*New year

*NEw term *new labour

LABOUR: Top Ten Priorities For The Future:

FIFTEEN GOING ON TWENTY SHAPING THE FUTURE 2010 - 2015

Resolutions 2010 - 2015Election Day should be literally a “red-

letter” day for the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis if you, the electorate, vote on the basis of performance, principles and policies instead of mere promises; solid achievements instead of empty slogans; and future sta-bility and sustainability instead of loyalties rooted in the past.

All Kittitians should look forward to a Labour victory in this election. More, all Kitti-tians should ensure that Labour is given a historic fourth term as tribute to their stew-ardship over the past fifteen years, as a vote of con-fidence in their ability to manage the next five years and as recognition that they have helped the country weather and survive the worst economic depression in modern history.

The most interesting development over the past year is that while other Caribbean countries have been strug-gling, St Kitts and Nevis has seen an increase in eco-nomic activities especially in construction and tourism. Also, even though most of the other OECS countries have off-shore universities, this country is the only one to target educational tourism as an opportunity for lo-cal entrepreneurs.

The Prime Minister has laid out ten building blocks on which the platform for the future will be based. All of us must make these our stepping stones for economic success and sustainability, our launching pad to pros-perity and our Resolutions for the New Year and the New Term, 2010 to 2015.

We have a chance to create history and, to quote President Barack Obama, to shape the future. Let us not lose it. Let us grasp the opportunity and vote Dr. Douglas and his team back into office.

Vote for the future of our Federation. Vote for the future of our children and their children. Vote Labour in 2010.

LET THOSE WHO LABOUR HOLD THE REINS

EDITORIALA RED LETTER DAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

HOME OWNERSHIP. More and more houses will be built under the program which will continue through-

out the next term.HEALTH CARE.

More facilities and a greater emphasis on health promo-tion and primary health.

EXPANDING CRUISE SHIP TOURISM

MORE AIRLINES. Reliable, direct air service into St. Kitts and Nevis must continue. Delta in December 2009 and another British Airways direct flight out of Gatwick, London in March 2010.

EXPANDING HOTEL BASED TOURISM

A NEW PIER FOR INCREASING MARITIME-BASED BUSINESS.

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY.Geothermal development of energy in Nevis is a start.

THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE BASSETERRE AREA. Cleaning up Irishtown and ensuring that Port Zante can spread both eastwards and westwards to engulf the areas of Irishtown and also Newtown.

THE ALIGNMENT OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM with the world of work. In-service education and certifica-tion for trades-people including builders, carpenters, masons and electricians.

INCREASING THE SKILLS AND EDUCA-TION BASE of the people of St Kitts and Nevis. The skills that our people need to drive the new economy must be acquired. Greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education.

CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL. Greater emphasis on community involvement and faith-based institutions. Better facilities, equipment and training for our police force.

JANUARY 2010

Message courtesy the Friends of St. Kitts and Nevis. Get more on http://FriendsOf StKittsAnd Nevis.com

Page 2 Vol 3 INSIGHT January 2010 10 REASONS (and then 7 more ) NOT TO VOTE PAM

1 Chicken Little is a three-time loser on his way to a fourth wipeout. In the United States a three-time loser is in jail for life.

2 Chicken Little has no control of his members. He said that they would pay the money they owe for having dual citizenship and still being in Parliament. They said that he could not speak for them. So who is he speaking for for when he makes all those promises on the platform?

3 PAM has a slogan but no plan and no details on what they will do to achieve their extremely unrealistic promises. PAM will promise you a bridge even where you don’t have a river. They will promise you change when they have not changed for 15 years.

4 PAM says it’s time to change. PAM must change first before we can vote for them

5 PAM has people like Washie who is still using the “N” word to speak about black people like himself. When Washie looks in a mirror, does he see Lindsay Grant?

6 PAM has made Basseterre “Injunction City” with all their foolish injunctions – they have unnecessarily delayed the elections and want to de-lay it even further. They should change their name to “COURTS”.

7 PAM has some free-wheeling, hard-drinking hotshots who sound like they should be in Sparrow’s Calypso, “Drunk and Disorderly”.

8 PAM is full of hate and plans for vengeance. What they should be instead is full of ideas and what they should plan for is progress. That is where Labour has the edge.

9 PAM came up with some stupid talk about a split between the PM and Dr. Harris. They got caught when Dr. Harris answered them directly and exposed their lies.

10 PAM is playing a dangerous game sucking up to Brantley and his boys. Some folks are saying that Brantley wants to be Prime Minister so he could “manners” the people of St Kitts. They say, if for no other reason, all Kittitians should support Labour and make sure that Brantley never gets that opportunity otherwise there would be a “weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth”.

