St Rose Heading For a Defeat Without the Backing of the Party's Machinery?

Top: Dr. P. Prosper(SLP) Bottom: Dr. A. St Rose(IND) Right: Hon. B. Felix(UWP)

Going it alone is rarely as easy as we think.  Winning without a party machinery behind you isn’t easy!!!

It’s  something that needs to be borne in mind by Alphonsus St Rose who was rejected over Pauline Prosper  during the candidate selection process of the St Lucia Labour Party a couple of months ago.

That’s especially true if he intends to stand as independent at the next general election.

Independent candidates face many obstacles in the St Lucia. In all constituencies, the United Workers Party and St Lucia Labour Party candidates automatically are the most frequently acceptable symbols on the ballot, whereas the independent candidates usually have to convince themselves that they stand a chance just to be confident that he will want to be on the ballot. The electorate, over the years has been composed of mostly UWP’s and SLP’s, who have a strong incentive to protect the existing duopoly. Also, Independent candidates often face financial difficulties because they have to rely on their personal saving and/or very few hefty donors.

The two political parties are a lot like the two giants of the cola world, Coke and Pepsi. Although each wants to win, they both recognize that it is in their mutual interest to keep a third cola from gaining significant market share. Coke and Pepsi, many people have argued, conspire to keep any competitor from gaining ground. The Flambeaus and the Etoiles function in much the same way.

Many voters don’t want to waste their ballot, and thus gravitate toward a parliamentary candidate they think has a chance to win. Independent candidates have a hard time building enough of a following to actually win a constituency seat. And without a grass-roots base of officials, independent candidates who aren’t already well-known have a very difficult time building momentum.

Are there implications here for St Rose in the next General Elections? Well, In spite of his confidence, it’s possible that as the 2021 election approaches, his vote share of the stock in Choiseul/Saltibus will dwindle. Some of his backers will decide that a protest vote isn’t as important as actually influencing the outcome. Many are undecided or may not even vote per se, but SLP’s and UWP’s will rather be committed to Prosper or Felix.

 Challenges for St Rose.

St Rose faces challenges that party candidates like Prosper and Felix do not. Simply put, political parties matter in St Lucia. The importance of local campaigns and candidates pales in comparison with that of the national campaign and party leaders when it comes to voter decisions.  Parties and their leaders provide important information shortcuts or cues to voters about ideology and policy positions. Moreover, they command media and public attention.

The biggest challenge for St Rose can be trying to convince voters that he would be able to represent them effectively. Parties dominate the legislative process. The ability to participate effectively in the HOUSE is related to being a member of a parliamentary party. An independent campaign needs to communicate consistently that voters would be well served, even without party backing.

The infrastructure of independent candidate greatly differs from those of the two major parties. The St Lucia Labour Party and United Workers Party have their national, constituency organizations, as well as a lot of other SLP and UWP groups.

Independent candidates, on the other hand, do not have such a sprawling, cohesive network. 

St Rose, I am sure is fully cognizant of the ramifications of his action. It would serve him best to go along with Pauline Prosper just to bring this seat home. Splitting  Labour votes will be a disaster for the SLP.

Just like Neville Cenac St Rose will never be forgiven if SLP loses the Choiseul/Saltibus seat in 2021.

Does Choiseul/Saltibus Need Another Independent Candidate ?

“We cannot support dishonesty, manipulation, a lack of transparency, no accountability and corruption in decision making and governance of the people's affairs.

So we are campaigning and voting for an Independent Dr. A St. Rose.

Get your troops ready my soldier. Thank you for standing with me for what is right for you, your future and country. Thank you for your support, trust and confidence in me to represent and fight for you...much appreciated!”  Whatsapp communique dated July 23, 2020 from Dr Alphonsus St Rose’s Camp.

Some claim that we need more independent candidates in elections; those who are disillusioned with party politics think that we could find judicious wise independents that could do the job just as we want.

