OKEDA - A CHOISEUL GEM GONE TOO SOON!

Okeda Stephen

Though news of Okeda's illness was not know by many, Bradly Felix's call for prayer a few days ago over his Facebook page surely took everyone by surprise. The prayer response was outpouring.

Okeda went to meet her maker today. Bradly posted, "They say it takes a village to raise a child, when a village has done its duty and it loses that child the entire village mourns. Today Choiseul mourns the lost of a real daughter, a down to earth, loved by many, young lady."

I first met her at Nicholas' Gas Station many years ago. She  immediately made a huge impression on me. Every time she came over to the gas station he would treat the Campion Crew boys to a great time and took part in our chat. Okeda was  a down-to-earth person who treated everyone each to his/her own. 

Delicia Mitchel posted: "Okeda Stephen, it is so sad to say good bye to a diamond gem, a good soul. We all are heartbroken, gone to soon, fly with the angels and your maker. You will never be forgotten, your memory live[s] on."

Choiseul on the Move  conveys deepest heartfelt condolences to Okeda's family and  friends. Choiseul mourns her loss.

                                                            Rest In Perfect Peace ”

Stop Dillydallying get AGM21 off the Ground - Here's what to do

There’s already complains over social media about the delay of the financial year’s AGM _ Is it Covid-19? Last year the AGM was held in August. Normally AGMs of this institution are are held most times during the second quarter of the year, most times in May or as early as April. Actually I cannot come up with any logical reason why the AGM was not held in April this year – all other major Credit Unions were able to have theirs. Why was Choiseul not able? Inquiring minds want to know!!

If their excuse is covid-19, well, as a tech minded guy I have come up with a strategy for the Choiseul Credit Union to have  an online AGM as early as October 2021.

They should plan their meeting carefully. Don’t hit ‘send’ until they have all the fundamentals in place. Here’s what they should do.

They need to allow enough time for people to not only get notice that an AGM is going to be held, but to consider any decisions that need to be made and get their votes in (by mail if necessary). Factor in time for at least one reminder notice.

Keep decisions to an absolute minimum. Avoid special business. If you must have special business, call for proxies on that, noting that any special business will have to be passed by a two-thirds super-majority. Include enough background information in their meeting papers to ensure people who can’t tune in to the meeting have enough information to make a decision.

Gilroy Satney - President

Do this electronically for those who’ve agreed to it, and through the post for everyone else:

• Your annual report
• A message from the chair about when and how you will hold an AGM, and why this mode of meeting has been chosen. Offer up a phone number (preferably the Chair’s) for people to call if they have concerns/queries. Be clear about timelines.
• Voting papers, and clear instructions on to where and by when they need to be returned.

 If they do decide to proceed with an online meeting, there are a number of useful software tools that may be used depending on circumstances, preferences, budgets, and their organisation’s existing systems.

Free tools such as Zoom and Skype may be used for video conferencing between up to 100 individuals and 50 individuals, respectively. (Please note that the free version of Zoom is limited to 40-minute meetings; this limit can be overcome by purchasing a subscription, but you may prefer just to hurry through the business).

Tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams may be used for instant text communication, as well as video and voice calling. Text communication may be preferable under circumstances where a robust internet connection is not present, or where video or voice communication among a large number of participants is problematic. Text communication may also be preferable for record-keeping purposes.

If their membership is not online or really isn’t technology literate, they may offer the alternative of proxy voting by mail. Make sure you allow a decent amount of time for people to receive their papers and respond to them.

 As mentioned above, “Choiseul on the Move” thinks there’s zero chance that regulators are going to come down heavily on those who put the health of their members first by delaying an AGM or shifting it online, so long as you’re acting in good faith.

That said, “Choiseul on the Move” recommends that the Choiseul Credit Co-operative Union covers its backside by keeping meticulous notes about what they decided to do, and how they came to that decision (keep a record of the executive’s deliberations, your notices to members, and any attempts to contact your regulator, for example).

If they do hold an electronic AGM, keep meticulous records of that as well. Circulate the minutes to all members as soon as possible after the meeting, to give them the chance to amend the record and be prepared to ratify any decisions at a properly constituted AGM sometime in the future.

