Articles - News

   The family of Denzel Meuret, son of Saint Lucia with grand parents still living in Bonne Terre and active members of the St Lucia economic fabric (Carib Pvc Ltd and Transwood Products) Ltd are proud to share the success of Denzel Meuret.
Former student of Bonne Terre Private School and Leon Hess Secondary School Denzel Meuret has moved on to a carrier as a soldier in the Royal Canadian Armed forces, taking advantage of his dual citizenship.
His latest achievement is the Colonel Commandant’s Certificate of Appreciation. As defined by the Canadian armed forces, The Colonel Commandant’s Certificate of Appreciation is an award that has been instituted as a means of recognizing admirable service to The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. As an award, it ranks between the exceptional service of the Colonel Commandant’s Commendation and the immediate recognition for a particular service for the Colonel Commandant’s Coin. As the office of the Colonel Commandant is the single most visible institution binding all Canadian Gunners, units, and organizations it is only fitting that the award is presented in his name after receiving his personal approval.
To obtain maximum value from the certificate, it is only awarded for admirable service to The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Care must be taken to ensure that the award is not awarded so often as to trivialize its status and must not duplicate or replace any existing award or commendation.

   “We are on election watch as of tonight.”
With these few words Prime Minister Stephenson King this week opened the door to speculation as to the date of the general elections, which many pundits are predicting will be one of the roughest ever fought in this country.
The United Workers Party returned to their traditional home ground – The William Peter Boulevard Thursday night in grand style, but the party faithful who turned out to the meeting were again left with hints that were unclear as to the date or period of time general elections will be called.
And many, Thursday night were expecting a positive indication of the nearness of the polls.
But Prime Minister Stephenson King again simply dangled the carrot, however placing his party’s followers on even higher alert when he made the above statement.
This state of high alert emerged from a statement made by the Prime Minister last week which caught the attention of the whole country and drove many people to speculate on a snap election anytime from now.
At a public meeting in the Castries South-east Constituency the Prime Minister noted the battle had started and that elections would be 21 days from now.
But as it turns out now the Prime Minister was not making a categorical statement. He worked that statement around Thursday night and told his audience to think that election could be called in 21 days.
“So every day you wake up in your bed you can say to yourself it is likely to happen in 21 days,” King said.
It was a call to the party faithful to get themselves ready for general elections. But even as he made the call for readiness, Prime Minister King explained the reason for putting the country and in particular the party faithful on an election watch.
“We have gone on election watch because we as a government are satisfied that we have served you well…” King said.
Still dangling the carrot in front of his audience as the night time clock edged its way past the 11 0’Clock hour, and with the crowd at its largest on the freshly asphalted surface of the Boulevard, it having been paved the night before the meeting, Prime Minister King noted that he does not intend to prolong the carrot dangling activity.
“My friends, the time is near when we must go to the polls. I do not intend to prolong this activity. My intention is to have it rapid, and quick, and take them by surprise at the shortest possible time, King said.
He called on party followers to be ready now should he call the date however the election train must journey across country before such a date is called.
The first stop was Thursday night’s meeting at the party’s outdoor headquarters for meetings – the William Peter Boulevard.
The train moves to Micoud tomorrow to launch Dr. Gale Rigobert who will contest that seat for the party against Jeanine Compton, a former UWP parliamentarian and current holder of the seat in parliament, and Austina Fanus of the Saint Lucia Labour Party.
Later in the year the party’s train will travel to Vieux Fort North where Nancy Charles will be introduced as the party’s candidate for that constituency in the next general elections.
Laborie is expected to be next.

   St Lucians are singing the praises of the police this morning after they captured a man suspected of brutally attacking a local female lawyer at her home on Friday. Police say about 7:30pm, the lawyer, residing at Goodlands, was punched several times in her face by a known individual at Goodlands. As a result she sustained multiple fractures and a broken jaw bone. Unofficial photos of the alleged suspect in the case had been circulating the social networks on the weekend.
Police have since arrested a young man in connection with this incident. Reports are that the young man shot at and injured one police officer during his arrest. The suspect was shot in the process. The police also reportedly during a search of the suspect’s apartment found an amount of marijuana.

