On Thursday, September 9^th, 2010, the St Jude Reconstruction Project will be launched at a ceremony to be held at the original site of the Hospital before the devastating fire of September 9^th, 2009. The ceremony which is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm will feature remarks by the Chairman of the St Jude Hospital Board of Directors, H.E. Tom Chou, Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia, and Minister of Health Hon. Keith Mondesir among others. The feature address will be delivered by Prime Minister Hon. Stephenson King.

The launch of the St Jude Reconstruction Project will coincide with the anniversary of the September 9^th, 2009 Fire at the St Jude Hospital. The launch will be preceded by a Commemorative Service at the George Odlum Stadium (current location of the Hospital) at 12:00 noon followed by a Media Tour of the current Hospital Operation at 1:30 pm.

The goal of the St. Jude Hospital Reconstruction Project is to rebuild St. Jude Hospital to reinstate the core and ancillary health services previously offered to the public. This will also be in keeping with the Government’s health sector objectives and as such will be expanded where necessary.

The St Jude Reconstruction Project is conceptualized in two phases.  This includes:

1. Short Term / Temporary Accommodation for St. Jude Hospital at the Original Location; and
2. Medium Term / Permanent Facility of St. Jude Hospital on a New Site in the vicinity of the Proposed Site for National University in Vieux Fort.

The intention is for these two components of the project to be implemented simultaneously.

The first component would entail – the re-construction of the surgical building on the old site as well as the renovation of the other two (2) buildings. The facilities will be made fully functional to allow St. Jude Hospital to relocate from the George Odlum Stadium and operate until the new facility is built on the new site. Upon relocation of St. Jude Hospital to the new facility, the old site buildings will be developed as a Medical Research Facility or other medically related use.

With respect to the second component, this will entail – the planning, design & construction of a new 90 bed health care facility for St. Jude Hospital at the new site. This modern, state of the art health care facility will be designed and constructed as a Tropical Sustainable multi –purpose Hospital. The design is expected to produce an effective and efficient health care facility according to modern day requirements but building on the solid foundation of St. Jude Hospital. St. Jude Hospital has charted a legacy of volunteerism and partnerships geared towards superior healthcare for the community as well as the country in general. Old partnerships will be fostered and New partnerships will also be developed. St. Jude Hospital will be more than just buildings. It will be a modern health care experience incorporating as well aspects of healthcare tourism.

During that eventful night of September 9^th, 2009, Prime Minister Stephenson King boldly proclaimed: “Out of the Ashes a Phoenix will Rise”.  Government along with all patriotic Saint Lucians can now celebrate the commencement of work that will see the St Jude Hospital fully functional within the next ten (10) months at its original location as part of a transitional plan.

Some 40 players turned up from around the nation to strut their stuff on Saturday, September 4^th at the George Odlum Stadium in front of new SLFA Technical Director Ces Podd and his technical team as part of a drive to unearth fresh talent for the national programme.

“We watched about 40 participants from age 14 to 32, which is a tremendous showing considering it’s the first time we have invited players to try out for the national team,” said the Technical Director. “The sessions have given all of our coaches real food for thought because there were several difficult choices that had to be made. We will likely continue to use this and other methods as part of our drive to see as many players as possible and help develop the growth of football Island wide.”

Registration of the players, some of whom attended with parents, began early as several arrived before 10am. The sessions started promptly at 1pm at the national stadium after existing U20 and Senior national players went through their paces during training. Trials started with a welcome and introduction and Trial photo. Participants were then separated into teams, with each player taking part in at least two short games each.

“This is part of a process that will see the SLFA rolling out a detailed structured programme, which includes training modules, intensive developmental work, a scouting initiative and its elite national programme,” said Mr. Podd. “We hope Saturday’s Trial was an indication that everybody has a chance to play for the national team. And for those that didn’t quite make the cut this time, they were able to see and receive guidance on what they need to do to improve, be it fitness, technical, tactical or psychological elements of their game.”

However, for 10 talented players the dream of making the national team this year lives on. The SLFA’s technical team asked 10 players to return for a second look, where they will undertake a more rigorous evaluation. They have been asked to attend further trials, which will take place this week at Gros Islet on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6.30pm.

TOP TEN

The talented ten are: Dyson Langellier, Emmery Edward, Dellon Joseph, Gervan Janvier, Denzel Albert, Vernon Abbott, Wayne Theodule,  Eric Gabriel, Johnta Alexander, and Kury Fedee.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) joins with the people of Saint Lucia in expressing grave concern about this alarming state of affairs which appears to be getting worse. The fact that the violent murder of Ethelbert “Romeo” Evelyn was also discovered the same afternoon of the Bordelais escape has sent further shock waves into the entire Saint Lucian society.  Citizens have become extremely concerned about their safety and security. Despite several cosmetic changes, the Stephenson King Government has failed to control crime in the country and Saint Lucians all over the island continue to live in fear.

