Closer Than We Know? by STAR Publishing

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, october 20, 2018

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CLOSER THAN WE KNOW?

Emails dated just two weeks before the 2016 general elections suggest then prime minister Kenny Anthony (centre) and Teo Ah Khing (left) were much closer than indicated by more recent anti-DSH propaganda.

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

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A-M u s i n g s Musings are thoughts, the thoughtful kind. For the purpose of these articles, a-musings are thoughts that might amuse, entertain and even enlighten.

A Credit to the Nation By Michael Walker

very now and then, you come across something, meet someone, hear about something that makes you stop and think, and suddenly you realize that this is what it’s all about. For the past few days I have been involved with a number of people who work at, and are members of, a very special organisation, and each day, after I have arrived home, I have spent a little time walking the dogs and thinking about the things I have learned, the people I have met, and how different Saint Lucia would be if everyone, our so-called leaders included, were to embrace the beliefs, practices, values and philosophy of the folks at the Saint Lucia Workers’ Credit Union. As part of the celebrations for Credit Union Month in 2014, and in particular Credit Union Day, which is on October 16, The Saint Lucia Workers’ Credit Union embarked upon a project to record its beginnings and recognize the contributions of those members who toiled mightily and tenaciously to make a reality of their dreams of a financial institution that would work towards the benefit of it members, and make its members its owners. At the same time, the Saint Lucia Workers’ Credit Union seems bent upon making what to some might be “Saint Lucia’s Best Kept Secret” into the best asset available to the people of Saint Lucia. I’m sorry —well, you know I am really not sorry at all, but it is the sort of thing you have to say—if I sound over effusive, but, after over a quarter of a century of pretty consistent, disappointingly predictable performances from the public sector and certain ministries in particular, that week had been a tonic of potent efficacy—I might, if I wanted to go overboard, even describe Credit Unions as the elusive panacea for many of Saint Lucia’s ills. Now, as readers of these A-Musings will know, this is about the point where I digress and start to talk about things you probably never wanted to know. In Greek mythology, Panacea was the goddess of universal remedy. She had four sisters: one was the goddess of health, cleanliness, and sanitation, another was the goddess of recuperation from illness, the third was the goddess of the healing process, and the fourth was the goddess of beauty, splendour, glory,

magnificence, and adornment. Of Panacea’s four brothers; one had a flair for diagnostics, and another was a master surgeon. Panacea was said to have a potion with which she healed the sick, which gave rise to the concept of a panacea, a substance to cure all diseases. Figuratively a panacea also solves large, multi-faceted problems, which is exactly what I believe the Credit Union movement can do. The Saint Lucia Workers’ Credit Union has its roots in the Saint Lucia Workers’ Union. Way back then, and we are talking about some 40 years ago, Cable and Wireless was one of the country’s main sources of employment and many of today’s leading citizens started their working lives with the company—and many stayed on for decades. The employees of C&W and The Voice newspaper came together to form the Saint Lucia Workers’ Credit Union. From what I gather, a credit union might appear to be almost too good to be true. Its members must have a common bond that binds them together into a union. Members own the union. There are no outside shareholders, no foreign owners; the members themselves own the union, which more or less ensures that members will take a more active interest in the running and wellbeing of the institution. Then there is the question of democracy; each member has one vote. It matters not whether you have a million dollars or a hundred dollars, you are all equal when it comes to voting. Obviously, credit unions are run by professional staff, managers, clerks, tellers, accountants and so on, but the Board Members who set policy are all elected from within the membership, and they are all volunteers. A credit union is truly a democratic institution led by its members for the good of its members, and it works. Throughout Saint Lucia, credit unions are going from strength to strength, their memberships are growing and their coffers are full to the brim. Old fashioned me believes that this country would be a far richer place, an even finer place to live, if the guiding principles of the credit unions, the binding familiarity of the unions, the belief in working for the common good, and the strength in solidarity were to imbue the very fabric of all aspects of our lives. Check out your nearest credit union. Try it, you’ll like it.

october 20, 2018 THE STAR

A Letter to Saint Lucia

onday 15 October marked the 7th anniversary of our mother Gloria Greenwood’s murder in her garden in St Lucia. This week should have seen the commencement of a trial—the 4th trial date my sister Gillian Greenwood and I have been given over the past years. Years, which have been filled with insufficient communication, sometimes miscommunication, false hope and then deep disappointment. Nothing has materialised, and of course this has caused frustration and sadness. These conditions are by no means exclusive to our experience with attempting to seek justice for a loved one. Everyone who has lost someone through a heinous crime in Saint Lucia will be trying to fight the same fight, and no doubt facing utter frustration. So what is being done to improve justice matters?

The criminal court has been closed since April this year, and we recently learnt that the cost given to the government exceed the budgeted money for the refurbishment of the rented court building in order to improve amongst other things, security. One imagines that despite the closure of the criminal court, it may be that rent continues to be paid on a facility that can’t be used. Are St Lucians fully aware of the total breakdown occurring? Are they prepared to put up with it, and for how long? Don’t people deserve better? Senior police officers have spoken recently about revisiting cold cases, and the criminal justice system has been charged with clearing some of the backlog presently on its books. How can the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the courts possibly perform these functions if they are not provided with the

necessary means to do so? In the meantime progress is stifled. Access and delivery of justice are hampered. Is the government honouring its financial obligations to the courts? Surely in any society there should be an expectation that justice can and will be served? So can we see the government making a concerted effort to remedy this shameful situation? Get funding? Do whatever is necessary; let’s hope that not too many more Saint Lucians will have to walk in our shoes. The tagline “Let Her Inspire You” is being advertised worldwide to outsiders. But, are we inspired? Those unfortunately caught in the quagmire that is the justice system certainly don’t think so. It’s time it was a priority. The facts don’t lie. Yours truly, Anne Greenwood-Pearson

Government Advises Public: Beware of Fake Social Media Accounts T

he Office of the Prime Minister is aware that currently several fake Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts have been created in the name of Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet, as well as several Government ministers. The Office of the Prime Minister would again like to inform the public that at no time will any Government minister or official, message you about your personal details or request funds from you for any transaction. Social media users are advised to disregard and report any requests or communication from such pages as well as refrain from sharing any personal information or paying money to these said accounts. All communication from the Government and Government officials is shared via the official Government of Saint Lucia and Office of the Prime Minister Facebook pages.

THE STAR

October 20, 2018

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Brother George Remembered 15 Years On the controversial politician’s life that he meant for others to learn from. The lecture is usually held near September 28, the day Odlum died in 2003. Previous celebrations of Odlum’s life tended to focus on his contributions to politics and the arts. This year it was George Odlum the journalist who was spotlighted by his close friend and fellow journalist Earl Bousquet. Currently editor of the Voice, Bousquet was once editor of Odlum’s

newspaper, the now defunct Crusader. On Tuesday this was how he started his lecture: “Let me just tell you that you’re in for a long ride.” And so it was. His address ran for over ninety exciting minutes, beginning with the history of the Crusader, founded by John Pilgrim. The audience especially enjoyed Bousquet’s recollection of an Odlum-penned tribute

to Pilgrim. A sample line: “He served Saint Lucia and paid the price.” He recalled, too, the Rastafari reaction after Odlum strongly voiced his opposition to the smoking of marijuana. Naturally, Bousquet could not speak of Odlum’s Crusader without mentioning the popular columns Quick Quack and Cocky and Stocky. Evidently many in the audience remembered them

with glee! Bousquet’s presentation suggested intensive research and reminded of his 40 years or so in journalism. At the end of his presentation he received a standing ovation from the audience and a token of appreciation from two junior members of the Odlum family. --Claudia Eleibox

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Earl Bousquet flaunting his new plaque after delivering a lecture that any journalist and Odlum supporter will speak about for weeks to come.

ropical Storm Kirk may have left terrifying marks elsewhere in Saint Lucia but it only temporarily dimmed the lights on the fourth annual George Odlum Memorial Lecture, postponed to Tuesday October 16. The George Odlum Memorial Celebration Committee flickered plans back on for the lecture, a mode to relay useful information about

Harris Paints' A-Z Guide of Painting

s the Christmas season is approaching and just as the island’s contractors and painters are pressed to get properties holiday-ready for the peak season, Harris Paints introduces a new resource to help professionals easily identify recommended paint systems to effectively coat almost any surface, in any condition. The quick reference guide, known as the “A-Z of Painting”, was introduced at the Harris Paints Ask The Experts event recently at Bay Gardens Hotel. The event allowed many key construction and property professionals to provide input regarding industry needs and to gain a better understanding of paint products and coatings systems from Harris Paints' top executives. “Time is money when it comes to construction, renovation or building maintenance”, explained Christopher Joseph, Sales Manager. “While we continue to provide technical advice at the store, by phone or via visits to the site or through workshops, the new ‘A-Z’ provides an instant, quick and easy reference with advice right at your fingertips, which can help persons identify the right approach first time and avoid costly errors. Every professional should have one!” In addition to the home improvements and refreshments that are traditional in the last quarter of the year, Saint Lucia has several projects proposed or underway. If they are implemented this would increase the number of hotel rooms available by 50% or 2,000 rooms, in the island. The workshop and new guide is expected to help contractors select the right products and use them in the right way to overall improve results and durability.

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october 20, 2018 THE STAR

Helping Hands reach out to restore Folk Research Centre

n March this year, circulating clips of Saint Lucia’s Folk Research Centre (FRC) engulfed in flames reminded of the pain that immobility toward digitization can cause. It is possible that no one felt the loss of 40 years of research going up in flames quite like the FRC cofounder Msgr. Patrick Anthony and current board chairman Hilary La Force. Both have spent the better parts of their lives facilitating programmes and expanding the range of operations undertaken by the Centre. At time of writing there has been no official declaration of the cause of the fire. On Tuesday this week four donors came to the organisation’s aid. The Caribbean Development Educators, the St. Lucia Teachers’ Co-operative Credit Union, ELKS Credit Union and Winston Henry presented the centre with a total offering of $5,300. The money will go toward rebuilding efforts. The

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donors said it was important that they handed over the funds this week, Thursday being International Credit Union Day. Added Msgr. Anthony: “We want to push the ideas of a series of years like lanné danse, lanné bagay Sent Lisi, lanné koudmen and one of the lannés is going to be lanné sousou. That will involve researching our tradition of indigenous financing; not only how they have saved with the credit and co-operative movements but how people can become intelligent fiscal managers.” He said he hopes the funds received on Tuesday will go towards this initiative. Martina Belizaire, president of the St. Lucia Teachers’ Cooperative Credit Union said: “We all know how devastating it was for Saint Lucians when we heard of the burning down of the Folk Research Centre. As a movement and as a sector, we really want to play our part in assisting in its rehabilitation

FRC’s co-founder Msgr. Patrick Anthony (left) opens palms to a rehabilitation donation presented by Martina Belizaire (right) president of the St. Lucia Teachers’ Co-operative Credit Union.

works.” Hilary La Force highlighted other top priority concerns: “We are working feverishly to get back to normal. One of our major responsibilities is research and development. We completely lost a library and lots of people— Saint Lucians, overseas students, students in Saint Lucia—come to the FRC to do research on the wide cultural aspects of Saint Lucia, so rebuilding our library is one of our major concerns. We will also be ensuring we continue with our education programmes like the folk academy, where we teach various cultures of Saint Lucia in terms of dance, music, language, even cooking.” It has not been determined when rebuilding works will begin at the FRC’s original location on Cavalry Road. Currently the centre’s operations are based within the walls of the Cultural Development Foundation’s facilities on Barnard Hill, Castries. --- Keryn Nelson

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THE STAR

october 20, 2018

Chelsea Foster’s Girls of a Feather determined to Fly Higher and Higher!

ust weeks after her father Marcus Foster’s death, Chelsea Foster received from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II a Commonwealth Points of Light award. In April she also won the Youth of the Year award at the 2018 National Youth Awards. While Chelsea started her volunteer work feeling she might sometimes be overambitious and over-confident, she now says she is extremely proud of her awards and it was all she could to hold back her screams of delight when first she was told the good news over the phone. “When I got the call from the representative of the British High Commission I thought she wanted to discuss possibly working with us for one of the projects implemented in Saint Lucia. Having been told otherwise, I was speechless. I kept thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it!’ ” Unbeknown to Chelsea, the British High Commission had been monitoring Chelsea’s work as a volunteer and had nominated her for the award. The Queen then selected her from the list of nominations. But, for Chelsea, the true

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achievement is the creation of her organisation, Girls of a Feather, a group designed to assist with the personal development of young women and girls. “The idea popped up right after graduating from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College around 2012,” Chelsea said during a STAR interview. Girls of a Feather kicked off with the help of her sisters, family, friends and her mother, Andra Gokool-Foster, who offered all her resources without being able to figure out why this project meant so much to Chelsea. “I’m happy she can now understand and I’m grateful for how considerate she and her staff have been,” said Chelsea. Just how Girls of a Feather managed to make such an impact is largely because of Chelsea’s hard work, especially in the early stages. Chelsea giggles a lot. She said she wishes she was still eighteen, but it’s her magnetic affability that may be her biggest asset. “I knew that I had to put in a lot of work to fit us into spaces where our name would be recognized,” she said.

