George says through years of service in the medical field Dr. Long has established close ties with the Anse La Raye/Canaries communities. Remarking on Dr. Long’s chances of defeating current MP Dr. Keith Mondesir, George says jokingly, ‘the short man is loved in the constituency’. It is a love the SLP is banking on to get victory at the polls. George says Calypso, Medicine and Politics share a common denominator – people. The SLP says it’s confident that Dr. Long will make a smooth transition into politics and lead the party to victory in the Anse-la-Raye/ Canaries constituency.

The Opposition Party has already introduced three new candidates alongside its six sitting Parliamentarians – economist Dr Ubaldus Raymond for Castries North, attorney Stanley Felix in Castries Central and teacher and Social Worker Alvina Reynolds in Babonneau. Dr. Long – as the fourth new candidate – replaces Cyprian Lansiquot - the last man to contest the seat under a Labour ticket.

These petitions were heard in the US in early February, and judgment is expected at any moment. These petitions have been submitted to the United States Federal Bankruptcy court, and are necessary to protect the assets of British American in the US and also to stay litigation against the insurance company in the US. British American has investment funds in the US that are managed by us based fund managers, as well as real estate that it owns through various subsidiaries.

The petitions are a part of the ongoing efforts of the Eastern Caribbean governments to protect the interests of policyholders and other creditors of British American in the Eastern Caribbean.  In other words, that process continues and papers were filed in the US bankruptcy court in that continuing effort and not in a declaration of bankruptcy.

He says recommendations were also made about the way forward – recommendations that were rejected by the Minister at the time. The NWU General-Secretary says time has elapsed and another meeting on the issue is needed. The National Workers Union is the representative of Ministerial support staff including janitors and night watchmen

Police Commissioner Ausbert Regis also admonishes licensed firearm holders who have lost or misplaced weapons he says eventually end up on the streets and cause untold damage. By-law licensed fire arm holders are required to carry their weapons with them at all times. Commissioner Regis wants gun owners to familiarize themselves with the laws, safety and the proficient use of a firearm.

He says the indoor shooting facility provides the environment for proper training and accountability.  Minister for Internal Security, Senator Guy Mayers concurs. He has called on licensed gun owners to make effective use of the facility. Along with accountability and proper training - Sports Minister Lenard Montoute is equally interested in the art of shooting as an Olympic sporting discipline. Montoute says it is worthy of consideration in the island’s pursuit of an Olympic medal. The government officials also put the onus on the operators of the facility to institute and enforce procedures that meet the requirements of the law for the ownership and use of firearms. Club GAR is located at Bois D’ Orange in Gros Islet and is open only to license firearm holders.  

A moment of silence in honor of Corporal Peters will take place on Bourbon Street in front of the DPP’s office – where he was last assigned as a Crown Prosecutor. The Assistant Commissioner in Charge of Territorial Policing – Pancras Albert – says the Police will require the motoring public’s cooperation from 4:30 Wednesday morning until approximately 5PM. Corporal Peters served over 20 years in the Force and was killed February 19th during a failed robbery attempt that also left his attacker dead and another Police Officer wounded.

That facility will be decommissioned this week after patients have moved into the new facility. Dr Mondesir says the opening of the state of the art facility is a milestone in reforming the island’s mental health sector. PS in the Ministry of Health, Felix St. Hill says the move will be done in phases that began with the official hand over of the facility to the Mental Health Reform Unit headed by Jennifer Joseph. The opening of the new facility will coincide with greater emphasis on primary mental health care. The Taiwanese Embassy officially handed over the Hospital to the Saint Lucian government in November last year.

sighting along the coastline. SLASPA Officials declined comment on reports a toxic material from the vessel had gone missing. On Monday Police Commissioner Ausbert Regis called on members of the public who spotted the dangerous cargo to contact the authorities immediately. SLASPA says it has yet to determine what caused the cargo vessel to sink off the coast of Vieux Fort although sources say it had to do with the way the Angeln was packed. We understand the vessel was packed in a manner that did not allow for proper balance. Also, officials are still assessing the number of containers that adrift after the incident.

marketing and promotional campaign on the internet and US television. The Tourism minister says the publicity generated by the bachelor has also enhanced long term negotiations with US carrier American Airlines which will increase flights and airlift capacity into St. Lucia. He says the US carrier will be switching to the larger 757 aircraft resulting in an additional 1500 seats.

Jet Blue and Delta Airlines are also increasing airlift. The love affair with the bachelor could last into the peak month for weddings and honeymoons-May. The Minister says the buzz could be a tremendous boon for St. Jazz. After the loss of big name acts Foreigner and Toni Braxton due to scheduling conflicts, Chastanet says the line up has been bolstered by emerging stars like R&B sensation “Ne-Yo”. 

Tourism Officials are also banking on an upshot in arrivals from the hosting of the world twenty20 championship which could draw larger audiences to flag ship entertainment show piece. Chastanet says the country’s tourism sector is not out of woods yet despite projections of 60-70 percent increase in the major US source market. He says he is cautiously optimistic about the future and says will continue steam line bureaucracy and put an end to inconsistent practices which have hurt the development of the industry.

The representatives of the Nova Scotia school will guide the college on how best to   implement services that will improve and compliment those already offered at the college. The aim is to offer a range of student services in line with what obtains at the university level.

A series of activities aimed at collecting data based on the student services that currently exist will be hosted throughout this week. The workshop will end next week with an expected strategic plan for the development of full student services including counseling and career guidance at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

George says Sparks was also well known and respected through out the region for his work in turtle conservation. She says the turtle expert often shared his vast knowledge with many on the environmental importance of sustaining marine life. Environmentalists and Fisheries Officials say “Papa Turtle” who was originally from the United States has left an indelible mark on marine conservation in St. Lucia.