Matthew "Wax" Stephen - Top Gomier Boat Race Champion

Today marks Fishermen's Feast around the country. Many coastal villages will see the fishers attending mass, then a ceremony at their fisheries complex, and of course the rum drinking and fetting that will follow after.
In Choiseul things will be no different except that an icon fisherman, Matthew "Wax" Stephen will be presented a trophy and cash for his latest victory in the inter-district "gomier boat race" locally named "Koos Kanot" which was held in Laborie.
Wax boasts of the formidable team which helped win the last race. namely, Gregory bugs Theodore, Webby Alcee, Hendrickson Alcee, Felix Epiphane, and one St Romain.     Wax has been involved in this inter-district boat racing competition for twenty-five years he says. He has won the competition twenty-three times and has been on a wining stretch for over ten years.
When asked about the history of thie race, he was oblivious and simly answered he met it ongoing. Many elderly citizens attest to the fact that this boat racing was never an inter-district thing but merely a local event which  was organized between the Village and La Pointe fishers and so on. It was an event held mostly on Saturday evenings and it eventually ended up in the December 13th National Day activities. Sometimes the activity was held when two rival teams boasted of their strength and backed this up  with cash. It used to be a big thing on weekends in the Village.
Wax's team has beaten every single Village team on the west and east coast. the prize money started from $300.00 to a whoopng $1000.00 now. some persons having asking the sixty plus year old to retired from the sport. Jouk Bois in his usual morning program called upon Wax to retired least some "little boy" take the crown from him. When the question was put to wax he simply shrugged his shoulders and said, "La porkor nee nom poo bat mwen. Mwe ke mapipee ah."
According to Wax, later today he will be presented with a trophy named "Kenny Anthony Trophy" and a cash prize of about $1000.00 or more. this icon has kept the name of Choiseul alive in this cultural event for a long time now. When he's gone who will take up the mantle? Inquiring minds want to know.

                  Bon Fete PaiCher Choiseul

Athill Organizes Kiddy's Cricket Extravaganza

    

On Friday June 28,2013 physical  education teacher Mrs. Janice Athill organized a cricket extravaganza on the Roblot Combined playing , where  grade 6 students from the Etangs, Reunion and Roblot Primary Schools got an opportunity to display their cricketing skills.

 The activity got underway at about 10:30 am. The students both boys and girls expressed their skills in bowling, batting and fielding. keeping scores  each team's performance was former NYC President, now teacher at the Reunion Combined was Jonathan Chalon.

Below is a statement by Mrs Athill on the purpose of this activity." ..........Today we are here at the Roblot Combined school, where we have a mini cricket competition, taking place among three schools, namely Roblot Combined, Etangs Combined and Reunion Primary. The competition is happening just around the time when Scotia bank has organized its Kiddy Cricket Competition among Primary Schools in St Lucia.

Right now  Delcer and Piaye Combined are playing the finals at the La Fargue Playing Field. So basically the three schools here today are just showcasing their Kiddy Cricket Skills and what they learnt during the physical education classes. It's a friendly competition and most of the kids from  the grade 6 classes. As you may know, they are just finished writing their common entrance examinations, so as the PE teacher of Roblot Combined and Reunion Primary, I thought of organizing to keep them occupied. Etangs Combined just came onboard under the supervision of  Mr Jonathan Chalon.

 It's an opportunity for the children interact with each other, to socialize and have fun and this is just what they are doing."

   

The program is useful as it is at this level that the potential  top class cricketer are identified and nurtured. As a former National Cricket player I closely observed  the kids during this activity and was able to discover two boys and a girl with exceptional talent. It will be interesting to see how the program take these kids to a higher level.

Will UWP Heal Or Self-Destruct Before July 28?

The Saturday post on FB by the person under the profile name, "Vote Allen Chastanet"  has stirred much comments, some of which I considered very, very interesting and an eye-opener for me personally. The post: "I cannot change what has existed, but I can change how we move forward."
Choiseul On The Move, brings to you the comments which emanated from the post  previously mentioned.
The whole show seems to have begun when  De Dan wrote the first comment.

 De Dan:  Agree! 58 more days to see if UWPs want to move forward or let Labour continue to walk all over dem.

