Mirror, Mirros, Down The Hall, Who's The Best PM Of Them All?

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The Star (St.Lucia)

SATURDAY, september 22, 2018

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Mirror, Mirror Down The Hall, Who’s The

Best PM of All? Nothing Personal.

It’s Just Business.

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02 LOCAL

A Look at Caribbean Slavery Through Eyes of a Descendant

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.

Alphabet Soup

By Michael Walker

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nglish spelling is bizarre. The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw is said by many to have claimed that the word ‘fish’ could legitimately be spelled ‘ghoti,’ by using the ‘gh’ sound from ‘enough,’ the ‘o’ sound from ‘women’ and the ‘ti’ sound from ‘action.’ However, there’s not a shred of evidence that Shaw, a noted advocate for spelling reform, ever brought up ghoti. The true origins of ghoti go back to 1855, before Shaw was even born. In December of that year, the publisher Charles Ollier sent a letter to his good friend Leigh Hunt, a noted poet and literary critic., stating, “My son William has hit upon a new method of spelling ‘Fish.”

As a language fancier in mid-19thcentury England, William Ollier would surely have come into contact with the strong current of spelling reform — championed by the likes of Isaac Pitman, now vaguely remembered for inventing a popular system of phonetic shorthand: what Pitman called “phonography.” In 1845, Pitman’s Phonographic Institution published “A Plea for Phonotypy and Phonography,” by Alexander J. Ellis, a call to arms that laid the groundwork for ghoti and other mockeries of English spelling. To make the case for reform, Ellis presented a number of absurd respellings, like turning scissors into schiesourrhce by combining parts of SCHism, sIEve, aS, honOUr, myRRH and sacrifiCE. (If you’re wondering about the last part, the word sacrifice has historically had a variant pronunciation ending in the “z” sound.)

Ellis thought scissors was a downright preposterous spelling of sizerz, and he went about calculating how many other ways the word could be rendered. At first he worked out 1,745,226 spellings for scissors, then adjusted the number upward to 58,366,440, before finally settling on a whopping 81,997,920 possibilities. Isaac Pitman and his brothers liked to use the scissors example when proselytizing for phonetic spelling, and the 58 million number even worked its way into “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”

In English, all the letters for vowels have more than one, often several, different sounds: name, all, act, another, any, car, a. In St Lucian Creole, each letter represents one sound. This sound seldom changes: bab-la, bat-la, kat-la, tab-la, pat-la, wat-la, dat-la. In English, some are even silent: comb, name, wreck, sign, whistle, pneumatic, doubt, straight, know, write, receipt, mess, fasten,

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

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and even thinkin(g). I could go on forever. In fact many a small island state could probably balance its budget if it used the savings from unneccesary letters wisely.

In English a combinations of letters, can have many, many different sounds, take OU for example: cough, house, enough, through, course, although, and so on. The same spelling of a word can have different sounds. We call these heteronyms: sow - sow, bow - bow, row - row, lead – lead, invalid – invalid, insens – insens. In English, the same sound may be represented by many different letter combinations: I, buy, high, sky, my, thigh, tie, why, write, rite, right, playwright. And then of course there are horrors like: so, sew, sow and sough. Do you even know what sough means?

The same sound can have different spellings in the same word: judge, heyday, high-wire, dismiss, byline, beseech. It really is quite a mess.

St Lucian does not use X and Q. Instead it uses the combinations ks and kw to make the sounds: taks, aksidan, èksèpté, siksé, kwapo, kwab, kwa, tikwas, kwavat, kwéyòl.

Two letters, C & U, never appear alone in St Lucian Creole. C always appears with H = ch: chat, chapo, chamou, chak, cho, dachin, and machin. In English, this ‘sh’ sound has many spellings: fish, ambitious, suspicious, luscious, caution, chateau, machine, and fissure. In Creole, U always appears with O = ou: kou, sou, nou, fou, asou, doudou, chouval. English, on the other hand, loves variety: you, flute, view, knew, who, yuletide, and cruel. In Creole, A sometimes appears with Y = ay: kay, chay, manmay, tibway, afalay, twavay, pay. But as usual, in English the same sound has varying spellings: sigh, try, buy, lie, surprise, I, deny.

English has two sounds which are very similar: bridge & fetch. In St Lucian, the dgesound is always written dj: fidjay, djab, djouk, djabal, djèp, djéwi, djòl, ladjé, ladjè, ladjablès and zandji. In English, what a surprise, this sound is written in different ways: giant, jingle, jug, grudge, dungeon, judge, plunge, join, gigolo, German, jet, badge, and ginger. In St Lucian, the tch-sound is always written tj: tjè, tjé, tjim, tjiwé, tjwit, tjwizin, and tjwiyè. In English this sound is written in different ways: church, fetch, wretch, etc. The problem is, of course, that the letters CH can be pronounced in different ways: architect, archbishop, choice, chemist, chess, machine, cherie and cherry.

For several years, I helped inmates at Bordelais on their path to literacy by teaching them to read and write Creole, which they all spoke, before going on to English. I could tell you more about that, but I think I shall rest my case.

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gainst impossible odds, a ragtag army of black, mulatto, and poor Frenchmen band together to fight for freedom over elite soldiers from Britain and Napoleon’s grand army on the tiny Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia.

This compelling historical novel begins during the French Revolution in the late 1700s, when the islands were home to slaves from across the seas. Although starving and in rags, this mismatched band of revolutionaries was led by a black woman named Madlienne Des Voeux.

Season of Mist salutes the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, when this impossible, improbable poor man’s army defeats the superior forces financed by Royalist, British, and French planters.

Forty years later, Madlienne is an old woman who is finally able to confront the escaped opposition leader whose troops killed her family. Will justice finally be served?

Born and raised on Saint Lucia, Mac Donald Dixon is now writing full-time since retiring in 2013 as a trade consultant with the island’s government. “As an amateur historian, I have always wanted to see my history through the eyes of my people, and not the colonizer’s or oppressor’s. Season of Mist is one such offering.” He hopes to “dispel preconceived notions of history and historical events as told by our colonizers, and try to see them in a new

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light. Millions were taken from their homes in Africa, India, China, and Ireland, and brought to these islands against their will. Their descendants know their stories and must tell the world the truth.”

Fond Doux Celebrates Staff

ond Doux Plantation & Resort hosted its annual Staff Awards ceremony on Sunday September 16th 2018 under the theme: “Let Her Inspire You – Excellence in Saint Lucian Authenticity”.

The awards ceremony recognized the management team and staff members that demonstrated exceptional performance, outstanding service during the year and celebrated the long service employees for their commitment and loyalty throughout the years.

During her speech at the ceremony, Executive Director Eroline Lamontagne said, "Thanks to all our staff, his ceremony is to celebrate you for your contribution towards the success of our plantation and our sustainability efforts in this environment of climate change.” She went on to say, “Fonddoux has come a long way and proof of the resorts achievements today is the many international awards received and the high ratings on TripAdvisor including the recent Hall of Fame – these

were all possible because of the dedicated Fond Doux team who go above and beyond to create authentic Saint Lucian experiences for all guests.”

Featured speaker for the evening Mr. Zephryn Francis shared some words of encouragement to the staff: “To those who have put in the effort but did not receive an award – fear not and use this as inspiration to work even harder so that at the next awards ceremony your name will be

included on the awards list”.

Mr. Lyton Lamontagne, Managing Director emphasized that plastic pollution is impacting our waters and marine life, as well as our food chains and the public health.

In a world of the Paris Accord, extreme climate change, excessive flooding’s, Fond Doux pledges to welcome and support the ongoing legislation for plastic usage in Saint Lucia as we forge our way into the 21st century.

Man Found Dead in Marchand

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n Thursday, September 20, 2018, about 5:20 a.m. officers responded to a shooting at Marchand, Castries. On arrival, the body of Hardy John was discovered at the Marchand Boulevard.

Hardy John, a thirty nine year old resident of Marchand, who allegedly sustained one gunshot wound about the head, was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner.

A post mortem examination is scheduled for a subsequent date. Investigations are ongoing in this matter.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the nearest police station, or the Major Crime Unit at 4563754.

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

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Taiwan contributes to Saint Lucia’s poverty reduction efforts I n a ceremony at the local Ministry of External Affairs on 18 September 2018, Ambassador Douglas C. T. Shen of the Taiwan (Republic of China) Embassy made a donation on behalf of the Taiwanese government to the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) to help with SSDF’s poverty reduction efforts.

Ambassador Shen said that social transformation is one of the fundamental avenues for a country to achieve sustainable development. And he was glad that Taiwan can contribute to the SSDF’s mission to provide assistance to Saint Lucians in need. He offered his best wishes for the continued success of the SSDF to serve as a beacon of hope for the poorest of the poor and the most marginalised of the marginalised.

Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Minister for External Affairs, who made a request for assistance on SSDF’s behalf, expressed her gratitude to Taiwan for the generous donation and said that it will go a long way to help fulfill SSDF’s mission to empower people whether in terms of education, housing, or mentoring projects for disadvantaged boys.

Minister Beaubrun emphasised that Taiwan has touched Saint Lucian hearts and minds in a very special way, and continues to with every person, every household, every community and indeed the whole nation benefitting from the generous help from Taiwan over the years.

Also present at the donation ceremony were Mr Allison Mathurin, Executive Director of SSDF,

Ambassador Elma Gene-Isaac, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, and counselors Bill Huang and Luis Liu from the Taiwan Embassy.

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Ambassador Douglas C. T. Shen (second from left) and SSDF Executive Director, Allison Mathurin shake hands towards poverty reduction.

Calling all Domino Lovers

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he St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture encourages all firms and government ministries to form teams of nine and register to participate in a great match of Dominos. The 2018 Inter Commercial House Domino Competition hosted by the Chamber of Commerce will commence in October 2018. The Chamber looks to promote healthy sportsmanship and friend rivalry with this much loved game and give participants a chance to network with others.

Teams will try to dethrone the 2017 champions, Water and Sewage Company (WASCO), whom took home both titles of Dominos and Futsal.

Registration for the tournament ends on 4 October 2018. If you are interested in joining the 2018 Inter Commercial House Domino Competition please contact the Chamber at 4523165 or email us at info@stluciachamber.org.

For more information contact: Mr. Brian Louisy, Executive Director.

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september 22, 2018 THE STAR

Was it suicide or was it something else?

Victim experienced years of domestic abuse!

Claudia Eleibox

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he police said nothing via press release; neither via government nor the regular. Meanwhile the popular word was that there had been another suicide attempt on June 27 and died two days later. Meanwhile the official record declared the 44-yearold in question had committed suicide. According to the police the victim admitted consuming Touchdown—an agricultural herbicide.

According to her family, her only daughter had found her lying helpless at minutes to 7p.m. on June 27, but she was sufficiently conscious to say she had consumed the herbicide some five hours earlier. She was subsequently transported via ambulance to the hospital’s emergency room, where she remained until she died on 29 June. She left behind four children and her husband.

Mental illness or a hard-knock life, so many factors contribute to suicidal behaviour. However, one of the grossly under-reported triggers is domestic violence that sometimes leads to fatal consequences. At press time none of the related authorities could provide detailed information on local suicides,

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he Second annual Saint Lucia Divefest was hailed an impressive success by dive travel planners and divers alike. The event took place from September 10-15, 2018 and provided underwater enthusiasts with an in-depth look into the dive product of Saint Lucia. During the festival, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority hosted 10 dive travel planners, 3 North American dive shop owners and 3 North American journalists. The group stayed at Windjammer Landing Villa

The signs of domestic violence are sometimes more blatant than people admit.

This family urges others to say something before it’s too late.

but according to a recent police briefing, 41% of homicides were related to domestic issues.

As for the incident of June 29, despite the police’s suicide ruling, the victim’s children believe their father might have something to do with it. So does the husband’s sister, whom we will call Kate for the purpose of this article. The victim’s daughter, although originally willing to speak to STAR about the terrifying experience, could not comply due to severe depression. However, Kate noted multiple discrepancies in her brother’s accounts of the incident in an exclusive interview with this reporter.

Although the victim’s husband claimed he had seen his wife on June 27, and reported to the police

that she seemed fine, Kate offered a different story: “That Wednesday he told [the victim] to go to her family in Vieux Fort and ask them for $6,000 for him to buy a Noah. When she came back without the money he turned on her. He admitted that he slapped her. So something terrible had happened between them. But he told the police he had just had sex with his wife.” Kate claims that while the man’s daughter was searching anxiously for her mother for six hours on that Wednesday, he knew where she was and that she appeared to have taken something, he had waited hours before telling anyone.

