"What If I Decide To Go Along With Lorne?" - Jimmy Haynes

L.T. doing his thing

I must say that Lorne Theophilus, the Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul/Saltibus, gave me the biggest surprise of my life this one Thursday night. Hmmm! don’t start letting your mind race as to what the hell is Dedan shouting about.

You know General Elections are round the corner…...rite, and you know very well that this is the time when dem politicians are going all out to show case themselves to their constituents, in spite of their neglect over the years. However, I am not sure if our Rep was showcasing or genuinely being himself at that karaoke session at the Hangers Bar that Thursday night. What a night it was!

Though the crowd was not large, there were significantly some notable political figures from the opposite side of the divide – they were all invited by Lorne….so they say. The strategist is already at work….don’t you think?

 I remember having a serious convo with Jano Octave, a Facebook  friend of mine, when I posted that I may be a better singer than the Rep. Oh! how she took offence and gave kudos to the Rep whom she had never heard sing, except at that famous SLP Convention in Vieux Fort. She was not at the karaoke session.

But earlier that karaoke night, the Rep called me and asked that I meet him at that  session…I gladly accepted the invitation. But my mind started racing and I remembered Eve, another  top friend of mine telling me, that same day Jano and I was having the convo that our Rep can sing…..cold feet for me…awah!

The Champions at Hanger's Bar

Hangers Bar, which is situated opposite the La Fargue Playing Field was the place to be last Thursday night. The DJ started the show and called your humble servant to do the first song. By that time the Rep was already there and mingling with everyone.  Previously we already had a chat and we were all set to have a fun night. ”AA, you already” he remarked as the DJ blasted my name over the system. I did “Guitar Man” by Bread. The Rep followed with “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton. His rendition of the song did not impress me much, but it seems that he was only warming up. Well I had it coming!

The Rep was fantastic throughout the night. “You remember Lucsa” his mom, who was this outstanding choir singer in the Catholic Church, Lorne remarked as I gave him kudos over a song he had just performed.He took the night away in spite of top selections by Ferior, Dean, the station sergeant, a beautiful lady by the name of Maureen and myself, to mention a few. Jano was right after all. But was this all at the session?

Not in the least!

Hungry and Jimmy

Politics had to find its way somehow. The arrival of Jimmy Haynes and his little entourage, set my mind ticking. What is dah man's mission? Is he here to compete with Lorne? Is there a little "complo" brewing?  My mind was just racing. You will recall Jimmy's Liberation Train initiative and his intention to run for the Choiseul seat. However this is for another article.

So here comes Jimmy onto me. "Garson you did not even send to wish me Happy NEW Year" Boy, I have been so tied up with work, that this must have slipped me, I may have sent it though, was my reply. By the way, what are you doing here, I quickly threw at him. "Well, Lorne was in my area today and he asked us to check him out here tonight" He replied. We spoke freely for a couple of minutes, but I could sense something was bugging Jimmy. Here comes the bomb! "What if I decide to go along with Lorne?"  He threw at me. "that would be a shocker. I need to teach these guys" ( I presume it's the UWP) "a lesson." He kept on talking. Well bro, if that's how you feel, go for it man, I solemnly advised him.

Jimmy and Lorne doing "One Love"

Jimmy seems to be hurting badly; probably at the slow pace with which his Party is moving to recognize him for the candidacy - if they ever do. But Jimmy, to me, seems to be hurting I think, because  of his own inaction - he is not a member of the Party as far as I know, and he has not applied to be considered as a candidate -- so whats the issue here? But that's for another show. I am sure Lorne would welcome the support - but at what cost? And this was just what he came to confirm that night. (Take this with a grain of salt)

So my dear friends. just before I left, after having my fair share of Karaoke for the night and then listening to  Lorne's rendition of "You're Still The One" by Elton John, I have no doubt in my mind that Lorne knew exactly what he was singing - that he' s still the one for Choiseul/Saltibus come next elections. 
I tend to concur.