Angel sent in her comment:

Fully Blessed Angel:  TRUST ME DE  DAN WITH WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN OUR PARTY...AND WITH THE DIVISION THAT IS BEING CAUSED AMONG OUR PEOPLE...LABOUR WILL CONTINUE 2 WALK ALL OVER NOT JUST US...BUT OVER ST. LUCIA 4 THE NEXT 10 YEARS...IT'S R.I.P. UWP.

Jimmy was quick to respond.

Jimmy Haynes:  What is happening is being orchestrated by individuals who do not have the best interest of the Organisation at heart. Their priority is their self-interest, not the Party and definitely not our Country. The assignment to rehabilitate the Party will be monumental after the convention and that is why it is important that we put a strong and committed team at the helm. That is why we must elect the best choice as political leader who has the courage, commitment and ability to mend the fissures and articulate a vision that inspires us, mobilizes the country behind that vision and from 28th July 2013 until the general election provides stiff and effective opposition to the Gov't of the day to ensure that this country moves in the right direction. I believe we can do it, do you?

Angel replied.

Fully Blessed Angel:  THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IT CAN BE DONE...BUT AS U RIGHTLY SAID...WITH PERSONS WHO HAVE THE INTEREST OF THE PARTY AND COUNTRY AT HEART...THE ASSIGNMENT 2 REHABILITATE IS A MONUMENTAL ONE AND FROM MY VANTAGE POINT...THIS IS NOT ABOUT 2 HAPPEN...WE NOW HAVE FACTIONS WITHIN THE PARTY...AFTER THE CONVENTION...HEALING IS GOING 2 BE IMPOSSIBLE...INSTEAD OF US MOVING FORWARD 2 MOBILIZE AND PREPARE OURSELVES 4 THE NEXT ELECTIONS...WE ARE GOING 2 HAVE 2 TRY 2 RE-GROUP OUR SUPPORTERS A TASK THAT IS GOING 2 PROVE 2 BE VERY DAUNTING...IN THE MEAN TIME...WHILE WE SHOULD BE CONSOLIDATING AGAINST LABOUR...TIME WILL BE WASTED TRYING 2 PUT OUR TROOPS TOGETHER...AND LABOUR BEING THE FOXES THAT THEY ARE...WILL DEFINITELY USE THAT OPPORTUNITY 2 FINISH DESTROY US...WE ARE IMPLODING...EACH SIDE GOING AROUND THE COUNTRY MALPALAYING EACH OTHER...GIVING LABOUR ALL THE LEVERAGE THEY NEED AGAINST US...HEALING IS' NT GOING 2 BE EASY WHEN POTENTIAL LEADERS ARE ALREADY DECIDING WHO THEY WILL NOT WORK WITH IF THEY BECOME THE LEADER...WHO MUST GO AND WHO MUST STAY...BAD MOVES...PERSONALLY I HAVE WITHDRAWN MY NAME FROM THE RACE...THAT BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE PART OF THE DEATH OF U.W.P...QUESTION  JIMMY HAYNES.... DO U BELIEVE KENNY AND S.L.P. WILL GIVE US TIME 2 RE-GROUP AND CONSOLIDATE OUR FORCES AGAINST THEM...BEFORE THEY CALL A SNAP ELECTIONS ON US????? SOMETHING 2 PONDER ON!!!!!!!

Some fool like Christopher has to spoil the broth. Though there is a post from Darnley Leborne,  "Unmasking Allen Joseph" where he claims he knows who this FB person is Chritopher takes a wild guess.

Christopher Simmons:  Fully Blessed Angel when jackasses like you attack Allen in SLAP under fake names like Allen Joseph it do not help.Time Hypocrites like you and RF are flushed from The UWP so the party can return to its status of decency.Time KDA jail all you thieves so you all can shut up.

Jimmy Haynes:  Well cancel the convention, leave everything as is as that seems to be the heart of your position. We are prepared for elections whenever SLP decides to call it. Remember we lost in our existing configuration.

Jimmy Haynes:  Christopher Simmons your comment are as incendiary as those of Allen Joseph and therefore equally self-destructive and counter-productive.

