Donovan Joseph was abusive of his girlfriend. However, his brother says that issue was never raised while the young man was alive. This might be one of the first cases in which a suspect charged with murder has been granted bail. Joseph says the legal system appears to be unfair but he habours no ill-feelings towards Remy. He says despite the decision, he still hopes justice will be served on behalf of his deceased brother.

Some Members of Parliament including Rufus Bousquet and Richard Frederick have complained that non-elected Ministers have too much say in the running of government. Reports are that the issue has elected representatives upset and others prepared to switch to the SLP. Tessa Mangal, Guy Mayers, Allan Chastanet and Ausbert D`Auvergne are all selected government Ministers. But, Prime Minister Stephenson King says the work of government is not exclusive to elected representatives because non-elected citizens have a significant contribution to make as well.Economic Planning Minister – Ausbert D` Auvergne – has received the brunt of criticism.

On Wednesday, Dennery North MP – Marcus Nicholas called on the Prime Minister to fire D` Auvergne from Cabinet, stating that his inclusion was a mistake to begin. In his budget presentation Rufus Bousquet suggested that D`Auvergne was being allowed to do as he pleases from his office in the American Drywall building. But Stephenson King says D `Auvergne will remain in Cabinet until he decides otherwise.

The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that he presented a budget containing the ideas of only well-connected party honchos. King says that is not the case because his budget was the combination of ideas of government Ministers and officers. However, King says Rufus Bousquet has the right to say what he wants. King says he will not discipline Bousquet for his comments and assertions about the estimates of expenditure. He says his sole concern now is to ensure that the work of government is done.

This is a change from the Trade and Commerce Minister’s version of the Food Basket process. Last Monday, Guy Mayers said he was not sure when consumers would begin seeing a reduction in prices on supermarket shelves, as this rested solely with the AG’s Office. The Trade Minister said he was pressing the Attorney General to move swiftly to enact the necessary legislation. Delay aside, the Attorney General says his Office will move quickly to enact the necessary legislation to reduce the price of the forty-four items.

Some of the items in the food basket include baby food, juice, soap, toothpaste, certain chicken parts and other basic items. Dr. Frederick says his part in the process will be complete by next week.

Health Officials say one in four adults will be diagnosed with mental illness every year. The Community Mental Health Program aims to ensure the mentally-ill receive quality treatment and care at the Community level. Mental Health Consultant Nancy Beck says the reform proposal supports the improvement of mental health services within the community Current mental health legislation dates back to 1895 and the Director of Mental Health Services Jennifer Joseph says this outdated guide promotes the segregation of the mentally-ill from the rest of society. Four fulltime mental health teams

were introduced in the first phase of the reform process. Joseph says their work has not been easy. She says Health Officials are now beginning to learn the full extent of mental health problems in the Community. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Josiah Rambally says mental health has been on the back burner for too long. He says the reform aims to focus attention on one of the most challenging areas of health care.

The initial phase of the program will focus on service delivery in the areas of Screening and Assessment; Crisis and Emergency Intervention, Patient care and Rehabilitation and Anti-Stigma Education. The number of teams will be increased to eight over the next three years.

The new President of the Trade Union Federation says educating the island’s workforce on their rights and duties will be high on the agenda for the new executive.  Monrose says as the new President of the TUF he is concerned about rifts that exist between trade unions. He says when situations like these exist the work of trade unionism is hampered and the workers will be the ones affected most. Monrose says during his stint as President of the TUF the organization will become more proactive. The Trade Union Federation was established in 2006.

The bank of Saint Lucia has honoured outstanding schools and athletes. The institution held its prize giving ceremony for the 2008 inter schools athletics championship on Wednesday. Outstanding male and female athletes received prizes in the primary and secondary school categories.

Bank of Saint Lucia’s assistant general manager Joanna Charles told the students they should continue striving for excellence. Bank of St. Lucia donated $30,000 to the 2008 inter schools athletics championships.

International Workers Day or May Day is a very important occasion for workers worldwide. The observance is used to celebrate the achievements and power of the working class and the labor movement. On Thursday the Trade Union Federation will host a May Day Ceremony under the theme “The Trade Union Movement in a Changing Global Environment”. General Secretary of the TUF Wayne Cumberbatch says the theme was chosen because of increased international pressures which impact the workforce.

Cumberbatch also had a message for the working class of St .Lucia. He says workers should use the observance of May Day to reflect on the importance of trade union recognition and become members. Cumberbatch says St .Lucia workers should not spare any opportunity to celebrate May Day because it belongs to them. The May Day Ceremony will be addressed Labor Minister Edmund Estaphane and the leaders of various trade unions. The guest speaker is Andy George – the President of the Bar Association. It is expected that the ceremony will be filled with celebration.

Five contestants were competing to see who would be named the best cook. The event was the courts cook-off competition. Christina Joseph, Tina St. Rose, Una Francis, and Juliana Williams were testing their culinary abilities against the sole male in the bunch – Anthony Jn Baptiste.

The secret ingredient for the cook-off was irish potatoes. The cooks prepared various pies and casseroles incorporating ingredients that included chicken and garlic. Each had an hour and a half to complete their dish for a cash prize of one thousand dollars.