The takeaway, though, is that safety trumps regulation. The rules were made for different times. Right now, do what’s safe and what’s right; worry (or, even better, don’t worry) about the rules later.

 

 

There are a lot of things I don't know and never will

I'm vaccinated against covid19 and, no, I don't know what's in it. I don't know what's in this vaccine, or the ones I had as a child, or in the other medical treatments for cancer, AIDS or polyarthritis. I trust the scientists, the medical experts and I trust my God unequivocally, in all times and situations.

I also don't know what's in Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other meds; they just cure my headaches and my pains.

I don't know what's in the ink for tattoos, the oils for vaping, or every ingredient in my soap or shampoo or even deodorants. I don’t know the long term effect(s) of cell phone use or whether or not that restaurant I just ate at REALLY used clean foods and clean hands.

There are a lot of things I don't know and never will. I just know one thing: life is short, very short, and I still want to do something other than just going to work every day or staying locked up in my home. I still want to travel and hug people without fear, and to find a little feeling of life "before".

As a child and as an adult I've been vaccinated for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, chicken pox, and quite a few others; my parents and I trusted the science and never had to suffer through or transmit any of said diseases.

...Just saying!

You are not vaccinated; I RESPECT your choice.

I am vaccinated; RESPECT my choice.

I'm vaccinated, not to please the government but:

* To not die from Covid-19

* To NOT clutter a hospital bed if I get sick

* To hug my loved ones

* To not have to do PCR or antigenic tests to go out dancing, go to a restaurant, go on holidays and many more things to come...

* To live my life

* To have my kids/grandkids go back to school and play sports

* For Covid-19 to be an old memory

* To protect us.

ST. LUCIA STAY SAFE & STAY STRONG, LET’S FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 TOGETHER

BY JIMMY  JAMES HAYNES

Today,[August 25, 2021] St. Lucia records 125 new Covid-19 cases from a small sample of 364. This brings the number of active cases to 1600! Unfortunately, there were also 2 deaths. Astoundingly, we have had over 1200 cases in the last two weeks alone!

My deepest condolences goes out to the family and friends of the young, 25 year old  gentleman, from Vieux-Fort and; the 76 year old lady from the Castries region. My heart goes out to the families. I cannot imagine the pain that they must be experiencing, particularly considering the restrictions placed on the viewing of bodies before burial. Can you imagine! They couldn't visit their loved ones in hospital nor can they see them before they are buried. May God comfort them in these trying times.

Mr. Prime Minister, Sir, the time has come for you to lead from the front in the war against this deadly pandemic. I am not blaming you for the surge in cases. However, the country needs to see you at the forefront of St. Lucia's response.

By now, it should be evident to you, that leaving the leadership of our response to the good intentions of the citizens of this country has not turned out as you expected. You need to  appear to be proactive and on top of things.

Sir, optics are paramount in this campaign. We want to hear of your plans. We want to know what is going on because, this is a dynamic and fluid situation. Some people are scared. We need a hands on, resolute, uncompromising and deliberate approach .

We know that the technicians must be working assiduously to institute measures to bring this seemingly irretrievable situation under control. In the meantime, it would be a huge confidence and morale booster to the nation, to have you reassure St. Lucia and the international community, using every communication medium available to you, that you are in charge. Sir, please come out to summon the nation to unite in this fight against Covid-19.

My fellow St. Lucians, by now I hope that we have all realized that this is a National Emergency. This is no joke.  This is the time to stop the divisive politicization of this pandemic. Let's put our minds, our wills, our love for country and our prayers together. Let's call on each other to adhere to the protocols and get vaccinated. (Source - Whats going on in Choiseul)

We can do it! Let's do it!

#StLuciaUnit #AdhereToTheProtocols #Covid19Kills

KENNY STAYS OUT OF PHILIP J PIERRE'S 13-MEMBER CABINET

Pierre Swearing in

The ceremony for the swearing-in of the new Cabinet of St Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre was sworn into office on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at the Parliament Building in Castries.

