POLICE PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department charged 33-year-old Jose “Mokocho” Gonzague of Monkey Town, Ciceron for the attempted murder of 23-year-old Dwaine Chandler of Ciceron.

Gonzague was remanded into police custody until Friday, October 17, 2014.

It is alleged that Gonzague fired shots in the direction of Chandler about 1:55 a.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2014. As a result, Chandler sustained a gunshot wound to the groin area and was transported to Victoria Hospital, where he was admitted.

PRESS RELEASE - By all accounts the Soca –Lypso Revue is ready to open its doors to the public come the night of October, 24, 2014, for the annual Annou Mangé, Dansé, Chanté en Kweyol competition.

A successful press briefing, held on Thursday, October 16, saw artistes selecting their order of appearance for the night.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries Dr. Kentry Jn.Pierre, commended the tent for keeping the calypso flag waving throughout the year.

“It is not now that the Soca–Lypso Revue has been working all year round, and not just on a seasonal basis,” noted the cultural activist and government official. Jn.Pierre, in endorsing the all Kweyol show, encouraged the tent to keep at their efforts which he says will eventually result in valuable gains, for the sustainability of the island’s creative industries.

Tent leader Gordon Gene Leon was obviously bubbling with excitement, as were the other members of the tents executive.

“The songs are original pieces by the artistes and we did not restrict their genres; so our audience will be in for a range of music. Calypso, soca, cadence or even ballad style deliveries. On the night we expect a very competitive, spirited and wonderful show”.

Come this Saturday, tent members and supporters of the Revue will promote the show on the Peter Boulevard from 10 a.m. along with mini performances from the artistes who are carded for the event.

Sparks

PRESS RELEASE - Standing at six feet four inches tall, Mark Sparks captured the hotly pursued title of Mr. Caribbean International at the thirteenth annual staging of the competition this past Saturday.

Before a sold-out audience at the Hedonism II resort in Negril, Jamaica, Sparks ignited the crowd and won over the adjudicators with his charm, chiseled features, statuesque physique and sharp intellect.

When asked what role he believes a man should play in his home and community, he empathetically stated that a man “should lead from behind and be a pillar of strength”.

Thirty-three year old Sparks, who is of St. Lucian and Jamaican heritage, was also presented with the award for Best in Interview and placed third in the competition’s rigorous fitness challenge.

Sparks was accompanied by 1st runner-up, Dwayne Walker (Jamaica) and 2nd runner-up, Godwin Charles (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) as the Top Three Finalists in the last round of competition.

Walker, who has represented Jamaica very well at several international bodybuilding competitions, also walked away as the winner of the fitness challenge and was presented with the sectional award for Best Physique.

Meanwhile, Charles, a trained dancer, was presented with the award for Best in Talent.

Sparks wins a cash prize of $2,500 USD and a seven night stay at the Hedonism II resort.

A young man sustained injuries this afternoon after a Daihtsu Terios (PA5379) overturned in Cedars, Castries at around 4:30 p.m.

It is alleged that the vehicle was being returned to its owner when the accident occurred. However, a source said the driver was not the person who rented the vehicle.

“He dropped the person who rented the jeep at the airport and he was taking it to the owner,” the source alleged.

An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online that the owner of the vehicle appeared upset that someone else other than the person who rented the vehicle was driving.

It is not yet clear how many people were on board the Terios when it overturned and if the driver was the injured person.

Police are investigating.

Francillia Pierre-Louis.

PRESS RELEASE - Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa would like to acknowledge Ms Francillia Pierre-Louis as an outstanding employee in the weddings & Banqueting department.

Ms Pierre-Louis holds the position of weddings Coordinator at the resort. Since being employed with Smugglers, she has time and again demonstrated sheer passion towards her work. Her never ending desire to go above and beyond the call of duty is limitless.

Her manager, Mrs. Lorna Charles-James says “her thirst to be empowered with knowledge knows no bounds & most importantly her initiative to make dreams a reality is a treat to be enjoyed.”

Many wedding couples on numerous occasions have expressed their satisfaction with her outstanding service and attention to the intricate details of their special day.

Francillia is a graduate of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) and holds an Associate’s Degree in Travel and Tourism. She was named and Awarded “Travel and Tourism Student of the Year”.