Reports reaching the SLP suggest that since the armed break-in and escape on August 8^th, nothing significant has been done by the Ministry of Internal Security to prevent a recurrence, especially on weekends during which the facility is very vulnerable.

This latest prison break-out and murder again brings into sharp focus the glaring failure of Home Affairs Minister – Hon. Guy Mayers – to bring the National Security situation under control.  Hon.  Mayers has been appointed a Senator and Minister to deal with this pressing issue, but is clearly too distracted with trying to become the Parliamentary Representative for Castries East, to give due care and attention to his Ministerial duties. This situation cannot be allowed to continue as it has serious negative consequences for the social and economic future of our country.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party therefore has no choice but to call, once again, for the dismissal of Home affairs Minister Hon. Guy Mayers who has been a dismal failure at his post.  Hon. Mayers has failed to earn the trust, confidence and respect of security personnel at Bordelais and elsewhere.

The SLP also reiterates its earlier call for an independent Commission of Inquiry to be set up urgently to unearth the causes of these latest security breaches.

Under the theme: “With Unity We Will …” people came from all over the constituency  as well as other parts of the Island to join with the Constituency Group and newly endorsed candidate, Lelia Harracksingh, in Labour’s fight to remove UWP incumbent Arsene James. All Labour’s soldiers in the constituency were solidly behind Harracksingh, and her main rival for the endorsement – Mrs. Mathurine Emmanuel, gave a stirring address of support and solidarity.

Labour’s 2^nd Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Laborie – Alva R. Baptiste – in delivering the feature address, traced the Labour roots of the constituency and called upon constituents to unite to liberate Micoud South from the jaws of UWP imposed poverty and deprivation. For her part, newly endorsed candidate – Lelia Harracksingh – catalogued a list of problems plaguing the constituency, from poor quality water, collapse of the farming sector, deplorable roads, unemployment and poor health services. She pledged to work with everyone and the incoming SLP Government to address these issues once and for all.

Political Leader- Dr. Kenny D. Anthony received a rousing welcome from the gathering and he took an incisive look at several issues including the corruption and debt associated with the proposed Hewannorra Airport Project. Dr. Anthony urged supporters to continue their election preparation and assured the gathering that Labour was ready to replace the failed Stephenson King regime.

Former UWP stalwart and Saint Lucia Banana Corporation (SLBC) Chairman – Elias Armorsingh – who is the newly elected Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Constituency Group, brought the curtains down with an electrifying delivery punctuated by regular and spontaneous applause. Armorsingh blasted Arsene James and the King Administration for their poor performance to date, and he said the only answer to the country’s problems was a return of Kenny Anthony and the SLP to Government.

Markin Marquis is a twenty (20) years old male who is registered as a resident of the community of Grande Riviere, Dennery. The Inmate began his sentence on August 4^th, 2010 for the aforementioned crimes.  Members of the Major Crimes Department and relevant authorities have visited the Facility and are currently conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the escape of Markin Marquis.

Authorities will update the Press and Public on relevant information and developments pertaining to this escape as it becomes necessary.

Nurse Harracksingh who is affectionately known in the constituency as “Astride,” still actively provides free nursing care to scores of elderly and disadvantaged residents who value her service immensely. A former President of the Saint Lucia Nurses Association, Nurse Harracksingh was instrumental in securing better working conditions for nurses including uniform salary payment for nurses from St. Jude’s Hospital.

Nurse Harracksingh is also very popular among the young people of the constituency where she continues to serve as the Leader of the Pathfinders and Master-guides. She is Vice President of her district’s Seventh Day Adventist Youth Ministry which serves from Mon Repos to Vieux Fort North.

Although she has unsuccessfully contested elections in the constituency since 1997, she has never had the endorsement of any of the two (2) main political parties until now. She is confident that with the backing of the Saint Lucia Labour Party, she will put an end to the poor representation of Hon.  Arsene James in Micoud South and be part of the winning team     which will form the next Government of Saint Lucia.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party welcomes Mrs. Harracksingh aboard its team of candidates and is extremely happy at the enhancement she brings, particularly among women voters and vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, the Annual Conference of the Micoud South SLP Constituency Group takes place on Sunday September 5, at the Desruisseaux Multi-purpose Centre. The conference commences at 4:00 p.m.

