CARIBUPDATE Jan 12, 2017

Vol. 6 No. 1 Jan 12, 2017 - Jan.18, 2017 .00X X

Naz plays defence on tax tardiness accusation

IT WASN’T ME!

OPPOSITION Senator and former Finance Minister Nazim Burke has spent the week defending his tax record; publicly disputing the figures of his former charges at the finance department and threatening to sue anyone who suggests he is a dodger.

To prove he meant business, he announced that he had received judgment – since last month against radio talkshow host Ian Edwards for erroneously claiming he had five houses.

The judgment against Edwards was “in default”, as lawyers for the talkshow host reportedly did not file his defense in time.

A damning commercial in the run-up to the 2013 elections, had claimed Burke had built a

second home at a time of deep recession and real estate losses, suggesting political insensitivity on his part.

Burke has never legally challenged the widely played commercial.

His latest threat to sue this newspaper on its December expose under the headline ‘Burke’s tax burden’, has been met by its Florida-based publishers, with a declarative retort: “Since truth needs no legal advice, we eagerly wait to see Mr Burke in court.”

But for now, Burke’s biggest headache appears to be more political than legal, prompting an emergency meeting Wednesday night of key party activists in St Andrew’s to, in the words of the secret invitation, “bring clarity to the is-

sue.”

Burke told a talkshow hosted by one of his party’s political activist, that the latest accusations against him was an attempt to damage him politically; though his critics say the debate started when the former Finance Minister suggested that the department he once led might have been acting out of spite by not paying him his gratuity.

Our subsequent investigation revealed that the Ministry of Finance was contending that Burke had a higher tax liability than the money he was owed, and that they have been seeking a settlement.

REPORT CONTINUES ON PAGE 3

Shame & Scandal!

Welcome to Kawana Bay! The site of the now closed Flamboyant Hotel, for years occupying the hillside of the south side of Grand Anse beach is being transformed into a multi-million dollar five star resort that will be called Kawana Bay, and run by well known international brand Kimpton.

The project, approved under Grenada’s Citizenship By Investment Programme, will employ 200 people

PHOTO: A rendering of the cliff-side Kimpton Kawana Bay Resort, that will replace the old Flamboyant Hotal at Grand Anse.

during its 30-month construction phase, and a permanent 150 workers once it is officially opened in 2018.

Government and industry officials at an official project launch Tuesday, hailed it as a major addition to the tourism industry.

Top hotelier Royston Hopkin said at the function that he could not be more excited about the coming of the project.

Loverboy Pastor throws Jamaica church into sex scandal ALREADY charged with carnal abuse of a 15-year old parishoner, a 64-year Moravian pastor in Jamaica is about to be charged also with having sex with her 17 year old sister.

This after revelation that Pastor Rupert Clarke has had a baby with a third sister -- now a 21 year old; but who too it is believed was abused by the now jailed minister of religion when she was a teenager.

Pastor Rupert Clarke being led away after making first court appearance. (Photo: Jamaica Gleaner)

More on Page 19 NEWS EXTRA

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

Grenada Ambassadors TALLPREE (left) is a Grenada culture ambassador and superstar track athlete, Kirani James, is a sports ambassador. The two posed for the camera during last month’s launch in St George’s of the Grenada Invitational. James, an Olympic gold and silver medalist, will be competing in the April 8 championships at the National Stadium. The event’s launch was attended by a wide cross-section of people including Prime Minister Keith Mitchell; sports minister Roland Bhola; representatives of sporting organizations; sportsmen and women resident here and overseas-based athletes; sponsors of the Grenada Invitational; and organizers of the event such New York-domiciled Grenadian sports journalist, Michael Bascombe, and former Bahamian Olympian, Chris Brown.

“Everyone is looking forward to coming to Grenada. They’re looking forward to this event as much as I am,’’ said Brown, a consultant and the athletes’ liaison for the meet.

More on the Grenada Invitational on pages 16 & 17.

Wage bill up 10% THE GRENADA government’s monthly wage bill has increased by 10 percent because of salary increases that will be paid over the next few years to public service officers, MP Oliver Joseph has announced.

Three unions have accepted the wage increases, fringe benefits and a one-off payment; but two – the Technical and Allied Workers’ Union and Public Workers’ Union – so far have turned down government’s offer. Minister Oliver Joseph Joseph, speaking at Tuesday’s post-cabinet news briefing, said government wants to ensure the wage bill remains “sustainable’’, and to avoid eroding the gains of the Structural Adjustment Program.

“That, as a responsible government, we cannot do,’’ said Joseph, minister of economic development, trade and planning. “I have said to the unions in the salary negotiations that we must live within our means still.’’

Joseph, who also is labour minister, explained that one-off payments of up to $1000, will cost government $5.9 million.

“While government is cognizant that this lump sum payment might not be in line with employees’ expectations, given the current fiscal realities, and the need to ensure that the wage bill is sustainable, it is the optimal payout that can be afforded at this time,’’ said the minister.

The jump in the monthly wage bill, according Joseph, includes payments covering the “phased regulation’’ of temporary public service employees, such as teachers and nurses.

“The total payment by government to public service employees, from 2013 into 2019, is estimated to be $106 million, in addition to meeting recurring monthly salaries and wages,’’ Joseph said.

“We call on the other unions, that have not yet signed on to the agreement, that they come to the table with the clear understanding of the situation that we are in,’’ he appealed. “The responsibility of the government is to ensure that we do not get ourselves back in the situation where we have to borrow money to meet recurrent expenditure.’’

Joseph also told journalists that cabinet had decided on establishing a tax advisory committee. It would advise the minister of finance on taxation issues, and “act as sounding board for any proposed changes to the tax regime’’, said Joseph, MP for St David.

Upset Senator

LOCAL NEWS

PM ‘surprised’ at Naz PRIME MINISTER Keith Mitchell says he was “surprised’’ that Nazim Burke, after holding the “powerful’’ position of finance minister in the Tillman Thomas administration, and also as the de facto leader of the NDC government, he wanted to leave Grenada for a job at Commonwealth Secretariat, after the 2013 election defeat of the National Democratic Congress.

“Everyone knows Brother Burke was actually the leader of the government,’’ Dr Mitchell said Monday PM Keith Mitchell in an interview on GBN TV. “Brother Tillman was a figurehead – everybody knew that. And, he (Burke) ran the government as a one-man show; everybody knows this. If you crossed the minister of finance, you crossed the government.’’

Mitchell said when contacted by the Commonwealth Secretariat for a recommendation on the application submitted by Burke – the “assumed leader’’ of the NDC – he did not endorse it.

“I was surprised that this individual is now trying to leave the country and leave his political organization,’’ Mitchell told broadcaster Lew Smith. “I thought it would be unwise to leave the opposition party leaderless, and I didn’t think I wanted to hurt the NDC in that way.’’

Even without his endorsement, said Mitchell, the Commonwealth Secretariat still could have hired Burke, if they wanted to.

“They could have gone ahead and employed him if they wanted him so badly,’’ Prime Minister Mitchell noted. “If he was that qualified candidate, an excellent candidate, he wouldn’t need me to get him a job.’’

As well, said Mitchell, Burke is an attorney by profession and “any good lawyer should be able to function effectively. I don’t know that because you could not get a job with the Secretariat of the Commonwealth, that I did not endorse, that means you should starve, when you’re a lawyer.

That means you’re not competent. It worries me that someone who wants to occupy the leadership of the country doesn’t feel confident enough to go to court and represent his clients and make money’’.

Mitchell also expressed concern that Senator Burke, even while serving as finance minister, was not meeting all his tax obligations to the state.

“How could a man be minister of finance and not paying tax, while he expects other people to pay their taxes? If I was Mr Burke I would have been the last person to raise the issue of taxes, ignoring that I did not pay my fair share.’’

CWC, Steele and Pitt Two Grenadians, whose paths intersected in 2014 as employees of Cable & Wireless-owned LIME in Grenada, have been on the receiving end of recent decisions involving the company.

Geraldine Pitt, as then Manager of the Southern OECS Operations of Lime, was at the offices in Grenada when Angus Steele was let go as General Manager.

Steele was with Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) for 24 years, serving as manager both in Grenada and St Vincent. He took legal action against the company.

Caribupdate Weekly has been reliably informed that an arbitration tribunal has sided with Steele, ruling that he was unfairly dismissed by LIME. Geraldine Pitt He’s expected to be compensated.

When contacted by our newspaper, Steele said he would not comment now but is prepared to do so some time in the future.

Meanwhile, sources inside CWC say that Pitt was recently released by the company. They were asked to provide a contact number for Pitt and our newspaper was given a Saint Lucia area code phone number.

Attempts to reach Pitt at the number were unsuccessful.

SENATOR FRANKA BERNADINE is vexed to buss. She wants to see an end to the scheduling of budget debates in the Upper House of Parliament in the days leading up to Christmas.

The NDC opposition senator says she “resents’’ the pre-Christmas sitting of the house, describing it as a “disrespect’’ to women.

“It is a great inconvenience,’’ Bernadine told Senate President, Chester Humphrey, as she and other members were asked to explain their late arrival for a sitting of the house last month.

“Caribbean women are preparing for Christmas,’’ Bernadine said in her explanation, and claiming a busy festive season schedule that included an “airport run’’.

“You have people coming in to stay,’’ she continued. “You have to prepare your cakes. You gotta get the household kicking, and I see it as a mark of disrespect to the women.’’

NEWS

Thursday 12 January, 2017 - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

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PHOTO AT RIGHT: Opposition Senator Nazim Burke. (File photo)

THE INSIDE FRONT

TAX WAR!

IT WASN’T ME from Page 1

Burke is disputing the statement from the Ministry of Finance about his taxes – saying he does not owe the over 70-thousand dollars in outstanding payments as its balance sheet has shown.

The assessment was done by the department based on the joint filings with his wife.

At a recent press conference, Burke refused to answer CARIBUPDATE’s question to clarify what he had hinted earlier – that there were no joint filings, and that such is not allowed under Grenadian law.

Asked by another reporter, he said regarding the tax matter he and his wife filings were separate.

Documents CARIBUPDATE has subsequently seen suggest that Burke’s statement at the press conference might not have been accurate.

One Ministry of Finance official also said, in response to a query to clarify the claim that there are no joint filings under Grenada law, that it is simply not true.

The Ministry acknowledged that Burke had during a full year of back-and-forth communication disputed the figures, and has also sought to claim that he should not have been charged the lawyers’ license fee at the time he was a minister.

