STAR Monthly Review December 2020

$2.75 www.stluciastar.com

WHY DO WE HATE?

by Kenny D. Anthony

BUSINESS UNUSUAL

by Adrian Augier

THE BISHOP MURDER MONTHLY REVIEW

by Godfrey Smith

STILL WE PRAY FOR COVID RAIN

by Rick Wayne

BOOK REVIEW

DECEMBER 19, 2020

by John Robert Lee

SHARON BELMAR-GEORGE HERE’S WHY THIS LADY IS A CHAMP!

NATIONAL DAY REVISITED

by Nahdjla Bailey

. . . and a whole lot more!

Cover Photo by Daniel Marcion Photographed at Howelton Estate

Merry

Christmas

During the holiday season our thoughts turn to those who’s contributions made it possible to secure a future for many Saint Lucians.

It is in this spirit we say thank you and best wishes for the Holiday Season from all of us at the National Insurance Corporation.

www.stlucianic.org

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

Well hello there . . . it’s been a long, long time!

C

hances are few Saint Lucians can recall the last time they spied a member of the incumbent party this close to his opposition. And just in case you may be wondering, let it be known that neither social distancing nor any other thing COVID-related had anything to do with this anti-social situation.

Even scarier is that Kenny Anthony (pictured right) and Allen Chastanet may well not have exchanged a friendly word in over ten years, at least.

Certainly our photograph must’ve been taken before 2006, when then Prime Minister Anthony was still quite cosy-cosy with the Chastanet family, to the extent he caused Allen’s father to be renamed Sir Michael at the royal hands of the Queen

of England, for his many years of selfless contributions to local commerce.

Alas by 2016 things had soured so badly that the Chastanet clan feared for their safety, thanks to what they heard coming from the campaign loudspeakers of Kenny Anthony’s party.

Still, in this season, doesn’t it warm the cockles of your heart to see the two gentlemen actually pressing the flesh, however long ago? Judging by the position of their hands, you’d imagine nothing and no one could come between them. Until Allen spoiled everything by having himself installed as the cock of the parliamentary walk, king of the hill and all!

---RW

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Printed & Published by STAR Publishing Company Ltd. Cover Photo by Daniel Marcion, photographed at Howelton Estate.

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

01

Why Do We Hate?

Kenny Anthony (left) was still St. Lucia’s prime minister when he wrote the preceding for publication on 17 October 2005. Taken from the Government of St. Lucia website.

by Dr. Kenny D. Anthony

H

ave you ever hated anyone? Do you think it is right to hate? Can you cleanse yourself of hatred? There can be no doubt that hatred is an extraordinary and powerful human emotion. It is as old as human existence. It has thrived through successive waves of human civilization and is alive in our so-called modern world.

But what is it that has kept hatred alive, well and thriving? Many things. For one, there is a great deal of resentment among cultures, races and religions. Such resentment occurs when cultures, races and religions attempt to assert dominance over others. Naturally, such resentment thrives on differences and becomes a powerful tool that can be effectively used to breed hatred. Differences reinforce 02

DECEMBER 19, 2020

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divisions. Worse, differences are used as a basis for discrimination and exclusion.

Hatred, in its most dangerous form, occurs when violence is used to reinforce differences. It has led to incredible destruction of human life.

Just think for a moment: Sheer hatred led Adolph Hitler, a mere sixty years ago, to murder over six million Jews. Hatred was part of Hitler’s creed. He exhorted the German people to “hate and again hate.” He advised them that “the lesson of life is to hate and be hard.” Hatred led to the conflict in Kosovo, in former Yugoslavia. Ethnic hatred led to the systematic slaughter of nearly one million Tutsis in Rwanda by the Hutu majority.

Who can forget the humanitarian crisis unleashed in the Liberian civil war, all because of hatred? There, too, thousands of innocent individuals died because of

ethnic hatred. And even today, in the Darfur region of Sudan, hatred rooted in ethnic and religious differences has given rise to genocide—the systematic, arbitrary, deliberate killing of over one million people. In all of these instances, barbarism consumed people who had previously lived peacefully as neighbors. They succumbed to the temptation to slaughter without compunction, without remorse. They yielded to savagery.

No one is immune from the temptation to hate. Hatred is everywhere.

It is alive in our homes, our businesses, our places of work, in our offices, clubs, in our neighborhoods and on our television screens.

Even pastors hate. Priests and believers hate, all in the name of their faith and the god that they are supposed to worship and honor. Never mind the golden

commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Some profess their faith on the one hand and hate with the other hand. Of course, many of them say that it is the politicians who cause, nurse and encourage hatred. Politics is responsible for the hatred in our midst, they preach.

Yet, many of them are its sponsors in their sermons, teachings, utterances and the advice they choose to offer.

Of course there are politicians who hate. Some are so hell-bent on securing power that they gradually become consumed by their hatred for their opponents. Then there are others who have faced repeated rejection by the electorate, who are unable to accept the verdict and resort to hatred of the individuals they believe are responsible for their rejection. They become bitter, personal and venomous. Unquestionably, politicians are

the easiest targets of hate. They are the easiest to blame for misfortune. Someone loses a job, or is required to proceed on retirement, and the reaction is hatred for the individual they hold responsible.

Some of it is understandable. It can’t be easy to feed your family when you are unemployed. But is that good reason to hate?

I can share with you many personal encounters with haters. I can tell you of many experiences since my entry into politics in 1996. I can tell you about those who shout: “Missieur c’est un chien.” (He is a dog.) Or: “Mwen hayi h’omme sa la.” (I hate that man.) So, too, can my colleagues.

So, too, can other politicians. But today is not for this. Another time, another place.

Some among us deliberately nurse and encourage hatred. Some of us thrive on it because we believe it is one way to annihilate our opponents. Just look at the behavior of some in our media.

Some practitioners use their craft to nurse injured feelings and to encourage hatred. Sometimes, the body language, the contortions of expression, the abuse and disrespect, the venom with which points of view masquerading as opinions and healthy criticism, are expressed. The tools are subtle but on occasions quite blatant.

Sometimes we dismiss it all and describe it as “entertainment.”

But why do we hate? All kinds of explanations have been offered about the phenomenon of hate. One of the most incisive speeches on hate was delivered

by Vaclav Havel, the former President of Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic.

In his other life, he was a dissident and a playwright. Havel argues that people who hate “harbor a permanent, ineradicable feeling of injury, a feeling that is out of proportion to reality.” In their subconscious “there slumbers a perverse feeling that they alone possess the truth, that they are some kind of superhuman or even God, and thus deserve the world’s complete recognition, even its complete submissiveness and loyalty, if not its blind obedience.”

Additionally: “ People who hate wish to attain the impossible and are consumed by the impossibility of attaining it.” They never see the cause of failure in themselves, but in their eyes “ it is the surrounding world that is to blame.” They are all people “with a complex based on the fatal perception that the world does not appreciate their true worth.” All haters, says Havel, accuse their neighbors— and through them the whole world—of being evil. “The person who hates is unhappy because whatever he does to achieve full recognition and to destroy those he thinks are responsible for his lack of recognition, he can never attain the success he longs for.”

Sometimes, fear can feed hatred. It is a point made by the political historian John Lukacs. For example, if you fear a political party because you believe it could cause you to lose influence, wealth, privileges or access, then such fear could ignite or

induce hatred. Hatred can be so irrational.

The great danger of hatred is that it can cease to be a matter of the mind. Hatred can, and often leads, says Lukacs, “to physical inclinations, to physical acts,” and ultimately to death, destruction and as we have seen, to genocide.

There are two areas of human activity where hatred is insidious, evil and dangerous. The first is religion. In which case hate is a blatant mockery of the faith we profess. It is dangerous because its messengers make us believe it is driven by moral imperatives that are ordained, prescribed by the god we strive to honor and obey. In other words, some seek to justify their hate on the basis that they are acting in the service of God. From the beginning of time religion has been used as a weapon to spread hate and distrust. Many wars and other acts of violence have been committed in the name of religion and in defense of faith.

There are countless examples. We have had the Reformation and the CounterReformation. Thousands die during the Catholic Inquisition in the 16th Century. In Northern Ireland, centuries of bitterness and religious animosity between Catholics and Protestants have claimed countless lives. Sectarian hatred caused the deaths of 3,636 people between 1966 and 1999.

Most of the victims were innocent civilians.

Likewise, centuries of hatred and distrust between the Jews and the Palestinians have produced war and carnage. Today, religious, cultural and political differences

have placed radical Islam and the Christian West on a collision course. Religious violence is sometimes unanswerable to human reason.

Equally insidious is the use of hatred to muster political influence and support.

People who are driven by hatred see no logic, adhere to no reasoning and justify violence as their creed. Politicians who encourage hatred will eventually pay the price, because those who they nurse in hatred will eventually turn on them. Hatred consumes not only its victims. Hatred also consumes those who hate.

But do not misunderstand me. Let us not confuse political competition with hatred. I believe in political competition.

I believe that citizens should be offered political alternatives. I believe we must create an environment where citizens and political parties can engage in robust, and yes, fierce and passionate argument and debate. I believe we can do all of those things without hating each other. To think otherwise, or do to do otherwise, is to pave a path to tyranny, intolerance and tribalism. We must not allow ourselves to be consumed by the fire of hatred.

One thing is clear. We cannot and must not fight hatred with hatred. True, when hatred produces war there is no other choice but to reply in a like manner.

Otherwise, hatred must be fought with tolerance, understanding, reasoning and peace. So, let us renounce hatred. Let us disown the messengers of hatred in our midst.

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

03

188 granted citizenship through Saint Lucia’s CIP in 2019-2020 Joshua St. Aimee CEO Nestor Alfred says that there will not be an influx of successful applicants into the country.

N

early one thousand individuals the world over have been granted Saint Lucian citizenship through the country’s Citizenship By Investment (CBI) programme. According to Chariperson of the CBI Board Mr. Ryan Devaux, now in its fifth year of operation, the programme has raised $131,245,988.60.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet tabled the 2019-2020 annual report during the House of Assembly sitting on November 24.

In the report, Devaux indicated that the last financial year was one of “challenge, hard work and ultimately success.” Although the financial year saw the introduction of two real estate projects —the Canelles Development and Desert Star Holding’s Alpina Project— there was a decrease in the number of applications granted compared to last year. This was blamed on negotiations with marketing agents. The report stated, “during the period of negotiation, the marketing agents efforts towards marketing the programme and driving applications was suspended.”

In 2018-2019, 210 applications were granted and 288 persons received citizenship. During the 2019-2020 financial year, 143 applications for citizenship were granted, resulting in 188 new citizens. For the third consecutive year China came in first, with 70 Chinese receiving Saint Lucian citizenship. Russia placed second with 23, followed by Nigeria with 15 and Turkey 10. There were 9 from Pakistan and 8 from Lebanon. There were four each from Iraq, Syria, United Arab Emirates and the Philippines, while there were 3 each from the United States of America, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom. Algeria, Korea, South Korea, Qatar and Vietnam each had 2. Lastly, there was one each from Australia, Bhutan, Colombia, France, Jamaica, Yemen, Turkmenistan, Serbia, South Africa, Libya, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.

(The agency’s financial year ends on March 31, and a new one begins April 1.

Therefore, the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on applications received/ granted will only be known when the 20202021 report is released next year.)

Taking into account figures from the 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 201920 annual reports, 813 people have been granted Saint Lucian citizenship since

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DECEMBER 19, 2020

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the programme’s inception. The reports are available at the Parliament building in Castries.

CBI programmes continue to be a bone of contention in Saint Lucia and the wider region. It played a leading role in St. Vincent’s November 4 general elections. In the lead up to the polls, that country’s main Opposition, the New Democratic Party promised to introduce a CBI programme in the country.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves stood steadfast in his objection to such an initiative, encouraging citizens to say no to “selling our birthright. No to selling out our passports and our land to foreigners who will make us second class citizens in our own country.” Prime Minister Allen Chastanet recently defended the programme, arguing that it provides an opportunity for “major capital investment.”

Will successful applicants flock to Saint Lucia? CEO of the CBI Unit, Mr. Nestor Alfred asserts that this will not be the case. He addressed this matter in an interview with the STAR. Nestor says that the government established this programme to create a platform by which meaningful foreign direct

investment can be derived.