Student Faced Near Death Incident At Secondary School.

The switch that almost killed Danzella

A harrowing experience by a fourth form student at the Choiseul Secondary School has left traces of electrical current still running through her body, This is what a medical doctor, who examined Danzella Joseph, the  student who came into contact with a live exposed electrical wire at the Choiseul Secondary School reported. 

Danzy, as she is affectionately called, after she came into contact with the live exposed wires, was taken to hospital - St Jude's, in a private vehicle, (why not an ambulance?) treated and discharged. Later after complaining with severe pains she had to be taken to a private doctor. Can you believe this? LIVE EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRES AT A SCHOOL OF OVER 500 STUDENTS! Has safety/security gone down the drain at this school?

This is not surprising, since this school or rather that block has been pronounced unstable since  an earthquake shook it considerably. What is even more disturbing is that the principal, Mr Augier don't seem to have a clue as to what is happening at this school - ask the teachers and you will be surprised at what they tell you. This school has been at its lowest ebb since the appointment of this principal. Do your research.

Lewis, Pierre and Augier - The responsible authorities

Fault must also be laid at the foot of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Education for, after being notified of the instability of this building  continue to place the lives of our children at risk. Shame! Shame! Shame on them!

I spoke with Danzella Joseph and this is her story: “We were next to the door having a conversation. Then I was trying to head outside. While  going out I placed my hands on the wall not knowing that there was and open wire switch next to me ... The switch sparked…. whilst I was getting shocked, I wasn't thinking at that time. When I realize this was going on I screamed and pulled myself back and ran toward the other door and fell on my knees.

Danzella Joseph

Well, all they {School authorities} did was bring me to the health center and the health center sent me to St.Jude's. They brought me back to the office were they sent me on a teachers car to transport me to S.Jude's  ( NOT via an Ambulance ). When I arrived at St.Jude's they put me to sit as an ordinary patient waiting. After wards all they did was an EKG and discharge me with medication no blood test, nothing..... Well my mother is not pleased with it…. she went to the school to see what was going on.

The principal stated that he wasn't aware of the broken switch in the classroom, but he had already got it fixed  as the school term was coming…… when this was a lie. The switch has been broken a month since school close for Christmas.

 My mom isn't accepting that St.Jude's didn't do much for me, so she's taking me to a private doctor. The school gave her the insurance paper and sent her off. I visited the doctor yesterday where I had to do multiple test at Tapion "Blood Test ,CBC, kidney and liver test etc."  He also said that it may not affect me now but later on in life it might.  So right now I have to go back to the doctor."

A wing of the Choiseul Secondary

 When contacted by telephone, the school's principal, Mr Augier, who's negligence almost cost a student her life, remarked, "I have nothing to say. Contact the chief." Who is the chief I asked? "The Chief Education Officer" he rudely responded and hung up.

Mr Augier must realize that he is answerable to the parents and by extension, the general public who pays for his salary. He has nothing to say he says, when in fact it is due to his negligence and oversight that this student  was exposed to this hazard in a classroom. The child's parents should really make him have his day in court so he can tell the judge, "I have nothing to say, ask the chief"

Sad day for Choiseul Secondary.

CIE Ltd Puts The Forgotten Communities Back On The Map.

Sections Road conditions before works began

While Mighty Pele’s song “Cest Tradicion Noel”  with the chorus “Belle wad epi Sooleay say tradicion Noel” is befitting for the normal citizen who thinks of partying and “Bon Tan”, for the residents of The Forgotten Communities ,“Belle Chemen poo Noel kar menen ple moun epi business an cummin la.” To do a little transliteration, it says, ‘While Mighty Pele’s nice clothes and shoes are traditions of Christmas for the ordinary citizen who thinks of partying, for the forgotten communities we think than nice roads for Christmas brings more persons  and business in the community.” This is a fact. Residents in the Forgotten Communities have seen a significant drop in their relatives coming home for Christmas as well and a reduced number in vehicular traffic over the years. They complained about the deterioration of the road network.