Feather organisation that will help bridge the gap between government organisations and disadvantaged youth. “We’re currently liaising with the United Nations University, Gender Equality Studies and Training Program’s project manager to have a few of the team members register for the Teaching Gender to Youth diploma within the next year. Our programme coordinator, Annie Auguste, also received a scholarship this year from the Chelsea Foster addressing the Girls of a Feather group at the National ICT Centre Caribbean Policy Development during a workshop held earlier this year. With each planned activity she dutifully Centre (CPDC) to pursue widens the scope of girls’ skills development. an online NGO Professional “Whether it was at training Rights Day, December 10. It will Management Certificate course flagship programme, Girls sessions or through partnership With Goals, which pairs female be a 50 More Youth Conference on behalf of the group.” There are two chapters of opportunities, I stuck my head leaders with students to mentor partnered with I Am A Girl Girls of a Feather: at Castries Barbados and endorsed by into those circles to meet the their development academically, Comprehensive Secondary right people to help further the US Embassy to Barbados, personally and socially, and School and at St. Joseph’s the growth and mission of the the Eastern Caribbean and the to track the progress along Convent, but Chelsea wants organisation. Over the past two the way. The programme is OECS, for secondary school to ensure “no girl is left years our technical training has intended to run for nine months students in Saint Lucia. The behind”. She also knows that conference aims to engage boys spanned from operations and at a time, as did the pilot. her late father would have and girls in casting a positive management, advocacy, youth Girls of a Feather hosts been particularly proud of her vision for themselves and their development and volunteer camps and campaigns, achievements. “Our father preparation which allows us country over the next fifty including the most recent always encouraged in me and to continue improving our years.” #NoMoreBodyShaming which my siblings our individualism understanding of the work we But these are not the focuses on encouraging girls to and our quest to be passionate do.” only goals that the ambitious embrace with confidence their about what we do.” Chelsea takes obvious 25-year-old wishes to body types and imperfections. pride in the results from the accomplish. She’s looking Chelsea said: “Our next ---Claudia Eleibox pilot of Girls of a Feather’s event will take place on Human forward to a matured Girls of a

364 Derelict Vehicles to be Removed from the Island’s Roads

he Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority, in collaboration with the Environmental Health Division in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has embarked on the removal of 364 derelict vehicles from the island’s roadways. 81 vehicles, or 22%, have already been removed. The call is being made for greater participation and co-operation from vehicle owners. Davis Mathurin is the Zonal Officer with the Saint Lucia Solid Waste Management Authority and said, “It’s a month to month basis and we’re aiming to remove at least between 18-20 vehicles every month. I know it’s going to take a while but we are at least urging the public to meet us half way. The ministry is doing the public education part. The Environmental Department, the vector division, Solid Waste, is also doing its part in terms of

removing the vehicles, so we’re urging the public to be aware. Be more conscious of your surroundings, be aware that there is a lot of work being done by the various agencies and, as individuals, you can at least play your part.” Under the Waste Management Act Section 38 of 2004, an authorized officer may at any time without giving any notice remove the derelict vehicle, white goods or any other kind of scrap metal left or caused to be left and may recover from the owner thereof the expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such removal. However, despite the provisions under the law, officials are appealing for cooperation from the public. Environmental Health Officer, Charletta Charles said, “The individuals, especially if they’re planning to do some work on their vehicles, we also

encourage them that when you’re done doing the work on the vehicles, within a timely manner your responsibility is to at least transport the derelicts to the landfill. Do not leave them on the roadside. In most cases when you try to find the owners it’s always a difficulty until the day the vehicle is being removed and then there is always an issue.” Charletta Charles said abandoned vehicles create active or potential breeding sites for vectors such as rats and mosquitoes which are responsible for the spread of diseases like leptospirosis, dengue, chikungunya and zika. She continued, “What we want to do is to encourage persons, if you have a vehicle which is no longer of use for you, that you need to get rid of it appropriately and not inappropriately. What it does is it creates other environmental

Abandoned vehicles can harbour disease vectors making them health hazards.

spin-offs which can affect the larger community on a whole. So we’re just hoping that the community realizes the negative impact that abandoned vehicles

can have on our health and that they would take the necessary steps to get rid of not just the abandoned vehicles but overall their garbage responsibly.”

Earlier this week officials directed the removal of this abandoned vehicle in the north of the island, creating one less breeding site for vectors.

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october 20, 2018 THE STAR

There should be no room in parliament for selfish individuals bent on mischief in their own interest Peter Josie

was surprised how angry a dear friend became when I told her I planned to purchase a copy of Omarosa Manigault’s book “Unhinged”. It turned out she felt that President Trump’s former political aide had disgraced her African-American heritage and told lies about Hillary Clinton, who is highly regarded by African-Americans. My friend suggested I should instead get myself a copy of “Invisible” which she described as a heartwarming story of the struggles of women of colour in America, by Stephen L. Carter, the grandson of Eunice Hunton Carter, an African-American who became a lawyer in the 1930s—when black people were still being routinely flogged and hanged by white gangs in the southern United States. I recalled that I had compiled a book list in the mid-1970s, which I thought should be compulsory reading for persons venturing into public life in Saint Lucia, and possibly the wider Caribbean. Perhaps that list needs to be revisited and updated with the addition of “Invisible”, among other publications. I allowed my New York friend to simmer down while I read an online news report that Dr. Ubaldus Raymond had forgiven two young females who had attempted to blackmail him 2017. The

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‘A true man of honour will not content himself with the literal discharge of the duties of a man and citizen; he raises and magnifies them to magnanimity; he gives when he may with propriety refuse; and forgives when he may with justice resent; and his whole conduct is directed by the noble sentiments of his own unvitiated heart . . .’ vile comments by presumed earlier readers suggested it was Dr. Raymond whom the police had charged with the offence, and not those who had targeted him. I immediately smelled political operatives at work. As far as these party hacks are concerned, any minister of the UWP government on whom they can plant a damning online story is fair game. I hope the novices in the current administration, their supporters too, are learning fast and becoming aware of the lengths to which the Labour Party’s hatchet men will go in their effort to embarrass them out of office. Upon my return home, I decided that I should say something about the Dr. Ubaldus Raymond affair. To do it properly, I called and asked him for an interview. In the several articles I’ve written for this newspaper, I’ve tried not to repeat more or less private conversations. This time around I’ve decided to make an exception. I was surprised by what Dr. Raymond told me in relation to the online comments earlier cited: “I brought charges of blackmail against two young women in January 2017. In April, they were further charged with aiding and abetting. I never went to court because there was no

need to. On the other hand, the young women had to attend court to answer the charges against them.” He repeated himself: “I was the complainant; I was never charged with anything.” I asked Dr. Raymond how he felt now that the matter had finally been put to rest. His response: “I forgave these two young women because it would have been too time consuming and embarrassing for them, had I proceeded with my court charges. I knew their scheme was to extract money from me, and I hope other Saint Lucian males, not only politicians, do not get caught in this type of scheming. I will never allow myself to be controlled by blackmailers. The perpetrators never stop bleeding those who bow to their demands.” Dr. Raymond added: “I have said it many times before, and I would like to repeat it

here: the name Ubaldus means peace of mind. And I know that this is a rare commodity in this world at this time. Saint Lucia is no exception. I will continue to do my part and I pray and trust God to do his part to protect me from such people in the future.” I would like to offer to Dr. Raymond for his consideration, these words from Lord Lyttelton’s Dialogues of the Dead. “A true man of honour will not content himself with the literal discharge of the duties of a man and a citizen; he raises and magnifies them to magnanimity; he gives when he may with propriety refuse; and forgives when he may with justice resent; and his whole conduct is directed by the noble sentiments of his own unvitiated heart . . .” In a society that is still battling to provide for itself basic human needs including relevant education, health-

care and regular employment, the stakes are loaded against those who offer themselves to serve the public good, through politics. If I could be 30 all over again I would still choose to enter politics, even though I am aware that alien monsters unimagined in my time now dominate the jungle. It will take dedicated men and women with a sincere belief in the basic goodness of humanity to redirect our politics, and in the process save ourselves. I end with the belief that strong action is now needed to set the stage for the next social and economic leap forward on this island. Our constitution needs to be amended and modernized so that the quality and calibre of persons offering themselves to serve are properly vetted and declared worthy seats in parliament and in the more vital departments of government.

Sandals Overdrive Hailed as Major Success

he annual Sandals Overdrive North American and Caribbean Tour came to a successful close, having touched down in over 21 cities including Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, Long Island, Toronto and Montreal. In the Caribbean, the Overdrive event visited Barbados after previous stops in Jamaica, Grenada and Saint Lucia. These events are designed to showcase not only the Sandals and Beaches brands and their various and upcoming innovations, but also the wider Caribbean destination, which is ready and awaiting visitors. The 21-city, high-energy tradeshowstyled presentations and unveilings provide an avenue for travel agents to view and gain first-hand information on product updates through direct interactions with senior Sandals and Beaches Resorts executives. The unveilings also present the opportunity

for the agents to engage with tourist board representatives from several Caribbean islands. Guest speaker at the Barbados event was the island’s prime minister, Mia Amor Mottley, who shared her enthusiasm with seeing Sandals deepen its investment in Saint Lucia with the construction of a Beaches Family Resort. “When Beaches finishes in two and a half years I want to be there to see twice the number in this room and to accommodate another Sandals family after another US$450M in investment in this country, and another example of excellence with respect to the Beaches hotel in St. Peter,” she

said. The Barbadian prime minister said the government of Barbados saw its partnership with Sandals as an important one as the country seeks to strengthen the economy. “We recognise that we can’t do it alone and that what we need is each and everyone who believes in what we are doing, and we believe that Sandals believes in what we are doing and we believe that you, as individuals in Sandals, believe in what we are doing.” The expos are a longstanding tradition for Sandals Resorts and feature personalized presentations each year. Along with highlighting

the much-anticipated opening of its latest resort, Sandals Royal Barbados, the unveilings provided a sneak peak of Sandals’ new wedding inspirations scheduled for roll-out later this year. Gary Sadler, senior vice president of global sales said, “We recognize that our clients are not sitting and waiting for us. It is therefore necessary for us to go where they are and the best way for us to get them to come to the Caribbean, is for us to promote the Caribbean. We are aggressive about marketing the Caribbean and our unveilings are doing just that.”

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October 20, 2018

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UWI Vice Chancellor Says Successive Saint Lucian governments have rejected offer to work with SALCC Joshua St. Aimee

or each academic year the University of the West Indies (UWI) releases the Vice Chancellor’s Report, which provides insight into the various undertakings of the institution. Statistics show that over the last decade the majority of students who enroll at the university originate from Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados, while OECS member countries continually contribute the least amount of students. For the years 2012-2016, total enrollment figures stood at 50,439, 52,032, 52,031, 49,064 and 49,092 respectively. The OECS accounted for 3.1%, 2.9%, 2.7%, 7.4% and 8.3% of corresponding enrollment. In 2017 student enrollment was 49,162 with forty per cent of the students originating from Trinidad & Tobago, 36.5% from Jamaica, 9.8% from Barbados,

8.6% from the OECS, and the remainder from other countries. “The university has every reason to be concerned about the circumstance in the OECS,” said Sir Hilary Beckles, UWI’s Vice Chancellor. “The OECS countries are founding members of UWI and, as founding members, any area where there is a perception that much more work needs to be done becomes a top priority.” In an attempt to increase the number of students from the OECS, Professor Beckles said the university had in the past reached out to all OECS member countries. “We came up with a model where we work with governments to develop community colleges into university colleges, so we can deliver a large number of UWI programmes. “We have been trying to persuade governments in Saint Lucia for 20 years to let us develop the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College

into a university college, where we can build capacity for young Saint Lucians. It hasn’t happened, and we are disappointed. I have made three visits to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in the last five years to discuss this matter. I think there is a concern that a national institution will somehow be subsumed under a regional institution. We spent so much time trying to explain that would not happen.” Professor Beckles revealed that he last met with the SALCC’s board of governors and the principal last year, when he took the opportunity to explain that if the offer was accepted, Saint Lucia would not lose control of the institution. “Would it mean that UWI would run the college? We said no. Does it mean we would identify and select who the principal would be? We said no. Would we be dominant on the board to shape its policies? We said no.”

After the offer was turned down, the government of sister islands Antigua and Barbuda stepped up and agreed to work with the UWI. Said Beckles: “They said, “Not only do we want to be a university college, we’re going to pull all of our community colleges together into one and make that one college a university, and grow it into a campus of UWI.’ ” The UWI currently operates campuses in Mona, Jamaica; Cave Hill, Barbados; and St. Augustine, Trinidad. The new campus earmarked for Antigua may open as soon as next year. “The offer that Sir Arthur Lewis Community College rejected has been accepted by all of the teacher colleges in Jamaica. We now have Anguilla that has accepted the offer, and a lot of other colleges in the region.” The Vice Chancellor says UWI has not given up and he hopes that the conversation with SALCC can continue.

UWI Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles regrets that discussions with the SALCC have not gone well, but he remains hopeful.

Saint Lucian Ryan Matthew Promoted A LA WOUT to Sandals Resorts Jamaica SE’ TJE’ WALK

andals Resorts International is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ryan Matthew to the post of Director, Human Resources at Sandals Resorts International (SRI), effective 1 October, 2018. His new position sees him holding responsibility and oversight for SRI’s entire Human Resources portfolio, encompassing all resorts on all islands. After a successful career in the airline industry, Ryan, a Saint Lucian national, joined the Sandals family in 2008 as Group Manager, Training and Service Standards before returning home to take up the role of Operations Manager at Sandals Regency La Toc after a short stint at the then Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. His commitment to the development of team members and his own personal belief in the power of education and training is evident to anyone who has had the pleasure of interacting with him. For the last eight

years Ryan has successfully embraced his most recent role as Regional Group Manager, Human Resources and Training for the Eastern Caribbean region; a role which saw him overseeing all matters relating to human resources, training and development for all seven resorts in the Eastern Caribbean. Over the years Ryan has spearheaded the implementation and streamlining of several human resources and training initiatives including playing a key leadership role in the hiring and training of new recruits, particularly during various resort openings. It is no surprise that, under his watch, Sandals Resorts International became a threetime winner of the Excellence in Human Resource Development Award from the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce. Ryan is currently pursuing an MBA with the Edinburgh Napier University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business

Ryan Matthew, after performing excellently in his former role, has been promoted to Director, Human Resources at Sandals Resorts International.