But the December 1 letter, which Burke, a week and a half ago said he had not seen, outlined the liability, and decided that the Senator must now pay the difference of over 5,000 dollars.

While all this debate has been going on for two weeks – on Monday there was another addition to the brew.

Appearing on the ‘Beyond The Headlines’ programme on GBN, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, in defending his government’s record on the issue, also revealed that Burke had not paid taxes for two of the years when he was Finance Minister during the ill-fated reign of the NDC between 2008 and 2013.

“I would love to understand how someone could be Minister of Finance in a country – and you have tax liabilities with your family for 2014, 2012, and 2011 and you didn’t pay; and you calling others to pay. I can’t understand this” Prime Minister Mitchell told GBN. “And when the penalties are imposed on the gentleman, he writes me, asking for relief and within a week or so he got a letter from me giving him over 30-thosuand dollars in relief,” the Grenadian leader added.

On Tuesday, in an immediate response, Burke denied that he had owed any taxes while he was Minister of Finance. He also suggested that the claim that he had asked for penalty relief was not true, though in a previous press conference he had alluded to it.

Burke also said the arrears began to accrue from 2014 – explaining the reason for it.

“The total amount of taxes I incurred in 2014 and 2015, the combined taxes for those two years were 3, 161 dollars. That is admitted by the government and I have letters from the government to show that,” he said on a radio show.

“The only reason why those monies, have not been paid because it is not reasonable for the government to owe me 73-thousand dollars, and I owe the government three-thousand dollars and the government expects me, or Dr Mitchell expects me, to find money from somewhere else and pay him; while when he is refusing to pay me,” Burke declared.

The Prime Minister said most former government ministers, now with the opposition, have been paid; and he had assumed Burke was among those, until he found out belatedly from the department that this was not so because of the taxes he owed.

Dr Mitchell said: “Mr Burke is now challenging the calculations. These officers doing the calculations are the same officers who were working with Mr Burke before. Could you go to the United State and challenge the IRS calculations?”

The Grenadian leader is adamant that the department was right to not pay Burke as in keeping with long established Ministry of Finance policy that was in place even when the opposition senator ran the ministry.

“You can’t owe the government taxes, and still ends up getting money from government while you still owe. That does not make any sense,” Dr Mitchell declared.

Burke, who said the Prime Minister has repeatedly stood in his way to making a living called him “a wicked man.”

Prime Minister Mitchell said he is “sorry” to have to talk about Burke and his taxes, but had no choice, since the opposition senator started the debate about who was owing who.

One Ministry of Finance official said they were “surprised” that Burke had sought to make it a political issue, when they spent a whole year quietly trying to work with him.

Dr Mitchell played down his role in not sanctioning Burke going to the commonwealth even at a time he was hoping to run to become leader of the NDC.

“If he was that qualified candidate, that excellent candidate he would not have needed me to get him a job,” Dr Mitchell said.

“The gentleman is also a lawyer. I would have thought that any good lawyer in the country who is in that position – a powerful leader in the country -- would be able to get jobs. Peter David was in opposition and he is out there in court making his two pence, so to speak.” the Grenadian leader said. “Any good lawyer should be able to function effectively.”

“I don’t know because you could not get a job with the secretariat of the commonwealth, which I did not endorse, that mean you should starve as a lawyer. That means you’re not competent. It worries me that someone who want to occupy the leadership in the country is not competent enough to go to court and represent his clients,” Dr Mitchell added.

Meantime, Burke addressed an emergency meeting of his party on the issue at SAASS on Wednesday, according to our relibale sources.

Though the meeting was called to “bring clarity” on the tax accusations against the leader, he urged the attendees to turn the next election campaign into a debate on Mitchell.

Burke, according to multiple sources, said in 2008 the NNP lost the general elections because it was made to be about the Prime Minister.

According to one source Burke appeared to be concerned that the narrative right now is about him.

Labour Senator Ray Roberts, who party soruces say is hoping to be a candidate for the NDC in South St George’s, this past week sought to defend Burke’s conduct, complaining about how his private tax information was leaked.

He erroneously claimed that Hamlet Mark was engaging in “insider trading” by using what he claimed as a “a highly paid government information officer.”

Mark is in fact not paid by the government of Grenada, nor has he acknowledged being the author of the original article.

Whether the information about Burke’s taxes was fair game -- an issue Roberts raised, President of the Senate Chester Humphrey responded to him.

“Senator Burke made certain allegations during the last Budget debate and any journalist worth his salt should investigate those allegations . That is indeed a public interest matter,” he wrote.

Mark also had sent a note to Roberts stating: “As usual Ray, you fired off without knowing facts. In that regard though you have been consistent through the years.”

When GBN asked Mark to comment on Roberts’ assertions, he said it will be bad to give credibility to what he says.

“My colleague Ray as been irrelevant for a very long time; and you don’t expect me to comment on irrelevancy.”

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

EDITORIAL

ditorial

CARIBUPDATE WEEKLY c/o Southwinds Apt, Grand Anse, ST GEORGE’S caribupdateoffice@gmail.com TE:: 473-444-4310

Party poopers & 2017 events ALMOST EVERYONE in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique has returned to their normal routine, after the hiatus of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. We do sincerely hope that this routine, in the case of the Royal Grenada Police Force, does not include plans by the RGPF to introduce officers’ wearing of body cameras.

Caribupdate Weekly believes the purchasing of bodycams is an unnecessary expense, and consideration should be given to investing the money to improving other areas of crime-fighting and law enforcement. Like every society, we do have our criminal elements in our midst; but, the level of crime, and incidents of police misconduct, do not in any wise justify outfitting RGPF officers with body cameras. We do not, at this point, need such an expensive toy for our police force.

Grenada Invitational Just as 2016 was about to end, there was the launch in St George’s of the Grenada Invitational track meet. Many track and field stars, including Grenada’s two-time Olympic medalist Kirani James, will be participating in the event.

It will be Kirani’s first competitive outing at home since turning professional and winning the 2012 Olympic 400-meter gold medal.

There is a lot of excitement at home, and in the Diaspora as well, surrounding the hosting of the games. It’s not to say that everyone is sold on the idea of the privately organized event, which has been endorsed by Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell and his government. Some of the concerns raised, certainly, will be genuine. Others, no doubt, will bear the mark – no matter how carefully and cleverly disguised – of political shenani-

gans; emanating from some of the usual political suspects.

One of the suspects, and someone who has become an infamous party pooper, is labour representative in the Upper House of Parliament, Senator Ray Roberts.

Shortly after retired Bahamian Olympian, Chris Brown, and other organizers pitched the event in St George’s last year, Roberts – a former national table tennis player and a veteran journalist of radio, TV and newspaper – penned a commentary titled, “What’s the cost?’’

He offered qualified support to the impending Grenada Invitational, saying if “plans materialize, most definitely, we are in for a very special treat – an event to remember’’.

But the real point of Roberts’ commentary, we imagine, was delivered when he stated: “Taking away absolutely nothing from Government and the organizers of this mammoth event, a point that has to be made is that we need to see the same level of astonishing high energy, being put into the hosting of this event by the Government, also replicated in domestic programs to unearth future stars.’’ And Senator Roberts crowns his comments by saying: “The Chris Brown International Games will surely bring immediate gratification to the Prime Minister and his Government. No one can seriously criticize them for bringing world stars to our country; but it shows how delinquent and shallow we are when it comes to our nation finding money and investing the resources in domestic development programs!’’

In essence, Senator Roberts is both supporting the Grenada Invitational and poo-pooing the event.

Recently, Roberts also adopted the role of media critic, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he has failed to demonstrate some of the things he now is urging media practitioners to do. The senator, a former director of the Government Information Service (GIS), launched a broadside against television stations – except for MTV

“The level of crime, and incidents of police misconduct, do not in any wise justify outfitting RGPF officers with body cameras’’ – on their coverage of the just-ended parliamentary budget debate, saying “our news media ought to do more investigations – checking to see if the government’s promises and expenditure are imaginary or realistic’’. Yet, Roberts never practised any of the investigative work he’s now preaching when he had access to MTV and GIS during the NDC government of 2008-2013.

Whitsuntide Games And, as we welcome the New Year, this newspaper would like to wish the best of luck to the Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) on its plans for the return of the Whitsuntide Games. If the meet is able to attract top caliber regional athletes as it did in former years, it would do a wealth of good for Grenada and our track and field talent.

We are opposed, though, to attempting anything – whether Whitsuntide Games or horseracing or Easter Water Parade – because we “used to do it before’’ and because it “used to be good’’. Our view is that there must be a deeper reason other than nostalgia; whatever is being done must be viable and sustainable and ought to produce a useful outcome, beyond having a good time.

GAA has set up a local organizing committee to oversee the planned Whitsuntide Games and we have been assured that the association intends to make it one of its marquee annual track and field events.

Good luck and every success to the Grenada Athletic Association.

And, to all the “persons’’ of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, God’s blessings to you for 2017 and beyond.

OPINION

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

MY SAY...

by Lincoln DePradine

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Migration and depopulation: Their impact on culture & sports

THE beginning of a new calendar year is also the start of an annual series of sporting and cultural events in Grenada.

From time to time, novel events are introduced; for example, in 2016, we hosted the inaugural Pure Grenada Music Festival. This year, on April 8, Grenada will be home to an international track and field meet; a first-ever, privately organized event that is sanctioned by the IAAF – the International Association of Athletics Federations.

During the course of the year, we also can look forward to such things as independence-related sports and cultural activities, Inter-Col Games, Spicemas 2017, and our national teams and athletes partaking in regional and international competitions.

All our annual sporting and cultural events experience a measure of success; but most, generally, limp from year to year because of infrastructural and personnel deficiency, finance shortages, and the absence of an overarching vision of where sports and culture fit into Grenada’s development thrust.

Last month, my interest was piqued by a commentary written by my pal and sometimes sparring partner, William Joseph. He specifically commented on pan and the annual steelbands’ panorama competition; however, in my view, his remarks were pertinent to more than just pan and panorama.

Willie Joe, commenting on the sparse attendance at panorama that has had to compete with private fetes on Carnival Saturday, argued that “panorama (not pan) is no longer a valid Spicemas product. In the circumstances, there is an urgent need to create a popular steelpan music product within the carnival.

The music is great but panorama is dead!’’

As well, he observed, that “although decent young people play the pan today, young Grenadians do not attend the panorama!’’

That’s not just true of young Grenadians but of young people wherever pan music is a phenomenon, including in Trinidad and Tobago. A valid point also can be made that the adults who attend panorama are primarily aging former pannists and older pan supporters, and parents whose children are competing on the night.

