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Quotes:
"The strides made in legal services over the last three to four years ... is St. Lucia's best kept secret".
Parliamentary representative and minister, Philip J. Pierre at the opening ceremony of a new police station in Marchand (The Star, 13 Jan).
"Also, at a number of secondary schools it is reported that increasingly, male students are inclining away from traditional social and religious norms and adopting, even while in school, a radical anti- establishment, 'anti- Babylon' persona patterned on the modern Jamaican and US inner city 'rude-boy' models. Invariably, they swear by the Bible and eventually 'locks their hair'. 'This is more serious than people realise. These youths, their families cannot control them. The schools cannot control them, they can't even educate them. The churches have no influence over them. So I can't figure out how in God's name anybody can expect the police to solve this problem', complained a police officer".
(The Crusader, 13 Jan).
"At the Kimlan's Restaurant on an afternoon earlier this week, a very young and attractive petite English woman and a young black Saint Lucian male, not at all attractive, were engaged in a very emotional display of courtship and oblivious to all about them".
Jacques Compton on the various forms of modern-day tourism (One Caribbean, 13 Jan).
"In just three words the native hotelier had taken St. Lucia where we'd never been before. And those three words are: 'Perception is everything'."
Rick Wayne, explaining his choice of Craig Barnard as Person of the Year 2000. Barnard resigned as chairman of the Tourist Board within days of being appointed, after the issue of potential conflict of interest with his business involvements was raised (The Star, 13 Jan).
"Yes, I know that what he says and what he does can affect me because he is the prime minister but I still do not have to listen".
Castries man, asked what he thought of the PM's New Year's message (The Star, 13 Jan).
"The mentally and physically debilitating video garbage which St. Lucia currently imports on cable television, should be discarded!"
Letter to the editor (The Star, 13 Jan).
"Beyond the church massacre, which left relatives with smashed skulls and burns, the revolting frequency at which women are being raped here is alarming - even to someone who has grown up in Toronto and Philadelphia".
Giselle de Grandis, letter to the editor, on the need for education and job creation as St. Lucia's only hope for the future (The Star, 13 Jan).
"The Mr Magic Basketball Academy formally Mr Magic Basketball School, has embarked on a youth basketball empowerment program targeting youngsters between five and 14 years of age. This year's program is expected to get underway on February 3 at the Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School from 10am until 12 noon".
Announcement in The Star (13 Jan).
"As a mother, I would rather see him kept in jail, than suffer the death penalty. But none of us is the law, and whatever the law and Justice decide, we have to abide by it. The whole thing is out of my hands, but I just hope that whatever the law decides, the entire affair will be just for all".
Mother of Francis Phillip, one of the two accused of murder in the Cathedral attack (The Voice, 13 Jan).
"Teary-eyed human rights lawyers appeared on TV pleading not guilty of charges they contributed to the boldness of today's criminals by defending their rights and leaving their victims defenseless".
Prime minister's press secretary Earl Bousquet (Wednesday Star, 10 Jan).
"We must be unflinching in our commitment to fairness, to observing and respecting the guarantees of our Constitution, particularly those provisions that extend fundamental rights to our citizens. ... We must also resolve to improve our understanding of and respect for the rights of each other. We need to do more to understand what our rights are and how the law can and should be respected and protected. Those who champion such rights should not be treated as outcasts or regarded as enemies".
Prime minister Dr Kenny Anthony, New Year speech (The Voice, 13 Jan).
"Boys generally have more psychological problems during their early upbringing and require attention, making them more vulnerable to poor parental care".
(The Voice, 13 Jan).
"Men in our culture have been taught since childhood to suppress their emotions. In general, this results in emotional immaturity. It is like a muscle that is weak because of lack of exercise. Anger is one of the few emotions thought 'acceptable' for men".
(The Voice, 13 Jan).
"I am still convinced that the introduction of Goat Racing in St. Lucia will be beneficial and provide a real opportunity for breeders".
Edward Harris (The Voice, 13 Jan).
"Our response to killing is not to kill again but to save, for we believe in the sacredness of human life and in the commandment of love".
Archbishop Kelvin Felix at the mass for Sister Theresa Egan, who was killed by assailants in the Castries Cathedral on December 31st (Wednesday Star, 10 Jan).