Further to her stint at SALCC, she went on to secure her bachelor’s at the University of the West Indies (UWI) with a major in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Francillia’s pursuit of excellence continued at UWI, being named again “Tourism Student of the Year”.

The SLHTA secretariat wishes her well in her career as a young professional and as an ambassador for tourism in Saint Lucia.

Fortuna Belrose with the Commonwealth torch.

It’s been 18 months since Cathelina Fortuna Belrose was elected to the leadership of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC).

In that time, the former national tennis player and long-serving government official has overseen a number of initiatives and engagements, none of a higher profile than the national team’s participation at the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2014.

Despite sending its biggest team ever to these Games, Saint Lucia could only match its best-ever performance in terms of medals, one, a bronze captured by Levern Spencer in women’s High Jump.

Preparatory to the Games, Saint Lucia played its part in the Commonealth Games Torch Relay in March.

The island has also been represented at events including the Youth Olympics and Pan American Games Festival this calendar year, and will be sending a team to December’s Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

And of course plans are being advanced for Saint Lucia to host the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games.

On Tuesday of next week (21 October) Mrs Belrose will address the membership of the SLOC in their Annual General Meeting at the Palm Haven Hotel.

That meeting, according to a release from the SLOC, will also include “the approval and adoption of the annual report from the executive, approval and adoption of the audited financial statement, approval and adoption of its budget.”

The meeting is also intended to undertake “approval and adoption of all other reports as  are brought before the meeting, appointment of independent auditors and the approval of the SLOC’s calendar of activities.”

The Saint Lucia Olympic Committee has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1993, three years before Saint Lucia’s first participation at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

The SLOC was inaugurated in 1987.

Dr. Claudius Preville.

Economist Dr. Claudius Preville said investment in the local agriculture and tourism sectors can help to address the island’s high employment issue and boost the economy’s performance.

Dr. Preville told a media conference recently that agriculture is an important sector that needs serious attention and revision, as much as tourism.

The aspiring United Workers Party (UWP) leader said St. Lucia imports around $700 million worth of agriculture products and agro-processed food each year.

Just about 10 per cent of that is $60 million, he added.

“If that was produced locally instead, we would be able to employ about 6,000 people alone,”  Dr. Preville said.

St. Lucians, he said, should not tolerate further increases in unemployment “when the obvious thing we can do to turn this thing around is to invest in agriculture”.

Employment opportunities in the manufacturing and services sector is likely to increase with greater investment in agriculture. Locals will also be able to purchase food at a cheaper cost.

Further, Dr. Preville said the same has to be done in the tourism sector. He admitted that tourism has been doing well over the past couple of years and will continue to grow in the future.

However, he said an integrated approach must be taken to improve this important sector. In order for this to happen, the UWP politician said the economy has to function as a cohesive body, where different entities should be doing things in tandem.

“One thousand more tourists should have meaning for a local farmer or a vendor at the arcade, and the residents in remote areas. Ordinary people should have a larger share of the value added in tourism,” he opined.

However, Dr. Preville stated also that the fiscal crisis in St. Lucia has to be fixed. He believes that there is need for government to revisit the way they spend and the way they make revenue.

He suggested that St. Lucia should put mechanisms in place to collect the hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding revenues owed to the state and reduce its hefty spending.

“We have to revisit our fiscal policy and our approach to fiscal management and to make it more sustainable, more responsible and more reliable,” he asserted.

Dr. Preville was quick to highlight that the high level of crime is as a result of the poor performance of the economy. He said while people have no right to do crime, it must be understood that because of the economic issues facing the island, there are high levels of criminal activity.

The St. Lucian-born economist was recently nominated to run for the post of leader of the UWP. He will be up against Party Leader Allen Chastanet at the party’s next general convention, slated to take place on November 2.

League #2 Lab Techs narrowly escaped with the win last night after starting the 4th quarter with a 14 point cushion on #3 Vintage Basketball.

After a tight 1st quarter, the Lab Techs seized control in the 2nd outscoring Vintage Basketball 12-8 and again 16-6 in the 3rd.  Lab Techs bigs, Dwayne St. Omer (9 points), Ansly Polius (8 points) and Imran Remy (6 points) were the major contributors in these quarters, extending the Lab Techs lead 36-22 by the end of the period.  For Vintage Basketball Remy Avril Jr. had scored 10 points by the end of the 3rd quarter.