Kate admitted she had not known until her death that the victim was being abused. “He is a drunkard,” she claimed. “His

nickname is ‘Jeremy Street,’ because that’s where he would spend all his money.” Kate is of the view that her brother’s children said that he had a cutlass and pinch bar. The money he worked for, family would never see. But he would always come home drunk and violent, threatening to slice their necks with the cutlass or kill them with the pinch bar.

“They told me they used to have to hide it when they saw him coming drunk,” said Kate.

Kate informed that she had learned the deceased was not allowed to work, socialize or own a phone, that she lived in fear of her husband, all of which adds up to domestic abuse. During the deceased woman’s stay at the hospital her daughter asked her who

before deciding someone has committed suicide. What is troubling me is not only that she died; it’s also that my brother may escape the consequences of his actions. I am also disappointed with the police.

They just ruled it as a suicide and that ended everything.”

Additionally: “We did not see the police from the day of the incident and all weekend I was expecting to see something in the news but I didn’t. So I asked the children to meet me at CID on the Monday morning.”

Initially, when this reporter contacted the police they didn’t know off hand about the latest had taken her into the room suicide. They said if the case where she was discovered half was not reported there conscious. “All she said was, would be no investigation. But ‘I don’t want no trouble.’ What isn’t the hospital responsible dying person would say that to for reporting unnatural deaths their daughter? It’s like she was to the police? Later that day scared that if she survived and the police said that the matter said anything someone would was ruled as a suicide but kill her,” said Kate. could not confirm at press time

Kate said that the whether the original report police never came to ask the came from Victoria Hospital or dead woman’s relatives any when the family came to CID. questions immediately after she If the family insists someone was hospitalized. Also, that the was responsible for the victim’s room where she was found was death, they should go to a left uninvestigated by the police. lawyer, that’s what a family Kate said, “We did that on our member claimed the police told own, trying to figure out who her. had bought the Touchdown. It

Kate’s brother is now was new and the children said “in Saint Marteen where they had never seen it before. supposedly he is looking for There was no need for it.” work. He told me he was going

Kate went on: “I think the to disappear after the funeral police should take some time and he has.”

Saint Lucia Divefest Inspires North America Beach Resort and worked with dive operators Body Holiday, Dive Fair Helen, Eastern Caribbean Divers and Sugar Beach to gain the first-hand experience of the island’s dive product.

Travel agent Julie Gilchrist of Travel Agent Next Door Canada commented, “It was a great opportunity to experience this wonderful destination and everything it has to offer. The diving was spectacular, the service and the people are second to none. I would highly recommend Saint Lucia to

anyone, come for the dive, come for the people, come for the experience.”

Speaking on his Saint Lucian dive experience, Stephen Philbrooks underwater photographer and journalist said, “It has been some of the most spectacular underwater scenery I have seen, and I look forward to sharing it with my friends and other divers. This is truly an amazing island.”

The travel planners all shared similar sentiments to Mr. Philbrooksr adding their intention to book large dive

groups for the 2019 edition.

Divefest is produced in conjunction with the Saint Lucia Divers Association (Abaglo). its primary focus is developing the dive product and niche market interest of the destination.

Speaking on the importance of Divefest, Donavan Brown President of Abaglo stated “we are very pleased with the high level of interest and enthusiasm from the travel planners and we look forward to future collaborations to market the island’s dive product.”

As the SLTA continues

to promote the niche market of dive, it is preparing for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) show 2018 from November 14-17 in Las Vegas. DEMA show attracts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of dive and travel industry professionals from around the world each year.

During DEMA the SLTA plans to showcase a recap of Divefest 2018 as part of the marketing effort. “We understand the beauty and the importance of our marine resource and we are moving ahead to make the most

of these opportunities to attract dive enthusiasts to our shores.

We hear from divers who have been all over the world that the island has some of the most inspiring and enthralling dive sites they have come across.

We are working on marketing the diversity of the destination and we will continue to assist the dive operators on the island.” Stated Ernie George US – Sales Manager for the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

The third edition of Divefest is scheduled for September 8 -14, 2019.

THE STAR

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september 22, 2018

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Citizenship by Investment CEO downplays St. Lucia’s CBI ranking sources provide rankings, all with their own motives, that do not reflect the reality of what’s actually happening.

“I would not focus so much or the second consecutive on the conclusion of those year, the Financial indexes. Specifically with this Times’ Professional one. I think some of the pillars Wealth Management ranked under which the ranking took Saint Lucia’s Citizenship By place could have only been Investment program the worst dealt with by a visit to the unit. option in the Caribbean. The There was absolutely no level of 2018 ranking, released in interaction.”

August, listed the island fifth out He took issue with Saint of thirteen countries across the Lucia receiving a score of 5 world and was described by the out of 10 in due diligence pillar, publication as the Caribbean’s describing it as unacceptable. “most politically divisive” “This country continues to be program. consistent in the process, and Nestor Alfred, the Chief consistency in due diligence is Executive Officer of the Saint the hallmark of our program.

Lucia Citizenship by Investment “I’ve made it very clear Unit, in a recent interview with on previous occasions that the STAR, strongly disagreed if anyone is interested in with the ranking: “I refuse to determining how clear this is lose sleep over such a ranking they are free to come to this from the Professional Wealth unit and get an appreciation Management team. For me, it’s of the process that we go irrelevant.” through to ensure we protect

He said several other the borders of this island, and Joshua St. Aimee

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Mr. Nestor Alfred, CEO of the Saint Lucia Citizenship

by Investment Unit: He is not unduly concerned about recently published references to the island’s CBI program.

to ensure the people who are given our passports are people of good repute.”

He added: “The market will tell you that if you are unable to provide necessary documentation for your identity, and if you’re involved in any shady dealings, don’t apply to Saint Lucia.”

The CEO also commented on the suggestion that political divisiveness has hurt Saint Lucia’s program: “CBI is a great revenue stream for islands, and where there is this type of revenue stream there is going to be a lot of noise. There are high tempers, and there are discussions, some well founded and some just mischievous. I do know there are some fundamental issues in Saint Lucia between the politicians in regard to this program but not to the extent suggested.”

Following significant changes to the program by the government, which included the

removal of the US$3million net worth requirement, the St. Lucia Labour Party last year promised that if returned to office it would review all citizenships granted under this government. Mr. Nestor indicated these statements have not had a damaging impact but they have indeed raised concerns.

“When I have panel discussions,” he said, “the question comes up. It’s an unfortunate matter but I have to find ways to deal with it and to calm the nerves of these people. Every time I meet the international market, those issues always come up.

You can imagine that if you made an investment to become a citizen of a country and there is a political party that makes such a statement, you will naturally have a concern. How will they deal with your citizenship should they be positioned to affect it.”

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Will the great marijuana debate go up in smoke?

hould Saint Lucia legalize cannabis? This was the question posed at a public debate organized on Wednesday by the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the local Bar Association. Team one, featuring Dr. Stephen King and attorney Maurice Compton argued for legalization.

Arguing for the other side were bartender Yohann Willix and dentist Tris-Ann Richards.

Said Dr. King: “For me, the answer is simple. Yes, we must legalize. The question is not whether we should or should not, the question is how. The current regime is harmful. We have unregulated products, we have harmful use of many of these products, we have a criminal environment that breeds violence, and in fact criminals are enriched in the current environment. If we were to decriminalize, we would not address some of the fundamental issues such as the criminal networks and the unregulated products. Therefore

we must legalize.”

Dr. King cited the CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana, and the Health Effects of Cannabis and Caneboids report. He indicated: “There’s substantial evidence that cannabis can be used for pain, nausea, vomiting and arthritis. We can use cannabis in sleep disorders, seizures, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress, to prevent psychosis, glaucoma and for cancer.”

King defined a good legal regime as one that “minimizes harm, maximizes benefit, reduces violence, improves health, increases wealth and reduces social inequality.”

To achieve this, he advised, “we must ensure a regulated product with regulated THC ratios, with product labeling and information, prevent adolescent use, establish a minimum age for use, establish robust social drug rehabilitation services, limit public smoking and provide effective education

Dr. Stephen King says the question is not whether we should or should not legalize marijuana, the question is how.

St. Lucia Mortgage Finance Company Limited

POST OF RECOVERIES OFFICER SMFC, a local financial institution established in 1968, is seeking to recruit a Recoveries Officer.

Job Scope: The successful applicant will be responsible for reviewing delinquent accounts, contacting / locating customers who have defaulted on their payments and will be required to formulate and implement effective strategies for the collection of outstanding amounts. The applicant will also be required to represent the company in situations where legal proceedings have been instituted to recover outstanding debts.

Applicants must have: • A high level of integrity and self-motivation; • The ability to communicate effectively and strong relationship management skills; • Excellent analytical skills; • Excellent negotiating, counselling, and problem solving skills; • Knowledge of proper and ethical debt collection strategies; • Working experience as a loans officer or in active debt collection/recovery gained in a financial services industry; • Familiarity with mortgage collections and credit reporting laws and requirements; • Excellent time management skills; • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products and data entry skills; • Appropriate academic or professional qualifications in a relevant discipline.

Renumeration: Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience.

Applications:

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

Applications should be submitted with detailed Curriculum Vitae to: The Chief Executive Officer St. Lucia Mortgage Finance Company Limited P.O. Box 455, Castries Deadline: Friday, October 12, 2018.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

programs” among others.

He said: “My appeal to you is to open your mind, reject the propaganda that has been pushed at us for years. Let science guide you. You need to reject the status quo that creates more harm than the substance itself creates.”

For his part, Dr. King’s teammate noted: “The police will tell you that the criminality is not from the use of cannabis but from the protecting of turf.

Crime in this region is not the prevalence of the drug use lifestyle but the drug trade itself. Laws in the region are

all similar; some call them draconian. In Guyana, recently, there was a public outcry when a young husband got three years in jail for eight grams of cannabis. Now some laws do allow for fines, instead of imprisonment, but the statistics are showing you that typically low-income persons are the ones being arrested and fined.

So when one cannot afford the fine, I call it the double negative.

They cannot afford the fine, the state gets no revenue, so they end up in jail.”

Compton noted that legalization must ensure that the island puts measures in place to protect local interests.

“Studies are showing the varieties of cannabis in this region are superior and of unique quality. Interest by large foreign companies to acquire stakes in our seeds and related materials will be exploited if we do not protect them, without any adequate benefit to us.

Before you know it, we’ll have large companies here with patents of regional substances.”

He argued that the ideal model for legislation will place emphasis on public health, citizen security and the economic benefits. Cannabis in private homes would be permitted but banned in public.

With the majority of the crowd in attendance in favor of legalization, team two faced a hard road. Ms. Tris Ann- Richards argued that “marijuana has several effects on the brain, some include, but are not limited to, impaired memory, altered senses, and hallucinations. There are also studies that have shown

marijuana usage at an early age can affect brain development and lower IQ. Being in the dental field, I can tell you that smoking marijuana also causes gum disease.”

While she acknowledged that cannabis has many benefits, she insisted the country is not equipped at this time for legalization. “Saint Lucia has shown such poor management and regulation of our current industries that are so much easier to control, far less a cannabis industry. I will rescind my point if you can show me one industry in Saint Lucia that is properly managed, regulated and is also owned by Saint Lucians.”

She is convinced that the legalizing of cannabis will lead to an increase in criminal activities through the guns and drugs trade, and pointed out that the Association of Caribbean Police Chiefs has cited the drugs-for-guns trade as one of the leading causes of crime in CARICOM nations, and provides funding for criminal gangs.”

Yohann Willix had some questions: “Can it be said, without reasonable doubt, that all establishments that serve alcohol in Saint Lucia are licensed? Can it be stated that all establishments that serve alcohol request IDs from some patrons? Fair Helen has a lot of cleaning up to do before we can invite another vice. The nation needs to place emphasis on fixing what’s already broken; the nation needs to enforce the neglected laws it abandoned and rendered impotent.”

---Joshua St. Aimee

VISIT of EU Court of Auditors to the OKEU Hospital

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he Office of the National Authorising Officer (NAO), would like to clarify to the general public that the presence of Representatives of the European Union (EU) Court of Auditors, is an integral part of the Process of Monitoring, Evaluation, Management and Accounting of programmes funded under the European Union/African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP/EU) Development Co-operation.

