Guyana Chronicle New York Edition 04 08 2017

ISSUE NO. 61

WEEK ENDING AUGUST 4, 2017

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Prison smugglers busted

...with cigarettes and marijuana at Lusignan ■ Page 3 Some of the phones found at the New Amsterdam Prison

The cigarettes and marijuana that were smuggled into the Lusignan Prison

Drugs, cell phones, lighters, improvised weapons

– found at Timehri, New Amsterdam Prisons

■ Page 3

Rich Guyanese culture on Emancipation Day ■ Centre page

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GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

“GO SEE VISIT” DIASPORA ENTREPRENEURS INITIATE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PROJECTS

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hree members of the Guyana Diaspora who attended the “Go See Visit” 2017 pilot project last May in Georgetown, have initiated or are in the process of moving to the start-up stage of their project as part of the “Effective and Sustainable Diaspora Engagement for Development in the Caribbean.

By Peter Haynes

The “Go See Visit” activity was sponsored by the International Organisation for Migration in collaboration with the Diaspora Division of Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was aimed at attracting entrepreneurs from the Guyana Diaspora to explore prospects for establishing small and medium-sized busi-

nesses in their homeland.

The participants at the “Go See Visit” pilot project was very enthusiastic about the visit and were eager to make commitments towards the next step.

The recent development of the project is that Ms. Daniella Hodge of the U.S.A who initially indicated interest solely in “Indigenous Coconut Oil” production, has added Charcoal production to her line of products. The Charcoal production has started and being distributed.

Ms. Hodge also started training of staff for production on a larger scale in an identified community. Employment will be provided to up to ten persons with increased employment possibilities as production demands increase.

Mr. Michael VanCooten of Canada had originally expressed interest in Eggs and Chicken production, has reviewed his interests and proposes to embark on providing medical services to persons who are unable to afford the care. Mr. VanCooten is currently looking for partners embark on this journey. The change to

Initially, he proposed involvement in Agro proposed medical services are not specified, but wherever the services could be made avail- Processing and Housing, but now intends to able it will be welcomed. embark on small scale Mushroom and Aqua And Mr. Malcolm Cho-Kee also of Farming.

Canada has changed his business idea based on The Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs information received during the “Go See Visit”, continues to communicate with the other “Go where he observed that there is need in the See Visit” participants and to provide assisfarming industry. tance wherever necessary.

Prison smugglers busted

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

...with cigarettes and marijuana at Lusignan THREE workers attached to Cevons Waste Management Disposal service were busted Thursday morning when they tried to smuggle cigarettes and marijuana into the Lusignan Prison.

Police said at 10:45hrs on Thursday, law enforcement officers acting on information conducted a search on a vehicle owned by the waste disposal service shortly before it entered the “Old Compound” of the Lusignan Prison.

During the search, ranks found a haversack containing in excess of 860 grams

The Cevons Waste Management Disposal workers who were arrested

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of cannabis and two cartons of cigarettes.

Police Press Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, said the driver and two porters, one being a female, were searched and 24 grams of cannabis was found in the driver’s pants pocket.

The 25-year-old driver of Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara; the 26- year-old male porter of Russel Street, Charlestown, Georgetown; and the 32-year- old female of ‘C’ Field Reserve, Sophia, are in custody assisting with the investigation.

Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels confirmed the bust. He said the workers

were in the compound to conduct waste-disposal services.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the prison authorities will now investigate whether this was an ongoing scheme by service providers of the prisons.

Inmates housed at the Lusignan Prison have been restless over the last few weeks, when several of them were transferred from the Camp Street facility to that location following the July 9, 2017 fire that destroyed the Georgetown Prison.

Only last week, 13 inmates escaped from Lusignan. Most of them have since been recaptured.

Drugs, cell phones, lighters, improvised weapons

– found at Timehri, New Amsterdam Prisons

THE Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has launched an investigation into the discovery of a quantity of drugs, cell phones and other items found at the Timehri and New Amsterdam Prisons on Thursday, acting Prison Director Gladwyn Samuels has confirmed.

At the Timehri Prison, Samuels said a prison officer is at the centre of the investigation, as a prisoner had indicated that a “prison staff took pay for the items to pass during a visit.”

Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels

The illegal items that were confiscated by the authorities

“The discovery has caused the owner much pain and he is talking about killing prison officers. The police were called in to investigate,” the director noted.

He said the first discovery of the illicit items was made on Wednesday at 14:30hrs, and as such, the Joint Services were ordered to conduct a thorough search, which commenced at 10:30 hrs on Thursday.

Further, a search of a convicted prisoner’s cell at the Timehri Prison on Thursday unearthed 180 grams of cannabis.

Between 09:40-12:30hrs, ranks of the Joint Services conducted a thorough search of the cells at the said Timehri Prison and a number of prohibited items

were found.

These are eight lighters, seven smoking utensils, 16 improvised weapons, eight packs of cigarettes, two dining forks, two pairs of scissors, five cell phone chargers, one bottle pepper sauce, three cellular phones, one tattoo machine, a quantity of tobacco and 305 grams of cannabis.

A similar search was also conducted on Thursday at the New Amsterdam Prison under the direction of Deputy Commander ‘B’ Division, Senior Superintendent E Cooper, who was accompanied by 20 police ranks and seven prison officers.

Two dorms, two landings and cells were searched and eight cellular phones, three cellular phone batter-

ies, one cellular phone display, three earphones, five cellular phone chargers, 16 cigarette lighters, two tattoo machines, five improvised weapons, 20 packs cigarettes and three grams of cannabis were found.

In July, over 40 cellphones were seized during exercises at the Lusignan pasture, where several of the inmates had been held following destruction of the Camp Street Prison on July 9.

The possibility of collusion, both from prison officers and prisoners, has not been ruled out, said Prisons Director Gladwyn Samuels.

The prison director had noted that there is some degree of camaraderie among the officers that could pos-

sibly explain why certain contraband items trickle into the system.

He explained that due to the number of years some staffers have worked together there is some degree of trust that could foster improper and illegal activities that officers engage in to earn extra cash.

Random searches are carried out on staff members and Samuels said that on more than one occasion, several officers have been dismissed or even sent to prison for their involvement in transporting contraband items.

These searches, he explained, must be carried out by an officer of the similar sex and who is of a higher rank.

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G U YA N A S P R O U T S The Zena Henry Column

I

n 1834, the abolition of African slavery was becoming familiar.

Although the Slavery Abolition Act of the British Parliament had been signed a year earlier, it was some time later that colonies actually experienced emancipation. Slaves were still being forced to work to compensate for the loss to slave owners.

Some Africans decided to take their freedom. They rebelled and many of their rebellions failed for various reasons. Even where there may have been successful rebellions, most guaranteed death rather than freedom.

The British had numerous colonies by the time talk of freedom arose. They had dominated many parts of the Caribbean and the United State in particular, and sometimes confiscating the property of other empires with force.

Since the early 15th century, the most advanced of European countries which involved — mainly Spanish and Portuguese traders — were conquering and claiming territory to expand their empire. It soon became a competition that drew other European nations seeking to make their fortunes by finding and conquering new lands.

Africa and its inhabitants were under immense pressure to protect itself from European conquers. Her rape and domination later led to the continent itself being divided and shared among the European nations.

European domination created many colonies. Today, many are independent, a few from national freedom granted and others that demanded and even fought to manage their own affairs.

However, former slave colonies are suffering in many ways, mostly because they have to remain under European policies that dominate many parts of the world, but the west in particular. Former colonies, especially

those that had gained independence were left to fend for themselves after years of European control and plunder.

British Guiana is a perfect example of neglect by its former British owner. Despite years of cost-free, forced labour, indentureship and cruelty, former slave colonies were not provided with the relevant assistance for true success.

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Emancipation?

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It was a long and hard political battle for Guyana’s independence. The nation’s leaders were tasked with creating a united developing nation for its people. There were limited roads, mobility was a challenge. Running water and access to electricity was difficult.

The larger percent of the population were poor and treated as second class citizens.

This was the atmosphere in many

former slave nations. This even caused some Caribbean colonies that claimed independence to remain under the watch of its European mother nation, while some outright refused to govern its own affairs, believing that they had a better chance of developing under the empire.

Many African leaders, Caribbean Presidents and Prime Ministers have placed the blame for under or semi-development squarely on the shoulders of Europeans who they say maintain economic slavery today through institutions like the World Bank and IMF who lend poor countries money under conditions that perpetuate their poor economies or that allow them to grow to a certain extent.

Even as the Caribbean has made its claim for reparations, Europe has refused.

CARICOM’s Reparations Committee, headed by UWI’s Vice Chancellor Dr. Hilary Beckles has indicated possibilities of heading to the World Court as Europe refuses ownership of this historic tragedy. European leaders like former British Prime Minister David Cameron wants People of Colour to move pass slavery and for-

get it. A response by other European nations whose wealth and success today resulted from invasion and African slave ownership.

In 2017, people of African descent say they are still not free or safe.

In the United States of America for example, many blacks are fearful as police brutality and racism/white supremacy seems to have increased.

Many European-Americans had called on current Republican President Donald Trump during his election campaign, to ‘make America white again’, with some on national and international television speaking against the march of Afro-Americans, Latinos and other People of Colour.

Edward Meertins-George a US based lawyer in an invited comment said that, “The history of America is replete with systemic racial injustice.

The effects of racial injustice are reflected not only in the range of recent police killings but in a number of other dysfunctions in American society among which are widespread police killings, voter suppression and gerrymandering, mass incarceration and, cultural genocide as it applies to Native Americans.”

“Today the US incarcerates more of its citizens than any other nation.

The US has five of the world’s population as prisoners. Disproportionate numbers of those incarcerated are people of color resulting from unreliable convictions in many cases.”

“In the case of New York, a significant number of black men were sent to prison as a result of the draconian drug laws known as the Rockerfeller Drug laws. In the case of police killings and violence against people of colour, the widespread presumption of guilt emanating from a dysfunctional racial history and the tendency to engage in the use of excessive force have been cited as significant contributors to this scourge. Abusive police tactics have resulted, then, in the deaths of Freddie Gray, Walter Scott (fatally shot in the back), Eric Garner and many others. Many argue that the emergence of black political actors and people of influence in government has done nothing to curtail this phenomenon and that white supremacy provides the ideological backdrop for continued racial injustice.”

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The Handel Andrews Column

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T TH HE E H HI IS ST TO ORY RY PA PAG GE E

Remembering A. J. Seymour

rthur James Seymour, A.J., the Chief – civil servant, poet and essayist – is a Guyanese literary icon and a humble man of class.

Born in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana) on January 12, 1914 to James Tudor Seymour and his wife Philippine, née Dey, he attended the Collegiate School (I think its principal was R.B. Hazelwood), Progressive High School (later Guyanese Academy) and Queen’s College, then Guyana’s premier secondary school. He went to Queen’s on a Government Junior Cambridge Scholarship.

He married Elma Editha Bryce, on July 31, 1937. Their union, which lasted more than 50 years, produced three daughters and three sons. A writer in Guyana Chronicle (December 28, 2013) penned that A. .J. said of his wife: “He had become interested in (her) because, as he once declared, ‘I had realized that she had in her memory more lines of Milton’s Lycidas than I had at the time, and this knowledge first prompted my curiosity in her.’ ” I first met A. J. when he was Chief Information Officer at Guyana Information Service (GIS) around 1954. I was then 15 and Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party Youth Organization (P.Y.O.). I had always been impressed by him over the British Guyana Broadcasting System School Program. Every time I visited him in Croal Street, Mr. Billy Carto, smoking his pipe, would tell me to go into the room if no one was being interviewed.