I have no problem with “independent” people offering their services to the electors. Freedom to stand and to put a different point of view is vital to life in a democracy. So is choice between serious candidates who can win. There is nothing stopping an independent candidate becoming a serious rival for power, if their message is popular and the other competing parties are unimpressive. Occasionally this happens.  Often in General elections people want to choose between the major parties, because they want to influence which party will end up running the body concerned.

However, I do think we need to examine what we mean by “independent”.  An independent can be genuinely independent of all political parties. That means that they will not take a party whip once elected to a given body. They can make up their own minds, unguided by colleagues in the same party. Some will think this an advantage.

However, in a Parliament it also has some disadvantages. It means the independent cannot form a government. The independent cannot guarantee to introduce anything they offered in their manifesto, as they may not even have a seconder for their proposals, let alone a majority. They may become inadvertent or unintentional liars or promise breakers. In office they discover they have to change their minds or broker deals with others to try to get anything done.

The question of independence from a party should not be confused with true independence of thought. An independent might be more ideological than a party candidate. They might have clear and strong prejudices, but not declare them before the election. You do not know how an independent will decide matters or what is likely to be their view of a common problem, unless they tell you in their manifesto. Often their manifesto is very thin on detail.  With a UWP or SLP candidate you have more idea of what you are likely to get.

My Take:  Do Party candidates have an advantage over independent candidates? It seems to be the case – independent candidates have garnered fewer votes on average as compared to party candidates.

Advantages which party candidates may have over independent candidates include:

• The benefit of an established party brand name
• Organizational and logistical assistance
• Backing of popular political leaders in the party

An individual might want to run on a platform supporting the interests of certain groups identified by gender or community. This would be all right, provided he or she did not stir up hatred or promote unreasonable discrimination.

People wishing to stand as independents have found it hard. The electors do not seem to understand the idea. The electorate does not think of parties in terms of ideas. Their suspicion of independents seems to be linked to a desire to know to which group of persons a candidate has attached him or her-self —for that is what joining a party mostly means.

Therefore, independent candidates who are intent on overcoming the odds in the upcoming General Elections must be well-known, established and prominent individuals with proven leadership achievements in their field of expertise.

Dr Prosper Out-did Dr St Rose at Party's Selection Process.

Political Leader and Dr Prosper

Whether there are ongoing behind-the-scenes activities to trump up support for Dr Alphonsus St Rose in his bid to replace Dr Pauline Prosper, it should be quite clear to these persons that the Labour Party's position  released in a statement is quite straightforward.

SLP's Position on the Matter

It even goes as far as to mention that persons who try to tarnish the image of the party will be dealt with. Should Fergy and Alphonsus stand down or continue their path, defying the Party's constitution in the candidate selection process? Should they continue to divide the camp, thus making it difficult for Dr Prosper to pull off the win? What is their game plan? Are they willing to sacrifice expulsion from the party? Questions, questions, questions! Inquiring minds want to know.

The Hot 7 Facebook post puts it this way."The political leader of the Saint Lucia Labour Party is not overly concerned about the impact of candidate struggles and dissent between their various camps. The state of affairs in the Labour Party camp is the water cooler topic of recent days given released audio of Choiseul hopeful Dr Alphonsus St Rose decrying the candidate selection process as being flawed, after word of Dr Pauline Prospere’s selection by the SLP to contest the seat. The SLP says while it understands Dr St Rose’s disappointment at not being the chosen candidate, it will not tolerate behavior by any member that may damage the image of the Party." 

Dr Prosper out-did Dr St Rose 

Continuing the Hot 7 News says, "…….Dr Pauline Prosper outdid Dr St Rose at every stage of the candidate selection process.”  This included:

1.  A screening interview,
2.  A selection interview, 
3. A vote by the party 
4. An independent poll commissioned by the party which identified Dr Prosper as the strongest candidate to via against the incumbent MP Bradley Felix. The executive hopes to meet with the Choiseul/Saltibus Constituency to put closure to this matter.

With a lack of data Choiseul on the Move is unclear as to what amount of support St Rose commands among the party's supporters in the constituency. However there are a few who think he can dethrone the incumbent.

