least one weapon and walked into the place of worship, immediately

shooting a person in the doorway. In a statement posted to Twitter, Facebook said police alerted them to the video shortly after the livestream commenced and removed both the video and the gunman's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

"We're also removing any praise or support for the crime and the shooter or shooters as soon as we’re aware," Facebook said. The social network said they will continue working with police in New Zealand as their investigation

is underway. Google-owned YouTube said in a statement on Twitter that it is "working vigilantly" to remove any violent footage. "Our hearts are broken over today’s terrible tragedy in New Zealand," said YouTube in its statement.

In statements to the Washington Post, Twitter and Reddit said they were working to remove any videos from their platforms. In a more than 70-page manifesto posted to various sites, including Twitter and Scribd, that appeared to belong to the gunman, he

identified himself as a 28-yearold white male born in Australia and listed white nationalist heroes.

In Sydney, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Friday that an Australian citizen had been arrested in the mosque shootings. The names of mass killers were written in white on his weapons, multiple media outlets reported.

The New Zealand Herald, which watched the livestream video, reported that the gunman "began shooting

indiscriminately" upon entering the mosque. He shot a second victim who was crawling in the main hallway, then blocked the hallway and began shooting at people who were cowering in corners of a room. He stopped to reload several times, the Herald reported, and then resumed firing repeatedly.

After three minutes inside, the gunman exited through the mosque's front door.

Video showed him shooting randomly at cars. He got more ammunition out of his car trunk, the Herald reported, then shot at

no apparent target on the street.

"Looks like we won't get the bird today, boys," he said in the video. At another point, he said, “There wasn’t even time to aim, there was so many targets,” the New York Times reported.

He then re-entered the mosque, firing at people lying motionless on the ground. The video ended with him driving away from the scene, the Herald reported.

---USA Today

THE STAR

local 23

www.stluciastar.com

MARCH 16, 2019

The Rural Unknown

We Miss You Sir Derek T

omorrow, March 17, marks two years since the passing of the island’s second Nobel laureate, Sir Derek Alton Walcott, who would have been eighty-nine this January.

Today we remember his contribution to Saint Lucia and the world through his powerful words and plays that both adored and challenged the norms of the paradise in which he lived. Sir Derek will always be remembered as a man who was sometimes brought to tears when he spoke of his hopes and dreams for his island.

The Paradox of Paradise

Trump Issues First Veto

P What really lies beneath our images of paradise?

Maria and the aid received has not equipped our countries for an impending hurricane season. Yet the Caribbean is still n Caribbean nations like caught in the imagined idea of Saint Lucia that are heavily “paradise’ by funding projects dependent on tourism for that only seem to boast the economic stability, a lot goes number of tourists after major into glossing up images to storms rather than the welfare attract tourists. The photos of the country. range from happy children to

The sad reality is that smiling waiters and cheery the longer we continue to vendors. It is a concept perpetuate the idea of paradise of eternal happiness that to outsiders, the longer we permeates throughout, an idea that there is no worry of poverty, continue to obscure the problems of our own locals. homelessness or destitution.

In the end, we have to ask But a recent UNICEF report, ourselves: For whom is our which suggests that one in three adolescents in Saint Lucia island a paradise? lives in poverty, is quite a murky contrast to the images that Editor’s Note: Keithlin we proudly display worldwide, has maintained The Rural trying to lure tourists to our Unknown for the past seven shores. months. However, this will

The Paradox of Paradise be her final contribution. is a phenomenon in which Keithlin is preparing to lead countries like Saint Lucia her organisation, Helen’s present a portrait of utopia as Daughters, through a new part of their tourism agenda but major project and crowdit masks the socio-economic funding campaign that will issues such as poverty, crime, launch on March 25. Helen's even climate change, that Daughters is a Saint Lucian have plagued the country for non-profit with a special focus decades. on rural women’s economic

A change in narrative is development through improved only used in the aftermath market access, adaptive of a crisis, like the one we agricultural techniques, and saw in 2017 when Caribbean capacity-building. It was governments lobbied to be formed in 2016 in a winning removed from the middleproposal for UN Women’s income countries index to Empower Women Champions access aid at a lower interest for Change Program. To learn rate. It’s only in times like more about the initiative, visit: these that it’s highlighted how Facebook: Helen’s Daughters vulnerable island-nations are to Instagram: helensdaughters. climate-change. And ironically slu it has been almost two years Website: helensdaughters.org since Hurricanes Irma and

By Keithlin Caroo

I

resident Donald Trump has vetoed a measure from Congress revoking his declaration of a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.

Lawmakers, including 12 Republicans, had passed the rejection resolution on Thursday in a surprising rebuke of Mr Trump's pledge to build a border wall. Congress will now need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override him, which is unlikely to happen.

