Gaining Common Grounds
Written in June 26, 2014
Our current financial deficit has been in contention for quite a while, as a matter of information successive government has unequivocally been laying the shortfall on our costly existence as a third world nation. Metaphorically! Change of administrations has never attempted to address this deficit in their operation. For this issue why doesn’t our current Prime Minister release to the public a copy of the austerity measures suggested by the International Monetary Funds?
Many years ago our neighboring island Barbados were faced with similar circumstances which consequently guided the then ruling administration in taking severe measures to appeasing both the IMF and the unbalance state of affairs of the island. Barbados’s former Prime Minister Sir Erskine Sandiford audaciously address the condition by principally setting the pattern of a considerate leader when he announced to the nation that he was obligated to balance the country’s insufficiency as mandated by the IMF, by first exhibiting the conclusion, and then awesomely inviting respective union along with public officials in his announcement to commence austerity with him leading by example in taking the first elemental fall with a significant cut in his salary. Then what followed through is interesting to note as this has led the Barbados government, public unions, and the Barbados dollar to tread along the road to economic stability.
Here in St. Lucia we are a bit fortunate to be sharing a common currency which is linked to number of neighboring one currency trading peninsular all in line to the US dollar. What we in St.Lucia needs now is 'and' [to quote our central bank governor the financial guru Sir Dwight] is proper prudent leadership or managers ~ like Barbados’s the late Sir Erskine whom had successfully inspired and revealed great modesty stirring his nation away from financial embarrassment, in spite of his party having to pay heavily at the national elections which followed. Sandie as he was affectionately called by his fellow countrymen went on to become a respected national icon, first being ceremoniously knighted on recognition for his good economic strategy and then made an ambassador for his knowledge & expertise in dealing with governmental issues and I dare to mention his ability in putting country first.
Fellow St.Lucians we are now faced with a similar situation like what our neighbors Barbados faced twenty or so odd years ago. In addition, we should cautiously stop comparing our selves with systematically & economically advance islands like Barbados where the geographical sphere has given them the advantage for growth. Suffice to say in an island of a measly 170,000 inhabitants ~ how did we find ourselves now having to pay for reckless officials mishandling of the economy. This government interest payments are projected at over 15%, as reported in the 2014/2015 estimates of expenditures, coupled with transfers somewhere between 11-12% to cap government at 70% fixed expenditure of Gross Domestic Product, along with other things that placed government in the red…..which means many financial institution will consider our debt level as a high risk bail-off.
The saving grace for the current administration will have to start with our leader asking the island for forgiveness by first (a) publicly renouncing his acrimonious statement of threats ~ which he made while in opposition {to write to the international corps warning them against investing into this island}. Secondly (b) we in St.Lucia clearly need to know why we are paying back so heavily for his blunders in handling the then Rochemel affairs. Thirdly (c) give St. Lucian contractors and laborers a break to bring about sustainable benefits to the economy ~ by basically tendering contracts to nationals to alleviate the present accumulation of silt at the Roseau Dam. Such dignifying gestures will put this island on a good balance in gaining common grounds in all apparitions.
Stanley Leonaire
The Millet Dam ~ Let's get it sorted once and for all
Written & published 15/4/2014
By now we are all hoping the last Christmas Eve tropical depression will now signal the government a message about the constant cleaning of drains & supply sources, further so we do understand the big publicity behind the de-siltation of the Millet dam, since I first raised the issue back then in a commentary I had written & initially published (December 10th 2012) entitled “Take a Look at the Global Mirror and Make That Change" / Vat Has To Be Revamp….in which I explain how Sir John has therefore earned his status by working tirelessly to bring about the absolute necessary (a) Millet Dam. (b) The well sort after Rodney Bay living & shopping area (which is now in dire need of drains tidiness) especially around the KFC fast food area the stench is unbearable, > to explicate the present condition.
What is more intriguing about this dam issue was listening to a recent deliberation involving <“see no evil hear no evil Spinner” Claudius> and the newly installed Wasco boss Hippolyte, whereby the issue was clearly detailed to the listening public that our present Prime Minister was right on the ball in his lamentation of the plight of Millet dam….”the biggest task his administration has to embark upon” ~ a very precarious announcement by a Prime Minister who knew all along what he inherited back then and never once attempted to tender out contracts in gradually maintaining what his predecessors work so hard to bring about. This begs me to question why are we struggling months upon months in paying out big salaries to public figures whom pretends to know it all?.....only to realized now their don’t have a clue or neither to care a dam!.
But then! What really set off my emotion on the debate was hearing the panel explaining what seems to me a trump-up finding from what claim to be some German professionals ~ of the risk on de-silting of the Millet dam. This I am totally unimpressed upon hearing, as most of us in the real world do know of the advance stages that German technology assert itself upon. One just needs to make a trip over to Düsseldorf, Germany to witness German technology at its finest in challenging such cosmetic verification. Further down south, if we are to compare our tiny Millet Dam to ‘say’ the Navet Dam in Trinidad & Tobago which has been in existence since in the early sixties …... an area measuring 800 acres and has a capacity of containing over 4,000 million gallons. It supplies 86.4 m³ per day. In addition, it is being de-silted on a fairly regular basis… this just doesn’t connect…. The part about there’s never been any undertaking of such magnitude ~ is pure Hogwash (excuse my foul dialect) deceptive reasoning and maybe yet another manoeuvring to tax us further….should we trust the government? Can we please see this report finding?