With the club trailing by 12 points with just over 7 minutes remaining in the 4th, Vintage basketball switched from a 2-3 zone to a half-court pressure defense following a time-out.  This changed the game’s tempo and a 13-5 scoring run erupted for Vintage Basketball behind hot shooter Omowale Jn Baptiste who scored 11 points including one trey until 2 minutes remaining in the game.

A surprise 3 from way behind the arc by Lab Techs’ forward Ansly Polius paused the Vintage run for just seconds.  Then Vintage guard, Kernan Joseph, answered with a trey of his own to ignite a 7-0 scoring run which put his club up 46-44 with less than one minute remaining.

Two fouls by Vintage put the Lab Techs at the free-throw line where they converted 2 out of 4, Imran Remy only managing to tie the game at 46 with his first free throw.

18 seconds to go and off the rebound from the missed free throw by the Lab Techs,  Vintage Basketball advanced the ball and quickly got it in the hands of their sharp-shooter Omowale Jn Baptiste, a few feet inside the 3-point arc and to the left of the key.

It was a similarly fantastic moment like when Vintage Basketball had survived the Police Force in Micoud on October 2nd, but It wasn’t ‘deja vue’ as this time the ball clanged off the opposite side of the rim.

A brief struggle ensued and the Lab Techs recovered the ball for a quick outlet that found a hard cutting Imran Remy on a direct drive to the basket.  In true Black Mamba fashion the #24 forward made the layup just as the game’s final whistle sounded.

Lab Techs were victors again 48-46.

Team Win-loss Records

Vintage Basketball completes the regular season finishing 7-5, a 0.583 winning percentage and will retain the league’s #3 spot heading into playoffs.

Lab Techs regain the league’s top spot advancing 9-2, a 0.818 winning percentage, with still one more game to be played.  On their heels is Black Bay Basketball with a 0.800 winning percentage and 2 more games to be played.

Top Performances

Lab Techs Imran Remy scored 14 points and Dwayne St. Omer 13 points

Vintage Basketball Omowale Jn Baptiste scored 15 points and Remy Avril Jr 14 points

Only 3 games remain in the South Coast Basketball League regular season.  #SCBL Weekend will find itself in Micoud this Saturday, October 18th, when the league’s top team will be decided after two matches.  At 6pm #2 Black Bay Basketball faces #4 BBC and at 8pm#5 Micoud Hustlerz take on the #1 Lab Techs.

A special league-ender will take place in Belle Vue next Wednesday, October 22nd, where the home team, No Limit Ballerz, will play its final regular season game on the community’s newy lit basketball arena.

Julian Bissette playing for Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucian volleyballer Julian Bissette finally swings into action this weekend with Greek club MENT.

The 6’6″ (1.98m) 23-year-old Middle Blocker’s professional career well and truly gets underway with League Cup action against First Division teams Aris and PAOK. The Greek Volleyball League gets underway for MENT next week with a game against Panathinaikos.

It’s actually been several months since it was announced that Julian had been signed by MENT, after the Greek club was promoted to the First Division for the first time in its long history this year. Officially the Educational Union of Toumba Youth (Morfotiki Enosis Neoleas Toumbas), MENT started as a basketball club in 1926. The team is located in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Since signing with MENT in June, Julian has obtained the requisite medical clearance and has undergone the process of acquiring a Greek visa and work certificate. He has also started several preseason games, including a fundraising mini cup competition in which MENT made the finals. And of course he’s been getting used to his new environment.

In a recent interview, he said: “I was warmly welcomed by the team, the coach [Spyros Gkolitsis] and the staff. I feel good and I try to do my best for the club. It’s my first time here but I am not anxious. I am just happy to be here and I will give my best for the club. My goal this season is to see MENT stays in division one and for me to help the team from my position.”

Julian and MENT had a couple of false starts earlier this month. First, all sport in Greece was suspended for one week due to a stadium accident that claimed the life of a fan. Then it was discovered that the Greece Hellenic League had had some delays in granting licenses to three clubs, thus postponing the intended start of the League Cup.

But now it’s finally game on and game one for Julian, Saint Lucia’s best scorer at the NORCECA World Championship Qualification Tournament, with 68 points and a 52.78 kill percentage on 108 attacks. Julian follows a rich recent sporting lineage from the community of Babonneau, not to mention the storied sporting legacy of St Mary College.

Julian Bissette hitting for MENT in pre-season action.