It is noted that the last

mission of the EU Court of Auditor’s was in January 2017. At that time the Office of the NAO along with relevant stakeholders, facilitated the verification exercise of the Mocha Housing Project. The auditor’s expressed satisfactory implementation of the tender and contractual arrangements related to the Infrastructural design and works of the Mocha Housing project.

The current visit of the EU Court of Auditors is a standard

practice in keeping with the principles of accountability and transparency. The objective of the audit is to ensure that EU funds are correctly accounted for and spent in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations.

The auditors will engage in reviewing information related to the design, construction and supply of equipment to the New National Hospital, otherwise known as the OKEU Hospital.

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

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Claudia’s “Edward 4 Education” Charity Foundation makes major contribution to the arts Keryn Nelson

B

eautiful things happen when the right minds come together. Not so long ago Theatre Arts teachers and enthusiasts Kasia Foster, Yasmin Tyson and Keam Charlery had a vision for building a Theatre Arts room on the Ciceron Secondary School compound. It was uncertain whether singer Claudia ‘da diva’ Edward Ladner would wish to be involved, but reaching out to her proved the first in a series of great decisions.

Although apprehensive when she realized the magnitude of the work to be done—for starters, a building would have to be constructed from the ground up—Claudia eventually decided she would facilitate the project under her eight-yearold organization the Edward 4 Education Charity Foundation.

This week it all came to a head: the room officially opened, with educators, students, government officials, sponsors and press in attendance.

In a brief interview Claudia explained why she felt compelled to take on the project and how she felt at its completion: “I think this is an amazing space that the students can be proud of. When they get in here they can say ‘we have a beautiful room to express ourselves,’ and with me being involved in the arts, I know the environment where you learn your craft is really important. The big deal for me is that the students now have a place they can feel good about. They can feel good about what they’re doing.”

Claudia expressed her gratitude to those who had provided monetary and other forms of assistance. They included Drying Little Tears, Harry Edward Jewelers, JP Services, Tiles Plus and Tropic Builders. Mr. Adey Paul,

the principal of the Ciceron Secondary School, lauded the singer’s efforts. Referencing her unstinting determination to get the job done, he said: “You know when someone does something for schools that they have a big heart. But it’s always someone else doing the work. I remember when we just started, it was in the summer, school was closed, and they were bringing in the raw materials to start construction.

The materials were left out on the main road and there was the danger that the cement might harden from getting wet.

We were faced with a shortage of manpower. When I thought of Claudia, what came to mind was ‘the diva’, she won’t want to get her hands dirty. Was I wrong! She and Ms Foster bent down and carried bags of cement from the road into this room. And I needn’t remind anyone how heavy is a bag of cement. The Claudia who left here for home looked nothing like da diva!”

Harlequin Hotels and Resorts Limited (In Official Liquidation) (“the Company”) The Companies Law (2018 Revision)

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF OFFICIAL LIQUIDATORS AND NOTICE OF FIRST MEETING OF CREDITORS TAKE NOTICE that by order of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands made on 11 September 2018, Harlequin Hotels and Resorts Limited, registration number 195924, whose registered office is situated at KPMG, P.O. Box 493, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands, has been placed into Official Liquidation in accordance with the Companies Law. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that Kris Beighton and Jeffrey Stower of KPMG, P.O. Box 493, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands have been appointed Joint Official Liquidators of the Company.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that pursuant to this appointment, the Joint Official Liquidators are convening a meeting of the creditors of the Company at 10am Eastern Standard Time on 13 November 2018 to be held by telephone conference from the offices of KPMG, 2nd Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

In order to be eligible to attend this meeting each creditor is required to have submitted a Proof of Debt and have sent written notice of their intention to attend to the Joint Official Liquidators at least three days prior to the date of the meeting.

Dated this 14th day of September 2018.

Address for service: KPMG, P.O. Box 493, Grand Cayman KY1-1106, Cayman Islands, Telephone: +1 345-949-4800, Facsimile: +1 345-949-7164, Email: agleesonmurray@ kpmg.ky

Claudia “da diva’” Edward, along with a group of the Ciceron Secondary School’s Theatre Arts students on the stage of the institution’s new Theatre Arts Room.

(Photo Sansha Trim)

Mr. Ernest Hilaire who had seen the completed room for the first time on Wednesday, said he was extremely impressed with the outcome.

The area’s parliamentary representative, Hilaire underscored the importance of the arts in Saint Lucia’s schools: “I firmly believe we should be treating creative industries as a central focus of developing our young people and developing our society. What you are doing is not just a Theatre Arts room for students to just get better grades at CXC. You will

be transforming lives. Young people who don’t want to be doctors or lawyers but can be fantastic singers, actors, sound engineers, light technicians and models, we can offer them that because it is as valuable as being a lawyer or doctor . . . probably more valuable.”

The school’s faculty have set out a mandate to see that the room is used regularly— something Claudia says she fully supports: “Our main goal is create something students, current and in the years ahead, will have at the school.”

It fell to theatre arts teacher Kasia Foster to deliver the vote of thanks. “Claudi, you are going places; you are a superstar. I have to say, I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I thank you for this great accomplishment and for being the person you are. There is no other quite like you. Thank you on behalf of our school. We are so, so grateful. We are here for you always.” On Thursday, six students graced the room’s stage with its first ever performance, to the obvious delight of all in attendance.

SLARP Hosts Seniorlympics Fun Games

T

he Saint Lucia Association of Retired Persons Inc. (SLARP) is a registered non-profit organization with the main objective of enhancing the quality of life for retirees from both the private and public sectors.

As part of the observance of International Day of Older Persons held annually on 1st October, this year the association has organized an athletic meet dubbed “Seniorlympics Fun Games” on at the Phillip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux

Fort at 11:a.m.

Aptly themed, ”Vintage Champions”, the expectation is for participants to showcase their talents and skills. This event provides seniors with the opportunity to demonstrate their sporting prowess.

Interested persons between fifty and seventyyears-old are invited to register and participate, either as individuals, part of a club or district.

There will be three categories namely track events, fun races and team events.

Each applicant can participate

in a maximum of three individual events.

Early registration costs $15.00 which includes a free t-shirt. Registration takes place today, September 22 from 9:00 a.m. onwards at Constitution Park.

Tickets for the games are also available at $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Admission can also be paid at the gate.

For information on registration and transportation call SLARP’s assistant secretary at 461 0750 or 384 1479.

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

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september 22, 2018 THE STAR

St. Lucians urged to come out and show solidarity with family of Botham Jean I

had attended Sir Arthur Lewis Community College with him for just two years. We were never close friends, but my initial shock upon learning of his violent death was: “But Botham was such a nice person.” As if bad things did not happen to nice people. His humility was what I most remember. He was always approachable, always ready for a good laugh. There was hardly a time when there wasn’t a smile on his face. While his mother always appears strong and resilient during her TV interviews, it is not difficult to imagine the difference behind closed doors with her grieving family.

It's no secret that the 26-year-old was heavily involved with his church, even as a boy growing up in Saint Lucia. A young woman I spoke to referred to Botham as her “brother in Christ.” She said she was finding it difficult to cope with her emotions since receiving the bad news. She said she was on her way to join her fellow church members and members of the Jean family in a night of prayer—an activity that they’ve engaged in since Botham’s passing.

One of Botham's aunts had a difficult time coming to terms with what had happened. “It's been a trying time for us,” she said. “There are just two words I can think of to describe what we’re trying to deal with: unbearable grief.” She said she had not been following the several vigils at home and abroad: “It’s just an emotional time for me.”

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Botham Jean's mother (front left) and brother (front right) after September 14’s memorial service in Richardson, Texas. . (Source: Stewart F. House/Getty Images North America)

welcome yesterday for the Jean family on their return home from Texas, where Botham was killed in his own home by a female police officer. They encouraged communities and schools to line the route from Vieux Fort to Castries, bearing placards, Saint Lucian flag colours and Botham's own favourite colour—red.

One of the organizers, Chantal Antoine, in a recent interview, underscored the importance of showing solidarity with the Jean family: “They've been abroad, surrounded by amazing support everywhere but we want for when they arrive in Saint Lucia that they feel our presence and they know for a fact that we are with them for the long run.”

The official funeral ceremony for Botham Shem Jean will take place at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Castries on Monday next week.

--- Keryn Nelson

The Big Wood Man goes to Dennery

T

he provocative and entertaining theatre production, The Big Wood Man, takes to the stage on Saturday, September 29 at 8:00p.m. at Chateau Heritage in Dennery. The one-man stage show uses a mix of traditional storytelling, stand-up comedy technique, video clips and standard theatre to entertain and pose questions about men: What really makes a man a man? Where does male violence begin and what to do about it? What is a man really holding when he’s holding a cricket bat or a billiards cue?

This highly original show came out of improvisation and experiment between two of Saint Lucia’s veteran theatre practitioners, Kennedy “Boots” Samuel and Kendel “Straw” Hippolyte. The Big Wood Man is the brainchild of Boots, who initiated the discussions about the ideas and made suggestions about the mix of performing elements that would shape it. His longtime friend and theatre colleague, Straw, collaborated in the creation of the narratives and characters and took on the role of director.

The result is an innovative stage production, full of outrageous humour (including a wickedly funny demonstration of how a man should make love), thought-provoking ideas about masculinity and some emotional portrayals of father-son relationship—and the lack thereof.

The style of the show brings the audience right into it, with action happening sometimes within the audience and direct interaction between Boots and audience members. The

Pictured is Kennedy “Boots” Samuel performing a role in “The Big Wood Man”, a play created by him and Kendel “Straw” Hippolyte.

piece incorporates Ole Mas elements of costume and music and it pays tribute, in video clips, to some of the veteran Ole Mas players, those alive and those gone, who have kept that cultural form going over the years. Boots refers to the piece as Ole Mas Theatre and sees it as an innovation with a

lot of potential for developing a unique style. The show can be graphic at times in its depiction of sex and of male violence and thus it carries a parental advisory notice.

The Big Wood Man had a successful opening last July with two very well attended performances in Castries

at the height of the carnival season and the intention had always been to take it to communities around the island.

This performance in Dennery on Saturday 29 starts off a series of performances in other communities and audiences can look forward to a theatrical treat.

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

RS E N N I W Y 4 LUCK

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september 22, 2018 THE STAR

So Who Was Best Prime

Should Gros Piton be turned into St. Lucia’s Mount Rushmore, whose face would decorate the iconic peak? George Charle

W

hatever else might be said about the talk-show host Timothy Poleon, that he is among our more talented TV inquisitors is undeniable—a fact never clearer than when the individual on the other side of his questions is determined to score by any means necessary, as politicians are wont to do.

Two or three weeks ago, Chairman Moses JnBaptiste appeared on Poleon’s Newsmaker Live TV show,

conceivably to contribute to the opposition party’s publicity blitzkrieg aimed at delivering a do-or-die mother of all protest marches. Before long the MP had let slip out of his well-oiled mouth his flatterer’s contention that the best prime minister Saint Lucia ever had was named Kenny Anthony.

I fully expected the host to feign sudden deafness; to pretend he had not heard what his audience certainly had, and doubtless dismissed as,

well, partisan drivel. But on the Wednesday night in question Tim was evidently in a mood to play cat and mouse. Eyes blazing with incredulity, he gently pushed back: “Are you saying Kenny Anthony was a better prime minister than even Sir John?”

JnBaptiste was true to form, aimlessly tossing at Poleon soufflé after puffed up soufflé in his mindless determination to justify the unjustifiable. The back and

forth served further to prove how little politicians care for truth that does not serve their agendas. But then, days later I would discover myself recalling, reason unknown, the Moses JnBaptiste interview and the serious question it had thrown up, if inadvertently: Which of our former prime ministers best served the nation? (Let us agree at this point to leave out the current office holder; he is still new to the game, having barely started the third year of his constitutional lustrum.

As for Mikey Pilgrim, let us be especially generous and declare him hors concours!)

It occurred to me that perhaps Moses JnBaptiste believed himself to be telling his whole truth when he placed Kenny Anthony at the top of Saint Lucia’s imagined Mount

Rushmore. I concluded that “our best prime minister” resided, as do so many other matters of opinion, in the eye of the beholder, whether or not bloodshot. Then, as if further to prove there really is nothing new under the sun, I happened upon a “Presidential Historians Survey” that C-SPAN had conducted in 2017. It turned out that 91 historians were engaged in this project that ranked the former leaders on “ten attributes of leadership.”