The 13-member Cabinet  also includes Richard Frederick, who was booted out of the now opposition United Workers Party (UWP), and Stephenson King, a former senior member of the last government, who quit to contest the July 26 general elections as an independent candidate.

On the matter of the inclusion of King and Frederick in his cabinet, Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, cited a ‘new and inclusive’ approach to the governance of this country,  explaining that the two appointments were in acknowledgement of the will of the people in Castries North and Castries Central and the role that King and Frederick played in the election campaign in helping the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) secure an overwhelming victory at the polls.

Prime Minister Philip J Pierre's full Cabinet is as follows: 

MINISTERS:

 Hon. Philip J. Pierre: Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy

Hon Dr Ernest Hilaire - Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.

Hon Shawn Edward - Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training

Hon Alva Baptiste  - Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs

Hon Moses Jn Baptiste - Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs

Hon Kenson Casimir - Minister for Youth Development and Sports

Hon. Pierre(L) Hon Frederick (RT) Hon. King (RB)

Hon Richard Frederick - Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Housing and Local Government

Hon Wayne Girard - Minister in the Ministry of Finance , Economic Development and Youth Economy

Hon Joachim Henry - Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment

Hon Emma Hippolyte - Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs

Hon Stephenson King - Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development, and Urban Renewal

Hon Dr Virginia Albert-Poyotte - Minister for the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs

Hon Alfred Prospere - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES

PS Pauline Antoine-Prospere

Hon Dr Pauline Antoine-Prospere - Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training.

Hon Guibion Ferdinand - Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.

Former Prime Minister and Vieux Fort South MP, Dr. Kenny Anthony, was not given a cabinet appointment. Pierre said that he offered former prime minister Kenny Anthony the position of Senior Minister and the choice of any portfolio. Anthony declined citing an upcoming minor surgical procedure as well as obligations in his legal practice. Pierre said that Anthony's situation would be revisited in six months time.

Pierre also appointed newcomer Jeremiah Norbert, who made history by winning Micoud North for the SLP for the first time ever, as Deputy Speaker.

Editor’s note: Sources:

1 - https://stlucia.loopnews.com/content/cabinet-ministers-revealed-swearing-ceremony

2 - https://stluciatimes.com/king-frederick-included-in-new-saint-lucia-cabinet/

"FLEX" MAKING WAVES AMONG THE CHOISEUL/SALTIBUS YOUTH

FLEX AND PAULINE

Bradly’s new campaign name…FLEX, is making waves and is fast become the term most mentioned among the young voters in the constituency during this silly season. Remember "En Rouge?"

Recently, according to Bradly at a political meeting in Bellevue, the opposition candidate, Pauline Prospere made some unsavory remarks about why he Bradly chose the name “Flex” for his campaign name.  Bradly went on, “…… I was very, very disappointed when I was told the contents of the meeting” [Translation from patois] “I’m telling you seriously, my heart ached.  Because when you are going in a ring with someone you have to be armed, but the way I see it is that Pauline is campaigning to lose.[Cheers] Pauline is campaigning to lose!! You cannot tell me that you’re telling your audience that my name is Felix so I change it to Flex so as to flex young women. Es sar say pawol?  Es sar say pawol?”

                                             The Origin of the Name FLEX

Bradly then went on to tell his audience the origin of the name Flex. He mentioned that the name actually came on a credit card he applied for about 20 years ago. The card came under name John Flex; he loved it so much that he actually adopted the name and creating an email johnflex@hotmail.com. The Rep went on to say that h=the name Flex has stayed with him from that time and actually many of his friends call him Flex.

Bradly taking a short pause, as if to internalize the whole thought of what Pauline said, he went on to asked, why the SLP candidate should make such a statement.  He went on the tell the 100 plus crowd that he has maintained a campaign clean with the highest standard.  “I do not go low. I always maintain a level. He reiterated.

Bradly, in closing that issue warned,” I am not going to say much on that. But I want to tell Pauline that the person who is Flexing……”  Hmmm,the Rep left it at that and continued with his agenda for the night.

Reaching the opposition candidate for a comment was futile. It may be worth reading this post again: 

https://choiseul-inform.blogspot.com/2021/06/no-chicken-and-rum-during-covid-19.html

IN SPITE OF MANY HURDLES KING WILL PULL IT OFF IN A TWO-WAY RACE?