La Tourney cemetery.

The Vieux Fort Constituency Council has been granted 10 acres of land to facilitate an extension of the current burial ground.

The land is adjacent to the west of the La Tourney cemetery.

This decision was made by government during a recent Cabinet of Ministers meeting. A request was made by the council to have the land extended to facilitate more burial.

The council is now awaiting a green light from the Ministry of Planning to officially hand over the land.

This approval comes after months of debates about the need for extra space at the burial ground. Two funeral homes in Vieux Fort had also complained that the space is too limited.

Mayor of Vieux Fort Winall Joshua was quoted in the media as saying: “The availability of additional space for the cemetery has helped to remove some pressure caused by the limited space.”

The council has said it is now able to modify its recent arrangements regarding the burial of persons.

Reports are that each week, two dead persons from outside of Vieux Fort North and Vieux Fort South constituencies will be allowed to be buried at the La Tourney cemetery, from each of the parlours.

The council had suggested restricting burial of persons from other parts of the south of the island, but residents of those communities were not pleased with this arrangement.

Now that the extra land has been provided, the funeral homes, as well as persons in the community, are satisfied.

Dear Willie: I left my daughter’s father a year ago thinking it was the best decision I made.

I’m with this guy currently; it’s been a year now and the relationship has been going pretty good so far. The only issue is that I feel insecure. He says he has never cheated. I’ve been through his phone many times and I see a number of messages mainly from women texting him.

I know it’s wrong to do. I’ve also had many conversations with him based on the messages. I haven’t seen any messages where he actually replied, but then again men are sneaky. He says that he wouldn’t leave me for any other girl out there.

He is the man that every girl dreams of: he would not let me leave without saying he loves me and kissing me goodbye. He is very productive. He helps a lot around the house and he is great with my daughter.

Willie I think we can go a long way with our relationship. He has his own business and I try my best to help him out financially. I even bought a vehicle so we can move about and make things a bit easier in our lives. He is the kind of guy that I can do anything for and he would do the same for me.

I’m not sure if he is just using me because I have the money or whether he really wants to be with me. Willie, it’s has been three weeks since we slept next to each other and haven’t been sexually active. I know he is a hard worker and try not to be hard on him, but sometimes I think he is cheating and just making excuses that he is tired.

I feel so insecure that I regularly go through his phone when he is not around. I really love him and I always say to him: if he doesn’t want me he should let me know because I don’t want to be spending my time and money on a guy who just wants to use me.

Dear Miss: You upset my entire afternoon, though I am not surprised. What do some women want? You get a good man – a man that “every girl dreams of”, yet you’re complaining.

Your first sentence had me worried: “I left my daughter’s father a year ago thinking it was the best decision I made.” THINKING IT WAS THE BEST DECISION? Are you implying that you regret leaving your daughter’s father? So, if this new man is every woman’s dream – as you stated – why did you leave your child’s father and enter a new relationship? If you regret leaving your ex, and this new BF is a great man, then your ex must be superman.

Besides him not having sex with you as often as you like, I do not see where the problem is. You’re obviously the problem. And your letter implies that you’re more concerned about your money than the relationship.

And you claimed that you love this man? I don’t think you love him. You’re just wasting the man’s time. You’re treating the man like he is a business – you’re only there for investing.

I won’t apologise but I will say this: many women don’t know what’s good for them or do not know what they want. They’re in an abusive relationship and they leave and return; they get a good man, then they cheat and/or complain.

If you want more sex, just tell the man. I don’t know how old he is. Probably he has low libido as a result of overworking, poor diet, etc. So why not discuss this with him?

I once dated a girl and she told me “you’re too good to be true”. She claims I am too straightforward or I am too honest. But check a few Facebook statuses in the evenings. You will see: “I hate liars”, “I prefer to be hurt by the truth than a lie”. But truth is, the liars are the ones getting the girls. The poor dude doing all he can to make you happy, and you’re going through his phone, questioning him, and despite his positive response and the lack of evidence, you’re still unsure?

This is my advice, leave your man’s contact number and name so I can get a good woman for him. In addition, take back your car and money and feed your baby’s father.

Have an insecure weekend.

Willie

Email letters to dearwilliesno@gmail.com. Letters are strictly confidential and total privacy maintained. Also see disclaimer below.