Now, let’s turn to possible solutions to difficulties confronting Grenada’s cultural and sporting landscape.

It’s my contention that any solution would require the input and political will of the powers-that-be, as well as the cooperation of representative groups like the Grenada Steelbands’ Association (GSA).

“The steelband has lost its village-based character,’’ writes Joseph. “Today, players actually come from all parts of Grenada (and overseas). They come mostly from the schools, not the village where the band is located. So the neighbourhood and association identities have been lost.’’

Well, Willie Joe, it ain’t only the steel-

band movement that’s grappling with this trend.

Football, in some areas of the country, is also dealing with a similar situation. We’re not a nation renowned for tracking interWomen are among the most ardent supporters of steelbands and panorama nal and external migration; but a casual obserLeague to also field vation will confirm teams in Under-18 that many aspects of and girls’ tournanational life are being ments. Undoubtedly, affected by migration. it will be an uphill In the past, vilrequirements for clubs lage-based football already struggling to teams drew many of find capable able-bodtheir players from ied young men to win village-based pan at the conference level musicians, whose and gain promotion to families were longthe Premier League. time residents of the “Tradition is not a communities. Many of valid reason to perthese communities – sist with a struggling such as the Carenage panorama event, when and the Grenville we could do much Street/Four Roads’ better with and for our area – now are depop- panmen and women. ulated. Members of Time has come to creestablished families ate a new product for are living overseas or pan music within the have moved to more Carnival, one which suburban areas inside both young and notGrenada. They are so-young could ‘jam’ replaced by transient at and enjoy,’’ Joseph residents who find recommends. “The it convenient to live Carnival authorities in those areas to be can figure out how to in closer proximity compensate the bands, to their workplaces. while they themselves Perhaps, they will use the new event to remain there until make money and gain their children gradupopularity among the ate from high school people.’’ and are ready to leave By “Carnival authorfor university in some ities’’, I’m not sure if foreign country.

Joseph is referring to This pattern will the political adminsafely guarantee that istrators; but I will Carenage United and include them. The Honved, and surely politicians of the day some other clubs, are the ones to set never again will have the agenda, establish a presence in the a national vision for Premier League of the sports and cultural, Grenada Football Asand create the envisociation. GFA, in an ronment for achieving effort it says is aimed that vision. at improving local The vision for estabfootball, is instituting lishing the Spicemas a policy that would Corporation (SMC), require clubs particiand the place of panpating in the Premier orama in Grenada’s

“The politicians of the day are the ones to set the agenda, establish a national vision for sports and cultural, and create the environment for achieving that vision’’ carnival, was commendable. What followed, however, was a two-fold problem that still plagues SMC: one, was not enough seed money to launch the corporation; and second, when SMC was faced with its first big challenge – creating a space for pan in the dispute between panorama and White in the Moonlight – the authorities were sending mixed messages, and never threw its weight behind the SMC and the corporation’s legislative authority.

Our political leaders also must decide whether they’ll support only those carnival-related ventures that generate revenue, or whether it’s worth saving traditional aspects of carnival such as panorama and the Calypso Monarch competition. Many nations in the developed world have had to make those cultural decisions. They support, financially and otherwise, their national museums and arts centres, even when these places operate at a loss.

Willie Joe proposes that “one night during the peak week of Carnival be dedicated to pan music’’, saying that “pan players and their Association must be open to change’’.

Similarly useful suggestions have been made in the past by many people including former pannist,

Ronald “Pappy’’ Charles.

To be fair to the Steelbands’ Association, it has been trying. But, there is only so much that an association of volunteers, who meet intermittently, can implement in any significant manner to advance their cause.

Still, I want to suggest that pan people talk to the wider public more often and more consistently, using mass media. Too much of their discussion – about what they are doing or plan to do – is among themselves, with a last-minute blitz to engage the broader Grenadian public.

GSA leaders have a major marketing and sales job to do. They must convince the public on the fact that pan is a viable musical career; that it’s the largest social movement of young people; and consider to where our youth will turn without access to pan.

The leaders must develop a strategy for selling pan as a good for society, rather than GSA simply organizing pan events or competing at panorama.

Get teachers, police officers, lawyers and judges to speak on the role pan is playing in steering our youth in the right direction.

And, have the young people themselves out in the media, speaking about how pan has helped them in positive ways.

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

Airport opening ARGYLE, the Caribbean’s newest international airport, will officially open to business next month in St Vincent, the country’s leader has announced.

PM Dr Ralph Gonsalves “Argyle International Airport would be opened on February 14th, on Valentine’s Day, the day of love,” said Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves. “It’s a day which we’ve been looking forward to.’’

The EC$729 million airport has missed construction deadlines annually since 2011, and has been a major plank of Gonsalves’ successful 2005, 2010 and 2015 general election campaigns.

Crime solution idea GOVERNMENT and the opposition in Trinidad and Tobago must work together this year to effectively deal with the problems of crime and economic growth, says University of the West Indies lecturer and political analyst, Dr Bishnu Ragoonath.

Trinidad recorded 462 murders last year. “We have to come up with real strategies to deal with the economy as well as the crime situation in the counDr Bishnu Ragoonath try,” Ragoonath recommended. “I think that, clearly, the government needs to develop some sort of relationship, not only with the opposition, but with labour and business as well.”

Ragoonath contends that, “once the murder rate keeps going up, people are going to be living in fear’’.

NEWS

CARICOM Chairman GRENADA’S Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, is one of three regional leaders who now comprise the Bureau of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. The other leaders are Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Guyana’s President, David Granger.

As of July 1, Prime MinPM Dr Keith Mitchell ister Mitchell also will begin serving a six-month term as Chairman of CARICOM.

Mitch in charge JOHN MITCHELL, a Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) veteran officer, who holds the rank of superintendent, is the new commissioner of the Richmond Hill Prisons.

During a 31-year RGPF career, Mitchell headed various divisions of the police, including fire services.

Mitchell takes over from Ashley “Ram’’ Folkes, who was in charge of the prisons since 2013.

John Mitchell

Jovenel Moise

Cuba’s nursing help CUBA is assisting Jamaica which has a nursing shortage that has forced the University Hospital of West Indies (UHWI) to cancel major surgeries. Next month, 112 nurses – including 47 specializing in critical care – are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica from Cuba.

James Moss-Solomon Jamaican officials say the shortage was being fuelled by the poaching of specialist nurses by foreign recruiters from countries such as Canada, the United States and Britain.

“They are being recruited very aggressively,’’ said Marva Lawson-Byfield, chief nursing officer. “When you get a Jamaican-trained nurse it is a well-rounded nurse, so we understand why they are going after our nurses.’’ UHWI chairman, James Moss-Solomon, added: “We have doubled training of specialist nurses in 2016, and before the courses are completed, 50 percent of them are already employed.’’

New ‘Bald Head’ leader JOVENEL MOISE, a 48-year-old businessman who runs a banana export company, will be sworn in as Haiti’s next president on Grenada’s Independence Day – February 7.

Moise, who campaigned on behalf of the “Bald Heads Party’’ led by former President Michel Martelly, won 55.6 percent of the votes in elections held last November. But, declaration of the results was delayed because of allegations of massive fraud at the polls.

“There was no massive fraud in the election. There were irregularities, which did not affect the electoral process,” an election tribunal has ruled, paving the way for Moise’s presidential inauguration.

NEWS & MORE

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

THE PAGE SEVEN FLASHBACK

GBSS & PBC: Mutineers vs. Thrillers RIVALRY in sports, as well as in debating and exam results, is well-known amongst secondary schools in Grenada. But, schools like GBSS and PBC also dueled for bragging rights on whose students comprised the best music combos.

The schoolboys’ music giants of the 1960s included Mutineers, which comprised former Presentation Brothers’ College students; and a Grenada Boys’ Secondary School outfit called Teenage Thrillers.

Zwadie “Fatso’’ Romain, a Thrillers’ member, died October 2015 in the United States. He was 68.

Earlier this month in St George’s, the third in an annual series of concerts and “jam sessions’’ was held by formers members of Mutineers and Thrillers.

IN PHOTO BELOW: Three original members of Thrillers

IN PHOTO ABOVE: 1960s Mutineers’ musicians – sharp as a razor!

‘Greasy pole’ challenge ONE of the traditions of many years ago in Grenada was a January 1 day of aquatic activities and boxing, too, on the Carenage.

The New Year’s Day events were spearheaded by Ben Roberts, a former Commissioner of Prisons. A World War II veteran, he was the father of well-known broadcaster and ex-national football goalkeeper, Paul Roberts.

Among the most difficult challenges of the New Year’s Day activities was attempting to climb an oil-slick pole, with a ham tied to the end as the prize for the person who is able make it all the way, without falling off into the water.

Often, no one succeeded in the “greasy pole’’ challenge and the ham returned to its donor.

IN PHOTO ABOVE: Going for the ‘greasy pole’ ham

An ‘amazing’ 106-year-old

by Lincoln DePradine Editor, Caribupdate Weekly

Dora Skeen

DORA Skeen’s mobility and fitness belie her age as a centenarian – one of the world’s oldest people. She was born in Jamaica but has spent the last 36 years of her life in Toronto, Canada.

On New Year’s Eve, her Toronto church hosted a celebratory event to commemorate Skeen’s 106th birthday. “I feel so good. Thank the Lord,’’ she told reporters.

Skeen, to the congregation at Agincourt Church of God, is affectionately referred to as “Mother Dora’’. She’s active in the church’s seniors’ ministry.

“She’s just such a sweet lady; very sweet lady. You won’t even know – by just interacting with her – that she is that old; her memory is still intact,’’ said pastor Andrae Blake. “It shocks you when you hear that she’s 106; it’s unbelievable.’’

Skeen was born December 29, 1910. And, she disclosed that her birth was on a Thursday and that she arrived in Canada on October 7, 1980.

“When she’s talking she just seems so clear. But she does say that her ears are a little bit lazy,’’ said evangelism director Andrea Simms.

Skeen mothered eight children, including one residing in Canada and five are in Jamaica. Two of the eight, as well as her husband, are deceased.

She lives independently at a seniors’ home and not only purchases her own grocery, but also does her own laundry. As well, she proudly boasts of attending exercise classes every Monday and Wednesday.

Skeen demonstrated her fitness by climbing the stairs unassisted to attend her birthday celebration on New Year’s Eve. “This is amazing,’’ said Simms, who is a registered nurse by profession. “She’s independent with everything that she does.’’