   In an effort to cushion the impact of escalating oil prices on consumers, the government of Saint Lucia has decided to cut back on state revenue which is collected on the sale of every gallon of fuel in the form of an excise tax.



The reduction in the tax on gasoline represents a cut of approximately 36.67% from $EC3 to $EC1.90 and the duty on the gasoline prices was reduced from $EC3 to $EC2.53a reduction of approximately 15.67%.



Speaking in an official address to the nation on the issue of fuel prices which was broadcast on local media on Wednesday May 11, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honourable Stephenson King, explained that the decision to reduce the excise duty is based on government`s responsibility and commitment to protect local consumers despite international pressures.



“The decision to keep the retail prices of gasoline and diesel unchanged was taken despite the continuous increases in the import price of fuel for the 4-week period of March 28 to April 22, 2011, which would have determined the price change on May 9, 2011. During that period, the imported prices of gasoline and diesel increased by 13.4 percent and 4.6 percent respectively. However Government has decided to absorb the increases by reducing its tax revenue. The public should note that without the reduction in the excise tax, the retail price of gasoline would have increased to $16.48 a gallon and diesel to $16.04 a gallon. It should be further noted that the prices in some other Caribbean countries are even higher than the prices that would have prevailed in Saint Lucia had the Government not intervened”.



The reductions in the excise duty essentially means that the prices of gasoline and diesel remain unchanged at $15.38 and $15.57 a gallon respectively.



Prime Minister King says the reduction will remain in effect for one month and will be reviewed each month thereafter.



“We have taken these steps out of concern over the adverse impact of rising fuel prices on consumers in general, on the productive sectors of the economy and on the poor and vulnerable. Reductions in world oil prices in the last few days are encouraging. They will influence fuel prices and together with other developments that may arise, will be passed on to consumers in subsequent periods. Government will continue to monitor closely developments in international oil prices with a view to initiating the appropriate responses. Based on the pass-through mechanism, prices will be reviewed for the next adjustment date of Monday June 6, 2011”.



The temporary reduction in the excise tax on fuel comes on the heels of a decision by government to increase the subsidy on the 20-pound cylinder of LPG cooking gas, by $5 to a total subsidy of $15.


Notwithstanding encouraging signs of reductions in global oil prices in the last few days the Prime Minister urges Saint Lucians to employ all possible measures to conserve fuel, in order to limit the adverse effects of higher prices on one's personal budget, and on the national import bill.

