The article written by publisher and journalist Rick Wayne hints that a present prominent local politician could be a felon who was arrested in the United States several years go. It further suggests that St. Lucians may have unknowingly elected a criminal to high office.

The article alleges the politician’s criminal record includes arrests for burglary and passport violations. The politician is referred to by an alias of ‘Bruce Duane Tucker.’ Wayne says these circumstances reveal an unsettling fact – a convicted criminal can run for public office in St. Lucia.

Constitutional lawyer Martinus Francois does not agree. Francois says this is a hypothetical situation – and one that is not remotely possible. Francois says citizens should not be alarmed by the article. He says the law is capable of handling any social situation. In any case, public protest over such a situation can effect a constitutional amendment. Francois says the headline is alarmist at best. He says the probability of a murderer becoming the next Prime Minister is slim.

Deputy Police Commissioner Hermangild Francis has been back on the job for about three weeks. He says operations have been smooth sailing thus far. Scheduled to retire form the force next year - Francis is optimistic he will be given the job of top cop before that time comes. He says the eighteen month contract given to the Acting Police Commissioner is illegal.
Francis says a Police Commissioner cannot be appointed nor contracted. Broughton is one of the British officers who was contracted to work in Saint Lucia. His appointment was made possible by a grant from Trinidad and Tobago.

Francis says he is qualified and positioned to be police commissioner. The second most powerful cop on the island says priority should be given to him. He says he will discuss the issue with the Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King. The eighteen month contract issued to John Broughton expires in 2008. The contract ends around the same time Francis is scheduled to retire.

The SLP wants D’Auvergne out now. The Party’s Parliamentary group has written to Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King demanding he sack his Economic Affairs Minister. The request follows statements linking the Minister to two convicted criminals in the United States.

It also comes on the heels of a 15 day deadline for the Minister to resign from office. That deadline went unheeded. Philip J Pierre is the SLP Deputy Leader. A number of Cabinet Ministers including the Acting Prime Minister have thrown their support behind D’Auvergne.

The Acting Prime Minister has said he will only consider taking action against the Minister if he is given sufficient proof of wrongdoing. Pierre says St. Lucia’s reputation is at stake. He says investor confidence can only be restored upon the termination of D’Auvergne. The Letter was sent to Acting Prime Minister Stephenson King on Monday.

The 2007 hurricane season may not be as active as was forecasted. Forecasters say this is due to cooler than expected water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic. The season is now expected to bring 14 named storms - six will become hurricanes with half of those becoming major hurricanes.

Dawn French is the director of the national emergency management organization. French says this news should not translate to St. Lucians letting their guard down. French has called on all Saint Lucians to remain informed and to be prepared.

Conway residents say they should have been given priority for jobs on an ongoing project in the area. The residents say they are able and willing to work. A male resident who declined an on camera interview says he was promised employment – a promise that was never kept.

Residents say this situation will breed frustration and violence. Protest action was recently staged to vent these frustrations. Sylvester Williams is the contractor of the project. He says the concerns of the residents have been heard and will be addressed.

This other male resident says the relevant authorities never adhered to his cries for employment. He has also issued a warning to those in charge of the project. Residents say they should have been given priority for jobs on the project to build a wall in their community. The construction of the retaining wall in Conway is a project initiated by the Ministry of Planning.

Residents of Castries east are being urged to participate in a week long health education seminar organised by the ministry of health and the Marchand Seventh day Adventist church. The event began on Sunday and educates adults on the importance of healthy living.

The workshop will tackle issues such as nutrition and the importance of exercise. Community development officer Tanzia Toussaint says emphasis will be placed on adopting a preventative approach to health. A number of issues including food security will be touched on during the week.

 Think of the last time you were at a public event. Were there emergency services available in the event you or the person who stood next to you got injured and required medical assistance? Dawn French is the Director of the National Emergency Organization. She says public safety is a component that should be taken into consideration when organizing public events.

Divisional Fire Officer Hilton Oculien has joined the call to ensure patrons are safe at public events. Oculien has called on organizers to promote voluntary compliance in relation to the crowd event policy.

Shannon Christopher and Tammy Philbert are the 2007 Mr. and Miss Digicel.The second annual pageant was held at the National cultural centre on Saturday. The pageant is organised by the company’s sports and social club.

Eight company employees - four male and four female competed in the evening wear, swimwear, talent and digiwear categories. Each contestant represented a mobile brand. Miss Digicel represented Nokia and Mr Digicel siemens.