According to Felix the letter which was approved by heads of department outlined a list of reasons why the meeting could not take place on the specified day.

Felix says the Association and its members have been clamouring for a solution to the brewing row since 2008. Felix says Monday’s action may have been the final straw.

Furthermore the Association’s Chairman says they were later contacted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to attend a meeting on Monday
F
elix says they declined the offer because they view another proposed meeting with the Home Affairs Ministry as an exercise in futility.

The Fire Fighters claim the situation is approaching crisis point. But the Fire Chief who is at the center of the controversy has a different view.

In previous interviews with HTS news he down played the associations claims. HTS News attempted to speak with the Fire Chief on Monday, but to no avail.

While not making any specific comments on the allegations, Executive Director of the St. Lucia Medical and Dental Council has called on patients who have any concerns about the legitimacy of any doctors to contact the council.  

She maintains the regulation of healthcare professionals is vital public safety. Cherry declined comment on the matter but confirms an investigation is presently underway into the operations at the doctor’s office.
 

The incident comes in light of concerns over alleged professional misconduct and malpractice cases involving doctors on the island.

In 2006 a 26 year old woman from Dennery died after an alleged botched abortion. The doctor who allegedly performed the procedure was released without charge after spending six days in jail.

Just last year one woman spoke out after an alleged botched eye surgery. It was later revealed the doctor who performed the surgery did not allegedly have the requisite license to practice on the island.

Dr Anthony told members of the SLP to be on their guard because the UWP is never a sleeping party.

SLP Political Leader, Dr Kenny Anthony, says the UWP is a party that clearly understands psychological warfare and knows how to play on the mind. The united workers party he adds operates similar to a cult.

Dr Anthony says when it comes to Castries Central Richard Fredrick, “if it is thought that that issue lies dead then they do have something else coming at the right time”.

He was addressing the SLP faithful at the 24th annual Castries East constituency conference. The political leader who was overcome with emotion broke down in tears before the gathering thanking them for their support and always making him feel welcomed.

The 24th Annual Castries East Constituency Conference was held on Sunday at the Bocage Secondary School.

The conference was held under the theme “Empowering Castries East through Education and Training”.
Castries East MP Phillip J Pierre invited constituents to celebrate the progress and future plans for the constituency.

At the conference the Castries East MP spoke of what he termed the SLP’s ‘National Education Revolution’.
This he says has begun with the administrations’ one off bursary program which provides every student entering secondary school this year with a 500 dollar bursary. 

Pierre also spoke of initiatives to help make the constituency a safer place and erase any stigma attached to the community.

Pierre also sought to reassure constituents that ‘better days are indeed here’. The MP says his government within its 8 months in power has delivered on many of its campaign promises. The four-time Castries East MP also thanked constituents for his reelection.

The Castries East Constituency Conference is a staple on the SLP Calendar of Events. This year’s guest speaker was SLP Political Leader Dr Kenny Anthony. Other SLP parliamentarians and constituency delegates were present at the conference.

According to the driver he was on his way home to grand Riviere Dennery when he was blinded by a bright flash of light from an on coming vehicle and lost control of the van.

The driver was not hurt in the incident. The man who was trapped in the vehicle was rescued by first responders and conveyed to the hospital for treatment.

Police are investigating. Meanwhile, two men were also arrested at the scene of the traffic accident after an alleged altercation with law enforcement officers.

They were placed in handcuffs and whisked away by Law- men to the nearby Dennery police station.

A training workshop to educate senior OECS statisticians on poverty and equality measurements got underway Monday at the Coco Palm Hotel.

The initiative forms part of Capacity Building Executive initiatives that the OECS has been engaging in to put all statistical offices on a common platform.

The aim of the five day workshop is to disseminate information on poverty in the OECS and to analyze poverty reduction strategies.

Head of the Micro Economic & Sectorial Policy Unit, Rodinald Soomer says the significance of such an initiative cannot be understated.

Soomer says the five day workshop is also expected to help the region adopt common policies to deal with the issue of poverty.

The initiative is also expected to enhance skills of participants in data collection and the production of indicators on the evolution of poverty and inequality in the OECS region. 

The OECS believes the activity is timely as the OECS economic Union continues efforts towards harmonized data collection and distribution in the region.

Diabetic and Hypertensive patients were treated to a free biennial screening session put on by the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association.

The session is hosted in collaboration with the St. Lucia Diabetes Project UK, who also spear heads a number of training sessions for nurses and doctors, and public awareness campaigns.

Matthias says public awareness campaigns have been planned to educate the public.

Vice President and Executive Manager, St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association North- David Hippolyte says charitable organization’s effort is greatly appreciated given the lack of Endocrinologists on the island.

Monday’s session was held at the office of the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association on Coral Street.

The association says while they expected greater attendance, the public can still benefit from the public awareness campaigns planned for the various communities.

The St. Lucia Diabetes Project UK is expected to be on island for another week.

A cultural exchange program for young kids got underway Monday at the Union Orchid Garden in Union.
The program which is being facilitated by several University students from Taiwan is expected to teach local students about Taiwanese way of life.

The Taiwan University students are also expected to learn about St. Lucia during the program. The two week initiative will educate students on the Asian

nation’s food, culture and festivity. Chairperson, Jessica Yao says cultural exchange programs are important to building partnerships

The University Students who are presently facilitating the workshop were chosen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan. They say they are elated to be on the island.

The Forum will be hosted simultaneously in the north and south of the island. Communications and Advocacy Officer, Karetta Crooks Charles, says there will be much in store for the participating youth including field trips.
 
The Trust will be collaborating primarily with the Sustainable Development and Environment Division in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology.

They will also receive support from other partners like the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, the Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance and corporate sponsors.