These ranged from the moral categories of crisis leadership, moral authority, pursued equal justice for all, to the more technical ones of economic management, administrative skills, performance within context of times, and setting an agenda, and included relations with the public, Congress and

other governments.

Commented presidential scholar Richard Norton Smith: “The golden age of the presidency, according to this survey is 19331969. Five presidents from this era each rank in the top ten, which tells you something about the criteria historians tend to use. It reinforces Franklyn Roosevelt’s claim to be not only the first modern president but the man who, in reinventing the office, also established the criteria by which we judge our leaders.”

If we on this Rock of Sages should adopt the above-listed criteria as the yardstick by which to measure our leaders up to June 2016, how would they stack up? Let us start with the “moral categories.”

When it comes to crisis leadership, what immediately comes to the informed mind is the period 1972 through 1982. John Compton was in the hot seat at the birth of

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

COMMENT

www.stluciastar.com

13

s St. Lucia’s e Minister?

rge Charles, John Compton (left to right), Mikey Pilgrim, Vaughan Lewis, Kenny Anthony, Stephenson King, Allen Chastanet?

the pesky but short-lived St. Lucia Forum, when first were heard the rumblings from the banana valleys.

He barely made it back to office following the 1974 general elections and it was hardly a surprise when in 1979 Allan Louisy replaced him as prime minister. In consequence of the so-called leadership struggle with George Odlum, Louisy finally agreed under intense pressure from within to hand over the reins of power to his attorney general Winston Cenac—the camel that cracked the SLP camel’s back. Two years after Allan Louisy’s Labour Party took office, a battle-weary Saint Lucia was left little choice but to limp painfully back to the polls.

The unforgettable year was 1982.

So, who best weathered the leadership crises of 1972-82? While you’re busy separating the chaff from the chaff, dear reader, you may also wish to consider which of our

prime ministers had the least (if any) moral authority to lecture impressionable children and their mostly very young mothers about the pitfalls of free-forall sex and teen pregnancies, uncontrollable outbursts of anger, accountability, and other things good, including thou shall not steal, commit adultery or accept bribes?

We come now to my favorite category from the Presidential Historians Survey: “Who Pursued Equal Justice For All.” Was it John Compton? Allan Louisy? Kenny Anthony? Or have our politicians always cared about the people’s constitutional rights, regardless of party affiliations? It can hardly be a secret that our leaders have routinely influenced the way our police carry out their duties, here and there negotiating or

outright ordering the release of a suspect or the occasional turning of a blind eye.

Some have even persuaded the police to conduct daylight raids on homes painted red or yellow, for no other reason than to embarrass owners or occupants. So the appropriate question might be: Which of our prime ministers was most guilty of such practices? Who cared the most about citizens being equal under the law? Who worked the hardest to establish legal aid, a functioning judiciary and a police department trained in accordance with the day’s demands?

When it comes to finance, I feel tempted to say the proper management of a nation’s economy demands, first of all, the existence of an economy. But I’ll resist the devilish temptation.

Better that I point out that as far back as I’ve taken an interest in such matters, prime minister after prime minister has warned about the cost of “spending more than you take in,” as if indeed the advice they offered applied to everyone else, and not those who determine (often surreptitiously!) how money from the Consolidated Fund is spent.

Maybe here the question should be: Which of our former prime ministers was most accountable? Who cared most that government accounts were always up to date and tabled in parliament? During whose tenure were the most meetings convened by House finance committee? Which of our prime ministers was most widely perceived as honest, an exemplary family man, ever

faithful to his marital vows?

(Interesting to note, our prime ministers have all been married men—unlike several members of parliament best known for their endless sowing of wild oats!)

I feel confident, dear readers, that with the slightest effort you can provide your own questions for a prime ministerial survey. I’m also well aware, to cite the usual parlance in these circumstances—and despite that nothing could be more obvious—that “Saint Lucia is not America!” In all events, who wants to make Helen great again when in truth we’ve always been happy to sell her as cheap whore?

The preceding is but a small reminder that the number of potholes filled in with concrete during a term in

office, or the number of citizens who participated in activities best described as “disguised unemployment,” do not determine a good prime minister.

By the way, I seem to recall Moses JnBaptiste gasconing to Timothy Poleon about what separated Kenny Anthony from his fellow prime ministers: “When Dr. Anthony took office there was mud everywhere. People often had to carry their shoes in their hands.” Evidently muddy feet were more socially acceptable pre-Anthony than were muddy shoes! I can only imagine the Kennylation of former farmers and other Micoud North commuters while buying at Vieux Fort supermarts imported substitutes for what they once produced— before their “muddy” farming environment was transformed into a concrete jungle!

14

LOCAL

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Piton Celebrates a Golden Achievement J

ust a few weeks before its 26th birthday, the Piton beer brand announced yet another tasty beverage added under its belt. The official media launch on Wednesday followed a series of inexplicit invitations as Windward & Leeward Brewery Limited clearly meant it to be a grand surprise.

However, the new brew, Piton Gold, was already being sold quietly on the local markets since WLBL’s sampling period during the 2018 Carnival season.

Piton Gold is bottled similar to its mother brand Piton beer but instead labeled with the refined colours of black and gold as opposed to Piton beer’s more fun blue and yellow. As brand manager, Sylvester Henry, announced, “Piton Gold will make you stand out of the crowd.” The beer was described as “contemporary and cutting edge” by him and some other guests at the media launch confessed that it tasted even better than the original Piton.

Since it first appeared on

The WLBL team successfully and proudly launched the newest flavour under the Piton brand.

the market in October 1992, Piton has been internationally recognized and marketed as equally unique to Saint Lucia as the World Heritage Site it’s

named after. Just four months after being launched the beer won it’s first international award setting Piton’s standards high from the start.

But what makes Piton Gold different? Henry said, “It’s a little bit more masculine. It contains a little bit more alcohol than normal beer.” (But from

a highly feminine perspective, Piton Gold could be quite the lady’s drink too.) Piton Gold contains 6.5% alcohol and according to Henry it’s now one

of the strongest beers on the market competing only with Guinness. The beer still has close roots to the blueprint, Henry said, “Piton Gold is brewed with the same fine quality that has made Piton Beer the number one brand in the country, that has also made Piton Beer an international award-winning brand.”

Piton currently has Piton Malta and four flavours of Piton Shandy. In 2013 the brand also produced Piton Radler for a limited time. As for the reasons behind the recent extension of Piton Gold, Henry said, “We think that the beer market at this time is right because persons are looking for various tastes and we wanted to offer a good alternative to our very popular beer, Piton.”

The future of this fresh flavour, WLBL assumes will be bright and long. Henry announced finally, “Piton Gold is here, and it’s here to stay.

It’s not going to be a limited edition.”

---Claudia Eleibox

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

What Changed Between Michael Chastanet and Kenny Anthony?

DESIGN AND SUPERVISION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS PROJECT TITLE:

TYPE OF CONTRACT COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT: ANTICIPATED PROJECT START

Peter Josie

I

’d heard about “Gros-Chas” long before I met him. I first heard it when I entered St. Mary’s College. When finally I set eyes on the man I immediately understood why Michael Chastanet was commonly referred to as Gros-Chas. The sighting occurred one morning at the Castries waterfront where the big man was giving some stevedores a helping and as loaded agricultural produce and charcoal onto schooner that I learned was soon to leave for Barbados. It was not an everyday thing to see other than black folks doing this kind of work. Michael Chastanet did not strike me as Saint Lucian, so I was taken aback. In time I would learn the stevedores had been hand-picked from the slum community then known as Conway.

In the 1960s, Michael Chastanet worked for Geest Industries (W.I.) as a shipping agent. I made a mental note about him, that he was a man in love with the sea. I left Saint Lucia in pursuit of studies would not set eyes on him for several years. From my late friend Patrick Fell, who worked at the customs department and was not only familiar with Michael Chastanet but also knew the names of his vessels, I learned he had transferred his shipping business overseas, having acquired some huge steel hull vessels. Apparently Chastanet was engaged in moving cargo all over the world.

When I became involved in party politics I learned from the island’s rumour mills that Gros-Chas had made “millions” from his shipping endeavors and had returned home to get into a new line of work related to housing developments, shopping and tourism. By 1997, I was already a seasoned politician with a number of elections under my belt. I had come to know Michael Chastanet well enough to request he contribute to my campaign fund. One day, at his invitation, I was at his house enjoying a cup of coffee when

comment 15

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Design and Supervision of construction works of a Berthing Jetty in Soufriere Bay, Dominica Design and Supervision of Construction Commonwealth of Dominica November 2018

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The author revisits the relationship between businessman Michael Chastanet (left) and the former prime minister, Kenny Anthony.

his phone rang. Almost in a panic he requested that I cut short my visit; something urgent had come up. Someone very important was en-route to his residence. As I say, I was by this time politically savvy enough to remove myself from his verandah but not so far away that I could not surreptitiously observe the reason my morning visit had been abruptly cut short. The all-important visitor turned out to be a famous investor known to be a close confidant of Michael Chastanet and John Compton. The investor had found Compton’s handpicked replacement a bit slow with regard to the sale of lands he wished to purchase for a project. Evidently Michael Chastanet, in his mediator role, had arranged a meeting at his house with the concerned parties. Suffice it to say all went well for the investor and government. After 1997, it appeared that the country was slowly, if not secretly, being converted into a paradise for the rich and a chosen few, with the Labour government disposing of real estate faster than a spoiled child can destroy his toys.

In his many conversations with me since then, and in his book “Room at the Top,” Michael Chastanet disclosed that he had worked with Kenny Anthony’s father loading copra and other products onto his schooner for sale in Barbados.

It may have escaped the young Anthony (he made a point of not using his father’s surname, unlike his other siblings) but that is neither here nor there.

Chastanet supported change of government and worked with

the new administration after 1997 for the sake of Saint Lucia, his birthplace.

Fast forward to the 2016 general elections campaign, at which the political leader of the St. Lucia Labour Party declared that the elections would be “between the SLP and the Chastanets.” What could this be about, I wondered. What was responsible for the turn of events? I still wonder what had prompted the threats from the leader of the SLP. Why were they repeated? And why the tangled web of lies in the recent attempt to make an obvious threat sound like a regular pleasantry? Might the reason be madness; stupidity? Or something a lot more ominous?

The former PM owes the people of Saint Lucia a full and comprehensive explanation.

What did the Chastanets do to him and his SLP to render them marked targets? And if perchance he should experience a need to confess, he might also come clean on Grynberg and IMPACS! We are left to wonder what changed between Anthony and Michael Chastanet, to whom the prime minister in his time had given an OBE for his contributions to local commerce, and whom he had made his development ambassador, with a diplomatic passport. To my mind, Michael Chastanet has been more visionary who contributed much to this island’s development. He deserves better treatment by the man who once considered him a very special Saint Lucian, which indeed Michael Chastanet is.

The scope of this service contract is determined by the Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) program which is jointly implemented between the German International Development Corporation (GIZ) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPA. The present phase of the program targets three focal countries namely Dominica, St Lucia, and Grenada and includes the option to scale up best practices to five other CARICOM member states. CATS II embraces the conceptual framework of “Ridge to Reef” (R2R) and is applying systemic resource management in selected states to increase resilience to climate change and as a tool for sustainable development of communities within marine managed areas (MMAs).

The purpose of this Expression of Interest is to identify and hire a qualified firm for both design and supervision of construction of a berthing jetty in Soufriere Bay, Dominica. It is envisaged that the works will be completed over a period of several weeks for the design and over the entire construction phase for the supervision of services. The scope of services includes:

a) Design of a berthing jetty to accommodate up to 50 ft. vessel based on - Site characteristics of the area; - Anticipated use of the jetty

b) Supervision of construction works of the berthing jetty

c) Development of a management and monitoring plan for the facility.

Terms of Reference (TOR) describing the exact scope of works in greater depth will be made available to all qualified companies together with the tender documents.

GIZ now invites eligible companies to indicate their interest in providing these services.