I mention this, because there were not many persons prepared to listen to a teenager not from the upper class. The only other two persons who tolerated me were Sir. John Carter and my idol, R.B.O. Hart.

Mr. Seymour left GIS in 1962 and accepted the post of Information and Cultural Collaboration of the Caribbean Organization, based in Puerto Rico. He returned to Guyana in 1965 and worked with

the Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba), based in Mackenzie (now Linden) until 1971; first as Community Relations Officer and later as Public Relations Officer. In 1972, he served as Literary Co-Ordinator for the first Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) held in Guyana. In 1973, he rejoined the civil service as Deputy Chairman of the Department of Culture and Director of Creative Writing.

HIS TIMES I cannot write about A. J. and not mention the times in which he lived. It was a time of great men. His friends included Norman Eustace Cameron (wrangler at Cambridge University, Mathematician, essayist and poet); his close friend Martin Carter, Guyana’s great resistance poet; Wilson Harris, the brilliant Guyanese novelist, Colin Franker, the brilliant Bookers Bros. Director and R. B. O. Hart, the only orator I regard as equal to L. F. S. Burnham and writer of the column “THINGS THAT BOTHER ME”, I remember listening to them debating on Radio Demerara Sundays after lunch on

Mr. Hart’s panel discussions. The period in which they lived were, indeed, the good, old days.

HIS PLACE IN CARIBBEAN LITERATURE

contained three poems that have become Guyanese classics: “Sun Is a Shapely Fire", "There Runs a Dream", and "The Legend of Kaieteur" The last must be discussed.

THE LEGEND OF KAIETEUR Martin Carter’s “Poems of Resistance” is a Guyanese classic; as is Edgar Mittelholzer’s “Children of Kwinana.” The legend is the best poem written by a Guyanese and heeds N. E. Cameron’s call that there was a need for local literature to dignify the status of local people.

I am happy with recent Guyanese discussions of aborigine legends. Seymour takes and transforms one of these into a grand epic. Located in the southern part of Guyana’s vast interior in the Potaro is the awe-inspiring Kaieteur Falls, also called Old Man’s falls.

A. J. SEYMOUR It is the world’s largest single drop waterfall and measures 741 There may have been better Feet (226 metres) high, making it poets than A. J. in Guyana; but none five times higher than Niagara Falls were as prolific. One critic points and nine times higher than Victoria out that with all his activities it is a Falls. . miracle that he wrote so many. His It is named for a wise old man first collection “Verse” was completed in 1937. Other poems in- of the Patamona people, who used clude “Over Guiana, Clouds to be plundered by a warlike tribe (continued on page 20) (1944); “Suns in my Blood (1945)

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

Court of Appeal puts hold on Westford trial

Licensing of teachers

THE recommendation by the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the education system for teachers to be licensed seemed to have passed silently, and understandably so, given the major news events in the past month.

The idea has been around for some time. It was first mooted by top education administrators a few years ago and never gained traction under the tenure of former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, under whose watch performance in the sector, across the board, experienced a decline.

Back then it was felt that licensing of teachers was the way to go in the near future, as it would ensure greater accountability on the part of teachers and enable government to get full value for money invested in the sector.

Education every year gets the largest slice of the national budget. The discussion was prompted after it was realised that while at the time about 70 per cent of teachers in the education system were formally trained, students’ results at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations were unsatisfactory.

Quite interestingly, the view was proffered, even though little effort was made to properly evaluate teachers in the school system, which from all indications is a major cause for the undesirable results. It is no secret that the education system has a mixed bag of teachers. There are those who give their all for their charges to succeed; they are those who try; and then there are others who go through the motions.

A commonly accepted opinion then was that a strong system of evaluation was needed to hold all teachers to book for their performance in the classroom. The system envisioned would have also seen all teachers in the public school system undergoing some form of mandatory professional upgrade in order for their licences to be renewed.

And these professional upgrade programmes would have been offered by the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) and the University of Guyana (UG).

These, among other measures, educators had felt would have played an instrumental role in shoring up students’ performance at all levels of examination and enable gov-

THE Court of Appeal has granted an order stopping the magisterial proceeding in the matter against former Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford in relation to eight state vehicles, for which she has been charged with forgery of documents and attempting to transfer same to other persons.

Dr. Westford of Lot 55 ‘AA’ Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Ms. Margaret Cummings, former Personnel Officer at the Ministry of Public Service and of Lot 709 Section ‘A’ Diamond, EBD are currently before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore for the charges.

The attorneys for the women were forced to take the motion to the Court of Appeal following a High Court ruling to quash a Constitutional Motion to examine the issue of amnesty. The order granted also, prevents the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and police from prosecuting the two women until the appeal court proceedings is completed.

When the matter was called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday before Magistrate Azore, it was adjourned until August 7, 2017 for the lawyers to address the court on the way forward. The women are being represented by a team of attorneys – Neil Boston SC, Rexford McKay, Keisha Chase, Eusi Anderson, Bibi Shaddick, Brandon Glasford and Dex-

ter Todd. The trial is led by State Prosecutor Teshana Lake.

In August 2015, the former minister was placed on a total of $800,000 bail after she pleaded not guilty to the charges, which state that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, she attempted to transfer eight state-owned vehicles to four persons.

Westford’s former aid, Margaret Cummings was also slapped with four counts of forgery. Cummings also pleaded not guilty to four charges which alleged that she forged documents for the purchase of the eight motor vehicles.

She was also released on a total of $1.2M bail.

In June 2015, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had told the media that it was brought to his attention that some documents were sent to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), purportedly signed by Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Hydar Ally.

This was done under Ally’s letterhead, but signed by someone else. It was Ally who directed Harmon to the discrepancy in the paperwork forwarded to GRA for the transfer of eight vehicles. In light of the overwhelming evidence, the vehicles were returned to the government.

Meanwhile, in April 2016, Westford and Cummings were each released on $4.8M bail after denying a total of 24 charges which alleged that they stole over $639M, while being em-

ernment to get a “bang for the buck” its pours into education.

It is heartening to know that this progressive idea has not disappeared into oblivion and was among the recommendations of the Education CoI to fix the many faults in the education system.

The CoI report was quick to note that implementation of a licensing system for teachers would ensure greater discipline and management of educators, and would require certain adjustments in the education system.

It stated thusly: “This will require a complete rethink on how teachers are trained, certified, appraised, managed and disciplined. Every teacher should have an incentive to maintain his or her licence to teach.”

And importantly, it pointed out that consideration should

Dr Jennifer Westford

Margaret Cummings

ployed in the Public Service. This matter is currently before City Magistrate, Judy Latchman.

According to court facts, Westford was employed as Minister of Public Service from 2001-2015, while her co-accused was the Principal Personnel Officer (PPO) of the Ministry. Cummings was also in charge of the Ministry’s accounts department.

In January 2016, Magistrate Azore overruled a submission citing “executive abuse” made by Senior Counsel, Neil Boston and signalled her readiness to proceed with trial. This was after Boston had contended that the institution of criminal charges against the former Minister and Cummings breaches an amnesty promise made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon during a June 19, 2015 press conference.

Boston had stated that Harmon had promised that once the vehicles were returned no prosecution would take place. He had stated that during the press conference, Harmon said, “They can quietly bring them (state assets) back to the Ministry,

in which they came from or to the Office of the President (OP). They can park them outside the gate…”

Boston had related that all the vehicles were returned to the then Office of the President and in spite of the amnesty, his clients were still charged. The lawyer had made this claim while addressing the court on why court proceedings against his clients should not go forward.

However, the Magistrate ruled that the statement made by Harmon was ambiguous.

She stated that the court is not sure if what the minister said amounts to an amnesty or pardon and signalled her readiness to proceed with trial. The battery of lawyers then moved to the High Court and filed a Constitutional Motion preventing Magistrate Azore from proceeding with the trial. But the Constitutional Motion was quashed some time last year by then Chief Justice (ag) now Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards. The lawyers have since appealed the ruling.

also be given for the renewal of such licence on a five-year basis, once “certain criteria for professional development, mental and physical assessment are fulfilled.”

Much work would be required before implementation of such a programme. And given the current state of things, if the Ministry of Education does decide to accept the recommendation, it might take some time before the licensing programme is implemented. Notwithstanding this, the Ministry of Education must also not be unmindful of resistance to change from players in the education system.

As such, it would be more than useful for the ministry to consult the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) in every step of the implementation process. At the end of the day, all must have a say in building a better education system.

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in articles in this newspaper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies and views of the management of the New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle.

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Trump, Religious Hypocrisy And The Bible Belt

ypocrisy and unmitigated stupidity are now front and center of the national narrative. America has become “dumbed down” only able to master 140 characters and more interested in selfies a la smartphones. How Kim Kardashian’s derriere looks and whose baby is called some utterly unimaginable and insipid name, is the stuff of serious conversation. And we’re all armchair generals and Monday morning quarterbacks. Reality TV, Twitter, Facebook and intellectual laziness define the modern modus operandi.

How else can one comprehend Indeed, old-time, traditional Amerithe fact that a United States Presi- can moral values are now out the dent whose Reality TV background door, especially religious ones. is now on international display and Let’s look at one of the most whose poor choice of people to staff jaw-dropping developments of the his administration keeps blowing up 2016 United States Presidential in this face? A blustering, babbling elections. A whopping eighty-one and blowhard named Anthony percent of white Southern evangeliScaramucci was recently fired after cals voted for Donald Trump. This just 11 days on the job as Director religious base vote — literally reof Communications at the President jected out of hand Democratic canDonald Trump’s sniping White didate Hillary Clinton, even though House. He thought that he could she was way and above more expe“out Trump, Trump” calling up a re- rienced, qualified, and eminently fit porter and giving an obscene, unpro- to be President of the United States. fessional and silly rant that This group was a key factor in embarrassed the President, even in a Trump’s victory. So why did they go White House now peddling alternain such big numbers for a deeply tive facts, and creating its own realflawed Republican candidate, one of ity. the least fit individuals in American And as the news media salivate history to qualify for so high an ofover this latest of Trump’s woes, lost fice? Well, for starters the Bible Belt in the narrative are a series of devel- folks genuinely believe that a “man opments that should give all Ameri- is the head of the household” and cans pause. First, is the fact that the partisan divide between Republicans and Democrats is wider than at any time in United States history.

Americans have now put “party and politics above people” in a stunning display of a herd mentality characterized by comparisons with dumb, driven cattle. Politics used to be about heated discussions and that Americans would eventually come together and put away their petty differences in difference to the common good.

Not so now. The schism is so wide that a marauding herd of wild beests could rampage through it with no problems and it will take many years to bridge this gap — if ever. Then there is fake news that is the logical conclusion of fake booties, breasts, hair and human remakes, tinkering and gender constructs to make your head spin. Its this pervasive fakery that is enjoined with today’s rabid narcissism that is shaping and re-shaping all parts of the American society.

ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI and PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP that women must “obey the man” he that women “wearing pants” is an being superior to her because she abomination was going to convince was born of “Adam’s rib.” Such those folks to vote for her. So when backward thinking still permeates they voted for Donald Trump, those Southern evangelical society. How “good Christian hypocrites” delibercan a North Eastern woman running ately set aside their values and prinfor the President of the United ciples in a crass display of party States convince these God-fearing, over people. It’s the same thing in pious Southern Christians that thun- Congress today where Republicans, der and lightning are natural phe- once vocal and critical of former nomenon and are not caused by the President Barack Obama, are now “Great Father God” living some- silent over the daily “pappy show” where in the skies in a place called and self-creating made-for-TV Heaven? drama that’s orchestrated by a flaky Nothing that Hillary Clinton President Trump and continued on could have said to people who think (continued on page 22)

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM

CARIBBEAN LEADERS AGREE TO FAST TRACK ADOPTION, IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES TO EASE CARIBBEAN TRAVEL, STIMULATE TOURISM One-stop security regime, harmonized visa polices, single domestic space receive support of heads of government

T

he Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) are encouraged by the support of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders for initiatives to facilitate travel and stimulate economic growth through tourism.

The CTO, with the support of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, presented a number of short, medium and long-term proposals to the regional leaders at their recent summit in Grenada, aimed at positioning the Caribbean as a thriving world-class tourism, and bolstering the region's economic strength and stability.

In the presentation entitled Tourism in the Region: Building a Caribbean Tourism Development and Marketing Initiative, the region's tourism leaders recommended advancing research to better assess tourism's economic impact and the region's competitiveness. They also discussed removing travel barriers, stimulating travel to and within the Caribbean, supporting the development of Caribbean

talent through a coordinated approach to tourism-related education and training, and strengthening the creative industries and economic linkages to tourism.

Marketing and public relations of the Caribbean brand and creating a public-private sector entity financed and managed collaboratively also received consideration at the meeting.

The heads of government have said the proposed initiatives were fully aligned with CARICOM's own strategic plan and were also in furtherance of the strategic plan for tourism services.

The leaders have also said they recognised the opportunities presented by the recommended strategies, including a strong focus on marketing, aimed at stimulating sustainable growth in tourism.

In a communique issued after the summit, the leaders said they had agreed to support various public-private sector initiatives, broaden engagement with Caribbean countries, companies and multilateral organizations to support a regional tourism marketing and development initiative and adopt and implement travel facilitation measures to stimulate economic growth.

"Heads of Government agreed that the establishment of a single airspace should be pursued and mandated the Secretariat to work with Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) and relevant agencies to define a roadmap and identify the necessary resources for its implementation," the communique reads.

However, the heads of government said they recognised the need for the administrative strengthening of the legal, operational and institutional framework as well as the appropriate resourcing of the CASSOS to enable it to discharge its mandate as an effective and efficient regional safety oversight organisation.

The CTO and CHTA have long lobbied for the removal of the hurdles that make it difficult to travel to, and through, the region, arguing the removal of many of the restrictions would encourage greater regional and international travel and stimulate economic growth.

Among its recommendations is a new multilateral air services agreement, which the leaders said "only required resolution of very few matters".

Therefore, they mandated the CARICOM secretariat to work with member countries "to enable signature at the next inter-sessional meeting" in February 2018.

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Prison Dilemma In Guyana What Are The Options?

BACKGROUND uyana is a small country with prodigious potential, it has made enormous progress over the past 51 years of political self-determination and can only be hindered by the limits of its imagination. Currently, there are no aspirations of regional hegemony or to possess weapons of mass destruction. Its ambitions are consistent with desires of any developing country, which includes positive economic progress for the country and population, the opportunity to live in a peaceful and safe environment and contribute in some absolute way to the society’s growth and development. Unfortunately, crime is a fundamental characteristic of life that impacts its ability to accomplishing the stated objectives. Criminal activity impinges our economic growth and social development. Therefore, government — through its social contract — is responsible for securing the society.

When insecurity prevails, government through its sector representative is directly accountable to the people to ensure the situation is addressed. They should make every possible effort to mitigate risk of harm to the society, protect the vulnerable, advocate for change and protect the human rights of all (including the offenders). It is evident that insecurity now permeates the society as persons detained in one of Guyana’s main penal institutions erupted in a violent outburst that concluded in its near destruction. While this is a national dilemma, what are the prevailing options for government? This three-part article seeks to discuss the background to the situation, how we got here and offers some available options to the government on the sector. It is hoped that this piece will provoke discussion and stimulate action within the security sector of Guyana.

In 2002, Guyana’s penal eco-system lost its virginity with the violent escape of five criminals, the death of a prison officer (the first in the line of duty since 1959) and serious injury to a female officer (the first officer and also the first female officer to be seriously injured in the line of duty). An inquiry was conducted to determine causation. Overcrowding was raised as a concern and government reassured the nation that prison reform was a priority on its chronology along with penal security. Moreover, the government reassured the nation that efforts were underway to secure adequate lands (100 acres) to erect a new facility. In the final report, responsibility for the breakout was placed on the prison staff, citing a breakdown in discipline, the inexperience of officers and a failure to follow

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procedures as the major contributory factors to the jailbreak. Thereafter, there was a series of similar events.

In November 2005, five prisoners escaped from the prison after ripping out wooden bars from their cell doors and cutting the chain link fence of the compound.

They escaped without the use of any guns or dangerous weapons. One of the men had been serving a term for manslaughter, while the others were serving sentences for drug possession as well as larceny offences. Within days, all of the men were recaptured. No inquiry was conducted.

In 2007, nine prisoners escaped from Guyana’s maximum security prison at Mazaruni. which resulted in four law enforcement officials (two prisons and two police officers) sustaining gunshot injuries during the man-hunt to recapture the escapees. It was reported that the prisoners fired upon the search team. The prisoners—who were all serving lengthy sentences for murder and manslaughter—used the routine feeding period as a diversion to escape from the facility. No inquiry was conducted.

In July 2010, inmates set alight a mattress in the Brick Cell block at the Georgetown facility. Thick smoke emanated from the southern end of the prisoner’s block soon after and an alarm was

Part two of a three-part series

confinement. The prisoner was facing a number of charges including murder, arson, unlawful possession of guns and ammunition to escaping from lawful custody and cultivating cannabis. No inquiry was conducted.

In March 2015, inmates started a fire in a cell on the new capital wing. Fortunately, the Guyana Fire Service responded expeditiously and was able to avert the pending disaster from spreading to other sections of the prison. No inquiry was conducted.

In September 2015, pandemonium was unleased upon Camp Street Penal institution after a brawl amongst inmates resulted in an inmate inflicting several serious wounds to another inmate. During the disorder, a mattress was intentionally ignited resulting in the Guyana Fire Service responding rapidly to extinguish the blaze and avert further disaster. Like before, questions were raised as to how inmates get hold of flammable materials and other contraband items.

March 2016 saw another violent outbreak at the same Georgetown prison.

However, this time it was extremely dramatic and tragic as 17 prisoners lost their lives. This was the worst prison eruption in Guyana, (considering the lives lost) the Caribbean and probably the most despi-

MAZARUNI PRISON raised. Luckily, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) arrived promptly and doused the flames. No major injury was reported and no inquiry was conducted.

In December 2010, the police and army swooped down on the Georgetown Prisons facility following reports of a break-out. Reports indicated that there was an attempted break-out by prisoners in solitary confinement. Armed police and army ranks barricaded the immediate prison vicinity and advised the community that a Joint Services operation was under way. No subsequent inquiry was conducted.

In April, 2013, officials at the Georgetown Prison had to take swift action after a remanded prisoner had set alight his mattress. He was in solitary

cable incidence in the British Commonwealth.

The Government has expended $13M to conduct an inquiry and the final report remains classified and pending release to the public.

In July 2017, inmates ignited multiple fires within the Georgetown Penal Institution that resulted in the destruction of 80% of the wooden buildings within the premises, aided the escape of six prisoners, injury to eight officers and the death of a prison officer. The death marks the second in the line of duty for a prison official dating back to 1959 (Pre-independence period) and the second in a modern history (Post Republic status). In the final analysis, the prisoners were evacuated to another penal institution (Lusignan),

By Dr. Yeon Adams

which was described as inhumane.

The Georgetown Penal Facility was developed 132 years ago by the British to accommodate 600 inmates, however the population for the period 2001 to 2014 fluctuated consistently above 200% with the exception 2002 and 2003 when it was 173%. This demonstrated that the institution was consistently overcrowded, the risk of a violent outbreak was persistently neglected and the situation required proactive leadership. It was reported that in the UNDP 2012 Caribbean Human Development Report that 41% of the Guyana’s 2010 prison population or 877 persons were incarcerated without trial or conviction on the charge associated with their arrest. Professionally speaking, it was a lingering feculent tide.

In synthesizing, Guyana recorded its first prison outburst in 36 years of its 51 years of independence (1966 to 2002) in 2002 which herald a protracted period of crime and violence. In post-independence (1966-2017) Guyana, there was a total of 10 events that resulted in the death of 2 prison officials, 17 inmates and injury to many officers and other prisoners. The nation’s administrators were cognizant of the overcrowding situation or should have been aware at the very least however; it was an unimportant issue to them. They made empty promises to appease the sentiments of fear that permeated some segments of the nation. It should be noted that the political party that is currently associated with the last two events (201617) and constitutes the governmental apparatus differs from the party of the first eight incidents. Nevertheless, the concept of government is applied because they are the elected and appointed managers of the society.

In view of the present series of events associated with the destruction of the Georgetown institution and the unpublished report of the last eruption, one can only hope that additional resources are diverted to more important priorities rather than on another round of breakout inquiries. It seems evident that there are major flaws in the nation’s security apparatus and it warrants a review to determine how did we get here. I will now concentrated my discussing on how did we get here.

HOW DID WE GET HERE? "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (Santanya, 1905).

Prisons are a proliferator of criminal action rather than a constraint of it. It was no secret that the conditions within Guyana’s penal institutions are poor, deteriorating and below internationally acceptable standards. There were and

(continued on page 22)

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GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

PRODUCTIVITY POLICY REVISITED

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock." — Matthew 7:24 mary education.

If this plank is n any community, large or small, a solid foundation is the basis of instilling excellence and nurturing suc- weak sustainable success will cess. This is true over a wide range of human activity never be achieved. Indeed, we have already witnessed decay in - from physical construction to sustainable societies. A many Caribbean societies today as basic characteristic, integral to this solid foundation, is a result of negligence at the prithe productivity of the human being as measured by the mary school education level. The

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rate of output per unit of input.

There are often complaints from many quarters of a society that the rate of economic growth is poor and it is frequently blamed on the level of productivity.

We need to maximize productivity and it is therefore incumbent on our leaders to create an enabling environment which includes a productivity policy, recognizing that people are our greatest asset and we must develop them to its fullest.

Survey results, reported in the press recently, revealed that Barbados' high level of taxation is proving to be a major hindrance to national productivity. This would suggest that a national productivity policy has to be crafted with the impact of other macro-economic factors in mind.

Dr. Basil Springer’s Column which suggests a new look at the investment allocation and the prioritization of the use of the government revenue to achieve this.

In order to inject life into society the concepts of productivity and fair compensation have to be promoted simultaneously. Increase in compensation can only be sustained with an increase of economic growth.

Economic growth will be stimulated by productivity increases.

When speaking of productivity, we often think of human productivity alone, i.e. how we train and motivate people so that they can become more productive. Productivity can also be enhanced if we use technology (we are in an information age) and if we look at the ways in which we do things (process flow).