Before and after near Amelin

This is changing as I write this piece. CIE Ltd a top rated Construction firm on the island has been given the task to make the people of the Forgotten Communities happy for this coming season. The company has been contracted to rehabilitate the road from Debreuil to Myers Bridge. We the residents of the Forgotten Communities welcome this. For too long we  have cried and wept over this semblance of a road – vehicular traffic has almost come to a standstill, and a few bus drivers  have withdrawn their service altogether.

Road by wall near Evans

The owners of business in these communities themselves have made their voices heard. Two or three of them have written to the media complaining about the poor state of the roads. Their sales have been miserable and now there is a sigh of relief as they see works are ongoing. When this road which serves the communities was in good shape, commuters travelling from Vieux Fort to Soufriere or vice-versa used it as a bypass –it cuts travel time by about fifteen minutes or more. Due to the frequent traffic the business places got more sale opportunities. One can very well see why their enthusiasm about the road being rehabilitated.

Road widening in Montete

A reliable source has informed ‘Choiseul On The Move” that the CEO of the company is doing part of the work at his own expense since the finance allocated to the project would leave part of the road in the same condition it is now. But Mr Gajadhar, and his willingness to uplift people and communities have decided to continue the works to the finish – up to Myers Bridge. The residents of The Forgotten Communities say “BRAVO” and a big thank you to CIE’s CEO. Rarely do we see such initiatives coming from contractors. This is a feather in Mr Gajadhar’s cap.

A finished section in Roblot

 As the name signifies – The Forgotten Communities, we were almost isolated – traffic was not coming through, few strangers were seen in the communities, persons were not leaving their homes to go anywhere – it was virtually  lost communities. Work is now full  speed ahead on the road; the humongous pot holes are being patched, other worse places are being resurfaced and the section between Montete and Myers Bridge is being widened considerably.

With the road nearing completion, one will definitely see more traffic passing through the area, commuters plying the routes as before, more persons coming into the community, off and on a taxi driver on his way to Soufriere from Vieux Fort or vice versa, showing off our lush green landscape, and  the business places seeing an increase in sales.

The Forgotten Communities will once more be on the map of visibility. Thanks to all the Facebook fans of the group "The Forgotten Communities" who without their support would probably never see this works. Thank you, so much. We are on!!!!!!!!!!

Is Sarah Looking At The Choiseul/Saltibus Seat?

"Elections coming, Politics playing,

Dem running par esee, running par la,

Asking for me vote,

But if deh want me vote

Dem have to be positive,

cause dis year,

                                                          Me en playing coco makak."  

The above is the chorus to a calypso I wrote in 1992 for a standard  4 participant in the Annual Roblot Primary School Calypso Competition.  Up to this day no school in the district can follow this legacy  left by Mrs Lucy Nicholas, and of course your humble servant. Bravo to this Ex- principal for taking music to another level at her school during her stewardship. I salute you madam.
Yes, all the signs are there, that elections may be early next year - some say early March, while others predict not later than May. Come what may, Choiseulians will  have to cope with three different genres of music. It is picking up steam in the watering holes around the district that Choiseulians will this coming elections have to dance to Labour's soca music, UWP's  lover's rock reggae, and PPP's concoction of soca and lovers rock - ou tan!

Rufus Bousquet

This, my dear readers is what Choiseulians have allowed to fester over the years. Up to this point in time, it is sad that no one, born, bred and raised Choiseulian have had the gonads to see himself /herself worthy or capable to represent this district? What is wrong with our Psyche in this part of St Lucia? We just lay back and allow our affairs to handled by persons with no personal interest in our development. It's ok........say sar nou kar dee! Bunch of jokers, taking us for a ride year after year, political term after political term, and we sit on our laurels spitting at the wind. What is wrong with us?
So now Rufus has played his cards, used the jokers in this constituency and have finally left them flat on their face and joined a new party. Hey, be careful here........ it is alleged. Rufus have frightened the shit out of everyone of the aspiring politicians in this constituency....take it or leave....it is a fact. Never be gullible to the foolishness some of them come around saying, "UWP en ready yet!" Oh yea, I'd rather think that they are the ones that are not ready YET.(barring Jimmy Haynes.. what is he up to now?) Lame excuses after lame excuses. the bottom line is that they are not sure what Rufus is about and so he scares them to death. And he Rufus knowing this kept playing the nincompoops throughout. So much for this.

