Lorne makes impression in the House

Give jack his jacket. Lorne was superb in his delivery to the debate on the "Constituency Councils Act Bill." He was eloquent, sharp, consistent and to my mind cunning.
The bill seeks to empower at most fifteen persons from the various contituencies to manage the affairs of their constituency. In the case of Choiseul it will be known as the Choiseul Village Council. The bill seeks to give autonomous powers to the Councils to manage the affairs of the constituency. They are to report all matters to the House and also an audit report to be conducted yearly.
The Councils are to invite the rep to meetings and are to have two annual public meetings where the rep may speak or not.
In his support of the bill our rep brought up the issue of funds being used by a district rep of a certain constituency for purposes not intended. Though very cunning and not mentioning the constituency or rep by name, when asked by a member opposite whether it is Choiseul, he remarked, "may be Choiseul."
Lorne maintains that such allegged misconduct cannot ever happen under the construct of the Councils in the bill.
The opposition in their debate argued the intention of the bill. They seem to think that the bill is some form of revenge and seeks to sideline the opposition parliamentary reps. Another arguement brought forward is that the Councils should be elected by the people and not by the minister for local government. Richard challenged the wording in some of the paragraphs while Gail thought that the intent of the bill may be genuine but there must be room for more participation by the district reps and constituents.
What was remarkable at the House was the fact that while members threw remarks at each other across the chamber (Richard and Moses the two main culprits) at the end they all sat down like civilized men during the committe stage to amend the Act and make it into law.
Wasn't that wonderful.
Taking into account the autonomous powers placed into the hands of the councils it will be very interesting to see who our rep recommends. According to the bill councilors must come from national interest groups, special interest groups, one person from each of the political parties in the house, a public servant, and persons from other area such as health, agriculture, tourism and other area that may arise as the constituency grows.
This blog would like the rep to consider Maura Minvielle, Augustin Charles or John Mathurin as the chairperson and no other person than Sonia Thornille as the secretary. Automatically either Anslatus Joinsville or Mc Arthur Phillip will be on the Council.The councilors will be paid an honorarium for their work.
This blog will monitor tha appointment of the Council and comment on the merits and demerits of each councilor.
Dedan C. G. Baptiste

The Decision between Taiwan or China Should be based on Moral and Economic Factors

Saint Lucians have witnessed the horrific daily accounts on the relentless and brutal attacked waged against the people of Syria by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Saint Lucians along with the democratic world shared the collective grief and disappointment at the fact that the recent United Nations resolution on the situation in Syria was crippled by the shameful veto actions of Russia and China.

Whereas these developments may appears to be far removed and unrelated to our situation locally, I am of the view that these developments bear direct relations to the current deliberations of the Government of Saint Lucia with regards to Saint Lucia’s foreign Affairs posture i.e. diplomatic relations with Taiwan or China. The position taken by the Communist Government of China in its veto of the UN resolution on Syria is consistent with the inhumane stance which they have adapted through their support of the Sudanese regime which has perpetuated a process of ruthless genocide against the defenceless natives of the Dafur region of Sudan since 2003. That regime through the support of the Chinese has been responsible for the slaughter of over ½ million people with over three (3) million made into refugees. The regime in Khartoum has been able to benefit from the supply of Chinese military hardware, China being Sudan’s largest supplier of arms. China is thus a knowing and willing accomplice in the Bashir regime’s genocide in Darfur.

     China’s human rights record is well documented and stands out as the country with one of the worst human rights records internationally. Today any country which is in trouble at the UN over abuses of human rights can always rely on a Chinese veto in the Security Council. China is the best friend of the military regime in Burma – one of the world’s most oppressive regimes – and of Robert Mugabe’s bankrupt dictatorship in Zimbabwe.

