The demands for d’Auvergne’s sacking by Government MPs follow numerous calls for his resignation by the Opposition. Bousquet says it is a public appeal that reflects longstanding disgruntlement among Cabinet members. He says d’Auvergne’s presence in Cabinet has been seen as problematic for a long time – but MPs have had it. The Choiseul representative says last week’s budget was the last straw – and the focus and pressure must now be placed on the Prime Minister.

Bousquet says the Prime Minister is no longer the man he voted into the second highest office in the Country – and the United Workers Party is unstable. He says if the Party fails to get its act together soon – it does not stand a chance at the next general election. The Choiseul MP says the most generous option the Prime Minister has is to offer a Consultancy to d’Auvergne. He says if the Prime Minister continues to ignore demands for the Minister’s sacking, the options to MPs are varied – but none of them will serve the best interest of the Party.

It was the representative for Dennery North who asserted, recently, that he is preparing for a general election pretty soon. The St. Lucia Labor Party has done the same. Opposition Leader Dr Kenny Anthony says since Prime Minister Stephenson King delivered the budget, his party has been inundated with requests from interested election candidates. Dr Anthony says his party is continuing to put its house in order in preparation for a snap election. Opposition members of Parliament are preparing to table a motion of no confidence in the government. Dr Anthony says disgruntled members on the ruling side should do the honorable thing and support the motion when it is brought before Parliament.

The Prime Minister says his sole concern at this time is to ensure that the work of government continues. His comments follow reports that some MP’s are upset that King doesn’t see the need to fire Ausbert D`Auvergne from the Cabinet because he has too much say in the government. King says people must understand that the work of government is not exclusive to elected officials. The United Workers Party was returned to office under the stewardship of Sir John Compton in December 2006. Stephenson King took over the reigns of Prime Minister in September 2007 following Sir John’s death.

part of Nicholas’s statement and motive against the party and the government. It says the group does not believe in anyone who wishes to hold the united workers party, another party or the government to ransom. The group says it wants Nicholas to understand he is not bigger that the party and he should not use the voice of the people for what it said was is his own self-centered political achievements.

It claims the parliamentarian did not consult his constituency group or Dennery north constituents before making his decision. The group says Nicholas’ announcement that a meeting with the executive was scheduled on Thursday night is untrue. The constituency group statement goes on to say that if there is a problem it has to be solved within the ranks of the party and not in the public domain.

Mitchell Joseph made his first appearance in Court Friday, after spending a week at Victoria Hospital. The Police took all precautions not to alert many people about his hearing – least of all police officers, still raw from the shocking killing of their colleague. But Joseph’s lawyer – Al Elliot – says Joseph was not appearing for a bail hearing. Joseph was charged with murdering Police Constable – Lester Garvin Remy last Sunday.

Elliot says now the matter is now in the hands of police. Assistant Commissioner – Vernon Francois says an autopsy revealed Remy died from hemorrhagic shock secondary to a

gunshot, believed to be from Joseph’s gun. That thought would be chilling for many police officers, many oh whom are still trying to come to terms with the killing of their colleague. Although it is highly unlikely Joseph will receive bail, the fact remains that he has the right to make such a submission to the Courts.

The bus driver says the officer presented him with a warrant and proceeded to his home to conduct a search. He claims the police search came up empty. However, he alleges the officers began to verbally abuse him Noley charges he was treated like a criminal. He says his sole concern is that the incident does not damage his reputation and has a  negative affect on business.

Noley claims he has been unfairly targeted by the police. He says because of the alleged incident he might be more reluctant to assist the nation’s law enforcement officers in execution of their duties.

The police welfare association is denouncing attacks on police officers. This follows the killing of an officer in the line of duty in the Cicieron community. The public relations officer of the welfare association Curtis Roberts says attacks on lawmen are disturbing and should not be tolerated. Roberts says the new executive of the association will monitor the development closely because the association’s membership is very concerned.
Roberts is calling on the authorities to do something about the situation. He says the threats on the lives of lawmen need urgent attention.  The association says it’s

speaking out now because a new executive is in place. A focus of the group is to gain more visibility in lobbying for benefits for police officers.