If you believe in Revelations, Brantley is a pale horse. If you believe in Washie, Brantley might be worse than a dark horse. Whatever you believe, Brantley should be in Beaumont Park instead of the PM’s Office.

is it true?I. Is it true that PAM was hoping to win an election by injunctions?

II. Is it true that PAM was hoping to win a national election without presenting a plan for governing the country?

III. Is it true that another member in the PAM thinks that he should be leader since Chicken Little has lost two elec-tions in a row?

IV. Is it true that “time for change” is rel-evant only to PAM who has been in oppo-sition for the past 15 years?

V. Is it true that some members of the Chamber of Commerce and the religious community are good friends with PAM leaders and are planning to get lucrative deals if PAM should win?

VI. That PAM leaders want to remain citizens of foreign countries while simul-taneously governing our federation?

VII. Is it true that PAM is attempting to portray Prime Minister Douglas in a bad light when in fact Dr. Douglas is a strong, warm and caring leader whose background is healing people?

Involvement with labour party: Marcella was born into a strong Labour family. Her brother was Minister of Education in the former Labour government. Her mother was a President of Labour Women. She was involved in Young Labour and held the post

of Assistant Secretary of the Labour Party for over seven years. Most recent accomplishments:Marcella became the second female Speaker of the National Assembly in December 2004, and resigned in April 2008 when asked to run for office.Marcella received an Award from the Ministry of Gender Affairs in March 2008 for her sterling contribution to women, law, youth and the community.

Marcella Believes That The Worst Things That Can Happen To Our Beloved St. Kitts And Nevis Are: 1. A PAM Government in power over the people of this country2. A further increase in serious crimes, which is likely to happen with PAM in power.

Marcella Is Convinced That The Best Things That Can Happen To St. Kitts And Nevis Are: 1. The LABOUR GOVERNMENT is returned to office with an even larger majority.2. A reduction in serious crime and an end to gang-warfare.3. An increase in the number of opportunities especially for young people. 4. A rapid revival of our national culture and values. 5. A drastic reduction in poverty and in the national debt.

Marcella Says She Got Into Politics; 1. To help pave the way for women to become involved at the highest levels of decision-making.2. To help foster community spirit and togetherness.3. To help promote family values such as respect and honesty. 4. To promote reduction of poverty and help those who are most vulnerable.

Marcella says about her expectations that “Any improvement in the quality of life and the outlook of the people will satisfy me and justify my involvement.” Marcella said the Community should judge her on the basis of, “Whether I have been able to impact the lives of families and young people in a positive way.”

When asked how the Country should judge her, Marcella says, “Whether I was successful in achieving what I said I would achieve:- pay special attention to children particularly those where parental guidance is lacking.- education centre – helping teen mothers, helping children with homework, dealing with anger and conflict resolution, home care training, helping youths with the written test for driver’s licence, parenting, dealing with obesity, training in sports management (just some of the ideas)- identifying problem youths at an earlier age eg. age 5 or 6 and work with parents and the community to turn their lives around.- mobile police unit in the community to help fight crime- working with groups in the community (including sporting groups and the church) to help promote staying in school- clean up the community particularly as regards abandoned lots and abandoned buildings- adjust legislation to enable the government to demolish abandoned buildings- continue housing and land distribution programs- create kids zones for the very young- promote community festivals with much emphasis on sports and the arts- organize minor basketball league for boys ages 6-12 in the community. Coaches to promote staying in school, values and discipline. Incentives to those who also do well in school.- identify problem youths at an early age eg. Age 5 or 6 and work with parents, church and the community to help to turn their lives around.- work with Cancer Association to bring greater awareness about a disease that is affecting the lives of so many families- tackling obesity as a way to help cut health costs, save live and reduce diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, stroke.

~

Dear Constituent. ‘I wish you and your family a healthy and productive 2010. This is going to be a challeng-ing New Year for the people of St Kitts and Nevis. Regardless of which political party you support, where

you live or where you work, this year is going to be important in determining how well we survive the Global Economic Recession and beyond. If we are to be successful as a nation and as a people, 2010 and how we deal with the issues that face us will be the determining factor.

This is why the Labour Party is offering the country a balanced selection of seasoned candidates along with younger leaders who will be equipped for the next generation of political leadership in our country. No other party has done that. Three out of the eight Labour candidates for this election, or al-most half of the candidates, are new to representative politics and I am proud to be one of them. However, I am not new to the people of St Kitts and Nevis and I am definitely not new to this Constituency.

You know me. This constituency has known me for my entire life. You were here when I left on a basketball scholarship and you were here when I returned with a Degree in Marketing. This is my community. I consider myself part of it. Now I simply want to be in a position to help you and my community. I want to be able to help in the process of uplifting our youth, dignifying our elderly and educating our children for life. Politics, for me, is about helping to contribute to the betterment of the citizens of the best coun-try in the world, St Kitts and Nevis.