Apart from establishing various water catchment area which is perhaps uncomplicated and cost effective… looking at the demographics of our terrain there are other processes like desalination plants which should be looked into ~ we are neighbours to islands which are successfully living comfortably with such irrigational concepts. Besides tendering out the dredging/de-silting task to individual St.Lucians contractors & plant owners, I for one strongly suggest that the St.Lucia government should put all it’s available resources in negotiating ways & means to retrofit our already existing Millet Dam to realize maximum benefit through hydroelectric power alternative energy to provide the length & breath of this tiny island household lighting & water consumption.
Where a government continues to sustain itself by introducing a full 15% value added tax in the middle of a double digit recession, even defying the odds in maintaining high-priced municipal sectors ~ by comparing itself to neighbouring Trinidad & Tobago (check the dignitary MP number plates) amongst other things…….this shouldn’t be accepted in a struggling economy. It is very interesting to note that in a small island of 170,000 inhabitants where the cost of living is far exceedingly high per capita income, whereas there’s never been fear of the population turning their frustration onto public officials. Further in a bid to attract foreign investments the government have continue to draft legalisations at whatever cost to the tax payers in rebranding already established government agencies & departments….so much to say about Invest St. Lucia Ltd and the long list of aspiring technocrats the government has in its employment.
We all will not forget our Prime Minister proclamation about St.Lucia’s water being the cheapest compare to other Caribbean islands, now his latest post budget speech is that this island has the most items exempted from VAT in the entire Caribbean, again ~ absolute rubbish!..... Yet another indication for price increases to the end users whom are left to foot the bill for government lavish living standards, not to mention their inability to negotiate & gain the confidence in prospective investors out there.
But could this be yet another ploy to gain public support in escalating the price of water once more? Here in a tiny island measuring 238 square miles and surrounded by the source… In the abundance of water this island shouldn’t be going thirsty ~ since we are not barren in areas where there’s only sand ~ and all this is thanks to planet earth being surrounded by majority water as oppose to land.
HAPPY EASTER ST. LUCIA
Stanley Leonaire
"Stanley Leonaire posted unto LinkedIn 8/22/2014
Team Leader at Island Properties Company
Good decision Jason! and very well written. .......Oh my goodness!, i can relate with Ms Olivia Strand {it's rise coincided with a several year long phase of Internet fatigue that had me switch off almost entirely}.
. And like Olivia i can safely & honestly say i have never been on Facebook ~ and this is because I've always read the label.
How does it feel or look like when you're competing against your kids. From a business standpoint Facebook marketing & advertising makes a whole lot of sense otherwise it's complete [APG] addictive personal garbage for grown-ups......... I just knew i was not alone."
Featured Posts
Another Inspirational good soul bites the dust.
THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL & THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.
Recent Posts
News from the Caribbean: Monday June 23, 2014
Back To Today's News
Letter: Is the dam issue a pretext to line up the pocket of political operatives in St Lucia?
Published on June 7, 2014Email To Friend Print Version
Dear Sir:
As taxpayers we must often question the motive of proposals that come into view as the main subject topic of the agenda, essentially when it’s reckoned to be matters with the purpose of digging into our already bare pockets.
One doesn’t have to be a genius in understanding the sagacity of the government’s new devious ideas to continue using force on the poor to pay more. Just take a look at the way they have hatched out a scheme to discontinue the subvention on basic brown sugar in exchange for VAT relief on medicine.
Whereas, while the health of our young vibrant society continues to deteriorate over grieving through the government bluffs of pumping EC$100 million upon coming into office and equally the over-indulgence of cheap available tobacco and alcohol drugs, this selfish myopic government has ridiculously bent backward (due to public outcry) and has now agreed to lift the VAT on medicine in exchange to asking the public indirectly to change their unhealthy lifestyle by using white sugar which they will continue to subsidize as opposed to what is now being describe as ‘killer’ brown sugar.
What a load of BS, when one can clearly see that the government’s only concern is to protect their interest of survival -- staying in power at whatever cost -- by avoiding putting maximum tax on such needless relaxation habits… tobacco and alcohol drugs… will theoretically guarantee them a longer stay in office. We are not gonna sit by and allow our hard earned tax monies go into political campaign funding, nor are we prepared to lavish monies into the pockets of foreigners who have no genuine intention of improving our livelihood.
The International Monetary Fund is forever keeping watch over the reckless spenders/fraudsters with lofty ideas with the aim of sustaining power through whatever means. St Lucia has now found itself in this dilemma, as what were presented to us as problem-solvers may very well turn out to be just ordinary swindlers with communistic inclinations. These very same individuals who have wrecked financial system in nearby islands are now showing washed-up on our shores. Albeit their threats -- when in opposition -- to write to the international corps warning them against investing in this island have now obviously backfired, as they are not attractive in their bid to woo investors to this small nation.
Are we now to believe the ploy over the Roseau Dam was another publicity stunt to make it appear to be a bad visualization in planning by their predecessor and as result they will have to seek professional personnel from abroad to secretly line their pockets, thus leaving all disbelieving taxpayers thinking otherwise?
Such responsibility, I strongly believe, can be resolved by employing local contractors with manual workers to bring about sustainable benefits to an already dwindling economy -- just look island-wide at the amount of heavy equipment not being put to full potential. And if there’s an issue with the disposal of the created silt, then I hereby recommend another opportunity in putting our resources to benefit unemployed locals in filling up the nearby low-lying Roseau, Cul de Sac and Bexon areas.
To further add support to my investigations, I will now make public a quote from one of the individuals who engineered the building of the Roseau Dam, recently disclosing to the media that the present condition of dam can be resolved by St Lucians. Oh yes!