"This last question will haunt me for the remainder of my life".
Cletus Springer, wondering if there was anything he could have done to stop the assailants or to help the victims during the Cathedral attack, where he was one of the worshippers who escaped physically unharmed (The Mirror, 12 Jan).
"The Prime Minister must also think before showering praise and kudos on radio stations for simply airing his United Nations speech, when a few minutes later that same station is saying to our youth 'smoke it all day, smoke it all night, pass it on the left, pass it on the right'."
Toni Nicholas on the question: 'Is society mirroring the media?'
"Maybe too on Sunday January 28, the day of the brunch, the Prime Minister can lead us on a trip to the Massade Boys' Training Centre to see first hand how some of the 'marginalized youth in society' he spoke about in his speech spend their time being 'rehabilitated'? I wait with baited breath".
Toni Nicholas, wondering if a New Year's Press Brunch with the prime minister is the most appropriate event "in the wake of undercurrents and overtones of a decaying moral and social fabric". (The Mirror, 12 Jan).
"Spraying (Ovariohysterectomy). This is an irreversible means by which a female dog is rendered sterile. ... Once splayed, females no longer attract males".
Veterinarian Dr Fenton Thomas on the spaying of dogs (Tuesday Voice, 9 Jan).
"The release went on to say that a number of discharged patients have been injured by falling in the carpark on their way out of the hospital, necessitating their re-admittance".
The Wednesday Star on St. Jude Hospital's fundraising activity to renovate the carpark (10 Jan). |
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SLHTA and Chamber: no confidence in ministers
Prime minister Dr Kenny Anthony this week continued to defend cabinet ministers in the Legal and Home Affairs ministry (Velon John) and the ministry of Tourism (Menissa Rambally), despite indications by the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce that they had lost confidence in the capabilities of the two ministers. The SLHTA first expressed its "veiled vote of no confidence" - as The Mirror calls it - before the New Year's Eve violent attack on worshippers at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and before last week's series of rapes involving both local and visiting women. But the subsequent spate of violence has done nothing to change the SLHTA's opinion of the way in which the ministers of Legal Affairs and Tourism perform their tasks. 'Tourism officials want heads of Ministers', says The Mirror on its frontpage, One Caribbean asks in bold letters: 'Will Kenny fire Velon & Menissa?' and The Star states 'SLHTA has no confidence in Menissa and Velon'. The Voice is the only paper to also implicate the Chamber of Commerce. According to The Thursday Voice, representatives of the Chamber and the SLHTA on Tuesday met with prime minister Dr Kenny Anthony and members of the police force to discuss ways to control crime on the island.
Although not calling directly for the ministers' resignation, representatives of the SLHTA and the Chamber reportedly expressed "disappointment at what transpired". According to The Mirror, in late December, a strongly-worded letter was sent by the SLHTA to the PM, stating that "relevant senior Government officials should be prepared to be relieved of their portfolios if they are not able to fulfil their functions". This message has now been reinforced by SLHTA vice-president Rodinald Soomer following last Tuesday's meeting. The Star quotes Soomer as saying: "The disappointment that remains, which is part of our message to the prime minister, is that we have lost confidence in the ministers of tourism and legal affairs when it comes to dealing with the crime situation. The question which arises is not whether they can or cannot deal with it but where the responsibility lies? If we want action we should not have to call on the prime minister. That in fact is symptomatic of the failure of these ministries to deliver and satisfy us that they are in a position to deliver and that they are taking the necessary action. ... The intention was to make the statement that something is wrong and that ultimately the ministers are responsible. So that if they can't do the job then the government has to do something about the situation. One of the options, we believe, is a cabinet reshuffle".
But prime minister Dr Anthony, in a GIS press statement on Thursday, stated that he stands "firmly" behind ministers Rambally and John and that he had "no difficulty" with either one of them. The Voice reports this. Although admitting that both portfolios "present challenges and difficulties" and minister John had made some "injudicious statements", the PM gave no indication that he intends to act on the vote of no confidence by two of the island's major pressure groups.
