29 Oct 2013

Saint Lucians In New York Denied Use Of Helenites building By Saint Lucia Labour Party Government


IS THE NEW YORK BASED ST LUCIAN HOUSE THE NEW PAWN IN THE POLITICAL GAME OF THRONES

“Good Morning Dane,

This is to inform you that only Government Officials will be permitted to host Town Hall Meetings at the Saint Lucia House”.

Rental Representative

The above is the response I received from the so called “ Board” in charge of management and affairs of the St Lucian House f/k/a the Helenites Center after having gone through the protocol to request use of the House for St Lucian Town Hall meeting with invited guest speakers.

A meeting which for all purposes and intents simply invites all St Lucians from across the Diaspora to meet and parley with like minded St Lucians to find possible solutions and share ideas on how we can contribute to growing and improving the increasingly degrading social and economic situation in our island home.

I was even more disappointed and disillusioned when I was advised that the directive to what I thought was an independent board was given by the St Lucian Consulate. Which begs the question is there now a new mandate given to the handsomely tax payer paid, political favor installed, often square peg in round holes, consul generals et al, to use the resources of the PEOPLE as pawns in its efforts to play petty politics? I wonder because in my mind the tax payers time would be probably be better spent acting to assist and protect the citizens of St Lucia, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the people of the country to whom they are accredited and the country of which they are representative of..... Just a gentle reminder by the way…

26 Oct 2013

United Workers Party Town Hall Meeting New York Tri-State

FRIENDS of the UNITED WORKERS PARTY (UWP) would like to invite Saint Lucians in the Brooklyn and Tri-State area to a Town Hall Meeting with the new Political Leader Allen Chastanet, Lenard Spider Montoute and other members of the United Workers Party

25 Oct 2013

Resolving Crime with Education

Felicia Brown

All too often, we see our children in the news. Whether rape, theft or murder, we see too many of our future generation making headlines for all the wrong reasons. We have to now look at ways to reverse the growing trend of youth crime and violence. And, peace education is one of the best ways to resolve and reduce these crimes. Informed learning can provide alternatives to resolve social conflicts within our society. Many young persons may not have the ability to know the difference between crime and its effects on the community, the society and the self. But if clearly demonstrated, they can be taught and in turn, encourage a positive message amongst their peers.

President of the Caribbean Mentorship Institute, Felicia Browne notes that “the past few weeks, and in the last 24 hours we have witnessed a rising trend of violence amongst our youths. There are deep fundamental questions that must be investigated to provide the best solutions to their problems. However, crime-prevention education and conflict interventions can alleviate some of these existing problems. The growing concerns of youth advocates are the age groups and genders of these victims. The victims of violence crimes have little or no social assistance to resolve their problems. For instance, we are observing a trend in young males being victims of violent crimes- some of which are or have been done by either a family member, friend within their circle or someone within their communities.”

Joseph Issues Challenge to Pierre

Guy Joseph, the immediate former Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities says he does not mind debating with the current minister of the same ministry, Philip J. Pierre about road projects undertaken during his term in office and Pierre’s present term in office.

Joseph’s acceptance of such a debate came Wednesday during a press conference in which he was pressed to have such an interaction so as to clear up certain aspects of a contract that in some ways has to do with the Ravine Chabot Road.

That road, after two years of the contract being signed, is now impassable to vehicles and has drawn the anger of residents who want the necessary authority to fix the road.

Minister Pierre, at a town hall type meeting with residents a few days ago said that government’s hands were tied where the road is concerned. He said that the UWP government went on a design and built agreement with the then government, meaning that the then government did not have the money to build the road however a contractor told the government that they will build the road for the government and the government would pay them later.

19 Oct 2013

SAINT LUCIA LABOUR PARTY ATTACKS THE SAINT LUCIAN MEDIA; THREATENS PRESS...

INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE SPEAKS OUT ON ATTEMPTS TO MUZZLE MEDIA IN ...

International Press Institute Expresses Concern Over Threatened Law Suits In St Lucia:

                                                                                                                                 
LONDON, England -- The International Press Institute (IPI) on Thursday expressed concern over the intent behind threats by at least three high-ranking Saint Lucian public officials to sue a local radio broadcaster for defamation after the broadcaster read on-air a Caribbean News Now article alluding to possible wrongdoing by members of the current governing party.

IPI noted that questions have arisen not only as to which content the officials found objectionable; but also as to why the latter have chosen to sue a broadcaster who read a publicly-available news item without comment and not the regional, United States-headquartered online news site that actually wrote the article.

13 Oct 2013

Women In Action WIA Meetings

Women of the town of Soufriere and the community of Chosieul are reminded of the Women in Action Meeting(WIA) scheduled for today October 13th 2013.

Chosieul's meeting time and venue will be 3pm at the "Center For Excellence" in Reunion whilst the Soufriere meeting time and venue will be 6pm at "Cool Breeze".

Please make a special effort to attend.

4 Oct 2013

Support Free Press

3 Oct 2013

Saint Lucian Government Boost Trinidad's Economy with a 10 Million Dollar Laptop Procurment Contract

TRINIDAD GOVERNMENT TO MAKE 10 MILLION DOLLARS OFF OF SAINT LUCIA THROUGH A LAPTOP PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT. COULDN'T A LOCAL COMPANY LIKE J.E BERGASSE BE CONTRACTED HENCE GIVING A BOOST TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY?

The Ministry of Education (Trinidad) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of St. Lucia to provide laptops to the students of St. Lucia.

Education Minister, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh and St. Lucian Minister of Education Human Resources Development and Labour, Dr Robert K Lewis signed the MoU at the Capital Plaza, Port of Spain.

Through this procurement agreement, Government of Trinidad and Tobago stands to make close to $10 million.

Gopeesingh stated that the entire process had been open and transparent and ensured that the St Lucian Government stands committed to pay for every unit, which are priced at $2,780. The laptops had been purchased through the Central Tenders Board and had been very "open and transparent".

2 Oct 2013

UNITED WORKER PARTY UK DELEGATION

We wish to thank all SAINT LUCIANS LIVING IN THE UK for their interest and support in hosting the UWP's first 'meet and greet' with the Saint Lucian Diaspora in London. As indicated previously, it is the first of several such meetings that will be held in North America, the UK, USVI and wherever there are large pockets of Saint Lucians.

Please note that while the meeting is scheduled to take place from 6-8pm on Sunday October 6th, the dialogue can always continue thereafter as we patronize the Voltaire bar which is available for our exclusive use.

We eagerly look forward to getting to know all of your a lot better. Venue - IHG | Crowne Plaza London - The City Address - 19 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6DB Time - 6:00 - 8:00 pm Nearest Station - Blackfriars Buses - 4, 11, 23, 26, 15, 45, 63, 76, 100, 172