This former foreigner, who has obtained local nationality status in recent times, said: “Ever since Tomas, the silt problem has been mentioned. But nothing has been done about it. Governments have been sitting on this and nobody has been willing to tackle it. We have local companies here, we have the boats, the dredgers, and they have the know-how. There are different ways of doing it; you can suck it, pump it, it can be done with a crane or other equipment. There’s no need to go outside the country and spend money that we don’t have. The local contractors are the cheapest option for the government at this present time.”
According to my reliable source, St Lucians should be also informed by now that this government interest payments are projected at over 15%, as reported in the 2014/2015 estimates of expenditures, coupled with transfers somewhere between 11-12% to cap government at 70% fixed expenditure of gross domestic product (GDP), along with other things that placed government in the red, which means many financial institutions will consider our debt level as a high risk bailout.
I rest my case by further reminding St Lucians to be vigilant of common thieves portraying themselves as governors of the people. A constitutional lawyer who is famously known to have said that public servants are his toys.
Stanley Leonaire
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
Written June 13th, 2014
THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL & THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
Couldn’t wait for this time around, and now the day have arrived Thursday June 12th, 2014. I have taken time out {as I always do this time around} to watch the 64 matches which have always been telecast from it’s inception I understood many years back since I was a lad.
Today’s opening fixture between the host country Brazil versus Croatia has been well anticipated to be a win for the country who manufactures the most skillful of them all. Brazil by far has been one of the biggest inspiration for many a kids dream to showcase his & hers talent in the world’s number one sport.
Suffice to say, my time taken off to concentrate on the beautiful game will surely and {going to press}, is already starting to show good results as the host country has put on display a fairly good account of the skillful works in the world game.
Brazil has gone ahead to a good start, in maintaining its opening match gain with a 3 . 1 win over the second ranking in their group A Croatia. [Check out > www.sleonaire.wix. com/lnjislandproperties] blog section to score on your various groupings. Oscar to my liking gave a good account of what a good footballer needs to display at such world competition level.
The second day of the tournament was a bit disappointing for a merely unfamiliar under-performing Cameroon team. The black lions seem still affected by their late paid bonuses {which I understood was last minute thankfully settled by the intervention of their government via Fifa’s promised} will not get to another group stage even under the divine talisman Samuel E’to and may not advance with their current lack luster
approach to the beautiful game. Football to my knowledge is suppose to be played with Agility, tactics and prowess…..none of this was shown in the Cameroon features.
The Netherlands shown the world what soccer is all about….exhibiting total control and skill of the game, unlike the Spaniards their weren’t willing to play 90 minutes with an outcome of penalties kicks to resolve the end. They simply went ahead showing the world the individual skills of their mascots….Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben & Wesley Sneijder all world class rated footie’s whom ply their trade overseas in England,
Germany & Turkey respectively {a lesson for England to adopt} if their want to play to truly win the world cup….. As St.Lucian/Dominican ~ British national 31 years old Toronto FC soccer ace Jermain Defoe was again left out of England’s world cup line-up.
A lad with a fairly brilliant colorful CV, having stated playing from England’s youthful 16, 18, 21 & above national side…. What an oversight for these British (media) selectors to have missed. Top British footballer Jermain Defoe reminds me of Jamaican born England former national player John Barnes whom was constantly left on the reserve bench for 60 minutes, then upon getting him off the bench only to save England’s face in the beautiful game final 30 minutes. Furthermore! Why don’t the English do like the norm, and farm-out some of their world class nationals to play in the world cup, the popular Premier League is very much on par with the German BundesLiga, Dutch Eredivisie League & Spanish La liga, these three mentioned European football league have all enjoyed immense popularity in the past and have continue to recall their ace players from England & overseas to gel alongside their home base top notch.
While on the topic of overseas based players, the Ivory Coast footballers have put on a great entertaining match against a very defensive Japan side. But that was when {The Elephants} mighty talisman Didier Drogba decided to come off the bench in the 60th minute of the game. I reckon this 36 year old most sort after Galatasaray Club footballer may end his career back in England, despite his age.
Can’t wait to see the Germans display what will qualify them to play in the finals againsteither Brazil, Holland, the Ivory Coast and perhaps the young Ghanaians.
"All that i know about morality & obligation, I owe to soccer"
Enjoy The Beautiful Game
Stanley Leonaire
Spanish Liga - Messi signs Barca deal 'worth €16m a year after tax'
Lionel Messi has signed an extension of his Barcelona contract until 2018 - and it is reportedly worth €16 million a year after tax.
By Jonathan Symcox - follow on Twitter @Symco_Eurosport 8 February 2013 11:24 Eurosport
my comment:
"Lionel Messi is absolutely a genius in the beautiful game of football, this exceptionally bright player whom epitomizes the game the very same way Edson arrantes "PELE" do Nacimento dominated the control of the ball in his heyday.
However the monies now dish out to modern day sports enthusiasts are ridiculously unfair compared to the small pittance now being invested into human resources by these very same selfish shortsighted billionaire investors. These vultures should be taxed to the max, and their returns should then be reinvested into public & private jobs for the world oppressed." Barcelona/Fulham For Life Stanley Leonaire
Championship - Footballer sacked for punching woman in face
Footballer Kevin Sainte-Luce has been sacked by Cardiff City after being found guilty of punching a woman unconscious and assaulting her friend.