Dear Willie is published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday exclusively on this site. The responses by this column are the opinion of the author of Dear Willie and are not to be thought of as counseling or advice. The opinion is based on limited information provided by the user. By requesting a response, the user agrees that both Dr. Willie and Andrews Media Services Corp/St. Lucia News Online are not to be held liable for any damages to the user or any third party associated with the user.

SALCC goal attack takes aim.

Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) made its long-anticipated return to inter-school sports competition on Thursday afternoon.

The SALCC ladies took part in the Under-19 netball competition, getting their feet wet with a game against Gros Islet Secondary. The SALCC mid-court was just more aggressive and faster to the ball as they won their debut match 42-8.

With a team featuring national players Jeanique Etienne at goal shoot and Joselyn Hubert at goal defence, SALCC was expected to dominate, and so they did. Jeanique and Joselyn are two who would have worked before under the guidance of SALCC coach Lyndell Forde, an assistant coach with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States winning under-23 national team.

SALCC really got rolling defensively in the second half, holding Gros Islet to just two points, one in each quarter. Although they shot just 53%, SALCC also controlled nearly every rebound. Etienne made 37 of her 62 attempts, and goal attack Shiron Bernard five of 17. Nadira King had only nine attempts in the game for Gros Islet, whilst Diana St Valle had seven.

In the other game played Thursday at the Beausejour Gymnasium, Babonneau Secondary got the best of Leon Hess Comprehensive, winning 31-6. LHCSS was scoreless in the second quarter, and scored just one in the third.

For Babonneau, goal shoot Kaila Thomas converted 15 of 22 shots on goal, attacks Mildred Boyce 10-22 and Sammy Johannes 6-17.

SALCC (green and yellow) and Gros Islet players ready to vie for the rebound.

Country Manager Jesse Edwards.

PRESS RELEASE - In an overwhelming demonstration of their confidence in the management of the company, employees at Columbus Communications St. Lucia Limited, operators of the brand Flow and Columbus Business Solutions (CBS), last week voted in favour of decertifying its union.

Jesse Edwards, country manager, indicated that “Unions can have a positive and substantial impact on the lives of their members, it is commendable however that our employees have placed their confidence in our organisation.”

Since the acquisition of Karib Cable, Columbus has worked hard to gain the trust of our employees and we have delivered on our promise to focus on their needs, as well as the needs of our customers.

Columbus acquired Karib Cable in March 2013, and the company is in the process of upgrading its infrastructure to convert its customers to the new digital video platform, while introducing the region’s leading high-speed broadband service.

Ria Alexander – overall winner

Babonneau Secondary student Ria Alexander is the winner of the third annual 2014 Jennes Kewyol, a pageant for secondary schools across the island.

Alexander, a 14-year-old Form Four student, won best talent, best portrayal in evening wear, best overall female and overall winner.

Nine competitors – seven females and two males – participated in the pageant, held at the Cultural Centre this afternoon.

Cardious Constantine, a Form Five student of the George Charles Secondary School, won the best male title, as well as best creole wear.

The secondary schools that participated this year are: Leon Hess (Marla James), Marigot (Lygia Pelage and Davidson Mathurine), Piaye (Phoebe Joseph), Vide Bouitelle (Zena St. Clair), George Charles (Latoya Jacobie and Cardious Constantine), Babonneau Secondary (Ria Alexander) and Ciceron (Lisa Eugene).

Pageant Coordinator Karen Davis told St. Lucia News Online that the aim of the pageant is to increase the awareness and pride among St. Lucians of their rich cultural heritage, promote the creole language and culture, and to encourage solidarity among creole-speaking communities locally and around the world.

Sponsors of this year’s competition were the Folk Research Centre, LUCELEC and LIME.

Best male: Cardious Constantine

PRESS RELEASE - St Lucia’s delegate for the Miss Earth Final, the third largest beauty pageant in the world held, has recognized the importance education plays in conserving the environment.

Miss Austin states, “The cycle of change must start with proper education. We cannot expect a cleaner, sustainable environment without first, being responsible. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, if we continue to cut down trees, expect an increase in landslides. If we continue to litter, expect more flooding. We do not want these things but we create it.”

Throughout the St Lucian leg of the pageant the beauty queen advocated for the importance of Biodiversity and why we must sustain it. Francillia hopes to carry on this message during the course of her reign by first, educating the youth.