Another foundation plank which is integral to the development of the human being is pri-

Finally, the human being consists of mind, body and soul. The people development strategies at all levels must pay attention to the physical, emotional, intellectual, spiribest teachers are needed at this tual, financial and business health level to lay a good foundation of the individual. The human being is naturally motivated by the grandeur of abundance but does not necessarily know how to achieve this. In this context, there is need to embrace positive affirmations of passion, persistence and patience.

A strong productivity foundation provides a solid base for the growth of society. When successfully implemented, the productivity sensitive environment provides shelter and security for economic growth. Let us be like the wise man who built his house on rock.

(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is basilg f57@gmail.com. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com and on www.facebook.com/basilgf.)

Guyana Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017 GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

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Ease The Tension — Enjoy A Laugh there and check about the batteries.

I recently saw a distraught It’s a long walk, she replied.” young lady weeping beside her car.

“Do you need some help?” I DUMBER asked. She replied, “I knew I should have replaced the battery to Several years ago, we had an this remote door unlocker.

Intern who was none too swift.

Now I can’t get into my car. Do One day she was typing and you think they (pointing to a dis- turned to a secretary and said, tant convenience store) would “I’m almost out of typing have a battery to fit this?” paper. What do I do?” “Just use “Hmmm, I dunno. Do you have copier machine paper,” the secrean alarm, too?” I asked. “No, just tary told her. With that, the intern this remote thingy,” she answered, took her last remaining blank handing it and the car keys to me. piece of paper, put it on the photoAs I took the key and manually copier and proceeded to make five unlocked the door, I replied, “blank” copies.

“Why don’t you drive over

DUMB

VEGETABLE FRIED RICE Ingredients: 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 teaspoon lime juice 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 red bell pepper, sliced 3 ⁄4 cup shredded carrot 2 1⁄2 cups cold cooked rice 1 ⁄2 cup frozen peas 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (optional) scallion, strips (optional) Directions 1. Mix soy sauce and lime juice; set aside.

2. In skillet, heat oil over medium heat.

3. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring,

1 minute.

4. Stir in red pepper and carrots; cook until crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes.

5. Add rice; cook, stirring, 2 minutes.

6. Add soy sauce mixture; cook stirring, 2 minutes.

7. Add peas; cook 2 minutes.

8 Sprinkle with cilantro and, if desired, garnish with scallion.

IT’S A FACT

by JAMES SYDNEY

The Necklace of Death

Two stories about the coral snake

“S

nake Man” Johan was the center of attraction, as he always was, when he performed in Trinidad. The uproarious crowd surrounded him as he made preparations to do his thing.

Johan threw a much-used cocobag onto the ground. On this, he rested an enameled plate in which a coral snake lay coiled, and then called on the bamboo band that always accompanied him to start their bongo music.

Then Johan started his bongo dancing, said L. Urban Cross who chronicled the event, and in between Johan would pause and take a swig of “bush rum” from the bottle in his hip pocket.

Suddenly he stopped dancing and raised his hands in a signal to the band.

There was now a change in the tune, and the band commenced to rattle their bamboo in tattoo.

The crowd of onlookers became silent as Johan bent over and gently removed a deadly coral snake from the plate and, with it in the palms of his

among those who had already seen this performance, there was still fear.

Suddenly, Johan stood still as the tail of the snake emerged and hung over his chin.

Then he scream-ed, and everyone knew that he had been bitten. Johan held the snake by its tail, jerked it out and threw it on The deadly Coral snake the ground. Then hell broke loose. There hands held closely together, he moved around the circle of his frightened onlook- were screams and shouts and running in ers, swaying in rhythm to the pulsating all directions. tattoo. Now he stopped in the center and Johan died within an hour. He admitslowly lifted his open hands towards his ted, before passing to the Great Beyond, face and gently slipped the coral that he had mistakenly squeezed the snake in the process of opening and closing his into his wide-open mouth.

There was dead silence within the mouth and in pain the snake bit him on the crowd, but the bongo players still contin- edge of his tongue.

There are two types of coral snakes ued their tattoo with increasing tempo.

Johan now came nearer towards them, in Trinidad, Mr. Cross explained. The still dancing with open mouth. But even small coral is beautiful to look at and does resemble a coral necklace. It attains a

length of 12 inches.

The colorful rings go right around the body, unlike the false non-poisonous coral, which has a plain colored underside. The markings of the deadly snake, a relative of the cobras, run in this order: red, white and black —– with red being the dominant color. The white rings that surround the black are rather narrow.

Because of its small jaws, the coral snake usually bites its victims between the toes or fingers, as it is unable to bite on the flat surface of the skin. Coral snakes also have a tendency to hold on to a victim when biting. The venom of coral snakes attacks the nervous system, causes paralysis, and very often death.

The larger, non-poisonous coral acquires a length of 52 inches and the red, black and white bands, placed in that order, are more even in width.

L. Urban Cross told another story.

An elderly lady, on her way from church early one Sunday morning, observed a colorful object lying on the pitch walk around the Grand Savannah. “Oh,” she said, “a beautiful coral necklace, it must have been dropped by someone.” She bent down and picked up the necklace, placed it in her handbag and proceeded home.

A few hours after, when her children were having their breakfast, she related to them what had occurred and, unclipping her bag, inserted her hand and rummaged around in search of her find. Then with a scream, the last she ever gave, she quickly withdrew her hand. Attached to her finger by its teeth was a deadly coral snake. For her, it was a necklace of death.

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GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES FOR THE GUYANA TOURISM AUTHORITY

T

he Guyana Tourism Authority is seeking proposals from experienced agencies for the planning and execution of its multi-faceted Digital Marketing Strategy for a period of twelve (12) months. The strategy is designed to effectively promote Guyana’s tourism experiences and products to our target consumers, while adapting to current marketing trends. The goals of this proposal are therefore: • Continue to grow our expo- identified target markets through efsure and tourism revenue through an ficient and cost effective marketing integrated marketing campaign, tactics and tools. branded experiences targeted cam• Create advertising that is paigns and social media approach. compelling and appealing to our po• Develop a strategy for media tential visitors. placement in partnership with the • Support collaboration and Marketing Team that targets our information sharing between stake-

holders.

• Provide detailed analytical reports for both web and social.

Proposals should include the company’s profile, capabilities and experience in providing such services. The Full Call for Proposal can be downloaded from www.guyanatourism or Dropbox link (Click Here).

Inquiries are welcomed up to and including noon of August 4, 2017. Inquiries should be made to the Officers identified below.

Proposals should be submitted

to Ms. Nicola Balram, Marketing Officer, Guyana Tourism Authority at nbalram@guyana-tourism.com and copy Mrs. Annarie Seecharan, Senior Marketing Officer, Guyana Tourism Authority at aseecharan@guyana-tourism .com no later than 9th August, 2017.

For more information on Guyana, contact Guyana Tourism Authority at +592-219-0094-6. Or, visit Guyana’s official website: www.guyana-tourism.com, follow Guyana on Twitter and Facebook and take a look at our videos on YouTube.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

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Victoria man shot dead in NY Police in New York shot and killed an emotionally disturbed man holding a large carving knife in East Flatbush on Monday afternoon after striking him twice with a Taser, the NYPD said.

An officer shot the 32-year-old man, identified by family members as Dwayne Jeune, at about 12:20 p.m. inside his fifthfloor apartment on New York Avenue between Foster and Newkirk avenues after the man’s mother called 911 for him, according to the NYPD. The reason for the call is not immediately clear, though the mother told the operator that her son was not violent, police said.

After officers were let into the apartment, Jeune allegedly charged at them, holding the knife, said Chief of Patrol Terence Monahan. One of the officers then fired two shots from a Taser, striking Jeune in the arm and chest, but he was able to fight through it and keep moving forward, according to police.

Dwayne Jeune

“When the Taser proved ineffective, a second officer fired at the man, hitting him in the chest,” Monahan said.

Several officers were taken to an area hospital for ringing in the ears. Jeune’s cousin, Devon Luke, 35, said the pair grew up together and Jeune liked playing soccer.

“He never hurt anybody,” Luke said. “He was always listening to music and minding his own business. A very humble kid.”

Jeune was originally from Guyana, and came to the U.S. in the early 2000s.

“I never knew him to act

A police officer fatally shoot an emotionally disturbed man on New York Avenue, between Foster and Newkirk avenues, on Monday, July 31, 2017, the NYPD said. (Credit: Alex Bazeley)

out or anything like this,” Luke said. “He was always laughing and smiling, having a good time.” Police had been called to Jeune’s home before when he threatened a family member with a hammer in 2006 and broke two televisions, a police source said. Jeune also had five prior arrests, including one in 2008 for resisting arrest, the source said.

But Shawn Lee, who lives one floor above the man’s apartment, said he knew Jeune to be harmless.

“He was always listening to music and singing along,” Lee said. “I would never expect him to do anything like this.” Regina Blain,

22, grew up in the housing complex nearby and said she was surprised to hear what happened. “He’s never been a problem, and I knew him to be a really nice man,” she said. “The only thing that he would do is stomp his feet while he

was walking.” Her younger brother, 19-year-old Drew Blain, said he wasn’t surprised by the shooting.

“They’re the ones who are supposed to serve and protect,” he said about police.

“And then stuff like this happens? It’s messed up.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4,2,2017 GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 2017

Rich Guyanese culture celeb

THE National Park was on Tuesday abuzz with festivities as Guyanese celebrated the 179th Anniversary of the abolition of slavery.

There was a mixture of every race as patrons joined in the Emancipation celebrations hosted by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA).

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Moving Forward, Building Guyana through Ujamaa (a political-economic model of development). Also gracing the event were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, Minister of Labour Keith Scott, and several Members of Parliament.

The sounds of drums pounding out African rhythms under

expert handling of the Buxton Drummers added to the atmosphere of liberty and joy displayed by Guyanese and a number of foreigners who joined in the historic celebrations.

There were also cultural performances during the day from many talented Guyanese, including the Vergenoegen Dance Group, ACDA’s Association of Young Africans (AYA), the Mocha Cultural Group, the Farm Dance Group, the Hebrew Family Dancers, the Glaston Twirling Dancerettes and many others.

Various groups from around Guyana were dressed in flamboyant African wear, and others, who were stylishly casual for the occasion, were all focused on the cultural show, despite the morning rain and the weather remaining partly cloudy for the

rest of the day.

Several booths exhibited African culture, while others had displays of clothing, jewellery and ornaments. Food bars were also prevalent, with many selling traditional African foods such as conkie, black pudding, foo-foo and cook-up rice. This year, the ACDA aimed at showcasing the richness and diversity of African culture and its role in Guyanese society, the Caribbean and those countries to which slaves were brought. This was achieved by traditional and modern, inspired performances and family-oriented activities, “Hello Africa” children parade and also a show with international and regional performers such as Etana, Everton Blender, Surinamese Cultural Presentation“fire eating” etc. and a Nigerian cultural presentation.

The Farm Dance Group in action at the ACDA celebrations (Samuel Maughn photo)

MATCHING OUTFITS! This family decided to wear similar red garments as they celebrated 179 years of emancipation (Samuel Maughn)

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo enjoying the cultural show while his wife, Sita, gives a wave to the crowd (Samuel Maughn photo)

This young girl shows off her elaborate head wrap and outfit (Samuel Maughn photo)

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Karen Cummings, decked out in a full African outfit as she enjoys the show (Samuel Maughn photo)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017 GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 2, 2017

brated on Emancipation Day The Guyana Chronicle caught up with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who expressed that for this year in addition to people celebrating the freedom of the enslaved Africans, there seems to be a “consciousness” developing.