Fully Blessed Angel:  CHRISTOPHER SIMMONS UNLIKE U WHO CLAIM 2 BE A U.W.P. ...I AM A U.W.P. ...I DO NOT NEED FAKE NAMES 2 SAY WHAT I HAVE 2...I HAVE NEVER HIDDEN BEHIND FAKE NAMES 2 TELL IT LIKE IT IS...I TOLD ALLEN FROM DAY ONE THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT HIM IN HIS QUEST 4 LEADERSHIP OF THIS PARTY...I DIDN'T HAVE 2 HIDE 2 DO SO...JAIL AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE WAS MADE 4 MAN...NOT DOGS...AND IF I GO THERE AT 9AM....IT WILL BE ONE MINUTE AFTER U...I HAVE NOTHING 2 FEAR FROM KENNY ANTHONY...SO WHILE U PRETEND 2 BE U.W.P I SUGGEST U CRAWL BACK UNDER YOUR LABOUR ROCK.

Jimmy wants no part of this and bows out. So he says.

Jimmy Haynes:  When you two love birds get going at each other I take it as my cue to leave. Bye!

Christopher continues to be a nusance. And a big one at that.

Christopher Simmons:  For more thieving again!!..Remember there is no more and will never be any more Tom Chou.

Angel gives solutions to the healing process.

Fully Blessed Angel:  STARTS AT THE HEAD...THEY WOULD HAVE 2 DO SOME SOUL SEARCHING...OUR SUPPORTERS MUST BE CONFIDENT THAT THOSE THEY ARE ABOUT 2 KEEP OR PUT AT THE HEAD OF THE PARTY ARE NOT THERE FIGHTING EACH OTHER...WE HAVE NEVER BEEN KNOWN 2 BE THIS FRAGMENTED...INSTEAD OF GOING ROUND THE ISLAND TRYING 2 DESTROY EACH OTHER...WHY NOT COME TOGETHER AND SHOW UNITY..PROFESSING OUR SUPPORT 4 EACH OTHER NO MATTER WHO EMERGES...THIS IS LIKE FIGHTING A GENERAL ELECTION...TURN US AGAINST EACH OTHER...WE SHOULD BE FIGHTING LABOUR.

Oh shocks! Jimmy didn't go away, he knew Angel wasn't finished.

Jimmy Haynes:  Makes sense. Sometimes those below the head should counsel the head. Can you play a role?

Fully Blessed Angel:  I CAN TRY...AS I AM WILLING 2 DO ALL IN MY POWER 2 KEEP THIS PARTY TOGETHER...AND WIPE THE SMILE OFF KENNY AND COMPANY'S FACE...THAT'S WHO MY FIGHT IS WITH...NOT ALLEN...I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR...THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT I DO NOT NOW SUPPORT ALLEN...MY LOYALTY 2 MY PARTY DICTATES THAT WHO EVERY EMERGES...WILL GET MY FULL 100% SUPPORT.

Daniel Barry:  I agree with your suggestion Angel, we should be united and not distance our self from each other

Awa! Dem two people have tings to talk about  which you and me en suppose to know.

Jimmy Haynes:  Let's continue this discussion outside of the public's' eyes.

Other persons like Jill Hagar, Vanessa Joseph, Belinda Paul, Natoya Popo, and Sasha Prospere  made comments but they were all in support for Chastanet.

Well, well, well,  quite a piece. It seems clear to me that there is definitely division within the ranks of the UWP. each potential political leader it is alleged, continue to be at each other's throat as they make their rounds across the island campaigning for support. what seem to be even more heartbreaking is that it is the operatives of candidate that are doing the "saloptious" work - putting supporters against each other.

 So the million dollar question is, Will UWPs heal or self-destruct before July 28, 2013 .D-Day.

Fully Blessed Angel Sticks It To Dem

   Angel is a powerful UWP activist, who does not take anyone's pappyshow. This blog brings to you one of her latest post on FB.