National director for the Miss Earth St Lucia committee and former Miss Earth St Lucia, Cathy Sammy added that “whatever actions this generation executes, the upcoming generation has to deal with the dire consequences. Whatever resources we deplete or abuse, we have to understand that the quality of life we envisioned for our children will be non existant.”

The Awareness School Tour officially commenced on October 17th with the Entrepot Secondary School. Miss Austin hopes that through these interactions our youth will have a better understanding on the role they play in conserving and protecting our resources. She hopes that they can boldly take action and stop the abuse our environment has to endure.

Miss St Lucia Earth is expected to leave the island for the Philippines on November 7th 2014 for a month of activities leading up to coronation night on November 29th. The island was last represented by Oneka McKoy in 2008.

PRESS RELEASE - The 2014 Digicel Kickstart Academy is set to raise the bar even higher this year with the announcement that former Chelsea FC and Portugal footballing hero, Paulo Ferreira, will be a part of the programme when it kicks off in Jamaica later this month.

Ferreira, who played as a defender for Chelsea FC for nine years during which time they accumulated a number of trophies, including the Champions League and English Premier League titles, will share valuable knowledge with the aspiring young footballers participating in the Academy.

Expressing his excitement at being a part of the Digicel Kickstart Academy, Paulo Ferreira said; “It’s a real thrill for me to be travelling to Jamaica for the Digicel Kickstart Academy and to meet some of the best young footballers in the region. In my career, I have been a part of many successful teams and have experienced the game at the very top level. The Chelsea Foundation has successfully worked with Digicel to create a clear development pathway for these young players and also for coaches across the region; this will ensure the next generation of footballers have an increased opportunity to progress onto the next level. I also know what it is like to be a young footballer with a dream and I hope that I can help the Academy footballers to realise their potential by sharing some of my experiences.”

Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, James Wynne, said; “Football has a special place in the heart of communities right across the Caribbean and Central America and that is why Digicel has been investing in youth football development since 2007 through the Digicel Kickstart programme. To make a genuine lasting impact and continue to build on the success of Kickstart, it’s essential that we have a world class partner. Chelsea FC Foundation has consistently delivered the best standards of coaching and advice to the aspiring young footballers in our programme and this year we are delighted and honoured to welcome Chelsea legend, Paulo Ferreira, to Jamaica to launch our eighth Academy.”

Another first for the Digicel Academy is that this year it will be held in Jamaica – at the historic Sabina Park, home to some of the greatest sporting events in the region.

Sabina Park Holdings Limited Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Walter, said; “We are delighted to be hosting the Digicel Kickstart Academy in association with Chelsea FC at Sabina Park. It’s another prestigious event to be hosted at this historic stadium and testament to the international reputation of our venue that it complements the performance standards of Chelsea FC, one of the biggest football clubs in the world.”

Paulo Ferreira Bio:
Paulo Ferreira moved to Chelsea from Porto in 2004 and went on to spend nine years at Stamford Bridge. Signed by Jose Mourinho during the manager’s first spell at the club, the right-back went on to make 217 appearances for the Blues, acquiring a number of trophies along the way.

A solid, consistent performer, Ferreira was a key member of the side which won the Premier League title during his first season at the club. After helping the Blues record back-to-back title triumphs in 2006, Ferreira played the full 120 minutes as we won the first FA Cup final to be played at the new Wembley in 2007, beating Manchester United 1-0 after extra-time. His versatility and reliability enabled the Portuguese to fill in at both left-back and centre-back when the need arose, and he featured regularly towards the end of the Double-winning season of 2009/10. On its way to winning the Champions League in 2012, Ferreira produced a typically assured performance when he was selected for the quarter-final first leg against Benfica, while he was named on the bench for the final in Munich.

Ferreira’s final appearance for the club was as a late substitute against Everton on the final day of the 2012/13 season, when he brought the Europa League trophy onto the field after the final whistle, and received a wonderful ovation from the Chelsea supporters.

GIS - The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council hosted a “Private Sector Forum on Productivity,” Thursday, in an effort to monitor and improve productivity in various sectors in Saint Lucia.

The forum allowed participants to make recommendations for improving productivity in their individual sectors.

NCPC’s Communications Specialist, Geraldine Biscette-Joseph spoke on the need to embark on this initiative.