The development of this consciousness, demonstrates that there’s a fusion of cultures in the Guyanese society, where people are diverging from being racially and ethnically segregated, according to the prime minister. He explained however that the celebration of African culture and people of African ancestry are not being downplayed by society’s evolution; rather, it is the communal celebrations that add to the festivities.

The prime minister also related that on display, at this pro-

gramme, was the rich variety of culture through dance, song, tradition and language. This rich variety was not a sole reflection of African culture, but was influenced by other cultures.

The mixture is portraying that you could be different culturally, but yet you are blended into a national milieu… a national fabric,” he stressed and further underscored, “Our variety is our beauty, and you could [see] national cohesion and social cohesion based on this beautiful cultural mix and variety.”

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, shared similar sentiments when the Guyana Chronicle spoke to him as he toured the booths at the National Park. He noted that the day marks a very historic occasion however, according to him, “It is an opportunity to reaffirm our commit-

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ment to being Guyanese. As Guyanese, while we respect each other’s culture or while we strengthen each other’s culture, we want to make sure that that culture is used productively,” Scott said too.

And finally, the Guyana Chronicle had a quick chat with overseas-based Guyanese musician, Courtney Noel, who after missing the Emancipation celebrations for many years, thoroughly enjoyed the day. For Noel, the best part was seeing children indulging in their culture and embracing their heritage. For young boys beating the drums or young girls dancing to the sounds of the drums, he related, “It is quite a pleasant surprise for me, to see the kids being involved in the day’s festivities.”

ACDA’s Association of Young Africans (AYA) dancers (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

The Glaston Twirling Dancerettes

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, visiting one of the booths at the National Park on Tuesday (Samuel Maughn)

A group of marchers entertain the crowd with their antics, as part of the cultural show (Samuel Maughn photo)

This family are decked out in their African wear while visiting the National Park later in the afternoon (Samuel Maughn)

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

Let us preserve our homes – President tells Plaisance residents PRESIDENT David Granger has called on the pastor and congregation of the Glory Light Tabernacle to ensure that the community of Plaisance does not forget the people who made the village a reality and to show the young generation the heights that the village can reach with hard work and commitment.

Speaking at the Glory Light Tabernacle’s annual Sunrise Worship Breakfast in the East Coast village Tuesday morning, the President called on the church to “lead the way to hold a prayer service for this village this year,

the 175th Anniversary,” he said. He also reminded residents that the task of nation-building does not end with the 89,000 persons, who fought and won their emancipation. “Nation-building is a continuous process. We have to carry on the work that they started but we have to evaluate our efforts,” the Head of State said.

The President noted that while freed Africans were poor and uneducated, they were rich in their understanding of the need to look after their families. It is primarily for this reason that they pooled their resources and

Worshippers at the Glory Light Tabernacle in Plaisance decked out in their African wear as they sing praise and worship songs on Tuesday morning at the Sunrise Worship Breakfast

President David Granger in conversation with Pastor Jason Yorrick of the Glory Light Tabernacle and Demerara/ Mahaica Region (Region Four) Regional Democratic Council Chairman, Ms. Genevieve Allen at Tuesday morning’s Sunrise Worship Breakfast

started the Village Movement. Within the first decade after Emancipation, freed Africans purchased 15,000 acres of land at the value of $1M, which they converted into communities. The village of Plaisance, which sits on about 300 acres of land, was purchased by 65 persons for $39,000 in 1842.

“This nation’s ancestors purchased these villages. They helped to transform what was then a series of plantations into a nation…We have inherited a beautiful gift and I urge you to celebrate that gift. I urge you on this Emancipation Day to consider what would have been going through the minds of your ancestors 179

years ago when they gained their freedom. They saw their freedom as an instrument not to have fun, but as an instrument to make their children and grandchildren happy for eternity,” the President said.

He told residents that the best way to honour and pay homage to their ancestors is by preserving the four pillars of a strong community, which was bequeathed to them by people who endured the worse crime ever perpetrated against humanity. “These people were extraordinary…They were cutting cane, working with the hands, they never went to school… They use their freedom as an instrument to build churches to serve God, to build schools to teach their children, to build farms to feed their families and to build homes to work and to live with their families. Let us preserve our homes, let us preserve our schools and let us preserve our farms so that we can have a happy life in the land that our fore parents purchased with the blood, sweat and tears,” the Head of State said.

President Granger has attended the Emancipation Day Sunrise Service annually, which starts at 06:00hrs with a prayer and worship session. The event was well attended by members of the community and church, who were beautifully attired in colourful African prints, which is a special tribute to the rich culture that was brought to Guyana by their African ancestors. Among the invitees were Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams and Chairperson of Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Ms. Genevieve Allen.

This year, the Glory Light Tabernacle is celebrating its 47th anniversary under the theme “Soaring from glory in the year of the supernatural”. (Ministry of Presidency)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

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Fallen Roraima Airways pilot laid to rest

By Shirley Thomas A MOOD of deep anguish pervaded the auditorium of the Central Assembly of God Church, on Church Street, Tuesday afternoon, throughout the Thanksgiving Service for the life of Captain Collin Winston Martin who perished on July 25 last, while going in to land at the Eteringbang Airstrip in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The 39-year-old pilot was alone on the craft at the time.

Hundreds converged at the church to join his sorrowing parents, Mr. and Mrs. Winston and Helena Martin; wife, Dr. Roberta Martin and their daughter, Rebecca and other family members and friends in paying their last respects to the fallen airman, whom his colleagues described as “an amazing pilot” and “a man of excellence”.

In the many glowing tributes, he was remembered as a consummate professional; a man who was “on top of his game”; a military doctor and evacuation pilot; someone who lived his life so that others

never reneged on an opportunity to use the aircraft to save a life, even at the expense of his own.

Captain Learie Barclay pays his tribute

SUPER-HERO Captain Gerry Gouveia (Snr), who has responsibility for the mercy flights and has been doing it throughout the years, recommended that Guyana should salute men like Captain Martin who served beyond the call of duty. And a fellow pilot, in his tribute, referred to him as “a hero”, a man who thought nothing of getting out of the comfort of his bed in the still of the night to do mercy flights. Yet another affirmed: “He wasn’t a hero, but a super-hero, and deserves to be given an

Major in the army.

It had always been his dream and passion to become a pilot, and he attempted to do so through the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), but there were challenges, the first being that he was too young.

But, as was said of him in one tribute, “nothing could have stopped him from realising his life’s dream”, and so he entered

Lt. Col. Lorraine Foster paying tribute on behalf of the Chief of Staff and members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)

ing commitment to evacuate the sick from the most rugged jungle terrain; a man of humanitarian nature, he

award!”

Father of the deceased, Winston Leeroy Martin, who read the Eulogy, re-

membered his son as a man who was loving, caring and very committed to his wife and family.

A member of the Central Assembly of God Church ever since he was a young man, he was a very prayerful person and always put God first in his pursuits. He was also said to be sports-oriented, and loved volleyball, swimming, art and music.

He also loved cooking and was a stickler for discipline, very meticulous, and paid strict attention to detail.

He initially attended South Ruimveldt Primary, and later St. Stanislaus College.

Other tributes, whilst alluding to some of his struggles and how he overcame them, expressed the view that his loss has created a void that cannot easily be filled.

Among those paying tributes were: Dr. Michael Scott of the University of Guyana; Major General Joe Singh; Capt. Leary Barclay; Capt. Gerry Gouveia (Jnr); Lt. Col. Lorraine Foster of the GDF; Phillip Brown, Covenant Brother; and Judah King.

The Reverend Steve Adams, who officiated on behalf of Rev. John Smith who is abroad on vacation, extended condolences on his behalf of the Church Board and other ministers and the congregation. He exhorted the congregation to mourn with hope, for God is not dead, but alive.

Said he: “As tough as we think it is, God sees the bigger picture and knows best.”

He also called on mourners to live for Christ and look to the word of God for strength.

The mortal remains of Captain Collin Martin being borne out of the Church

might live; and most of all, a man who served in the highest order of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

In March 1995, Martin joined the Force, enrolling in the Standard Officers Course. He was just 17plus. By September of that same year, he became a senior Cadet, the youngest of nine.

A mere two months later, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and by virtue of his outstanding performance, worked his way up to the level of a

the local School of Aviation and began flying. By May 2010, he became employed with Roraima Airways, and in record time, rose to the level of Chief Pilot. At the time of his passing, Captain Martin had amassed some 5,000 flying hours and conducted 9,000 medical evacuations from Guyana’s deepest and most remote jungle areas, even without electricity and under harsh weather conditions. All told, he’s saved in excess of 100,000 lives.

A pilot with an unswerv-

Bereaved family members and other mourners during the Thanksgiving Service for the late Captain Collin Martin.

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Guyana GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017

Emphasis on Real Estate, Taxes and Business

I

The Edgar Henry Column

n today’s growing market trend, as it relates to taxation and finance, we are saddled with the option whether to hold on to our properties or to sell them. Should we decide to sell, here are a few worthwhile tips that we should all bare in mind in order to make a worthwhile transition process.

All sellers of real estate property need to understand that it is good to make a substantial profit while selling, but on the other hand, the capital gains tax and other factors should also be taken into consideration.

CAPITAL GAINS TAX The tax treatment of gain from the sale of a house changed dramatically a couple of years ago. Under the new rules, taxpayers can exclude up to $250,000 of gain from the sale of a principal residence if they own and use the home for a period totaling at least two years, during the five-year period prior to the sale. The exclusion, which normally can’t be used more than once every two years, increases to $500,000 on a joint return if at least one spouse owned the home and both spouses used it as a principal residence for the required two-year period.

These provisions seem so straightforward in eliminating the gain on the sale of most principal residences that planning for such sales may seem unnecessary. However, that’s simply not true for many taxpayers. Planning opportunities are still available both to expand the application of this generous provision and to protect the exclusion’s benefits.

RENTAL PROPERTIES Before selling a residential rental property on which you’ll have a taxable

gain, consider moving in and making it your principal residence for at least two years prior to the sale.

However, when you sell a rental property, your profits are subject to capital gains tax since you don't get the same exclusions that you do on your personal residence.

Given that the Internal Revenue Service lets you use what you pay for closing costs and for property improvements to both reduce your selling price and increase your purchase cost, your profit might not be as large as you think. On the other hand, depreciation recapture might leave you with an additional unexpected tax bill.

VACANT HOMES If you own two homes, at retirement you have the option of selling your principal residence and excluding any gain on the sale — up to the $250,000/$500,000 limit assuming you meet the ownership and use requirements. Then, if you want to, you can

Tax Tips When Selling A Home move into your vacation home and use it as your principal residence for at least two years and then sell it and exclude any gain — once again up to the $250,000/$500,000 limit.

SALES OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Taxpayers facing a substantial gain on the sale of a commercial building — or a two- family or four- family, may be able to use the principal residence gain exclusion rule to shelter at least part of the gain from tax — if time is on their side. For example, suppose Dennis Nelson swaps a four-family worth $500,000 (and having a $200,000 basis) for a single-family residential property that’s worth a like amount. He rents the new house for long enough (say, two to four years) to ensure that it qualifies as like-kind property, then he moves in and converts it to his principal residence; after an additional two years, he should be able to sell it and exclude up to $250,000/$500,000 of gain. This process is legal as long as all the requirements are met.

