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| Wednesday, May 7, 2008 12:55 PM |
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News Stories- May 07th 2008
Trouble In The Party
Story By
Carmy Joseph
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They met Monday evening at the Prime Ministers Official Residence. Members of the ruling party including Party Chairman Karl Daniel and stalwarts like Ira D’Auvergne – father of Economics Affairs Minister Ausbert D’Auvergne. Many would say the future of the younger D’Auvergne following repeated calls for his resignation was the top item on the agenda. None would disclose the purpose of the meeting as their headlights began exiting the Vigie compound a little after four hours. Labour Minister Edmund Estephane – says it was a routine Ministerial meeting. Estephane’s claim of a Ministerial meeting was undermined by the presence of people who did not seat in the Cabinet. |
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They included the two men who had publicly called for D’Auvergne’s resignation – Marcus Nicholas and Rufus Bousquet. These two men and Richard Frederick would later join the Party Chairman for another meeting after departing the official residence. Rufus Bousquet would also not comment on the meetings – another one was held Tuesday morning in the Prime Ministers Office. He would disclose that he had gotten what he wanted – D’Auvergne out. Our sources would say otherwise – word is the Minister who was in meetings all day would retain his portfolio with certain conditions. The Labour Minister says despite appearances to the contrary – all is well within the government.
The Prime Minister would depart his office on Tuesday under the protection of guards – dodging our cameras. There was also no word on what decisions had been made in relation to the Cabinet dreams of Rufus Bousquet and Marcus Nicholas. As for Ausbert D’Auvergne– he remained at work at least at the end of the Tuesday work day. |
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Lester Garvin Remy Laid to Rest
Story By
Alison Kentish
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Police Officers are trained to be tough in the most intense situations, but all that training is not enough when law enforcement officers lose one of their own – in the line of duty. Officers bade farewell to their colleague – Corporal Number Five, Lester Garvin Remy – on Tuesday. There were tears from male and female officers – no one untouched by the sombre atmosphere. The military send off was befitting a hero. Remy’s body lay for viewing at the Police Headquarters – decked out in a black police uniform – his coffin draped with the Police flag – and lined by uniformed officers. The writings in a condolence book nearby, spoke of Remy’s bravery in putting his life on the line to rid the community of a dangerous man. |
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Officers, friends and well wishers came to see the fallen hero one last time. Well-wishers included Acting Police Commissioner John Broughton and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security Marie-Ange Louis. The viewing was followed by a military parade through the streets of Castries. Police outriders in the front – well wishers in the back and colleagues in the middle paraded through the streets, to the accompaniment of solemn tunes played by the Royal St. Lucia Police Band.
The procession included groups from police departments like Traffic and the Marine Unit, as well as the Bordelais Correction Facility and the Fire services. The men and women of law enforcement paid tribute to the Officer who was killed on a Sunday when he was off duty, but put work before self and volunteered to assist his fellow officers to apprehend a suspected criminal. Members of the Public lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the solemn march past, with countless murmurs of the “shocking killing.”
One police officer displayed a large photo of Remy – a testament of how they would like Remy remembered – at a happier place and time. Remy resided in La Clery but was from the Community of Choiseul. His body was transported to his birth place for one last time – his funeral service and burial took place in Choiseul.
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Southern Taxi Protesting
Story By
Clinton Reynolds
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Taxi drivers stationed at the Hewannora international airport say hotel chains like sandals are eroding their bottom line with the use of private tour companies to pick up fares. The operators there say they have reached a breaking point in the dispute which has been ongoing for four years now. President of the national taxi union – Francisco Jn Pierre named the sandals chain as one of the hotels using private transport services. (But the drivers have not launched a full-scale protest. Jn Pierre says the association is holding back because the authorities have promised to address the problem. The |
southern taxi union president say the idea is not to pick a fight, but to claim what is due to taxi drivers operating from Hewanorra international airport. |
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Strike At Hewanorra
Story By
Carmy Joseph
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Transport Minister Guy Joseph says he and Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet will meet with both parties in the current dispute. The Southern Taxi Association says Sandals Resorts is using a private tour company to undermine their business. They have threatened strike action if that company is not brought to heel by the government. The Minister says he has the word of the Southern Taxi President that all action will be suspended until the outcome of their meeting. Taxi Association President – Lucien Joseph – is not so sure this situation will wait on a meeting. He says the Southern taxi association members have long lamented what they describe as a free for all at the airport. He says any strike will come as a thief in the night. |
Taxi Association President – Lucien Joseph |
The Minister has called on SLASPA to maintain law and order at the airport. He is also hoping for no strike action during his week long absence from the island. The National Taxi Union President says the unrest is not limited to the Hewannora International Airport. He says this current situation began with the current administration and the Tourism Minister. Lucien Joseph says it is time the government addresses what has become an unbearable situation at the airports for taxi drivers.