Moses Jn Baptiste says St. Lucians are still waiting on Government’s plans to tackle the issues that concern them most. The Vieux Fort North MP says the Country is facing a food crisis, high unemployment and a rising cost of living. But he says last week’s budget presentation failed miserably to find or suggest solutions to these problems. Jn Baptiste says Government is big on grand schemes that include tunnels, a transformation of Castries and massive tourism initiatives, but is seriously lacking on solutions for the Social and Financial advancement of the average citizen.

Jn Baptiste says his constituents continue to face the challenges of rising cost of food – with no solution in sight. The SLP’s spokesman on bananas says this high cost of living is hitting farmers hard. He says St. Lucians are barely surviving – having to bear the burden of rising costs of inputs, food and fuel. The Vieux Fort North MP says Prime Minster Stephenson King has also failed to tackle the issues of poverty alleviation and unemployment. He says SLP initiatives like the Short Term Employment Programme were abandoned by the UWP Administration – with no alternatives – adding to the Island’s unemployment and poverty. 

Jn Baptiste is calling on Government to implement measure that will alleviate the problems of all St. Lucians. He says last week’s budget was a complete failure, void of social conscience and Stephenson King should go back to the drawing board. He says St. Lucians need to hear Government’s plans to make life easier by tackling head-on the multitude of problems that they face daily.

circulated for feedback. He says discussion and public pronouncements on the Code by the authorities will intensify shortly. Several Trade Unions have called for the Labor Code to be enacted to allow for the rights of workers to be protected. The TUF President says the labor code is long over-due. When enacted the Labor Code is expected to level the playing field between workers and employers.

Heineken has contributed close to $100,000 to st. Lucia jazz 2008. The company held its cheque presentation at the windward and leeward brewery’s office on Wednesday. The St. Lucia tourist board received a cheque of 25,000 us dollars. The chamber of commerce and rex resorts received 15,000 EC dollars each. The company’s contribution to Fond D’or jazz was $10,000 and $5,000 each for the staging of Soufriere jazz and jazz on the pier. Heineken brand manager Jonathan Hall says the company has been involved with St. Lucia jazz from inception and has witnessed the growth of the festival over the years. Hall is looking forward to another world class jazz festival this year. He says support for the festival is crucial, as competing jazz events are being held throughout the Caribbean.

A local radio announcer is on a mission to provide St .Lucians with quality entertainment in a cleaner environment and to give poor people a chance to enjoy a jazz experience on Thursday radio 100’s Russell lake launched a poor man jazz inside the cabaret at Prio`s country palace. The cabaret is a new VIP lounge at the country palace. Lake says the initiative was pursued because he thought the venue was being under-utilized and he wanted to raise the level of entertainment available to St. Lucians. He says cabaret will not be the usual entertainment environment.

The grand launch featured performances from several local artistes. Lake says there is a wide scope of opportunities for the initiative.   The launch of the poor man’s jazz and the cabaret has received the backing of the Castries city council. On Friday the entertainment package shifts up a gear with performances by the band prolific and one drop sounds.

The Roman Catholic Church is planning for the next decade. The Church launched its fourth Synod – or strategic planning exercise on Wednesday. It includes evaluating the operations of the Church over the last decade and developing a strategic plan for the next. The Synod coincides with the appointment of Robert Rivas as the Archbishop of Castries, signalling a new era in the leadership of the Catholic Community in St. Lucia. Rivas says the Church has recognised the changing socio-economic context within which it operates – such as declining moral and spiritual values and the influence of international

media on the youth. The Archbishop says the Catholic identity needs to be redefined. A technical committee comprising lay professionals with expertise in planning, finance, information technology, research and project management has been working on an action plan for the Synod for the past year. The Synod was held under the theme “Disciples on Mission – We are the Church – Fan the Flame.” The aim is to encourage all Catholics to participate in defining the way forward for the Church.