Administration. He has also pursued numerous professional training opportunities including courses with the Disney Training Institute, the Project Management Institute, the

American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute and the Mona School of Business. The entire Sandals family is happy to support Ryan in his new role.

he St Lucia Crisis Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary during the month of October. This comes as the organisation continues to take progressive steps towards making a quantum leap to address the need to combat abuse, and prevent breakdowns in the family unit. The centre is organising a walk named A La Wout Se’ Tje’ as one of its activities in collaboration with the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association. It will hopefully be a walk that makes a difference and is scheduled for Sunday 4 November, 2018. This walk will culminate the Crisis Centre’s 30th anniversary activities and is expected to raise funds to support the services of the two charitable organisations that address many dire needs of the country. The Crisis

Centre and SLBWA aim to get about one thousand persons to participate. The Folk Research Centre has also been involved in planning this walk by including the event in Creole Heritage Month of Activities. The assembly point will be at George V Park from 6a.m. The walk will proceed along La Toc Road to Inniskilling Monument heritage site at Morne Fortune, and back through Old Victoria Road. The registration package costs EC$25 but if participants register in groups of five or more, it reduces to EC$20 per person. The St. Lucia Crisis Centre and St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association are eagerly looking forward to the participation of all in the A La Wout Se’ Tje’ walk.

THE STAR

october 20, 2018

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10 LOCAL

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october 20, 2018 THE STAR

OECD says Saint Lucia’s CBI programme potentially poses a ‘high risk’

he Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is a 36-member inter-governmental organisation, founded in 1961. Its mission is to “promote policies that will improve the economic and social wellbeing of people around the world.” It provides a forum for members to work together toward solutions to common problems. Prominent member countries include the US, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan. In 2014 it developed the Common Reporting Standard which requires all member states to obtain information from financial institutions in their country, and to exchange that information with other institutions on an annual basis—in the hope of fighting tax evasion.

On Tuesday the organisation published a list of 21 countries it believes may threaten their efforts. The countries listed each offer a Citizenship by Investment, or Resident by Investment programme. The release states: "While residence and citizenship by investment (CBI/RBI) schemes allow individuals to obtain citizenship or residence rights through local investments, or against a flat fee for perfectly legitimate reasons, they can also be potentially misused to hide their assets offshore, by escaping reporting under the OECD/G20 Common Reporting Standard (CRS)." The OECD says it has analyzed over 100 CBI/RBI schemes offered by CRS-committed jurisdictions. It then identified which of those

schemes "potentially pose a high-risk to the integrity of CRS". The OECD explained that potentially high-risk schemes give "access to a low personal income tax rate on offshore financial assets, and do not require an individual to spend a significant amount of time in the location offering the scheme." Listed are the five Caribbean nations that operate CBI programmes: Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Dominica and St Kitts & Nevis. Joining them are the Bahamas, Montserrat and Barbados who offer resident programmes. Nestor Alfred, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit, responded to the OECD’s undertaking on Thursday. “If the

FORM P7 THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE (PROBATE DIVISION) SAINT LUCIA CLAIM NO. SLUHPB2018/

-ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION(Rule 15)

In the Estate of Dorothy Emmanuel aka Dorothy Emanuel (nee Thomas) aka Dorothy Emmanuel (nee Thomas) aka Dorothy Mathurin (nee Thomas) aka Marie Dorothée Thomas aka Dorathy Thomas aka Mary Dorothy Emanuel late of Bexon in the Quarter of Castries, The Deceased. TAKE NOTICE that an application has been filed by FLORENCE JULES (nee EMMANUEL) Marriedwoman and Retiree of Bexon in the Quarter of Castries in the State of Saint Lucia for a Grant of Letters of Administration to The Applicant who is one of the lawful children of The Deceased, The Deceased having died intestate on the 1st day of January, 1998 at Victoria Hospital in the District of Castries, Saint Lucia. Any person having an objection to the Grant of Letters of Administration to the application shall file an objection within fourteen (14) days of the publication of this Notice. Dated this 24th day of July, 2018 ......................................................................... ANDRA GOKOOL-FOSTER Legal Practitioner for The Applicant This Advertisement of Application for Grant of Letters of Administration is presented for filing by Chambers Andra Gokool-Foster whose business address for service is No. 5 High Street, Castries, Saint Lucia. Tel/Fax No. 758-451-9300; E-mail: agokoolfoster@yahoo.co.uk The High Court Office is at La Place Carenage, Jeremie Street, Castries, Tel. No. 758-468-7500, Fax 758-468-7543. The Office is open between 9:00a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9:00a.m to 3:00 p.m. on Fridays except Public Holidays. The Office can also be contacted via E-mail: stluhco@eccourts.org

Nestor Alfred, CEO of the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit.

OECD believes their economies are going to be deprived of additional revenue, they’re going to raise concerns,” said Mr. Nestor. “It’s left for the governments of those regions

to determine whether they’re going to change legislatively the provisions. There needs to be discussions with the OECD.” The CEO added: “I don’t think there’ll be fall-out.

Applicants who have a general desire to travel the world will continue applying to countries that grant citizenship, such as Saint Lucia.” ---JSA

VH to offer Keyhole Surgery T

he prospect of requiring surgery is normally met with fear and apprehension by many. However, the surgical team at the Victoria Hospital hopes to combat this fear with noninvasive surgical procedures requiring only a tiny incision. This procedure is also referred to as keyhole surgery. The surgical team at the Victoria Hospital, including gynaecologists, surgeons, anaesthetists, interns and nurses, was recently engaged in a workshop in advanced laparoscopic procedures. Dr. Dawit Kabiye is the Consultant Surgeon and Head of the Surgical Department at the Victoria Hospital. He said, “Some call it laser surgery but it involves less insertion, less cuts on the patient and you can do any type of procedure with it. In Saint Lucia we’ve been doing this kind of procedure but at the basic level and it has been a very difficult encounter because it requires infrastructure of advanced equipment as a start-up and some consumables which Medtronic is one of the leading companies in this area.” Dr. Kabiye is hopeful that the advanced laparoscopic

surgery will soon be a regular procedure at the Victoria Hospital and will put Saint Lucia on an equal footing with the sister islands of Trinidad and Jamaica. However, continued investment in advanced equipment is necessary. “We do have at least basic towers which are quite ok but if we are willing to take it to another level we need advanced equipment in the electrosurgical unit; instruments where you do need to stitch but you will be able to seal blood vessels, to be able to join two organs without stitching it, and that is the advantage of this laparoscopic procedure.” He highlighted the significant benefits to the patient of this procedure: “It has a really great advantage to the patient. The patient will not be required to stay in the hospital a long time. They will have the surgery and go the next day. Recovery to work is much faster. The complications are much less and aesthetically it’s much more pleasing.” Kabiye continued, “It’s not the main objective but you get less scarring, minimal scarring or no scar at all and that is something really to aspire. It is

what is done in the rest of the world and why we cannot have it done here, it’s a matter of time.” The training was facilitated by officials from Medtronics. Medtronics, headquartered in Puerto Rico, is one of the leading global suppliers of medical devices. Luis Gelabert, is the Laparoscopic and Energy Specialist with Medtronics. He said, “In Medtronic we have a huge commitment to bring the newest technologies to every patient. In conjunction with Dr. Cawich from Trinidad we come here to show our newest technology. We are going to be participating in different surgical procedures where we are going to use our product and show to local doctors the best way to use our product and have the best possible clinical outcomes in the patient.” Dr. Kabiye expressed his appreciation to Medtronics, the management of Victoria Hospital and the Ministry of Health for the realization of this timely training, which has enhanced the skills of the surgical team at the Victoria Hospital. He said it will ultimately redound to better outcomes for the patient.

THE STAR

october 20, 2018

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CULTURE

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october 20, 2018 THE STAR

Why I will never shout “Vive La Magawit!” By Rose-Marie Rampal

have been told from the time I was a child (and I also heard it from a caller on Newsspin recently) that you are assigned to be a rose or marguerite, depending on your birthday. There was some internal conflict because although my birthdate in December determined that I should be a marguerite, everyone else in my house was a rose. But I am the only one actually named Rose. It felt like a sort of betrayal that I would have to shout, “Vive la Marguerite!” knowing full well that I didn’t mind if my namesake was living too. But then the La Rose festival always falls during the school summer holidays and so, by default, I only ever got to celebrate the La Marguerite festival on October 17 with a select twenty or so students. But even then my dislike for La Marguerite was cultivated into passionate detest because I was never permitted to be one of the royal members in the procession. There were always about six princes and princesses, and my teachers religiously ensured I did not make the final cut. Quite opposite from my

straight As and representing the school in every academic competition, for some reason there was nothing I could do in my own capacity to be chosen as royalty. Of course, there are other important characters in the act performed every Marguerite Day: the chantwel, police, doctor, nurse, teacher and the designated fainter who could only be revived by the scent of a marguerite flower. I eventually got the opportunity to play the above-mentioned role when I was about to leave primary school; I was determined to do a good job. The day came and I hopped on the bus heading to the Vigie Playing Field with the other costumed students. All the first and second district schools gathered there, taking turns to perform the La Marguerite songs and shout after an imaginary La Rose group. My dress was plaid with purple and white and my hair neatly combed into about twenty, long “corkscrews”, a hairstyle I requested because it was my first time having an important role. I remember almost every detail of that day, even that I disobediently bought an icicle and was mortified when I learned the event was televised and my mother might see it on NTN.

While some Saint Lucians will spend their whole lives as a marguerite, the author switched sides.

The event ended and we went back to the school after missing an entire day of classes but with just enough time to reenact the procession, fainting and all, for the rest of the school. But, I began to protest because I developed a headache on the way back and felt weak. My teacher insisted, “A little headache you have; can’t you just do it one more time?” I really didn’t feel like

I could but I was eventually forced to. Oh, I was so very upset. I dragged myself along the procession and when I got my cue to faint, closed my eyes and fell, with no intention to be as dramatic as I had been at Vigie. But seconds later I could only hear myself screaming and feeling bothered and panicky by all the hands that were trying to grab me and pull me up. I felt a pain in the centre

of my head and had no idea what happened until another teacher vigorously dunked my head under a tap and I saw the water dripping red from the ends of my curls. Yes, I officially had my first and only “burst head” of my childhood. But it doesn’t end there. After already having a headache, now amplified by the added pain I felt in the middle of my head, yet another teacher

walked me to the Gros Islet Polyclinic without calling my parents, even though we went past my house on the way. The doctor checked my vitals and inspected my head. All I knew was that he was making it worse by pulling the strands of my hair around the source of pain. I heard the snipping of scissors and the teacher was coaxing me to stay still while I felt the doctor pressing and piercing my head. By now the pain was completely horrific and I remember receiving a painkiller afterwards. Then I was given a Capri Sun and instructed to walk home; alone. Any parent could imagine my mother’s dismay when she saw a piece of bloodied gauze stitched securely to my head. By the next day the story was even more elaborate at school while students swore with their lives what they saw that put my blood out. It ranged from crab gandy to “a stone pointy like the Pitons”. I wasn’t allowed to participate in La Marguerite the following year. Personally, I think it was a lesson learned, that I should only celebrate the La Rose festival since I never belonged with the marguerites. And for my parents, they now knew how irresponsible my teachers could be.

MARIGOT BAY RESORT AND MARINA TO HOST“KWEYOL EN MYGOT” CELEBRATIONS

he Marigot Bay Resort and Marina sets the stage for the culmination of Creole Heritage Month with its “Kweyol En Mygot” celebrations slated for Saturday 27 October, 2018 at the Marina Village, Marigot Bay from 7a.m.– 7p.m. With a cornucopia of traditional authentic dishes served throughout the day, invigorating creole music, live entertainment, local crafts and cultural demonstrations, the day promises to be one filled with wholesome family-oriented fun and cultural experiences. Patrons of Kweyol En Mygot can look forward to capturing prizes for best creole wear, including day passes, dinners for two and more. The first fifty guests will also receive a complimentary local drink.

“Creating a sense of belonging and making connections with our local culture is really important to our team at Marigot Bay Resort and Marina. We are proud to provide cultural experiences through our spa, resort and culinary activities,” said Director of Operations Ms. Perle Flavien. In addition to its Creole festivities, the independent luxury resort also hosts signature weekly activities exclusively for the month of October including its authentic Saint LucianStyle Barbecue held every Tuesday night at the Hurricane Hole Restaurant in the marina, Sushi Sunday at the Brut Bar and Bon Temps Happy Hour at The Rum Cave, Hurricane Hole, Brut Bar and The Grill Restaurant. For more information, contact Marigot Bay Resort and Marina at 458 5300.

Creole Heritage Month continues at the Marigot Bay Marina Village on Saturday 27 October, 2018.