Interested firms must provide expressive information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services:

1) An official letter expressing interest

2) Company details including full company name, full address, phone and email

3) Company profile including copy of Certificate of Incorporation

4) CVs of key staffs who is intended to work on the project. The key staff should have at minimum, undergraduate degrees in civil, structural engineering, Quantity

Surveying, and Expertise in carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

5) Experience with previous similar jobs (2014 to 2018) including design of coastal

structures such as wharfs, jetties or other similar structures. A summary description

(including size, nature and location) of similar projects undertaken with contact details

of reference principal

6) Annual total turnover for each of the last three (3) years For consideration, all interested & qualified Architectural/Engineering Companies should submit the aforementioned documents electronically as a single PDF by 4:30 pm (16:30 hours) Eastern Caribbean time no later than October 5th, 2018. The EOI should be sent to the following email address: giz.serviceskaribik@giz.de Please make the subject line of your email communication on this matter: “EOI –Design of Berthing Jetty and Supervision of Construction Service for Jetty Development in Soufriere Bay, Dominica.

Please do not send technical or price offer, or other unrequested documents. Kindly note that complete tender documents with all information relevant for the offer itself will be sent to qualified Architectural/Engineering companies that expressed their interest.

GIZ will inform all companies that handed in expressions of interest about the end result of the evaluation process and whether they qualified as eligible contestants for the tendering process.

16 comment

www.stluciastar.com

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

LEST WE FORGET: BEFORE BOTHAM THERE WAS IMPACS! say how unfair it was on the police when people attacked, rather than appreciated, their efforts. He said the police were “doing their best in concerned citizen called their circumstances”—an a local radio program this week with a national observation that the program’s host enthusiastically endorsed, complaint that long before the if only to provoke more listener majority of today’s teenagers reaction. were born had been crying out The undeniable truth is for resolution. This was how that “doing their best in their he addressed Newsspin host circumstances” is just another Timothy Poleon: “I am very local euphemism for subdisturbed over the problem of standard. There has hardly home invasion in our country.”

He referenced an elderly couple been a time when the police were adequately equipped whose residence had recently to perform their vital role as been invaded by individuals protectors of our lives and widely believed to be blood property, and here I speak relatives. Alerted by the both of quality manpower and 71-year-old woman’s piercing modern equipment. I cannot cries for help, neighbors recall a time when we did not discovered her outside her suffer a shortage of magistrates doorway, bleeding profusely from terrible machete wounds, and judges, or when jurists did not have just cause to barely alive. Her 74-year-old complain about their work husband was not as lucky. environment. Our justice system He had succumbed to vicious blows to his head and torso. The has for too long suffered at the hands of successive uncaring attack, allegedly related to a long-running dispute, had taken governments that evidently never quite understood a place in broad daylight. country without a dedicated

“All you ever hear from and well-trained police force the police is that they are free of political interference is investigating,” said Poleon’s a disaster waiting to happen. caller, his volume indicative of Which is not to say the his frustrations. “Investigating what? They never have anything Philistines are not already upon us. Certainly the incessant to say about how these calls for justice, the scores of investigations are going. The couple’s relatives have received unresolved murders, rapes, choppings and other serious no useful word from them.” crimes almost daily committed,

He said the police station often in our “Simply Beautiful” nearest the scene of the crime sunlight, are unchallengeable normally shut down after six proof of that. And to think this o’clock, “as if it were a shoe whole mess is of our own store or something.” As for desperate calls to headquarters creation.

The inescapable truth in Castries, Poleon’s caller is that doing “the best they suggested it would be easier can” often does not begin to to get the governor general be good enough. Sometimes on the line than to contact a helpful policeman after regular the best you can do is get the hell out and make room for business hours. Another others committed to doing Newsspin caller, hell-bent in the general interest what on defending the police (or must be done. Otherwise, we the government!) ignored perish. Conscious enablers as the expressed concerns: that well as enablers by our silent defenseless people in their endorsement of mediocrity. homes, including the elderly and handicaped, were regularly Let us admit crime in Saint Lucia had already reached attacked at all hours, most of intolerable levels from as far the time without a consequent arrest, and even when a suspect back as the early 90s. Violent crime, particularly. Ironically, is taken into custody he is within a few hours set free, “for the police themselves may have contributed the introduction lack of evidence.” of illegal firearms to the It seemed the second civilian population, by now caller’s sole purpose was to

By Rick Wayne

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The Home Affairs minister Mr. Hermangild Francis (pictured) told reporters recently that the IMPACS matter was “no longer in the hands of the government,” that all related queries should be addressed to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

an unbearable headache.

There was a time when our uniformed protectors were without question free to shoot unarmed alleged escapees from our particularly porous prison on Bridge Street. Ironically, some would preserve as “a historic compound” what has been described both by visitors and residents, including a campaigning Kenny Anthony and Velon John as Saint Lucia’s “black hole of Calcutta!”

I have written for this newspaper countless accounts about inmates who had bargained with corrupt officials for a few hours of freedom.

When they failed to keep their

promise to return at an agreed time, the desperate prison wardens would report them missing to the Special Services Unit. It mattered not that all indications suggested the inmates had not broken out of their cells; neither did anyone see the need for follow-up investigations after the escapees had been returned, usually with bulletriddled limbs that often required amputation.

Too often Rastamen, starting in the late 80s, were viciously abused by police officers, mainly because of their appearance. Rastas were also considered synonymous with,

not only the verboten herb, but also with crime generally. They were soft targets for itchyfingered cops. If they claimed a Rastaman was responsible for a public disturbance, a burglary, a murder, many in authority were disinclined to waste taxpayers’ money on due process for the suspect, let alone a vermininfested 2x2 cell with free meals.

Terry James, Corbeau, Yamaha were all famously dispatched without argument.

But cornered rats have been known to take on seemingly impossible odds. Slowly but surely abused citizens began to arm themselves—sometimes

with guns forcefully lifted from officers, sometimes peacefully acquired from crooked cops in exchange for money or drugs.

In one unforgettable instance related to what was described as “the biggest cocaine bust in our history,” two loaded Magnum revolvers were confiscated by the police and inadvertently placed on display with other exhibits from the record raid. Only much later did the police acknowledge what the STAR had published. The firearms had been issued to the police and never been reported missing.

And so we come to the undead matter of IMPACS. According to the prime minister Kenny Anthony reading from a report in 2013, in 2010-11 a number of “citizens deemed to be criminals” had been fatally shot by cops in possession of “a death list.” Moreover, that the police commissioner at the time had turned a blind eye to the alleged illegal activities. The prime minister’s investigators had determined that weapons retrieved at the scenes of the police shootings had been planted. The U.S. State Department entered the picture on the basis of a human rights treaty to which Saint Lucia is a signatory, and demanded an investigation and credible prosecution of the report submitted by a group of Jamaican officers attached to IMPACS, never mind that local inquests had cleared suspects of wrongdoing. Kenny Anthony informed the nation via his televised address that the Americans had no faith in the coroner’s court, therefore his government would have to take “corrective steps” before much needed economic and other assistance under the Leahy Law would again become available.

The E.U. has also demanded a credible judicial resolution to the “gross violation of human rights” allegedly committed by the police, evidently to no avail.

Police credibility continues to plummet under the Allen Chastanet government. There has been no official word on the immediate future of the IMPACS report but usually reliable sources hint at new investigations. Yes, that word again!

Meanwhile the people bleed!

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

LOCAL

www.stluciastar.com

SLTA UK Update Tour

Cuban Foreign Minister receives the Director General of the OECS

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he Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s UK Showcase provided the ideal preface for many key industry meetings with travel partners and the media. During the week of September 10 - 14, 2018, Saint Lucia tourism officials headed by Minister of Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Hon. Dominic Fedee conducted face-to-face meetings with officials from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

Saint Lucia officials had two update meetings: the first was with ABTA’s head of media, Sean Tipton; and the second, with the organisation’s head of destinations and sustainability, Nikki White. Topics during the meetings included the impact of Brexit on tourism and the growing trends for British holidaymakers such as sustainable tourism.

Speaking on the importance of the UK visit and showcase Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Tiffany Howard stated, “The UK is our second largest market and we

T A delegation from Saint Lucia led by tourism minister Dominic Fedee and the SLTA rcently completed a successful tour of the UK.

are encouraged by its continued growth. There is a strong connection with the destination and as trends move toward more authentic experiences we know that our village tourism project will fill that growing demand.”

Saint Lucia also hosted a UK media lunch at Daphne’s, Kensington with twenty-five prominent media houses in attendance including; The Telegraph, The Times, National Geographic, Hello! Magazine and Wisden magazine. Minister

Fedee also had an interview with Ben Gardner of Wisden discussing the upcoming English cricket team’s tour of the West Indies in February and March of 2019. Hon. Fedee also participated in a magazine radio programme on Colourful Radio – one of London’s most popular commercial radio stations for people of colour – focusing on why Britons should visit Saint Lucia. The Telegraph also conducted an interview with the Tourism Minister on the new airport developments. The press

No spike in the number of recorded new HIV infections in St. Lucia

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tatistics from the Ministry of Health indicate that there is no spike in the number of new HIV related infections on island, which has remained in the 40s for the last three years. However the ministry continues to encourage members of the public to know their HIV status as the infection rate among men is almost double that of women.

Acting Senior Medical Officer for Infectious Diseases, in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Gail Gajadhar said the number of new HIV cases have remained about the same over the past 3 years. From 2015 to 2017 the number of new HIV infections in Saint Lucia was 46, 42 and 44 respectively.

“We found that there has been twice the number of men compared to women. In terms of all those numbers our goal is to reduce our numbers further.

We’re hoping persons will be able to practice being faithful to their partner, using protection, things like that. But it’s not only about that; we want persons to get tested too because there are still persons out there who may not want to get tested, who do

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not want to go for testing,” said Gajadhar.

HIV is treated like any other chronic disease, such as diabetes and hypertension where treatment and medication if provided free of charge at public health clinics.

Dr. Gajadhar encouraged all sexually active persons to know their HIV status by getting an HIV test which is also free and available at the sexual and reproductive health clinics and selected wellness centres across the island.

“We have done a population size estimate study, so we know we have key populations out there. We have men who have sex with men (MSM), we have transactional workers, and we also have other vulnerable populations like the youth and migrants. So we’re encouraging everyone to come in to get tested. And like I said it does not matter whether you are from Saint Lucia or migrating into Saint Lucia we offer free testing and free treatment to all persons no matter where you’re from. We don’t discriminate,” Gajadhar continued.

She noted that though

globally funding for HIV has reduced, the OECS region is fortunate to have received a Global Fund Grant which as allow the region and Saint Lucia to accomplish a number of significant goals.

Said Gajadhar finally: “They have assisted us with many things. We have an HIV drug resistant study that is ongoing, they assisted with the population size estimate study, they recently assisted with a motivational interviewing workshop that was held last week, they have assisted with training for rapid syphilis testing and combination test for rapid syphilis and HIV testing which will assist in diagnosing more patients with syphilis and what we are trying to do reduce the transmission of syphilis from mother to child.”

The Medical Officer for Infectious Diseases stated that the OECS anxiously awaits approval for a continuation grant from the Global Fund will allow both Saint Lucia and the region to draw close to the 90-90-90 targets set

by UNAIDS to end the AIDS epidemic.

was provided with an Island Update, which highlighted recent developments across the tourism sector and gave an outlook on Saint Lucia’s tourism product for 2019.

Latest year-to-date stayover arrivals figures as at July 2018 show the UK market up 7% from 2017. The Saint Lucia tourism contingent also conducted two other important trade sessions. The first was a Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (M.I.C.E) buyer networking session on Monday, September 10, 2018 where destination officials presented to potential clients and had a chance to have one-on-one interactions. The second trade event was an appreciation dinner with senior airline officials and tour operators on the evening of September 11.

he Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, received on Thursday 20th September the Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Hon. Dr. Didacus Jules, who is in Cuba on a work visit.

In a climate of mutual affection, they discussed the historical relations of brotherhood that exists between the Caribbean and Cuba and expressed the will to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation.

They also agreed on the need to seek joint solutions to the problems that affect the region, such as the adverse effects of climate change while exchanging insights and topics on the international agenda.

Previously the OECS Director General held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rogelio Sierra Díaz.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor from the OECS were Jacqueline EmmanuelFlood, Head of the Competitive Business Unit and Bernadette Auguste, International Relations Officer.

