Moontown

BLACK EYE PEAS AND RICE; COU COU

CREOLE YAM; CAJUN SWEET POTATOES

MACARONI PIE; BAKED CHICKEN

BAKED PORK; FRIED SNAPPER

FISH STEW; BEEF STEW

STEAMED VEGS; SALADS

St. Lucia Star

Written By: Maryanna Williams on Jul 13th, 2009

In politics timing is everything. Savvy politicians know when to exit the stage and when to re-enter. John Compton was one such politician. He gave up as prime minister in 1996 for Vaughan Lewis, who lost power to the Labour Party in 1997, and then made a successful comeback in the 2006 elections to become prime minister for an unprecedented fifth time. John Compton’s successes had a lot to do with his ability to keep in touch with ordinary people. Of course, his victory was undoubtedly facilitated by Kenny Anthony’s poor sense of timing.

SLP Leader Kenny Anthony: How much longer before he does the right thing?

Few pundits would deny that had Kenny Anthony called the elections in the earlier part of 2006 we would not be in opposition today. Yes, thanks to him we are where we are. Throughout the first half of 2006 the UWP had no semblance of organization: no money, an incomplete slate of candidates, and a lousy chairman destined to be a lousy prime minister. Yet Kenny Anthony failed tactically in seizing the advantage. He delayed the election date until December 11, 2006 by which time the UWP had secured the necessary campaign funds, and re-energized with its full complement of candidates. In the meantime, Labour, under the guidance of its leader, was chalking up blunder after blunder, from the by-election in Central Castries and up to the eve of the general election when the party released a poll showing Labour winning by a landslide.

I cannot help but recall how Kenny Anthony unwittingly built up the image of Richard Frederick by his persistent and unsubstantiated attacks on the then prospective candidate for Central Castries. Of course, before long the PM’s credibility became an issue and his judgment in maneuvering behind the scenes to have Phillip La Corbiniere run the by-election for Labour proved to be poor. We lost the by-election to Richard Frederick in March of 2006; Kenny Anthony failed to see that public support was moving away from the party. December 11 came and we lost to an 81-year-old who without doubt was long past his prime. A devastating day for all of us who thought all would be well come election night. The electorate chose a decrepit John Compton over Kenny Anthony. The question is, why?

John Compton was credible, fiscally prudent and more in the mode of a servant-leader. Kenny Anthony too often said one thing then did the exact opposite. He wasted taxpayers’ money on too many occasions and was insensitive to the plight of ordinary people. His refusal to take responsibility for the 2006 general election outcome raises serious questions about Kenny Anthony’s suitability as a leader. To have lost the elections in the circumstances I earlier referred to, and to an old man with a weak team, is an indictment on his leadership. The sense of despair we are experiencing today has as much to do with King as it has to do with Kenny. The current leader of the SLP should do the honourable thing and offer his resignation to the party. We should not be placed in the situation of having to force out our leader. Remember Julian Hunte? It is a feeble excuse for Kenny Anthony to think that by winning his seat he is absolved from the responsibility of the Labour Party’s defeat.

There are some within Labour who mistakenly believe that Stephenson King is no match for Kenny Anthony and that he will trounce the ‘Heavy Roller’ at the next election. Let us remember the electorate did not vote for King as prime minister but they certainly voted against Kenny Anthony remaining as PM. Given Stephenson King’s abysmal performance in his present office, there is no way the UWP will enter the next election with him as leader. That would be political suicide. The UWP is sure to replace King before the next election with a more credible and able person. That is why we must make our own changes. To delay that process will be most damaging.

Kenny Anthony losing to Stephenson King would be worse than the embarrassment of losing to Compton just months before he expired. From all indications it looks like the UWP government will be serving its full term. The Opposition Leader has failed to make anything stick. He has failed to get public support for his positions.

For those unwilling to make the move for change, whether through fear of recriminations if it fails, I want this question answered: What is Kenny Anthony going to do in a future Labour Party government that he did not have the opportunity and or means to do in the nine years the party and country gave him? What? It is really time to move on and get away from sentimentality and nostalgia. The party needs to re-invent itself for the new era of increasing globalization. We must listen to the voice of the people. They have given their verdict on Kenny Anthony. It is his not wanting to give up as leader that disturbs me and it should disturb you too. Kenny Anthony cares less about the party and more about his name, his legacy.

There are several issues which our Leader of the Opposition has handled badly—the Taiwanese million-dollar constituency allocation is a case in point. Do you really believe the average St Lucian cares about the philosophical arguments for staying with China as opposed to Taiwan? I think not. Our people need jobs to provide food, shelter, clothing and other necessities. Taiwan’s approach to aid is far more effective in satisfying those needs as opposed to high maintenance edifices built on Chinese labour. So for the Leader of the Opposition to lead a barrage of attacks on Taiwan and its ambassador is folly. His approach now precludes Labour MPs in his party from accessing Taiwanese funds that are available to them for their constituents. If we allow this Labour policy to continue until the end of this term we shall have another shock come the next election.