There are some things that I have already achieved or will be treating as priorities like helping some of our residents to get housing and to enhance their homes; obtaining land for homes and for farming; paving roads; and improving recreational facilities so more of our children will represent our country or have the opportunity (as I did) of obtaining scholarships.

There is only one way to achieve all the benefits that you want for your-selves, your families, your friends and your Constituency. You need an effective representative in the Parliament who will be part of Government. This is why I am asking you to vote for me.

As a member of the Labour Government I will be in a position to help you even more than I do now. I will be here for you, your children and your chil-dren’s children. I am soft-spoken except when I speak on your behalf. I am of a quiet disposition, but not when I demand opportunities for the people of this Constituency. I am reserved, but have no reservations about advocating for benefits for the people of my Constituency. I am here for you. I will be here for you. VOTE FOR ME, GLENN ‘GHOST’ PHILLIP ON ELECTION DAY

VOTE Glenn “Ghost” Phillip

GLENN “Ghost” PHILLIP REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONSTITUENCY No.3

MARCELLA LIBURD, REPRESENTATIVE FOR CONSTITUENCY No.2

Vote for Me, Marcella Liburd on election day. Vote for the strengthening of Womens rights, and for the support of youth, community and law.

Vote for Labour. Vote in the best interests of the People of our constituency and our glorious homeland, St Kitts and Nevis.

VOTE Marcella LiburdNEW LABOUR

• In the past 5 years unemployment has fallen since that time from 16% to 6%.

• The minimum wage in St. Kitts-Nevis is higher than any in the OECS - and is one of the highest in CARICOM.

• Spending in St. Kitts-Nevis by cruise ship passengers is greater than that in any other island state in the region.

• At a time when major investment projects are closing down throughout the region and around the world, invest-ment projects in St. Kitts & Nevis (e.g. Ocean’s Edge, Silver Reef, Christophe Harbour, and Beaumont Park) continue forward, providing jobs, increasing in-comes, expanding spending power, and injecting capital into our economy.

Essential goods and commodities, especially food staples that constitute most of the family and house-hold needs, are affordable and still manageable because the Government has successfully con-trolled the cost of some 40 food and non-food essential items.

• Agricultural production has increased by more than 600% between 2001 and 2008.

• More than 500,000 cruise ship passengers arrive here every year.

• Poverty plummeted from 11% in 2001 to 1.4% in 2008.

• One thousand young people benefitted from second-chance job training.

• A survey, published by the Depart-ment of Management Studies at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), found that in the OECS countries, St. Kitts and Nevis has the most optimistic investment outlook over the next 12 months. St. Kitts and Nevis and

Barbados are the most optimistic about employment prospects over the next six months.

• The redesigning of the berthing facility at Port Zante and the revetment of the bulkhead by the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Government not only saved Port Zante, but also secured the future of the cruise ship industry.

• St. Kitts has experienced growth of triple digit figures in its tourism indus-try between 2005/2006 and 2008/2009.

• A recent Florida-Carib-bean Cruise Association report found significant growth in passenger and crew arrivals and spend-ing. According to the study, total estimated passenger and crew visits increased by nearly 250% from 113,300 visits dur-ing the 2005/2006 cruise year to 388,400 during the 2008/2009 cruise year. Total direct expenditures in St. Kitts increased even more dramatically growing by 550 % from US$6.7 million in the 2005/2006 cruise year to US$44 million in the 2008/2009 cruise year.

• As a result of the 250% increase in direct cruise tourism spending from the 2005/2006 cruise year for St. Kitts, the economic impacts increased as

well. Total employment in-creased by 268 % over the three-year period, while the wage impact increased by 295%. The higher growth in wages is due to increased labor productiv-ity and average wages over the intervening period.

• The PAM Government built a total of 251 homes

in St. Kitts between Feb. 1980 and June 1995 compared to the Labour Gov-ernment’s total of 3,891 island wide between July 1995 and June 2009.

• In the third quarter of 2009, over EC$10 million was paid out in long term Social Security benefits and EC$2,250,000 in short term benefits.

• British Airways is expected to bring 10,000 passengers to St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport by the end of the year and the numbers are expected to increase in 2010. It will be the highest number of visitors a weekly airline service has ever brought to St. Kitts over a 12-month period.

• Over one thousand, five hundred acres of agricultural and have been specifically allocated for small farmers.

• More than 3,000 residential lots have already been handed over to deserving families who paid less than EC$2,000 for title to their land. ~

This newspaper courtesy the Friends of St. Kitts and Nevis

DID YOU KNOW THAT?