   Saint Lucians have had the benefit of comparing the economic and social benefits derived through diplomatic relations with Taiwan and China over the past fifteen (15) years. I am convinced that the majority of Saint Lucians understands where our nation’s best interest is provided for. Our people are all too aware that the interest of our nation has been best served through diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that ordinary Saint Lucians and communities have benefited directly by far through the friendly relations and goodwill of the Taiwanese Government over the past five (5) years under the Government of the United Workers Party. The Taiwanese through their cooperation assistance have impacted in a phenomenal way on our overall development process. Over the past five years they have registered meaningful contributions to our nation’s development in the health, agricultural, education and technology and sports sectors. In addition they have brought direct benefits to thousands of Saint Lucians through their “grass-roots projects” which included developments initiatives such as: drainage, footpaths, sidewalk, public facilities, bus shelters, community centers, multi-purpose Courts, road and water Projects to highlight a few examples. The Taiwanese contribution over the past five years under the United Workers Party Administration by far outstrips that made by the Chinese over the ten years of Labour Party rule between the period: 1997 – 2006.

   It is therefore critical and imperative at this time that Saint Lucians demand that the Government of the Saint Lucia Labour Party adopts a foreign policy position that is consistent with the will of the people of this country. Saint Lucians must also maintain a vigilant stance in monitoring the foreign policy direction of the current Government to ensure that the image of Saint Lucia as a country which upholds democratic values along with the relationships with our traditional friends is not compromised. The recent posturing of the Government through alliances with the ALBA grouping is a cause for concern. Only recently the Prime Minister of Grenada issued a call on regional Governments to focus their efforts on strengthening Caricom instead of flirting with ALBA. Individual members of that grouping and the grouping as a collective have taken some positions recently which must be a cause for concern. We note for example Cuba and Venezuela’s support for the regimes in Iran and Syria. Only recently Venezuela shipped an estimated US $50. Million worth of diesel to Syria in a show of defiance to the international community. Such support can no doubt be used by the Assad regime to fuel the continuation of bloody attacks which the regime has unleashed on its citizens whose only offence is to express their will to be governed by a democratic political system.

   One is forced to question the silence of the current SLP Government or its failure to condemn the atrocities being committed in Syria. Is our Government fearful of offending the Chinese and its ALBA comrades? Are our humanitarian and principled values being compromised on the altar of some strange political ideology that is foreign to our culture and Christian traditions? These are questions that should occupy the minds of curious Saint Lucians at this time. I dare say that we Saint Lucians should remain vigilant and not allow our Government to prostitute and damage our international reputation and image internationally. 

I take this opportunity to calls on the Government of Saint Lucia to take the necessary actions to remove the current anxiety of Saint Lucians and its obvious procrastination on the issue of diplomatic relations with Taiwan or China. The ultimate position of the current Administration should be guided by the sentiments and will of the people of Saint Lucia in maintaining diplomatic relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan.

By Clifton St Marthe

Editor's note: Pics  inserted by blog management

Open letter to the Rep

The following is a letter sent to this blog for publication.

Choiseul
March 10, 2012

Mr Lorne Theophilus
The District/Parliamentary Representative
Choiseul

Dear Sir,
       I am a student from the Choiseul Secondary School who wish to bring to your attention the condition of the public facilities in my community.
During the passage of hurricane Tomas the roof of the multi-purpose centre in Roblot was blown away. Since then the authorities have paid no attention to what is left standing. Actually the remains are at the mercy of the elements of the weather.

    The public library which is housed in another section in the same building was not seriously affected. However there is a security risk as the partition separating the library from the roofless building is weak and rotting.
   We the young people, as well as the Roblot Development Committee, have no place to assemble to hold meetings. ( You are very aware of this since during your campaign you could not use the centre for an indoor meeting and had to use a rum shop not far from the building)
 The citizens of the community need you to use your authority and influence to get our centre renovated.
Also our multipurpose court is in a delapidated condition. You will of course be aware that the topography of my community does not lend to the construction of a playing field. Therefore we the young people have only the court. We have no netball, and volleyball poles. The court surface needs fixing, and the fence is falling. We would appreciate if the Ministry of sports officials would visit our area to take note of what is urgently needed.
   As a young person yourself, we hope that you will see the need to improve the facilities for the youth.
Please do not let our young people down because it was one of your campaign promises to elevate the standard of youth and sporting facilities in the constituency.

Sincerely
Concerned youth

Editor"s note: Pic provided by blog.