30 January 2013 13:06 Eurosport
"Some of us just need to be re-educated.This is simply not a racist issue,but a young~possibly overpaid arrogant brat showing off in the most unspeakable negative way. Soccer should be played by disciplined individuals,whom others could look up to. However ! color has nothing to do with the load of C.aP that Merri-May & Peter Webber are insinuating. Well done judge Jenkins for the somewhat fair verdict, and moreover Cardiff City FC for handing this out of order footy the sack. Shame on you civilized individuals" . Regards Fulham FC For Life Stan
Premier League: Terry to keep captaincy despite record fine
John Terry will remain as captain of European champions Chelsea on a permanent basis, the club's chairman Bruce Buck has confirmed.
20 October 2012 09:40 Eurosport
{Why always me? 1 year ago
A goalkeeper gets punched by a Leeds thug and yet John Terry is still in the news for nothing.} Matt
"Matt ~ "John Terry in still in the news for nothing" ! What a irresponsible, irrational comment for a beautiful game fun to broadcast. John Terry has always been considered a leader being the former captain of England & Chelsea FC he should lead by example ~ first by admitting to this callous racist remarks in his defense at the Magistrate hearing, then publicly make an apology to Anton Ferdinand & the British Football governing body ( FA ). On the same note, if the Premier League, the British FA, Chelsea's CEO Ron Gourlay & Owner Roman Abramovich wants to advocate and set examples against racial abuse in the most beautiful game of our time their should all send a resounding message by booting him out of the game for life~~~~~~not condoning such devious abuses by imposing rubbish peanuts fines of 220K. This is a merely a slap on the wrist for a wealthy footie like John Terry." Regards Fulham FC For Life Stan
"So, Mo, have you ever run before???....
By Eurosport 26 February 2013 14:32 World of Sport
"This just shows you that this news anchor did not even know the subject of her interview.Moreover, i tend to believe there were no editing around this interview > what a blunder for this television station newscast......Kudos to marathon runner Mo Farah for his humility shown throughout this bizarre interview." Stanley
Stanley Leonaire 1 year ago
This Russian lorry driver must have learnt a thing or two from the Russian President who's just as an amazing athlete & dare devil enthusiate. Furthermore i am wondering~ what would've been his outcome had he been wearing seatbelts .
Stanley
Empty Cookie Jars
Written In November, 2013
Successive elected officials are continuing to ignore our natural talent & resources, and instead keep looking into empty cookie jars in their search to alleviate the island’s growing inability to attract foreign investors & investments.
On the eve of the 2014 World cup, we are still asking ourselves why are we not following our sister island Jamaica for the development of sport tourism. Whereas we invest millions upon millions promoting a jazz festival (just to lay claim as the best festival out of the Caribbean) only to realize losses upon losses year in year out.
This brings me to comment about a former local minister of sports making very derogative statement in lamenting his disgust for the beautiful world game of football ~ he was quoted as saying “football is 22 guys running around trying to kill each other on a field”, only because he selfishly favours cricket over soccer. Not considering the fact that cricket in its similarity requires the same figure of 22 individuals competing against each other. Such a foolish & callous remark coming from an elected former sports minister,
Moreover, we found ourselves embarrass with Switzerland’s and the world’s most influential sports statesman FIFA president Joseph “Sepp” Blatter when he paid us a (so call) secret visit over ten or so years ago. Where it was alleged that he was occasionally chauffeured to the island’s most northern point to partner with a certain sports minister (at the time) in one of his daily recreational game of golf.
Here is an important world figure that dishes out millions to Africa & the world for the development of the world game in different communities, and it was our chance to showcase our ability to impress upon an eventful moment in time like the (cocky) ~ now turned politician …..Jack Warner (FIFA’s) former vice president did for Trinidad & Tobago football elevation.
I am simply trying to appeal to respective local government officials and their so called advisors to start negotiating with world dignitaries on an open playing field for the development of sports tourism amongst other things, as there’s full potential in attracting international leagues, players & followers to our world class stadiums in the north & south of our paradise island. This will also entice our skilfull youths to ignore the drugs and instead endeavour to achieve likewise as the photos on the shirts their all seems to be portraying.
One may wonder why I stress so much on the sports of football, as it is known has continued to bring benefits to the world’s young idle & underprivileged many ………this beautiful game is the fastest growing and most popular sport in the world………and should be inculcated into every school curriculum.
As previously explained, we are a nation with plenty drama & young natural talent just waiting to get recognition on the world stage. With proper marketing & management we can utilise and channel our resources to reap benefits from good investment like sports tourism instead of looking inside empty cookie jars
Stanley "All that i know about morality & obligation, I owe to soccer"
Look At What The Cat Dragged In ~ Vat has to be Revamp.
I have stayed away from all these political squabble in the past few years as i try to concentrate and moreover recommend policies of self-sustenance
amongst other things to my immediate so-called social associates.
Vat as we come to realize is an obligated statute or as i would like to say~a foreshadow govern levy which is always a forecast on the legislative cards to introduce on the populace whenever the dependency of a state becomes overwhelmed with huge debts which is unbearable and unsustainable.This is an obvious indication that we are lounging at the jaws of the International Monetary Funds.
Now what St.Lucians are not being told by the politicians and legislative cohorts is even if the island introduce vat as a means of financing & balancing it's massive debts ~this policy won't guarantee the abstention of the island succumbing to the IMF. Thanks to the imprudent spending of the former regime While we continue to live lavishly like developed countries, our politicians are indirectly indicating to us that the only way forward is to cut down on our local systems workforce~this is blatantly covering up for their own extravagant spending in salaries,purchasing of vehicles and globetrotting. The inept former administration was famously known to be unacquainted to the consolidation funds and thereby concentrated on going to bed with Taiwanese to enable them to privately pocket third world projected resources.