“And this Unit has clearly demonstrated its ability to continue doing this despite any pandemic or natural disaster,” said Alfred. During the pandemic, the agency implemented a business continuity plan, which allowed the programme to continue while some staff members worked from home. “The unit has clearly demonstrated, over a period of time, that the primary reasons for persons wanting second citizenship is for international mobility.”

The CEO stated that over 90% of successful applicants have no interest in making Saint Lucia their second home, and will never set foot in the country. He explained: “We offer visa free status in 146 countries and that is what is attractive to them... There is absolutely no truth that all of those people— the hundreds that we’ve granted citizenship to over the period of time — will come to Saint Lucia.”

To support his position, Alfred pointed to St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. Like Saint Lucia, the two neighboring OECS countries also operate CBI programmes. St. Kitts entered the business in 1984 and over 16,000

persons have gained citizenship to date. The CEO described the island as the ‘grandfather of the CBI program in the world.” He said: “They’ve been in this program for 36 years and they’ve given hundreds of thousands of citizenship. Have we seen the same increase in the population? Absolutely not! The same applies for Dominica who’s been in this for 25-26 years. Have we seen an upsurge in the population growth based on the number of applications that they’ve given? Absolutely not.”

He went on: “Therefore this tells you that citizens under this programme have absolutely no interest in making this country their second home but they see the attractiveness of this program, because our passport gives them access to 146 countries without ever having to apply for a visa.”

As to whether Saint Lucia will continue to operate this programme in the future, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has indicated that this is “constantly under review.” Both of the island’s main political parties support the existence of the programme, whilst the newest party, the Saint Lucia National Party has vowed to “abolish” it.

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

05

The Assassination of Maurice Bishop

by Godfrey Smith

T

he road from Pearls Airport in Grenville to St. Georges snaked along the east coast countryside through sleepy rustic villages where time slowed to a crawl and life revolved around vending roasted corn and a variety of meats from a scattering of makeshift stalls.

As they ascended the Grand Etang Mountain, two thousand feet above sea level in the central highlands, the houses thinned out then disappeared altogether, giving way to lush rainforest dense with ferns, sweeping bamboo, pendulous breadfruit and nutmeg groves. Around treacherous, precipitous hairpin bends lush emerald valleys burst spectacularly into view. In the back seat of the prime minister’s car Sello briefed him on developments in his absence. On reaching Mount Wheldale, they continued their discussions on the staircase.

Maurice told him he had given further thought to the matter of joint leadership and would like to have it put back on the agenda of the Political Bureau meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 12. Sello replied that he had no problem with it if indeed Maurice felt it necessary in light of further thinking.

They agreed that members of the Committee who were not members of the Bureau should be invited to that meeting since the matter originated with the Committee.

Across the courtyard, Bernard said reports reached him that Rizo had not gone to his residence but had gone straight to the Cuban Embassy in Morne Jaloux and posted thirty armed Cuban guards around the embassy. Given the fear and uncertainty of what the Cubans would do, Bernard and Rizo’s actions were strange since Grenada provided 24-hour armed security to every embassy in the country.

Rizo dismissed those reports as nothing but a tissue of lies. He had not gone to the embassy and turned it into a fortress in preparation for some Cuban intervention into Grenada’s internal affairs. He said this could have been easily verified by asking H.A. who visited him at his residence on both October 13 and 14 and could confirm that Rizo was living there normally just as before. Rizo said nothing could have been different because they were completely unaware of the power struggle inside the NJM. He said Cuba had counter-intelligence advisors and intelligence apparatus but they did not use it to spu on the NJM. Cuba did not spy on allies.

Coard, James, Layne and Cornwall huddled, figuring out their next move and speculating wildly. The coded communication system with Cuba was located not at Rizo’s home but at the embassy which was fully equipped and self-contained with kitchen and bedrooms to provide round the clock reporting. The reports of the posting of the guards could probably be preparatory to military mobilization. Something was being planned. If nothing else, it had to be proof that Maurice had discussed Grenada’s internal affairs with the Cubans. Cuba was just a stopover for Maurice on his way from Eastern Europe, yet Fidel had put on a grand reception for him with the top echelons of the Cuban Communist party. Maurice had never before received that level of reception, even

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Shortly after the Grenada revolution, Maurice Bishop (with cigarette) connected with George Odlum (at mic) and Dominica’s Rosie Douglas (extreme right) in London.

on official visits to Cuba. That must have been a clear sign of solidarity with Maurice.

Then Fidel and Maurice had gone off for an entire day alone. And it was that very night that St. Paul had threatened that blood would flow.

The concluded that Maurice had definitely secured the backing of Fidel and would not be accepting joint leadership, in defiance of the binding decision of the Central Committee. They were outraged.

Bernard was the one who had strategically re-focused the party after its failed bid to oust Gairy in 1973-74. He had convinced the party to reverse its previous decision and participate in the 1976 elections out of which Maurice had emerged as leader of the Opposition with Bernard and Unison as parliamentarians. It was he who had spearheaded the detailed planning for the March 13 attack and had convinced the leadership they had to strike at that moment.

He was responsible for the much-trumpeted socio-economic programs of the revolution.

He was the natural and de facto co-leader.

The joint leadership decision would only have made it official.

Battle lines were drawn. From the Coard camp, phantasmagoria grew that Maurice had obtained approval to activate the reserve battalion to put down any internal rebellion against him.

Louison denounced it as a lie. Far from asking for his help, he explained to party members, we did not even mention the crisis

in the party to him. Maurice had been back in Grenada for days now and yet Bernard, as the joint leader, had made no contact with him. Nobody had appeared at the prime minister’s house to present him with the usual daily briefings. The only minister who had come to see him were H.A. and Jackie Creft. The level of paranoid delusion was so great that many among the leadership stopped sleeping at their homes and moved around to secret locations.

On Monday morning, October 10, Maurice rang Bernard to discuss corruption allegations at the airport project. Maurice’s cousin, Bob Evans and an in-law of the governor-general were embroiled in the scandal. Maurice was intolerant of corruption. A well-respected senior officer in the Minister of Finance, Monica Harding, would later say that the only two ministers who had a 100 percent track record for accounting and refunding to the government unused funds from travel advances given to ministers on overseas travel were Maurice and Lynden. He and Bernard agreed that an independent tribunal should be set up to inquire into the matter. As prime minister, Maurice would typically select the members of the tribunal but since his cousin was involved, he asked Bernard to do so. Bernard agreed.

That was it. Nothing further was discussed. Each was filled with doubt, suspicion and mistrust, yet neither suggested a tête à tête. Maurice never asked why

Bernard was not at the airport to receive him. Bernard never asked why Maurice never called him for the two weeks he was away.

He never raised the issue of St Paul tailing him and allegedly making threats on his life.

Neither could have known it was the last conversation they would have. If Maurice’s telephone call was intended to break the ice and get them talking. It didn’t work. Relations only became frostier.

In Havana, the Cubans began asking about Cornwall’s prolonged absence from the embassy. His wife, Valerie, reported that she had started ducking the Cubans to avoid the repeated bombardment, especially about when her husband would return to his post.

In the Situation Room of the White House that the morning, Constantin Menges, nicknamed ‘Constant Menace,’ briefed President Reagan and the senior National Security Council staff of the situation in Grenada. He was the CIA’s national intelligence office for Latin America and a special assistant to the president. After the meeting he returned to his office and drafted a one-page plan for the protection of US citizens in Grenada and the restoration of democracy in Grenada. It suggested action by an international, collective security force that would include democratic Caribbean countries.

Excerpted from The Assassination of Maurice Bishop, by Godfrey Smith

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DECEMBER 19, 2020

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07

From a Chasm to a Crack:

National Day Revisited

by Nahdjla Bailey

W

hen formally invited to write a 2020 National Day Message for the STAR newspaper, I immediately responded with a negative exclamation, quickly followed by a searching question.

The exclamation: You surely can’t be serious! The question: Whyever me? I then sought to explain the patently obvious: “The whole world knows how solidly planted I am on one side of the divide—the right side of course—and not exactly generous-spirited in my defence of it.” It was only after the STAR publisher himself had managed to sell me on the idea that it was for that very reason that I should extend a unifying message at this time, and what’s more, he intended to invite someone from the other side, equally robust in their convictions, to do the same, that I acquiesced. So, let’s get serious then.

St Lucia’s National Day marks the feast day of St. Lucy (Lucia of Syracuse) which we celebrate at present on 13th December.

I say “at present,” as for years we’ve been hearing calls for discontinuing its existence, and more so, recent ones for a variety of named Days to replace it. At least one of those springs to mind: Vendors’ Day! But who was this St. Lucy, who is venerated in many parts of Italy, Croatia and Hungary and is most ardently supported in Scandinavia where her feast day brings hope and the prospect of a return to light from the near permanent darkness of their bleak mid-Winter? Legend has it that St. Lucy was a woman of great virtue, committed to chastity, to charitable works and to her Christian faith. Having been betrothed to a pagan by her mother, she refused to submit to an arranged marriage.

Her enraged suitor threatened to send her to a brothel if she would not abjure her faith, but the one thousand men and fifty oxen that he sent were unable to move her.

She berated them ferociously and continuously, even after bonfires were lit around her. A spear was forced through her throat but she would not be muted.

She displayed stubborn intransigence and a refusal to stay silent in the cause of virtue. Yes, this is the measure of the woman whom we should have no difficulty upholding on our National Day along with, I daresay, any honourable group who chooses to have their Day coincide with hers, subscribe to her virtues and bask in her reflected glory.

However, it often seems that the people of St Lucia, of all stripes, creeds and political persuasions, though more than ever possessed by similar intransigence and a reflexive refusal to be silenced, even where silence is indicated, are not necessarily

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Let us together be sufficiently magnanimous to openly celebrate both the small and big successes in our country! Sounds like a great thought to keep in mind, especially on National Day.

driven by a commitment to virtue - either cardinal or theological. Though most, if not all of us, were reared on the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, whether we practise them, when, where, how, to whom, to what extent and why, is debatable.

What of the cardinal virtues then?

Are we familiar with those? Perhaps not as much. Yet they are, importantly, the fundamental virtues around which all others are grouped, and are, I believe, more than ever relevant to today’s Saint Lucia. The cardinal virtues are Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance and Justice. And, in fact, therein lies the brunt of this national day message to all citizens, myself included, and without doubt, the politicians as well.

In colloquial terms, Prudence can be expressed by the maxim “engage brain before opening mouth” or putting pen to paper, or starting a fight, or lying and thieving in their many, many guises, or committing murder, rape etc. The list is endless. Go ahead and add to it.

Fortitude refers to showing resilience and acting correctly in the face of violence, opposition, shame, scandal and any other hardship which life may throw your way, or which you have brought upon yourself.

Difficult for sure but definitely doable with a little determination.

Temperance (not only the refraining from alcohol bit) is basically self-restraint personified by refraining from the excesses of revenge, arrogance, rage, sustained

abuse, extravagant consumption and, for sure, alcoholic consumption, something which I am compelled to comment on, before I move on. If it wasn’t before, it should now be abundantly clear to the whole of Saint Lucia that we have a very grave problem and serious challenge on our hands in relation to the consumption/ overconsumption of alcohol. It is clearly not just a social issue; it has shown itself to be endemic in our island. Its absolute seriousness has been brought to the fore by the actuality of the extant COVID-19 pandemic, and from all accounts, we have learnt that all strata of the society are so affected. A tall order, but obviously something which calls for a whole range of professional attention.

Now we come to Justice. In ancient Greece, Justice was widely seen as whatever happened to be in the interests of the ruling classes. Some might think that not much has changed in our modern-day world, but I think I can say that we here (both government and citizens) have happily long moved on from that self-centred outlook. The cardinal virtue of Justice can be summed up as the moderation or mean between selfishness and selflessness— between having more and having less than one’s fair share—and consequently committing oneself to engaging in the regular practice of helping in concrete ways to create a society of greater material equality (in the broadest sense of the

word). So very important, and again, more than ever relevant in these confoundingly unforeseen and unfathomable times, wouldn’t you say?

Therefore, in conclusion, on this our National Day may we have hope that the current plague of COVID-19 will be fully overcome—and sooner rather than later.