I know it is easy to dismiss me as anti-Kenny but, dear SLP reader, please deal with the merits of what I am saying. It is not good for the image of our party for leaders to be dragged off-stage kicking and screaming. We want our leaders to be respected and able to hold their heads high. It is also for that reason I am repeating my call for the government to make the Ramsahoye report public, so that Kenny Anthony is vindicated insofar as the Rochamel affair is concerned.

I have called for change and have made suggestions. I am calling on others to join the debate. The country needs new leadership and direction. We now have two inept leaders on different sides of the political divide. Remember, in politics timing is everything. A late move could prove very expensive for all.

Fritz Pinnock, executive director of CMI, receives a token from Keesha Goffe (right), while Denise Lyn Fatt of FHL and chairman of the Shipping Association of Jamaica’s Agents’ Committee looks on Jamaica stands to benefit from the ripple effects of increased trade in the Caribbean region, Fritz Pinnock, executive director of the Caribbean Maritime Institute said.

Speaking at the Freight Handlers Limited-sponsored Lunch and Learn seminar last Wednesday, Pinnock said that the predictions of the opening of free trade between Cuba and the Unites States (US) could open opportunities for Jamaica based on its close proximity to Cuba. Additionally, Pinnock said the expansion of the Panama Canal and the expected increased traffic along the Asia/US East Coast should provide additional opportunities.

“Almost all Asia and US East Coast traffic are expected to be upgraded from vessels of 4,000-5,000 TEU, to vessels of 8,000-9,000 TEU capacities. Ports located next to the Panama Canal have the advantage of minimising deviation, as the canal is the intersection point for many shipping routes,” Pinnock said.

Infrastructure restrictions

He added that the Panama Canal studies predict that the 8,000-9,000 TEU vessels to use the waterway will not be able to reach US East Coast ports due to the infrastructure restrictions of the latter. “Jamaica must be ready to capitalise on this opportunity,” Pinnock stressed.

Pinnock further pointed out that the changing global traffic patterns in the East to West trade routes pose a threat to the sustainability of a trans-shipment port. This, he said, is based on the fact that for every nine containers that come from the East, four remain empty while the others return with cargo.

Jamaica’s prime location at the crossroads of trade can take advantage of this by developing fully into an integrated multi-modal hub to match the dynamics of trade. “Simply put, the logistics hub will create economic activities that will result in the re-exportation of cargo, which will incorporate air transport for time-sensitive and high-value goods,” Pinnock said.

Working together

He noted that air and sea must work side by side to fully capitalise on the opportunities. Businesses operating in the shipping industry, he pointed out, should look for the gaps in the supply chain and take advantage of the opportunities. Value-added services, he noted, is the way forward.

Denise Lyn Fatt of Freight Handlers Limited (FHL), the sponsors of Wednesday’s Lunch and Learn seminar, highlighted that the company has in excess of 20 years experience in the shipping industry. They provide services via both air and sea which include full container load/full trailer load and consolidated full container load shipments. FHL handles project cargo, households and returning residents’ shipments as well as shipments for new and used Cars.

Lunch and Learn seminars are hosted monthly by the Shipping Association of Jamaica to educate members of the shipping industry on maritime-related matters.

 Jamaica Gleaner

As the obesity epidemic takes over Jamaica and the world, medical experts are finding more and more health problems associated with just being too fat. One expert lists over 130 obesity-related disorders. Your liver can also get sick from getting too fat.

The liver is one of the body’s most important organs. It manufactures many important substances, plays a major role in our digestive processes while detoxifying and clearing toxins from the blood. Normally, the liver can handle a lot of abuse and has a tremendous ability to regenerate itself after damage and stress.

FATTY LIVER

Unfortunately, most people, including some doctors, are unaware of a liver problem that researchers say is now the commonest liver disorder in western countries. In the US, it is estimated to affect almost a quarter of the population. It is called Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The name speaks for itself: an accumulation of fat in the liver, taking over more than 10% of the organ, in people who do not abuse alcohol. This distinction is important as a fatty liver was typically associated with excessive drinking of alcohol.

WHO IS AT RISK

The disease can strike anyone, but certain groups are at high risk:

The obese: 90 per cent of obese individuals are at risk of damaging their liver. Even more important is where your excess fat is stored. Fat around the waist (truncal obesity) is not just stored under the skin. It surrounds and infiltrates the abdominal organs, particularly the liver where fat globules actually enter the liver cells and damage them.