Sarah Flood-Beaubrun

Enter Sarah Flood. This blog has been reliably informed that at least three supporters of the UWP in the district have contacted Mrs Flood and ask her to contest the seat. According to my sources, she has not given any answer, but may be considering it. She plans to be in the district this week to feel the pulse on the ground.
What do I think about it? I know that's what's at the back of your mind right now. I don't care. Remember I made a statement on Facebook that I may not drink your coffee but at the right price I will sell it for you. Get my drift? I have been burnt, wrongly accused, used to the highest end....par men ancor!.
On the lighter side, Sarah is a complete politician with a passion for people. I think ladies are more  receptive to the needs of people and it is possible that she may be the prayer Choiseul has waited for so long.Finally with no one from Choiseul showing face, I endorse Sarah her totally.

Lorne Theophilus

Labour's soca  music continues to play, while the hacks, regardless of the emptiness in their bellies, continue to dance and make believe that all is OK. It is not.
There is no doubt that one will see an increase in capital works around the district in the coming months. Work has already started on the Debreuil to Myers Bridge. The shop owners may very well see an increase in business as more commuters will use this short route to and from Vieux fort or Soufriere.
Lorne's representation leaves much to be desired, but this is for another post, soon.
Come next elections will we see Sarah - Rufus - Lorne  playing their genres of music with the hope that Choiseuilians will make one of them their preferred choice? Choiseulians, I am sure this time around, will be chanting "this year, me en playing coco makak"

The 'Private Matter" That Has The Semblance Of A Conspiracy Theory Unfolding?

Do you know Dr.Walid Juffalli? Do you know when St Lucia got to know him? Do you know who his first St Lucian contact was? Does he have any investments in this country? Does Mr Juffalli have any experience in Maritime affairs? Finally, what makes him eligible for the post of St Lucia's High commissioner to London? Is it "De Money" or is it a conspiracy to immune him from paying up? Questions, questions, questions which many St Lucians have no answers to. 

Walid Jufalli

Dr.Walid  Jufalli is Saint Lucia's Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, based in London. He was appointed in April 2014. He is a rich Saudi oil tycoon whose family business has a net worth is about USD 6.2b. He is involved in a  divorce case and with his ex-wife, Estrada wants a share in his 4 four billion pounds property in London. But his diplomatic immunity shelters him from the court case. "Ou wer bagai."

"The Government of Saint Lucia has noted the concerns of individuals in response to a story carried in the Daily Telegraph, a United Kingdom-based newspaper, on Nov. 9, in relation to Saint Lucia's Representative to the International Maritime Organization, Dr. Walid Juffali." says the Government

Victor La Corbiniere

But let's start by taking some of what the Legal Affairs Ministry of the Government of St Lucia had to say and the counter statements made by the Daily Mail of UK.

Government of St Lucia:   "To date, Dr. Juffali has conducted his duties to the highest expectations of the Government of Saint Lucia. In addition to advancing the goals of Saint Lucia in the IMO and sourcing investment for Saint Lucia..... The appointment of Dr. Juffali is consistent with the efforts of the Government to appoint trade and investment envoys to assist in the promotion of Saint Lucia and to attract investment."

UK Daily Mail: "The IMO ensures security regulations are met across the world’s shipping industry. Records reveal that of the 27 IMO meetings held in the 19 months since Mr Juffali’s appointment, he has not attended a single one."