   Like so many other lovers of good music I have probably missed more of the Grande finale of Saint Lucia Jazz over the last twenty years than I have attended. There were various reasons for such absences; all very compelling. I note that what I have missed may have been significant but the pleasures I have derived from those that I experienced have filled my cup of joy to last a lifetime. In spite of this and unlike most music enthusiasts I do not judge the jazz festival in Saint Lucia simply by the world renowned recording artists which it has attracted in the past twenty years and which it promises to continue doing. Instead, I measure it by what it set out to do. And that is to attract people to this island in order to boost hotel occupancy.
From its inception, I have always appreciated that the idea for creating the festival was to fill an important lull in visitor arrivals to the island. On this huge sums have been invested and it is probably time to ask whether these tax dollars are properly invested and the returns worthwhile. If the policy is to be judged objectively, one would ask whether it has grown the number of persons coming here for jazz. Over the long run the festival is sure to be judged also by the type and quality of professional organization (and local personnel) it threw up, as well as the quality and number of local musicians who evolved to share the main stage with recognised international recording artistes. As an offshoot of the second, we may one day measure the success of Saint Lucia Jazz by the invitations received by such local artistes to perform at other recognised music and/or jazz festivals in the Caribbean and elsewhere. In addition, the venue management team would stand to benefit financially by sharing their experiences (and expertise) with other countries wishing to establish their own music festivals.
It bears repeating lest we lose track that the Saint Lucia Jazz festival was meant to fill a specific purpose in the establishment of a sound tourism industry and its consequence was expected to be the development of stage and sound engineers, event organizers, professional musicality in other genres, as well as creativity and a deeper appreciation for music and professional organization of such huge events. To this list one may also add a more general spread of, and appreciation for, music and the diversity of instruments used to create harmony and sweet melody. Also it was hoped that music would become generally more appreciated as a subject of the local school curriculum and flowing from this a general improvement of the quality and level of music played on the nations’ radio stations. This is the big picture we ought to always have in mind when we search for ways and means to improve Saint Lucia jazz still further in the years to come.
Based on these simple (and to my mind very important ) criteria the Saint Lucia jazz festival – now rebranded as Saint Lucia Jazz - has succeeded beyond the imagination of many. It attracts many visitors to the island, all be it for only seven to ten days each year, at an otherwise low period in visitor arrivals. The event organizers have become quite expert at what they do. Some Saint Lucia musicians can now play seamlessly along side international recording artiste. It has developed a greater awareness of standards of ‘on-stage’ performances by professionals. Most importantly the event has helped put the island as a venue for visitors thereby fulfilling its primary and original mandate of boosting visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy. The next big issue may well be the returns it brings on investment. Is it worth it? This question, the expert will no doubt debate and answer.Having said this one must therefore conclude that the Saint Lucia Tourist Board is already planning a review of this year’s Saint Lucia Jazz and probably thinking of ways and means to further improve the event next year when it celebrates twenty-one years of Saint Lucia Jazz. Specifically, the Tourist Board will pay close attention to the hosting of the Grand Finale on Pigeon Island which, truth be told, has improved in all aspects since the event was first held there.
It is therefore with some humility that I make the following suggestions in the hope that they may help improve the venue still further for next year – the twenty-first birthday of Saint Lucia Jazz.
But before getting into this let me once again use these columns to compliment Police Commissioner Francois and his men for the excellent work they have done so far to stop criminals in their tracks. It was obvious that the Saint Lucia police are receiving advice on the psychological impact of their presence at venues such as jazz, in large numbers. Such obvious police presence in both uniform and plain clothes sends a clear signal. The majority of patrons at all such mass music and entertainment gatherings have paid to enjoy the music and to have a good time. But hey, you never know where and when the next mischief maker lurks. So the police must be ever vigilant and never drop their guard. Their presence must always be seen (and felt) in as many numbers as possible, at all such large gatherings.
Now for the twenty-first birthday of Saint Lucia jazz. First off it has to be promoted and celebrated as a birthday party. That means special invitation to friends and family. It also means early planning and preparation. We ought to anticipate persons both locals and visitors alike who had never been to the festival before, to come next year. It therefore means larger crowds than ever before, in 2012.
So here are my suggestions. First off is the place which some planners tend to oversimplify and/or under budget for at such events – the toilets. These have been greatly improved over the years but they are still being overwhelmed and need to be improved in quality and numbers. Additional toilets should help. Patrons eat and drink all the time at such events due to the heightened state of excitement and the pleasure. The effect of all this eating and drinking is too obvious to need elaboration. Perhaps two or three reputable groups of cleaners should be invited to provide these facilities and to maintain them in excellent working condition throughout the festival at Pigeon Island. The second concern which I feel certain will be addressed in 2012 is the more widespread colourful lighting especially of the well established trees on Pigeon Island. What I have in mind is the highlighting of the tree with different colour lamps placed near the base of these trees and pointing their lights upwards towards their tops, thereby adding colour and suitable lighting.
Also, the Master (s) of ceremonies next year for the Grande Finale at Pigeon Island ought to be properly coached in order that they repeat the key points from the messages of the Director of Tourism (and the Minister) whoever these happen to be.
Finally, it is to be hoped that at the rendition of the national anthem prior to the start of each show a large picture of the national flag rocking the wind in full glory, will be shown on every screen or monitor. For my part, the persons co-ordinating and presenting performing artistes must use every opportunity to invite all visitors to tour the rest of the island and to sample the spirit, culture and cuisine of our people in the rural communities. It is my fervent wish and prayer that next year suitable recognition will be paid to former Ministers of Tourism for their vision and hard work in getting Saint Lucia jazz where it is today. Let the planning begin!