May we have rational faith that our leaders are indeed doing their best for the country and its people in these times of great economic and social hardship. May we show charity to our fellow citizens by not being quite so irredeemably obnoxious to one another, especially on the political front.

May we demonstrate fortitude in accepting present deprivations and loss of personal liberty for the good of all. May we practise temperance (although having a couple of beers or the odd shot of rum is probably in order today—it is, after all, our feast day). And certainly, let us all look forward to rejoicing anytime justice is seen to be done and our citizens get what they rightly deserve. Let us together be sufficiently magnanimous to openly celebrate both the small and big successes of our country.

When’s the last time you allowed yourself to do so? As a nation, we’ve become so stingy with our praise, even when clearly warranted, haven’t we?

Lastly, let us all pray that, for the sake of lasting progress and peace in this land of ours (Oh Happy Day!), the chasm begins slowly but surely to look more like a crack.

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

09

Vive la Différence!

by Cockadoodle Doo

O

ur increasing active cases notwithstanding, I thank the Almighty that at this time I live in Saint Lucia.

Actually, it is precisely because of those numbers that I find myself giving greater thanks and being even more relieved that I, and those whom I love, are alive on this little rock and not (alive or dead!), for instance, in the not-so-mighty United States of America where one observes daily the stunning disunity, widespread confusion and lack of preparedness that is the nature of things là bas. I again thank the Almighty that I live in St Lucia in the days of an enlightened and united administration; an enlightened and industrious CMO and her effective team; an enlightened and active SLMDA administration—not to mention a calm, confident, intelligent, down-to-earth, servant-leader. Oh, yes, I do.

Now, this is not to say everything is proceeding swimmingly. Or that there aren’t among us some who persist in promoting chaos among our most vulnerable with their farfetched conspiracy theories, so inimical to universal adherence to the recommended protocols.

Nor does it mean there are not the everpresent, downright hostile instances of naked political mischief. Oh no, we’ve definitely not been spared that! It also does not mean that the monster virus will not decide to teach us an unforgettable lesson as certain sections of our inherently and majorly undisciplined population continue to disregard its dictates.

But you see, despite those drawbacks, I only have to think of the possible alternative institutional reality waiting impatiently in the wings, and I once again quickly give thanks after an initial spontaneous shudder.

Enough! Shall we move to devices then? No, no, not that!—I mean the material ones. I first heard Senator Ferdinand’s response outside the House, in defence of his party’s laptop/notebook initiative during its last tenure as the government. As usual, he did a good job.

He was calm, collected, articulate . . .

(Just as an aside, his elevated demeanour is most un-Labour, isn’t it? Always seems to me he’s more cut out for the UWP camp.

Hope my words don’t get him into trouble with the mob.) Yes, his words, although well presented, clearly did not tell the whole story.

Then I heard the Minister of Education in an apologetic message where she essayed to erase her earlier vocal stance against the initiative, in my estimation, altogether unnecessary. Instead, I would have expected strong pushback from her, with explanation, given the sad history of the said initiative. She seemed not to outline the whole story as many of us understand it. Here’s what was missing: it

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Education minister Gale Rigobert: Was she a tad too generous to critics of her position on computers for young students?

was on the face of it a positive initiative.

But one is compelled to dig deeper (actually not at all that deep) and examine the rationale, the motivation, the intention behind the giving—and whether the mere act of giving and touting that giving left, right and centre, was sufficient or indeed in any way, shape or form a sensible, useful or purposive thing to do. Where was the preparation? The training for student and teachers? The preparation of the machines themselves? Where was the entailment? The follow-up? Nowhere, that’s where.

The initiative was mere weeks old when one began to hear that many of the devices had given up the ghost or had been appropriated by older adult males for their peculiar viewing pleasure, having quickly got the better of the lock that the day’s PM had assured us was fool proof.

Many were soon on view at roadside domino sessions, serving as cushions for worn-out straw chairs. As for the students, what a laugh for them, the ease with which they had accessed supposedly restricted sites. There was little teachers could do, since they were not nearly as versed as their wards in the new technology. Many did not own a computer. The lauded initiative proved a minor disaster, if not an

abuse of another country’s generosity!

The word on the ground was that the initiative was indeed purposive, if for all the wrong reasons: conceived by PM Anthony as a winning election ploy, it was also meant to demonstrate that he was at least as calculating as PM Gonsalves.

Just for the record, in St Vincent & the Grenadines the programme had not delivered on its perceived potential— as much for the same basic reason of lack of preparation of the actors and their environment (both physical and pedagogical) as for its advertised intention.

Therefore, to my mind, Minister Gale Rigobert never had cause to be sorry for her earlier stance, for what exactly did that SLP initiative achieve? In a word—zilch.

Given the prevailing circumstances then, what Dr Rigobert said was nothing but the truth. The current universal, country-wide digitalization drive, a policy of the UWP government, and the outfitting of teachers, students and classrooms spearheaded by her ministry has been thought out in depth.

We hear our PM take time to explain to us where his government is headed with the current drive. I especially like the e-book idea, so that parents can receive some measure of relief from the hefty bill associated with having to purchase a small

library each year.

The acceleration of the on-going programme has no doubt been necessitated by the realities of Covid-19, but to be clear: many of the preliminaries were already in place, with others moving along nicely. That has facilitated the progress of this initiative in a meaningful way. Will there be hitches?

More than a few, I suspect. This is a challenging undertaking, and we must not be short-sighted. We must keep our eyes on the prize, on the rewards which will surely materialise, as this programme is being rolled out with efficiency and for all right reasons.

So, Senator, too little too late? Not at all. There’s not a little, but a lot of varied outcomes to emanate from a well thought out country initiative, with studied preparation (the absolute key!) having begun pre-COVID. But was it too much too soon back in your day? Uh-huh, and that’s why it failed. All that crowing and distributing of gifts for unwholesome motives and minus the requisite preparation took care of that.

Finally, Senator Ferdinand, I would have to conclude that the supposed beneficiaries themselves were not fooled, judging by the message of the 2016 general elections!

COVID-19 Vaccines expected on Helen’s shores by March

by STAR Reporter

F

ifty-six percent! That’s the number of polled Saint Lucians who say they have no intention of taking a COVID-19 vaccine— even if endorsed by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George.

This question formed part of the Research and Innovation Survey conducted by former Director of Statistics, Mr. Edwin St. Catherine. The survey— which included 400 Saint Lucians from the across the country— was funded by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program United Nations Development Program.

St. Catherine presented the preliminary results during the People’s Parliament event on November 23. He revealed that the sample has a +/-1 percent margin of error, meaning “that each statistic, generally, will typically be within 4 percentage points of the real population value 95% of the time.”

Participants were asked: “Would you take a COVID-19 vaccine endorsed by the CMO?” 56% said no, 15% yes, 21% maybe and 8%did not know. “This result is consistent, no matter how you look at it.

Whether you look at it with respect to age group, sex, education levels. All groups are equally skeptical about taking a vaccine,” St. Catherine said.

The main reasons behind the apprehension were outlined. Many felt that the vaccine was developed too soon, so they will adopt a wait and see approach.

Many worry that overseas health companies want to use them as guinea pigs.

“So if the policy is to vaccinate the population, there will be a lot of education work to be done to prepare the ground for that to happen,” St. Catherine noted.

The full report is scheduled for release in February 2021.

CMO Belmar-George has taken notice of the survey’s results and says a health education and communication program will be rolled out in January to ensure that whatever decision one makes is guided by evidence-based information. “We anticipate a level of resistance,” the CMO said, “but we have to ensure that accurate information is provided to the public.”

In a 4 December statement Dr. Belmar-George revealed that on July 10, Saint Lucia signed on to the COVAX Facility—a global mechanism to source COVID-19 vaccines that ensures equitable access to the vaccine by participating countries. Indicating that the first supply should be available by March 2021, she revealed that the ministry has organized a COVID-19 Immunization Committee which

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George says that at least 65-70% of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.

is responsible for planning the roll out of the vaccine.

“This plan will entail a health education and communication module scheduled to commence in January 2021 ahead of the introduction of the vaccine,” said Dr. Belmar-George. “This aspect is important to ensure our population has access to accurate, scientific information on the new vaccine to facilitate informed decisions in relation to its use for them and their family,” the CMO said. At least 65-70% of the population, she said, would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity—the level of resistance that is required across Saint Lucia’s population.

“We intend to monitor closely the use of the vaccine in the developed countries commencing this month to gain some insight of factors which supported its roll out, barriers and any key lessons learnt which can be applied to our country,” she added.

Meanwhile, the WHO’s Tedros Ghebreyesus has warned that a “vaccine on its own will not end the pandemic,” and that the established monitoring and protocols need to be maintained. On December 8, news outlets in the United Kingdom reported that a 90-year-old British woman became the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine, as part of that country’s mass vaccination program.

An estimated 800,000 doses of the vaccine are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks. After two National Health Service workers in the UK had allergic reactions in separate incidents that day, people with a history of significant allergic reactions have been advised not to take the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

11

FICTION

Reunited Never

by Kayra Williams

S

he watched impatiently as Jacob fiddled with the car stereo, then settled for old school jams: Here I am . . . stuck in the middle with you . . .

Yes, I’m, stuck in the middle with you. The song was hauntingly familiar, a favorite of Camille’s best friend Torrent. They’d had it on repeat the night Torrent, newly licensed to drive, flipped Jacob’s car. The song returned Camille to a place she’d been trying so hard to forget . . . the abrupt end of a night of wild dancing and booze . . . the numbing coldness in Jacob’s eyes as she was hurried off aboard a screaming ambulance!

Camille imagined him cursing himself for trusting Torrent with his car. It hadn’t helped that Camille could not find the courage to call Jacob with the bad news.

A random passerby on her early morning walk had spotted the crippled vehicle and a tearful Camille at the roadside. She it was who had made the vital calls to the hospital and to Jacob. He’d been too angry to check on her afterward, unlike Trey, her ex, who’d even helped her pay for some of the repair work on Jacob’s car—no questions asked.

With heavy rain now pounding the vehicle’s windshield like hailstones Camille glared at Jacob as he texted while driving.

They’d made up since the accident, but now as they headed toward Castries from Choiseul in the middle of a tropical storm it seemed every little thing he did annoyed her. For sure, he was no Trey.

Hell, a fancy chunk of metal on wheels had been enough to keep him from giving her the hug she so badly needed that near fatal night. She should’ve ended their relationship then and there.

Camille angrily slammed both hands on the dashboard and switched stations.

Jacob protested. “What are you doing? I love that song.”

“And I’m just so tired of it,” she groaned.

Jacob gave her a puzzled look, shrugged. Camille silently thanked the heavens when she heard the familiar buzz of his iPhone. She hoped whoever was calling would keep him occupied at least for the next ten minutes. All she wanted now was to get into some dry clothes.

“You don’t have to drive all the way,” she muttered.

“But it’s pouring, sweetie. I’m not gonna let you walk!” Camille knew protesting would be pointless. They had barely stopped at her house when she opened the car door on the passenger side.

12

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

“See you soon?”

She pretended not to hear. “Thanks, I really . . . Damn, is that Trey?”

“What!”

“I asked you not to drop me all the way,” she hissed. “He’s here.”

Jacob feigned wide-eyed panic. “Uhuh, Houston we have a problem.”

“Bye,” she said, stepping out of the car. She slammed the door and ran toward her house.

“I’ll call you later,” Jacob chuckled as he pulled away. If he was amused, Camille certainly was not. Trey was sitting with her mother and younger sister Zoe on their front porch. There really was nothing unusual about his being at the house. He practically lived there. But Camille sensed he was on a mission this time. She singsonged a quick “hello everyone” as she ran down the corridor to her room. She could barely wait to freshen up. She hoped Trey would not follow. Camillle still had not gotten over his most recent transgression.

She locked herself in as soon as she entered her room, undressed and stepped under the shower. Blissful anticipation turned suddenly into overwhelming disappointment. Instead of the warm water her skin thirsted for, all she got when she turned the tap was a rattling noise and a few drips of cold water that quickly dried up.

Her mother’s voice reached her from somewhere outside: “Use the bucket, Camille!” For the last several days showering had involved pouring cups of water from a damn plastic bucket—even at a cheap Airbnb in Gros Islet when she was forced to share a container with Jacob. At least this time she had the bucket all to herself, however icy the water.