The diabetic: 50 per cent of diabetics have NAFLD, and virtually all obese diabetics will have the disorder. Excess insulin and insulin resistance, a condition associated with type 2 diabetes, and obesity seem to play a major role this liver disease.

High cholesterol: A very high percentage of individuals with elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides have excess fats infiltrating their livers.

The elderly: The prevalence of this condition rises with age and recent studies show that over 65 per cent of persons over age 80 have NAFLD. Very sadly, many obese children already have fatty livers.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Like diabetes and high blood pressure, this liver condition is often silent for many years, only to cause life-threatening problems later.

In some cases you may only have non-specific complaints like low energy, fatigue and mild upper abdominal pain. Laboratory tests for liver function may or may not reveal any abnormality. Later in the progression of the disease, signs of inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer may develop.

TREATMENT OR PREVENTION?

Prevention is better than cure. Conventional medicine does not have a specific drug or treatment for this problem. However, the condition can be largely prevented and sometimes reversed by nutritional and lifestyle changes. This includes:

Weight loss: Losing weight witha nutritionally sound weight-loss programme will result in a significant reduction of excess fat in the liver. I use a lower carbohydrate type, cellular nutrition programme, very effectively in this condition. Getting rid of the fat around the waist is an essential part of any treatment plan. This very same diet will assist greatly in controlling high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels and this is also critical in successfully managing this problem.

Antioxidant supplementation: Vitamins A, C, E, selenium, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and glutathione (Immunucal) all help to protect the already damaged liver while promoting the regeneration of healthy liver cells.

Detoxification programmes: These will help relieve the toxic burden on an already compromised liver. The herb, milk thistle is particularly useful in this regard. Alcohol and other liver toxins must be absolutely avoided.

Soy products: Soybeans contain a form of phosphatidylcholine, a substance that has been shown in some studies to halt the progress of liver damage in NAFLD.

So, if you have a spare tire, a love handle or a beer belly, this may be a warning sign that you are on your way to developing a fatty liver. Remember, not only does life depend on the liver, but also as always, an ounce of prevention is worth a whole ton of cure!

You may email Dr Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com, or listen to ‘An Ounce of Prevention’ on POWER 106 FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. The programme streams live on go-jamaica.com.

Antigua Sun

Mount Obama National Park and Monument aims to protect the history and biodiversity of the area as well as become a chief tourist attraction.

A one-day consultation on the proposed Mount Obama National Park and Monument was held yesterday at the Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre.

The consultation sought how best to approach the development of the South West region of the island to incorporate the park as well as preserve the natural ecology, and develop the existing agricultural structures. Marketing the finished product, creating mini-industries with natural products, public/private sector collaborations, and security also became considerations throughout the day.

There were representatives and presentations from the Environment Division, the Ministry of Agriculture, Tourism, National Parks Authority, Cruise Tourism Association and Sustainable Island Resource Management Mechanism (SIRMM).

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer said preserving the natural environment while capitalising on the resources will be an integral component of the park. He believes that it will increase the project’s marketability as a green recreational space.

The PM also said the park will put the island on the world stage but cautioned that the goals must be realistic or the country’s international reputation could be put at risk if they fail to deliver.

Chairman of the Mount Obama Committee Ivor Jackson deemed the one-day consultation a success. “I think security was an issue raised time and time again by the various persons, and I think given the situation in the world today, any national park that is established must give consideration to safety and security in the planning, both conceptual and management, for the protected area.”

Jackson said they are currently planning the dedication ceremony for the renaming of Mount Obama scheduled for 4 Aug., the birthday of U.S President Barack Obama. Following that, they will continue consultations and planning toward the official opening of the park on 4 Aug., 2010.

The proposed project will involve a museum or interpretation at the top of the hill, expansion of facilities at the Cades Bay and Christian Valley Agricultural Stations, and there were also proposals for trams to take people up the hill.

Jackson said at the opening, they expect to have skeleton facilities that will be expanded and redeveloped as time goes by. They are aiming at the year 2015 to turn the Mount Obama National Park into a world class multi-use protected area of excellence.

Jackson said, “One of the areas that we will have to concentrate on, given some of the discussions that occurred in the late session is to improve the signage on the trail, create a visitor centre that can serve until the interpretation centre is designed and constructed, and look at some degree of marketing and promotion of the project as it stands.

“We are going to within the next year place some emphasis on the training and certification of staff. So there will be a level of excellence in how we go about managing the park even though all the facilities will not be in place when it is opened.”

 Antigua Sun

Yesterday, a group of investors in Stanford companies filed suit against the government of Antigua and Barbuda, claiming the government was complicit in the alleged $7 billion fraud scheme.

According to the 13 July Bloomberg report by Laurel Brubaker Calkins and Andrew M. Harris, the lawsuit was filed in a Houston court yesterday by seven investors who accused the government of receiving money in exchange for helping the financier conceal the financial condition of the Antigua-based Stanford International Bank Ltd.