THE FUNDAMENTALS The concept behind a like-kind exchange is that a buyer and seller swap properties that are similar in nature and the tax on any gain is deferred except to the extent cash or dissimilar property — known in tax lingo as “boot” — is received in the transaction.

Both the property transferred and the property received must be held for investment or for productive use in a business.

Property held for investment can be exchanged for like-kind property to be held

for investment or for like-kind property to be used in business, and vice versa. From the perspective of either party to the exchange, it doesn’t matter whether the other party to the transaction, also qualifies for nonrecognition treatment.

LIKE-KIND EXCHANGES “Like-kind” means property that’s similar in its general nature or character.

For example, real estate can be exchanged for almost any other real estate, such as an apartment building for a strip shopping center or a warehouse for raw land held for investment. However, real estate cannot be swapped for personal property, such as a truck, jewelry or a piece of equipment. In addition, personal-use property, inventory, partnership interests, and investment securities do not qualify for like-kind exchange treatment, only real property.

DEFERRED EXCHANGES Despite the obvious advantage of likekind exchanges, it’s often difficult to locate someone else who have both willingness to do a swap and who already owns a suitable replacement property. Thus a simultaneous exchange of properties normally won’t work. In such cases, the solution is often a deferred exchange. Deferred exchanges must satisfy two fundamental rules. The replacement property must be twofold in nature: (1) Identified before the end of a 45day identification period or (2) Transferred to the seller before the end of the “exchange period” — which is generally 180 days. Beyond these basic requirements, there are additional rules that apply when an intermediary and/or a security arrangement is used to facilitate a deferred exchange. Either a simultaneous or deferred like-kind exchange can work taxsaving wonders under the right circumstances.

Too many individuals, perhaps for different reasons, jump to sell property blindly, without examining the advantages and disadvantages. If the above-mentioned scenarios are carefully taken into consideration, we are now equipped to go forward and make decisions that are not only profitable, but also worthwhile, especially in the application of the tax code where capital gains tax and like-kind exchanges are concerned.

So think twice before you sell your real property and get your facts in order or you could be wasting hard earned cash.

“It is always better to have information and not need it than to need it and not have it.”

To have all your real estate questions answered — FREE CONSULTATION — call: Edgar Henry @ (718) 930-9526

Guyana York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017 GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

CELEBRATING OUR CARIBBEANAMERICAN HERITAGE Part two of a two-part series

W

est Indian scholars and commentators have often sought an answer to a great paradox — why did the West Indian political influence reach its zenith in the 1930s and 1940s when the West Indian population was quite modest, but why did West Indian influence decline when the Caribbean population was growing exponentially after 1965? The statistics show that after 1965, there were 365,000 Caribbean Americans living in New York City, the largest immigrant population in New York City. Most of the immigrants came from Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti.

The answer is two-fold. Firstly, the West Indian politicians such as, Bertram Baker and Shirley Chisholm never identified themselves as West Indians. They always identified themselves as Black, yet when the civil rights movement was at its peak in the 1950s, the African American politicians proved themselves to be more articulate advocates of civil rights than their Caribbean American counterparts.

The greatest exponent of the civil rights strategy in the 1950s was the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. He was able to merge the awesome power of the Black church with the civil rights movement, and he used his influence to organize demonstrations against the White merchants on 125th Street, and to force them to employ Blacks at all levels. He also used his powers of agitation to demonstrate at the World Fair in Queens, New York, and to expose the segregationist practices of White employers. Powell was elected to the New York City Council in 1941 and to the Congress of the United States in 1945. In the 1950s, Powell had surpassed Herbert Bruce and Bertram Baker as the dominant Black politician in New York City and New York State.

The second reason for the dominance of the African American politician is the fact that, with the advent of the Second World War, economic activity in Harlem became resuscitated. The Brooklyn Navy Yard and the war industries were employing Blacks in large numbers, consumption and living standards were increasing, and Harlem was once again the capital of Black America. The achievements of the Black soldiers in the armed forces was a source of racial and national pride. The famous

Tuskegee airmen achieved records that have endured to this day. They saw action over Sicily, Italy, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria.

They destroyed five German aircraft in less than four minutes, a record that stands to this day. They flew hundreds of bombing missions over Germany, and never lost a single aircraft. War veterans, like Charlie Rangel, Percy Sutton, David Dinkins, and Rosco Brown were able to use their Veteran’s benefits to obtain professional degrees and enter public service.

CONFLICT BETWEEN CARIBBEAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN NATIONALISTS IN BROOKLYN The rise of the African American politicians in Harlem did not lead to any conflict with the West Indian community in Harlem. However, the situation in Brooklyn was different. The rise of the Black nationalist movement in Brooklyn led to serious conflicts with the Caribbean nationalists in Brooklyn.

The principal vehicle of the Black nationalist movement in Brooklyn was the Coalition for Community Empowerment. and the principal vehicle for Caribbean nationalism was the Caribbean Action Lobby (CAL).

The Coalition for Community Empowerment which had its genesis in the School Decentralization Movement in the Ocean Hill – Brownsville section of Brooklyn in 1967 was led by two African American school teachers, Al Vann and Jitu Weusi. The movement developed into a powerful political and cultural association, comprising the Uhuru Sassa school in Bedford Stuyvesant and the Vanguard Political Movement. The members of the political movement were Assembly-

man Al Vann and Roger Greene, Congressman Major Owens, Assemblyman Clarence Norman, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson and State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.

The leaders of the Caribbean Action Lobby were Congressman Mervyn Dymally, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, and a Congressman from Compton, California, Colin Moore, an immigrant from Guyana and a civil rights attorney and Dr. Waldaba Stewart, an immigrant from Panama, and a New York State Senator. The primary mission of the Caribbean Action Lobby was: • To lobby for increased trade subsidies and investments for the Caribbean nations • To lobby for legalization for the undocumented • To enact Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation in the Congress of the United States • To elect individuals who could represent the interest of the Caribbean constituency The Caribbean Action Lobby

19 19

by Colin A. Moore

Adam Clayton Powell Jr. offered to enter into a coalition with the Coalition for Community Empowerment, under which the Caribbean candidates would not contest any seats in Bedford Stuyvesant or East New York, while the Empowerment group would endorse Caribbean candidates in Crown Heights and Flatbush who were seeking to wrest political power from White incumbents who were a distinct minority in the predominantly Caribbean American (continued on page 20)

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GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

Remembering A. J. Seymour (from page 5)

for many years. Kaie wanted to help his people and went on a journey to consult the Great Spirit Makonaima.

The Great Spirit ordered him to make a sacrifice, which he did by sailing his canoe over the Falls to his death. This selfless act of courage saved his people.

Al Creighton significantly observes (Stabroek News January 18, 2004), “It is ironic that this man of letters, who spent half a century launching, nurturing and developing the careers of some of the greatest writers in the Caribbean and of Caribbean literature, never published a substantial volume of his own work. This helps to make Col-

lected Poems 1937- 1989, edited by Ian McDonald and Jacqueline deWeever, a priceless document and its compilation an important contribution to Guyanese and West Indian literature”

KYKOVERAL In December 1945, AJ launched and edited Kykoveral, a significant journal in the tradition of Bim, of Barbados and Focus, of Jamaica. It is named after a Dutch fort in colonial Guyana. Many times, great persons achieve fame by what they do for others. Between 1945 and 1961, 28 issues of the magazine published the works of every important Guyanese writer, including Wilson Harris,

Martin Carter, Edgar Mittelholzer.

Kyk also published critical essays, most written by AJ, discussing Caribbean writers. The Journal ceased publication in 1962, when Seymour left Guyana for Puerto Rico. He returned in 1965; but did not resume publishing the magazine until I 1984 with Dr. Ian Macdonald as its co-editor. The great one died Christmas Day, 1989.

HONORS In 1970, the Guyana Government honored with the Golden Arrow of Achievement and UWI honored him with the Litt.D. ASSESSMENT A.J. is an important Guyanese poet and essayist. It is not my pur-

pose to compare him to Derek Walcott, Edgar Mittelholzer or V.S. Naipaul, among others. I credit him as being great based “on the time and climate in which he did most of his work and the overall context in which it is to be placed most definitely elevate it.”

I was happy to have known this great man, who shaped my love for literature. He even permitted me, a young teenager, to be part of his poetry group. He is a true Guyanese icon and we shall not see his likes again.

Caribbean. He is not rated as a great poet and is not a brilliant craftsman; neither is his prose found among the major statements in West Indian literary criticism.

CELEBRATING OUR CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE

(from page 19) community.

The Caribbean Action Lobby group fulfilled its side of the bargain, but the Empowerment group refused to fulfil its reciprocal obligations, claiming that Caribbean nationalism was inconsistent with Black nationalism. In the following contests, the Caribbean American insurgents were seeking to defeat the White incumbents, but lost because the Empowerment group either failed to endorse them or tacitly endorsed the White incumbent.

• In 1978, Tony Agard, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, lost the race in the 42nd Assembly District against the incumbent, Rhoda Jacobs because he failed to obtain the endorsement of Congressman Major Owens.

• In 1982, the incumbent Waldaba Stewart lost the race in the 21st Senatorial District when a third-party candidate supported by the Empowerment group split the Black vote, • In 1985, Ernnest McD Skinner, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, lost the race in the 45th Councilmanic District against an incumbent, Susan Alter, because he failed to obtain the endorsement of Congressman Major Owens, • In 1986, Maurice Gumbs, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, lost the race against the in-

cumbent Mart Markowitz in the 21st Senatorial District because of lack of support from the Empowerment team, • In 1993, Colin A. Moore, an immigrant from Guyana, lost the race against the incumbent Susan Alter in the 45th Councilmanic district, when he failed to be endorsed

by Congressman Major Owens or

by County Leader, Clarence Norman, The Strategy by the empowerment group was not reflective of the strategy adopted by African American leaders in the other boroughs, It cannot be overemphasized that the strategies adopted by the Empowerment group was dysfunctional, and was not representative of the strategies adopted by the African American leaders in Harlem, Southeast Queens and Northwest Bronx.

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was a passionate advocate of Pan African unity, and he and his father, Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. preached many sermons in Abyssinia Baptist church advocating the need for unity between African Americans and Caribbean Americans. In his demonstrations against White merchants for increased employment of Blacks, the primary beneficiaries of these demonstrations were West Indians in Harlem. Adam Clayton Powell not only “talked the talk, but he walked the walk.” His second

wife Hazel Scott was an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, and his closest political consultant was J. Raymond Jones, an immigrant from the US Virgin Island.

Charlie Rangel who succeeded Adam Clayton Powell, inherited his predecessor’s passion to establish a coalition with the West Indian community. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, he established the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which permitted the duty-free importation of Caribbean goods into the United States. He was also a supporter of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Percy Sutton, another member of the Harlem Gang of Four was also a close friend of the Caribbean community when he ran for mayor of New York City. He actively sought the support of the Caribbean American community, and Dr. Lamuel Stanislaus established the “Caribbeans for Percy Sutton” committee. When Percy Sutton established the Inner-City Broadcasting Corporation, over 50% of his employees were West Indians, and almost his entire weekend program was targeted to the Caribbean community. Charlie Rangel and Percy Sutton’s closest associates in Harlem were Basil Patterson whose parents came from Jamaica and Grenada and Herman Denny Farrell, whose parents came from Jamaica.