Her thoughts wandered as she soaped her body. She couldn’t tell what was worse; coping with the annual rainstorms and hurricanes that left most of the island without water and electricity, sometimes for several days—or Trey’s playing around.

They had not spoken in a full week.

Truth be told, she still did not want to hear from him. So why was she dying to know now how he was doing, how much he missed her? She smiled as she toweled herself in front of her full-length bathroom mirror. Nothing about her naked reflection hinted at her frustration. She grabbed the ponytail on her dresser and sharply pulled back her hair. She fished out some rose-colored panties and a matching push-up bra, reached for a dress on a hanger then abruptly changed her mind.

She didn’t want to be wearing something that screamed for male attention when she faced Trey again. She settled instead for a

clingy but faded-green spaghetti-strapped number long past its prime.

“Camille?” She felt her heart leap into her throat. Trey was at her door. She hoped her tone when she invited him suggested only half interest. He got straight to the point. He never was one to beat around the bush.

“Who was that?”—as if he didn’t already know.

“Jacob,” she said.

“Thought you’d quit seeing him!”

“I have.”

“So why did he drive you home?”

“Because I asked him to.”

Her words stung like darts to his forehead. “You want to talk or not?”

Camille shrugged.

He lowered himself into an easy chair

near the doorway.

“Cam,” he said, almost inaudibly. “You took all your stuff.”

“Yes. We’re done.”

“But why, babe?” There was no mistaking the sound of confusion. “What did I do?”

“You know damn well,” Camille said, channeling her inner Ice Queen. “Your DM says you’ve done quite a lot.”

“Oh, is that what this is all about?

Something you read . . .” He paused, changed direction. “Why were you . . .”

“Don’t even go there!” she shouted.

For the first time Camille turned to face him, her big brown eyes now like razor slits under her unmade eyebrows. “If I hadn’t gone there I wouldn’t have known you’re still the same useless cheat I broke

Felt This Way! up with that first time!”

Her words sounded much harsher than she’d intended. She made a mental note to keep her emotions in check.

“But babe, it’s just words,” Trey pleaded. “These people don’t mean a thing to me.”

“These people? Is that who they are now? These people?” Her cynicism was palpable.

Trey giggled, clearly embarrassed: “It’s you who’ve always been like Mary Macgregor torn between two lovers.”

Camille tried to block out the sneering little voice in her head: Your fault . . . why did you have to be so honest about your feelings for Jacob?

“I’m not caught between anything,” she lied, her volume now close to a pussycat’s purr. She wanted so much to hear him take responsibility for their predicament, for reopening her heart

to Jacob. Instead he offered schoolboy defenses.

“What do you mean, babe? Are you still seeing him?” Inside her Camille was bristling. That sneering voice again: How dare he still address you as babe—as if nothing between you had changed?

“No,” she said. “I’m not. What’s it to you, anyway? You’re the one with a harem of online sluts!”

Trey insisted there was nothing to whatever Camille had read. She felt her anger rising: “What the hell are you talking about, Trey? I’m not an idiot. I know what I saw!” She took a deep breath. “You actually said you were single!”

Trey glanced at the door, still half open. He reached out, gently pushed it shut, and positioned himself near Camille on her bed. “I never told anyone I don’t have a girlfriend,” he mumbled.

She was having none of it. She

jumped up and started pacing the room. It was her way of staying in control of herself —and the urge to punch Trey in the face.

In her mind’s eye she still could see the screenshot she’d taken as evidence of his betrayal.

“I don’t have time for this!” she shrieked. “Be a real man and own up to your shit!”

He put his forefinger to his lips.

“Sheesh. Your mom might hear.”

She sensed herself about to explode.

“Shut up, Trey,” she said. “Just shut the fuck up! I hate you. I really do!” His reaction reminded of a face distorted by a Mike Tyson uppercut to the nose.

Sixteen months earlier, a barely 19 years old besotted Camille had reluctantly left her family home to move in with Trey. Six months later she was back, a broken, wiser, if a tad bitter, grown-up woman. The worst part of the nightmare experience had

been Trey’s ever roving eye; his transparent lies. “I absolutely hate you, Trey,” she screamed again. “Nothing in the world will change that!”

The room was abruptly silent as Camille’s words slowly sank in. Trey rose slowly off the bed, momentarily looked down at her while she stared straight ahead, arms folded on her chest. “Maybe we can talk about this later?”

“Just get the hell out, Trey!” she said, and her back on him. He’d barely left the room when Camille kicked the door shut.

She flung herself still fully clothed on her bed, pulled a pillow over her head and sobbed. It was morning when she reopened her now swollen eyes.

Her first thought: “So, now where to from here?”

The preceding is from Mars,

by Kayra Williams

Wishing our Members a Christmas filled with Peace, a Home overflowing with Love and a healthy, safe and blessed New Year!

Happy Holidays!

We are National. Join us today!

Contact us: LABORIE BRANCH: Allan Louisy Street, Laborie. Tel: +1 (758) 459-6900 Fax: +1 (758) 455-9289 VIEUX FORT BRANCH: New Dock Road, Vieux Fort. Tel: +1 (758) 459-6925 Fax: +1 (758) 454-6069

Website: www.mylaboriecu.com • Email: info@mylaboriecu.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylaboriecu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylaboriecu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mylaboriecu

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

13

What You Didn’t Know

CMO Sharon Belmar-G indeed be naturally gen are not “the weaker sex detractors (after all, too is no doubt that especia legion of fans island-wid who are not shy about e unwavering dedication. not to say her conversa COVID-19 is less than g into a reluctant celebrity wife and mother, as we down with the STAR.

INTERVIEW

STAR: You assumed your current position in January 2020. Just three months later you were confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic. What prepared you for this Sisyphean challenge?

CMO: COVID-19 has been a challenge for all of the region’s Chief Medical Officers. I truly believe we human beings are tested to discover our strengths, not show our weaknesses. I’ve had over a decade of working in public health, managing from the Ebola outbreak preparation, outbreaks of Dengue Fever, Zika, Chikungunya.

I worked closely with former CMO Merlene Fredericks. She permitted me every opportunity to lead public health interventions, facilitating my hands-on experience. I’ve also had the opportunity to participate in public health training programs through the Pan American Health Agency and Caribbean Public Health Agency, in preparation for outbreaks of this kind. I have been able to establish a secure network of support through these agencies. From working in most of our public healthcare facilities, I am well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of our system. It can only get better from here.

[Smiling] STAR: How has the recent upsurge in active cases affected you and your team?

Photo by Belle Portwe Photography Studio

14

DECEMBER 19, 2020

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George: Who knew this lady was so full of surprises?

THE STAR

CMO: With our opening up of economic activity, we anticipated and planned for increased cases. The higher number has placed added strain on our team on many

About “Our Best CMO”

George is living proof that while women may ntler than the opposite gender, they definitely x.” Although she may have her fair share of many of us seem to thrive on negativity!) there ally since March this year she has made a de—and wherever there are Saint Lucians— expressing respect for her professionalism and Her telegenic charm and projected affability, ational tone even when the latest word on good, have turned her, much to her chagrin, y. But there’s much more to this young doctor, e were happy to discover during a recent sit

levels. We’ve been working long hours on a daily basis and updating protocols to facilitate new issues: increased numbers accessing care at the respiratory clinics, more patients at the respiratory hospital, increased testing requirement daily, all of that has caused an increased use of the procured supplies and equipment. Within the COVID-19 plan, procurement forecast is an important element. We ensure we have at least three months’ worth of supplies at any one point. The Pan American Health Organization has also supplemented the country supplies to manage the increase in cases. I’m always concerned about my hard-working and dedicated team, their families, their mental health. The limited gratitude shown them can at times be quite demotivating but we know our priorities.

STAR: What’s been responsible for the almost daily increases in active cases?

CMO: Saint Lucia has three main risks for introduction of cases and community spread. They include the high incidence of COVID-19 disease in the global environment, the illegal entries from high-risk islands, and the violations by home quarantined returning nationals.

Also, the assessments received from the Environmental Health Officers and the analysis from the contact tracing team reveal high rates of transmission from positive cases due to poor adherence to infection control measures. This includes the inconsistent use of masks in

public places, lack of physical distance, attendance numbers at social events, and going into public places with respiratory symptoms.

STAR: Why has Saint Lucia opted for the PCR over the Rapid test?

CMO: The PCR remains the gold standard for accurate, sensitive testing and based on the nature of COVID-19 it is imperative it’s maintained until a reliable faster and more accurate test is approved.

STAR: Do you anticipate the imminent lifting of travel quarantines, or at least a reduction to a week or so?

CMO: We do not anticipate the lifting of travel quarantines, although we are exploring time reduction based on new information by the CDC indicating that the rate of new infection is lower in the last four days.

STAR: Why haven’t current safety procedures been more effective?

CMO: At this stage, I believe the correct policies are in place. They would certainly be more effective with greater compliance.

Non-adherence and poor enforcement of the recommended safety measures don’t help.

STAR: Some countries have been forced to order more lockdowns. Do you foresee this happening here?

CMO: The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the numbers, ensuring the cases do not overwhelm the healthcare system. Health indicators are examined on a weekly basis. We are effectively managing this second wave and at this point do not anticipate a lockdown.

STAR: When will the health department be in a position to offer vaccinations?

CMO: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is working closely with the COVAX Facility and PAHO to provide vaccines. We estimate their availability by the March 2021.

STAR: How difficult has it been juggling your roles as wife, homemaker and mother, as well as holding down what may well be the most important job at this time?

CMO: I’ve grown pretty good at balancing my professional and family lives. I enjoy being a housewife, cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry and so one. COVID-19 has forced its changes on the way we live. It seems most of my time is taken up trying to keep the pandemic at bay; even at weekends. Still I am able somehow to make quality time for family.

STAR: With the increase in active cases, what are your concerns about the Wellness Center and other local health facilities?

STAR: Home schooling is by no means a piece of cake, yet your twins Dominique and Ava Marie recently topped island-wide Common Entrance scores. How involved were you in their preparations?

CMO: The Ministry of Health has been attempting to manage the COVID-19 cases and ensure the delivery of services for the other health conditions and programs within our portfolio. We continue to monitor the outcomes as our chronic-care patients who are most at risk need to remain well controlled at this time. We are concerned about the increased workload on our healthcare workers who have been doing an amazing job at the clinics at personal risk. Also of concern is the reduced expenditure for non-COVID-19 conditions.

CMO: From very early, I have played an active role in the education of my twins.

Most importantly, teaching them life skills, discipline and dedication to their goals.

This definitely paid off when I found myself unable able to take a planned vacation during the last few months before Common Entrance. With the support of their dad and my family network of teachers, they kept working. Quite successfully, I’m proud to say.

STAR: In this election season, how difficult has it been to stay above the fray?

CMO: As a technical officer, I strive, as they say, to stay in my section. But I don’t exist in a bubble. It would be naïve not to anticipate the political pressures, at this time especially. I remain focused on providing evidence-based recommendations. The negativity can be depressing especially when one’s integrity is unfairly questioned. I am able most of the time to ignore the noise.

STAR: Have you grown accustomed to life in a fish bowl?

CMO: I have never considered myself a party animal. But I do miss the few social activities I normally enjoyed: the gym, movies, once in a while an evening out with special friends.

STAR: How do you keep so calm and collected, whether delivering bad news or answering trick questions from gotcha reporters?

CMO: It’s my nature to avoid confrontation.

I believe in always being prepared. I am never hesitant to say I don’t know to a question. These are things I learned from my amazing mother. She taught me the importance of being solution-based, quick thinking, and never over-reacting.

STAR: What makes Sharon Belmar-George tick?

CMO: My ever supportive husband, my family, my small network of friends, Soca-fit, my flower garden—and of course shopping! [laughs] STAR: How often do you cry from frustration?

CMO: Almost never!

STAR: What makes you laugh?

CMO: My amazing kids!

STAR: How hopeful are you that COVID-19 will soon be under control—even overcome?

CMO: I think we’ll be managing continuous waves of COVID-19 for a while yet. I anticipate at least another year of managing cases, even after the introduction of the vaccine.

STAR: Do you have a not so blue Christmas message?