 A strong female supporter of the SLP puts it bluntly. "I en voting for no woman, bon!" 

Another comment from an unknown contributor to  Choiseul on the Move seems to suggest that the mere fact that the SLP has an array of educators that St Rose with his health background might be a better choice.(Really! Remember Pep?) The statement reads. "They are both qualified professionals, albeit in different fields. They are both winning material given the required support. Given this position, one's preference should perhaps be focused on the balance they bring to the team. Looking at the candidates we already know, we can clearly recognize at least three educators - If you were to include the former PM then four. It therefore shows the party is not deficient in terms of persons to manage education. In this regard St. Rose with experience and background in Health, brings better balance.”

Still another comment. "First time we having a woman who lives in Choiseul and been around. Bradly not ready. I think she deserves a chance."

                                                                   Time to Move on

The debate rages on at all watering holes throughout the district. An unconventional poll carried  out by Choiseul on the Move at many of these watering holes  gives Dr Proper an edge over Dr St Rose. As to whether she will beat Bradley, many disgruntled supporters of the UWP camp suggests they will support her while a few  SLP supporters of Dr. St Rose still have their doubts.

Editors's note: Here is the full video clip from Hot 7 Tv: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=749704712512386

Reasons to Rent A Pressure Washer Today!

Pressure washers have been very popular in recent years -- and with good reason. They are extremely versatile tools that save a lot of time, often with great results. A lot of cleaning can be accomplished in a little amount of time. Some jobs can be accomplished so quickly in fact, that when renting a pressure washer it may be a good idea to line up a couple of jobs to get the most for your money. For example, after pressure washing the deck, why not give your driveway the treatment? For lawn and garden uses, pressure washers are ideal for keeping your equipment clean and ready for use. Nothing removes caked on grass and debris from under the mower deck as effectively as a pressure washer. Tiller blades can also benefit from a pressure washer. Keeping your lawn and garden equipment clean can prevent a lot of rust and corrosion down the road. For home cleaning projects, a pressure washer is the right tool for the job. Cleaning your siding, deck, lawn furniture, driveway and sidewalks are just a few of the jobs that are well suited for a pressure washer. Hard to reach areas can easily become not so hard to reach. Difficult to clean items such as shutters, wrought iron fencing and lattice all come clean with ease. A pressure washer can also effectively clean your brickwork and stonework such as patios, steps and barbecues. When cleaning your driveway or garage floor with a pressure washer, it is a good idea to first soak up any oil with cat litter. Once the litter is swept up, apply degreaser to the oily areas and allow it to stand for a few minutes before beginning to pressure wash.When working on the wood, it is recommended to keep the stream at a 45° angle. Avoid spraying head-on or keeping the stream in one place. That way you can avoid indenting or scarring the surface. Also, avoid spraying directly onto glass as it may break under the pressure. Your vehicles, such as trucks, cars, boats, trailers and campers can be effectively cleaned with a pressure washer. Special attachments are available specifically for washing your vehicle. If you are renting a pressure washer, with all of the time you’ll save on your other projects, why not treat yourself to a car wash? Another once tedious project that pressure washers have been popular for is for the removal of peeling paint. Though care must be taken not to damage the wood surface, professional results can be achieved quickly without having to use a paint scraper. Finally, whether you buy or rent a pressure washer from Rayneau Rentals and Sales, please know that we are here to answer all your questions and provide outstanding customer service. If you buy from us, we offer repair services and generous preventative maintenance contracts. At Rayneau Rentals and Sales, we look forward to helping you with all your needs. Call us at 450-7368 or contact us online today to see how we can help.