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Canada’s Ten Year Plan
Story By
Alison Kentish
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Canada’s High Commissioner is on a tour of the Caribbean promoting his Country’s aid programme for the next decade. David Marshall met with Cabinet Tuesday, to discuss the programme’s benefits to St. Lucia. The High Commissioner says the visit forms part of ongoing dialogue with Cabinet on his Country’s ten year strategic plan. Government’s PRO Jeff Fedee says the parties discussed areas of social, economic and educational development. He says the focus is on priority areas for aid. Other issues discussed by the delegation include youth training and development. The High Commissioner says the goal is to ensure the islands benefit from Canada’s expertise and financial resources in the national priority areas. |
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Graspmatyx Programme
Story By
Shannon Lebourne
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Dr Richard Yates says the Graspmatyx approach to learning Mathematics is designed to overcome the intimidation and fear associated with the subject. Dr Yates says the approach is designed to teach Math’s as a language rather than a concept. He says research shows that people have problems with comprehending word problems because language contradicts the concepts they are taught. Dr Yates says the Graspmatyx method will help to make addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fraction, decimals and other mathematical concepts simple and fun. The Mathematician has introduced |
the approach to school systems in the US, Canada and various Caribbean territories. Dr Yates is hoping that St. Lucians will be receptive to the new learning approach because he insists that it will provide societal benefits. He says he will teach the new subject to interested people at no cost. Dr Yates says once the Graspmatyx method is grasped there will be an education revolution starting from the grass roots level. Interested people can contact the Mathematician via email at Graspmatyx@yahoo.com or by visiting www.graspmatyx.com
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Red Cappers Donation
Story By
Clinton Reynolds
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The St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports authority donated new uniforms to the red cap association on Tuesday. The association provides luggage handling service to visitors at the island’s two airports. In the past the red cappers wore ordinary clothes to work – with the donation from SLASPA all the service providers will be uniformed. Director of airports peter jean says the new uniforms will increase the quality of service delivered by red cap personnel. The red cap association consists of fifteen service personnel who operate from the two airports. The president of the red cap association at the
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George FL Charles airport Felix Deterville says the new uniforms will position them to execute their duties in a more professional manner. The St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports authority has pledged to continue providing assistance to the red cap association towards improving their level of service.
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Kingdom Night
Story By
Alison Kentish
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The winner of Gospel reality competition Sunday Best – Crystal Aikin – will headline Kingdom Night – and as Organisers say, open St. Lucia Jazz 2008 with praise. The Washington native says she is elated to be on St. Lucia, and be the main act – following in the footsteps of last year’s headliner – Donnie Mc Clurkin. Aikin says patrons will be blessed through music. Kingdom Night is billed by organizers as a socially uplifting and spiritually inspiring event. The praise night will also feature Shem Melius, DJ Nicholas and Elder Phil Tarver. Tarver promises gospel will set the stage for St. Lucia Jazz 2008. With the full endorsement of the St. Lucia Tourist Board,
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the independently organized Kingdom Night aims to cater to a demographic that welcomes entertainment options other than secular music. Organizers say a typically absent segment from many entertainment events has been the Christian community – and this event aims to change that.
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Jazz on The Square Opens
Story By
Carmy Joseph
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On Thursday, house of wax productions will stage a concert aimed at providing an avenue for local artistes to release new music and to add to the flavor of St .Lucia Jazz. Shane Ross of house of wax productions says the event is in keeping with the jazz now pervading the atmosphere. He says the event is designed to bring good music of various genres to the people. The event will feature performances from several entertainers under the wax label including cherry l and kayo. Ross says patrons will also be in for a special treat from the organizers, who were left out of official jazz line-ups. The show starts at
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| 10pm following the Thursday night jazz show at Pigeon Island. The event is the second of its kind put on by house of wax productions. It will be held at the pulse nightclub in Rodney bay. |
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Locals Bringing The Jazz
Story By
Clinton Reynolds
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If you missed the first night of Sunset Jazz – this is what you missed. The event opened with Papa Vader – a former Calypso, Soca and Road March King of Saint Lucia. Celebrating 25 years in the Calypso business – Invader began with a rock and roll number and performed old standards like “Just as I Am” and soca favorites like “Largent” and “Tin Dook”. Invader was the opening act for Trini legend – Crazy. He too gave a little bit of the old and the new with some jazz thrown in to the mix. |
This is the 13th year of the Chamber of Commerce produced Jazz on the Square, Sunset Jazz – the fringe event by night – is the latest incarnation. It is a twist approved by Tourist Board Marketing Manager – Ian Herman. The rain (39:14) came as did the crowd (43:35) for the event that leads into the big jazz shows. It was an event that started under former Chamber President and current Trade Minister Guy Mayers.
The Chamber of Commerce says the event was changed to maximize on the reduction in sponsors and to capitalize on past crowd patterns. It will take place on three evenings from Monday to Wednesday and revert back to its original lunch time slot on Thursday and Friday. Jazz on the Square continues Tuesday evening with Q’Shan Deya and Nadine Sutherland. |
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