CMO: Christmas is the season for reflection, to appreciate the things that really count: health, family, faithful friends.

Let’s celebrate the positive, live in the present, and be thankful for the greatest gift of all: life!

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

15

Rikelli Tommy:

Not So Ti Mamai Anymore!

N

ever have the quotes about the use of time been more meaningful than in 2020. There a mêmes aplenty that mark the year one for the books. For instance: “I am not adding this year to my age. I did nothing.” And this:: “What did you do this year?” Response: “I washed my hands.”

It’s almost as though we woke up in January 2020, we blinked and suddenly it’s December. The happenings in-between were sad, with millions of people dying around the world and the rest of us biding time and doing our best to stay afloat. Through it all FB and social media highlighted the good, the bad, uplifting and depressing and reviving memories of times past.

For me one remembrance stood out: An 8-year-old post of Ti Mamai, a magazine I published in the STAR with a

focus on parenting and children’s issues.

On the cover page we featured local kids, although we used on one occasion a child from New York of St Lucian parents. Yes, the mag had reached that far.

At that time, I was at home with my oldest daughter. Desirous of a useful outlet for my abilities relevant to my current experiences, I decided to explore my desire to publish a magazine. Unfortunately, it proved impossible to continue publishing Ti Mamai thanks to circumstances I could not control. But producing the magazine proved a thoroughly engaging and growing experience.

A couple of weeks ago FB brought up the front page of our Christmas issue that featured an adorable 2-year-old from Laborie, named Rekelli Tommy. She was a perfect model, following perfectly every instruction as I photographed her. Rekelli

Covergirl Rekelli age two and gifted schoolgirl eight years later!

turned 10 this September. So, we decided to remind STAR readers of her captivating smile, perchance it might brighten up this COVID clouded Christmas season.

loves Roblox but wouldn’t spend cash on Robux!]

What is your favorite food? [Obvious question]

–Eliza Francis Rekelli: Mac n Cheese!

What school do you attend and what’s your grade?

Rekelli: The Laborie Girls Primary School.

I’m in Grade 5.

What are your favorite subjects?

Rekelli: Social Studies and Science and Technology. I’ve really enjoyed studying about the Solar System.

What is your idea of a fun day?

Rekelli: Going to the beach with my family.

I am a pretty good swimmer.

If you had one million dollars how would you spend it?

Rekelli: I would donate some to needy people and spend a bit for myself. [She

16

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

What work would you like to do as an adult?

Rekelli: I would like to study land animals, especially the big cats. My favorite is the cheetah. It’s so fast and looks cool.

Do you remember anything about that photoshoot when you were just two?

Rekelli: No, not much. I only remember crumbling up the paper. [As a mom I knew she would relax if she was doing something fun. I allowed her to crumple up some gift paper. Photograpers have their various ways when shooting skittish kids.]

And what gift would you like for Christmas?

Rekelli: Anything that’s really fun!

If Only The Prayers For Rain Could Determine Who Gets Soaked!

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY COMMISSION (SAINT LUCIA)

VACANCY NOTICE for the post of

OFFICE ASSISTANT Core Functions: Under the general supervision of the Administrative Officer to the Commission, the Office Assistant is required to work in the Organisation’s front office, to provide clerical support to all officers and to maintain the Commission’s information management system.

Main Duties: Under the direction of the Administrative Officer, you will be responsible for execution of the following duties:

by Rick Wayne

T

he wise men three: a masked media practitioner much less talented than ambitious; two permanent residents of the fabled land of Mythomania, one in a stained Vybz Kartel tee and distressed jeans, the other shirtless in knee-length trousers, faces naked.

“Dey can say what dey want, dey eh foolin’ us wid dat,” said the underdressed wonder.

The media-wise man winced.

If there was anything he detested more than homegrown neo-colonials in positions of authority, it had to be mindless abusers of the Queen’s English. But always he kept in mind that there can be no denying the people’s power to move political mountains when together they sing from the same hymnal, however offkey.

“You gotta admit, er, I mean it’s obvious something’s not right here,” he said. “One day after it came out that the CDC had rated Saint Lucia at stage three on its COVID-active list, the health department issued a statement claiming that out of a bunch of suspect cases 200 had tested negative.

Coincidence?” There was in his voice as much suspicion as bitterness.

“Yeah man, yeah man, why only now eh?” said the tee-shirted wise man. “Is that I myself sayin’. You check it? I tell you sumfing wong. Sumfing wong, gassa.” Obviously, a Juk Bois alumnus.

His half-naked neighbor coughed, spat out a mouthful phlegm on the concrete pavement, dragged his bare foot over it. “Dem people tink they can fool Looshan. Man, Allen have to go!”

The wise media man adjusted his mask, stepped back several feet.

“Go where?” All heads turned to face the previously unnoticed 60-ish woman seated at a fruit vendor’s tray.

“What the man have to do with COVID tests? When y’all have nothing to say why don’t you just shut your damn mouth.”

From some 20 feet away the wise media man spoke, doubtless in his own defense. His mask did nothing to mute

• • • • • • • • • • • • Health minister Mary Isaac: Somehow she and her team of COVID-19 front-liners must not only drag stubborn horses to the pond for their own sake, they must also make such horses drink!

his sarcasm: “And I suppose you’re the all knowing Madam CMO?” The fruit vendor barely raised her voice, neither her eyes from the open magazine in her hands: “No, I’m not.

But as a young news reporter you’re the last person I’d expect to encourage foolish talk. Dr. Belmar-George is doing a fine job. You should listen to her so you can better inform your less fortunate listeners.”

It emerged the woman was a former teacher and mother of three, two males associated with healthcare here and in the UK, the other a homemaker resident in Toronto. Not that the three wise men heard any of this. At any rate, two had absconded while the woman handed the media man a proper dressing down.

Since the recalled incident outside the Castries market last week, the CMO’s office has re-issued the following reminder: Saint Lucia is a signatory to the IHR—International Health Regulations 2005—whose purpose is to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to international spread of disease in ways that are

commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic trade.

Article 6 of the agreement makes it an obligation for countries to notify the World Health Organization by the most efficient means of communication available, by way of the National IHR focal point, and within 24 hours of assessment of public health information.

As the CMO had publicly confirmed countless times: “Saint Lucia informs the WHO on a daily basis of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, deaths and negative cases.”

To underscore: our health department supplied the figures before the recent surge and continues to do so.

CDC is guided by the WHO, using long established processes, details of which are available online or from Saint Lucia’s health ministry! Will any of this information discourage political activists and other spitters at the sky? We can hope. The price for their ignorance, willful and otherwise, could well prove more than the thinking rest of us can possibly survive!

Answering and directing inbound phone calls to relevant staff; Being a point of contact for a range of staff and external stakeholders; Processing and directing mail and incoming packages or deliveries; Greeting and directing visitors; Keeping track of payments and acknowledgement letters sent and ensuring applications are paid for; In conjunction with the Technical Unit, ensure that relevant/ assigned databases are up to date; Process applications when and as received and forward on to Technical Unit; Liaise with applicants to ensure completion of submitted application forms and acknowledgement letters are sent to applicants; Scan and process all signed Licences received and forward to the Technical Unit; Ensure applicants, are updated as to their application status; Ensure that files assigned under your responsibility are organized; and Performing such other related duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications and Experience: • The candidate should have qualification at Diploma level in Front Office Administration or any other relevant field.

• The candidate should also have experience in managing a Front Office and maintaining an information management system.

• He/she should be proficient in using Microsoft applications, specifically Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point and Microsoft Access.

Compensation: Compensation package will be determined in accordance with qualifications and experience.

An application, accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, and the names and contact details of two (2) referees, should be sent to the following address: The Chief Executive Officer NTRC P. O. Box GM 690 Castries St. Lucia Applications may also be hand delivered at the following address: NTRC Rajana Building Bois D’Orange Gros Islet Saint Lucia

Or Emailed to the following email address: - ntrc@ntrcslu.lc To reach no later than, January 8, 2021

DECEMBER 19, 2020

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A rear-view mirror glance at a Saint Lucia Past

Will We Ever See The Like of Lansie?

The bereaved mother of one of the schoolgirls who drowned at Reduit over 30 years ago receives from then tourism minister Romanus Lansiquot his personal condolences and a check from his own pocket!

F

ew who remember the late Romanus Lansiquot, former health and tourism minister and lifetime representative of Castries East, would speak against the nation’s honoring him for services beyond the call of duty.

Especially remarkable was that Romanus (everyone addressed him by his first name or as “Lansie”) was never tonguetied, whether an argument involved media personnel or his Cabinet colleagues.

It was Romanus who took it upon himself in 1988 to do his own Go-Fund to benefit an already decrepit Victoria Hospital.

He organized several walks, not all of them well attended, in his special effort.

It was no big secret that the day’s prime minister promised to match whatever amount his health minister collected as a result of his sweat and tears for Victoria.

On the other hand, it remains conjectural whether John Compton ever delivered the government’s side of the bargain—one million dollars, the amount Lansiquot finally squeezed out of the business community as well as regular folk, some of whom could

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offer only a dollar but insisted on it being accepted in the name of the cause.

Lansie often clashed with the press but you’d have a difficult time finding a reporter who did not respect, even love the remarkable politician.

Shortly after the STAR’s arrival in 1987, a group of young kids went with their teacher on a day’s outing that ended in disaster when three (five?) of them drowned at Reduit Beach, the consequence of a poorly supervised boat ride. While his government hid behind every possible excuse to avoid responsibility, Lansiquot openly expressed a contrary position. He went so far as to deliver to one of the bereaved mothers, a resident of Gros Islet, a hefty check from his own pocket.

Then there was the time a fellow Cabinet member referred to “menial jobs” in a screed against a certain hotelier. As minister of tourism Lansie would have none of that.

“No legal work should be put down that way,” he fumed to one newsman. Of course, his colleague who was none other than Labour Minister Louis George, himself also a no nonsense politician, refused to back down.

At any rate, for several weeks.

Then there was the time when Nobel winner Derek Walcott famously took a stand against proposed projects near the Pitons—in the process infuriating the tourism minister. In a speech that he quite likely did not expect to be covered by the media, Lansie cited a local businessman who had donated paint toward the sprucing up of Mindoo Phillip Park. Said the always garrulous minister: “He should be taking a page from Elrie Didier’s book rather than criticizing our government.” It was hard to tell who was in consequence the more embarrassed, Lansie or Didier. The matter was widely covered and became an issue almost as big as what Walcott described as “the desecration of Helen.”

Years later, before a scheduled House session had actually got underway, Lansie left his seat to talk to Claudius Francis and me in the press box. (Back then the Pope’s nephew was a lead STAR contributor!)

“Fellas,” said Lansie sotto voce, “why don’t you guys clear up this thing about Walcott? Everyone believes it was I who called the man a Johnnie Come Lately.”

Said the Pope’s nephew: “You didn’t?”

And Lansie said: “You both know it was Malt who said that.” Malt was George Mallet’s ti nom.

And I said: “You want to make a statement on the record?”

You’d have sworn someone had kicked the minister in the shin. His eyes opened wide. Then he whispered: “Are you guys mad or what!” So now the record is clear.

Doubtless at least one of the deceased MPs, wherever they are, will be pleased.

Many believe Romanus Lansiquot died of broken heart shortly after losing the 1979 elections to Philip J. Pierre (who in many ways reminds of the dearly departed)— never mind that his death certificate blames cancer.

As for this land without heroes, would it be too much to ask the day’s government or the opposition leader to break with tradition and erect in newly refurbished Derek Walcott Square a monument to Romanus Lansiquot?

Methinks it’s well merited!

--Rick Wayne

A rear-view mirror glance at a Saint Lucia Past

Freedom House Report on Freedom of the Press in Saint Lucia 2005

F

reedom of speech and of the press are legally guaranteed and generally upheld by the authorities. In November 2006, the Parliament repealed Section 361 of the criminal code, which had prescribed imprisonment for those convicted of publishing news that endangered the “public good.�

Prime Minister Kenny Anthony admitted that it had been difficult to successfully prosecute cases under the provision since it took effect in early 2005.

The Association of Caribbean Media

Workers, which had led a campaign against Section 361, hailed the repeal of what it called a dangerous measure.