When Assemblyman Alton Waldon and Reverend Floyd Flake were running for Congress in the 6th Congressional District in Queens, they made assiduous attempts to court the Caribbean American community in southeast Queens.

When Larry Seabrook was running for the 82nd Assembly District in the northwest Bronx, he also made strenuous attempts to court the Caribbean American community in the northwest Bronx.

CONCLUSION The hypothesis postulated by the Black nationalists in Brooklyn that Caribbean nationalism and Black nationalism are inconsistent with each other is patently erroneous. White ethnics, such as the Irish, Italians and Jews have identified themselves, both as Caucasians, in terms of race, and as members of ethnic communities — the Irish American, Jewish American and Italian American communities. Recent sociologists have established that non-whites have not become assimilated into the American mainstream. These immigrants seek to adjust to the lifestyle of their host community, while clinging tenaciously to the culture of their homeland. This bi-culturalism will remain a vital feature in the Caribbean American community for generations to come.

GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017 Guyana York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

New York Chronicle Horoscope

21 21

C CR RO OS SS SW WO OR RD D

ISSUE 60 CROSSWORD ANSWER

ARIES (Mar. 21 - April 20) You must try to lay your cards on the table. Talk to your mate and tell them how you feel. You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. It’s time to reevaluate your motives. It’s time to make professional changes. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Monday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) New methods and innovative technology will make your job far easier than you anticipated. Take a look at investment opportunities. Take the whole family and make it an enjoyable outing. Dream a little this month. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Tuesday.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) You need to spend time with friends and family. Your leadership ability will enhance your reputation. You may be sensitive concerning friends and their situations. Make some notes regarding the changes that you should make. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Wednesday.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) Major job changes or opportunities to get ahead professionally are apparent.

Compromise if you wish to have any fun at all. Do what you can but don’t jeopardize your health trying to please everyone. You’re in the mood to get out and visit friends. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Sunday.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) You can make new friends who could turn into intimate connections if you join clubs or take creative courses. You can continue to forge ahead if you make a few long distance calls pertinent to closing pending deals. You are best to do your research before taking on such a venture. You will do your best work on your own. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Get out and enjoy some entertainment. You may find yourself in a heated dispute with a friend if you try to change your mind. You will meet new friends and enjoy a multitude of new activities. Don’t let coworkers get wind of your ideas or they might try to take credit for your hard work. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Get them to pitch in, if you need help. It’s time to let loose. You may find that your boss is not delighted with your work lately. Compromising could be on the agenda this month. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Tuesday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You can be sure that any dealing with large institutions should go well.

You could be emotional if you didn’t take care of problems with loved ones. You have the ability to motivate others. You must consider yourself for a change. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Tuesday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Get domestic chores out of the way early. Friends from your past may come back into your life. Don’t go hog wild when it comes to entertainment or you could find yourself short of funds at the end of the month. Expect to pay more than anticipated for entertainment or other purchases. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Saturday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Relatives may play an important role in your social activities. Don’t let your health suffer because of abuse. Uncertainty regarding your mate may emerge; re-evaluate what you see in each other. Do not let in-laws upset you. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Monday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) You can get ready to celebrate your new direction. Your emotional stability may influence the changes taking place in your personal life.

Your intellectual charm will win hearts and bring opportunities that you least expect. Caustic language may cause you to want to get out of the house. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Friday.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) Someone close to you will get upset easily if you are insensitive to their needs. Your interest in religion and philosophy may lead you to specific destinations. Keep your eyes and ears alert for any evasive or deceptive statements. There are lots to be done and if you meet your deadline you’ll be in your boss’s good books. Your luckiest event next week will occur on Thursday.

7. Under the weather 8. Rembrandt, e.g.

9. Ambition 10. __ St. Vincent Millay 14. List abbr.

17. Ending for infant or percent 19. Afternoon parties 43. Philanthropist 21. Smack 45. Baxter and Boleyn 48. Comic strip “socko!” 22. Italian tourist’s stop 23. Guide 49. Shade tree 24. Southern beauty 52. “__ something I 25. Singer Adams said?” (2 wds.)

28. __ report 56. Some e-mail 30. Astronaut Shepard 57. Go on a pension 31. Puerto ___ (abbr.)

58. “Party of Five” actress 32. “Roll ___ Beethoven” 35. Extinct creature Campbell 38. Glistens 59. “___ Kapital” 42. Doctrine’s suffix 60. Student’s concern 44.

Having bills (abbr.)

45.

Braying animal 61. Dancer Verdon 46. ___ Blue” 47. Hoops gp.

DOWN 48. Animal rights gp.

1. Foreign agent 50. Gp. 2. Infant’s sound 51. Agent (abbr.)

3. Question 53. Make a seam 4. The things here 54. “___ got it!”

5. Sitcom’s award 6. Hawaiian wreath 55. KO count

ACROSS 1. “Shoo!”

5. Yale student 8. Grow older 11. Ritzy 12. Singer Tillis 13. Went by bike 15. Ox collar 16. Strict 18. Swinery 20. Purple flower 21. Shopping binge 24. Hive occupants 26. Perjure oneself 27. Still snoozing 29. Poi source 33. “Do __ say!” (2 wds.)

34. Hard 36. Cato’s 54 37. Sign of hunger 39. Toast topper 40. Top card 41. Fancy

W A O N R T D H A O - T R F ’ D I S E N R D AMOUNT ARRANGE ARRAY AUTHORITY BUY CHOOSE CODIFY CUSTOMER DECREE EDICT FILE FOLLOW FOOD FULFILL GOODS GROUP ISSUE LAW

MEAL MENU METHOD MILITARY NEAT OBEY ORDAIN PRESCRIBE PROCEDURE RANK RESTAURANT SELECT SELL SEQUENCE SHIPMENT SYSTEM TAKE TASK

ISSUE 60 WORDFIND ANSWER

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GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

Prison Dilemma In Guyana (from page 5)

remain copious institutional paucities, both legislatively and operationally that have brought us to this penal crisis. For example, inmates endure lengthy pre-trial detentions because of judicial (Courts— another component of the Criminal Justice System) inconsistency, inefficiency and a lack of vision to discern correlations between pre-trial detentions, an expanding population and the need for innovation. The standard pre-trial detention duration currently remains at 12 to 24 months with either court — Magistrate or High Court. Its expanded use failed to stimulate comparable increases in prison budgetary allocations from the legislature (Parliament) to support infrastructure expansion (construction), acceptable prison conditions, training of staff and improved security.

OVERCROWDING Overcrowding remains a fundamental prerequisite for criminal control of a penal institution. In extremely overpopulated correctional institutions, preserving supervision becomes practically unattainable as officials frequently abnegate their obligation to the criminal networks. In addition, overpopulation negatively hampers the separation of prisoners based on the gravity of their alleged misconduct and probable risk to the public is almost inconceivable. Housing low risk offenders with hardened criminals leads to future acts of recidivism. In Guyana, juveniles over 16-years-old are housed with adult prisoners, those under 16-years-old were held at the low-level security New Oppor-

tunity Corp facility that remains flawed with management issues. While females were held at the New Amsterdam facility, some are put in holding cells at a designated police station. In some cases, inmates are held in station cells for extended periods as they await adjudication of their cases. The government’s response to the situation remains disjointed.

GOVERNMENTAL RESPONSE There are two important institutional policies that imply merely building more prisons will never suffice: the over use of preventative detention by the inefficient judiciary and government’s response to prison conditions. There has been an increase in crime across Guyana that correlates to increase prosecutions by the police and matters for adjudication by the judiciary. However, due to many challenges; inter-alia a lack of witnesses or the unavailability of officials, the judiciary have resorted to lengthy preventative detention or denial of pretrial liberty to deter future offending by the accused. This governmental response has significantly contributed to the over-population situation within the penal institution. While the over-population exists at the operational level, it remains a component of the government’s response to crime and a missed opportunity for funding at the executive level.

Governmental underfunding of the security sector has institutionalized the state of chronic disrepair and prisoners living in appalling and unsanitary conditions. The 2016 budget allocated approximately seven percent or $17.3 billion for

national security which includes public security, while social protection receives an allocation of 6.7 percent or $16.6 billion. When national mandates of both agencies are assessed, it would be necessary to significantly increase the public security allocation as it would be inadequate for the sector that is required to ensure the safety of the nation. This mandate includes oversight of the prison, inter alia conditions, overcrowding and training of staff. A review of the situation at Lusignan (post Camp St.) would illustrate the point. This indicates that operating on a shoe-string budget has hampered interagency training that would have mitigated the security dilemma in the country.

LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY Accountability is an important aspect of leadership. The sector was and remains deficient of adequate leadership and accountability and is negatively assessed by the public and some in the public domain. Consequently, the penal system was repeatedly flouted in respect to training and resource investment. Interestingly, the leadership of the penal system perpetuated the same measure of accountability and leadership to the institutions. This is evidenced by the replication of incidents with respect to inmate eruptions, possession of contraband — including mobile phones and drug smuggling by officers. While punitive action against a few low-level officers were imposed, it remains inadequate to serve as a deterrent. Moreover, the deafening silence on the most recent prison inquiry suggests

that accountability is being withheld from the penal system.

More importantly, the prison officials lack perspective with respect to and their interaction with the population. In many instances — some publicly known — prison officials provide support — knowingly and unknowingly — to the many sophisticated criminal gangs that operate within and outside of Guyana’s prison system. They distinguish themselves in many different ways; ethnic, drug trafficking or discipline service and they either seek to control the prison economy or tax it. Notwithstanding their diversities, there are commonalities amongst the gangs. These groups perceive prison as an equidistant social order where violence and social control are essential, and depend on an amalgamation of corruption, fear and situational awareness to solidify their influence within the criminal eco-system. Thus, reports of public safety officials importing contraband into the penal institutions are a violation of the public trust in their role and responsibilities as a government official.

In summarizing, the penal predicament Guyana now faces because of institutionalized weakness within the institution of government. Overcrowding, insanitary conditions, underfunding, the overuse of pretrial detention by the judiciary, along with leadership and accountability paucity are areas of enormous opportunity for this administration to change the status quo. In the impending segment, a few options will be discussed that government could pursue.

Trump, Religious Hypocrisy And The Bible Belt (from page 7)

down to others in the West Wing.

These Bible Belt hypocrites conveniently buried their core religious and moral principles, perhaps held their self-righteous noses, since they knew full well about his treatment of women, his selfish business practices, his ridicule and disdain of the disabled, his scapegoating of vulnerable undocumented immigrants, his bogus “Trump University, “ and much more. Thing is this racist meme and deliberate rejection of FACTS and Trump’s record of arrogant self-aggrandizement and braggadocio should have turned off a group of people that every Sunday preach “blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” Their tepid and sheepish attack on Hillary Clinton and their embrace of contrived lies tell us a hell of a lot about their hypocrisy — these are the peo-

ple that would lynch Jesus Christ in a heartbeat from the nearest tree if he called out Donald Trump.