Distinguished delegates from Cuba at the meeting included Eugenio Martínez Enríquez, Director General of Latin America and the Caribbean, Jorge Mayo Fernández, Director of the Caribbean, and other officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Simpson Finance Ltd, a growing finance company in St. Lucia is inviting suitable applications for the position of

Credit Officer Duties and Responsibilities: The Credit Officer responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Daily review and active pursuing of the receivables portfolio, to ensure prompt payment

by customers • Preparation of all necessary correspondences to clients regarding their accounts • To provide monthly reports of stock and repossessed units.

• To provide excellent customer service and answer all general queries • Liaising with bailiff on repossession orders issued • To prepare credit applications and attend to clients’ calls and visits regarding queries.

Qualification and Experience: The minimum requirements for the position of Credit Officer • Diploma Level in Business related field from a reputable University.

• At least two (2) years’ experience in Customer Service Industry • One (1) year experience in Collections/ Banking Industry Job Requirements: • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Must be self-motivated • The ability to problem solve creatively • Must be proficient in time management • Negotiation skills • Strong desire to achieve goals • Basic computer knowledge/skills • Ability and openness to work with a diverse customer base • Works well in team settings • Attention to detail and accuracy Suitable candidates may forward applications to: Simpson Finance Limited C/O JQ Motors Choc Estate P O Box 279, Castries Or Email: info.slu@sflcaribbean.com Deadline for submission 5th October 2018

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www.stluciastar.com

KIM’S KORNER Hip Pain and Groin Strain:

What’s the Difference!

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re you feeling pain in your hip? If the answer is yes, is it hip pain or a groin strain? Sometimes pain felt around the hip may be from the joint, soft tissue or muscle; or it could be a groin strain. The hip is a ball and socket joint built for stability and locomotion. It transfers the bodyweight through to the lower limbs, which makes it vulnerable to injury and wear and tear. There are many conditions that can cause hip and groin pain but this article will explore the most common problems. It is difficult to selfdiagnose an injury and that is never recommended. Today more people are consulting the internet to diagnose symptoms and seek treatment. This can be a dangerous practice. It is better to visit a doctor or physiotherapist; both of which are trained to give an accurate diagnosis, and advice on management and treatment.

Torn cartilage: The head of the femur is round and surrounded by the labrum—cartilage responsible for keeping the head firmly in the socket. As we move this cartilage can be pinched within the joint. If this happens on a regular basis it starts to deteriorate eventually resulting in a tear. The cartilage itself does not contain pain sensors so it is only when the damage is extreme and causes altered movement that pain is felt.

Pain tends to be increased by activities such as weightbearing and crossing the legs.

Stress fracture: Although stress fractures are not as common in the hip as they are in the lower leg, they can occur with overuse and muscle fatigue. Muscles are responsible for absorbing shock and force as the leg strikes the ground in activities like running; so, if muscles fatigue the forces are transmitted directly to the bone; over time this can cause stress fractures, resulting in a dull ache in the groin and lower back area. If left undiagnosed, and adequate rest and muscle strengthening are not undertaken, it can eventually lead to a full fracture.

Full fractures can also happen following a fall or traumatic event; remember the hip is built for stability and does not easily dislocate, so any force can

result in a fracture; even a blow to the side of the leg.

Piriformis Syndrome: Piriformis, a small muscle that sits deep within the buttocks and lies over the sciatic nerve, can cause an ache deep within the buttocks when it is inflamed or overused. As well as hip pain, it can often be mistaken for sciatica, where nerve pain travels down the back of the leg. The best treatment is stretching; a physiotherapist can give you advice on reducing inflammation and a suitable exercise plan.

Iliopsoas Syndrome: The iliopsoas, a muscle that flexes the hip, originates in the lower back and pelvis and attaches to the femur. Overuse or injury to this muscle can produce pain, and clicking or snapping at the front of the hip when lifting the leg. The best treatment is rest and although ice may help, the muscle sits deep within the pelvis and it is often difficult to relieve the inflammation with ice alone; a doctor can prescribe a suitable antiinflammatory medication.

Hip bursitis: Bursas are little

fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction during movement.

Sometimes, however, overuse and increased friction can cause them to become inflamed, resulting in pain and tenderness that can be felt around the hip, and down the outside of the leg.

Hamstring injury: The hamstring is a long muscle at the back of the thigh. Most often injuries occur in the middle of the muscle (causing pain down the back of the thigh). However, if the injury occurs higher up the pain may be felt in the hip.

Last in the list is true groin strain often caused by overstretched or torn muscles in the groin area. It is usually associated with people who play sports but anyone who turns suddenly or overstretches can experience a strain. The onset is usually sudden and a slight pull may be felt in the groin or thigh with bruising and tenderness on the inner thigh. The best course of action is always prevention so make sure that you stay fit and active!

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

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

Hurricane Preparedness: A Solo or Group Act?

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ortunately for us, Hurricane Isaac was downgraded to a tropical storm, but we do have to wonder: are we really ready for this hurricane season?

Hurricanes Irma and Maria left the Caribbean traumatized and looking for ways to enforce resilience, but a year later implementation towards even the basic steps to withstand a mega storm, other than our prayers, is not in effect.

Do we really understand that with climate change and the increasing frequency of these mega storms, the typical dry and rainy season that we have grown so accustomed to may cease to exist? Storms could be expected at any time of year if global warming continues.

Suffice it to say even the U.S. has not learned its lesson as Hurricane Florence battered the Carolinas and Virginia, showing us yet again that Mother Nature does not discriminate, and the richest or poorest nations are susceptible to her destruction.

Generally, by the end of November we go back to island-life, unconcerned of the rainy season or the possibility of a hurricane when in reality this time should be used to be prepared. Now I’m no dooms-day prepper, or one who believes in unceasingly preparing for the end of days, but what I am advocating for is the ability to be prepared for what is now our reality. From measures such as researching hurricane risk, practicing a utility shutdown, planning for medical requirements, building an inventory, duplicating documents and most importantly finding insurance coverage. Now, in theory this

When the storms strike, should we rely for survival on ourselves or on one another for survival?

may be the perfect solution to preparing for a storm, but in reality, how can we market hurricane preparedness to the majority of St. Lucians who live from check to check and are not able to afford additional days’ worth of food and water in case of a storm? The answer lies in one thing: community resilience.

As I had mentioned before, climate-change is non-discriminatory and can affect anyone despite their socio-economic status.

While governments and other agencies have traditionally focused on building infrastructure for the impending dangers, community resilience would rely on developing strong social networks among district-level groups, faithbased organizations and civil society that can improve communication-networks during disasters, provide group shelters for those in more vulnerable situations and allocate food supplies and health services to the most marginalized residents.

Furthermore, with hurricane preparedness done on a

community-level, it is easier and more equitable to share resources from donor agencies post-disaster. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, shouldn’t it take a village to prepare for a hurricane?

---Keithlin Caroo Helen’s Daughters *Helen’s Daughters is a St. Lucian non-profit with a special focus on rural women’s economic development through improved market access, adaptive agricultural techniques, and capacitybuilding. It was formed in 2016 in a winning proposal for UN Women’s Empower Women Champions for Change Program. To learn more about the initiative, you can visit: Facebook page (https:// www.facebook.com/ helensdaughters.slu/), Instagram page (https:// www.instagram.com/ helensdaughters.slu/) Website (http:// helensdaughters.org/)

UK COACHES PUT ABILITY OVER DISABILITY

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toke City Community Trust and Premier League combine forces with Sacred Sports Foundation to tackle disability challenges.

A delegation of seven coaches and youth mentors from the charity arm of top UK football club Stoke City Community Trust were on Island to help deliver a new programme for children with disabilities in Saint Lucia.

The ground breaking initiative, which was supported by the Premier League’s International Development Fund, saw locally-based Sacred

Sports Foundation (SSF) linking with Stoke City Community Trust (SCCT) with the aim of developing eight youth mentors, four from St. Lucia and four from the UK.

“This exciting new programme will help expand our disability programmes in the region,” said Nova Alexander, Executive Director of SSF. “The exchange programme with SCCT is part of our capacity building efforts working with people with disabilities and local special schools.”

The push to increase

accessible sport for development opportunities sees SCCT and SSF working collaboratively to deliver a programme that produces long-term impact and positive outcomes for all involved. “We are proud to help lead these inclusion and diversity efforts,” said Carl Bennett, Inclusion, Disability & Health Lead at SCCT.

The SCCT team arrived in Saint Lucia on Thursday, September 13 for a ten-day programme that saw the group working with more than 160 youth with disabilities and

training the youth mentors to deliver engaging sport sessions with children from around the island at local special schools.

Mr. Bennett said the Premier League has provided UK £20,000 of support and the youth mentors from Stoke worked hard to support the trip and raised some £3,000 as part of their commitment to working with their peers in Saint Lucia.

The group of 8 youth mentors lead a range of sessions throughout the week including blind football, Boccia and adapted football games to engage local youth from the

special schools.

Resident British Commissioner, Steve McCready, hosted specially invited guests to an event celebrating the programme on 20 September.

He said “This is an encouraging example of St Lucian and British organisations working together to achieve meaningful and lasting change. Everyone involved deserves great credit.”

The programme culminated on Friday, September 21, with a mass gathering of youth at a daylong multi-skill adapted programme at the indoor arena in Beausejour.

THE STAR

september 22, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

DJs Set to Amplify the Beat at Heineken Green Synergy Finals 2018!

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his Sunday September 23, will be pure vibes, with the staging of the 2018 finals of the annual Heineken Green Synergy DJ Competition here in Saint Lucia.

The finals will once again be held at the Fond D’or Heritage Park, where north, south, east and west DJs converge, in the musical dynasty of the competition, for the title of supremacy.

So what can fans expect this Sunday besides the energized excitement that comes with Heineken Green Synergy? “Well, we will definitely be switching things up a bit this year and taking the competition to another level,” Junior Brand Manager-Global Brands (WLBL) Mindy-Luquiana Chicot revealed.

“We are extremely appreciative of the level of support this event has received over the years and this year has been no different leading up to the finals. And so every year we try to give fans something different and for 2018 we have added a component whereby the skills DJs will have a guest local artiste perform during their set,” Chicot says.

She went on to explain that the global phenomenon of DJs playing “live” sets often incorporate “live” performances and Heineken Green Synergy saw this year as opportune for another area in which to develop the DJs. Ahead of Sunday’s finals the DJs will also have one last chance to brush up on their skills, by attending a workshop facilitated by professionals in the field. The workshop will be held the day before the grand competiton at the commercial offices of WLBL.

After this it will be show time, and organisers have assembled a production team to create a magical ambience at the venue. This will include new screen features with graphics, photo booth, sound, lights and effects to help “amplify the beat” on Sunday.

The Heineken ladies will be on hand to welcome fans as they help set the stage of an evening of superb entertainment.

The DJs competing in the skills segment and their respective artiste are DJ Snow with Rashaad (saxophonist/vocalist), DJ Cue with Gigi (female Dennery Segment artiste), DJ Swall – I with Imran Nerdy (soca artiste), Kerbz Exstatic with Hip Hop artiste Yung Homie (hip-hop artiste), defending champion X Factor with Freezy, DJ Nedley and Fast Lane & Pablo, DJ Coolie alongside Prospere, DJ T-Boog with Sergie, Fusionist Atta and Maxwell, DJ Omega with Arthur and the wildcard entrant DJ Vaze with Ezra.

DJs will be competing for the first place trophy and the grand prize of EC$18,000. The second place winner will receive EC$8,000 in cash and prizes.

In the DJ Clash segment a cash prizes of EC$8,000 and EC$4,000 are up for grabs for the first and second place winners repectively.

The Clash Segment finalists who will battle against each other are Twinz of Twinz, Hot Skull Entertainment, DJ Rufus, DJ Deal, DJ Legend, DJ Shabba, DJ Ropey, DJ Wayne, Star Run it Red and the defending champion Kerbz Extatic.

Sunday’s Heineken Green Synergy finals will also feature guests DJ Watty from Trinidad & Tobago and Mix Master Paulie former regional Heineken Green Synergy Champion of St. Maarten.

The event will be hosted by Heineken brand

ambassador, Patrick “The Hype-man” of Trinidad & Tobago and MC Donnerville with DJ Chubby as the house DJ.

The event starts at 3:00p.m., entry is just EC$15.00 and patrons must be 18 and over.

Follow the Green Synergy’s Facebook page for a chance to win prizes and more and continue to enjoy Heineken, responsibly of course!

Heineken Green Synegy 2017 Skills winner, X Factor will be competing to defend his title on Sunday.

entertainment

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www.stluciastar.com

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

Dolphinarium/No Dolphinarium: Are we misplacing our priorities?