Skeen says there’s no particular secret to her longevity, except that she was a big eater while growing up in Jamaica. “I used to feed my body good,’’ she said. “I eat everything.’’

Asked what advice she would offer today’s youth, “Mother Dora’’ counselled them to “try to behave themselves and live good with everybody’’.

Another regional centenarian, ER Braithwaite of Guyana, recently passed away at his home in Maryland.

Braithwaite was a diplomat and an educator and the author of several books, including “Honorary White’’; “A Kind of Homecoming”; “House of Straws”; and “To Sir, With Love’’. See page 13 for more on Braithwaite.

8

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

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GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ENERGY The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) is a poverty reduction programme of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with ten participating borrowing member countries, which includes Grenada. Its mission is “to be a community development programme that supports health, education, water & sanitation, community access & drainage, and economic activities; through skills training, organisational development, infrastructure, and services”.

The BNTF Programme seeks to provide resources to poor communities to improve access to basic infrastructure services, provide temporary employment, enhance economic activity through skills enhancement; and reduce beneficiaries’ economic and social vulnerability to risks that impact on income and well being. Active engagement with the community is a priority for the Programme.

The BNTF project in Grenada is executed by the Ministry of Finance through an Implementing Agency (IA), which is the BNTF Office. The IA is responsible for the day to day operations of the project. However, as part of its overall management, an Oversight Entity (OE) has been established to provide guidance and direction. The BNTF project now seeks to hire a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to complement the staff of the IA. Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the position of Community Liaison Officer for the BNTF project.

1.0 JOB SUMMARY 1.01 The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) will be responsible to the Project Manager (PM) for the active involvement of communities in the identification, formulation and implementation of all sub-projects funded by the project. The CLO is expected to take the lead for the Implementing Agency, BNTF, in project cycle activities related to skills training sub-projects. The CLO will form part of a team for livelihoods sub-projects.

2.0 DUTIES 2.01 The duties of the CLO are: (a) Marketing the BNTF project capability and generating the pipeline of projects, involving close contacts and face to face interaction with target groups in communities, publicity, community consultations, invitations to bid and other methods approved by the PM and based on the policies and guidelines of the programme. (b) Selecting the most attractive of identified projects based on programme guidelines and procedures and present same to the PM, OE and CDB for approval. (c) Coordinating internal technical inputs and requesting the support of Project Preparation Specialist (PPS) in preparing the selected sub-projects and sector portfolios. (d) Organizing and implementing the Community Needs and Assets Assessment (CNAA) for each of the selected sub-project which involves conducting transect walks and community meetings in collaboration with stakeholders, guiding the formation of Project Monitoring Committees (PMCs) for the implementation of each sub-project and preparing appropriate briefs to discuss with members of the community, the community’s contribution to the design and implementation of prospective sub-projects. (e) Working closely with the PM, other funding partners, other sub-project sponsors, the PPS expert, project engineer, engineering consultant and beneficiaries to prepare sub-project documentation for submission to the Oversight Entity and CDB for review and approval. (f) Updating the data management system with sub-project and sector portfolio information to facilitate the approval process. (g) Coordinating implementation of sub-projects and requesting the support of the Implementation Support Specialist as may be required. (h) Providing timely inputs to the PM for the planning process, specifically estimates of the number and value of sub-projects that could be expected over the planning period (annual). (i) Providing training to communities and sensitization to assist in strengthening capacity of NGOS, CBOs, FBOs and community leaders to provide quality inputs throughout the sub-project cycle. (j) Liaising throughout the project cycle with the project sponsors and beneficiaries at the community level.

3.0 QUALIFICATIONS 3.01 The CLO is expected to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology or Rural Development or in a related field with at least five years’ relevant project experience working with rural communities and in the application of participatory methods. Proficient computer skills are required. Administrative and management competence would be an asset. A key personal trait would be practicality as it relates to making the project work and generate impact (outcome). Good written and oral communication skills are required.

4.0 4.01 (a) (b) (c) (d)

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Performance in this role will be measured against the following and specific targets will be formulated on an annual basis: The volume of projects (number and $) planned and achieved The mix of projects (sectors, beneficiaries) planned and achieved The innovation displayed in the projects (new approaches, new areas) Beneficiary and partner feedback

5.0 SALARY 5.01 Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience Interested persons should forward application and resume no later than January 27, 2017 to: The Chairperson Oversight Entity, BNTF C/O Ministry of Finance and Energy The Carenage St. George’s Grenada Email: Kim.Frederick@gov.gd and copied to bntfgrenadapm@gmail.com Applications received after January 27, 2017 would not be considered and unsuitable applications would not be acknowledged.

Please note that the Ministry of Finance reserves the right to terminate the recruitment process at any point prior to the award of a contract, without incurring any liability to any applicant.

LOCAL NEWS

Burke’s

IT WASN’T ME, says Nazim Burke, in responding to allegations that, after his appointment as NDC finance minister in July 2008, he withheld payments that were due to then Nazim Burke acting chief medical officer, Dr Bert Brathwaite.

“This is from reliable sources,’’ Brathwaite said, in levelling the charge against Burke.

“A cheque was actually written out in my name back around August 2008 to pay me my salaries and it was withheld. I never got it. Orders came through, I’m not to be paid.’’

However, Burke is adamant that he never “blocked’’ any payments to which Brathwaite was entitled.

“I know absolutely nothing about what he’s saying,’’ claimed Burke, now a senator and leader of the National Democratic Congress.

EACH YEAR, recommendations are made to Queen Elizabeth II in London, England, for British Empire honours to be bestowed on Grenadians and other Commonwealth citizens.

And, on her 2017 Michael Archibald is among New Year’s Honours’ five honoured by the Queen List, the Queen recognized five Grenadians, including financial consultant and former bank manager, Michael “Pointy’’ Archibald.

Archibald has been appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to banking. “I was extremely pleased and honoured to have been recognized in this fashion for whatever contributions I have made to the development of Grenada,’’ said Archibald, now chief operations’ officer of Fastcash Grenada Ltd. Of the other four Grenadians, two have been named as Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE); and two are being given the BEM – British Empire Medals.

MBE honours have been received by Laurence Duncan for his longtime work in the local cruise ship industry, and to Maudlyn Ferguson – well-known for her sterling contribution to education.

Jarvis Lawrence, who is recognized for contribution in the areas of horticulture and business, and Norbert Simon – who has provided dedicated services to the fishing industry – both picked up BEM awards.

9

Debt forgiveness

denial

Queen honours 5

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

RUSSIA, one of the countries to which Grenada owes money, is willing to offer further debt forgiveness to complement a debt settlement agreement signed 14 months ago.

The position of the Russian Federation was outlined earlier this month to Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, during a visit here by Nikolay Smirnov, Russia’s Ambassador to Grenada.

According to a news release from the Government Information Service (GIS), some of the topics during the meeting included the provision of more training and scholarships to Grenada; possible signing of a visa waiver agreement

between Russia and Grenada; and a 2015 Russia/Grenada debt settlement agreement.

“An agreement on settlement of Grenada’s debt to the Russian Federation, amounting to US$266,000, was signed on November 19, 2015, during the Paris Club meeting.

The Ambassador indicated that there may be even further or total relief of the debt owed

by Grenada,’’ the GIS release said. “This issue will be followed up by both accredited missions for clarification and possible final settlement.’’

For his part, said GIS, Prime Minister Mitchell requested of Ambassador Smirnov that he should

Ambassador Nikolay Smirnov

“convey greetings to the government and people of the Russian Federation, and expressed his hope that the relations between both countries would continue to strengthen for the New Year and beyond. Prime minister indicated that the world will be a better place if all countries worked together in peace, while maintaining respect for each other’s system of governance’’.

Doc’s ‘extremely happy’ ST. GEORGE’S (GIS): Grenada has received 3.5 million Euros in grant funding for the enhancement of the primary healthcare sector.

A signing ceremony, between Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell and Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the OECS, Daniela Tramacere, was held at the Prime Minister’s Office Tuesday, demonstrating Grenada’s readiness to revitalize its efforts in the delivery of primary Prime Minister Keith Mitchell and Ambassador Daniela Tramacere at Tuesday’s signing ceremony that was witnessed by local healthcare services. officials “This programme will focus on preventative care for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in the rural communities. So, this is very important in a country that has been going through very harsh measures, to foster the access of those in need of basic services for the well-being of everybody in the country,” Ambassador Tramacere said.

A major part of the funds will be used for the construction of the Gouyave Health Clinic, which will serve the western parishes of St. John and St. Mark.

“Dealing with the health sector of our country, we experience tremendous challenges in that particular area,’’ said Prime Minister Mitchell. “Therefore, having the European Union support on this is so important to us. Having the resources to implement and to do this project at this particular time, to me, is something that makes me extremely happy.”

Criminal deportees LOCAL POLICE say they soon will be providing Grenadians with regular information on the whereabouts of nationals who are deported after committing criminal offenses in foreign countries.

“It is something that we are working on to provide members of the public with that kind of information,’’ disclosed Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sylvan Mc Intyre.

He said the issue of criminal deportee is of “concern’’, and the information to be disseminated to be public will let people know what the deportees have done and “where these people are’’.

An online database system recently acquired by the Royal Grenada Police Force also allows the cops to share other information such as reports on missing people.

10

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

NEWS

LaHee, Chess differ

Levera Beach Resort project

Project’s unfolding WORKERS ARE SEEN in St Patrick at the site of the Levera Beach Resort, where ongoing construction continues in the first phase of the US$7 million project.

The US investors are promising that up to 400 Grenadians will be employed on completion of the project, which includes an 80-unit boutique hotel, 40 cottages and villas, pools, spas and restaurant.

“We are very much on our way with the construction of the first one-bedroom unit that is about 40 percent complete. Towards the end of this month, two two-bedroom units will be started,’’ a spokesperson for the investors told Caribupdate Weekly.

The project was approved under the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program.

A GRENADA OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (GOC) building being constructed at Morne Rouge, St George’s, will house a sports museum, according sports administrator Royston LaHee. He said when a request was made to government in 2008 for land to build “Olympic House’’, sites were identified, first, at Tempe; and then, at Calliste. Both project sites were abandoned because of land disputes, until the GOC received permission to build at Morne Rouge.

The project, costing more than $2 million, is scheduled to be completed by yearend.

But, not everyone is happy with Morne Rouge as the “Olympic House’’ site.

IN PHOTO Senator Chester Humphrey, President of the UpABOVE: per House of Parliament, is upset at what he says Royston is the awarding of “prime tourism land’’ for the La Hee. construction of an “administrative office’’ for the AT LEFT: GOC. Chester “I am just totally amazed. I can’t understand who Humphrey makes these decisions and what thinking informs that decision,’’ Humphrey said.