Dr Anthony did issue strong statements in his New Year's message last Monday, however, promising St. Lucians that his government "will not tolerate any attempts to drag this country into a state of lawlessness. We cannot and will not allow law-abiding citizens to live in constant fear of a few unruly individuals ... The police have been given special instructions to intensify patrols, particularly in known trouble spots. The police presence on the streets will be felt as never before and I have directed the Police Commissioner to cancel leave to aid this islandwide effort. Criminals will not be allowed to create a climate of fear and uncertainty. This lawlessness must stop". [click here for the full text of the PM's New Year's message]. All newspapers comment on the PM's strong words.
Some of the measures taken to increase safety on the island are the establishment of a National Anti- Crime Commission (led by Dr Ramesh Deosaran of the Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice at UWI), the establishment of a Rapid Response Unit (based at the Gros Islet police station), the training of fifty new police officers, and the construction of a new prison and development of a holistic crime fighting strategy for the police service. Last Sunday, a new police station was opened in Marchand, Castries. Parliamentary representative for the area, minister Philip J. Pierre, in his speech claimed that "the strides made in legal services over the last three to four years ... is St. Lucia's best-kept secret". The Star reports this. Minister Velon John, in his speech, highlighted the various increases in manpower and vehicles achieved during his stewardship.
The Tuesday Voice reports in some detail on the occurrence of "at least four cases of reported rape within the first week of the New Year".
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RC Church: 'Save lives of cathedral attackers'
A plea to save the lives of the two men accused of murdering Sister Theresa Egan and injuring thirteen others during a violent attack on worshippers at the Castries Cathedral on December 31 was expressed by Archbishop Kelvin Felix, last Saturday. The Archbishop made the Church's position known during the thanksgiving mass held for Sister Theresa at the same Cathedral where she lost her life only six days earlier.
"Our response to killing is not to kill again but to save, for we believe in the sacredness of human life and in the commandment of love", the Archbishop told the large congregation, including Sister Theresa's relatives, dozens of school children, prime minister Dr Kenny Anthony and many, many others. "Christian hope gives us the courage to work for a better St. Lucia, for a society free from the culture of violence. To overcome violence, we ourselves must not be violent or vengeful. We must be clear in our minds that we cannot overcome violence with violence, or as we say, 'fight fire with fire', this would only further entrench the culture of violence". The Wednesday Star is the only newspaper to report on the Archbishop's plea for clemency. Archbishop Felix urged those present "to uphold the absolute sanctity of human life - from the moment of conception to natural death ... especially of the unborn, the elderly, handicapped - of those who suffer violence, and even of those who inflict violence on others".
Although the majority of St. Lucians identify as Catholics, a large majority of people on the island nevertheless appear to be in favour of capital punishment. Following the tragedy at the Cathedral, several people have publicly called for the death penalty to be applied to the accused perpetrators Kim John and Francis Phillip. According to The Star, "During a recent episode of the morning program 'That Makes me Mad', hosts and callers clearly indicated their disagreement with the monsignor. Andre Paul called on believers in capital punishment to make known their feelings ...".
But Archbishop Kelvin Felix' call to break the culture of violence is totally in keeping with statements made in May of last year following 'Jubilee 2000' - a mass celebration held in St. Lucia attended by some 20,000 Catholics from around the region. Caribbean bishops at the time came out in united condemnation of capital punishment. According to The Mirror of 20th May 2000,Archbishop Edgerton Clarke of Jamaica stated: "We see life as being of tremendous value. We are asking ourselves what is the motive behind [capital punishment]? Why are we so anxious to execute? Where is the whole sense of reconciliation, of trying to help the offender to redeem himself? ... You talk about deterrence, but capital punishment is a violent act and we need to take all of that into consideration. Most people talk about justice but what they are really looking for is revenge. They say justice, but what is really justice? A life? ... What would Jesus do if he were here and called upon to make a judgement on some of the lives that are being executed?" [search news archives]
Monsignor Patrick 'Paba' Anthony at Sister Theresa's thanksgiving mass last Saturday, also called for "a civilisation of love in St. Lucia", to replace the existing "rhetoric of intolerance". Monsignor Anthony stated: "let us join hearts and spirits in cultivating a society where differences are respected, conflicts resolved through negotiation, and hurts healed through reconciliation. Let us work towards the creation of a civilisation of love in St. Lucia. May the blood of Sister Theresa Egan flower in such a dream". The Wednesday Star reports this.