By Fiola Jennings-Clarke

out and companies refusing to sell or promote them. So, why would we risk our limited f you live in Saint Lucia resources and our reputation you will know there’s a for this? The actions recorded in longstanding debate about the recently aired the “Dolphin plans for a dolphinarium to set Dilemma’” documentary about up here. Things blew up in early Antigua & Barbuda’s experience 2017 when a new proposal with Dolphin Fantaseas and came to light to place facilities Dolphin Discovery, show scant on the Pigeon Island National regard for effective planning, Landmark. Environmentalists environmental care or other and animal rights activists tourism businesses. The have been lambasted by documentary shows when people claiming this will bring things went wrong due to the new jobs in and diversification company’s shoddy operations, of the tourism product. Well overnight, the company airlifted yes, we are in dire need of the dolphins out, packed up both jobs and diversification! shop and left the country with But when I listen to the various around $400,000 in debt. experts who have weighed in on Proponents will tell you the issue, I find the arguments that the powers that be, will that a dolphinarium would ensure such things don’t provide either of those dubious happen here. My question at best. would be: How? And my

Yes, there is still a market instincts ask: Based on what for such activities. But it is a track record of enforcement of shrinking market and opinion regulations should I believe this is undoubtedly moving against claim is valid? On that basis captive cetacean business. alone, we should be extremely Countries are phasing them concerned. But let’s look at

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other angles: The September 4 press release from the SLHTA, published in this newspaper, clearly indicates the risk to Saint Lucia’s tourism product, including companies refusing to promote the destination.

At the airing of the documentary, statements issued by the makers of Dolphin Dilemma, describe jobs brought to Antigua & Barbuda as few and limited to cleaners and low-level staff. Listen to Jeannine Compton-Antoine, former chair of the International Whaling Commission, list off the many concerns regarding existing livelihoods that depend on the near-shore resources around Pigeon Island National Landmark and the Rodney Bay area: For fishermen, from Gros Islet and other communities, their traditional catch will probably no longer frequent this highly productive area due to the constant presence of predators (dolphins).

The snorkelers, snuba and divers, possibly numbering

The “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH”, under the “Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS)” programme” based in Castries, Saint Lucia, is looking for a:

Regional Advisor/Expert (m/f) Required professional profile: •

•

• • •

• • • • • •

Advanced Degree in Climate Science, or else, in a relevant academic discipline such as Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Water Resources Management, Coastal Resources Management, Forestry or Engineering.

Solid practical experience (more than 5 years professional experience) in developing and/ or managing multi-stakeholder partnerships, ideally related to the adaptation to climate change in agriculture, forestry, coastal/marine and/or the water sector.

You have knowledge and experience on climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, Know-how regarding loss and damage and climate-induced migration would be an asset Prior work experience with an international development cooperation agency would be an advantage too.

Proven track record of working in a team setting Ideally, prior experience in Grenada and/or Carriacou Ability to work independently Fluency in English (oral and written) Solid ITC skills (MS Office, Internet, E-Mail) Excellent communication and presentation skills incl. PR (Public Relations) and awareness creation.

Information re the position: The CATS program is a joint development cooperation endeavour between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). It is being jointly implemented by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and German Development Cooperation (GIZ). CATS program operates in several CARICOM Member States, mainly targeting the three focal island states of Dominica, Grenada and Saint Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean.

Time frame of employment: November 2018 - February 2020.

Application information: If you are interested, kindly submit your cover letter and CV in English to: giz.serviceskaribik@giz.de Application for this post must be submitted no later than by the end of Friday, October 5th, 2018.

NOTE: Due to the expected high volume of applications, we will only contact applicants who are being considered. Thank you for your understanding.

The writer believes the arguments surrounding the proposed dolphin park are “dubious”.

around 100 a day, who use the area will likely suffer restricted access to the area, decreased water and reef quality due to dolphin excreta. Will vendors in the area be given concessions to sell dolphin souvenirs or will they experience competition for sales from Dolphin Discovery shop?

These impacts will be largely the same wherever such a facility might be placed. Ms. Compton-Antoine advises the Trust and ‘No’ supporters to

gather empirical evidence to make the case that we’ve far more to lose, than to gain. She is right, and I will ask anyone who can help gather this data, to volunteer your assistance to the Trust. But despite this, I can’t help but think the onus should be on commercial companies, with the multimillion-dollar budgets, wishing to profit off business that uses our resources, to prove beyond reasonable doubt, that the activities they wish to run for

their profit, with our tax-dollar subsidies, will in fact, profit Saint Lucia and her people.

We have cultural, natural, historical and heritage resources that foreign investors covet – ask why? We have culinary, musical, artistic and entrepreneurial local talent that bursts out and takes over the world despite persistent lack of investment support. Ask why we don’t prioritise them for benefit of the nation: local business, meaningful local jobs.

There will always be a place for foreign investment but based on what we see on our own shores and around us, we must ask and answer - are our priorities misplaced?

Finola Jennings Clark works in heritage and cultural community development and runs www.islandeffect. com, a website dedicated to promoting local tourism. She is also currently a member of the Council of the Saint Lucia National Trust.

A&H PREPARES FOR ONE-OFA-KIND PETROGLYPH TOUR

S

aint Lucians of all ages will get a unique opportunity to discover some exciting facets of their diverse archeological legacy at the highly anticipated Saint Lucia Archeological and Historical Society (A&H) petroglyph tour.

It is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 and the fun-filled excursion will take attendees to the cultural and historically affluent areas of Malgretoute, Stonefield, Jalousie and Balembouche, all situated in the island’s southwestern region.

Designed as a family oriented activity, the petroglyph tour will allow participants to witness firsthand the magnitude and gravity of archeological finds and how they relate to the island’s complex history and patrimony.

A&H President Dr. Francis Pappin says the tour comes at an opportune time as Saint Lucia gets ready to observe October as Arts and Heritage month. “Participants will learn about the powerful cultural symbols that are scattered

Come reassemble the fragments, while networking & taking in SLU’s stunning scenery at the petroglyph tour!

across key portions of our landscape. They will gather insight into why they were drawn, what they mean and critically how they can play a part in not only identifying them but preserving them for future generations,” notes Dr. Pappin.

Attendees will assemble at 7a.m. at Derek Walcott Square from where transportation will be provided to and from the event. A nominal fee of $65.00 for adults and $30.00 for children under twelve years is being charged. While the fee includes lunch and transportation, drinks and

snacks will be available for purchase.

Persons wishing to participate in the upcoming September 23 activity still have a chance to contact the A&H at 452-3182 or via email at stluciaahs@gmail.com

In the meantime the Saint Lucia Archeological and Historical Society is preparing for its Annual General Meeting carded for later this year. One of the highlights of that AGM will be the election of a new executive to oversee the affairs of the society for the next two years.

THE STAR

UNDP mobilized US$24 million, restored buildings and boosted preparedness in hurricane-affected Caribbean

T

he UN Development Programme (UNDP) helped mobilize US$24 million, supported the revision and use of improved building codes and restored over 800 buildings for the most at-need people in Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, some of the countries hit hardest by two powerful back-to-back hurricanes that devastated several Caribbean islands a year ago, according to a new report released.

Working with national governments and affected communities, UNDP partnered with sister UN agencies, NGOs and the private sector in the recovery process, including in initiatives to train hurricaneaffected people to rebuild their own communities while injecting needed cash for families, according to the Summary Report “Hurricanes Irma and Maria, one year on: From early recovery to long term resilience in the Caribbean” on the efforts to build back better in three of the hardest hit countries: Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands and Dominica. The initiative provided training and

emergency employment to 400 people in Dominica, 42 percent of them women, and 28 in Antigua and Barbuda. Nearly 1000 contractors were trained in more resilient recovery techniques to build back better.

“We are honoured that Caribbean countries affected by the devastating hurricanes one year ago trusted UNDP to support their recovery efforts and we are proud to have been working on the ground with governments—at the national and local levels—and with several partners since the immediate aftermath,” said UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Luis Felipe LópezCalva, thanking several partners that provided financial support for the recovery process.

With $5million support from the Government of People’s Republic of China to Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda UNDP partnered with national and local governments and several organizations to install new, more resilient roofs, in devastated houses.

In Dominica, 488 buildings

were restored including three schools, five health care centres and essential government buildings, in addition to the main hospital and the state college. In Antigua and Barbuda, the first China Aid initiative in the Caribbean exceeded the target to repair 250 damaged roofs and strengthen national building code standards, with a total of 302 homes and essential facilities served with roofing materials, during the ninemonth relief and recovery project completed on 30 June.

In Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, UNDP partnered with Microsoft, which provided a tailored app and tablets that enabled the swift damage assessment of over 30,000 buildings. With the georeferenced and visual data used to evaluate damages and needs, governments and partners had timely evidence to back a more risk-informed recovery.

In the three assessed countries thousands of tonnes of debris were removed, enabling the recovery process in essential roads, schools and

tourism sites, In Dominica this meant re-establishing healthy and safe living conditions in targeted areas for more than 5000 people. In the island of Barbuda, over 3000 tonnes of disaster and construction debris were removed, while in the British Virgin Islands the debris was not only collected but also sorted and recycled.

In the British Virgin Island, UNDP also provided management support and technical expertise to the Ministry of Finance to implement a $65 million Caribbean Development Bank rehabilitation and reconstruction loan.

UNDP staff working in the affected countries note that the recovery process is still ongoing, in spite of the many challenges and a new hurricane season. They note that many key services are still disrupted in several areas and houses still need to be repaired, but progress is significant and visible, as partners continue to build back better focusing on boosting resilience for long-term sustainable development.

Why we need to protect turtles

By Richard Branson, Virgin.com

I

ncredible to see these cute leatherback turtle hatchlings flip flopping over each other on Necker’s Turtle Beach as they make their way down to the ocean for the first time.

One of my favourite things about living in the British Virgin Islands is being surrounded by such stunning scenery and nature. We are extremely fortunate to be able to witness such beautiful scenes as this. In the BVI the same turtles will return to the beach that they were born on to nest again for generations.

These wonderful turtles have been on our planet for 100 million years—yet their future is uncertain.

Leatherback turtles are vulnerable due to the change in conditions from climate change, unsustainable fishing methods, habitat loss, pollution and hunting.

Of the seven species of marine turtles in the world, six are internationally classified as vulnerable.

The BVI is home to four of these species of turtles.

Despite their dwindling numbers, a hunting season where turtles can legally be hunted and killed still exists.

We have a huge responsibility to protect turtles from extinction. On Necker Island Turtle Beach is a protected area, which has happily become a favourite turtle nesting and breeding site. We are working with a selection of non profit advocates in the BVI, who are working hard to bring awareness to our communities and protect sea turtles from extinction through conservation programmes and advocacy. As it is a matter of livelihood for some, Necker Island and other neighbouring

regional

www.stluciastar.com

september 22, 2018

Richard Branson describes the expected fate of turtles in the Caribbean.

resorts and restaurants have made a commitment to change the marketplace and purchase the invasive species of Lionfish, keeping turtles at their highest value alive.

Several years ago Minister Saboto Ceasar of St Vincent lead a compelling campaign to protect turtles in St Vincent & The Grenadines. His campaign was called ‘No Extinction in my Generation’ and we are committed to empowering the BVI to follow St Vincent’s admirable path towards total protection.

The BVI’s tourism is recovering after

Hurricane Irma and having a thriving sea turtle population is just one of the brilliant reasons for tourists to return to the BVI. It’s a great time to for businesses to make protection and conservation of our environment a priority.

We all have a lot to gain from protecting these amazing animals for this and for many generations to come.

21

Gay sex laws in Trinidad and Tobago change, but not struck down

T

he High Court in Trinidad and Tobago has issued a final ruling on the country’s Sexual Offences Act, which criminalised gay sex between consenting adults.

High Court judge Devindra Rampersad first ruled in April that the law was unconstitutional, and expressed intent to strike down Section 13, which punished “sexual intercourse per anum”—also referred to as “buggery”—between men or a heterosexual couple with up to 25 years in prison.

Rampersad also wanted to eliminate the Section 16 law, which banned “acts of serious indecency,” effectively criminalising any kind of sexual intercourse not between a man and a woman. This law carried a punishment of five years in jail.

The court’s final decision eventually set on amending the law with the effect of decriminalising consensual sex between adults, regardless of their gender, if they are at least 16 years old, local media reported on Thursday (September 20).