“Everybody has an idea, but nobody knows for sure what the level is within their sector. The study was important because we were able to assess and provide that information. When you are not sure, you don’t know what actions you should take, what methods should be implemented to get the productivity levels up. From here on we can, and we have experts from the region here today to participants about ways they can address the problem of productivity levels in their sector.”

Biscette-Joseph also highlighted the importance of the productivity assessment undertaken.

“One thing that was never done in St. Lucia before was the National Productivity Study, which actually gave some information as to where our productivity levels were. It allowed us to pinpoint the areas where we were lacking so that we can now work on improving them.”

Individuals from the construction, tourism, wholesale and retail, financial services, agriculture and manufacturing sectors benefited from the private sector forum on productivity.

GIS - A new housing program currently being developed by the Ministry of Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal is expected to generate employment islandwide.

According to Minister for Physical Development, Housing and Urban Renewal, Sen. Hon. Stanley Felix, the program will enhance livelihoods in a variety of ways.

“Not only will it create avenues for persons to own land, but it will also create huge employment around the island,’ he said.

“We’re doing every single constituency, even if we start with seven or eight constituencies. But there’ll be employment in all those different constituencies at the same time. It would also give persons the opportunity to commence their housing construction.”

The Sights and Services Program was announced by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, The Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony, in his 2014/2015 budget address. It involves identifying lands island-wide for locals to purchase.

Jalousie Beach

PRESS RELEASE - The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) was launched in October 2013 and has raised well over $1.7 million dollars. This was made possible by an outpouring of support by several hotels and visitors to the island.

The level of enthusiasm which accompanies the first year of operation for the TEF signals the significant contribution which tourism can make to the social fabric of St. Lucia.

Thus far, several projects have been undertaken by the fund, mainly a commitment to renovate the culinary lab at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, two afterschool programs in impoverished communities, support for the sourcing of a new flight from Canada and the recent beautification of Rodney Bay and its surrounding areas.

On Friday, October 10th 2014 the SLHTA Tourism Enhancement Fund celebrated its first year Anniversary with a luncheon at the L’epicure Restaurant at the Royal St. Lucian by Rex Resort. The luncheon commenced at 12: 30 p.m. and several TEF Hotel participants as well as Ministers of Government joined the SLHTA to celebrate.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts International Mr. Adam Stewart was the guest speaker and the Honorable Phillip J. Pierre, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Port Services and Transport delivered remarks from the Government of Saint Lucia. The event was hosted under the theme “Responsible Tourism – The Way Forward for the Caribbean”.

The SLHTA Secretariat would like to express profound gratitude to all our member Hotels Properties who continue to participate and support this significant initiative.

PRESS RELEASE - Island Divers at Ti Kaye Resort & Spa makes International Coastal Clean up Day an annual event on their calendar.

For the second consecutive year this beach cleanup has gain serious momentum by attracting some keen community supporters. For those who are not aware, Anse Cochon located in Anse La Raye is one of the protected marine reserves on the west coast of Saint Lucia. Home to many tropical fish and thriving coral reef, it provides a haven to respectful observers of aquatic life like divers and snorkelers as well as a livelihood to the fishing community of Canaries and Anse La Raye.

Spearheading this cleanup initiative was recently appointed dive shop manager, Mr. Curtis Antoine.

Born and raised in the community of Canaries, Curtis actively rallied up hotel guests and long time visitors to Saint. Lucia Nick and Sarah Mc Intree not only volunteered to be hands on help but also got Curtis in touch with the Saint Lucian Cadets Core to come and assist.

The participation of volunteers was overwhelming with 15 Cadets along with Cadet Leader Cyril D Elisee, as well as Ti Kaye staff and guests. After 2 hours of hard work both guests, staff and the cadets accumulated 12 bags of garbage from the beach and road access to the beach of Anse Cochon. A great sense of achievement was share by all.

General Manager Sarah Watts expresses her gratitude to the supporters of this event: “I am extremely proud of everyone who took personal time out of there day to volunteer and help us clean up our piece of paradise. The impact of plastics and uncontrolled garbage has terrible environmental and health consequences and contributes to the destruction of our coral reef, marine life and natural beaches. I am confident that this cleanup will become a an engaging part of our Ti Kaye community and culture and look forward to being alongside all the other wonderful people who care about Saint Lucia by supporting this venture. I also wish to applaud and encourage all organisations that are spread heading similar campaigns in the battle to keep St. Lucia Beautiful and Clean.”