The only unselfish opinion i had time to entertain in the advent of the vat has come from Accountant/Businessman Geoffrey Devaux whom share a similar sentiment that in as much that vat is inevitable, the timing is just not conducive to the current global double digits recession repercussions.
Coincidental the Trinidad Government has just gone into parliament to alter the vat on all edible consumption goods.This is a self reliant republic island with ultra highways & super hypermarket shopping malls all being supplemented by black sandy beaches blanketing reservations of crude oil, and a another natural resource (it's people) possesses apart from openly displaying their skillful talents, their have a knack for diplomacy. Trinidad & Tobago the (Miami shopping) capital of the Caribbean can afford to feed the entire rest of the English speaking Caribbean archipelago, as there was a time Trinidad & Tobago was where the islands natives were to venture in search of huge food & clothing bargains. Now in spite of T n T being self sufficient the government has politely and cleverly decided that in light of the soon to be global (15%) increase in food prices it has gone into parliament and enacted legislation to immediately alleviate the strain on it's ever increasing population by removing the vat tariff on all food items. Bravo for a president whom understands and listen it's people and won't allow them to pay exorbitant prices for basic human needs, moreover the president foresees the havoc this unpopular tax will create. Hence the reason for the abstention of this piece of levy~ despite of her island not being dependent on the much sort out tourism dollar, she has gone ahead in paving the way to embrace the islands shoppers whom she obviously anticipate will be calling in numbers on her shores in the advent of the food & clothing shortages which will be evident in such chaos.
Suffice to say on this issue, but wasn't our Prime Minister purposing to pump 100 million dollars into this stagnant economy, this was often mentioned in his many addresses and political meetings. Now we all understand where this hyperbole was hatch out~nice try prime minister, as St.Lucian will have to either brace themselves to stomach the threatening unbearable substandard way of self sustenance or demand the government find some other diplomatic means of stemming development into this stagnant economy other than trying to squeeze the blood out of it's struggling small population in it's gimmicks in pumping 100 million dollars into the economy. This 15% Vat should derive from visitors calling to our port if we are continually boasting of the increase in tourist arrivals, it's sheer logic that when one leaves to embark on a vacation their are likely to spend most times even out of pocket~ look at the way Sandals go about marketing it's product. I also think it's about the time the prime minister subordinates and advisers lead him into the understanding that he must pay more attention to the island's Aggro Industries huge potentials. This may also stem excitement with the farming community and besides keep young farmers at home to attend to their farms instead of ending up in Canadian & French lockouts. All is not lost when the authorities realized where it's real resources lies and take the initiative in negotiating markets out there for cocoa & it's by- products, poultry & it's by -products, bananas & plantain by- products, coconuts & it's by- products, mangoes & it's by- products to name a few rather than subsidizing empty aircraft seats flying out of the island. After all this where else can the islanders vent their frustration upon experiencing the awful site of what the cat just dragged in.
Stanley
"Take A Look At The Global Mirror And Make That Change"/ Vat Has To Be Revamp. Pt 2
You know when i look at our current economic dilemma in St.Lucia one person come to mine. This individual has performed as a statesman conscientiously putting the country first before being consume by his political propensity.Former interim prime minister Michael Pilgrim has shown his ability to examine economic difficult times and moreover the then popular reflections of the time.This former St.Lucia senator, the very same gentleman whom introduced our current prime minister as a young intellect just out of University by changing the then constitution to allow the young intelligentsia a prominent position in the then ruling labour administration had forever shown his proficiency in mingling with common people and listening to their many exclamations.This is the very same visionary gentle politician (under the presumably advice of O.E.C.S financial genius Sir Dwight) whom made fruition in our local banking sector by introducing St.Lucia Development Lending Institution B.O.S, which our current prime minister and his immediate peerage has now benefited tremendously in the legal intricacy which brought about this indigenous financial institution alignment to regional & global banking.
The then temporary prime minister Michael Pilgrim was a man with tremendous vision (so was Sir John whom famously turned a mosquito infested swampy peninsular>Rodney Bay into a now jealously guarded preference of the more affluent living quarters for the natives & foreign investors).Sir John has also earned his status by working tirelessly to bring about the absolute necessary Millet Dam which unfortunately the extremely nice mannered but inept former prime minister King and our current prime minister whom both presumably are awaiting so called expert advice on the desilting of this most important source, This makes us understand why water is a worrying factor in St.Lucia an island surrounded by water, as contrary to the arguments by the former & current administration, wasco's problems needs to be solved through the investigation of why certain individual in management are taking home salaries amounting over $25000.00 while the hard working local engineers are allotted a mere pittance despite of their diligence in handling daily overbearing complains. Meanwhile instead of negotiating with our neighboring islands for a way forward to the desalination of our immense resources or the possibility of establishing another dam, successive administration rather payoff empty seats to airliners leaving our airspace, embark on first class cabin flights to bid with foreign counterparts for personal needs in squenching their palatial lifestyle are among some of the daily excessive. Perhaps my Dr friend on the water board should explain this to our local forever accommodating public before the soon to be enacted water act empowering wasco to raise their rate to three fold or so > en bien ( sa drugs kennintoni et yo vla mon portay et vant en st.lucie ), if one has to seriously investigate those recent drive-by & paramilitary executions then we will get the really picture of the local drugs standoff, yes our local counterpart & his Vinci's bosom buddy seems bent on teaching the mighty USA a lesson for vetoing against O E C S bananas at the World Trade Organisation.