The investors said in their complaint that Antigua is sovereign but not above the law and the country became a full partner in Stanford’s alleged fraud, and reaped enormous financial benefits from the scheme.

The report further stated that the named investors, three of whom live in the US, three from Latin America and the last the trustee for a retirement plan, seek class action or group status on behalf of all who were Stanford bank customers as of 16 Feb., 2009.

The plaintiff’s lawyer is reportedly Gregory Blue, a partner in the New York law firm of Morgenstern & Blue LLC, which specialises in commercial and bankruptcy disputes.

Blue reportedly told Bloomberg that they are seeking to represent victims worldwide to recover losses from the government of Antigua, which they believe benefited tremendously from Allen Stanford ‘showering the island with money.’

The investors claim that the money gives the country ‘a stake’ in the Stanford enterprise.

Blue wrote in the complaint that the country’s ‘corrupt efforts’ to shield the Stanford enterprises from regulatory and private scrutiny were successful, thus allowing the Stanford enterprises to continue to steal money.

The investors are seeking at least $8 billion in damages, which can be tripled under US civil racketeering laws, and claiming the class could include tens of thousands of people.

The former CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, Leroy King, was accused of taking bribes from Stanford to ignore any wrongdoings in terms of the bank’s records and reports.

Nation News

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital will soon see several new appointments. (FP)

by WADE GIBBONS

THREE MAJOR APPOINTMENTS are to be made at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) within three weeks.

Well-placed sources told the DAILY NATION yesterday that Cabinet had already approved the appointment of two highly qualified Barbadians, both in their 40s, to the positions of head of human resources and director of projects.

The QEH board has also chosen a Trinidad and Tobago national who will assume the position of chief executive officer (CEO). The new CEO is to take up the appointment shortly, after certain contractual details have been completed.

The final choice was made from a reduced list of three people including another top Trinidad and Tobago executive and a Guyanese.

The appointment of the new CEO follows the dismissal of the previous boss at the hospital, Winston Collymore. His contract, which was supposed to run until February 2009, was abruptly terminated by the board on November 30, 2008.

Collymore, who came into the job in March 2006, had been under fire from the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners for months. In an official statement last July, that organisation called for his removal, citing bad management and poor patient care as key areas of concern.

Collymore however defended his track record and in a rebuttal statement said there had been “measurable improvements” at the QEH under his tenure.

Last year, Minister of Health Donville Inniss indicated that while a search was being made for a new CEO, the director of medical services and the chief financial officer would look after the day-to-day management of the institution.

When contacted yesterday, Inniss declined to comment on the appointments, stating any details on the matter would be officially made public through the appropriate channels.

Nation News

Workers of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation standing outside in solidarity with colleague Winston Clement (striped shirt centre). (Picture by Donnay Deane)

by CAROL-ANN TUDOR

WORKERS AT THE Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) staged just over a two-hour work stoppage yesterday in solidarity  with one of their colleagues.
In the blazing afternoon sun,  more than 75 workers huddled in groups, some with umbrellas, others under  the shade of trees, as they protested  over a letter of transfer to security  guard Winston Clement.
Clement, who has been working with  the corporation for the past 21 years,  received a letter last week informing  him that he was being removed  from The Pine, St Michael location.
According to a reliable source, it is  believed that it stemmed from the guard’s action regarding a rule implemented  by board chairman Leroy Parris that  all those entering the building should  register at the front desk.
However, on two occasions recently,  Parris himself neglected to sign  the register and was hence refused  entry into the building by Clement.
Earlier in the day, the delegates of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) held  a meeting with management in an attempt  to get the guard reinstated at The Pine location, but it was refused.
“We are unhappy with the letter and  at the timing it has occurred in relation  to the subsequent transferral and hence  we are on a work stoppage” the source said.
Around 3:35 p.m. CBC management  called for another meeting with the delegates of the BWU division, and after that workers returned to the job.
Union shop steward Michelle Arthur said management indicated at the meeting that they would be “looking at” implementing a rotation system that was transparent, and they had agreed to continue to meet and have discussions in relations to other matters.
Meanwhile, Clement will remain  at The Pine location.
When contacted at 5:50 p.m. assistant general secretary of the BWU, Clifford Mayers, said he knew nothing of the incident which had occurred. General secretary  Sir Roy Trotman is currently overseas.
Efforts to reach chairman Parris  for a comment also revealed he too  was “out of the island”.
In a Press release to the  DAILY NATION last night CBC general manager Lars Soderstrom  said the matter had been resolved.
“We are happy that we’ve been able  to resolve the matter without further industrial action.
“The CBC will continue to work with  the Barbados Workers’ Union to ensure harmony and that proper industrial  relations are observed at the corporation.”