 It reads

"SOMETIMES LISTENING 2 THE RADIO COULD SIMPLY AMAZE ME...IN MARCH 2006 RICHARD :

CAME ON THE POLITICAL SEEN...IN 9 DAYS WITH 4 WOMEN AND 1 MAN...THAT'S 4 RASTAS AND A BALD HEAD...WE WERE ABLE 2 BEAT A SITTING GOVERNMENT AND HE BECAME THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CASTRIES CENTRAL...THE LIKES OF PETER JOSIE MADE PUBLIC HIS VIEWS OF SEEING A YOUNG GEORGE ODLUM IN RICHARD...AND EVERYBODY SAW IN RICHARD THE POTENTIAL 2 RAISE 2 THE TOP OF THE POLITICAL LADDER...WELL IN A FEW DAYS THAT WOULD ALL CHANGE...BY THE TIME RICHARD WAS SWORN IN AS A PARLIAMENTARY REP...DR. ANTHONY WAS THREATENING THAT EVERYBODY WOULD SOON KNOW WHO RICHARD WAS...AND AS TYPICAL LABOUR PARTY STYLE...THEY WENT AT RICHARD FREDERICK...ALL KINDS OF ACCUSATIONS...THAT 2 DATE CANNOT BE SUBSTANTIATED WAS HURLED AT RICHARD...DELEGATION OF PERSONS FROM CUSTOMS...THE POLICE...MINISTERS OF GOVERNMENT WENT 2 THE EMBASSY ALL CARING TAILS...UNTIL RECENTLY...THE U.S.EMBASSY HAD 2 ADMIT THAT THEY WERE USED BY CERTAIN PERSONS...ALL IN THE PROCESS OF WINNING AN ELECTIONS...RICHARD RECEIVED LITTLE SUPPORT FROM HIS PARTY PEOPLE...MOST OF WHOM MADE IT PUBLIC...HE HOWEVER WENT ON 2 WIN THE 2011 ELECTIONS DESPITE ALL THE ORDERS...NOW HERE COMES ALLEN CHASTANET ON THE RAISE OF POSSIBLY BECOMING THE LEADER OF THE UNITED WORKERS PARTY...AND OF COURSE I HAVE NO DOUBT...THAT THE THOUGHT OF ALLEN ALTHOUGH HE WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL AT THE LAST ELECTION...SCARES THE HELL OUT OF THE LABOUR PARTY...AND DON'T WE ALL KNOW THAT THEY WILL ALSO COME AT ALLEN WITH ALL THEY HAVE...AS IS THEIR STYLE...DESTROY HIM AS FAST AS U CAN...BECAUSE THEY CANNOT ALLOW HIM 2 RAISE 2 POLITICAL PROMINENCE...BUT THIS WAS THE SAME THING THAT WAS DONE 2 RICHARD...THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT RICHARD 2 DATE IS FIGHTING...AND THESE ARE THE SAME PERSONS WHO 2 DATE BELIEVE THAT RICHARD SHOULD NOT BE PART OF UNITED WORKERS PARTY TRYING 2 DEFEND IT...IN LIFE AS ALWAYS...WHAT GOES AROUND ALWAYS...ALWAYS COMES AROUND...2 ALLEN I SAY...HOLD STRONG...BECAUSE THE LABOUR PARTY DO NOT RESPOND VERY NICELY 2 THREATS...AND U ARE A THREAT 2 THEM...I AM HOPING U ARE STRONG ENOUGH...MAYBE EVEN STRONGER THAN RICHARD 2 FACE ALL THE BASELESS ACCUSATION...HOLD TIGHT MY BOY.

Labour's New Headache?

   Since the announcement by Chastanet, that he will be vying for the position of Party Leader, there has evolved a new interest in the internal affairs of the UWP by the SLP. one would have thought that the deliberate announcement of the report on the activities of the Town, Village and Rural Councils, at this year's Budget Debate would have satisfied the SLP that sufficient damage is done to UWP by  this report and thus no need to worry about these guys. "They finish." SlP would have thought. This however does not seem to be the case. "Let's go after Chastanet." is their new thinking now.