“I can’t understand how, as we try to reconfigure this economy, and to take opportunities of the new world economic order as it were, that we could consider building an administrative office on the most prized piece of real estate in the entire State of Grenada.’’

But LaHee, the GOC president, said “Olympic House’’ is designed to be more than an office for his organization.

“It’s to put up a building that Grenadians would be proud of; that will house the offices of Grenada Olympic Committee but will also provide a service to Grenada to keep records of the history of sports in Grenada,’’ said LaHee, a business manager and former Grenada Football Association official.

“It is also a building that will offer accommodation for other sporting associations,’’ he added.

“It is also intended to provide conference rooms and, most important of all, it’s a place where we intent to put a sports museum.’’

Work on Lanse Bridge

Donald Trump and Omarosa Manigault

Trump hires Omarosa REPUBLICAN DONALD TRUMP, criticized by some for selecting a cabinet and White House staff stacked with white males that are millionaires and former senior military officers, has hired longtime African-American supporter, Omarosa Manigault, to work for him as President of the United States of America.

Manigault, who worked on Trump’s presidential election campaign and transition, has been hired as director of communications in the public liaison’s office. She gained attention in 2004 as a contestant on Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice”.

Trump will be sworn in next Friday, January 20, as president. He replaces Barack Obama, who served two terms in office.

Among those expected to attend Trump’s inauguration ceremony next week in Washington is Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom he defeated in last November’s presidential elections.

PREPARATORY WORK HAS BEGUN on the construction of the Lanse Bridge in Gouyave, St John.

A team of Chinese engineers and construction workers has started erecting a reinforced steel walkover or footpath, which will connect the northern and southern parts of Gouyave, when the bridge is demolished in the coming weeks.

The bridge, which has been in operation for more than 50 years, is earmarked for reconstruction due to structural and physical deterioration.

The new bridge will be executed in three phases, and will create employment for some residents of St John and St Mark.

It’s expected to cost more than EC$1 million, and will be constructed by the international Chinese construction firm, Qingdao Fu Haiyang Construction Group Co. Ltd. It’s the same company that successfully constructed the new Hubble Bridge in Gouyave Estate, following its collapse in September 2015.

Alvin Dabreo, MP for St John, says the wider and stronger new Hubble Bridge was constructed ahead of the pending demolition and construction of the current Lanse Bridge, to facilitate the motoring public and pedestrians.

Sandals LaSource concept THE SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL (SRI) property in Grenada, opened here just under three years ago, is being used as the pattern for an expansion of Sandals’ business operations in Saint Lucia.

SRI is adding a fourth resort to its brand in Saint Lucia, with work to begin in the new few months.

According to SRI, which has been doing business in Saint Lucia since 1993, the newest resort will be named Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia. It will build “on the concept of unparalleled luxury and innovation which has come to be synonymous with Sandals LaSource Grenada’’, the company said.

“We pride ourselves on continuously raising the bar and Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia will completely re-energize the tourism mar- Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart ket in Saint Lucia,” promised Gordon “Butch’’ Stewart, chairman and founder of SRI, parent company to Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts.

“Since we first opened Sandals Regency La Toc in 1993 we have consistently invested millions of dollars to re-imagine our offerings to ensure our resorts and the Saint Lucian destination is among the best in the world and thereby boosting the local economy.”

The new resort will bring SRI’s room count in Saint Lucia to more than 800.

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

11

GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ENERGY The Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) is a poverty reduction programme of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with ten participating borrowing member countries, which includes Grenada. Its mission is “to be a community development programme that supports health, education, water & sanitation, community access & drainage, and economic activities; through skills training, organisational development, infrastructure, and services”.

The BNTF Programme seeks to provide resources to poor communities to improve access to basic infrastructure services, provide temporary employment, enhance economic activity through skills enhancement; and reduce beneficiaries’ economic and social vulnerability to risks that impact on income and well being. Active engagement with the community is a priority for the Programme.

The BNTF project in Grenada is executed by the Ministry of Finance through an Implementing Agency (IA), which is the BNTF Office. The IA is responsible for the day to day operations of the project. However, as part of its overall management, an Oversight Entity (OE) has been established to provide guidance and direction. The BNTF project now seeks to hire a Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to complement the staff of the IA. Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the position of Community Liaison Officer for the BNTF project.

1.0 JOB SUMMARY 1.01 The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) will be responsible to the Project Manager (PM) for the active involvement of communities in the identification, formulation and implementation of all sub-projects funded by the project. The CLO is expected to take the lead for the Implementing Agency, BNTF, in project cycle activities related to skills training sub-projects. The CLO will form part of a team for livelihoods sub-projects.

2.0 DUTIES 2.01 The duties of the CLO are: (a) Marketing the BNTF project capability and generating the pipeline of projects, involving close contacts and face to face interaction with target groups in communities, publicity, community consultations, invitations to bid and other methods approved by the PM and based on the policies and guidelines of the programme. (b) Selecting the most attractive of identified projects based on programme guidelines and procedures and present same to the PM, OE and CDB for approval. (c) Coordinating internal technical inputs and requesting the support of Project Preparation Specialist (PPS) in preparing the selected sub-projects and sector portfolios. (d) Organizing and implementing the Community Needs and Assets Assessment (CNAA) for each of the selected sub-project which involves conducting transect walks and community meetings in collaboration with stakeholders, guiding the formation of Project Monitoring Committees (PMCs) for the implementation of each sub-project and preparing appropriate briefs to discuss with members of the community, the community’s contribution to the design and implementation of prospective sub-projects. (e) Working closely with the PM, other funding partners, other sub-project sponsors, the PPS expert, project engineer, engineering consultant and beneficiaries to prepare sub-project documentation for submission to the Oversight Entity and CDB for review and approval. (f) Updating the data management system with sub-project and sector portfolio information to facilitate the approval process. (g) Coordinating implementation of sub-projects and requesting the support of the Implementation Support Specialist as may be required. (h) Providing timely inputs to the PM for the planning process, specifically estimates of the number and value of sub-projects that could be expected over the planning period (annual). (i) Providing training to communities and sensitization to assist in strengthening capacity of NGOS, CBOs, FBOs and community leaders to provide quality inputs throughout the sub-project cycle. (j) Liaising throughout the project cycle with the project sponsors and beneficiaries at the community level.

3.0 QUALIFICATIONS 3.01 The CLO is expected to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology or Rural Development or in a related field with at least five years’ relevant project experience working with rural communities and in the application of participatory methods. Proficient computer skills are required. Administrative and management competence would be an asset. A key personal trait would be practicality as it relates to making the project work and generate impact (outcome). Good written and oral communication skills are required.

4.0 4.01 (a) (b) (c) (d)

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Performance in this role will be measured against the following and specific targets will be formulated on an annual basis: The volume of projects (number and $) planned and achieved The mix of projects (sectors, beneficiaries) planned and achieved The innovation displayed in the projects (new approaches, new areas) Beneficiary and partner feedback

5.0 SALARY 5.01 Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience Interested persons should forward application and resume no later than January 27, 2017 to: The Chairperson Oversight Entity, BNTF C/O Ministry of Finance and Energy The Carenage St. George’s Grenada Email: Kim.Frederick@gov.gd and copied to bntfgrenadapm@gmail.com Applications received after January 27, 2017 would not be considered and unsuitable applications would not be acknowledged.

Please note that the Ministry of Finance reserves the right to terminate the recruitment process at any point prior to the award of a contract, without incurring any liability to any applicant.

12

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

Carnival 2017 challenges AS Carriacou and Trinidad and Tobago prepare for Next month’s carnival, the challenges in Carriacou pale in comparison to those in T&T. Carnival 2017, which culminates February 27 and 28, was officially launched last December 10 in Carriacou.

“The festival is up and ready and plans are very much well underway,’’ said Princess John, chairperson of the Carriacou Carnival Committee.

“All roads lead to the Sister Isle on the 27th and the 28th of February, 2017.’’

John said there will be a queen show, as

well as competitions in calypso and soca.

She said the committee is trying to ensure a steelpan presence, not necessarily a competition, including attempting to engage pannists from Grenada. “Carnival is also pan,’’ John said.

In Trinidad, controversy between pan musicians and Pan Trinbago forced the intervention of the government, which has given authority to the National Carnival Commission (NCC) to collect the gate receipts from ticket sales at this year’s panorama.

“NCC is taking direct oversight, so that

the monies from the gate receipts will go to the NCC,”

IN PHOTO BELOW: Princess John

IN PHOTO ABOVE: Keith Diaz

said culture minister, Nyan Gadbsy-Dolly.

“We will no longer be giving Pan Trinbago money. Prize money, money for suppliers and money for remittances for panmen will now be made available to the NCC.’’ Pan Trinbago, a private non-government organization, is reported to be TT$31 million in debt.

A stipend of $1,000 owed to pannists for the 2016 panorama, when paid by cheque recently, was not hon-

oured by banks. The situation angered the musicians; some have been demanding the resignation of the Pan Trinbago executive headed by president Keith Diaz.

In the midst of the melee, Diaz suffered a heart attack. He successfully underwent an angioplasty procedure to open blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow to the heart.

KWAME KWEI-ARMAH, 49, is an accomplished British-Grenadian creative arts professional; and, like many people of African-Caribbean ancestry, he’s an unabashed fan of the late Jamaica superstar reggae musician, Bob Marley.

“Few artistes have had as big an effect on the world as Bob Marley. Even fewer as big an effect on me,” says Kwei-Armah, who was born Ian

Roberts in Middlesex, England. His parents were Grenadians. He changed his name to Kwame Kwei-Armah at the age of 19, after tracing his family history back to his ancestral African roots in Ghana.

Today, Kwei-Armah is a playwright, director, singer, broadcaster and an actor. He’s artistic director of Center Stage in Baltimore, and has served as the chancellor and a governor of the Uni-

Kadooment’s trouble

THE showpiece of Barbados’s Crop Over carnival, the Grand Kadooment, is in trouble with declining sponsorship and fewer revelers, says Chetwyn Stewart.

He’s president of the Barbados Association of Chetwyn Stewart Masqueraders (BAM).

“The quality and the standard of the mas’ might be going up, but we are getting less people going on the road. What we don’t recognize is that there could be a lot less bands on the road (this year),’’ said Stewart. “I will not be bringing a band, too, if I don’t get some kind of support.”