No attacks on the media were reported during the year. St. Lucia has three television stations and seven radio stations, all of them private apart from the stateowned Radio St. Lucia.

There are three weekly newspapers and two that are published three times a week. There are no government restrictions on the Internet, which was accessed by over 32 percent of the population in 2006.

With the passing of Sir John Compton in 2007, Stephenson King (pictured) became Prime Minister of Saint Lucia!

DECEMBER 19, 2020

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Hilaire Declares VAT Amendment Sinister!

T Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes.

In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.

To All Saint Lucians From The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

he first motion debated at the year’s final House sitting sought approval for the draft Value Added Tax (Amendment of Schedule 3) (No. 2) Order. Its purpose: “To exempt imports by an elected parliamentarian for the benefit of children, the vulnerable and needy persons in the constituency of the elected parliamentarian.” The exempted goods include toys, food supplies, care packages, items for personal use—food, personal hygiene products and other personal protective supplies. The opposition’s main grievance related to timing. Opposition leader Philip J. Pierre opened by stating that on the surface the motion sounded well-intentioned, “but when you’re in this business as long as me, you know what’s behind the door, you know what’s behind these motions.” Since Christmas was only about a week away, he said, the incentive would not serve its stated purpose.

Pierre reminded the House that government MPs had prior knowledge of this information, courtesy discussions in Cabinet. He charged that elected MPs in Saint Lucia are not equal, and that government MPs, “as well as defeated and aspiring politicians, are much more privileged.”

A clearly incensed Castries South MP Ernest Hilaire several times described the motion as “sinister” and called on the House to reflect on what had happened in Saint Lucia over the past nine months. He said the opposition had repeatedly “asked and begged for assistance for the poor, needy and vulnerable. We have argued for them . . . We cried out that personal hygiene products should be made VAT-free.

We asked for that months ago. But nobody paid heed. All of a sudden Christmas is coming, so elected MPs will get the VAT exempted on those same products we’ve been asking for, for the people of Saint Lucia. There’s no way we can order anything tomorrow and for it to be here by Christmas next week. This is sinister!”

For the Castries Southeast MP, Guy Joseph, the motion was “a simple matter.” He accused the opposition of “stooping to a new low.” As for the notion that opposition MPs had been placed at a disadvantage while government MPs had been favored, the Southeast Castries MP said it would not be difficult “to find out who has ordered any the products” listed. Moreover the exemptions ended in January.

Pointing to the yearly barrel concessions, he noted that MPs can still make use of the VAT exemptions into the new year. “Concessions on Christmas barrels, as we call them . . . sometimes they go on to February 15. So do we have Christmas in January and February?”

The motion was passed after hours of debate.

Joshua St. Aimee

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Top to Bottom: Parliamentarians Guy Joseph, Ernest Hilaire and opposition leader Philip J. Pierre.

Did You Know?

Lawyers Don’t Have To Be Truthful!

H onesty and truthfulness are not the same. Being honest means not telling lies. Being truthful means actively making known the full truth of a matter. Lawyers must be honest, but they do not have to be truthful. A criminal defense lawyer, for example, in zealously defending a client, has no obligation to actively present the truth. Counsel may not deliberately mislead the court, but has no obligation to tell the defendant’s whole story.

Lawyers are not contextualists. A contextualist is a person who believes that the full meaning of a thing is not inherent in that thing but depends on its relationship to other things. You’re not

a lawyer until you pass the bar. The bar can refer to the entire legal profession, a formal portion of it, or the bar exam itself.

Each state court system, federal court, and the U.S. Supreme Court is a separate bar with its own standards of admission and practice.

You can’t pass the bar until you’re a lawyer. A courtroom is divided into two parts by a railing or similar barrier called the bar. Only lawyers, their clients, and witnesses who are called to testify may traverse it.

The use of ‘bar’ to refer to the legal profession as a whole derives from the tradition of barring non-participants from the trial area of the courtroom.

Parole Services expected to strengthen Human Rights Profile

T

he government of Saint Lucia is poised to raise its human rights profile with the establishment of a parole system for the island. The first two cases are scheduled for hearing by a 7-member parole board on December 20, at the Bordelais Correctional Facility in Dennery. Two male inmates who have served over 20 years of their custodial sentences for murder will have their cases considered.

On the occasion of Human Rights Day on Thursday, December 10, the Director of Probation and Parole, Mrs. Yolanda JulesLouis noted: “The Department has only been providing probation services prior to now. However, we along with our partners led by the Minister and Department of Home Affairs and National Security have been working assiduously for close to two years to implement a parole system here. This year we have the pleasure to announce we have started providing parole services. We are going to have our first ever hearing in Saint Lucia next week,” The parole system is a creature of the Criminal Code 2004 and will be administered by the Department of Probation and Parole Services under the auspices of the Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Hermangild Francis.

He has invited Saint Lucians everyone to reflect on the importance of human rights, not only in their own behalf as individuals, but also where others are concerned.

NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY COMMISSION (SAINT LUCIA)

VACANCY NOTICE for the post of

Chief Executive Officer

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (Commission) is seeking applications from interested persons for the position of Chief Executive Officer.

CORE FUNCTIONS: As the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, the Chief Executive Officer is expected to provide leadership and direction to the activities pursued by the Office of the Commission, as well as to ensure that the Commission is properly advised on matters presented before it, in accordance with the Telecommunications legislative framework and the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) Treaty.

SPECIFIC DUTIES INCLUDE: The Chief Executive Officer will be under the direction and supervision of the Board of the Commission, to perform the following functions: • The efficient conduct of its day-to-day affairs of the Commission on such terms and conditions as the Commission determines and ensure compliance of the relevant legislation; • Representation of the Commission both nationally and internationally, as appropriate; • Carrying out the purpose of the Telecommunications legislative framework and the ECTEL Treaty; • Ensuring preparation of meetings of the Board of the Commission and attendance of those meetings in compliance with the relevant legislation; • Ensuring the preparation of technical and policy documents on electronic communications/tel communications development and de-regulation; • Assisting in the formulation of policies and strategies for carrying out the responsibilities of the Commission under its enabling main and subsidiary legislation; • Planning, developing and implementing public relations strategies on matters relating to the Commission; • Managing enquiries from the public and the media relating to the Commission’s functions; • Preparation and control of the Commission’s Budget, and ensuring the timely and adequate recording, compilation and storage of the Commission’s financial transactions and the periodic audit thereof; • Ensuring the preparation and maintenance of such records of the Commission’s proceedings as are required by legislation in force from time to time, including the first draft of the annual report; • Initiating and maintaining effective professional relations with key internal and external stake holders including ECTEL, Service Providers, such related national, regional, and international agencies and stakeholders, as may be necessary; • Making recommendations to the Commission for the acquisition of such external expertise, as may be necessary for the accomplishment of the Commission’s objectives • Any other functions as provided for under the Telecommunications Act and Regulations of Saint Lucia, as amended or replaced with a new enactment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Candidates should normally possess: 1. At least seven (7) years’ post degree or professional qualification in one or more of the following fields: finance and accounting; information and communications technology; electronic communications/telecommunications, economic;, law; competition; project management; business administration; or regulatory experience and training.

2. At least seven (7) years’ experience in a leadership/management position, preferably in the electronic communications/telecommunications industry or regulatory field, of which the last five (5) years should be at a level which involves participating in policy formulation; 3. Excellent communication skills - written and oral; 4. Strong Interpersonal skills; 5. Ability to work within a team with cross functional relationships; and 6. Proficient use of the Microsoft Office Suite, especially MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Access.

Familiarity with Microsoft Project would be an asset.

COMPENSATION 1. A competitive compensation package will be determined in accordance with qualifications and experience.

2. Emoluments will be subject to local income tax legislation.

An application should be accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae and the names of two (2) referees, sent to the following address: The Chairperson National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission P. O. Box GM 690 Castries Saint Lucia (W.I.) Applications may also be hand delivered at the following address: -

Home Affairs Minister Hermangild Francis has undercored the importance of observing human rights in Saint Lucia.

NTRC Rajana Building Bois D’Orange Gros Islet Saint Lucia Or Emailed to the following email address:- ntrc@ntrcslu.lc To reach no later than, January 8, 2021

DECEMBER 19, 2020

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NEG MARON Review by John Robert Lee

M

ichael Aubertin (1948-2020) was a multi-talented individual involved in several aspects of the Arts and Culture of Saint Lucia.

He was an accomplished calypsonian, fiction writer, playwright, comedian, radio presenter. As a popular calypsonian singing under the name of Mighty Mighty, he won the first St. Lucia Independence calypso crown in 1979.

His short story Calypso Finals won a BBC Caribbean Magazine prize in 1977 and was broadcast by them. The story was later published in the popular anthology “The Sun’s Eye” in 1989. In 1978 the Lithographic Press (housed in the old home of the Walcott family) had published his short stories Mighty Laughs. He had also recorded a longplay album of the same name. From 1998-2001 he served as Saint Lucia’s last Director of Culture. His only novel “Neg Maron: Freedom Fighter” was published in 2000 by the Caribbean Diaspora Press of the Medgar Evers College in New York.

Historical fiction faces many challenges, among them capturing the truth of the history being creatively re-worked, judicious selection out of many strands of events – personal and collective – that suit the fictional narrative, avoidance of a sociological and academic setting-forth of the lives and circumstances even as one seeks to shape a creative, imaginative work. While this novel stays close to the history, and is an absorbing pageturning read, I don’t think it avoids some of these pitfalls as it follows a certain melodramatic path.

The years 1794-1797 were a momentous period in the history of

Saint Lucia. The British and French fought over her constantly since she was ideally positioned to be a perfect military base in the chain of islands that comprised the Eastern Caribbean. The French and Haitian revolutions excited the enslaved peoples who saw opportunities to fight successfully for their freedoms. Even as they brought terror to Royalists and slave owners. Within the island the population became divided between the Royalists and the Republican patriots. When the French Republicans took control, a guillotine was set up and heads of Royalist planters rolled. The Neg Maron (Black Maroons) or Brigands were those slaves who fled their plantations with women and children to set up camps in the mountainous areas, from which they harassed and often defeated the British forces. They were l’armée francais au bois, masters of the guerilla warfare that was fought in the forests and wooded valleys of the volcanic island.

In February 1794, the National Convention in Paris abolished slavery, declaring all inhabitants including the enslaved, French citizens. Knowing that success by the British would mean reenslavement, the blacks and mulattoes supported the Neg Maron in all kinds of ways. For a brief period, during 1795, before the re-establishment of British rule through the famous General John Moore, the island knew a large measure of independence. There were two major Brigand Wars, in 1794 and 1796.

Aubertin’s novel follows the history accurately. He describes convincingly the conditions of plantation slavery in the midst of continuous war and regular change of flags. His settings of the landscape of Saint Lucia, various sea-coast towns (which still exist), Amerindian sites,

Michael Aubertin 1948-2020

mountain areas, the Maroon settlements which can still be visited, are accurate.

His main characters are a British deserter, 18-year old Alfred James; 35-year-old Golang, a slave of mixed parentage; the beautiful slave woman Emmanuelle for whom his love is unrequited; the owners of the Ti Anse plantation where they live, Claude and Victoire Leger and the cruel overseer Jacques.

Later on, Emmanuelle’s daughter

by M. Leger, Gabrielle will be an important character. Aubertin handles the relationships between the women, Victoire the mistress of the plantation and Emmanuelle the slave, very well exploring the emotional and psychological relationships at play between the powerful

and powerless. Many of the historical figures, British generals and Maroon leaders make appearances, including a famous female Maroon leader Flore Bois Galliard.

His beginning and ending of the novel attempt a kind of surrealistic, marvelousrealism treatment which I don’t find convincing—but he does give us a good read overall.

With McDonald Dixon, Aubertin is the only other Saint Lucian novelist to write fiction about these important years in Saint Lucian history. Their novels, alongside a number of history texts, provide a fascinating, rare perspective on the history of black Saint Lucians and their resistance to British and French imperialism and plantation slavery.

John Robert Lee is a Saint Lucian writer. His Collected Poems 1975-2015 (2017) and Pierrot (2020) are published by Peepal Tree Press. His Saint Lucian Writers and Writing: an Author Index (2019) was published by Papillote Press.