Will our constituency feature in the Budget?

 This year's budget address is one to look forward to. It will be presented against the backdrop of global economic hardships and campaign promises spelt out in, according to the Straight Up host "The blue print for development."
One will be eager to hear how the government expects to raise $1m to increase employment among the youth. Also the strategy adopted to create these employment oppurtunities will be of importance to the nation.
The banana industry surely will feature in the address as well as concerns over our ability to feed ourselves bearing the fact that the uncontrolled black sigatoka may have done much harm to our crops.
    But what about Choiseul? One would be on the ball to say that our rep is and has been lobbying to get a cut for his constituency in the Budget. It would be safe to say that Rufus has done all the infratructural work in the district and so Lorne's job now is to get programs and initiatives in the budget to see after the develoment of the constituents. Rufus fell disappointingly behind when it came to human development in the constituency during his tenure - an area for the present rep to improve on.
 The Fisheries Pond will continue to be a headache for the authorities; unless some form of study be conducted to investigate this recurring sand compilation in the pond, the rep will find himself being unpopular with the fishermen.
The rep will agree that something has to come out of this year's budget for the Saltibus people - the road resurfacing, road slippage rehabilitations and of course a public library.
   Being the Minister for the Creative Arts, developing the potential of the Handicraft Centre would go a long way in empowering the youth. And talking about the youth, the Caffiere/Dugard communities are in dire need of a place to meet.
It is not the aim of thia blog to remind the rep of his committment to the people who put him here, but rather to bring forward issues to be considered. It is most likely that the people that are around him make be more for themselves than seeing after the people who put Lorne there. (20 years involved in politics taught me so)
  However, Lorne will be able to do much for the constituency in five years if he puts the necessary structures in place. And mind you, with the right persons.
Until the budget address the constituency continues to "STEP" in style.

What next for the UWP?

   Today the High Court will be hearing the challenge put forward by the UWP against the 2011 election results in three constituencies: Babonneau, Gros Islet and Choiseul. (Choiseul appears not interested)
According to a lawyer friend of mine the cases were wrongly filed. He said that cases cannot or should not be filed against the winning candidates but rather against the Electoral office or to be more specific, against the Returning Officers for these constituencies.

    But you know, as usual another booboo again. Does that ring a bell? Remember all the "fopars" the previous government did, illegal firing and tranfering of persons all from the advise of their attorneys general. So it is not a new thing that another "fopar" is in their face again.
It is allegged that Dodee filed the cases.

   Aren't you anxious to find out what may happen at today's hearing? This blog thinks the status quo will remain the same and these matters will be thrown out of court.
Bousquet says he is done with politics and is not interested in this challenge by the party. News reaching here suggests that he never agreed to challenge Lorne's victory. As a matter of fact he told this blog that he did call Lorne and congratulated him on his victory.
    UWP should now do some serious reflection and put their act together with the hope of giving SLP a good run come 2017.Leadership for them is a crucial issue and they should stop throwing stones at the  moon like this useless challenge previously mentioned.

    Come next convention, will King run for leader, or will Chastnet, Rigobert, and Flood (not Jouk Bois) also throw in their hats for the position?

    Something to look forward to? Keep your fingers crossed.

Choiseul Credit Union "Plusing" away.

     The Choiseul Co-Op Credit Union was the brain child of Parish Priest, Rev. Father Ludovic Chauvet who served in Choiseul as a French Missionary from 1953 to 1965. In 1960 Father Chauvet called a meeting at the now demolished presbytery with at least twelve parishioners to discuss creating a credit union.That same year the Credit Union was started but it was not officially launched until 1963. 

     However, the Credit Union had to secure itself legally. All Co-Operatives/Credit Unions need to be registered under the Co-Operative Societies Act in order to gain legal status and government approval.
      When a society has met the law's requirements it is issued with a certificate of registration. The Choiseul Co-Op Credit Union was registered by law on October 6th, 1970.

   Approximately 42 years latter, the Co operative has come a long way. A more structured and customer friendly staff, numerous benefits to members, high interest rates on savings, larger loan disbursements and the list goes on and on.