http://dlvr.it/RbtPG5

Rayneau Rentals and Sales – The Place For Quality Tool Rentals

When it comes to having the proper tools, it can be expensive, inconvenient, and a chore to own the proper ones. This is especially true if said tool is not one that you use constantly. Not only will you have spent money on a tool that you don’t use consistently, but you will have to spend additional time, effort, and money in order to maintain your tool, or risk operating it in a sub-optimal manner when you do have to use it. It’s just not worth it. Luckily, at Rayneau Rentals and Sales, we keep our tools in optimal condition and well maintained at all times for your use. If you need a tool just once for a job, try renting one of our tools. Not only will you save needing to pay the full price for the tool, but you also won’t have a tool that you’ll keep in your shed, never to be used again. At Rayneau Rentals and Sales, we treat all our tools with the care it deserves so that once it is in your hands, it will perform exactly as it should, and once you’re finished with it, it will be passed on to the next customer in need of it. The tool will never be put to waste. Our collection of tools is vast and varied. We carry tools for jobs of all kinds, including lawn and garden equipment for those who wish to perform some gardening; saws and hammers for construction jobs; drain and sewer equipment for plumbers; and many more. If there’s a tool out there, we’ll have it. For your next job, look towards Rayneau Rentals and Sales for your rental toolsneeds. We are located in Vide Bouteille on the Castries/Gros Islet Highway.  
http://dlvr.it/RbgTsv

Pauline and Alphonsus Heading for a Showdown/Run-Off?

Pauline and Alphonsus. Are they heading for a showdown?

The silly season has already started! While the UWP seem set on letting Bradley run a second term, there appears to be some uncertainty in the SLP camp as to whom….Pauline or Alphonsus  would be the better candidate for the upcoming General Elections. (Or is it so Ferguson John and Alphonsus St Rose want the party loyalist to believe?)

In a video gone viral one can clearly see Ferguson John, an ex-representative placing doubt in the minds of the group of supporters that attended a meeting at Cedars, Choiseul recently. Also with him was Alphonsus St Rose a Medical doctor turned politician, who has stirred up much controversy in his tenure as President of the St Lucia Medical and Dental Association as to his true motive in that position.

The ex-Rep commenced the meeting with, “This afternoon we've decided to have a little chat with you because of the latest development in the selection of a candidate to run for the St Lucia Labour Party. As everybody has learnt now that the party would select Pauline from [pause] ammm, let’s say Choiseul." [Deliberately playing he forgot where she is from]. Below is an excerpt from the video with Fergy.

He went on, “This announcement has reached the people and we…..” [Who is “we” there? Is it Fergy and Alphonsus?] "…….people think that the wrong decision has been made.”  It’s  revealing that Fergy should  should make mention of such a statement when he himself  was summoned down to St Lucia via a phone call to run as a SLP candidate by a handful of persons, while others thought he had no chance against Rufus. But here you have a party endorsing someone whom they think can give Bradley a run, yet Fergy wants SLP supporters in Choiseul/Saltibus to go against the grain.

Section of the small gathering

“I think what we have to do now is let the party know that we’ve made a mistake and we must correct it” Fergy went on instigating the small gathering. One could have seen Alphonsus throughout Fergy’s sermon, swaying back and forth feeling very uncomfortable with this whole charade in trying to reverse the party’s decision.

Taking his turn to make his case as to why he thinks he is a better choice than Pauline, here’s part of what Alphonsus said. “I believe I do have a responsibility to you folks. I’ve pledge my commitment to working with you, and I am going to stand with you through good time….. Here’s the deal!........” 

In detailing “the deal” Alphonsus mainly spoke to the gathering as to what he would like them to do….more or less echoing Fergy’ take.

Check the video below for an excerpt from Alphonsus’ take on the situation.

My Take: Pauline has been doing all the hard work to consolidate her position, plus she has a large force on the ground already at work doing her house-to-house campaigning while Alphonsus stays up in Castries bragging away at his interest in running the seat. It does not work this way.

Further Choiseulians have been made to suffer by both parties under so called Choiseulians that live in Castries, have forgotten how Choiseulians live and only to return when some opportunity arises to use our people for their own ends. We have seen it in Calderon, Rufus, Lorne  and Lord knows how many more.

 Pauline is born and raised in Saltibus; has been there through thick and thin with her people, is more savvy politically than Alphonsus, is more genuine with her openness, and,   that makes her the people's choice for the 2021 General Elections on a SLP ticket for the Choiseul/Saltibus seat.