Ernest Hilaire

One can safely deduce that Ernest Hilaire may have been Mr.Jufalli's first St Lucian contact. According to the Daily Mail, Ernest Hiliare met with Mr Jufalli after which the latter traveled to St Lucia. "......it is understood that Mr Juffali made his first trip to St Lucia. The visit was prompted by a meeting with St Lucia’s then High Commissioner to London, Ernest Hillaire." The Daily Mail continued. "So impressed was Mr Hillaire by Mr Juffali’s business credentials that he apparently almost immediately agreed to stand down from his role as St Lucia’s permanent representative to the IMO – and instead recommended to the island’s Prime Minister Kenny Anthony that Mr Juffali take his place." Mr Hilaire has since stood down from his post as High Commissioner.

Does Mr Jufalli have any investments on island?  The Government had this to say:

"Dr. Juffali has initiated his first major project for Saint Lucia - the establishment of a medical research industry. This project was announced in the Throne Speech of 2015..... 

...... [and] Dr. Juffali's‎ second project has been to investigate the establishment of a Global Diabetes Research Centre in Saint Lucia in response to the chronic levels of diabetes in the country."

"Last year’s appointment, accompanied by a string of alleged investments"......"(despite spending hardly any time on the Caribbean island)"........led to Mr Juffali’s name being added to London’s Diplomatic List." says the UK based newspaper. 

 

Christina Estrada

 The whole interest in Mr Juffali seem to stem from the fact that his ex-wife, Christina Estrada has filed a divorce matter against him only to find out that her ex-husband has diplomatic immunity based on his appointment as St Lucia’s permanent representative to the UN’s International Maritime Organisation. 

The daily mail reports that. "Mr Juffali, 60, faces questions about his newly acquired ‘diplomatic immunity’, which may allow him to avoid the costly divorce case altogether. It is a move which could leave Ms Estrada without any binding financial agreement and could go down in history as one of the most elaborate ploys ever used to avoid a settlement."

The oil tycoon denies any wrong doing, but you will agree that his timing is perfect.  The government rates him as a highly successful philanthropist and businessman and coins this issue as a "private matter".

What say you, A Private Matter or A Conspiracy theory? 

Sources: Read more: http://legalaffairs.govt.lc/news/statement-on-dr-walid-juffali
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3318877/Extraordinary-twist-4billion-divorce-bust-Saudi-oil-tycoon-ex-wants-share-fortune.html#ixzz3rwrVoLZ1

Rape - A National Embarassment

Flavia Cherry

In a statement posted on her Facebook page Flavia Cherry strongly condemns the recent acts of violence against women presently taking place on island. Flavia Cherry is an entrepreneur who has spent her life working towards the cause of gender and social justice in St. Lucia and also in the Caribbean. Flavia is perhaps best known for her role in advocacy and action over the past twenty years. Her statement, according to "Choiseul on The Move" is a timely one. We at this blog are disgusted at the level of support given to the latest victims by those women in authority who profess to be in our women’s corner. Flavia's statement on behalf of CAFRA should be seen as a refresher for all those silent voices who continue not to stand in the forefront for our abused women and girls alike.

Flavia is currently the Acting Chairperson of the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA). This is the complete statement below.

"This kind of sexual violence perpetrated against women even in the privacy of their homes is a national embarrassment and is the kind of violence that limits the ability of women and girls to reach their full potential and exercise their basic human rights. It must therefore be addressed with great urgency. We call upon the police to also inform the public of progress in relation to those cases.

We call upon all state agencies and especially the Police Force to step up to the plate and conduct prompt and thorough investigations into all cases to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice. We also call upon those responsible to ensure that those cases are handled within a short time frame within the judicial system, in order to avoid further frustration and victimization of those who are affected.

We are disgusted and disappointed by the unacceptable rates of rapes which have been occurring in St. Lucia and condemn those horrendous acts in the strongest terms."

One comment on her statement from Bebe Edwards reads - 

"Too often these things are happening. We need our laws to be tightened and too often police say they are investigating and nothing more is being done to complete it.Those nasty men are out there raping the old and young sucking the life out of these people.Come on government of St.Lucia please try to put an end to this crisis."