Stephenson King

 We know relatively little about the unique challenges faced by independent candidates — those not endorsed by a registered or eligible political party.  Earlier this month, Stephenson King became one such candidate. 

A cabinet minister in the UWP government, he resigned from cabinet sighting he wants to work for country, and is seeking re-election in the next General Elections slated for July 26, 2021 as an independent. The story of his campaign is the story of the challenges plaguing independent candidates in their attempt to convince citizens to look beyond political parties when they vote.

One reason there are few independent candidates in St Lucia is that electoral success is elusive for them. From 1997 to 2016, only one independent won a seat in the House of Assembly. Generally, successful independents are those running for re-election directly after a severed relationship with a party. Moreover, party candidates have several benefits that independents do not have during a campaign.

Although we talk about an election as a single event, in fact a St Lucian General elections consists of  3 simultaneous local contests. As such, the local campaign is an important hub of activity during elections. Given the importance of parties in both legislative and electoral politics, most candidates in St Lucia are party candidates, nominated to represent a given party locally. Of the approximately 42 candidates who will run in the 2021 election, more than 97 percent are party candidates.

Every independent campaign is different and reflects unique local dynamics, although an independent occasionally attracts national media attention, as King did when she resigned from the UWP. Nonetheless, his primary task as an independent is no different from that of any other candidate: to convince local voters to prioritize the local candidate over other options.

However, Mr King faces challenges that party candidates 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. Data from the 2016 election reveals that even though many voters formed a preference for a local candidate, the candidate was a decisive factor for a small percent of voters  island wide. 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 Stephenson King will be trying to convince his party voters that he  would be able to represent them effectively by not joining forces with SLP. Parties dominate the legislative process. An independent campaign needs to communicate consistently that voters would be well served, even without party backing.

As a “high profile” candidate, King has many advantages that can help to offset these challenges. First, he was an MP seeking re-election. Incumbents have name recognition, direct ties to the local community, resources associated with their position as an office-holder and potentially a greater ability to raise campaign funds. Moreover, incumbents have political experience as well as the ability to claim credit for projects in their ridings. Research has shown that the incumbent have a  good chance of winning compared with a non‐incumbent and they are more likely to benefit from a personal vote separate from the party or the leader.

As a former minister, King also has a considerable name recognition, experience and political clout. Moreover, the circumstances under which he became an independent brought national attention.

In the 1987 election, she was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the  UWP.  He was then appointed as a Cabinet Minister, serving as the Minister for Community Development, Social Affairs, Youth, Sports, and local Government.   He faced the electorate again in 1992. Following the election he was appointed to the Cabinet as the Minister for Health, Local Government, Information and Broadcasting.  He would succumb in the tumultuous defeat of the United Worker's Party in the 1997 election . 

Following a short-lived struggle between himself and Cybelle Cenac for that right King received the endorsement of the United Workers Party in 2006 to contest the General Elections as the Candidate for Castries North. He also won. Compton's illness in May 2007 prompted King to be named Acting Prime Minister.  King was subsequently sworn in as Prime Minister by Governor-General Pearlette Louisy on 9 September.

Janine Giraudy

In a televised address King stated that he will not contest the St. Lucia 2021 General Election  on a UWP ticket but as an independent candidate. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet accepted King's resignation on 8 July 2021.  He sighted, "So after deep and profound soul searching, consultations and prayers, and after having spent so much time, indeed for the past few years, attempting to share my wisdom with my colleagues to pursue a different brand of politics, I have reached the inevitable and painful conclusion that I can no longer be part of an organisation that I can hardly recognise," .

King benefitted not only from nationwide media attention, but also from the practical advantages that a high-profile candidate can bring to a campaign: such candidates tend to attract more volunteers and donations than their counterparts, and King’s campaign was no exception. And yet, despite these advantages, his bid for re-election remains an uphill battle — a testament to the difficulty of overcoming the hurdles all independent candidates face.

His UWP rival,  Janine Giraudy (a former president of the senate) is none other than the daughter of the founding member and past chairman of the United Workers Party.