THE STAR

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october 20, 2018

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october 20, 2018 THE STAR

Is Kenny Anthony fur hath no fury like a p T

uesday’s online Daily Mail featured a story about a man who reported his Porsche missing only to be placed in police handcuffs when investigators discovered in his garage six other cars— all stolen. The published item reminded me of Kenny Anthony’s latest adventure: an effort to have the courts put a stop to all government work in Vieux Fort associated with Desert Star Holdings. If the so-called Dead Zone’s now you see him now you don’t parliamentary representative should have his way, I imagine it would put the kibosh on several pies now in the oven, about which the government has for many months been crowing, in the process lifting higher and higher the expectations of desperate relief-seeking southern residents. The most recent application by the famously litigious Vieux Fort South MP for a court injunction could’ve been filed soon after the DSH brouhaha first broke wind in July 2016. But then it occurs to me that lawyers move in mysterious ways; especially when they are also opposition politicians hell-bent on riding the whirlwinds of chaos back into office. Some may well be self-convinced that what the long idle residents of Vieux Fort want most is that they be permitted to rest in peace—not the sleep-chasing sounds associated with roadbuilding equipment, flying hooves, delirious horse-racing

enthusiasts giddy-upping their favorite stallions, to say nothing of Project Hewanorra Airport with all its advertised wondrous aspects. Then again, better late than never. Besides, who would know better than the IMPACS architect the debilitating consequences of our fast evanescing justice system? Conceivably it would suit him just fine if it took the courts, say, a year, before his application was processed. I imagine that if the result proved unfavorable, he would be free to appeal it—all the way to the Privy Council and, for all I know, the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights. I suspect legal fees would for him—a lawyer with always available staunch lawyerfriends—not be as crippling as for the average Joe. I know several citizens without means who’ve been waiting decades to be compensated for properties acquired in the public interest. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it, other than wait even longer. Others were wrongfully dismissed from their jobs, according to court judgments, and awarded damages that remain unpaid years after the decisions were handed down. Then there are the deprived and helpless relatives of the casualties of suspect police activities that according to Kenny Anthony, when he was prime minister, had been made to look like regular police work. By all the signs, it will be a long-long time before they sample the sweet juices of

justice. As I say, an unduly long delay in settling Kenny Anthony’s most recent claims against the Chastanet government could result in the stalling of scheduled projects—even their outright abandonment. For the chronically unemployed and the economy in general, that would be disastrous. As for the Allen Chastanet government, the repercussions could be of eschatological proportions. But then, who would argue if by Kenny Anthony’s righteous measure all of that would be but a small price to pay for doing the right thing! What particularly concerns me about his latest court application has nothing to do with the possible impact on Chastanet’s ambitions; neither with the fortunes of Desert Star Holdings—in which I have taken scant interest, for reasons already explained over and over, never mind the hollow protestations of the conveniently deaf and daft! My interest in the Kenny Anthony matter centers yet again on his credibility. But first, to the back-story—to Sunday, 29 January 2017. Kenny Anthony has decided it’s the right time to emerge from his ego-restoring hibernation. He offers an empathetic Vieux Fort gathering his reasons for avoiding them immediately following the elections debacle: He wanted “to give the people the opportunity to come face to face with the realities of their decision” to dump his

government. Exactly who were those particular “people” of whom he spoke so menacingly, Kenny Anthony did not say. Neither did he explain how his absence had adversely affected them. He chose instead “to share my thoughts on DSH”—unheard of before July 2016. “I want the people of Vieux Fort to know what it means to them, and will end my contribution by giving them some practical advice on what they need to do . . .” He switched to the third person: “Those of you who are from Vieux Fort will remember that every year, except for last year, Kenny Anthony was the one who held an annual horseracing activity in Vieux Fort for the last 19 years . . . There has never been anyone more committed to horse racing than Kenny Anthony and the SLP. That is why when we had the opportunity to seek investment to construct a horse-racing facility we grabbed the opportunity to do so.” The particular opportunity was presented by the late Winston Trim, who lived for horses and horse racing. Anthony recalled that when he was still prime minister Trim had visited him at his office “with a jockey from England,” at which time Trim had talked about a group that wanted to establish “a facility.” The prime minister met with them and was rewarded with an invitation to visit China, which he refused. (Obviously the Chinese invite was not nearly as attractive as Gilbert Chagoury’s all-expenses paid joyride to Paris!) “I said, I’m not going to China; you come to Saint Lucia,” Anthony sniffed. “In time discussions got underway. Then Trim started complaining about the Chinese and I told him that was a matter for him and them; I would not get involved.” Someone close to the prime minister entered the

For some the signing of a so-called framework agreement betw reason to smile. Meanwhile, former dear friends of CEO Teo Ah Kh DSH

picture. Anthony recalled that Ernest Hilaire and other officials had joined him in negotiations with Desert Star Holdings’ Teo Ah Khing, whom the prime minister found to be a “clever, very clever man” and impossibly “uncompromising . . . He had to have his way or nothing. When we tried to explain to him that we were a small country with many sensitivities, he would have none of it. It had to be his way or nothing.”

He seemed abruptly to change course. In the tone of a headmaster scolding a student, he said: “There is something you must learn about your Labour Party. Something about the way it handles things. Why was Kenny Anthony so stupid? Why did he not call elections and announce the project? Why?” It’s anyone’s guess how many in his audience had actually questioned the wisdom of his snapelections strategy. Chances are the questions had occurred to him during his lonely hibernation. In all

THE STAR

october 20, 2018

COMMENT

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urther proof that hell politician scorned?

to establish the proposed DSH project by whatever means necessary, despite the opposition’s continuing antiDSH propaganda. What follows tends to support the popular view. It is a letter to Teo Ah Khing from then prime minister Kenny Anthony: “Dear Teo: It was a pleasure to receive your email and note the strong enthusiasm that still exists to make the project a reality. I am touched by the strength of your commitment. I am also excited by the potential of the project and have instructed my team to find solutions to the disagreements that still exists [sic]. I trust that this can be done immediately. “The issue of exclusivity is an exceedingly difficult one. I believe it is really important for you to understand our position on this matter. As a new CIP jurisdiction it will suffocate the program as all other projects which depend on China will be withdrawn. This will also cause severe reputational damage. Rather than the exclusivity serving as an attraction for others, it will in fact discourage others. But more importantly, investors who have already bought land, commenced their designs and made submissions for approval will be placed in a most undesirable position by ment between the government of Saint Lucia and Desert Star Holdings in July 2016 was good the unexpected announcement Teo Ah Khing were getting ready to launch their demolition weapons even before the proposed of an exclusivity for one DSH project got underway! project. It will really help me to understand what is the interest events he offered his own answers: whom the then leader of the St. to respect your predecessor. you seek to achieve so I may “I don’t believe in bluffing people. I Lucia Labour Party (who, by his Not a single person has ever consider other ways in which approached me from the don’t believe in misleading people. I own account, always did the we can assist to achieve the prefer to do the right thing and lose right thing) had declared war government and asked for my same objective. an election than do the wrong thing and lost; badly. views on what they are trying to “Of greater concern, and win. That is who I am and that “If Chastanet had called do.” though, is the requirement to will not change. No matter what you and asked for a meeting with The promised revelations waive sovereign immunity. This say or think about me, I have always DSH,” said the recently removed had given way to matters is unprecedented and may well believed in doing the right thing.” prime minister to his groaning personal. As if he were Rodney require parliamentary approval. Of course his main question—“Why flock, “I would have given him Dangerfield, he had been To do so in an election year is is Kenny Anthony so stupid?”— the courtesy of such a meeting. shown scant respect by the suicidal. However, I am sure remained unanswered! But now it’s too late. No more new prime minister, proof that that our proposed wording can talks, no more talks, no more he was unfit to lead. Curiously, He returned to Teo Ah Khing achieve the same interest and and Desert Star Holdings. Oh, and talks. This is not how you treat many continue to believe not prejudice the project in any the new prime minister, against your predecessor. You have Kenny Anthony was determined way.

“Teo, rest assured that I possess an even greater desire to see this project become a reality for so many reasons. I will push to the limit. I ask that you consider my thoughts which I have shared above. Let us find solutions and make this a flag-bearer for a sustainable integrated resort development in the world.” (My emphasis.) Does anything in Kenny Anthony’s letter to Teo Ah Khing suggest the prime minister was negotiating with an impossibly “uncompromising” individual with an irrevocable my way or the highway attitude? In all events, the prime minister seemed eager to accommodate Teo Ah Khing’s interests, even if it meant rewording his demands so as to make the unpalatable palatable. (See paragraph above relating to “sovereign immunity.” Also keep in mind his repeated references to general elections.) Then there is this email addressed to the CEO of Desert Star Holdings, who customarily refers in his missives to Kenny Anthony as My Dearest Prime Minister: “Dear Teo: It is always good to hear from you! I continue to admire your commitment and passion for this investment. I understand that your proposals are on the way to Cabinet for consideration. Ihope we can give you a response in the next few days. Meanwhile, preparations for general elections are underway; so in the next few weeks I will inevitably be consumed with the campaign. Warmest Regards.” At the time the prime minister wrote the above letters to Teo Ah Khing, elections were constitutionally due on April 5, 2017 at the latest. Most Saint Lucians—including key SLP campaigners and election candidates— were caught with their pants down when the prime minister, in his May 19, 2016 “The Die Is Cast” address

to the nation, announced that Polling Day would be on June 6, 2016. But Teo Ah Khing was not among those caught off guard. Notice, too, dear reader, that the second email here reproduced was dated April 22, 2016. In other words, less than one month before the announcement of the year’s general elections, correspondence between Kenny Anthony and Teo Ah Khing could not have been more cordial. In Kenny Anthony’s earlier letter of February 10, 2016—yes, 2016—things were so hunky dory that the prime minister had actually promised effectively to turn water into wine for Desert Star Holdings. So just when did Teo Ah Khing transmogrify into this dreadful troll excoriated by Kenny Anthony at his first postelection outing in Vieux Fort? When did Teo Ah Khing become monstrously “uncompromising” and too clever by half? I neglected to mention that the letters reproduced above were copied to Kenbelles@gmail. com—not the email address of the minister in charge of Invest St. Lucia. Was Kenbelles@gmail. com Kenny Anthony’s private email address? If yes, does it ring bells? I should also add that the letters in my possession betray no connection with the Office of the Prime Minister. When it comes to the relationship between Kenny Anthony and Teo Ah King were his Cabinet colleagues left as much in the dark as they were in relation to Grynberg? Never mind his more recent platform exhalations, the question remains: Had the United Workers Party not won the 2016 elections, would Kenny Anthony have delivered on a platter all that Teo Ah Khing desired? More importantly, are Kenny Anthony’s efforts at cock-blocking the proposed DSH project in the best interests of his constituency—or are his reasons strictly personal? We gon talk!

LOCAL

october 20, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Tennyson Joseph Calls On Government MPs to Vote Out their Leader!

DIGICEL OPERATIONALLY READY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE LAUNCH OF NUMBER PORTABILITY

Feature address speaker Tennyson Joseph (left) and SLP political leader Phillip J Pierre.

nder the theme 'Mobilize, Organise, Consolidate', the St. Lucia Labour party held its 68th annual Conference of Delegates last Sunday, in Laborie. District representatives, Peter Alexander (ONE), Therold Prudent (LPM) and other supporters attended. The always controversial UWI lecturer and a former SLP election candidate Tennyson Joseph delivered the keynote address. He last made local headlines when he cited Donald Trump and Allen Chastanet as proof that the electorate should be wary of businessmen. Asked by local reporters to comment on Joseph’s assertion, Chastanet expressed surprise that despite the lecturer’s “often racist pronouncements” the University of the West Indies continued to employ him. Perhaps out of an abundance of caution, Joseph started out on Sunday with the following declaration: “Let me state for the record that I’m not speaking here as an

officer of the University of the West Indies. Whatever I have to say here today, I am not saying as a representative of the University of the West Indies. I am speaking here in my own personal capacity, as a concerned citizen of Saint Lucia, and as a card-carrying member of the St. Lucia Labour Party.” “Despite our great history and our unmatched contribution to development,” he went on, “we find ourselves in opposition once again, despite all the evidence of our ability to govern, despite all the proof of our genuine commitment to Saint Lucia’s development, despite the fact that we have consistently produced the best and most able leaders of Saint Lucia. We find ourselves against class and social forces, which consistently succeed in mobilizing enough public opinion against us to deny us our rightful place as the government of Saint Lucia.” He advised fellow party

members of the necessity to conduct an analysis of the factors that may have caused the St. Lucia Labour party to lose the 2016 election to “a political aberration”. It is unlikely that he anticipated a response when he asked: “What sins and offences did we commit that so troubled the Saint Lucian voter, it caused them to rejoice over our downfall, and to celebrate this perfect stranger who they knew nothing about, and who they are only now discovering?” He seemed to blame “a wider global ideology”, the purpose of which is to "attack social democratic governments like the SLP" while espousing a “neo-liberalism” with a pro-business philosophy that promotes privatization and government withdrawal from certain economic activities, which would then be taken over by the private sector. “Once people begin to accept the idea of privatization as gospel,” he said, “they begin

to believe that government is a business, and that governments exists only for the expansion of private business. Trump claimed he was a successful businessman and would make America rich and great again. Chastanet claimed that he was a businessman and he would put ‘ching-ching’ in Saint Lucia’s pockets.” He did not say whether Trump had kept his word. Neither did he comment on the IMF’s recently released encouraging growth figures in relation to the local economy. Instead Dr. Joseph called on UWP parliamentarians to support the SLP political leader’s upcoming vote of no confidence in their own government. In closing, the UWI lecturer advised the SLP’s leadership to meet and engage every sector of the society in order to discover their needs and to help the SLP carve out policy. --- Joshua St. Aimee

e have been anticipating the day Saint Lucians can freely be a part of their telecommunications network of choice and don’t have to give up that number that means so much to them,” said Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer Siobhan James- Alexander, following the recent announcement by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) of Local Number Portability (LNP) in all ECTEL member states effective Monday 19 November, 2018. “Digicel welcomes number portability, as it creates the ability for customers to switch service providers without the possible cost and inconvenience of a change of their telephone number. Digicel has always sought to put our customers first and provide freedom of use, and number portability supports that by effectively establishing customer ownership of their number— regardless of service provider,” explained JamesAlexander. The CEO added, “This represents a great opportunity for our valued corporate mobile customers to consolidate to a single provider, bringing their fixed lines to Digicel and benefitting from our award-winning account management, greater efficiency and access to the significant business

advantages of our new fibre ring built through the CARCIP [Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program Project] partnership.” James- Alexander said that Number Portability could not have come at a better time, as the remainder of 2018 promises to be extremely rewarding and exciting for every Digicel customer. “We are very close to launching nation-wide LTE coverage across all of Saint Lucia. Every customer wants the best telecommunication experience; customers want to be able to access their favourite music, TV shows and social media platform on the go in the fastest time without buffering, and that’s what nation-wide LTE will deliver. And, with number portability, it removes a potential barrier from those wanting to benefit from what would soon be Saint Lucia’s only island-wide LTE network,” the CEO added. Local number portability is a service which allows subscribers of fixed and mobile networks to move their services to another provider within the same ECTEL member state while retaining their current number. This means that a person or company who changes their provider and decides to keep their phone number will not have the trouble of informing their family, friends, colleagues, customers and clients that their number has changed.