Stewart and BAM members claim that the root of the problem is inadequate government funding of Crop Over, which is organized by the Cultural Foundation. The festival is said to generate more than BDOS$110 million annually. The estimated cost of running Crop Over is between $5 million and $6 million.

Stewart said the ball is in government’s court to decide if it would pump more funds into Crop Over or watch bands leave the carnival.

“It is a festival that is benefiting the whole of the economy,’’ he said. “So, we have to start taking it a lot more serious.’’

Marley stage musical

Memorable!

Popular Jamaican entertainer, Beenie Man, is captured in this partygrenada.com photo performing in Grenada during the recent festive season. He was one of the entertainers at the 2016 edition of “Ah December to Remember’’, a production of Sunshine Promotions.

Serena’s engagement

IN PHOTO AT LEFT: Serena Williams and fiancé Alexis Ohanian

THE world’s greatest female tennis player may soon be carrying a new surname. That’s because Serena Williams, 35, is engaged to be married to Alexis Ohanian, a 33-year-old internet IN PHOTO entrepreneur, investor, and best-selling author AT RIGHT: Rihanna and born in Brooklyn, New York, to Armenian and Drake German parents.

Ohanian is co-founder of Reddit, a discussion and social news website that reportedly has more than 500 million monthly visitors. It’s ranked as the 11th most visited website in United States and the 25th in the world.

Williams and Ohanian, it is said, have been dating for more than a year. Reports are that the two met “at a lunch” by chance in Italy, shortly after Williams ended a brief relationship with Canadian rapper Drake, who recently split with Barbadian pop star Rihanna.

Ohanian’s net worth is estimated at around US$4.5 million. But, he’s a pauper when compared to Williams.

Through prize money, endorsements, royalties, a fashion line and countless other ventures, Williams has a net wealth of US$150 million, making her the world’s highest-paid female athlete.

versity of the Arts London.

A Bob Marley musical, which Kwei-Armah wrote, directed and presented at Baltimore Center Stage, will soon premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in the UK. “One Love: The Bob Marley Musical” will begin performances March 10 for a run through April 8.

In commenting on the

by Lincoln DePradine Editor, Caribupdate Weekly

IN PHOTO ABOVE: Kwame Kwei-Armah AND AT LEFT: Bob Marley

musical, Kwei-Armah – a father of four – said: “I feel continually blessed and honoured to dance with Bob in this way.”

Presented in cooperation with the Marley family and Tuff Gong Pictures LP, and developed with the support of Blue Mountain Music, the Kwei-Armah musical depicts Marley’s rise from Third World star to global icon.

Marley, after a 1976 assassination attempt on his life in Jamaica, left for England where he recorded the “Exodus’’ and “Kaya’’ albums, during almost two years of self-imposed exile. “Exodus’’ stayed on the British album charts for 56 consecutive weeks and was named “Best Of The Century’’ by TIME Magazine in 1999.

The presentation of the musical in the UK has been welcomed

by Marley’s daughter, Cedella. “On behalf of the Marley family, I am thrilled that our father’s story is going to be brought to the stage with this production,” she said in a statement.

According to Cedella Marley, “Birmingham is a natural place’’ for the UK premiere of “One Love: The Bob Marley Musical”.

Birmingham, she said, “with its great mix of cultures, it’s a city where my father performed to audiences that were captivated by his presence. We have no doubt that telling the story through music to a new generation in Birmingham will be part of his continuing legacy.”

ENTERTAINMENT

13

ER Braithwaite’s legacy

Mr. Vegas sings gospel BILLBOARD MAGAZINE has listed “This is Dancehall’’ – a musical recording by Jamaican artiste Mr. Vegas – at number 8 among the 10 best reggae albums for 2016.

The list is compiled

by Rob Kenner, who hails Vegas as one of Jamaica’s most consistent hit-makers.

“I’m humbled that such a prestigious magazine has acknowledged my album as one of the best albums of the year,’’ said Vegas. “All praises and glory belong to God almighty, all my success is a blessing from God. This accolade also belongs to all the producers who worked on the project.’’

Mr. Vegas is currently preparing to release another album titled, “Soul Therapy’’.

“My next album will be released by the end of February,’’ he disclosed. “It’s my first gospel project and I can’t wait for my fans to hear it.’’

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

IN PHOTOS ABOVE AND BELOW: Mr. Vegas

Panman ‘Will’ passes A year after Grenada buried steelpan stalwart, 77-year-old Kenneth “Tiloti’’ Hood of River Road, the local pan community lost another veteran, who was one of Hood’s contemporaries.

Wilton Cummings, who was buried January 4, is best remembered for his many years of leadership of a Happy Hill steel orchestra.

He was fondly referred to as “Will’’, “Skipper’’ and “Despers’’.

Cummings, who died December 21, was 80.

Wilton Cummings

GRENADIANS, like millions of moviegoers worldwide, flocked to the cinema in 1967 on the release of “To Sir, With Love’’.

The film is an adaptation of a novel by the same name written by ER Braithwaite, a Guyana-born author.

Braithwaite, also a former university lecturer in the US and an ex-diplomat of Guyana, died E.R. Braithwaite recently in the United States at the age of 104.

“To Sir, With Love’’, published in 1959, is set in the East End of London, England. It’s based on true events that occurred after Braithwaite accepted a teaching position at a predominantly white secondary school. He was confronted with racism, vioSidney Poitier in a scene from ‘To Sir, With Love’ lence and antisocial behaviour by a group of disadvantaged students.

But, Braithwaite gradually turned his class around through a mix of affection and respect. He also fell in love with a female co-worker – controversial at the time because the other teacher was white. Braithwaite criticized the film’s version of the romance, saying the love affair had been downplayed in the movie.

Actor Sidney Poitier, born in Miami to Bahamian parents, starred in “To Sir, With Love’’, which achieved box office acclaim. The film’s title song also became a number one hit.

To date, no Caribbean author has replicated this feat of having one of their works turned into a successful Hollywood movie.

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

COMMENTARY

Russia’s US election meddling

A case of chickens coming home to roost

THE AMERICANS are “hopping’’ mad, after the Russians have effectively implemented a regime change in their country.

Well, to be more accurate, the U.S. intelligence agencies have accused the Russian government – and, in particular, President Vladimir Putin – of giving a direct order to wage a cyber warfare by hacking United States websites and emails, especially that of the Democrats to influence last November’s presidential election results.

The strategy, it seems, was to denigrate Hillary Clinton and promote Donald Trump, the Republican Party candidate.

We, the neutrals, have no way of verifying the truth of the allegations, since the Russians have denied the accusations, and President-elect Trump has essentially doubted the credibility of the U.S. intelligence agencies.

He says it is the same people that falsely claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

Now, if we were to accept that the Russians attempted to, at least, influence the results of the U.S. elections, could the U.S.A. justifiably and morally complain about that?

After all, the United States – more than any other country in modern history – has destroyed governments; created and

IN PHOTO AT LEFT: US soldiers in Grenada in October 1983 IN PHOTO BELOW: 2016 U.S. Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders

Former President Fidel Castro (wearing glasses) in a tank near Playa Girón in Cuba on April 17, 1961, as the Bay of Pigs invasion was underway

installed governments of their liking worldwide; and influenced the results of elections and the direction of governments in diverse places.

Platt Amendment If one were to consider the U.S. involvement in the Caribbean alone in the twentieth century, a good place to start will be the Platt Amendment in 1901.

The Platt Amendment made the U.S. effectively a protectorate of Cuba after the Spanish-American War and gave rise to the base in Guantanamo Bay. In 1903 the U.S. backed independence of Panama to construct the Panama Canal. In 1909 the U.S. backed rebels in Nicaragua to depose Jose Santos Zelaya.

Between 1912 and 1933, the U.S. occupied Nicaragua.

Between 1915 and 1934, the U.S. occupied Haiti. Between 1916 and 1924, they occupied the Dominican Republic.

Now, this is not even an exhaustive list of

U.S. occupation in the Caribbean during these early years.

During the Cold War and the post-independence years, the United States continued to flex its muscles all over the world.

Some brief examples: In 1949, the U.S. orchestrated a coup to overthrow the elected parliamentary government in Syria. In 1953, the U.S., through its Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), helped the Shah in Iran to overthrow the democratically elected leader of Iran. A year later, they assisted in removing President Jacobo Árbenz in Guatemala, and installed a military dictatorship.

In 1959, they orchestrated the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba and today still continue to have an economic blockade against that country, primarily to effect regime change in Cuba.

Grenada invasion In 1983, the Americans breached international law to invade Grenada, and

installed an interim government. Legend also has it that the Americans brought together some of the most prominent Grenadians on an island to form a political party, and funded them to win the general elections in 1984.

In even more recent times, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, which had nothing to do with 9/11; invaded Iraq, too, which had no weapons of mass destruction. The United States played a leading role in the socalled Arab Spring to effect regime change especially in Libya; supported the rebels in Syria against the sitting president which has resulted in an ongoing civil war.

The post-invasion instability, especially in Syria and Iraq, created the environment for the birth of ISIS. I am aware that I am writing for a small space in a newspaper, and to write extensively on this issue will probably require the entire paper. However, the fact is the U.S., far and above any other

“In 1959, the Americans orchestrated the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba and today still continue to have an economic blockade against that country, primarily to effect regime change in Cuba’’ nation, has influenced the formation of governments; done so more than anybody else.

America was born out of civil war and revolution, where there was bloodshed and sufferings of ordinary citizens. The Native Indians can testify to that.

Now, I understand why they should be upset at the Russians.

After all, influencing governments is for third world or developing countries, not for the richest and most powerful nation on earth. I fully understand that; however, just like no one is above the law, no nation should be above external influence.

Moreover, the information which was made public by Wikileaks and other sources, exposed the U.S. system for what it is. It is riddled with double standards and dishonesty. Look at how the Democratic Party treated their own Bernie Sanders. In many ways, the U.S. is no better than what attains in poor black countries. The same human weaknesses exist.

If it is that the Russians were able to effect regime change in powerful America, a Grenadian-American – if he were still alive – would have said, the “chickens come home to roost’’.

COMMENTARY

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

15

Chronicles of a Chronic Caribbean Chronicler

Honour Sir Dwight Venner

Put his face on the EC Dollar!

I GREW-UP in the Fou-a-Chaux part of Hospital Road in Castries seeing Dwight Venner walking up and down the main road, to and from his family’s home, to town and from school (Saint Mary’s College).

Much younger than him, I attended the Methodist Primary and Roman Catholic Boys’ schools in Castries – and knew more about his father than about the usually lone but friendly young ‘College Boy’ with all those thick school books.

