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.

AN ALLEGGED ALPHONSUS/PAULINE MERGER COULD BRING A STIFFER FIGHT TO BRADLY THIS ELECTION!

After all the brouhaha about the selection process for the Choiseul/Saltibus candidate, Alphonsus St Rose biting his own tail now says, “The Hon. Philip J Pierre (Leader of the Opposition) and I have agreed on a framework of acceptance and acknowledgement in relation to the Choiseul/Saltibus impasse on how we can optimally serve the collective best interests of our people and the nation in a manner that would not taint the integrity of our expressed principles”.

“In a manner that would not taint the integrity of our expressed principles,” whatever is that supposed to mean, only Alphonsus knows. It leaves one to wonder if the guy is serious or is he taking advantage of the Stephenson King situation that has just arisen.  A classic Opportunist!!!!. He says, “The election battle lines having been clearly drawn. I am of the view that we must be united in a collective and strategic effort to remove this inept administration from our backs to save our democracy……..” Only now he happens to see the importance of uniting our people whereas he was dividing the labour supporters all the time with his crazy campaign, encouraging the supporters to disregard Pauline.

Alphonsus from early o’clock knew very well that he could not pull of the Choiseul/Saltibus seat as an independent yet still being the mischievous guy he has always been embarked on a process to hurt Pauline and by extension the Labour Party.

Now the tables have turned. His campaign was going nowhere , many labourites were already giving up hope on winning the Choiseul seat, but now King has breathed a breath of hope for the Labour Party Alphonsus now sees a break for himself. How cunning can this guy get?

He at no time during his statement made direct mention to Pauline. His whole alleged mission is shrouded in hypocrisy and bluff. But hear this, whom is he referring to in the next quote...Pauline or Pierre? The guy is sly!! “to negotiate in good faith, mutual respect and with integrity, for these are issues that are far more profound than either of us in the broader context of “country”. This has now brought us to a point of amicable resolution and closing of ranks for the greater good of the country.” 

How will Alphonsus bring his supporters into Pauline’s fold is a mystery to me, after all that has been encouraged and said. At the end of the day it may be a wise idea to put party over self and forget everything.

An Alphonsus and Pauline combination will create a stiffer fight for the incumbent. Choiseul has a history of never giving a UWP candidate two consecutive terms. Although the cycle of Labour getting two consecutive terms was broken when Bradly defeated Lorne at the last general elections, the cycle may be broken again with Bradly wining another term.

                                        TIME WILL TELL.

CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ROBLOT COMMUNITY CENTRE AWARDED

Proposed Building

The publication of the winner for  the contract  – Construction of Roblot Community Centre SLU -DVRP-ROBC-RFB-COM-01-21 was made public in May 2021.

The winning Bidder is Tripple “L” Company Ltd, from Dennery.

• Final contract price: Eastern Caribbean three million, nine hundred and sixty-eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty-nine dollars and seventy-two cents (XCD3, 968,889.72)
• Duration: Twelve (12) months

Summary scope of the contract:  Construction of the Roblot Community Centre  includes the construction of two-storey building.

•  Ancillary works include:-
• Paved roads and car park areas.  
• Earthworks
• Concrete walkways and storm water drainage works
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Air-Condition
• Communications and Fire Fighting
• Equipment Installations
• Fencing and landscaping works
• Retaining wall works

                                      Name of each Bidder who submitted a Bid: 

 Bid Prices as Read Out at Bid Opening XCD /Evaluated Bid Prices XCD

1. Cyril Dornelly Construction Company Ltd. $4,570,712.53/ $4,571,083.78
2. Cepal Holdings Inc. $4,372,500.83/ $4,380,559.62
3. Construction & Industrial Equipment Ltd. $4,371,487.01 /$4,917,922.89
4. Skelly Construction Services Ltd. $3,874,308.40 /$4,795,075.39
5. Tripple “L” Company Ltd. $3,968,023.47 /$3,968,889.72
6. Brice & Company Ltd. $4,492,400.32 /$3,947,327.42
7. BB Construction Company Ltd. $6,130,121.84 / $6,130,121.84 OB
8. Sadoo Engineering Services Ltd. $5,351,756.99 /$5,353,613.

The Roblot community looks forward to Tripple “L” Company Ltd in providing a high standard of workmanship on the building as well as employment oppurtunities for its residents.