Section 13 will now read: “‘Buggery’ means sexual intercourse without consent per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.” Section 16, which effectively banned all same-sex sexual relations, has now been amended to only ban “acts of serious indecency” between people under the age of 16.

Trinidad-born human rights activist Jason Jones, an openly gay man who first launched the legal challenge against the country’s District Attorney in February 2017 as

part of a campaign supported

by PinkNews, called the result “bittersweet.”

Trinidad and Tobago already has laws in place banning non-consensual sex. Jones told PinkNews in a message exchange that amending, rather than striking down Section 13, was “odd and very cowardly.”

“It’s a very bittersweet victory for me, but a victory anyway,” he added.

Jones, who raised £10,000 for the legal battle via a crowdfunding campaign, has more battles to fight as the state intends on appealing the ruling—and is seeking to raise another £20,000 to cover the costs involved.

The next hearing is set to take place in Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago, but the case may end up being heard at the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in London— the final court of appeal in a number of Commonwealth countries including Trinidad and Tobago, whose decisions are legally binding for any Commonwealth country in which the case is heard, besides the UK.

According to Jones, a victory in the Privy Council would lead to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 10 other countries. The activist told PinkNews that the High Court’s final ruling makes him feel “more confident” about his chances of reaching a final victory.

“It shows that we are up against ingrained, endemic homophobia. I am hoping that the International courts will exercise greater strength in supporting full equality for LGBT citizens.”

---PinkNews

22 INTERNATIONAL

september 22, 2018 THE STAR

www.stluciastar.com

Bill Gates: “My biggest fears about what's coming next for this world” T

he seat of power in Bill Gates’s empire occupies the top floor of an anonymous suburban office block overlooking Seattle’s Lake Washington. Here, in the inner orbit of the second richest man on earth, everything – down to the modern artwork and screens embedded into the walls, to the gleaming staff canteen replete with a faux wood-burning stove – is curated to the utmost precision.

No more so than the man himself, whose daily schedule is managed by assistants into five-minute chunks. When Gates arrives for our interview in his glass office, nicknamed “The Fishbowl”, he cuts an immaculate presence, tall and surprisingly suave in dark trousers and slate grey cashmere. The only blot is a marker pen smudge running the length of his left palm, presumably from scrubbing furiously at some white board earlier that day. Even in the 62-year-old Microsoft founder’s second life as the world’s philanthropist-in-chief, the old number-cruncher dies hard.

So, too, the ability to always keep one eye on the future.

When I ask which challenges to global health security he fears the most, Gates outlines three: antibiotic resistance, cuts to government funding to improve health in the world’s poorest countries, and the next unknown disease, referred to by the World Health Organisation simply as ‘Disease X’.

“We are not fully prepared for the next global pandemic,” he says. “The threat of the unknown pathogen – highlycontagious, lethal, fast-moving – is real. It could be a mutated flu strain or something else entirely. The Swine Flu and 2014 Ebola outbreaks underscored the threat.”

There is another threat on his mind, one which has often been treated as the ‘elephant in the room’ in the world of international development.

Namely, the population explosion in Africa's poorest countries and its future impact - either fueling poverty, political

instability, conflict and refugees, or sparking a new boom in world growth as happened in India and China.

This concern – and how to manage it – dominates the second annual publication of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers Data Report, which is released today and tracks the greatest challenges faced across the world.

True to form for a man who, early on at Microsoft, memorised the numberplates of employees so he could monitor who was putting in the hours, the report contains a startling level of detail. But above all is one simple fact that even the eternally optimistic Gates warns could mean “to put it bluntly decades of progress in the fight against poverty and disease may be on the verge of stalling”. In short, as birth rates falter in the developed world, in the poorest parts of Africa they are booming. By 2050, the ten poorest countries on the continent are projected to more than double in population.

“The thing that is mindblowing is if the demographers who have been very accurate on these things are right about Africa, then you are going from 1bn today to 2bn at middle of century, to 4bn at the end of the century,” he says.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation started in 2000, an amalgamation of the various philanthropic wings of the couple who married in 1994.

It is now 10 years since Gates left Microsoft to work full-time at the foundation. Even in that short time, the world has been transformed by the technology Gates created.

The man who once famously dreamt of a “computer in every home” still clearly possesses an unstinting faith in the power of tech. He posts regular updates on Facebook and Twitter, where he counts 45.8m followers. His waterfront mansion in the nearby Seattle suburb of Medina is reportedly equipped with tens of thousands of dollars’-worth of screens and sensors. Amazon’s

Bill Gates: “We are not fully prepared for the next global pandemic.”

CREDIT: DAVID ROSE

Jeff Bezos, who this year overtook Gates on the annual Forbes rich list, with a fortune of $112bn compared to his $90bn, is a neighbour.

But the “honeymoon period of tech”, he admits, has now come to an end. Gates says he believes technology companies should be better regulated and its impacts (particularly on young people) better understood; through its Duty of Care campaign, the Telegraph has been calling for digital companies to have a legal obligation to protect children using their services.

“Governments will decide,” he says. “Just like families decide what are the rules for your kids, governments have to really get educated on these things.

Yes, these companies are trying to be benign and individuals involved are not malign, but at the end of the day it is up to governments to understand what things should be regulated.”

We are talking now, it is clear, about the Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is one behind Gates on the global richlist and whose social media company has been hit

by a number of scandals over the spread of disinformation, disruption of elections and misuse of private data.

“Even he [Zuckerberg] didn’t predict everything that would go on in terms of it being used a platform for political influence,” says Gates, who is something of a mentor to the 34-year-old, not least in pursuing his own philanthropic ventures.

“They will step up in a pretty strong way to all those things. People who are supersuccessful need to be held to a very high standard.

Some of that will lead to a very unfair personalisation as though these mistakes are somehow down to flaws in Mark’s character, or something like that. Mark knows he is in a position of responsibility and is trying to learn about this stuff.”

On Elon Musk, another tech billionaire who recently provoked negative headlines for bizarre behaviour which included publicly accusing a British diver who helped rescue 12 boys from a flooded cave in Thailand of being a paedophile, Gates is rather more circumspect. “I don’t

know Elon as well,” he says. “I haven’t spoken to him about his challenges. I’m not sure he is someone anybody needs to feel sorry for.”

The technological age has also engendered a crisis in western democracy, with society appearing increasingly polarised. Gates admits he finds the current lack of trust in the press, academia and politicians “a little scary”. So, too, the trend to be “more nationalistic and inward looking and less global”; something embodied in the US President’s policy of ‘America First’ and, he says, to a lesser extent, Brexit.

Gates commends Theresa May’s recent Africa tour where she recommitted to Britain’s aid spending target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income. He says he has attempted to meet with Jeremy Corbyn, although so far failed, due to a schedule clash.

“Philanthropy”, Bill and Melinda Gates wrote in an open letter published earlier this year marking the 10th anniversary of the foundation, “is a basic responsibility of anyone with a lot of money.” In the letter, Melinda also criticised the

increasing amassing of wealth in the hands of the few: “It’s not fair that we have so much wealth when billions of others have so little.”

Prior to getting married, the couple (who met at a trade fair dinner in 1987) say they often talked about giving it all away. They have already publicly pledged to leave their fortune to charity, rather than pass it on to their three children, aged between 16 and 22.

Such zeal was inherited, in part, from his father William Gates Senior, a lawyer and another avowed philanthropist who, intriguingly, bearing in mind Gates’s new warnings about population, was an advocate and campaigner for birth control in the US. But the decision to focus so heavily on women’s rights in the developing world also stems from the influence of Melinda.

“With my family, by the time you got to my generation, the idea that my two sisters and me would go to college [was accepted]. There were no professions not open to them, that was pretty clear,” he says. “Likewise, in Melinda’s family. That extreme idea about roles, at least in mid-to upper-class US families, a lot of progress had been made.”

In terms of having a meaningful impact on population rise in Africa, Gates stresses the obvious perils of attempting any draconian, top-down policy in the manner of China and India. Instead, he hopes, meaningful change can be realised through improving access to birth control and educating and empowering women, as well as improving economies.

“You don’t want to live in a poor household,” he says. “But being a woman in a poor household is particularly bad. And that is true globally.”

Being a rich man in a divided world is, of course, the best lot of all to draw. But this billionaire will keep working to change that.

---The Telegraph

THE STAR

CLASSIFIED 23

www.stluciastar.com

september 22, 2018

Properties For Immediate Sale The following properties located at Cas en Bas, Gros Islet with close proximity to the Cotton Bay Resort, are available for immediate sale.

The particulars are as follows: (1) Property 1 – 39,934.11 sq. ft.

(2) Property 2 – 46,853.15 sq. ft.

For further details, please contact the following:

Richard Surage Receiver/Manager Blue Concepts Limited (In Receivership) Castries, St. Lucia Tel: 758-450-7777 Email: admin@pkf.lc

Offers are invited for:

1.

2.

3.

4.

One (1) 2008 Chevrolet Optra One (1) 2007 BMW 530i One (1) 2011 BMW X3 One (1) 2010 Audi Q5 The Vehicles can be inspected at

Admiral Sales and Rentals, Vide Boutielle Castries.

Appointments for viewing can be made by calling 758-729-1454.

No information will be given over the phone. Tenders are invited in sealed envelopes marked “Tender for Vehicle….”

Addressed to: The General Manager Simpson Finance Limited Choc Estate P O Box 279 Castries Closing Date Friday 5th October 2018 at 5pm.

Simpson Finance reserves the right not to accept the highest or any tender.

FOR SALE 2012 Kia Sorrento CRDI 2.2 Turbo AWD, Leather interior, Automatic/ Sport 6 speed Call: 519-0590

For Sale 2013 Ford Ranger Limited 3.2, Automatic 6 speed Leather interior Call: 519-0590

FOR RENT Furnished house for rent at Beausejour Phase 2.

3 bedroom, 2 bath, master bedroom, hot and cold water, cable, internet and parking.

Call: 518-6208 1 unfurnished one bedroom spacious apartment for rent at Beausejour, Gros Islet $850.00 monthly.

No utilities included.

Contact:

724 7747 / 722 8563 / 520-1444 1 unfurnished downstairs apartment, 2 Bedroom, 1 bath for rent at Ciceron, after the Baptist Church, fence and parking. $900.00 monthly.

Call: 452-7552

Selling a house?

Have an apartment to rent?

Want your car sold?

ADVERTISE IT!!

Get great results with a STAR Classified Ad Call the advertising department

Tel:

450-7827 or

Fax at 450-8690

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

Best price! Best offer!

Please call Mobile: 730 1844 or 720 5046 For viewing

Online Classifieds Get maximum exposure for your dollar.

Place your classified ads in the STAR Newspaper and on our website: www.stluciastar.com Call the STAR at 450-7827 and ask for our sales department

VACANCY

OFFICE ASSISTANT Desirable skills of a suitable Applicant: • Sales experience • Experience liaising with International Clients • Knowledge of managing office equipment, and soft-wares (Microsoft Office, and Excel) • Knowledge of Filing and Document Preparation • Pleasant Customer Service • Able to work on their own initiative

Please send a copy of your resume and a hand written cover letter debra@liferaftandinflatable.com or 715 9277 and 714 6354

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale in Soufriere 2600 Sq ft.

4-Bedroom, 1 bath, laundry/ utility extension. Great location close proximity to all available amenities.

Potential for commercial use Serious buyers/ enquirers only Call:

286 6190

SATURDAY, september 22, 2018

www.stluciastar.com

$2.00

Photo by Bill Mortley

Another day, another demo in the sun . . .

Raise Your Voice at the OKEU Corral!

S&S

It’s the thought that counts!

LAYAWAY NOW AVAILABLE AT S&S THE PRICEBUSTERS

round wooden tables

$65.00

Come and apply for your S & S Loyalty Card

metal bed frames

$335.00

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

folding beach chairs

$31.00

bar stools

$120.00

canvas ottomans

$26.00

banquet chairs

$50.00

Also on special : jumbo ketchup dispensers $3.50, serving tongs $5, barbeque grills $105, plastic strainers $3, deep fryer baskets $5.75, wooden spoons $2.25, glass cleaners $4.50, fly trap rolls $2, door stoppers $4.75, folding mosquito nets $5.50, printed bedsheets $38, vegetable peelers from $2.75, airwick air fresheners $5

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