THE STAR

october 20, 2018

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

Reformed Alcoholic Issues Youth Warning! By Claudia Eleibox

onstant anger and engaging in fights are the symptoms of alcoholism that Richmond Constantine says nearly ruined his life. With over twenty years of his existence spent being an alcoholic, Richmond is in a position to advise his children and the younger generation of the consequences of alcohol consumption. Several surveys, including by the World Health Organization and World Atlas, indicated last year that Saint Lucia is among the leading per capita consumers of alcohol. In February the health minister Senator Mary Isaac issued a warning that alcohol consumption might be the cause of increasing vehicular accidents and deaths. Barely one month later there was the so-called Coolie Town incident that claimed four lives, and for which alcohol poisoning was blamed. But Richmond’s warning to the youth is that paying scant attention to the early symptoms of alcoholism only encourages out-of-control disaster. “Right now,” he said during a recent sit-down with the STAR, “there are far too many

Richmond is concerned that many young people who enjoy alcohol are headed for disaster, with no-one to help them. He says he’s been "to hell and back" and credits a therapy group run by the Catholic Church with turning his life around.

alcoholics in Saint Lucia. You see them all over town, endless little boys and girls with a big

bottle of rum in their hands. I wish I could do something about it.”

COCONUT BAY BEACH RESORT & SPA'S “SKIP THE STRAW, SAVE A TURTLE” CAMPAIGN

s part of broader plan to transition away from plastic and Styrofoam disposables and a commitment to sea turtle conservation, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa has launched the “Skip the Straw, Save a Turtle” initiative. The campaign forms part of an overall commitment to achieve total withdrawal of plastic straws property-wide by 1 December, 2018. By that date plastic straws will be replaced by biodegradable paper straws. This undertaking was first introduced to the Paradise Beach Club in August of this year and subsequently

expanded to the adult-only Harmony Pool and the Splash Swim-Up Pool Bar. “We are committed to safeguarding the sea turtles that call Anse de Sables home,” says General Manager Zachary Frangos. “With the continuing help of our Turtle Scouts and now the transition away from plastic straws, we look forward to making a more significant impact towards conservation of sea turtles”. The move to eliminate use of plastic straws through the “Skip the Straw, Save a Turtle” initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to marine turtle

conservation efforts over the past thirteen years by Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries. This is also consistent with plans announced by the Government of St. Lucia to phase out the use of Styrofoam food service disposables and plastics beginning 1 December, 2018 through to 30 November, 2019. Through its efforts the resort will continue to be a willing partner with the government and other stakeholders in the advancement of overall conservation efforts.

Contrary to other observers, Richmond does not blame peer pressure for the problem. He said he started drinking because he enjoyed the feeling of being slightly drunk. In fact, he became addicted to it. “It’s like I’m superhuman when I’m drunk,” he said. “I can say and do anything I want. So I started drinking to get drunk.” He soon discovered that he needed alcohol to enjoy himself. Then he drank whenever he needed a confidence boost at parties. Surprisingly, booze also helped him perform better at work—or so he imagined. “I began drinking before going to meetings,” he recalled, “and everyday after work. I seemed to do everything better after a few drinks.” He says young consumers of booze drink for the same reasons. “Especially at carnival time,” he said, “you see how the young boys and girls carry on? I used to do the same thing.” At carnival time there are many appeals designed

to discourage revellers from drinking and driving and also not to have unprotected sex. But there is no set limit on the amount of alcohol people consume. Alcoholism is defined as an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behaviour resulting from alcohol dependency. The American alcohol rehab guide says: “Individuals struggling with alcoholism often feel as though they cannot function normally without alcohol.” “It gets worse afterwards,” Richmond confirmed. He says that although his own partner could see what was happening, still he wouldn’t stop. “Eventually I was coming home without the money we needed for the house and food, and I would be drunk but embarrassed that I spent all the money on rum.” Before his partner could say anything, Richmond admits that he would hit her first and jump on her “like an old horse. Alcoholism made me treat women like old footballs

because I used to behave like they were there just there to have sex and I would abuse them however I wanted.” He went on: “One National Day I was drunk, having fun and enjoying myself. At least, I thought I was. But my daughter, who was playing with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Band, was upset and embarrassed. I had been told I had a problem before but when that happened I went to Turning Point.” Richmond says his six weeks at Turning Point were not nearly as productive as his time with Live-In, a therapy group run by the Roman Catholic Church that he still attends five years later. His life has had a complete turn around. He learned that he could cook and bake and is now able to enjoy life without alcohol. Richmond adds: “It hurts me that I had to go through all of that, hurting people who love me, all because I was hooked on alcohol. I fell sick and didn’t know. Some of these children may be killing themselves with alcohol and not know it.”

FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATORY AUTHORITY Applications are invited for the position of Financial Regulator with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The principal responsibilities, specifications, associated details for the position and qualification requirements are provided below. Principal Responsibilities The successful applicant will perform the following duties and responsibilities and will be answerable to the Executive Director: 1. Reviews and analyses assigned applications in respect of regulated entities; 2. Conducts due diligence to determine the fit and proper test of all Directors, Shareholders and Senior Managers of Regulated Entities; 3. Ensures that all necessary prudential requirements in the review of applications are complied with; 4. Monitors the activities of regulated entities to ensure that those activities are being performed in a prudent manner and within acceptable standards; 5. Reviews and comment on the analysis of annual returns and audited financial statements to ensure that requirements of the law are satisfied; 6. Plans, conducts and reports findings of on-site inspections; 7. Produces statistics on the financial services sector 8. Undertake any other responsibility as may be assigned by the Executive Director. Qualification and Experience Requirements Professional qualification in Banking/Accounting (ACCA, CGA, CPA….) plus 3 years’ experience in the Financial Sector/Regulatory Environment or Audit. Compensation will be commensurate with Qualifications and Experience and will be in accordance with the terms stipulated by the Board of Directors. Suitably qualified applicants will be acknowledged and invited for an interview. Application with resume including the name and contact details of two referees must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked: Confidential - Application for Position of Financial Regulator, and must be sent to: The Executive Director Financial Services Regulatory Authority 6th Floor, Francis Compton Building Waterfront CASTRIES Or By email, signed and in pdf format to: Cleon@gosl.gov.lc. Applications must reach the address above or email address by Wednesday November 7, 2018

LOCAL

october 20, 2018 THE STAR

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Hierland Peter is Determined to Create Opportunities for Young, Artistic St. Lucians Keryn Nelson

hen we first met at his work place, Hierland Peter was on his lunch break. I was there for a pre-arranged meeting with the producer of a play on which we would collaborate. When Peter appeared, smartly dressed, without the smallest sign of fatigue, the thought that occurred to me (don’t ask me why) was that he had to be older than he looked; at least 30. He handed me a script by Kendel Hippolyte, then informed me it was a story at the heart of his latest project. It later turned out, when I had the opportunity to interview him, that Hierland Peter was only 24 years old. I had been misled by his no-nonsense demeanour, hardly synonymous with the average young Saint Lucian male. Almost the first words out of his mouth concerned his family. They had always been most supportive of his aspirations. He said: “They truly believe in the old saying that if you can

think of something, a project, then you can make it happen. All you have to do is go after it!” He had found his passion when he was only 15. “A friend encouraged me to attend a meeting of Youth Studying Performing Arts and Culture (YouthSPAC). I thoroughly enjoyed that first session.” It sparked in him a near 10-year commitment to the arts. Before long he was participating in drama productions that took him to Trinidad and other venues outside Saint Lucia. Referencing groups such as YouthSPAC, he said: “On a scale of one to ten, I would say the impact, especially on young people is 1,000. The performing arts help in building self-confidence. They help with networking skills as well.” During his time at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Peter established with two friends a magazine called “Expressions”. The trio would rename and rebrand the publication as an educational, online magazine called 'That's Wassup'. “When we first created the magazine back in 2012,” Peter

Hierland Peter believes whole-heartedly that after-school programmes and art-based initiatives can change lives.

National Achiever of the Year is Zenna Hadeed (left) of Corinth Secondary School who also received a handset, compliments of FLOW.

recalled, “its main objective was basically to give students at the secondary school and tertiary level the opportunity to develop their skills.” Students were responsible for the magazine’s production, its design, the bulk of the writing and the graphics. “Unfortunately,” said Peter, “the other two members decided to move on. They're no longer involved but I decided to continue because I recognize the importance of giving young people an opportunity to develop their skills.” The 24-year-old now works fulltime in the accounting arm of 1st National Bank's Finance department—a job he says helped him further his contributions to the arts. “I started with the bank in 2012 and then I left to further my studies at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus. There, I majored in management and minored in Finance and Accounting. In accounting you have to ensure that everything is documented and sustainable, so that helps a lot in managing ‘That's Whassup.’ ” And Peter readily admits

that he is fascinated with the proper management of money: “The process of turning a dollar into $10,000 five years from now just blows me away!” Meanwhile Peter has been working at turning 'That’s Wassup' into a production company where young people can showcase their skills in theatre arts. His first play was coproduced alongside Kiedal Sonny and Dexter Felix in 2014. His next project, the first play to be staged under 'That's Wassup,' will feature a crew and cast of young, talented Saint Lucians between 17 and 35 years of age. The socially conscious Kendel Hippolytewritten play titled 'In Half An Hour, So Much Can Change' is scheduled for the National Cultural Centre on 10 November. The budding producer says his team has been working tirelessly to ensure the event’s success and promises the message at the heart of the story is one every Saint Lucian should hear. He implores interested persons to visit the 'That's Wassup' Facebook page for more information.

Flow Congratulates Junior Achievers

nder the auspices of the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, the youth entrepreneurship scheme known as Junior Achievement (JA) of St. Lucia continues to go from strength to strength. Flow, one of the long-time supporters of JA, played a small role during the latter's annual awards ceremony. Present were JA patron Dame Pearlette Louisy, along with a number of Cabinet ministers and diplomats. Especially pleasing for Flow was the performance of Advanced Corporation, a company coming out of the JA programme at Corinth Secondary School. Flow has worked directly with JA at the school for several years, but this year was one of the most successful for the school's company. The service developed by Advanced Corporation made excellent

use of the super-fast Flow 4G LTE mobile data network. Advanced Corporation sought to transition classrooms using Google Classroom to make teaching and learning more meaningful; and to equip students with the technological skills required to compete in today’s changing world. The students used 4G LTE equipped mobile modems, also known as MiFi devices, as well as mobile handsets from Saint Lucia and the Caribbean's leading telecommunications service provider, Flow, to furnish Wi-Fi for sale to fellow pupils anywhere on the school compound and out. Winning a Samsung Galaxy J2 Neo with a one-month Star Plan from Flow with the title National Achiever of the Year was Zenna Hadeed of Corinth Secondary School, whilst the school finished third in the Company of the

Year stakes, and won the JA Patron's Award. Other students nominated for National Achiever of the year were Touya Jn Baptiste of Entrepot Secondary School, Mildred Boyce of Babonneau Secondary School, and Andazia Cherry of Castries Comprehensive Secondary School. For the second year in a row, though, Babonneau Secondary School won Company of the Year, whilst collecting awards for best attendance and best records. Castries Comprehensive Secondary School was the Most Improved School. The Highest Return on Investment Award went to Entrepot Secondary School. The guest speaker at JA's awards ceremony, Denell Florius, CEO and Co-founder of Eco Carib, is a former Flow sales trainee.

THE STAR

LOCAL 19

www.stluciastar.com

october 20, 2018

Mottley Lays Down The Law: Government’s business should only be conducted on an official email!

rime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has expressed this view during a dialogue between ministers and the Committee of Permanent Secretaries and Related Grade, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre that government was spending a lot of money to invest in a secure technological platform and it should therefore be used. “I have advised the Cabinet, and I am saying it to all public officers too,” she said, “that no business of the Government of Barbados should be conducted on anything other than an official email. We have to move to this platform. If not, the Commissioner of Police, I suspect, will have a very difficult time trying to enhance this country’s cyber security.” (See this issue’s centre pages.) The prime minister told her audience that she and her ministers would not be holding meetings to conduct the business of government without public officers being present. “This was the Barbados government that I came into in 1994,” she said. “This must be the Barbados government

to which we return in 2018. The notion that persons can meet politically in an office to discuss the business of Barbados without public officers cannot happen because we put ourselves at risk of two things: One, allegations of corruption. But two, who is going to follow up? If you are in meetings all day and you don’t have a public officer with you, who is going to follow up? The role of the public officer is to execute the policy and the decisions pertaining to policy that have been made,” she stressed She went on: “Our responsibility is to take the appropriate action when ignorance happens and to ensure that we do not involve ourselves in circumstances where the issue becomes a cover-up and not the original problem. It is always better to speak and deal with the issue directly rather than seeking to find a way to push it one side, either innocently, or to deliberately cover it up. There is never, never a happy outcome.” Moreover: “I will always bowl the ball very straight, even to my disadvantage, because I

There was urgency in Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s speech about not making government policy vulnerable to corruption.

have learned that even if there is short-term disadvantage, there is long-term advantage and I ask of us only to be straight, to be direct. There is no conversation too difficult for big people to have.” The prime minister noted that it was necessary for her and her Cabinet to have regular dialogue with the Committee of

A CONTNUED CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR BOTHAM JEAN

he Office of the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition adds its voice to the call for fairness and a just outcome in the case of the unprovoked shooting death of Saint Lucian Botham Shem Jean on 6 September in Dallas, Texas. The known facts of the case are frightening and point to the need for professionalism by all groups responsible for upholding the law and for ensuring that the justice system in Dallas, Texas is seen to serve everyone without partiality. Every life which is cut short before its time is tragic. When a promising life such as that of Botham Shem Jean is taken for no known or plausible cause in such sinister circumstances, the loss to family and community is exponentially greater. This tragedy involving a uniformed police officer and a model citizen impacts the psyche of the community and undermines the fabric of social relations in a manner that takes decades to repair. In a twist of ironies, it can be said that the tragedy of Botham Jean’s untimely death presents the US police with an opportunity to lead the charge in closing the persisting chasm of trust and confidence between law enforcement and people of colour in this land of immigrants. As a Saint Lucian institution, the Parliamentary Opposition remains particularly grateful for the support and groundswell of love that has been meted out to the Jean family in Saint Lucia at their “ground zero”.

