Mr.Herman was recently re-appointed as Director of Corrections. He returned to the Island earlier this week and is scheduled to meet with Minister Mayers and Bordelais staff, Monday. There was vehement opposition by staff to Herman’s re-appointment. They submitted a petition to the Ministry of Home Affairs, staged a sick out and ventilated their grievances with Herman’s management style in the media; causing Minister Mayers to send a stern warning to the Welfare Association about discussing matters of policy and security in the public. The Minister said such action contravened the Staff Orders. Monday’s meeting is expected to allow the Bordelais employees to voice their concerns directly to Hilary Herman. Minister Mayers is hoping that the Director will also lay his cards on the table telling the workers what he expects of them in order for the Prison to run smoothly. There has been no indication by the Welfare Association on whether staff have come to terms with the return of their former boss. But sources say there continues to be quiet grumbles.
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Regional Coordinator for Education International in the North America and Caribbean, Virginia Albert-Poyotte has taken issue with what she is a dangerous trend in media both in St.Lucia and the wider Caribbean.Mrs.Poyotte is back in St.Lucia after conducting a series of regional training sessions and conferences for leaders of teachers’ unions in the hemisphere. According to the veteran educator, the meetings revealed a new type of illiteracy plaguing the region’s next generation.She says young people need to be trained in critical and objective thinking as they are subjected to cheap discussion on talk shows that promote bitterness and anger especially along political lines which many incompetent politicians have used to thrive on.Mrs.Poyotte believes that teachers in the Caribbean have to play a major role in helping the youth reason at the highest level by engaging them in serious training to develop their capacity to participate in sound debates that could enhance both human development and national development.The entire Caribbean she says, has been hit by a destructive wave of talk shows that are not controlled by rules and regulations and could destroy the fabric of society. ENDS==== After years of complaints about poor conditions and inadequate space, the Royal St.Lucia Police Band will in the not too distant future get a new home. That announcement was made by Prime Minister Stephenson King at a handing over ceremony of instruments to the Police Band.The instruments were donated by the Taiwanese Embassy. Ambassador Tom Chou who himself has said he has grown to be a huge fan of the Band, presented the musical instruments to the members of the Band. Ambassador Chou said he has high regard for the competency of the Police Band and pledged the continued support of his government. Now that the Police Band has new instruments, the next order of business is getting a suitable headquarters. Prime Minister King told Band members that his government is looking at plans to transform the Golden Hope Hospital into a Band room and barracks for officers of the SSU.The Golden Hope is being seen as an ideal location now that staff and patients are moving to the new Mental Wellness Centre also donated by the Taiwanese government. The Prime Minister is hoping that refurbishment can begin in the early next year.
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They Often Cry Outreach founded and headed by Taj Weekes, St. Lucian born musician and humanitarian is doing it again!TOCO joins with The Wave Radio Station in a walk titled “Walk & Burn” alongside LIME, HTS, and the St. Lucia Diabetic & Hypertensive Association and many other sponsors to spread awareness in St. Lucia of Diabetes of which St. Lucia has the highest rate per capita in the world. This past June, through the TOCO SOCCER Programme, the organization distributed 500 soccer balls and 600 uniforms to the Ministry of Education and underserved communities in St. Lucia, supporting the efforts of local soccer coaches to encourage youth to participate in healthy exercise in response to the nation’s greatest health crisis ……Diabetes.TOCO is diligently working to bring greater awareness to this health care crisis within St. Lucia as well as in the United States, where the majority of funding originates. The month of November, International Diabetes Awareness month, TOCO is here in St. Lucia with donations of 2,700 blood glucose meters, testing strips and educational material to distribute throughout the island to support the ongoing work of the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertensive Association.Joining Taj Weekes on this mission trip are volunteer filmmakers, who recently created a Public Service Announcement with Taj Weekes for St. Lucia and will be filming a documentary about the diabetes crisis in St. Lucia.TOCO, is a New York based non-profit charity that focuses on serving underprivileged children in the Caribbean through sports, health and enrichment programs. Taj Weekes founded TOCO in 2006 after being named Goodwill Ambassador by the International Consortium of Caribbean Professionals and endorsed by the World Association of Former United Nations Interns and Fellows, Inc. in 2007 for his philanthropic efforts in the Caribbean.
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The long and close historic ties between the people of the French islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia will be come into focus on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 during a ceremony to be held at Constitution Park in the city of Castries. The official ceremony will be dedicated to the unveiling of a symbolic Bust of Charles Eugene Gabriel de la Croix – Marquis de Castries who served as Minister of Marine Affairs and Colonies from 1780 to 1787.
The Marquis de Castries had quite an illustrious military career and was able to distinguish himself through seventeen battles which he fought. As a result of his exploits he was given charge of the King’s (Louis XIV) Cavalry and went on to occupy several important public posts. In 1780 he was appointed Minister of Marine Affairs and Colonies, which gave him jurisdiction over Saint Lucia.
Charles Eugene Gabriel de la Croix, otherwise known as Marquis de Castries played a key role during discussion, which preceded the Treaty of Versailles in 1783 in ensuring that Saint Lucia remains a French colony. His advice was upheld by the French Courts in 1785, which ruled that the island remain under French control. His efforts was greatly appreciated by the French Colonist at the time who tabled a resolution asking for their capital, which was named La Carenage at the time be renamed in honor of the Marquis de Castries.
The ceremony on Sunday, November 15 will be attended by Parliamentarians local and visiting French officials including Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, French Ambassador for Saint Lucia and the OECS Member States, Her Excellency Michele Sauteraud and Prime Minister Stephenson King. The Castries City Council will be represented by City Mayor Mr.Irvin John and other senior officials of the Council.
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