This is the first veto of Mr

B

Trump's presidency. Standing behind the president were law enforcement officials and the parents of children killed by illegal immigrants when Trump said on Friday, "Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law, would put countless Americans in danger. Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution and I have the duty to veto it. I'm very proud to veto it.."

He had promised a veto of the resolution ending his emergency declaration as

soon as the measure was circulated on Capitol Hill. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives had passed the resolution to overturn the emergency last month, and 12 Republicans sided with Democratic Senators to clear the Senate in a 59-41 vote on Thursday afternoon. The renegade conservatives had condemned the emergency declaration for setting up a dangerous precedent for a president while emphasising that they still agreed with Mr Trump's tough border security

policies.

Just after the Senate vote, Mr Trump tweeted: "VETO!"

Following the veto, the resolution will return to the House. While Democrats control the House, they would need a total of 67 votes in the Senate to override Mr Trump's veto.

Given that only 12 out of 53 Republicans joined them to pass the initial resolution, it is unlikely that any override measure will be successful.

---BBC America

BERMUDA BANS BOEING MAX 737 PLANES FROM ITS AIRSPACE

ermuda has become the latest Caribbean country to ban all variants of the Boeing 737 Max airliner from the island’s airspace after a Max 8 crashed in Ethiopia at the weekend killing all 157 people on board, including five members of the family of a Kenyan banker working for a Bermuda-based bank.

The Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) has also grounded all versions of the 737 Max series listed on the Bermuda Aircraft Registry.

The move was in line with air regulators across the world as they suspended operations of the Boeing 737 Max in their regions.

“Following the tragic accident of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 involving a Boeing 737 Max aircraft, the BCAA is taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of passengers. The accident investigation is currently

the BCAA’s number one priority. During the temporary suspension, the BCAA will continue to work closely with the US Federal Aviation Authority and Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer,” she added.

The plane crash on Sunday was the second fatal accident involving the 737 Max 8 model in less than five months.

Paul Njoroge, a Kenyan who works for Bermudaheadquartered Butterfield Bank as an investment officer, lost All verisons of the Boeing 737 Max have been his wife Caroline, son Ryan, grounded in Bermuda while investigations continue seven, daughter Kerry, four, into the deadly crash in Ethiopia. seven-month-old daughter Rubi and mother-in-law Ann Wangui ongoing, and it is too early to the Bermuda Aircraft Registry. In Karanja. draw any conclusions as to A former summer student addition, BCAA have temporarily the cause of the accident,” a at the Bermuda Institute of suspended the operation of all spokeswoman for the BCAA, Ocean Sciences was also variants of the Boeing 737 Max said aircraft into and out of Bermuda among those killed. Danielle

“As a precautionary Moore, who was 24 and airspace. measure, BCAA has from Toronto, was one of 18

“This decision has been provisionally suspended the Canadians killed in the crash. taken based on ensuring the Certificate of Airworthiness of continued safety of passengers all Boeing 737 Max aircraft on ---CCN TV6 and flight crew, which is

Tea And Tablet!

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019

www.stluciastar.com

$2.00

The Make It Happen fundraiser at Government House last Sunday was called Tea & Testimony. But for some it was tea and whatever was closest at hand!

S&S

LAYAWAY NOW AVAILABLE AT S&S THE PRICEBUSTERS

BINDER DIVIDERS

$4.75

Come and apply for your S & S Loyalty Card

DIARIES

$10.00

Bois D Orange • Castries • Vieux Fort www.facebook.com/the.pricebusters

FILE TRAYS

$22.00

MAGNETS

$2.50

WATER GLUE

$2.00

POST IT NOTES

$2.75

Also on special: MEN CARGO SHORTS $16, , MEN BLUE JEANS $36, MEN BASKETBALL SHORTS $11,

MEN PYJAMA SETS WITH TSHIRT $48, MEN DASHIKI SHIRTS $35, MEN DRESSING PANTS WITH BELT $31, MEN HOODED TSHIRTS $25, MEN JACKETS $40, MEN JOGGING TRACK PANTS $39, MEN PRINTED VESTS $14, MEN SEAMLESS BOXERS $4, MEN INNER WHITE VESTS $4.00, MEN BRIEFS $3.50, MEN BLACK BELTS $9, MEN 3 PACK HANDKERCHIEF $7.25

Printed and published by STAR Publishing Co. (1987) Ltd., Rodney Bay Industrial Estate, Massade, Gros Islet, P.O. Box 1146, Castries, St. Lucia, W.I., Tel: (758) 450-7827 Fax: (758) 450-8690, Email: info@stluciastar.com Website: www.stluciastar.com