Permanent Secretaries and Officers of Related Grade. She suggested that, in the interest of the governance of the people of Barbados, "a meeting should be held once every six months, not to have ad hominem or personal discussion, but to see how we can improve doing what we want to do as a nation".

Rate WASCO’s Service Online T he Water and Sewerage Company Incorporated (WASCO) is encouraging customers and the general public to participate in a public survey that was launched on 12 October, 2018. The survey, which allows customers to remain anonymous, seeks to find out public views on the quality of WASCO’s services. The survey can be completed in ten minutes, and is available online, on WASCO’s website at www.wascosaintlucia.com and WASCO’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ wascowaterworks/. A survey kiosk has also been set up at all WASCO branches (Castries, Soufriere and Vieux Fort) to encourage widespread customer participation in the survey. This survey is an important part of the triennial tariff review, as

Seeks suitably qualified candidates for the post of: OPERATIONS MANAGER The Landings is a marina resort of private accommodation, long term lets and a traditional hotel operation. Each of the 145 villa/apartments is privately owned. In addition, commercial services are provided in areas such as boat berthing, beach sports, spa, gym, tour operations and F&B. The position is one of three senior roles reporting to an Executive Committee of owners, along with the Finance Manager and General Manager, and has direct responsibility for administering an annual operating budget of US$3M and capital budget of US$1M. Direct subordinates are departments for engineering maintenance, resort security, IT infrastructure and Homeowner liaison. Responsibilities Engineering Maintenance and Capital Projects

Jean died on 6 September after being shot in his apartment.

We have noted the rallying support—emotional, spiritual and material—extended by the Dallas West Church of Christ and by the Potters House organisation and its leaders Bishop T.D. Jakes and Syreeta Jakes. A month on, as we continue to stand in solidarity with the Jean family, it is hoped that justice will be swift. It is also the Parliamentary Opposition’s hope that the civil society groups in Saint Lucia and North America that have taken up the cause, will keep the up the call for justice for Botham Jean, lest it be mistakenly construed that Saint Lucians are content to relegate Botham Jean’s death to another list of statistics.

To manage the development, maintenance and operation of all building, services facilities and associated infrastructure, plant & equipment. To provide the Landings with a role model in Facilities/Project Management and technical services standards, working with relevant departments to ensure a consistent approach to service delivery. The Operations Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining a multi-year plan for ensuring all the required testing and licensing needs of the building, infrastructure, plant & equipment are met in an efficient manner. Resort Security To oversee the safety and security of the buildings and infrastructure, together with the welfare of residents and transient guests. A large department providing 24/7 care, with the aid of high technology communications and recording facilities. IT Infrastructure and Utility Distribution To provide maintenance and care for the many application systems in use across the organization, as

WASCO prepares to make a formal application to the National Utilities Regulatory Commission (NURC) for a review of the current water and sewer rates. Such reviews are conducted on a triennial basis. The rates which customers currently pay were extended from 2015 and are now being appraised. WASCO wishes to stress, however, that the company on its own cannot impose increased rates on customers and that no decision on a tariff increase has been made by the regulator to date. In addition, according to the convention, a review on water tariffs must include public consultation on the matter. WASCO implores customers to participate in the exercise and to co-operate with company representatives who will be facilitating the process.

well as the state-of-the-art telemetry that is used to control security and fire alarm systems, together with distribution of electricity and water throughout the network. To support a comprehensive WiFi network that provides fast response times and blanket coverage to all corners of the resort. Homeowner Liaison A one-stop shop that maintains all individual residential units to a high level of comfort and quality, dealing directly with individual owners or managers of the rental pool. Responsible for maintaining adequate inventory levels of spare parts and ensuring timely repairs of all appliances. The Landings is the approved service agent for all Miele domestic appliances in St Lucia, maintaining close contact with Miele for engineer training and sparepart acquisition. Requirements The ideal candidate will have strong management skills and an extensive proven record of experience in a similar role in either building management or facilities management, working knowledge of AV/ ICT development and management; professional qualification in mechanical or electrical or equivalent is essential; NEBOSH Certificate or a similar relevant qualification essential; experience in environmental and energy management advantageous; strong abilities for managing and controlling budgets. Good written and presentational skills are essential, with the ability to deal directly and tactfully with homeowners. The OM will ensure that all statutory and legal requirements relating to any buildings or other alterations are met prior to commencement of works e.g. planning permissions, building warrants etc. The OM will also monitor, evaluate and review Environmental, Health and Safety policy and practice and to develop and implement new policy and procedures as required All applications must be submitted to: Human Resources Manager The Landings Resort and Spa P.O. Box CP 5984 Castries, St. Lucia Email address: hradmin@landingsstlucia.com

20 cREDIT UNIONS

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october 20, 2018 THE STAR

CREDIT UNIONS: SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE By Peter Josie

hen did you last hear the phrase “controlling the commanding heights of the economy”? I bet it was a long time ago, if at all. The saying returned to me when I read that the St. Lucia Workers Credit Union had acquired brand new offices in Castries, where it hopes to better serve its members. It’s an achievement the nation ought to celebrate. The event took me back to the teachings of the St. Lucia Forum of the early 1970s. I therefore consider it a duty, as a founding member of that group, to encourage citizens to join a credit union of their choice as the St. Lucia Workers Credit Union marks an auspicious occasion. The event that marked a new chapter in the life of the credit union is one which politicians should be falling over each other to praise and encourage. I encourage them and their constituents to join a

Whatever else may be said about their politics, there can be no doubt the author Peter Josie and George Odlum, John Compton and George F.L. Charles (left to right) made valuable contributions to the union movement in Saint Lucia.

credit union. This would help raise the profile of politics on the island and confirm that they are finally returning to that which matters most in a country and its people—the economy! It cannot be denied that George F.L. Charles, Martin ‘Oleo’ Jn. Baptiste and Burke King (father of the NWU’s Tyrone Maynard) laid the foundation on which the island’s credit

unions were built. Neither can it be denied that it was George Odlum, Peter Josie, and Hilford Deterville of the St. Lucia Forum who first made the connection between collective wealth accumulation (savings) amongst citizens (local banks and credit unions), using political education to emphasize self-respect and self-worth. The Forum’s message was at

ST. LUCIA HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WORKERS CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.

REG NO. 50 OCT 30. 1994

Congratulations to all Members of the St.Lucia Credit Union Movement and by extension the World on this International Credit Union Day.

Happy World Credit Union Day

TEL: (758) 452-7092 / 453-0925 | FAX: (758) 459-0114

the heart of the formation of the Commercial Bank of St. Lucia. It aided in the establishment of the St. Lucia Development Bank. Having suffered the neglect of Emancipation Day earlier this year, I consider it my duty to point out some issues for discussion at the 40th anniversary of Independence in 2019. In so doing, I return to three of the several principles laid down by the St. Lucia Forum: To control the island’s scare resources, including the land and the accumulation and control of savings; to build self-confidence and resilience in workers and producers on the island through continuous training and political education; and to use the media to promote these ideas in a way that does not conflict with good manners, etiquette and logical debate that cut across narrow partisan politics. In the process of development we must learn to give Jack his jacket. We may dislike a man and his politics but before we begin to expatiate on what in him we dislike, we must make certain to introduce our analysis with the good that individual has accomplished. For example, in criticizing past politicians for the things we disliked about them (including George F. L. Charles, founder of the SLP and John Compton, founder of the UWP), we first must ensure that we recall the struggles these two had selflessly engaged in on behalf of sugarcane cutters of the 50s and 60s, and later on behalf of banana farmers. We ought also to recall that it was Odlum, Josie, Deterville and the St. Lucia Forum that first educated the masses to build self-worth and pride and, in the process,

taught them to appreciate their history and their heritage. Adult suffrage did not elevate the thinking of the common man; the Forum’s ideas and political education of the 70s did. Under George Charles and John Compton, the electorate achieved adult suffrage—one man (aged 21 and over) one vote. Despite adult suffrage the masses—the malaway and the barely literate—were never exposed to a study of themselves, their history and their economic circumstances within the global situation. Only when George Odlum, Peter Josie and the St. Lucia Forum arrived on the public scene did that change. Later, it was these two who energized the St. Lucia Labour Party and instilled in the masses their value as human beings, and the need “to take up their beds and walk”. It was therefore no co-incidence that this writer, on being appointed Minister of Agriculture in 1979, organised a group of local small farmers to visit Trinidad to observe advanced methods in vegetable and food production there, and at the UWI faculty of agriculture. Again, it was no fluke or act of cheap politics that during my too-short period as minister, banana farmers visited Martinique to observe updated methods of husbandry in banana cultivation. And to crown it all, it was under my watch as Minister of Agriculture that banana farmers accompanied me to England to observe the rigid selection process their bananas underwent before final distribution and sale at various supermarkets. Importantly, farmers and fishermen on the island were encouraged to form

credit unions in which to place their savings, and to act as agents for the procurement of needed inputs and materials. Of course, we were heavily criticized by some for opening the eyes of workers and people, politically. The establishment, including some religious authorities felt threatened. They feared losing control of the peoples’ minds. It came to a head during the passage of the Education Bill that was introduced in parliament by Hunter Francois, Minister of Education, in 1973. The Bill was strongly supported by the St. Lucia Forum. Without it, there would not be as many secondary schools on the island today; neither would there be a Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. It’s now sixty years or so since the first credit union was started in Saint Lucia. Perhaps the time has come for the country to begin to choose its parliamentarians based on membership and support for the credit union movement, community service and membership in sporting organisations. Still, we need to guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing as some will attempt to use the foundation built by Odlum and Josie and others to enrich themselves and family. It should be an unwritten rule in politics that we encourage citizens to save in banks and invest in credit unions, and continue to jealously guard these as they pursue control of the commanding heights of the economy. Note: this article was first published on August 25, 2018 in The STAR Newspaper.

THE STAR

october 20, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

CREDIT UNIONS

Why You Should Consider Joining a Credit Union F

inancial institutions aren’t all created equal. Some are big, some are small, some offer great savings rates and others don’t pay interest at all. If you’re dissatisfied with your bank, it might be time to look elsewhere. Here are a few good reasons to give credit unions a try. Not just a nonprofit Unlike banks, which operate for profit, credit unions are member-owned, democratically run nonprofits. That means you’re more than a customer; you’re a member, and you get to vote on board directors and other officials. Each member’s vote carries equal weight, regardless of deposits at the credit union. More favorable rates and lower fees Credit unions’ not-for-profit

status lets them distribute their profits to members through returns on savings and investments. As a result, credit unions provide higher average returns on a national level than traditional banks do. Credit unions’ average rates when surveyed for savings and loan products usually beat or tie with those of traditional banks in every category. Credit unions charge lower fees on average than traditional banks as well. A 2012 study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group found that 60% of credit unions provided completely feefree checking accounts, while only 24% of big banks did. Community is a priority Credit unions are known for their personalized service and community engagement. It’s common for them to give out scholarships, donations and

grants, or host concerts and volunteer events. This focus means members receive knowledgeable customer service. Representatives generally try to get to know them and can provide valuable financial education and resources. Credit unions also routinely offer member perks, such as discounted auto-buying services, free financial tune-ups and group medical insurance. Not cutting-edge but still convenient Of course, being rooted in a small community can have drawbacks. Large banks generally have many more branches across the country and more up-to-date technology than credit unions. But credit unions still offer a variety of savings and investment account choices.

How can I join a credit union? To qualify for membership in most credit unions, you simply have to live, work, go to school or worship in the area they serve. That said, there

are several top-notch credit unions that you can easily join with only about a $20 initial donation. Before you switch your savings account to a credit union, compare its services

to banks in your area to make sure you’re signing up for the institution that most suits your needs and values. ---nerdwallet

22 CREDIT UNIONS

october 20, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

How do you make Millennials flock to your Credit Union? M

illennials have become the biggest living generation, surpassing Baby Boomers, according to the Pew Research Center. They represent a vital target audience that credit unions can’t afford to ignore. But it seems that a lot of Credit Unions don’t look the direction of millennials. At least, that’s what the average member age says, which is according to the World Council of Credit Unions mid-to-late 40s in most countries. The problem is that many credit unions simply aren’t certain what millennials want. 1. Offer Mobile and Online Channels That Work Millennials like things to be straightforward and convenient, which is why most of them prefer to do their banking online or via a mobile app. ATMs come in third, and branches come last in order of preference and

frequency of use. The 18-to-35 crowd wants to be able to open an account, apply for a loan, deposit a check, pay their bills, transfer money, receive notifications – do all this on the go, expending as little effort as possible – and this is possible through the power of digital. They want easy services that don’t require a lot of their time. Providing these platforms alone isn’t enough, however. They have to be user-friendly, and they have to work effortlessly in-sync with other offline channels. A convoluted system, or one that’s down more than it’s operational, will win you no favor with millennials. 2. Create Products for the Younger Crowd A young adult goes through quite a few transitions at this point in life. They pursue higher

education, make their first forays into the professional world, get married, buy homes and even have kids. The fact is that most people make their first significant financial commitment in their 20s, but they come up against a massive roadblock, namely that most products are tailored towards people with an already existing credit history. A credit union that can offer more flexible financial products, thereby giving young millennials the opportunity to start building a credit history, will earn their gratitude but also gain their lifelong loyalty. 3. Adopt a Collaborative Attitude Millennials like being able to collaborate with their credit union in developing new products and services. If they feel they are being listened to and their opinions matter, they

We celebrate this very important month and week, wishing the membership a Happy International Credit Union Day.