I am one of the individuals who understands the need to utilized the best brains of the island when such situations arises< and this brings to mind why are world bank respected intellectuals such as Aussie,world trade recognized former controller of customs (to name a few) are being marginalized while what's regarded as tertiary educated infidels such as the ex price control/turned bureau of standards officials are currently being made public laughing stocks in their explanations & enforcement of the vat taxes.This once more brings me to quote the musical genius{ MJ's} ~ Man In The Mirror "If you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make that change".
Though i have always maintain my disinterest in current local politics for the obvious moral principles i was brought up to embraced, i am also finding it hard to remain unperturbed where myopia seems to be an order of the day, a plague affecting the current administration and moreover this beautiful island St.Lucia. How can a people with good ethical upbringings allow libertines & deceivers get their way into office with the promise of pumping 100 million into the economy by means of digging deeper into the natives already empty pockets.This i find to be taking the piss. Is this equitable economics when an administration claiming to be a pro-people representative passes legislation to allow its gross national earners to pay 50% less vat taxes, whereas it's unemployed cash strap natives are legally obliged to pay the full legislated tariff, (saint Licien parkay manje ramen/sa fig vet et chicken wings stew nou emey manje/ se chicken wings par ne vat~ en bien ke ma ner ya pwei ha telma ho) > can vat bring back the better days we knew back then?.
And another thing~ recently i have just happen to be in the right place at the right time to witness the local utility company Lucilec accompanied by the heavily armed S S U law enforcers pouncing upon the fishing village of Dennery disconnecting the power meters of this vistas of beach houses & small businesses in paramilitary fashion,is there such enacted law in enforcement for the collection of vat taxes or is this another first, the public is now taken for granted as was in the case of the jumble up enacted vat legislation. Is our current Prime Minister trying to emulate rich republic Trinidad n Tobago as seen in his similar style maintaining a fleet of outriders on our narrow so called 4 lane highways?. Can one from the what is deem to be the powerful local bar association guide me along with the constitution of this land?. Yes i was one of silent many calling for a referendum on vat even when it seems inevitable for St.Lucia, as my friends will agree to my prediction that within a few years of vat collections our current thick skinned Prime Minister ( a constitutional mappipy at his best ) will eventually listen to the public outcry and address vat's draconian repercussions on all food items and this will incidentally coincide with the re-election of the ruling labour party for a second term, moreover releasing St.Lucia from the jaws of the I.M.F.> is this what we voted for?.
My accounts of events are not based on mere speculative dissertations ~ but a collaborative amount of factual ideas from informative sources.
Here Wishing All A Bright & Prosperous 2013 without further empty promises
Stanley
In leadership there’s no place for under-achievers
Written in December 2013
Exceedingly so often in our lives we find ourselves trying to twirl around with words, even when taken to justification, likewise taken to task. We would pretend to be (Mr Know it all) or should I be more direct – conceited (like in the case of our present Minister of Education) showing off his incapability to cover up for his colleagues the other night on television. I was most dumbfounded by the fact that here you have an individual who claims to be highly educated & religious (a former professional educator to be exact), and besides having to face the public concerns-he was simply bent on concealing his & his comrades dirty little promises. Even when so many well-read individuals whom kept calling the talk show with the outline valid definition of the word IMMEDIATE, he kept shielding himself and colleagues at whatever cost – constantly reminding the public audience that (he and his contemporaries has not subside on their iniquitous empty pledges).
In keeping with the subject of education – why didn’t our public elected officials turn to the Chinese or Taiwanese for help in seeking to obtain the very contentious computers that their now trying to dodge the issue on? Yes the very Taiwanese that our commander in chief & one associate named Earl promised to do away with, prior to the party assuming office.
Then there’s the issue with the inheritance of a shady police force & their insecure legal assigns - this we know will not go away as the United States of America has a dossier of wrongful proceedings concerning our local law enforcers whom went about slaughtering arraign defenceless local individuals, amid other indictment. Yet still our current administration is baffled by seeking ways and means in sustaining what their keep constantly reminding us of a diminutive untrained police force, often seen parading/ ticketing vehicles with highly explosive arsenals around the busy small city of Castries. It about time successive administration should consider that our police officers has taken an oath to secure, protect & serve the public > contrary to the norm of being utilised by corrupt legal authoritarians to keep watch over their converted illicit mules and equally seen obtaining dishonest taxes under duress.
Who would ever assume a mere 33 feet long or so stretch of bridge which has been in deterioration for the past twelve years, and lately by the passage of hurricane Tomas would end up costing the tax payer eleven million dollars to be rebuild without any mention of a cycle path. Constitutional figure heads like our present Prime Minister will forever rule with the notion that as long as the public are kept away from the facts & figures, then there is no way for accountability on their part. Just look at the similarity (length & width) to the newly completed Rodney Bay crossing > this easily exposes irregularity. Can our present Communication & Work Minister explain such inconsistency?
Previously, in a commentary entitled “Take A Look At The Global Mirror And Make That Change" / Vat Has To Be Revamp” I had written December 10th 2012 where I had raised the issue of the water woe in which, I then praised Sir John for the brilliant mental picture he had towards the establishments of the much needed (a) water dam, (b) the mariner in the north are amongst the number of projects which he had undertaken with the vision of the island further dependency for the foreign currency. We all can recall in our former charismatic leader Sir John days when the campaign would cease and the then administration goes to work in delivering and cordially attracting foreign investment by obvious means of eye-catching concessions, contrary to the current repugnant legislative tariffs which are chasing away investors and furthermore somehow created to dig deeper into the common people pockets, ~ so much of a government for the people.