 Recently the Credit Union introduced an innovative plan to take care of the future needs and commitments. They have introduced "FUTURE PLUS."  What is Future Plus? According to a brochure it is, "A savings plan set out to take care of your future needs." " Future Plus" is categorized into three sections namely: Future Pension Plus, Education Savings Plus and and Asset Savings Plus.

Future Pension Plus 

 This plan is a masterpiece. it offers one the opportunity to save for their twilight years. One cannot help but feel pity for the numerous person of age that have nothing to rely on except the hand outs" from other persons in the society. If the Future Pension Plus (FPP) been in place surely these senior citizens would have taken advantage of this plan and be better off today. Most likely it must have been this thinking that the Board of Directors had in mind to come up with this plan. Bravo!

 Our present generation should take full advantage of this plan as well as the other two. 

A brochure spelling out the plans reads:

Future Pension Plus 

This is an opportunity to save for your pension.

This way you can put aside any amount you can afford for a minimum period of 10 years

 in our pension plus account specially designed for NIS Contributors, Government

Employees and in particular, self employed members at an attractive rate of 5½ percent.

The higher the amount saved and the longer the term the greater the

pension (benefits) to you. 

Education Savings Plus

Here is an opportunity to save for your Children’s Education.

As a Members of Choiseul Credit Union you can save for your Children’s

Secondary, Tertiary or University Education at the rate you can afford.

The Education Savings Plus plan must be established for a minimum period of 5 years

and is rewarded with an un-comparable interest rate of 5½ percent per annum.

Asset Savings Plus

This is a Savings Plan which allows you to save now for a specific purpose

later in your life. You can save to buy land or for the deposit to get your mortgage

when you will be ready to build. This is also an opportunity to save for a minimum of

five years  for this dream car upon retirement, for this special birthday or even an

anniversary treat at 40, 50 or 60. You can also save for your dream holiday/cruise too.

We offer a very special interest rate of 5½ percent on all Asset Savings Plus

Accounts so the more you save the truer the dream will become.

What is really great about these plans is that your savings' interest is compounded. eg  An average mason say 25 years and putting  a monthly contribution of $40.00 towards his Pension Plus Plan would at the end of 10 years have in his account $6,520.08.

 A sentence that is really befitting of these plans read:

At Choiseul Credit Union “We Make Your Life Better”

Inquiring minds want to know

   In an earlier post this blog asked of the rep to let his constituents know which way he would like to see his government lean when it comes to diplomatic ties with Taiwan or China.

The post also made note of the contributions the Taiwanese government has made to the constituency in the ares of health, education, sports, infrastructure and more or less employment.
While this government drags its feet on the diplomacy issue another debate is taking the country by storm. It is being allegged that the timing and interests demonstrated by Dr. Stephen King is highly suspect. It is beyond the scope of this post to delve into the alleggations.
However the debate has reached the rep's domain. Pockets here and there, the watering holes, teachers during lunch breaks, students at secondary schools etc are involved in the discussion - decriminalise prostitution or not.
   The women in certain communities are not for deriminalizing. Their stand arise from a biblical stand point as well as lack of informationon the topic.
This is where our rep, our political leader, who will have to take a stand on the issue when it reahes the legislative stage in parliament let us know his position. Like a strong campaigner of his wrote in a song, "Inquiring minds want to know?"

   By the way, did the rep recognize our constituency women/girls on International Women's Day? Yes he did, but en passant. Lorne was more or less on tv to send birthday greetings to his mom Mrs. Lusca Theophilus, a dynamic and no nonsense woman and my past tutor at Teachers' College, who's birthday coincides with International Women's Day. However after sending all the wishes a beloved son would send to his mom he took the opportunity to wish women all over the world a happy IWD.
This blog thinks that the rep should do better than this. The rep should give special mention to the WOMEN of his constituency. This blog is also of the view that after giving kudos to his mom he should say something like this, "..............I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the women in my constituency, my country and by extension, the whole world, a happy International Women's Day..........."
   This blog thinks that making special reference to them, would show respect, love and concern for the women in the constituency. As anything else it was was the women that finally brought the seat home for him.
Filmed at 11.