Yes! Flavia is back to bring this dynamism back in our women who seem to have gone silent  over the years.



Bravo Flavy.....You took our breath away!!!!!!!!!!!

Can Huggins Nicholas Bridge The Divide To Unseat Lorne?

The propaganda has begun! "Jimmy Haynes and Mr Neil Huggins has decided to support Mr Bousquet as candidate for Choiseul/Saltibus." A Rufus support group on Facebook posted. Jimmy quickly took offence with, "Contrary to a mischievous and misleading post on the 'Rufus 4 Choiseul' Facebook profile, I have not decided to support Mr. Rufus Bousquet as a candidate for Choiseul/Saltibus. Our meeting which was not planned included some very frank discussion about important issues and a mutual commitment to keep the doors of communication open in the interest of the people of Choiseul/Saltibus and the UWP. So whoever you are stop spreading rumours."
Rufus, running into Jimmy at  the Nicholas gas station was purely accidental.  Earlier reports reaching this blog suggests that the two men were in discussion which could have revealed much, but some other guy who it is alleged to be in Rufus' corner kept disrupting the flow of the conversation.
I spoke with both men. Here are their stories as to what transpired at the gas station on this eventful Saturday October 10, 2015.

L to R: Jimmy Haynes, Huggins Nicholas and Rufus Bousquet

I spoke with Jimmy first. Here is his story.

Dedan: Wats the story on this afternoon's event at the gas station?
Jimmy Haynes: Rufus came by we began to have a discussion but ...............(name withheld) kept on interrupting and allowed Rufus to slide out. Not before he said that he would support me if I won the runoff.
Hmmm! Rufus slide out? Not the characteristic of the man, as far as I know. But that's for another show.
I spoke with Rufus next. Here is his take.:
Dedan: Heard that you and Jimmy had it out at the gas station.
Rufus: Not really. He was talking crap.
Dedan: Quite a scene I understood.
Rufus: Not really. People are just exaggerating.
Dedan: What was it about?
Rufus: Jimmy was simply saying I should resign as chairman if I want to submit an application to be the candidate. My response is that I took my cue from the Party Chairman who exercises considerable influence - so far more than a Branch chairman - and yet submitted his name and has since been endorsed as the candidate for Babonneau. I heard no outcry from Jimmy on that one. Surely the leadership he supports should set the example. That's the only relevant issue I entertained. Every thing else from Jimmy was alcohol induced bravado of unintelligible kind....."
So there you have it from the horses' mouths - the two men vying for the candidacy.
Selection of a viable candidate from the UWP camp is expected to create quite a stir in the Choiseul/Saltibus Constituency. Presently there are two factions in the constituency which no doubt have been brought about by Jimmy Haynes' intent on throwing his hat into the ring and Rufus' recent statements both on radio and TV. But the irony of it all is that Rufus has never spelt it out to the constituents, why he does not support Chastanet - the political leader of the Party.
Rufus has no doubt lost considerable support throughout the constituency due to his recent statements on radio and TV, his handling of certain issues during and after the last elections, his deliberate neglect of the Saltibus community for over two years, prior to the last elections, and his failure to deliver the Mini Stadium to the sporting youths.
Mind you, this is in no way giving an edge to Rufus' opponent, but rather to inform on the issues confronting Rufus, if he has to make a comeback - an uphill battle in my estimation. Rufus has what it takes to bring back a lot of his lost support, but it all depends on how much of an impact Jimmy has created on them.
What one will surely see in the coming weeks and months is an upsurge in canvassing and registration of new members by both Jimmy and Rufus with the hope of gaining the edge at the run off if it comes to this.
Can Jimmy pull it off with just Delcer, Mongouge and Saltibus boxes in his corner, or can Rufus pull it off without these? Who ever wins if it comes to a run off have to put their differences aside and work together if they want to unseat Lorny Boy.
Huggins Nicholas my very well be the only one who could bring about this unity.