It is indeed chilling to imagine being governed by a bunch of inflated bureaucrats whom can’t inspire a glimmer of hope on such a tiny, uncomplaining and resourceful population. We ought to be demanding for accountability from the present Prime Minister as there’s no place for under-achievers in the world of business administration.
Coming to think about it ~ was our current Prime Minister (a qualified constitutional reformist to be exact) an overestimated last minute panic choice for the island’s voting public?
Here Wishing All a Bright & Prosperous 2014 with the uninterrupted deliverance of the campaign (bluffs) promises.
Stanley
Now the latest we are hearing on the water dam issue is that the present administration doesn’t have a clue on the de-silting process (clearing of the debris) which has accumulated over time and lately following the passage of hurricane Tomas. Again I urge that we ask the Chinese or Taiwanese for help in seeking ways & means, or perhaps turn to the European Union for help & advice on this very technical issue as this may very well fall under the aid programIn another previous observation entitled “Look at What the Cat Dragged in ~ Vat has to be revamp” written and initially published (September 5th 2012). I had brought up the issue of sustainability development in which i identified the lack of foresight of the present administration into allocating & establishing markets for fruit & vegetable by-products. This island is blessed with fertile lands in which the inhabitants all has history & holdings of farm lands, now with all the word around of assistance being offer by the Chinese & Taiwanese why can’t we negotiate for assistance towards the long terms sustainability of what we can produce from these known expert aggro processors.
My now deceased fussy, cheeky megalomaniac neighbour…. who was he?
Initially published (October 2012)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was the summer of 76' when I had just approached my adolescent years with great enthusiasm. Being my parents eldest son (3 older sisters before me), I was then designated to run short errands/among other things between our once dwelling house on the Chaussee road to our businesses on Maryanne & St.Louis street.
There on St.Louis street I got acquainted to the ex queen's council/then attorney general whose dwellings is located right across the road from my family own business house. He seems to be a man of immense stature as he often nods his head in the most congenial manner > greeting bystanders whom commutes through the above mention street and its environments. What was very noticeable about him was his knack for attention while entering & backing his car in and out his driveway unto the pedestrian walkway….. this he does with the full use of his (awful sounding) distinctive horn & constant revving of his engine, which did initially caught my attention when he once approach me for guidance out of his driveway in which I promptly responded by informing him that I won't be able to perform the chores of his butler. Oh yes! he did kept one on standby ~ a St.Louis street/heavily accented Barbadian shoe cobbler whom performed the duty of a valet shared by other roll-call procedures which was seemingly apparent.
This sort of rebuttal did create a bit of animosity as I did recall him murmuring out at me ~ "young Leonaire you're too young to be responding in this manner". … Well time did proved his level of feelings towards me, as I was on three occasions named the respondent to answer lawsuits claiming what he deems as the noise pollution emanating out of my family's business place.
Being the self appointed karaoke host at the family run sports bar back then, one of my very first and famously sang song was none other than "Late In The Evening" obviously written by the best & most prolific songwriter of all times~ the poetic genius Paul Simon. This particular song I blurted out on my inaugural karaoke opening was not taken too keenly by the former church organist whom consequently approached me the following day and gave me a tongue lashing ~ to which I politely reacted in promising him that I will continue to entertain with similar nostalgic hits within the periphery of the law. I can recall distinctively in one of our infamous brief encounters where he attempted to lecture me with excerpts from his famous radio program "the law & you" declaring to me that with his well placed influences he’ll summon me before the courts and eventually shut down every entertainment business houses along St.Louis street & city vicinity. Yes he has forever been campaigning against the fact that the city commercial houses engages in various forms of activities with rules set by him, and that St.Louis street should be off bounds for certain individual businesses. This was very apparent when i decided to turned down my non-amplified karaoke stereo to way down to 15 decibels less than the usual volume, in which he declared this was not an option to be determined by me. I was further reliably informed that this eccentric attorney at law has numerous lawsuits against a number of individuals and establishment not to mention his own family legal action against his dishonesty as a real estate agent among his other performed entitlement.
At one court hearing against me, he was order to stop directing his seemingly obvious hostility towards the defendant and to explain to the judge the level of disturbances with accorded to the noise pollution act, to which he replied that he was also seeking damages for the pain and anguish he'd encountered in his many attempt in summoning the authorities and moreover the many sleepless nights he was subjected to throughout the course spanning from the moment I decided to include karaoke in my entertainment event. Yet still this presumably senile lawmaker was on a number of occasion spotted attentively listening to the nostalgic songs blurting out of this karaoke venue, which one of the gem songs often being rendered by me incidentally happen to be the singing bus driver Matt Monro's high pitch " A portrait of my love", to which he did inform me that I often sang out of pitch. ~ (How dare him)!
Finally the now deceased somewhat cheeky church organist did received his legal ruling with the court suggesting that he should consider relocating to where fashion connects, if he despises the commercialization that city dwelling often creates { and this was before his apparent reclusive wife declared to me "don't you know whom my husband is". outside the final court appearance.
Stanley Leonaire
"Seriously! This is a clever and well drawn-out decision by a premier league manager with a fantastic short c/v which reads success right through.