Join your Credit Union on October 23, 2018 at the CCC building from 1pm to 4:30pm. Learn about the new product for the youth called- Simple Dollar Account for minors.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY!!!!

feel a deep connection with any institution, or brand, that is willing to collaborate with them. Millennials want to be involved, and this is a great opportunity for any credit union, due to a higher level of flexibility than mainstream banks. You can be confident that millennials will flock to your credit union once the word gets around that you not only take their opinions to heart but also act on them. Plus, you’ll have the benefit of developing products and services that you know are tailored precisely to what your customers want. 4. Offer an Amazing Experience Studies have repeatedly shown that experience matters more than product to millennials. Despite this, the financial industry is doing such a “great job” that, according to a Brookings Institution research

paper, 71% of millennials would prefer to go to the dentist than listen to banks. A credit union that focuses on offering an excellent member experience, which includes making everything easy and straightforward, will attract millennials like moths to a flame. The World Council of Credit Unions’ report stated that the San Francisco Fire CU does business the millennial way by providing numerous banking channels, including mobile, online, drive-up, ATMs, call center and branches. They also listen to their members by doing regular surveys and acting on the insights they collect. The result? Millennials make up 38% of their overall membership, which is impressive. 5. Keep Educating Millennials Despite being one of the

most educated generations, the level of financial literacy among millennials is low. On the other hand, millennials who are credit union members trust their financial institution as a source of advice. This is a great opportunity for credit unions. Provide millennials with the education and guidance they need on social media and other online platforms to win their hearts and minds. Considering that millennials are in the early stages of their financial life and have little money to work with, credit unions can provide them with the advice they need without charging the exorbitant fees financial advisers do, and by doing so CUs can earn their trust and lifelong loyalty. If your Credit Union is able to assist them sincerely, there you have earned a member for a lifetime! ---CC Cloud Cherry

St. Lucia Teachers’ Co-operative Credit Union Celebrates this year’s International Credit Union Day under the theme “FIND YOUR PLATINUM LINING IN CREDIT UNIONS”

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY ST. LUCIA

THE STAR

HEALTH

www.stluciastar.com

october 20, 2018

Understanding Dementia

Your Words Can Reveal Alzheimer’s

n last week’s issue this column explored the second out of ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease which is having difficulty completing tasks. This week I’ll discuss the third warning sign. If you experience any of these signs, see your doctor or contact the Saint Lucia Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association for more information or for a memory screening. Warning Sign Number Three: Having problems with language or communicating. Forgetting words or using vocabulary in the wrong context, such as referring to a newspaper as a book or a cigarette as a firecracker, explains this warning sign. A person with this challenge may experience trouble with conversations and may find it difficult to keep up or join in. They may stop in the middle of the conversation and not know how to continue or may repeat the same information multiple

times. Typically, a similar agingrelated symptom would be having trouble finding the right word. When this happens usually the person tries to describe the word of which they are thinking. For example if they are trying to say “newspaper” they may begin defining it like, “It comes every Saturday; we read it once a week; it tells us what’s going on in the world, print, paper.” This can be so subtle and easily over looked by self, family and friends but, as it begins to happen frequently, the person experiencing the symptom may develop feelings of insecurity, of being socially inept and may withdraw slightly.

The right word may be difficult to muster but when it happens too often you may want to visit a doctor.

home and always wants me to call the police. When I give him the medication, he sleeps hard Q: My husband has Alzheimer’s and it is difficult to wake him and I am concerned about his up so I stopped giving it to him. hallucinations. His doctor has His behaviour is hard to handle prescribed him medication and it is tiring. Is this what I to stop the hallucinations. He must deal with the rest of his becomes aggressive at night disease? Should I put him back as he thinks people are in our on the medication to put him Questions about warning signs:

like a numb person that hardly talks? I don’t know what to do. A: I understand your frustration and concern. Based on his symptoms that you are describing it sounds like he may have something more than just Alzheimer’s or he may have been misdiagnosed.

If this is a sudden change for him hopefully they checked out infections before they gave him psychotropic medication. He may be experiencing Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) in addition to Alzheimer’s, or he has LBD and not Alzheimer’s. In any case the medication to control hallucinations seems to be dangerous for him. I wouldn’t recommend putting him back on it until a doctor that specializes in dementia treatment has evaluated him. However, managing his behaviour without medication is very challenging but it is possible. It is scary for your husband because the hallucinations seem very real to him. Trying to convince him that there is no one there only escalates the situation. Instead you could try asking him questions about what they want and see what his underlying fear is and tell him that you and he can figure out how to make them leave together. Be into his story and make him feel you

believe him and that you are on his side. If you must call the police, then call a police friend or a friend who will pose as a police officer over the phone and take a report. This is a common symptom for LBD. Call the Saint Lucia Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association on (758) 486 4509 to learn more about managing difficult behaviours. Regina Posvar is the current president of the Saint Lucia Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association and has been a licensed nurse for 25 years. SLADA is supported by volunteers and donations and aims to bring awareness and support by providing awareness public workshops, family support, memory screenings, the Memory Café, counseling and family training for coping skills and communication with persons living with dementia.

Connecting People, Partners and the World Connecting People, Partners and the World

JOB OPPORTUNITIES The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority invite applications from suitably qualified persons for recruitment to the positions of:

REQUEST FOR TENDERS The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), hereby invites suitably qualified parties to submit quotations for the following:

1. Supply of Two (2) 40 – 80 Ton Non Metal Tyre Roll Trailers 2. Supply of One 13 to 15 Ton Factory Refurbished Vacuum Sweeper Truck

•

Electrician

•

Electro Mechanical Technician

•

Training and Development Officer For more information regarding qualifications, experience and job description please visit www.slaspa.com

Proposers must provide evidence of experience in similar procurements Requests for both Quotations (RFQ) packages are available for collection from the Customer Service Desk, SLASPA’s Headquarters Building located on Manoel Street, Castries from Monday 22nd October, 2018 to Monday 29th October, 2018. Opening hours:

Applications should be addressed to: Senior Manager – Human Resources Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority P.O. Box 651 Manoel Street Castries Email: humanresource@slaspa.com DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: Friday 2nd November, 2018 Please note that only the suitable candidates will be shortlisted and acknowledged.

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (except 12 noon – 2 pm)

The RFQ packages must be individually submitted and labelled “Quotation for Supply of Two 40 to 80 Ton Non Metal Tyres Roll Trailers” and “Quotation for Supply of 13 to 15 Ton Factory Refurbished Vacuum Sweeper Truck” and should be submitted to the address below no later than Friday November 9th, 2018 at 4: 00 pm local time. The Chairperson –Tenders Committee Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) Manoel Street P.O. Box 651, Castries Quotations are to be handed to an actual person upon which a receipt will be provided to the person submitting the quotation. Please note that submissions/quotations received after the closing date and time will be rejected.

24 HEALTH

www.stluciastar.com

KIM’S KORNER Trigger Finger

rigger finger is a painful condition mainly affecting the ring finger or the thumb, when it is known as trigger thumb, although it can affect any finger. It got its name because of the popping sound that can be heard when trying to bend and straighten the finger. It starts as a general soreness at the base of the finger or thumb and you may feel a lump in the palm of your hand. Initially you may just feel a little stiffness in your finger but, as the condition progresses, you may find your finger locks when you try to straighten or bend it. In advanced cases the only way to move your finger is with the assistance of the other hand. Although there do not seem to be any aggravating symptoms, it can sometimes feel worse in the morning, after a night’s rest, easing a little as the day progresses. Symptoms may also be exacerbated by gripping an object tightly. The hand is a complex

Does your finger feel sore and ‘pop’? Don’t be happy— you may have trigger finger.

structure that is made to hold and manipulate objects. It is made up of 27 bones and more than 30 muscles originating in the forearm and hand that work together to produce extreme control and gripping power. These muscles attach to the bones via tendons, and contraction of the muscles makes the tendons pull on the bones, causing gross and intricate movements of the fingers and hand.

The muscles are long and thin, travelling through tendon sheaths, and any narrowing in the sheath can result in irritation and inflammation which affects the smooth movement of fingers. Constant irritation may lead to scarring and the formation of a bump, further restricting movement and causing the locking sensation of trigger finger. It is this narrowing that causes the clicking sound as the tendon is

pulled through the sheath. There are several risk factors that predispose some people to developing trigger finger: • More common in men than women • Having a job or hobby that involves repetitive movements that can fatigue the muscles in the hand. It is a condition that is common in musicians, farmers and industrial workers • Being between the ages of 40-60 • Having certain medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and tuberculosis Diagnosing trigger finger is relatively simple and most often does not even require an x-ray. Your doctor or healthcare provider can usually confirm diagnosis by watching your movements and asking a series of questions. Once you have confirmed that you have trigger finger, there is a lot you can do to speed up healing and recovery. The first step, as always, is rest; try to refrain from strenuous activity or tasks that involve repetitive movements for up to six weeks. Try to minimise

october 20, 2018 THE STAR

the movement of the hand and fingers to minimise friction and irritation, this can be hard but wearing a brace or splint may help. Another vital step on the road to recovery is reducing inflammation and one of the most effective ways to do this is by using ice, especially if you have been using your hand or doing exercise. Stretching can also help increase the range and improve the quality of movement; if you feel stiffness you can try heat before stretching either by using a heat pack or placing your hand in warm water. Heat before exercise can increase the blood flow and relax the muscles making movement easier. In cases where

conservative treatment is not working your doctor may suggest a steroid injection, although this does not heal the problem it merely delays the need for surgery. In extreme cases or where conservative treatment has not worked surgery is inevitable. The surgery can usually be performed as an outpatient procedure. After numbing the area, the surgeon will make a small incision in the palm of your hand, close to the problem tendon, making a cut to release the tight tendon sheath. Recovery from surgery can vary between a few weeks and six months but after healing you should be able to move more freely and find everyday tasks easier.

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

Advocacy from CARPHA and CARICOM results in Zika Label being removed from the Caribbean

T Royalton Resorts the new generation of luxury hotels, offering the best All-In Luxury™ vacations in the world’s most popular tropical destinations; is currently seeking motivated individuals to join our team. Our management team is seeking to engage qualified individuals in the following positions in an effort to consistently deliver service excellence to all our guests; • Assistant Executive Housekeeper • Housekeeping Supervisor • Executive Pastry Chef • Pantry Sous Chef • Beverage Manager • Restaurant Manager • Cost Controller • Organizational Development Manager Personnel Specification • Proven track record of excellence in similar position. • Resourceful and efficient team player, who is able to use past experiences to successfully function in the position. • Able to maintain a high standard of honest and ethical behavior. • Organized, committed, detail-oriented, and able to function in high stress environments. • Exceptional interpersonal skills, superior intellect, which will enable one to effectively communicate with different hierarchies of management. • Must be able to exercise noble judgment in decision making processes. • At least five (5) years of continuous service in a similar or closely related position. Remuneration • The salary for the above positions are based on qualifications and experience. • Package to include group medical and life insurance plan, access to Talent Development Programs. Application • Submission of resume with 2 professional references and certified copies of relevant qualifications. Addressed to: The Human Resource Manager, Royalton Saint Lucia, P.O Box 915, Castries. Or email: recruitmentUVF@royaltonresorts.com Include Post being applied in subject line. Deadline: Friday November 2nd, 2018.

he Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is pleased to announce that the World Health Organization (WHO) has removed its Zika virus country classification scheme, which categorized most of the Caribbean territories as having active Zika virus transmission. This removal by the WHO comes on the heels of data released by CARPHA, giving evidence that the Zika virus transmission in the Caribbean had been interrupted for over 12 months, or was at undetectable levels, thereby posing very little risk to residents and visitors to the region. This was matched by data shared with CARPHA by Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America which showed that no Zika had been detected for over 12 months in travellers returning from the Caribbean to their countries. This evidence was used by CARICOM to pen a letter to the WHO Director General calling for the immediate reclassification of CARPHA Member States from Category 1 (having active Zika transmission) to Category 3 (having no Zika transmission), arguing that the classification system had outlived its useful purpose.

Mosquitoes—done with spreading Zika?

Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr C. James Hospedales explained that the Zika classification was not only having an adverse impact on the Caribbean, but it was also against the tenets of the International Health Regulations (IHR). This adverse impact was confirmed by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), who made a formal request to CARPHA for the Agency’s intervention. Dr Hospedales stated, “The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world. It is also one of the most popular honeymoon destinations worldwide and ongoing cancellations due to the classification of most Caribbean countries as Category 1 is hurting the industry

unnecessarily. Therefore, CARPHA felt compelled to provide the evidence and to advocate for the removal of this WHO Zika classification system.” Today, the efforts of CARPHA, its member states, CARICOM and other regional and international agencies have yielded fruit as the WHO Zika virus country classification scheme is no longer active. CARPHA is the sole regional public health agency and pledges to continue to work with its member states to ensure that the Caribbean is capable of preventing, detecting and responding to public health threats affecting the region. For further information on Zika virus and other mosquitoborne diseases such as Dengue and Chikungunya, visit the CARPHA website at www. carpha.org

THE STAR

REGIONal

www.stluciastar.com

october 20, 2018

Haiti’s President Launches PetroCaribe Investigation

aitian President Jovenel Moise has reiterated his commitment to rooting out corruption. Responding to protester demands to “tell us where the PetroCaribe money is” Moise tweeted Thursday that his administration would investigate the allegations of misuse of funds and would hold all those responsible accountable. “No one will escape justice. It’s a moral and judicial duty,” he said. The president’s press secretary Eddy Jackson Alexis told reporters Moise had officially notified all government officials involved in the PetroCaribe agreement that they were to make themselves available to respond to a judicial inquiry. Thousands of protesters who took to the streets nationwide Wednesday were demanding transparency from the government regarding the alleged misuse of $3.8 billion.