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Former Helenites president Desmond George dies
Former president of the Helenites Association in New York and former chairman of the National Day Committee, Desmond George, is commemorated in this week's issue of The Voice - although the article does not dwell on the circumstances of George's death. Desmond George, born in Castries, son of Linus and Suzanna Springer George, is remembered as an outstanding sportsman, a man "committed to the welfare of St. Lucians abroad", and the first local banking employee of the Royal Bank of Canada. After migrating to the United States, George reportedly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he received various honours. He subsequently furthered his education, and worked as financial controller at Marine Midland Bank of New York, and at Urbitron Engineering. He was actively involved in the St. Lucian community in New York in various capacities. He was bearer of the St. Lucian Silver Piton Medal. According to The Voice, Desmond George leaves to mourn his wife Mary, daughters Tessa, Kashima, Rebecca, stepson Earl, mother Suzanna, brothers Anslem and Junior, sister Sandra and numerous other relatives and friends.
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Some 450 started work at Helen IT Systems
Some four hundred and fifty St. Lucians started their training as employees of Helen IT Systems last Monday, with another two hundred and fifty expected to take up their duties before March of this year. With this impressive number of employees, Helen IT Systems will become the largest single private sector employer in the country. This was stated by prime minister Dr Kenny Anthony during his New Year's speech. Helen IT Systems - a 24-hour-call center - is headed by Linford Fevrier. The establishment of the new company fits in snugly with the government's drive towards a services-oriented economy.
According to the PM, "This new investment is only now possible with the new liberalised telecommunications environment and a government prepared to provide the necessary support, encouragement and concessions". The PM went on to say: "The addition of 700 new jobs will make a significant dent on our unemployment situation. Helen IT Systems is a pioneer! I encourage more local entrepreneurs to follow suit and break new ground, to find new niches for themselves as the new economy takes shape". All papers report on the PM's speech. [click here for the full text].
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US military task force to build barracks
Some 100 personnel of a joint task force of the United States marine, army and air force are currently in St. Lucia to construct military barracks near the Choc cemetery, and to assist in the renovation of a community centre. The project is reportedly part of the US' Southern Command's New Horizons exercise. The members of the joint task force, which has been dubbed 'Piton', are led by a combat engineer unit called 'Red Horse'. The military men come from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. According to spokesman Allen Herritage, the joint task force is expected to remain in St. Lucia for about three months. This is reported in The Voice and One Caribbean.
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Hurtful First Come, First Served pressing ahead
While negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United States increasingly seem to be veering towards the adoption of a 'First Come, First Served' (FCFS) arrangement with respect to the importation of bananas into the European market, chief executive officer of the Windward Islands Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO), Bernard Cornibert, warns this week that Caribbean banana industries "are bound to lose out" as a result.
According to a press release in the Voice, One Caribbean, Crusader and Mirror, Cornibert expects the EU to press ahead with having FCFS arrangements in place "by April this year, or by July 1 at the latest, even though important details of how such a system might operate are still to be finalized". Caribbean (as well as African and Pacific) banana producers would prefer a system based on a "historical reference system", says Cornibert, and the Caribbean Banana Exporters Association in London therefore continues to lobby against the FCFS. According to Cornibert, the FCFS would be "second-best", and Caribbean banana industries would see their position on the European market endangered as a result of it. The British government, however, has stated that it is is willing "to look constructively at the FCFS model", so long as it not only secures a regime acceptable to the World Trade Organisation, but also reflects EU commitments to the African, Caribbean and Pacific banana producing nations, "particularly the most vulnerable countries in the Caribbean". So says UK secretary of state, Clare Short.
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Beginning of an end to free parking?
The Barnard Hill car park - located at the back of government buildings is no longer free of charge. Ten dollars per day, $35 per week, $140 per month of $1,340 per year: these are the newly introduced fees, effective as of January 1st. According to an article in The Voice, it had always been the intention of the National Insurance Board to make the Barnard Hill car park a commercial undertaking - although parking hitherto had been free. In October of last year, the multi-storey Castries CarPark Facility was opened, offering space for 320 cars. The public's response, however, has so far been to avoid the commercial car park, and find spots along the roads, or at Barnard Hill. The managers of the Castries CarPark Facility explained at the time that they expected business to pick up, as soon as paid parking was introduced on the streets of Castries.