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BUSINESS UNUSUAL:

What Comes Next?

by Adrian Augier

W

hoever prevails at the next general election will inherit an economy distressed by COVID and impaired by three pre-existing deficiencies: fiscal weakness, poor physical infrastructure, and inadequate service delivery. These deficiencies will delay any economic recovery, dampening new growth through much of 2021 and beyond. Without policy realignment, our post C-19 normal will be a reheated version of the old familiar.

Businesses which reposition for the long slow haul will probably survive, and may even thrive. Those which don’t will fall into perpetual peril because of two colliding truths: the growth potential of the entire economy is compromised by our macro deficiencies, and, growth is the very thing we must achieve to overcome our chronic crisis of high debt, low wages, and crumbling social systems.

Those truths persist because successive governments have shown as much policy continuity as drunk moths dancing round a flame. The result is decades of reversal, repetition and redundancy. Now that our days of promise and pretense have run out, we have virtually no reserves of time, money or human capital. And, the annual exodus of brightest brains is the most damning testament of our failure as an economy and a society.

Simply put, we must improve our anemic growth by reversing that loss of talent, reducing dependence on tourism, tempering our addiction to foreign investment, and rebalancing domestic and external trade. Maybe none of this is news. But here we are, at a standstill, years after the IMF warned the entire Caribbean about the black hole of high debt, low wages and low growth afflicting tourism-led economies.

As reluctant as we are to redress these uncomfortable truths, the 2020 UNDP report on Economic Transformation and Recovery is refreshingly brutal. It confirms that the impact of this pandemic will worsen pre-existing social and economic vulnerabilities, inequalities and risks.

Distress signals are already glaring, including a 67% contraction in the accommodation and food service sectors (almost twice earlier predictions), and a 26% decline in real GDP which doubles official expectations. Contraction in Agriculture turns out to be 15.2%, instead of 1.0%. and Government’s overall deficit is 11.5% of GDP, well over the 7% originally expected. As of October 2020, government

debt is striding toward 95% of GDP, busting the 70% estimated earlier, and completely out of line with the 60% recommended benchmark. Clearly, we have been underestimating a deadly combination of economic woes. Now that surpluses are spent, a sober reality check should be our first step toward the radical repositioning we so badly need.

Nine months into this pandemic, there are very few options for priming the economic pump—short of more borrowing, and the desperate sale of national assets.

Those of us who operate in the real world should not look to Government for resources. We have to save ourselves and each other.

Policy It is unlikely that hotel occupancies or cruise arrivals will recover before mid 2021. As such, it is imperative that we bring smaller properties back online, along with the weddings, incentive and conference sector. There is significant high-end boutique business out there, looking for distinctive destinations and intimate experiences.

This may not provide the tax infusion that government craves, but it is ripe fruit with huge implications for DMCs , restaurants, event producers, sites and attractions. These operators can attract and accommodate custom clients who pay well and keep people employed. Such

measures help to stabilize household income and improve consumption and investment prospects. The current emphasis on make-work projects, which end as suddenly as they start, is shortsighted. Keeping companies open is an easier and cheaper way to preserve employment, transform jobs and move employees up the income ladder.

Among other truly transformative measures, a proactive Trinidad government announced a mix of housing solutions for people of different socio-economic standing. This sort of intervention has long-term income and wealth benefits which we would do well to contemplate.

If, however, we insist on direct income support, we should at least consider digital

vouchers which are tradeable within the domestic economy. These can serve as a sort of bitcoin expansion of the money supply: a virtual currency, which can be transferred like cell phone credit. The technology already exists, locally.

Moving up-market to build resilience is also a good option. This could be one benefit of a new long-stay visa which encourages work-from-home executives to relocate temporarily to St. Lucia. There are similar incentives in our Corporate Headquarters legislation. We can learn from our own success. A logical policy framework would also include long-term incentive regimes, such as technologybased tax allowances to encourage transformation at company level. Such transformation includes re-tooling, reskilling, restructuring, upgrading, and virtually anything which boosts domestic investment and future productivity.

Similarly, new production models could drive private equity (not debt) into traditional agriculture. By devising new productive farming units, with annual production schedules linked directly to markets, new efficiencies would yield attractive rates of return, so that small investors with personal savings can get involved in modern tech-supported agriculture. This is a perfect time to create strong agri-business eco-systems.

Moreover, the old duty-free / tax-free concessions are not sustainable. In this stringent fiscal environment, we need a shift from pre-production subsidies to

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performance rewards. Let concessions be earned, based on dollars invested, employment generated, PAYE and NIC contributions, linkages to the domestic economy and foreign exchange actually deposited into the banking system, not into fat accounts abroad.

Fiscal councils are also increasingly recognized as tools to promote sound fiscal practice as they provide independent information, analysis, monitoring and compliance with fiscal rules. Welldesigned fiscal rules have been introduced in St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, and Jamaica, putting public debt on a clear downward path. There are some hopeful signs here, but vigilance remains the eternal price of freedom.

Business In the short term, new collaborations can be surprisingly fruitful, boosting domestic investment, trade and job creation. The business community can mobilize idle man-hours to provide technical and financial coaching to SMEs who need to refocus their business models on customers closer to home or in the global marketplace. This would accelerate their transition from physical and in-person transactions to virtual, online, take-away or e-commerce platforms. It helps to remember that SMEs can be new suppliers as well as new customers, sometimes simultaneously. What may start as a marriage of convenience, could well flower into lasting love.

Companies wanting to stay agile should revise investment plans to the new

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reality. They can seek professional support and actively engage in debt management strategies with their banks. It is also good to know that Generation-Tech is out there, often with low-debt, zero-inventory solutions which reward IP and ICT skills, and use digital networks to identify needs and bridge gaps. It is time to embrace their tech-savvy solutions as the Caribbean equivalents of Uber, Amazon and AirB&B. Meanwhile, we should avoid another shut down of the country. It is not simply a matter of taking a few days off, but the interruption of all that machinery while overheads like rent, interest, insurance, maintenance, and salaries are accruing.

That reality underlines the communal value of the Recover Saint Lucia initiative launched by the business community on November 20, 2020. Enlightened selfinterest suggests that companies get on board and be part of the larger solution.

That same self-interest should drive businesses to seek out and support startups in their sectors. There is fertile ground out there, and the next generation of entrepreneurs is a fascinating demographic. Don’t be afraid to invest, especially in innovation. At the very least, companies should look inward at existing competencies, embracing and energizing their teams. There is often more potential than we first think.

This is also a great time to consider entirely new business models. The best of them are scalable, sustainable, real time, and interactive. We can make our bubble work for us, by being adaptive, flexible and prepared to abandon the old winner-takeall, profit-maximization approach. If we wish to go far, we must go together.

Award-winning St. Lucian musician Boo Hinkson doing what he does best.

Creative Industry Enactment of local content stipulations would be manna to the creative industry which has languished since the closure of borders and the prohibition of mass gatherings. It is unacceptable that some $1.7m was raised to address the nation’s needs, while virtually none of that has been returned in support to the very artists who gave their time and talent.

The EC$200K matching grant fund proposed months ago by the Arts, Entertainment and Events sector should be implemented. This would support performance and employment opportunities in the sector, and aligns perfectly with recent government borrowing for COVID relief to vulnerable sectors.

Finance Realistic restructuring of household debt is imperative, particularly where it affects generational access to higher education.

This is a most critical contributor to longterm economic growth. We must therefore devise win-win-win formulas which allow resumption of commercial lending. We cannot all have our pounds of flesh.

Nor can we ignore the stock of loans and mortgages coming out of limbo as various moratoria end. Any viable debt management strategy will have to involve

rescheduling, forgiveness, and sharing of pain between banks and borrowers.

Transparent collaboration across the sector will help protect both lenders and customers from being played against each other. Even ECCB, our unassailable central bank, needs to consider practical ways of priming the monetary pump. That may well mean easing restrictions on both commercial banks and governments, so as to weather this storm together. It’s a fine line, but someone has to tread it.

Closer to home, payroll support would keep businesses open by sharing the burden among employee, employer and government. That approach also sustains NIC and PAYE contributions, reducing the risk of default on personal loans and mortgages. Such support would also avert the looming social security dilemma caused by depressed employment and earnings. If we are to avoid a whirlwind of later troubles, we must modernize the NIC benefits portfolio by adding an unemployment component. This would

help stabilize incomes during future crises.

At the very least, the next administration must create a broad-based facility to replace the benefits “borrowed” from unwitting NIC subscribers. The future cost of that largesse cannot be borne twice by the same impoverished pensioners.

Terminus After centuries of wasteful rivalry, the world has arrived at the edge of wisdom: a brief moment of shared responsibility and collaboration. The IMF estimates that joint action by developed countries could save 33% in spending, while achieving the same post-covid investment outcomes. There are gains for us too, if we want them.

We already know that no single entity has the capital to achieve what needs to be done, and that our responses require broad participatory involvement. Yet, the unanswered questions linger: are we up to the task . . . will we muster the courage . . . do we care that much . . . why can’t we just wait this thing out . . ?

It is quite possible that we just want

the old times to return, that survival, subsistence and subservience work fine for us. Bringing citizens, companies and communities together, and building teams around shared goals is hard work. And maybe we don’t deserve fandangled new imperatives like transformation and growth which demand a shared intelligence.

This is a thankless time to be in charge of anything. Sweeping laws and powers are increasingly useless, as compared to outreach and inclusion. Plus, we know ourselves to be subversive, and reckless, even with our lives. Conformity and compliance are not our strong suits.

But we also know that the old adversarial postures are outmoded. We know the long months ahead will be a test of enlightened leadership, and the ability to bridge differences to achieve mutual progress. That requires new truth and trust. Regrettably or fortunately, there is no other way forward, not in this economic microcosm, where our faults and fortunes remain incestuously entangled.

Adrian Augier is a business leader and a development economist. He holds undergraduate degrees in Economics and Political Science, and an MA in Development Finance and Planning. A former Executive Director of the St Lucia Chamber of Commerce, he has worked with the World Bank, and consulted for regional governments and international development agencies. He is St. Lucia’s 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year, and an award-winning poet and producer. He is also a Caribbean Laureate of Arts and Letters, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies for his contribution to regional development and culture. He is the founder and Managing Director of the Landmark Group.

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Wishing you A Wonderful Holiday Season and A Happy New Year! to all our Members, and Friends from all of us at

ST. LUCIA TEACHERS’ CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE LTD. “An Educated Choice”

29 Riverside Road, Castries Tel: 453-2538 / 451-9146 Fax: 458-1387 Vieux Fort branch: Suite 19 Vieux Fort Plaza Tel: 454-7802

VACANCY CPJ St. Lucia a leading Food and Beverage Distribution company, is actively searching for a candidate to fill the position of

Financial Controller A Financial Controller is a senior management role that overseas all functions of an organization’s finance and accounting department.

Key Responsibilities Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Financial Controller will provide leadership to the finance team to ensure timely, meaningful and accurate preparation of financial statements, financial evaluation in order to facilitate robust decision making and effective planning that will drive shareholders’ value.

He/she will partner with the Director of Finance to provide crucial financial data and coordinate all financial planning functions. He/she will assess the adequacy of resources to support the effective and appropriate maintenance of all financial activities.

The incumbent is responsible for maintaining and executing internal controls over the company’s accounting and financial procedures, while also overseeing accounting, inventory control and receivables departments.

Principal Accountabilities 1.

SAINT LUCIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Bisee Industrial Estate, P. O. Box GP 5412 Castries - St. Lucia Tel: (758) 453 0049 / 456 0546 Fax: (758) 452 3561 Email: slbs@candw.lc

Public Comments on Draft Saint Lucia National Standards The public is invited to comment on the following draft standards being proposed for adoption as Saint Lucia National Standards: •

DNS 145 Food Safety Hazard Analysis And Critical Control Point (HACCP) System Requirements

3.

4.

Financial Reporting 1.

Responsible for the preparation and approval of monthly, quarterly and annual financial report.

Supervise the processes in Inventory Control department to ensure accuracy of stock levels and valuation, all reconciliations, and physical verifications, write off and other control reports while identifying and sorting out issues that contribute to shortage or inefficiency.

Supervise the processes in Account Receivables department to ensure accuracy of the trade receivables, customer reconciliations, ensuring computation of proper Expected Credit losses accounting of credit notes, exchange fluctuations computations in conformity with IFRS 9.

