It was some 26 years ago that the National Commercial Bank of St Lucia was created. The St Lucia Development Bank followed not long afterward. The first existed to satisfy the personal needs of its patrons. On the other hand, the St Lucia Development Bank provided funding in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and fisheries. Six years ago the two banks merged to become the Bank of St Lucia, a subsidiary of the Eastern Caribbean Financial Holding Company.

If the United Workers Party’s first-anniversary celebrations in Micoud last Sunday proved anything, it was that when it comes to skipping the light fandango opposition leader Kenny Anthony has nothing to worry about.

On the surface, it seemed a pretty simple, cut and dried case: a man who attempted to rob a city supermarket while armed with a gun was chased by a security guard after he fled the premises. A scuffle ensued. The suspect ends up shot in his thigh and elsewhere in his lower torso. The man is taken to hospital where he succumbs a few hours later.

For years and years, under different administrations, police officers operating out of the city have endured working conditions that might bring the clergy out on strike. Vieux Fort, Dennery and Micoud all have received new police stations or greatly refurbished facilities.