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Literary webzine The Jako launched
The first issue of literary web magazine 'The Jako' was launched last week, carrying St. Lucian reviews of books and music, as well as poems, short stories and essays (www.jakoproductions.com). The Jako is the brainchild of Dr Anderson Reynolds, managing director of Jako productions. The company aims to advance St. Lucia's cultural and artistic expressions and to promote its culture around the world. Jako Productions is responsible, amongst other things, for the reggae CD 'Freedom' by Itooba, with an accompnaying music video, and for publication of Anderson Reynold's novel 'Death by Fire'. Next month, Herbert Vital (a.k.a. as Jah Lion, or One Foot), is expected to launch his CD 'Jah no Dead' under the Jako Productions label.
Literary web magazine 'The Jako' will be published quarterly, with the next issue slated for April. Materials for the April issue can be submitted until 20th February, to The Jako, Gablewoods South, PO Box VF665, Vieux Fort, or email: Jakoproductions@hotmail.com. Materials solicited are poems, short stories or essays with a St. Lucian flavour, as well as reviews of recently published books and music about St. Lucia or written by St. Lucians. This is reported in The Voice and Star.
[Both the CD 'Freedom' and the novel 'Death by Fire' are available online via St. Lucia Online's net shop]
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FRC to relocate materials after burglary
Following yet another burglary, the Folk Research Centre, located at Mount Pleasant overlooking the city of Castries, has decided to relocate its archives and possessions to alternative locations. This was confirmed by executive director June King-Frederick, after burglars ransacked the building over the weekend and stole some $16,000 worth of audio and video equipment, as well as a four Umatic videotapes containing a "huge amount of valuable cultural heritage footage". The FRC acts as the custodian of folkloric material in St. Lucia. It initiated the celebration of Kweyol Day and has a unique collection of books and publications on the island's history and folklore, as well as a sound and video library. The Star quotes King-Frederick as saying: "We simply don't have the funding to carry out the major work required to properly secure this building. Until that funding is forthcoming from the government, we are relocating most of our archives and possessions to alternative locations".
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More cruise ship visitors disembark at Castries
The cruise ship industry is benefitting the local economy more than has previously been assumed - mostly because a larger percentage of cruiseship passengers actually disembark the ship than was thought. This was revealed in a survey conducted by the Tourist Board. A full report is yet to be made available, but preliminary results indicate that 87 percent of passengers disembark at port Castries, which is "far higher than had previously been thought. The number also exceeds the disembarkation experience of other competing Caribbean destinations". This is reported in The Voice and One Caribbean. The report further states that "Of the number of persons disembarking, approximately 35% take organised tours. The Board estimates that such tours generate in excess of $10,000,000 to the local economy. The remaining 65% take walking tours of the city or taxis to the beach or other attractions". With respect to visitor expenditure, the Tourist Board survey reveals that this has risen from US$42 per person in 1995, to US$54 in 2000, although "Much of that increase in expenditure is towards tours with only a marginal increase in spending on shopping". There has been an "explosive" growth in the number of cruiseship visitors to St. Lucia: from 168,000 in 1996 to almost 444,000 in 2000. The survey is based on data collected between mid-November and early December 2000. The press release finishes by stating that "prospects for the future appear to be bright".
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'Jook Bois' suspended for 'inciting violence'
Popular Creole-speaking radio-host Sam 'Jook Bois' Flood has been suspended following some controversial new year's predictions made on his Wednesday evening show, 'En Hall-la', on Radio 100 FM. According to The Crusader - the only newspaper to comment on the suspension - Jook Bois predicted "an invasion of the House of Assembly by gunmen and shooting incidents at a local school". The Crusader concludes that "apparently" the management of Radio 100 "felt that his predictions can be construed as an incitement to violence". The newspaper reports that Jook Bois has been suspended "until further notice" but a radio newscast on Friday stated that he had been suspended for one month.
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