Reduce Your High Water Bills With These Tips From Our Plumbing Department!

Water is a major utility in any community, making it a significant concern for homeowners, renters, and commercial property owners alike. A high water bill is troublesome not only because of the financial cost, but also because it indicates that precious water may be going to waste somewhere. When your water bill is higher than normal, it’s important to track down the cause and correct it as soon as possible. With this in mind, here are a few common reasons for a high water bill, and what you can do to address them. Leaky/Running Toilets Running Toilet? Shut Your Flapper and Catch That Leak. Toilets account for a high percentage of the indoor water use for the average St Lucian home. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that they pose a major leak risk. A running or leaky toilet can waste up a staggering 6,000 gallons per month and add to a hefty water bill. There are two common methods of checking for a toilet leak: * The Sound Check: Simply walk up to your toilet and listen. If you hear an odd hiss-like noise, you may have a leak and will want to check the tank flapper, water line connections, and seals further. * The Dye Test: For this test, you’ll need some food coloring or a dye tablet. Take the lid off of your toilet’s tank and put in a couple of drops of coloring (or a dye tablet). After you’ve put the dye in the tank, wait for 15-20 minutes and check the toilet bowl for dye. If dye is present, then there’s a leak allowing tank water to flow into the bowl. In most cases, these leaks will be caused by a faulty flapper in the toilet tank. This is a relatively easy fix that only requires a short trip to one of our stores and a few minutes of work.  Leaky Faucets & Fixtures Don’t Ignore a Leaky Faucet Leaky faucet fixtures are another common cause of high water bills. The heavier the leak, the more water gets wasted, and the higher the water bill will be. For example, a faucet that’s leaking about one drip per second can waste about 17 gallons over the course of a day. Thankfully, a leaking faucet is relatively easy to spot and fix. A simple visual check of your faucets, shower heads, and other fixtures is all it takes to identify a leak at the fixture. The most common cause of a faucet leak is a faulty rubber washer in the faucet handle. In most cases, you can shut off the water to the leaky faucet, unscrew the handle, remove the bad washer, and replace it with a new one. Lateral Line LeaksIn some cases, one of the underground pipes feeding water from your metered connection to your home may have a crack or loose joint. The causes of these leaks vary, but things such as pipe age, seismic activity, tree root intrusion, and animal activity are often contributing factors.When trying to tell if the leak is in your lateral line water supply pipe, the amount of extra water consumption noted on your utility bill can serve as an indicator.For these leaks, the best solution is to contact a professional. A professional can recommend the best solution for the problem.    Old, Outdated Fixtures & Toilets Modernize your outdated fixtures and toilets Many homes on island have old plumbing fixtures. In recent years, there have been numerous efficiency improvements made to common water fixtures, such as new-model aerators for faucets, low-flow water-saving toilets, and water-saving shower heads. This rarely shows up as a sudden problem—it’s usually something that comes with the house and has you paying higher than expected water bills from day one. Check your home’s faucets, toilets, showerheads, and other water-using equipment for WaterSense labeling, or date of manufacture.  Cultivate Good Water Habits Stop Being a Water Waster  All the water that goes down the drain, clean or dirty, ends up mixing with raw sewage, getting contaminated, and meeting the same fate. Try to stay aware of this precious resource disappearing and:  * Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving  * Always wash laundry and dishes with full loads  * When washing dishes by hand, fill up the sink and turn off the water.  * Take shorter showers or, as the old joke goes, shower with a friend  To put things in perspective, take a quick look at your next water bill when it arrives. It probably won't be costing you too much, but the average household consumes multiple thousands of gallons each month. See if you can make this number go down. If you're the graphing type, go nuts. Shop with us today or call us at Corinth Main Road 758-450-7247 / Babonneau 758-450-5759 / Monchy 758-450-7248 / Vide Boutielle 758-450-7368. Our plumbing consumer sales representatives are available to assist you with all of your home plumbing repair and replacement needs.                                                                        
http://dlvr.it/RbLqgQ