Haitian National Police officers and protesters during a march to demand an investigation into what the latter say is the alleged misuse of Venezuelasponsored PetroCaribe funds, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 17, 2018.

The money, due to Haiti under the PetroCaribe oil alliances signed between Venezuela and Caribbean nations beginning

in June 2005, had been earmarked for infrastructure and social and economic projects.

Several audits have been done, with the results either failing to provide clear answers as to where the PetroCaribe

funds went, or showing that much of the revenue has been mismanaged, including being spent on construction projects that were not completed. Meanwhile, National Police spokesman Michel-Ange LouisJeune spoke with reporters about the toll of the protests on civilians and law enforcement. Two people died of bullet wounds in the West Department, he said, but did not specify who shot them. Eleven policemen were injured when protesters pelted them with rocks. In addition, the police force lost seven vehicles to fire and two others were damaged by flying rocks. But some municipal officials have reported higher injury and death tolls. Frantz Ulysse, Saint-Marc’s deputy mayor, reported 14 injuries when police fired to clear a roadblock on a highway the presidential motorcade was traveling on to attend a ceremony commemorating the 212th anniversary of the death

of revolutionary hero, JeanJacques Dessalines. Ulysse said of 10 people who were hit by bullets, three are in critical condition. According to the spokesman, the PNH (Police Nationale d’Haiti), widely criticized in July for failing to stop looters who ransacked businesses and gas stations, accomplished its mission this time around. Louis-Jeune said police thwarted a plot to loot two markets during the protests, but declined to identify the targeted businesses. “We arrested several individuals who were on motorcycles, with gas cans in hand and who were unable to explain why they had these cans and what they planned to do with them,” he said. Illegal weapons were also seized from several individuals. President Moise congratulated the police force on a job well done. ---Voice of America

Caribbean Ministers prepare for Health Usain Bolt had to take a drug test in Impact of Climate Change on SIDS Australia and he wasn’t happy about it

inisters from across the region of the Caribbean have agreed on an action plan to ensure that the health of those living in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is protected and prioritized within the global climate change agenda. The III Global Conference on Health and Climate: Special Focus on Small Island Developing States, convened jointly by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and hosted by the Government of Grenada, took place on 16 and 17 October in St George’s, Grenada. The conference, which was attended by the Prime Minister of Grenada, Hon Keith Mitchell, ministers of health and ministers of the environment, experts from PAHO and WHO, representatives from other UN agencies and key stakeholders from Caribbean SIDS, was convened to discuss the main climate change issues affecting the health of islands in the region. “The effects of what is around us and how we’ve treated our own environment are being seen every day,” said Hon Keith Mitchell. “As leaders we have a responsibility for

a future generation. We have to protect this earth for them. Placing this issue at the top of the agenda is crucial.” This sentiment was echoed by ministers throughout the region who highlighted that, despite being among the nations least responsible for climate change in terms of greenhouse gases, it is the Small Island States that are already seeing the most adverse effects. “We all understand that climate change will continue to affect our oceans, agriculture, food production and water resources,” said PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne. “But ultimately, the main impacts through all these sectors and pathways are on health.” Many SIDS are already seeing an increase in climatechange related events, including high burdens of climate-sensitive diseases such as vector-, food-, and waterborne diseases; more frequent and severe extreme weather events; and rising sea levels. The agreed action plan establishes a variety of recommendations in order to ensure that specific needs are taken into consideration. These include the development of mechanisms to ensure

that SIDS are fully engaged in global-level climate change processes and agreements; that technical co-operation methods are strengthened; and that SIDS are able to access the human, technical and financial resources necessary to address the effects of climate change on health. “Just as we bring climate change to the heart of the health sector, we must work to bring health to the heart of climate change discussions. We believe this action plan is an important step in that direction,” concluded Dr. Etienne. Throughout the conference, ministers emphasized that while Small Island Developing States may have struggled to compete with the voices and resources of larger nations, their commitment to work together and collaborate on issues of health and climate change will help to ensure they are listened to at a global level. “We have to recognize the strength in numbers,” said Hon. Nickolas Steele, Minister of Health and Social Security of Grenada. “Every single country here today must recognize that our power is in our vote at the various international fora. When we unite and we speak as one, we are extremely powerful.”

Usain Bolt doesn’t have a professional soccer contract yet but he still has to take a drug test. (Getty Images)

sain Bolt is making progress in his second career as a soccer player. The retired sprinter scored the first goals of his professional career just last week, and while he doesn’t yet have a professional contract with a club, he could be offered one soon. And Bolt knows he’s made the big time because he’s already being asked to submit to a drug test. Bolt posted an Instagram story in which he incredulously told the story of receiving a

drug testing notice, despite not having a professional contract with any team. Via Fox Sports Australia: “So guys I’ve retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this, how am I going to get a drug test today? I’m not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously.” Bolt then zoomed in on the notice, which is from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority. (Bolt has been in Australia training with the A-League Central Coast Mariners.) The notice asks for both blood and urine, and indicated that he needed to report to the designated testing facility immediately. Bolt’s Instagram story continued: “So I asked the lady, ‘Why am I getting drug tested when I haven’t signed for a club yet?’ and she said they told her I’m an elite athlete so I have to get tested.” Well, it’s hard to argue with the “elite athlete” point. Bolt may not officially be a professional soccer player yet, but he’s not some schlub who appeared out of nowhere. He has eight Olympic gold medals, three of which were won in 2016. More recently, he competed at the World Championships in 2017. His world records for the 100m and 200m still stand. He was so good at sprinting that he decided to retire and try a whole other sport! Even though he’s just training, he’s still an athlete playing a regulated sport in Australia, and those are the rules. Professional contract or not, it looks like Bolt will have to take that drug test. But the good news is there’s no rule that says he has to like it. ---Yahoo Sports

26 INTERNATIONAL

October 20, 2018 THE STAR

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Jamal Khashoggi case: Turkish police search forest

nnamed Turkish officials say his body may have been disposed of in the nearby Belgrad forest or on farmland. Mr Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October, where Turkish officials allege he was murdered. Saudi Arabia denies any knowledge of what happened to him. Samples taken from the Saudi consulate and the consul's residence during searches this week are being tested for a match with Mr Khashoggi's DNA. The BBC understands the police are searching the Belgrade forest because it is believed at least two vehicles from the Saudi consulate headed in that direction on the day of the suspected killing. Meanwhile, 15 Turkish nationals employed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul have been questioned by prosecutors, state news agency Anadolu

reports. Those giving witness statements included the consulate driver, receptionists, technicians and accountants, Anadolu said. Mr Khashoggi—a prominent journalist who fell out of favour with the Saudi government—has been living in self-imposed exile in the US since last year. He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey's capital Istanbul on 2 October, to pick up paperwork that would allow him to marry his fiancée Hatice Cengiz. Turkish officials believe Mr Khashoggi was killed by a team of Saudi agents inside the consulate, and his body then removed. Saudi Arabia has denied the claims, and initially insisted Mr Khashoggi had freely left the embassy. Turkish officials say they have audio and video recordings that show Mr Khashoggi being murdered by a team of Saudi agents.

released, and Turkey's foreign minister says they have not shared the audio with anyone. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denied US media reports that he had listened to the audio recordings, saying: "I've heard no tape, I've seen no transcript." "This is a very serious matter that we're working diligently on, and so to put out headlines that are factually false does no one any good." ---BBC

Police are believed to have extended their search to the Belgrade Forest.

Turkish newspapers with close links to the government have published gruesome details of the alleged audio, including what they describe as the sounds of screams and Mr Khashoggi being interrogated and tortured. Meanwhile, Turkish media say they have identified a 15-member team of suspected Saudi agents who flew into and out of Istanbul on the day of the disappearance. Turkish officials say the group brought a bone saw into the country and that one of its members was a doctor who specialised in post-mortems. Several vehicles with Saudi diplomatic number plates were filmed by CCTV cameras moving from the consulate to the residence just under two hours after Mr Khashoggi entered the consulate. However, the recordings have not been publicly

Rihanna turns down offer to perform at Super Bowl halftime show, per reports

rammy-winning singer Rihanna turned down an offer to perform as the main act at the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show, according to reports from Entertainment Tonight and US Weekly. It's unclear what type of offer was in place. CBS owns the rights to the Super Bowl performance and did not immediately return messages left by USA TODAY Sports on Friday morning. Pepsi is the official sponsor of the

performance and could not be reached for comment. A representative of Rihanna’s management team also declined to comment on the matter when contacted by USA TODAY Sports. According to Entertainment Tonight, another pop singer, Pink, also was in consideration for a Super Bowl performance, but a deal was never finalized. Pink sang the national anthem at the 2018 Super Bowl when Justin Timberlake was

the headliner and received mixed reviews for his performance. Entertainment Tonight reported that Rihanna said no because of "the situation regarding players kneeling" and that the recording artist "stands with the players and Colin Kaepernick." Kaepernick, an NFL free agent quarterback, started a movement in the 2016 season when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest against police brutality and social inequality. President Donald Trump has condemned NFL players who take a knee as being unpatriotic and disrespectful to military members.

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Jimmy Carter: Brett Kavanaugh 'unfit' to serve on US Supreme Court, former US President says

immy Carter has branded newly-confirmed judge Brett Kavanaugh “unfit” to serve on the US Supreme Court. The former president told an audience at Emory University in Atlanta on Wednesday that Mr Kavanaugh’s confirmation by congress earlier this month was a “very serious mistake”. “I thought that whether or not he attempted to rape that woman, whether or not, I thought he was temperamentally unfit to serve on the Supreme Court because of his outburst during the hearing,” Mr Carter was recorded by an audience member as saying. "And I think most of the American people were not in favour of him being on the Supreme Court, but he's there now. And because the Senate is quite subservient to Donald Trump, they're afraid of his displeasure." Mr Carter, who became only the fourth president to complete his term without nominating a Supreme Court judge, added of Mr Kavanaugh’s performance in front of the senate judiciary committee last month: “I saw him lose his cool.” Mr Kavanaugh’s confirmation proceedings were roiled by allegations of decades-old misconduct from three women, including California college professor Christine Blasey Ford, who testified to the committee that a drunken Mr Kavanaugh assaulted her while both were in high school. The judge has angrily denied all allegations. Mr Carter’s comments

came ahead of a new poll which suggests just one in four Americans think Mr Kavanaugh was completely honest when he gave sworn testimony in congress last month, with Republicans and Democrats holding starkly distinct opinions of his credibility. Overall, 39 per cent said they believe Mr Kavanaugh was mostly honest but was hiding something when he testified. Another 31 per cent said he was largely lying, and 25 per cent said he was totally truthful. A combative Mr Kavanaugh denied Ms Ford's testimony to the committee that he sexually assaulted her at a 1980s high school gathering when they were teenagers, and he rebutted classmates' descriptions of him as a heavy drinker. The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey also found that Donald Trump, Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats and the FBI each earned approval from 32 per cent or less. Tellingly, however, six in 10 Republicans, including 57 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women, said they think Mr Kavanaugh was entirely truthful when he appeared before the judiciary committee. ---Independent

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Canada consulting on national antiracism strategy behind closed doors

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Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Pablo Rodriguez responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons Friday October 19, 2018 in Ottawa.

he federal government is consulting experts and community leaders ahead of a new national anti-racism strategy, but in a series of secretive meetings to avoid them turning into public shouting matches. Four meetings have already been held—all in southern Ontario—and another 19 are to take place nationwide before the end of the year. However, the government is not publicizing who attended, who will be at future meetings or even where those meetings are taking place. Participation is by invitation only. There are still Canadian communities where people face systemic racism, oppression and discrimination, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said Friday. The minister has not, however, directly explained why he told The Globe and Mail newspaper earlier this week that systemic racism was not "part of his vocabulary" and that Canada was not in fact a racist society.

New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan asked Rodriguez this week multiple times in the House of Commons to explain and apologize for his comment, to which Rodriguez only said racism does exist in Canada. The racism consultations follow a Commons committee study of systemic racism in Canada, which last winter recommended a national plan be developed with measurable goals. The government quietly posted online information about the start of the consultations Oct. 15, along with an online survey members of the public can take. The questions touch on personal experiences with racism and whether the phenomenon exists in the justice system, with jury selection or even in how workplaces schedule holidays. But there is no information about the consultations beyond that they will occur with "community members, leaders, experts, academics and stakeholders across Canada." "These meetings will not be open to the public

in order to ensure that participants are able to have focused, meaningful and safe conversations on subjects that, for many, include reflecting on harmful experiences," the website states. The NDP argues the process is so secretive a number of groups that would want to take part didn't even know the consultations had begun. Last February, an antiracism town hall hosted in Toronto by several Liberal MPs and members of the Ontario legislature ended up with a call to police. It was derailed by a number of people Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith says were white supremacists bent on shouting down speakers demanding a definition of Islamophobia. "It was a jarring reminder of the work we still have to do in the name of equality when people are so willing to be so public in displaying their hate," Erskine-Smith said in the Commons this week. ---Prince George Citizen

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