I had learned from ‘The Voice’ that his quiet dad, Mr Noel Venner, was the Financial Secretary of the then group of British West Indian colonies that made up the West Indies Associated States, Saint Lucia and Grenada included.

He was effectively in charge of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) Dollars and Cents that eventually replaced the British Pounds, Shillings and Pence.

Mr Venner lived half-way up the hill between Hospital Road and the Blue Danube (now George Cooper) Road; we would notice that (especially on weekends and holidays) he would head up toward the St. Rose family home (just before Victoria Hospital). We would eventually find out from ‘Shabine’ (the hefty household ‘servant’) that he had both eyes firmly planted on “one of Mr St Rose’s daughters”.

The College Boys and (St. Joseph’s) Convent girls were the common pride of their families and communities at

Sir Dwight Venner IN PHOTO AT LEFT: Grenada’s PM Dr Keith Mitchell and Economic Development & Trade Minister, Oliver Joseph, visited Saint Lucia to attend Sir Dwight’s funeral.

by Earl Bousquet

the time. The lessGrenadian Timothy Antoine (right), who succeeded Sir er schooled among Dwight as ECCB Governor, is with Saint Lucia’s PM Allen us, sitting along the Chastanet at the funeral. wall to watch as they passed by ev“The face of Sir Dwight, the legery afternoon after school, would not endary Governor, eventually dare call them (Mr St should replace that of Britain’s Rose had a gun…).

Instead, (somewhat Queen Elizabeth II on every dejealously, but quietly) we’d remark about nomination of the EC Dollar’’ “how lucky” the likes of Dwight were to be only inherited the Lucia-born world-fa“liming the brightest same space where mous, US-based girls” in our neighbor- his father’s office was neurologist and pain hood. (above the Treasury in scientist Dr Winston Dwight then disCastries), but also suc- Parris) in the Castries appeared for a long ceeded his father in Market one Saturday while, only to reap1989 with the equally morning. pear at Christmas and important job as GovWhile most vendors other holidays from ernor of the Eastern he exchanged with felt his studies at UWI Caribbean Central they may have seen Mona, in Jamaica.

Bank (ECCB). him somewhere, none It was only after the More than that, ‘K. imagined the man, much-radicalized Dwight Venner’, the whose signature is Dwight returned to bright boy from Fou-a- on every dollar they Saint Lucia in the late Chaux, started having possessed, would be 70s with his bushy his signature printed “buying food by the Afro hairstyle, and on every EC Dollar. market”. Nor did any a whole briefcase of And even more, the expect the other man degrees in Finance, Hospital Road boy to be the Dean of a that the likes of us on would spend 26 years prestigious universal the block started to on the job, becoming medical facility in the understand who he someone who – I dare- USA (Vanderbilt). really was. say (and not subject I’m told it was the He became Saint to challenge) – has same at the crowded Lucia’s Director of Fithe global distinction and noisy Gros Islet nance (circa 1982) and of having the record Friday Night foodwas now no longer of the longest-serving and-drink festival, walking to work. But regional central bank where vendors dishafter that, those of us governor in the moding his local orders who knew his roots ern world. would inquisitively often made the rarely During his over peer at his back all observed connection two-and-a-half dethe way after leaving, between him and his cades at the helm of before asking the nearfather – one that went the ECCB, the Saint est person whether he way beyond father Lucian Governor also was who they (very and son. had the other worthy doubtfully) thought he As it turned out, distinction of keeping might have been.

Dwight would later the EC Dollar stable As ECCB Governor, in take over his father’s in its exchange rate as and out of office, the earlier job after the pegged to the US Doljunior Venner, like his smaller Leeward and lar, remaining (almost dad, was largely seen Windward Islands forever) at EC $2.7163 as the most unassum– the former British to US $1.00. ing holder of that most colonies – got their I last saw Dwight powerful post. own currency. He not (along with Saint I happen to know

that after retirement, the ex-Central Bank Governor bore all his bodily pain with all the quiet dignity he always showed on his feet. Mere hours before being hospitalized, he’d been on the phone negotiating medical treatment from home, with the same quiet zeal he was always known for; and minutes before his eyes closed finally, he’d been talking to hospital staff – like normal, smiling as ever.

Venner’s death hit the region as hard as that of Fidel Castro and his fitting funeral on January 4 in Castries was carried live across the region, through all available traditional and social, old and new media.

I didn’t follow the funeral or read the numerous obituaries between the morning he died and the afternoon he was buried.

He didn’t see Christmas, dying three days before – and that hurt!

Most Saint Lucians thought the younger Venner was a bornand-bred Saint Lucian – until Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced his knighthood.

But where he was born never diminished any part of the

fact that Venner was a full-grown Castries boy; he went to school here, got married here, lived and worked here, climbed the world’s ladder from these here shores – and died here in Saint Lucia.

Fact is, Governor Venner served every OECS, ECCB and ECCU member-state with equal dignity, passion and compassion. His signature will eventually disappear from the EC dollar, but his indelible fingerprints on the region’s currency and his large footprints in the sands of Caribbean time will never be erased.

That’s why, in his eternal memory, I think the region should call (from now) for the OECS, ECCB, ECCU, the related banking institutions – and indeed all who agree that his services to the region merit it – to take immediate steps to ensure that the face of the legendary Governor eventually replaces that of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II on every denomination of the sovereign Eastern Caribbean’s EC dollar.

I rest my case – and in Dwight Venner’s honour – I humbly submit!

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Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Digicel rate hike DIGICEL customers in Grenada and other Caribbean countries are paying more for some telecommunications services of the company.

A letter to Grenadians informed them that charges for postpaid mobile and data services will be hiked from February 3. The price change, says Digicel, is due to increased costs of doing business.

On January 3, Digicel in Barbados raised its charge on prepaid mobile service. And, a hike in postpaid mobile service takes effect February 1.

In a statement released on its website, Digicel also said it would no longer be absorbing a 4.5 percent value added tax on mobile phone use implemented by the Barbados government a year ago.

“This concession now comes to an end and, as a result, the price changes on your bill will also reflect the full VAT amount,” said Digicel.

PM Keith Mitchell and Chris Brown, a consultant for the event, at the launch of the Grenada Invitational

Event’s economic spinoff THE April 8 Grenada Invitational is not just an international track and field event but it also has potential for economic spinoff, according to Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.

Within the first five months of the year, nationals and visitors will have a chance to attend the Grenada Invitational, the secondary schools’ Intercol Games and the Pure Grenada Music Festival.

“We’re talking job opportunities,’’ said Dr Mitchell, who also is Grenada’s finance minister. “I think a combination of these activities will bring the message that Grenada is certainly on the move as a county, and I think that’s what we want to see.’’

The Grenadian leader added that, “bright young people with initiative, can now look at how they can marry their skills and create businesses that can, in fact, benefit from activities of this nature.’’

Rise in joblessness UNEMPLOYMENT has jumped yet again in recession-hit Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy.

According to the latest statistics, unemployment in the three months through to November 2016, rose to 11.9 percent. That’s nearly three percentage points higher than it was during the same period for 2015.

The rate is the highest since 2012 when Brazil changed how it measures unemployment.

Unemployment has repeatedly hit new highs since May of last year.

“Brazil’s economy has contracted for six President Michel Temer straight quarters, and the government is hoping a series of reforms will return it to growth,’’ the Associated Press reported. “But political scandals and rising unemployment could make it increasingly difficult for President Michel Temer to govern. Accusations that he accepted illegal campaign contributions, which he denies, could even force him from office.’’

Call to ‘act now’ America’s wealthiest celebs

TRINIDADIAN labour leader Joseph Remy says the government “must act now” to ensure Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) divests its 49 percent shareholding in the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited. CWC, which also has ownership of Columbus Communications and Flow Trinidad and Tobago, is said to be in a conflict of interest.

“CWC have had opportunities to sell those shares on the market but they have not.

They have failed and they are holding our country to ransom, we believe, by existing in this state of a conflict of interest for more than two years,” said Joseph, secretary general of Communication Workers’ Union.

He recommends that the People’s National Movement administration should take Joseph Remy control of the CWC shares “and dispose of them in the best interest of the country”.

THE American business magazine, Forbes, has listed golfer Tiger Woods and retired basketball star, Michael Jordan, among the wealthiest celebrities in the United States.

The list is headed by filmmaker George Lucas, who is reportedly worth US$4.6 billion. Jordan, 53, is fourth on the list; Forbes claims he is worth US$1.2 billion.

Woods, 40, is the youngest person on the Forbes top-20 list, with a net worth estimated at US$740 million.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: George Lucas & wife Mellody Hobson; Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods

Fully digital Read completely designed issues of this newspaper, on your pc or mobile @

www.issuu.com/caribupdateweekly

SPORTS

17

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

CONCACAF boss to visit

Kirani James (left) and LaShawn Merritt will participate in the Grenada Invitational

PRESIDENT of CONCACAF, Canadian Victor Montagliani, who also is vice-president of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), is scheduled to visit Grenada Sunday.

It’s not clear whether Montagliani, who leaves here Tuesday, will discuss a proposal by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who wants to expand the World Cup finals from Victor Montagliani 32 to 48 teams in 2026.

Infantino says the idea is something he “strongly believe in’’, and wants it discussed by FIFA-affiliated associations. He argues that expansion means “inclusion” in the world’s “biggest social and sporting event”.

However, the association representing Europe’s top clubs has expressed opposition to a bigger World Cup, saying leading players were already under too much strain.

Chance to see stars THE Grenada Athletic Association (GAA) welcomes the country’s hosting of an international track and field meet this year, says Kwame Hypolite.

The privately organized Grenada Invitational is scheduled for April 8 at the National Stadium. Participants will include Americans LaShawn Merritt and Justin Gatlin, Jamaicans Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell-Brown, and Grenadian Olympians Kirani James, Bralon Taplin, Kani-

Gear for Academy GRENADA Christian Academy will

be the next beneficiary of sporting gear from a New York-based Grenadian-American family.

The cleats, shown in this photo, are some of the items that already have been collected by Clevoy and Betty DePradine, who have previously donated to other schools, through the ministry of sports, as well as to the Grenada Amateur Swimming Association.

Some of the cleats to be sent to Grenada Christian Academy

Kwame Hypolite

ka Beckles, Kurt Felix and Lindon Victor.

“We think this (event) will impact the development of athletes throughout the length and breadth of Grenada.

But, more so, it will undoubtedly be a mo-

tivating factor for the young and budding athletes to actually see world-famous stars that they read or hear about competing in front their very eyes,’’ said Hypolite, GAA’s public relations officer.