One would remember that the relentless pressure on the last administration from day one in office by the Labour Party, coupled with the impossible promises made to St Lucians during the campaign, surely played a big role in bringing  down the UWP regime. The Labour Party is well known for its strategic political maneuverings. They, having the gut feeling that Chastanet may very well win the leadership of the Party, they have started a campaign, accusing Chastanet of using the Soufriere Council's funds for his last campaign. The Labour Party is basing their arguments on the recent review of the Councils. How myopic can they be just singling out just this one guy? have they got no patience to hand the matter over to the police or DPP/ why Chastanet and not Tucker, or Eziekel, or Spider, or Frederick? No, it must be Chastanet. the man that is sure to give them a run for their money.
A good friend of mine who also writes a blog stated, "If the claim that Kenny is outgoing is true, then the politics of St. Lucia will be wide open with a permutation of possibilities which might favour the UWP;........."  Gospel truth!

Is this the reason why Labour is so on edge as to whether Chastanet will win the leadership of the UWP, come the Convention in July?
It is alleged that Kenny may be selected to the post of President of the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) soon. It leaves one to speculate the Jn Pierre, not Jadia to be the Prime minister once Kenny goes. There may also be some wrangling within the SLP ranks, since it was also alleded that the Dr. favoured Hilaire for his replacement. Rumors also have it the PIP remarked, "Not over my dead body." Bravo my boy! Remember Compy brought in the backslider, Bounty, to be PM over Lansi. History about to repeat itself?
So my dear reader, this is the headache that the Labour faces. Ti Pwan Toot will whip Pip's butt any day anytime, and SLP knows it.
Therefore, there must be an all out campaign to destroy Chastanet just to give Labour a chance at the next polls. This is only the start. mark my word; you will hear much more.

UWP Releases Press Statement On Review of

   

The United Workers’ Party (UWP) has undertaken a very preliminary assessment of the report on the operations of Town and Village Councils, presented by the government in parliament during the debate on the budget for 2013 /2014 and would like to make the following initial observations:
1. The UWP is appalled that the government and its agents continue to mislead the public by referring to the report as a “forensic audit”. A Forensic Accountant is a professional with very specific qualifications and a forensic audit follows particular procedures and methodologies. None of the individuals named as authors of the report are qualified in this field. Besides, the language of the report and the methods used are not in keeping with the approach of a Forensic Audit. The government should cease misrepresenting the Forensic Accounting profession in their attempt to give credibility to a report and process which are fundamentally flawed.
2. It was not the Government of Saint Lucia which made the decision that the monies donated by the Taiwanese should not be channeled through the Consolidated Fund. It was a requirement of the donor – the Government of Taiwan. This is not something new. There are numerous examples during the tenure in office of both political parties. It must be remembered however, that the requirements of the donor in terms of accountability for the funds were complied with. If they were not, the donor would stop or suspend the disbursement of funds to individual projects. It is documented that this happened in only one case.
3. The UWP notes that the office of the Director of Audit, which is the agency responsible for the conduct of audits of government institutions, has lamented that her office was not involved in this audit. “Unlike the Castries City Council where the Director of Audit has the explicit mandate to audit the financial statements it is not so for the Town and Village Councils. For the last four years the councils were included as programs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal. The town and village councils were not required to present us with financial statements for audit.” (Page 61) One must wonder why. Is it that the government had a particular agenda and the Director of Audit would not compromise the professionalism of her office? The government should refrain from using civil servants to pursue its political motives. Saint Lucians should also bear in mind that the present Prime Minister, as Leader of the Opposition for five years was chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament and the party is not aware that he convened any meeting of that committee to consider the reports of the Director of Audit.
4. It is not surprising that the government selected the occasion of the presentation of the annual budget to release this report. The government is well aware that the budget presented was one which gave no hope to the people of Saint Lucia. The removal of subsidies on basic food commodities such as rice, sugar and flour, huge increases in the cost of water and other goods and services as well as the compounding effect of the VAT will erode the disposable income of the average Saint Lucian and contribute to a reduction in their standard of living. The timing of the release was therefore carefully orchestrated in order to divert attention from these bread and butter issues.
5. The UWP is committed to the principle of holding persons to account. The party has a proud record of management of the public funds while in office. The UWP therefore does not condone any wrong doing in that regard. Persons who, it is proven have broken the law or violated established procedures from whichever political party should be dealt with appropriately.
The UWP has assembled a team of professionals with the requisite credentials and qualifications to study the report in detail and offer appropriate recommendations. The party will offer a more detailed response at the conclusion of this exercise.
Editor's note: Pic is not part of p[ress release.