This means that LIME customers will be billed at the same roaming rate regardless of which LIME market they visit and applies to LIME customers ONLY when roaming in:

• Anguilla
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Barbados
• British Virgin Islands (BVI)
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
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• Jamaica
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• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
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• Trinidad & Tobago

And as a special introductory offer, all customers will enjoy FREE incoming calls until November 30, 2010.

With One Rate Roaming calls are billed at one flat rate, and text messages and Data are charged at the local rates.  Blackberry customers pay no additional charges when they’re roaming in the 13 LIME markets and in Trinidad & Tobago

One Rate Roaming, which is available to both postpaid and prepaid customers in all LIME markets, is simple to access and makes it very easy for customers to calculate their roaming charges on their monthly bills.

Postpaid customers who do not already have roaming access on their LIME mobile can simply call LIME’s Contact Centre 1-800-804-2994  or visit any LIME Retail Store to request roaming services.  All LIME prepaid customers are automatically provisioned with roaming access. For postpaid customers security deposits may be required but there are no monthly subscription fees for roaming access on either prepaid or postpaid service.

*One-rate” calls are calls on-island and back home (not to other countries).

Registration will open at 11:30 am and close at 12:30 pm sharp in preparation for the Trial.

All potential players should come prepared for a rigorous work out.

The trial will be under the supervision of SLFA Technical Director Ces Podd as part of his plans to identify the Island’s best footballing talent.

“We are looking for players to enable us to strengthen and progress from our current status,” said Mr. Podd. “We want players with commitment, who want to play at a high standard and represent St. Lucia well. We will push the guys hard and now have a team in place to get the best out of the players we work with. We have a sports fitness trainer and physiotherapist working with us, so we can focus effectively on the players development in every area.”

The Trial on Saturday for young men and seniors will take approximately 2 hours and will consist of several practices and drills designed to showcase the range of ability, skills, speed, and athleticism of all attendees.

In Anse La Raye, supporters were in high spirits and turned out in large numbers to cheer on their new man, Dr. Desmond Long, known in Calypso Circles as the “Mighty Pep”. Before a packed hall and courtyard at the Anse La Raye Primary School, messages of hope and solidarity were delivered by several speakers including the candidate himself as well as the the SLP’s two Deputy Leaders – Hon. Philip J. Pierre and Hon. Alva Baptiste. Straight-up talk show host Claudius Francis delivered a stirring account of Labour’s achievements and assured supporters that the Labour family in Anse La Raye/Canaries was solid and united.

In Dennery, the mood was one of defiance and determination as hundreds turned out to register their displeasure with the poor representation of the UWP’s Edmund Estephane. After impressive reports were presented by the executive, Guest Speaker – Ms. Flavia Cherry, provided indictment after damning indictment of the UWP and made the case for SLP to mobilize to boot out the UWP. Ms. Cherry’s remarks were reinforced by other speakers from neighbouring constituencies as well as Dennery Residents who in an “Open Mike Session” pledged to work hard for Labour’s return.

Political Leader – Dr. Kenny D. Anthony was in mobilization mode as he gave pointed advice aimed at marshalling Labour’s troops into the formidable army of 1997 and 2001. Supporters listened in rapt attention to the wisdom of their leader and punctuated his delivery with spontaneous applause as pertinent points were made.

Meanwhile, Labour takes its mobilization to Micoud South this weekend with its quarterly National Council Meeting in Blanchard on Saturday and the Annual Micoud South Constituency Conference in Desruisseaux on Sunday.

This is in direct contravention of the principle of non-interference in the domestic politics of independent states. International diplomatic protocol dictates that relations between countries be conducted at the Government to Government level and not at the Government to Party level. Therefore, even if the Ambassador of Taiwan (Mr. Tom Chou) may personally be a friend of the UWP, as the representative of the Government of Taiwan he cannot disburse funds to the Gros Islet Constituency Group.

It is also most disconcerting, that the Minister of Sports –  Hon. Lenard Spider Montoute – may have selfishly misused his office in this instance, to deny another association or sporting organization, much needed equipment in favour of his UWP constituency group. Such cheap politics is very unbecoming of Hon. Minister Montoute, who holds a prominent position of power in the Government.

Ambassador Chou has displayed previous undiplomatic behaviour in the past when he dished out cash at a Hon. Richard Frederick Peace and Love Football competition and when he donated computers to the UWP Castries East Constituency Office of  Hon. Guy Mayers.

The Saint Lucia Labour Party places on record once again its condemnation of Ambassador Chou’s reprehensible behavior and calls upon the Taiwanese Government to recall him forthwith. The Labour Party regards Ambassador Chou as a political operative of the UWP and will not afford him any diplomatic privileges or courtesies whatsoever. The Labour Party looks forward to the imminent replacement of Ambassador Chou.