Northern Ireland's Brendan Rodgers is no ordinary manager to ignore as i have been following this {still }relatively young manager for quite a while, and i must admit ~ he always seems to impress me with his kinda {pushy} management style.....Hey this guy gives successive result after-all.
Can you picture this.....mental case Suarez is sold by Brendan for somewhere between 60million-70million pounds, then he cleverly bags Super Mario from Milan for a measly 16million (4 times less) ~ ridding Liverpool of the immensely overrated embarrassment of British football......how bright.
Such brilliancy can only be thought-of by only the UK special one.
I for one will continue to follow the achievements of Brendan Rodgers....and will boldly predict that once Brendan is still in management at Liverpool, then Super Mario will remain tame and go on to lift up trophies for his newly found club.
Meanwhile my recently relegated club Fulham FC battle it back to Premiership status ~ i will continue to throw my support behind the Welsh team Swansea City the very same team Brendan Rodgers worked so tediously with in bringing to the premier league."
written by Fulham For Life Stanley 8/26/2014
"All that i know about morality & obligation, I owe to soccer"
On the eve of a snap general election St.Lucians are still crying out for the dire need of constitutional reforms, this idea which has been repeatedly refuted by the ruling St.Lucia labour Party with its leadership being a constitutional lawyer bears lots of suspicions owing to the fact that not only the law is broken, but the police which is supposed to be the sole upholders of the law is running amok implementing their own statues of policing certain inland provinces to suit their own style of prominence upon the various serving St.Lucian public.
One might obviously speculate this unconstitutional embarrassment regarding the policing of our small island state may have stem from the much publicized impacts reports. But those of us who has lived in this beautiful island of St.Lucia knows better that there been several embarrassing reports throughout this decades exposing the police & the justice systems being aided & abetted by unscrupulous self style serving legal experts.
We taxpaying St.Lucians won’t ever forget the impacts of the badly negotiated Rochemel affairs ~ as we are all still paying from the ills of bad highly paid consultants not taking into accounts the repercussions of such importance of putting the people first. Nor we won’t forget the hue n cry of the chief honcho of the Cricket St.Lucia World cup, where we will recall the current administration n their attempt to sell the idea to St.Lucians…. went as far as pitching a fictitious impression to the nation.
Ironically! This very chief honcho apparently happen to be the island's master of illusion successor who’s now seeking parliamentary office after commissioning a high office overseas tainted with confusion, corruption & misrepresentations.
Would one ever believe in this modern technological age such an intelligent individual would find himself at the center of such mess stated below under his stewardship?
To
Spectacular Apartment For Rent
Nov 24 at 11:46 AM
Dear Stanley Leonaire,
I received your message today.It is indeed very nice of you to express the concern.
I thought that I might book for a longer period after my visit on the first nught.
I visited High Commission of Saint Lucia in London for visa as there is no Embassy of St.Lucia in Pakistan. My visa was not successful as The corrupt system of charging 100 Pound Extra per application on the top of the application fee of 35 pound.
Which was quite unacceptible and they even did not return our application fees.It was extremely unpleasant experience.
I had already paid for all the people for the registration to attend the conference in Rodney Bay In Saint Lucia.
I am a consultant Psychiatrist and visited about 68 countries.Never ,ever met such nausty Embassy staff in my life., especially in London.
In my travelling ,I met so many nicec people from Saint Lucia.They were all wonderful and helpful.They really tempted me to see saint Lucia.But ,it is just
unfortunate, for first time in my life.
My appologies for cancelling the reservation.
Sorry for the , unintended ,inconvenience caused to you.
With Kind Regards
Dr.Shahid Beg Mirza
Consultant Psychiatrist
This unfortunate unedited letter was sent to the writer who represents an internet booking medium …..Wooing visitors to our shores
Over to you fellow St.Lucians…..I implore you to do your careful reading & research……when making candidate decisions
Please note: the writer is willing to provide evidence of the invoice of this failed visit by Shahid Mirza & company.
Stanley Leonaire
Written May 2016
WHO BREAKS A BUTTERFLY ON A WHEEL
Written May 28th, 2014
Another Inspirational good soul bites the dust
Written May 28th, 2014
My very low level of tolerance has made me to understand the goodness of people & things of the beautiful life I have embraced, as excellent relevance go beyond explaining the affection I hold in my heart for these human genus and things that blossom in harmony.
Amongst many of the inspirational good souls….. Mia Angelou, Lou Reed, Nelson Mandela & my dear most humble Mother Phillippa Leonaire…. left their mark before their soul consequently departed this beautiful life coincidently in sequence.
I distinctively remember going to a New Years day banquet in Vienna, Austria sometime back in 1989 and stirring at a portrait of the great Mia Angelou on the wall of this huge hall. Then again, on several occasions being at one of my family many gatherings held at my sister’s house years pass…..relentlessly stirring at the eye contagious artwork depicting Mia which grips her partition upon entrance.
Back then before the internet was our dependent search partner, I often tried shopping around everything I could gather in relation to the great Mia, her quote “Anything that works against you can also work for you once you understand the Principal of Reverse" will always resonate in my memory. Her movies “Poetic Justice” and “Roots” amongst many others was an inspiration factor in me getting more involve in many of the charities & causes that I follow.
Award-winning author, poet and activist Mia “still I rise” Angelou will forever be revered in literature & lyrics. Indeed she has gone down in history as a special gem. May god rest her poetic soul!
Stanley Leonaire
3. HOW DOES ONE AQUIRE AN ALIEN LAND HOLDERS LICENSE
HOW DO I GET AN ALIEN LAND HOLDERS LICENSE?