News Stories : Septermber 17th 2012
Last Updated Monday, September 17, 2012 8:01 PM
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Lesmond laid to rest
Story by Sant Justin

 

The Special Police Constable served in the SSU Department before he was shot and killed on Sunday September 2nd.

His wife is currently on remand at the Bordelais Correctional Facility, charged with delivering that fatal shot to the head.

The public viewing drew a crowd of both colleagues and onlookers, who queued to get a last look.

 

President of the Police Welfare Association- Martin James says Monday’s procession was the first part of a Military Funeral, which began at the Police Headquarters.

SPC Lesmond’s funeral was preceded by a military parade in Castries. Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere and Police Commissioner Vernon Francois and other high ranking officials were in attendance at the funeral service which followed.

Opposition Leader Stephenson King was also attended the service at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Lesmond’s wife- Dornailie Lesmond is expected back in court for a sufficiency hearing on November 2nd.
SPC Lesmond was laid to rest at the Choc cemetery.

   





 

Week-end homicides
Story by Lovely St.Aime Joseph

   

The Police Press Relations Office has confirmed that Victor Mortley is dead following a shooting in the community of Marchand.

His mother Theresa Mortley says she had prepared his breakfast on Saturday morning and was awaiting his arrival from work when she heard the sound of a gunshot.

She says her son provided a regular taxi service to a hotel security worker and was known to be traveling at late hours.

 

Mortley says although her son was well liked he was often a target for bandits who would accost or ambush him on his way to or from work. His sister Catherine Mortley expressed frustration and concern about the changing nature of the community where she lives.

She says honest, hardworking citizens now dread walking the streets for fear of becoming targets for thieves.

Mortley believes her brother was the victim of an upsurge in criminal and deviant behavior in the community.

Victor Mortley’s leaves behind one son. His mother says her son was a hard worker. She is baffled why anyone would want to harm him given his amiable persona.

Meanwhile another man is dead following a shooting incident Friday night. Police have confirmed the fatal shooting of 47 year old Fabian Joseph of Morne Du Don Castries took place at the G4S compound at Choc.

While the details are still sketchy reliable sources say Henry is an employee of the security company and entered the premises wearing a hooded sweat shirt. He was shot by a security guard on duty.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 PM Friday. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

 





 

Drowning in Micoud
Story by Carmy Joseph

 

Police are also investigating a drowning incident in Micoud over the week-end.

The body of 48 year old john Toussaint aka crackhead was recovered at approximately 6:30 on Monday morning.

The resident of Volet in Micoud reportedly drowned at the Micoud beach on Sunday.

 

The incident took place in the new extension area at approximately 4:15pm. After an exhaustive search the body reportedly washed ashore on Monday.

   





 

Sandals on villas
Story by Winston Springer

 

The Sandals Resort Chain is proceeding with plans for the construction of over-the-water suites.

According to the Hotel the suites are part of the Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa& Beach Resort’s Greek village which will feature 200 suites.

Sandals Regional Director for the Eastern Caribbean, Jeremy Jones says the US $100 million dollar project will create over 250 construction jobs

 

The luxury all inclusive says the development is compatible with the island’s billing as an up market destination.

Jones says the hotel chain does not believe there is much equity in the entry level market and is focusing on appealing to high end clientele.

Despite the economic benefits, the construction of the plush structures has raised concerns about the environment and the encroachment of more beachfront property.

But Jones claims the development will aid and not restrict the development of the shoreline. The Resort Chain which gives assurances the facilities will be eco-friendly says it is working to address the misgivings of key interests.

Jones claims Sandals International is conducting due diligence to ensure compliance with the criteria and guidelines set out by the government of Saint Lucia and environmental agencies. The construction project is expected to last 18 months to one year.

   




 

Honeymoon destination award
Story by Carmy Joseph

   

For the 10th time in the past decade Saint Lucia has won the World Travel Award for “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination.”

Among the countries nominated for the prestigious award were Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas and St Barts.

The 2012 World Travel Awards Caribbean & the Americas Gala Ceremony was held on Friday September 14th at the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spas.

 

Now into its 19th year, the Award was established for the purpose of recognizing and celebrating achievements in all areas of the world’s travel and tourism industry.

Accepting the award on behalf of the country was Tourist Board Director Louis Lewis who spoke about the importance of the recognition.

A number of Saint Lucian companies and properties also received recognition including Barefoot Holidays DMC Saint Lucia, which was named the Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator. 

The Jalousie Plantation was awarded Saint Lucia’s Leading Hotel; Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort was awarded Saint Lucia’s Leading Resort and Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa was awarded Saint Lucia’s Leading Spa Resort.

Tourist Board VP Marketing and Sales Nerdin St Rose says the marketing organ will soon unveil a number of promotions intended to continue its winning streak.

In April, Saint Lucia was also voted the number 1 Honeymoon Resort and one of the world’s top 20 Honeymoon destinations by Bride’s Magazine as well as one of the top “Best Caribbean Honeymoon” locations by US News & World Report.

 




 

Charlery on kerosene
Story by Winston Springer

 

President of the Petroleum Dealers Association, Clinton Charlery says the majority of kerosene is used by commercial businesses and not local consumers.

The government of Saint Lucia announced it would stop absolving the cost of the commodity which increased from EC $6.00 – EC $11.27 effective September 1st.

Soon after, the main opposition who labeled kerosene “malaway fuel” publicly condemned the move by government – accusing the Dr Kenny Anthony administration of making life harder for poor Saint Lucians they say were the majority consumers of kerosene.

