It was a move that had been heavily criticized by the Opposition including from the other Seventh Day Adventist MP – Dr Robert Lewis. Prime Minister King says the decision to go ahead with the budget was one of necessity.

Meanwhile – no MP on the government side of the House acknowledged the absence of the Opposition. In fact – when it looked like the Prime Minister may have attempted to do so – the Speaker of the House implored him to read the Appropriations Bill instead. The 2009/2010 budget is one billion, two hundred and eleven million, three hundred and fifty five thousand and six hundred and nine dollars.

years of advances in education, health, sports and quality of life. The Governor General says Saint Lucia has not been spared the effects of the crisis – most notably the Tourism sector. But the Governor General says the Government has compiled a list of priority areas to help Saint Lucia survive this crisis. Dame Pearlette Louisy says these areas don’t focus solely on finance – they also include investment in education and health.

The Throne Speech was also a message of hope. The Governor General says Saint Lucia’s history is evidence of a strong and resilient nation. Dame Pearlette Louisy says these qualities will serve the Country well in the future. The Governor General discussed plans to improve agriculture, health and education. Dame Pearlette Louisy also spoke of investments in law, education and plans to improve food security.

Dolor explains that he informed the Prime Minister and his Cabinet sub-committee that he would respond to a formal offer after consulting with his members, and the Trade Union Federation. His meeting with the Vieux Fort Union’s membership is scheduled for Monday. The President also warned other unions and workers to be aware of some who might be using workers for their political ends. Dolor says his union’s main concern is the workers at the Vieux Fort Town Council and the Laborie and Choiseul village Councils. At that same meeting on Tuesday, the National Workers Union accepted the 3% increase on behalf of its workers.

Monrose has retained his original stance – no decision will be made with without the inclusion of the Federation’s members. He says the executive will be guided by its members. Monrose is also the Teacher’s Union President.   He has addressed concerns that school has been closed for too long. He will only confirm that school will be out again on Monday – the rest he says – is left to teachers.

Teachers will meet on Monday from 10:00 a.m. The Civil Service Association is also scheduled to meet with its members at its headquarters. If all affiliates agree to accept the Government’s proposal it will bring an end to the impasse – and members will return to their jobs on Tuesday.

Police say the suspect in this case is a young man from Bisee. Corporal Trevor Constantine says the twenty-five-year-old was shot once in the hand. Two traumatised eyewitnesses were taken for medical treatment following the incident. Police are reiterating their commitment to clamping down on criminal activity in the city through regular patrols.

there’s nothing left to govern. The representative for Vieux Fort North – Moses Jn Baptiste – had strong words for the ruling party, saying the UWP has no regard for workers. He says the present administration has declared war on workers. Jn Baptiste claims the UWP would never enact the Labour Code because of its view of workers. He criticizes government’s handling of the current impasse while indicating that the previous SLP administration had its own problems with workers.

Echoing the demands of workers, Dr. Anthony said the King Administration must show its inability to pay the increase by cutting excessive spending, starting with its representation at the United Nations.
Presently, St. Lucia has two representatives at the UN – Ambassador Dr. Donnatus St. Aimee, and former House Speaker – Sarah Flood-Beaubrun.

The former Prime Minister also warned the administration not to implement any new taxes as a way out of the present crisis. According to Dr. Anthony, if the government were to implement new taxes on the workers, he would have to answer to the Labour Party

Hundreds of people converged on and around the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Friday – to bid farewell to one of the four people killed in the gruesome Easter Sunday vehicular collision on the Gros Islet Highway. Kenny Foster died on his way to the hospital – the three other victims were pronounced dead on the scene. Foster’s family and friends gathered to pay their last respects on Friday.

A motorcycle theme was woven throughout the funeral. A motorcycle-led hearse carried his body to the church and his final resting place. Over fifty bikes lined Laborie Street, with bikers wearing t-shirts and badges bearing Foster’s image. Kenny Foster was riding his motorcycle when he was hit – his friends say riding was his favourite past time. Foster was 41. The other young man who was killed in the collision – LIME Diamond Steel panman – Jeremy Geoffrey was also buried on Friday.

Fowell says cash contributions from ECFH ensure organizers are able to host these events. She says supporting them coincides with a number of ECFH mandates including supporting communities, entertainers and tourism. ECFH has a long history of sponsoring Saint Lucia Jazz especially the fringe event Jazz in the South. Marketing Officer – Hanna Fitz – says the company through Bank of Saint Lucia – will continue its sponsorship this year.
Sponsorship will also include one new fringe event.

ECFH is sponsoring four events including Jazz on the Beach and Mainstage Jazz.Bank of Saint Lucia – an ECFH subsidiary - is sponsoring Jazz in the South and Soufriere Jazz. Jazz on the Square is sponsored by another ECFH subsidiary – EC Global Insurance.

Louisy says this year’s Jazz on the Square will be a mixture of old and new all aimed at making the activity worth the effort. There’s a different theme for each day – Monday is Calypso night; Tuesday – Ladies night with the new Fashion Show component and on Wednesday is Reggae Night. The last two nights will feature James Brown Jr, Ronald Boo Hinkson, Harvey Millar and Atrturo Tappin. The nighttime activities begin at 6:00 and the lunchtime Jazz events are scheduled for 12:30 in the afternoon.

The Saint Joseph’s Convent Expo will be held at another CFL business – Mega J. Public Relations Officer of the Young Leaders – Raijeanne Preville – says the expo will consist of a series of booths. Preville says their Young Leaders campaign aims to educate the public about the environment and what role they can play in preserving it. The Young Leaders Expo was held in the Mega J parking lot next to the Choc round-a-bout from 10AM to 5PM on Saturday

To date – over 200,000 volunteers have served in the organization that began in 1961 by American President John F Kennedy. One volunteer rearing to become part of that history is Brian Palmerie. Here - the Buffalo New York native explains his role as a Peace Corps volunteer. The volunteers are graduating after a seven week training course. Chairperson of the National Community Foundation – Jacintha Annuis-Lee – says the volunteers were taught a number of survival skills including the Creole language.

The Peace Corps have been serving in Saint Lucia for over 40 years. The organization works with a number of organizations and the Ministry of Social Transformation.