China’s soccer league ANOTHER high profile South American footballer has bolted to China to play in that country’s Super League.

The latest is Argentine striker Carlos Tevez, 32.

He has left Argentine club, Boca Juniors, for Shanghai Shenhua of the Chinese Super League.

Shanghai Shenhua paid an US$11 million transfer fee to Boca Juniors.

Tevez will be paid US$40 million over two years.

Others who have joined the Chinese Super League include Brazil’s Oscar Carlos Tevez and Paulinho, and Colombian striker Jackson Martinez.

The next Super League season begins in March.

China’s government wants to turn the country into a football power, setting the goal of having a team capable of winning the World Cup by 2050.

IN PHOTO AT LEFT: Keshorn Walcott and Michelle-Lee Ahye

Best T& T a th l e tes TWO Olympians are the top male and female athletes of Trinidad and Tobago for 2016. Keshorn Walcott is the Sportsman of the Year and Michelle-Lee Ahye, Sportswoman of the Year.

Walcott won a bronze medal in the men’s javelin at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ahye did not win a medal but was a finalist in the women’s 100 meters, 200m and 4x100m relay.

Grenada’s most outstanding athletes of 2016 will be announced at an Olympic Committee awards’ ceremony later this month.

18

Thursday 12th January - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

SPORTS

Eyes on FIFA World Cup GRENADA has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup of senior men’s football, which has been won by just eight nations: Germany, defending champions; Brazil; Italy; Argentina; Uruguay; England, France; and Spain.

However, Grenada has set its sights on joining the elite group of World Cup finals qualifiers.

According to Cheney Joseph, the vision of Grenada Football Association (GFA) is for our nation “to qualify for the FIFA Men’s World Cup by 2022 or 2026’’.

Joseph, the GFA president, was speaking Monday at the launch of a National Youth League, a joint GFA/Grenada Union

Cheney Joseph

Mighty Sparrow

of Teachers’ project.

It’s designed to get children, starting with those under 10 years of age, to play more football.

“Today, we make that small step of faith in building a foundation that we believe will eventually provide us with the tools to succeed at all levels of the game,’’ said Joseph, who described 2016 as “an exceptional year for football in Grenada’’.

He said with continued hard work, GFA aims to improve all aspects of football “and

to create a world-class football league that will compete with the best in the Caribbean and beyond and remain sustainable for generations to come’’.

GFA, which has just lost technical director Trevor McIntosh through resignation, plans on hosting in two girls’ teams from the United States in July.

In addition, said Joseph, Grenada will participate in a Windward Islands’ women’s tournament in Saint Lucia, as well as in Under-20 and Under-17 women’s competitions of CONCACAF – the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football.

Francis retiring SOME SENIOR OFFICIALS of Grenada’s ministry of sports are retiring, leaving the ministry in search of its next sports coordinator.

Former national track athlete Conrad Francis, the current coordinator, is soon to leave the job on retirement.

The search for his replacement includes current junior ministry staff, according to sports minister Roland Bhola. Recruiters are looking

Conrad Francis

for a coordinator with sports and management skills to “take the ministry forward’’, the minister said.

“What may eventu-

ally happen is that, if we are not able to find someone suited and qualified enough to hold the position, we may have to look to the issue of bringing in someone, on contract for a year or two, while a potential junior staff can be asked to further their development and studies in the areas of management and programming, so that eventually they can be fitted in to that position,’’ said Bhola.

Ato Boldon praised THE US MAGAZINE, Sports Illustrated, has named four-time Olympic medalist, Trinidadian Ato Boldon, as one of the best television analysts of 2016.

Boldon, 43, was awarded because of his insightful and educational commentary during the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, where Grenada was represented in track and field and swimming. Kirani James won Team Grenada’s lone medal, a silver, in the 400 meter.

“Boldon educates track viewers through his preparation,’’ Sports Illustrated said. “When you listen to him, you realize how rare it is to have a sports TV analyst make you a smarter viewer.’’

New Track meet in St. Patrick A new track meet for local athletes is reported to be in the making. The “Twilight Relay Meet’’, which is being organized by residents of St Patrick, is expected to be held next month.

Fontenoy demoted FONTENOY UNITED has been playing in the top tier of Grenada football – First Division and later Premier League – since the early 1970s. That streak has now ended and the club is out of the 2017 Premier League of the Grenada Football Association.

Fontenoy had an opportunity to remain in the Premier League but the club was beaten in a playoff with Eagles Super Strikers (ESS).

Fontenoy has been demoted to the GFA Conference division and ESS is promoted to the Premier League.

Fontenoy’s coach, former national midfielder Ashley “Ram’’ Folkes, congratulated ESS on its resilience and on gaining Premier League promotion. “It’s a team that’s close to me because I’ve coached them before,’’ Folkes said.

Folkes, however, is optimistic about Fontenoy United’s future.

“We have a lot of young players and if the players stay together, I think we’ll be a better team,’’ he said.

Independence sports SPORTING ACTIVITIES, tied to Grenada’s 2017 commemoration of the anniversary of independence, have started with secondary schools’ Under-15 cricket competition.

Thirteen schools are participating in the four-zone tournament. Mac Donald College is the defending champion.

Other independence competitions will include volleyball, table tennis, lawn tennis, and swimming.

Independence & Sporting activities

St David’s cricket 2017

Ato Boldon

THIS Saturday, January 14, is the Cricketers at play deadline for teams interested in registering to play in this year’s competitions of the St David’s Cricket League.

The registration fee is $300.

The parish’s 2017 season opens January 21, 1 pm, at Westerhall Playing Field, with a friendly encounter between a St David’s team and a Prime Minister’s XI. The league’s first tournament is a twenty/20 format, with competitive play beginning January 28.

NEWS EXTRA

Thursday 12 January, 2017 - Wednesday 18th January, 2017

The secret sex life of Pastor Clarke puts church on defensive KINGSTON: A major sex scandal is rocking the Moravian church in Jamaica – with suggestions that the shake-down of one pastor might just be the tip of the iceberg.

The Jamaica police have revealed that 64-year old pastor Rupert Clarke is now under investigation ‎in relation to sex crimes involving other family members of a15-year-old girl against whom he is already been charged of sexually abusing.

The indication is that he has had inappropriate sexual relations with at least three sisters – one whom has borne one of his children.

Meantime, a Jamaica Gleaner report says young women who have allegedly been sexually abused by their pastors while growing up in the Moravian Church are beginning to speak out.

According to the report some of them have been taking to social media sites talking about their ordeal, while others have been seeking the intervention of professionals.

The Gleaner said that based on its investigations the victims were teenagers at the time of the alleged abuse.

Social commentator and gender specialist Nadeen Spence who grew up in the Moravian Church is among the people seeking to help the victims.

“A number of people are talking. It’s not for me to say who they are accusing. But a number of people are talking. You know what I mean,” she said Spence said it has been tough for many of the victim to be actually reliving their abuse once again.

“It’s difficult to put yourself out there in ways that some people might not want to,” she said in stating that many are still reluctant to come forward.

President of the Moravian Church in Jamaica Rev Dr Paul Gardner who has promised a transparent investigation into the matter, said however the church will survive the scandal.

“As a church we will come out of this string.

A brother or individual within the church may, will fall, but the church will remain the body of Christ,” he said.

Speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Jamaica’s Minister of Education and Information Ruel Reid, said the Center has disclosed its intention to charge Clarke with carnal abuse resulting from an alleged sexual relationship with one of the minor’s sisters.

Reid told journalists that the 15-year-old, who has been allegedly raped by Clarke has been re-

ferred to the Child Development Agency’s clinical psychologist for assessment and counselling.

He said other members of the family have been referred to the Children and Family Support Unit of the agency – commonly

called CDA - based on reports of an extended pattern of sexual abuse.

At the same time, the mother and two daughters have also been referred to the CDA for parenting workshop.

Disgraced Jamaican pastor Rupert Clarke

19

Vol. 6 No. 1 Jan 12, 2017 - Jan.18, 2017 .00X X

MAIN PHOTO: Jimmy Adams (right) during his coaching stint with English county Kent.

INSET: WICB President Dave Cameron

Dave hails the coming of Jimmy PRESIDENT of the West Indies Cricket Board Dave Cameron says the hiring of former player Jimmy Adams as Director of Cricket is aimed at building on what he sees as the organizational successes made under the outgoing director Richard Prybus,.

“What we hope is that Jimmy will bring the respect, not only from the players, but from the region, based on his performance as a player, commentator and coach, and bring that to bear on what we are trying to do at West Indies Cricket,” Cameron told CARIBUPDATE WEEKLY this week.

Cameron was commenting following the official announcement

that Adams will become the WICB’s new Director of Cricket – a news we broke late last year.

The WICB also announced this week that Englishman Johnny Grave will become the new CEO of the WICB. Speaking to our reporters from New York, Cameron said this week: “We hope that Jimmy can come in and take what Richard Prybus has put in place; because all of our successes is based on a 19 point plan that Richard drew up when he because Director of Cricket three years ago.”

Inspite of ongoing challenges and a fractious relationship with many players, West Indies won an unprecedented three world titles in 2016.

The WICB also just announced that Grave would take up the CEO’s

job from February in the hope of expanding the board’s commercial footprint and developing a better relationship with players.

“We believe that the biggest challenge we have going forward is improving the relationship with the playing community; and I am saying playing community because it is not just about cricketers,” Cameron told the Weekly.

“So one of the things we are trying to do is to create a player-partnership. We introduced that in Florida in July and we believe that Johnny has the making to come and put that together; in addition to most importantly, grow our entire commercial landscape,” Cameron added.

The West Indies Cricket Board announced this week that it will host Pakistan for three twenty20 internationals, three one day internationals and three test matches between March 31 and April 10.

The twetny20s will be played in Trinidad, the one day internationals in Guyana and the test matches

one each in Jamaica, Barbados and Dominica.

The West Indies Board is also exploring playing two twenty20 internationals in Pakistan before that team come to the region in early March.

If the West Indies team goes to Pakistan as proposed, the team will become the first major international playing outfit to go there in seven years.

International teams have largely shunned Pakistan since a Sri Lanka tour had to be aborted after a team bus was attacked by terrorists, resulting in the suspension of international cricket from Pakistan.

West Indies is waiting on an official security report before the board decides.

“Let’s just understand this; we are not going to go if our players association is not willing and able; and if the security situation says no. We are not putting our players in any danger at all. We don’t intend to,” Cameron said.

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