•

DCP 1 Food safety Prerequisite programmes (PRPS) and good hygiene practices (GHPS) general principles

•

DNS/DCRCP 2 Packaged natural coconut water Code of practice (DCRCP 2:201x, IDT)

•

DNS/DCRS 3 Packaged natural coconut water Specification (CRS 3: 202x, IDT)

•

DNS 16 Processed foods - Brewed products – labelling requirements (CRS 40: 2016, IDT)

•

DNS 79 Processed foods — Carbonated beverages — Specification

•

DNS 132 Processed foods — Ketchup — Specification (CRS 42: 2019), IDT)

Education, Experience, and Licensing Requirements:

•

DNS 77 Processed foods — Brewed products Specification (DNS 41: 2016, IDT)

• • •

The deadline for comments is Monday 1st February 2021.

For information on how to comment visit the SLBS website www.slbs.org or visit us on facebook – facebook.com/slbsslu or call 453-0049/456-0102 or for quick access scan the QR Code.

26

2.

Effective supervision, control and management of accounting, inventory control and receivables department in accordance with IFRS guidelines and in respect of processes, monthly reports, man power hiring and development etc.

Ensure timely, meaningful and accurate financial information to Director of Finance and department’s heads in order to facilitate robust decision-making.

Take a lead role in supporting the Director of Finance towards preparation of financial statements.

Ensure preparation of weekly/monthly/quarterly cash flow movements to affect payments to vendors and service providers as per terms of agreement and schedule its review with DFO and highlight any concerns and work towards a corrective action plan.

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

2.

3.

•

Bachelor’s degree or MBA in Accounting or Finance Minimum 5-10 years’ experience in accounting/finance Experience in working with multiple legal entities under different legal umbrellas Experience with financial reporting is a requirement

Applications should be emailed to cjohn@slu.cpj.com Deadline: Friday, 25th December, 2020

SAINT LUCIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS Bisee Industrial Estate, P. O. Box GP 5412 Castries - St. Lucia Tel: (758) 453 0049 / 456 0546 Fax: (758) 452 3561 Email: slbs@candw.lc

Public Comments on Draft Saint Lucia National Standards The public is invited to comment on the following draft standards being proposed for adoption as Saint Lucia National Standards: • •

• • •

• •

• • • •

DNS/ISO 16000-19: 2012 Indoor air – Part 19: Sampling strategy for moulds (ISO 16000-19: 2012, IDT) DNS/ISO 16814:2008 Building environment design — Indoor air quality— Methods of expressing the quality of indoor air for human occupancy (ISO 16814: 2008, IDT) DNS/ISO 16813: 2006 Building environment design- Indoor environment- General principles (ISO 16813: 2006, IDT) DNS/ISO 16000-1:2004 Indoor air – Part 1: General aspects of sampling strategy (ISO16000-1: 2004, IDT) DNS/ISO 20581: 2016 Workplace air- General requirements for the performance of procedures for the measurement of chemical agents (ISO 20581: 2016, IDT) DNS/ISO 16000-32: 2014 Indoor air – Part 32: Investigation of buildings for the occurrence of pollutants (ISO 16000-32: 2014, IDT) DNS/ISO 16000-20: 2014 Indoor air – Part 20: Detection and enumeration of moulds – Determination of total spore count (ISO 16000-20: 2014, IDT) DCP 22 Code of good agricultural practices — Small ruminants DCP 23 Code of good agricultural practices — Aquaculture DNS 134 Fresh onion — Grading specification DNS 133 Fresh garlic — Grading specification

The deadline for comments is Tuesday 9th February 2021.

For information on how to comment visit the SLBS website www.slbs.org or visit us on facebook – facebook.com/slbsslu or call 453-0049/456-0102 or for quick access scan the QR Code.

ELECTORAL NOTICE Revised Lists - (2nd) half of 2020 The public is hereby notified that the Revised Lists of Electors for the second (2nd) half of 2020 are being posted at various Public buildings and Registration Centres in all Electoral Districts with effect from Monday, December 21st, 2020.

These lists are available for scrutiny by the public, during which time they may make claims for the inclusion of any name(s) omitted from the lists and also to raise Objections to the inclusion of any name(s) which should have been excluded therefrom, from Monday December 21st to Sunday December 27th, 2020.

Claims and Objections are to be submitted on the prescribed Forms (No. 7, 10, 12 and 13), to the Office of the Chief Elections Officer on High Street in Castries and the Sub Office in Vieux-Fort between the hours of 9:00 am and 12 noon Monday to Friday.

The Forms are also available at Sub-Post Offices, Public Schools and Police Stations around the island on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Dated this 08th day of December, 2020

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

27

ELECTORAL NOTICE For public buildings, Registration Centers and other places where the Revised Lists of Electors for the respective Polling Division of the Seventeen Electoral Districts, are to be posted accordingly:-

1.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - GROS ISLET - A

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)

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

2.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - BABONNEAU - B

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17)

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

3.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - CASTRIES NORTH - C

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

28

CAMILLE HENRY COMBINED SCHOOL L’ANSE ROAD SIR GEORGE F. L. CHARLES AIRPORT - VIGIE RAMON’S SERVICE STATION - VIDE BOUTEILLE VIDE BOUTEILLE CULTURAL CLUB LA CLERY HEALTH CENTRE

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12)

VIDE BOUTEILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL HILL SIDE PLAZA - LA CLERY CASTRIES COMPREHENSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOL GABLE WOODS MALL - SUNNY ACRES DAME PEARLETTE LOUISY SCHOOL - UNION UNION AGRICULTURAL STATION MORNE-DU-DON COMBINED SCHOOL

4.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - CASTRIES EAST - D

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17)

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

5.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - CASTRIES CENTRAL - E

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)

ANGLICAN ANNEX - TRINITY CHURCH ROAD CASTRIES HEALTH CENTRE CASTRIES MARKET R.C BOYS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL CENTRAL LIBRARY GENERAL POST OFFICE THE REGISTRY (BOTTOM FLOOR OF HIGH COURT BUILDING) CASTRIES CITY COUNCIL CARMEN RENE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL C. S. A. CENTRE ST. LUCIA GENERAL TRANSPORT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY GAS STATION PAUL’S GAS STATION CANON LAURIE ANGLICAN SCHOOL

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

(14) (15) (16) (17)

MORNE DU DON LODGE ROSE HILL COMMUNITY CENTRE THREE CORNER RESTAURANT - LASTIC HILL BENE PERSE TEMPLE - CEDARS

6.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - CASTRIES SOUTH - F

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)

BANANA SHED - LA TOC ROAD SIMON JOSEPH’S RUM SHOP - FAUX-A-CHAUX FAUX-A-CHAUX COMMUNITY CENTRE VICTORIA HOSPITAL TAPION HOSPITAL TURNING POINT CICERON SCHOOL CICERON COMMUNITY CENTRE CICERON SUB POST OFFICE GLADSTONE’S RUM SHOP - TI COLON LA CROIX MAINGOT HEALTH CENTRE FIRE FLY DANCE HALL - LA CROIX MAINGOT CHICO’S SUPERMARKET - MARIGOT MARIGOT COMMUNITY CENTRE

7.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - ANSE LA RAYE/ CANARIES - G

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19)

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

8.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - SOUFRIERE - H

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

SOUFRIERE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SOUFRIERE BOYS’ SCHOOL SOUFRIERE PARISH HALL SOUFRIERE LIBRARY VALENCE RIVIERE’S SUPERMARKET SOUFRIERE TOWN HALL SOUFRIERE POLICE STATION SOUFRIERE SUB-COLLECTOR’S OFFICE GAS STATION - BAY STREET - SOUFRIERE ETANGS COMBINED SCHOOL ETANGS HEALTH CENTRE MR. HARRISON ANTHANIZE - TORAILLE FOND ST. JACQUES INFANT SCHOOL - PETIT BOUGH (14) FOND ST. JACQUES PRIMARY SCHOOL ST. PHILLIP (15) BOUTON COMBINED SCHOOL

9.

ELECTORAL DISTRICT - CHOISEUL - I

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)

DELCER COMBINED SCHOOL MONGOUGE COMBINED SCHOOL MONGOUGE HEALTH CENTRE CHOISEUL POLICE STATION CHOISEUL POST OFFICE CHOISEUL HEALTH CENTRE CHOISEUL SECONDARY SCHOOL - LA FARGUE DACRETIN COMMUNITY CENTRE MR. POLIMUS CHARLES DANCE HALL - BELLE VUE ROBLOT COMBINED SCHOOL DEBREUIL SUB POST OFFICE DUGARD COMBINED SCHOOL CAFEIERE LONDONDERRY SUB-POST OFFICE HANG OUT BAR - JERTRINE SALTIBUS COMBINED SCHOOL SALTIBUS POST OFFICE PIAYE SECONDARY SCHOOL

10. ELECTORAL DISTRICT - LABORIE - J (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)

AUGIER COMBINED SCHOOL AUGIER SUB-POST OFFICE PETIT BOUGH AREA MARIUS GARAGE - LA CROIX - LABORIE LABORIE HEALTH CENTRE - LA CROIX LABORIE POLICE STATION LABORIE VILLAGE COUNCIL LABORIE GIRLS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL LIBRARY LABORIE BOYS’ SCHOOL - CITRUS GROVE LA GRACE COMBINED SCHOOL BANSE SUB-POST OFFICE TEASER’S DANCE HALL - BANSE BANANA BOXING PLANT

11. ELECTORAL DISTRICT - VIEUX FORT - K (1) (2)

VIEUX FORT TOWN HALL VIEUX FORT LIBRARY

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

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

12. ELECTORAL DISTRICT - VIEUX FORT NORTH - L (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13)

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

13. ELECTORAL DISTRICT - MICOUD SOUTH - M (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)

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

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

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

(14) MICOUD COMMUNITY CENTRE (15) MR. LENNIE HENRY’S GAS STATION

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

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

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

16. ELECTORAL DISTRICT - DENNERY NORTH - P (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)

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

17. ELECTORAL DISTRICT - CASTRIES SOUTH EAST - Q (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22)

SIR ARTHUR LEWIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MORNE FORTUNE DEGLOS - BOXING PLANT MR. DELMAR’S DANCE HALL - TROIS PITON TI ROCHER COMBINED SCHOOL FORESTIERE COMBINED SCHOOL FORESTIERE BOXING PLANT FAR HORIZON DISCO - FORESTIERE MR. RUDOLPH WEEKS RUM SHOP - MARC NICHOLAS THOMAS SHOP - BEXON BEXON SUB-POST OFFICE FARMERS AND FARM WORKERS UNION - MARC L’ABBAYEE COMMUNITY CENTRE MR. GEORGE ROBERT CHARLES – SARROT BEXON COMBINED SCHOOL BEXON HEALTH CENTRE BEXON PARISH CENTRE MR. GHIRAWOO’S SHOP - ODSAN LA CROIX MAINGOT HEALTH CENTRE GONZAGUE JOSEPH RUM SHOP - LA CROIX MAINGOT MR. IGNATIUS DARCIE’S RUM SHOP BARRE DENIS BELAIR COMMUNITY CENTRE ODSAN COMBINED SCHOOL

DECEMBER 19, 2020

THE STAR

6 ft APART

SAINT LUCIA WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER AGAINST COVID-19 6 ft

6 ft

APART

APART

COVID-19 SAFETY STEPS to keep us all healthy STAY HOME IF YOU DON’T FEEL WELL

6 ft

6 ft

APART

APART

STAY 6 FEET AWAY FROM PEOPLE 6 ft

APART

WEAR A MASK 6 ft

6 ft APART

APART

ALWAYS COVER YOUR COUGHS AND SNEEZES WASH & SANITIZE YOUR HANDS OFTEN 6 ft

6 ft

6 ft

APART

APART

APART

6 ft

APART

6 ft

6 ft

6 ft

APART

APART

APART

● ● ● ●

Stay Stay Stay Stay

Safe Healthy Focused United

Together we can win this war.

Visit covid19response.lc

DECEMBER 19, 2020

A message from the Office of the Prime Minister

THE STAR

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 Email: info@stluciastar.com Website: www.stluciastar.com