 

Charlery reveals the perception the commodity is largely utilized by low income earners and poor families is erroneous. According to the gas dealer a tiny percentage of kerosene consumption is attributable to the public.

Charlery says the removal of the government subsidy puts the price of kerosene in line with other petroleum products like diesel.

He surmises the government believes subsidizing the cost of the common liquid propone gas cylinders found in most house holds is more beneficial to the public.

According to Charlery the cost of kerosene also has a minimal impact on petroleum dealers with only 2 retailers involved in the sale of the commodity.

But Charlery admits there are drawbacks especially for businesses and industries which rely heavily on kerosene in the production of goods and services.

Kerosene is an important commodity for the manufacturing sector. He asserts the measure could conceivably hurt consumers who purchase certain products.

Sources at the Ministry of Commerce agree kerosene is a main source of fuel for businesses and not members of the public.

   




 

Robertson wants due process
Story by Sant Justin

 

Sports Journalist Robertson Henry attracted much attention on Monday, as he stood in the entrance to the Sports Ministry.

Henry took to the streets in protest he says over actions taken by the Ministry of Youth and Sports following an incident which occurred almost two years ago.

He says following the assault of a fellow journalist during a public event, the Director of Youth and

 

Sports took action, rendering his services ineffective.This is a move which Henry says was taken without due process. Henry says after several attempts, the matter is still currently unresolved hence his decision to take to the streets.

He says the Ministry’s decision to ban him from sporting activities has impacted him negatively over the last two years. In our attempts to get a comment from the Ministry of Sports, we were directed to an August press release.

The press release acknowledged Henry’s commitment to refrain from any such future behaviour, and further withdrew the earlier decision to ban the Sports Journalist and Photographer from future activities.



   





 

Green Party on marijuana
Story by Sant Justin

    The Cannabis Movement of St. Lucia has for sometime agitated for the decriminalization of the drug.

The Movement has also publicly condemned repeated arrests of individuals caught with a single stick of marijuana or plants.

Several lobby attempts were made during the term of the former UWP Administration; these have since moved to the new SLP government.
 

Chairman- Andre Decarais says though unofficial, his encounter with the National Security Minister has made the governments position on the matter clear.

Decarius says in spite the government’s decision; his group will continue to inform and educate the public about the plant. He also admits there is a link between the drug and crime.

Moments before the interview with HTS News Force, Decarius was attempting to schedule a meeting with the island’s Police Commissioner to discuss the issue of arrests. He wants to discuss alternative ways to deal with offenders.

Andre Decarius is also the Leader of the Lucian Greens Party, which participated in the islands 2011 General Elections.

   





 

SLP constituency meeting
Story by Desmond Collymore

   

The SLP on Sunday continued a series of constituency meetings in Vieux-fort south.

Hosted by the Vieux-Fort south constituency group, the meeting was held at the Vieux-Fort primary school.

Vieux-Fort south is represented by Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony.

 

 

 

   




 

OECS law year
Story by Carmy Joseph

  The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court will open the new law year 2012/ 2013 on Tuesday 18th September 2012.

The annual ceremonial opening will take the form of simulation special sittings in all the nine member states and territories of the OECS.

The proceedings in St. Lucia will begin with a church service at the Anglican Church from 8am followed by a procession to the
 

high court of justice where the formal court sitting will held. The chief justice’s opening address, which is considered the main event, will be delivered by her ladyship, Janice M. Pereira, acting chief justice, at 10am from the high court of justice in St Vincent and the Grenadines, where the court of appeal will be holding its first sitting for the new law year.

The address will be carried live via simulcast to the other member states and territories of the OECS and will also be broadcasted throughout the region via the local media.

The public is encouraged to participate in the ceremonial opening of the law year 2012/2013 by attending or listening to local radio and television stations.

   




 

Sandals platinum award
Story by Winston Springer

  Sandals La Toc Golf Resort and Spa has been recognized for its environmental efforts by a leading certification and benchmarking organization.

EarthCheck has rewarded the resort with a platinum level certification for consistently demonstrating its commitment to host communities and high standards of environmental care.

This is the first resort in Saint Lucia to receive the prestigious accolade and the third hotel in
 

the Sandals chain to achieve such acclaim. Sandals Regional Director Jeremy Jones says the resort chain believes in sustainable tourism development and is cognizant of the importance of natural resources to the overall product.

Jones says two years ago the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce recognized the work of the hotel chain with its top green award.

He says the local accolade set the platform for the success of the resort at the regional level. Sandals La Toc Hotel Manager, Chris Elliott concedes the accomplishment was no easy feat; the result of team work and long term commitment.

Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa in Saint Lucia joins Sandals Negril Resort and Spa, Beaches Negril Resort &Spa and Sandals Grand Riviera Beach and Villa Golf Resort which are all certified Platinum by EarthCheck.

 

   






Tourism arrivals dropped by half a percentage point from January to June this year compared to the same period last year. This despite over 150,000 visitors coming to our shore and noted increases in source markets like the UK and the region as well as emerging markets like Canada.
With construction of resorts like Le Paradis and Ritz Carlton as well as Harlequin up in the air – and continued noted slumps in cruise arrivals – concern over the future of our number one economic earner would be justified. With expected jobs and entry into a new class of tourism, could the Sandals International investment of US$100 in new suites be just what the doctor ordered for our industry?

Is the construction of the Sandals over the water suites an indicator the Saint Lucia Tourism product is getting ready for an economic boost?

Yes
No
I don't know
I don't care





 
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