The fact is that these “Godfearing, Sunday School loving, Church going Christians, supported a man who boasted about groping women, by putting their economic concerns over Godly morality. So the galling truth is that they all knew his behavior was suspect and unChristian but latched on to a stupid and obnoxious narrative about how his business experience was enough to make him a great President. This gullible group convinced themselves that Donald Trump and the Republican Party know how to create jobs and that he, somehow, would be the modern-day American St. George tipped to slay the unChristian dragon threatening America’s pure, White Christianity. How stupid can these people be? Here’s a man who could scarcely remember

or recite one Bible verse but is now the standard bearer of a delusional bunch of hypocrites clutching their Bibles and sanctimoniously proclaiming Trump’s Presidency as the coming of a fake Messiah.

I came very near to regurgitating when looking at the numbers and the fact that this group of Southern Christians voted enmasse for Trump — a guy who is as far from church as I am, and who could care less about the Bible and its teachings — and castigated, spurned and rejected a genuine churchgoer and one with a record of having a great relationship with the Bible. I have no respect for evangelicals who abandoned their core Christian foundation principles and embraced fakery and a charlatan who told them what they wanted to hear and who continues to have an adversarial and combative relationship with the truth. The term snake-oil sales-

man comes to mind.

But it’s not only the religious hypocrites that help generate and promote this social fakery. It’s the daily cable TV’s escapism and the 24/7 entertainment as news cycle.

Today, nobody bothers to research, to read and to think critically. There is Google. There is Facebook with its cabal of “Nescafe Journalists” — those who hide behind their computers screens, secure in their homes, and anonymously peddle stupidity, made up facts in an alternative universe of preening, bragging, selfopinionated imbeciles now trolling the Internet as bonafide journalists.

In this scenario Donald Trump rules supreme. He leads the way in ignorance, a disdain for genuine facts, and basks in a created and manufactured reality where facts and truth are what he says they are and where nobody matters — but Trump.

4, 2017 August Week-ending Edition York New ChronicleNew GuyanaChronicle Guyana York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

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MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE HOLDS FIRST 5K RUN/WALK FUNDRAISER ON AUG. 19

M

edgar Evers College, a senior college of the City University of New York, is holding its first-ever annual 5K Run/Walk event on Saturday, August 19, to support student scholarships!

The race starts at 10 a.m. and checkin begins at 8 a.m.

The 5K starts and ends on the College campus, at the corner of the College’s flagship building at 1650 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, between Crown and Montgomery Streets. The day ends with an awards ceremony with refresh-

ments and entertainment — including the HOT 97 Street Team.

Hundreds are expected to join the College community in a sensational summer sprint through Brooklyn. Participants will cruise past historic landmarks, like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Brooklyn Museum, and can immerse themselves in the diverse culture of Central Brooklyn.

This is the College’s first major push to engage the community in a health-conscious gathering as it continues its mission to serve the educational and social needs of Central Brooklyn.

The College is raising funds to support stu-

dent scholarships through the Medgar Evers College Educational Foundation, Inc. Many of the College’s students are firstgeneration and are eligible for financial aid. The student body is international, with a large population of natives of Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago.

Contact: FELICIA R. LEE Director of News & Infirmation MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK Flee@mec.cuny.edu <mailto:Flee@mec.cuny.edu> 718-270-5046

70 houses for Lombard St squatters SEVENTY single houses will be built to relocate the Broad and Lombard Streets squatters, each costing $1.2M, with funding provided by the Ministry of Communities and Food for the Poor.

This was disclosed during the ministry’s mid-term review and budget proposal held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, on Monday.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie

Adams-Patterson, explained that the decision to relocate the squatters was due to legal action taken by the land-owner and a High Court decision. This led to a six-week eviction notice. “We have taken the initiative to relocate those persons. We have commenced work at Barnwell North on the East Bank, where we are currently advertising to have the road done.

That will facilitate houselots’ development and in collab-

oration with Food For The Poor, we have already negotiated; we are doing 70 single houses there. When we did the registration, it was close to 68 adults and 100 children in that little area,” Minister Patterson noted.

The minister emphasised that government will not allow citizens to live in those conditions, hence the relocation programme. “Our focus from CH&PA is,as far as is practical, to build the

Prison Service eyes retired senior non-commissioned officers DIRECTOR of Prisons Gladwyn Samuels on Tuesday announced that in an effort to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) applications from retired senior non-commissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Prison Service would be considered.

These retired officers who wish to join the Guyana Prison Service can submit written applications to the Director of Prisons, 46 Brickdam, Stabroek, or call telephone number 225 6003 for further details, the Department of Information said in a release.

“Recent challenges which the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has been

faced with, requires us to look at all possibilities in strengthening our internal capacity. We know that there is a core of experienced security services officers who have expressed a willingness to continue to give service to the nation and we believe it would be eminently sensible to engage these officers at this time,” Mr. Samuels said.

Teen shot after leaving church in botched robbery A 16-YEAR-OLD girl of Recht door Zee, Canal #1, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is in a stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after she was shot in the upper right shoulder by a man on Sunday night.

According to a police report, the shooting occurred at about 20:30hrs on the West Minister Access Road, WBD

by an identifiable male, who was armed with a handgun.

An investigation revealed that the victim, her parents and a 17-year-old female friend were returning home after attending church when they were confronted by the suspect, who allegedly placed the gun to the friend’s neck and commanded everyone not to move.

However, the victim stood in front of the friend and in the

process, the suspect discharged a round which struck her in the upper right shoulder. The suspect immediately fled the scene in a motorcar, which was parked a short distance away.

The victim was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she is admitted a in a stable condition.

low-cost houses and relocate these persons and we are also looking at a similar project in Industry on the East Coast to relocate squatters from Sophia, East and West Ruimveldt and its immediate environments,” Minister

Patterson explained.

The government will be investing $42M on the relocation programme, which will be transferred to Food For The Poor for construction of the houses and $30M for infrastructural devel-

opment of the area. Minister Patterson also reminded that government remains committed to providing lands and houses for other persons and urged that they remain patient. (DPI)

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24 24

GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

An Exposé of Why and How Large US Corporations and Wall Street Mil ionaires were allowed to avoid Justice and Destroy Our Communities

“T

he six largest financial institutions in this country today hold assets equal to about 60% of the nation’s gross domestic product. These six banks issue more than two-thirds of all credit cards and over 35% of all mortgages. They control 95% of all derivatives and hold more than 40% of all bank deposits in the United States.

We must break up too-big-to-fail financial institutions. Those institutions received a $700 billion bailout from the US taxpayers, and more than $16 trillion in virtually zero interest loans from the Federal Reserve. Despite that, financial institutions made over $152 billion in profit in 2014 — the most profitable year on record, and three of the four largest financial institutions are 80% bigger today than they were before we bailed them out.

Our banking system must be part of the productive, job-creating economy. The Federal Reserve, a government entity which serves as the engine of the banking industry, must eliminate its internal conflicts of interest, provide stricter oversight, and insist that the banks serve the economy in a way that works for everyone, not just a few. If a bank is too big to fail, it is too big to exist.”

BERNIE SANDERS Many hardworking residents of our community lost their jobs and homes due to the financial collapse of the American economy recently, and with it, their American dreams,

Yes, the Chickenshit Club is a bona fide work by the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Eisinger, and exposes how corporate

The ALBERT BALDEO Column

WorldCom were also investigated. Then money, power and influence polluted and diverted the stream of justice.

life savings and hard work. Boarded up homes, hardships, homelessness and ruins still affect us today as our blood, sweat and tears were stolen from many of us. It is a grim reminder that it can happen again, and the cycle of exploitation and injustice will continue unabated. For example, whereas affluent communities like Manhattan will get any amount of subway escalators they desire, we are still struggling and fighting the MTA to complete the solitary Liberty/Lefferts elevator we have been promised years ago.

Former FBI director James Comey gave the author Jesse Eisinger the title for his bookThe Chickenshit Club, when he became the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York under former President George W. Bush.

Comey’s reference refers to his condemnation of his own prosecutors’ abuse and double standards in giving large corporations and rich CEOs virtual immunity from answering to the law for their corrupt financial schemes that caused this national tragedy and stop the national economic meltdown, picking on small fry instead.

We must continue to fight for the things that matter, regardless of the inescapable retribution from those in power and influence. The completion of the sole subway elevator in the Richmond Hill/Ozone Park demands attention, as Albert Baldeo’s 2009 petition demonstrates. power, corruption, influence and greed prevented the US Department of Justice from enforcing the Constitution and the law and engaged in selective and malicious prosecution with impunity and immunity. It is important because there is an alarming increase of law abiding victims falling victims to this putrid policy.

Comey used it in a speech, aimed at inspiring and uplifting law enforcement institutions, but, unfortunately, the abuse multiplied. Consequently, no individuals from the higher levels of the "Too Big to Fail" banks have been prosecuted, a staggering reality of the judicial and prosecutorial hypocrisy that pollutes our justice system.

The treatise tries to answer the billion dollar questions: “Why were no bankers put in prison after the financial crisis of 2008? Why do CEOs seem to commit wrongdoing with impunity?” The author does extensive research, and shows how the problem goes beyond banks deemed “Too Big to Fail” to almost every large corporation in America, including pharmaceutical companies and auto manufacturers.

He explains how the economy was manipulated by bank executives who were permitted to steal from their own banks and from US tax paying citizens, and remain out of jail, the greatest judicial farce in American legal history which exposed unprecedented systematic corruption in the financial sector. Bernie Madoff’s crimes pale in comparison, as the author dissects the last decade and a half of prosecutorial fiascos, corporate lobbying, trial losses, and culture shifts that prevented the government from prosecuting top corporate executives, sacrificing ordinary citizens to make up the statistics shortfall and justify their budgetary increases.

It deals with one of the most important scandals and failures of our time, and provides a clear, detailed explanation why our Justice Department has come to avoid, bungle and mismanage their duty to bring these criminals to justice.

Eisinger shows how, prior to 2008, especially at the turn of the 21st century, there have been notable prosecutions of white collar crime by “the big boys.” Arthur Anderson was first, and it was followed by the three big men of Enron Corporation-Ken Lay, Jeffrey Skilling, and Andrew Fastow. Other Arthur Anderson clients, Sunbeam, Qwest, Boston Chicken, and

This book shows how this policy of selective and malicious prosecution have perverted our justice system, implementing ridiculous arguments like “too big to fail” and “self-regulate.” Public prosecutors no longer work for the public good on our time and dime. They work to get better jobs in big law firms, using the ordinary citizen as bait, and biding their time to make themselves millions from the private bar.

The revolving door makes this one huge club of hypocrites, as the recurrent exodus from the US Attorney’s Offices to take lucrative offers at top law firms confirm.

Consequently, in spite of what we all now know about the recklessness of the people in charge of the banks and big corporations who played a major role in the 2008 global financial crisis, there was hardly any prosecution of the big players. Eisinger traces the history of white collar prosecution, discussing the process of negotiated settlements that covers up most of the cases that might otherwise have ended in criminal trials. He explains the cause of the government’s failure, and the ensuing hypocrisy that manifested itself.

The author also criticizes Senator Charles Schumer, the powerful New York senator, who, though not a public enemy of regulation, “subtly undermined it.” Schumer picked Preet Bharara to be the US Attorney for the powerful division of the Justice Department, but his prosecutions have been attacked and whittled away in large numbers even as he was fired from his office, and despite all his high profile publicity and attention seeking charges, Bharara failed miserably to bring the “fat Wall Street cats” to justice, an unpardonable dereliction of duty and a criminal act itself. The American political process is a very clandestine and sophisticated one, and these criminal tycoons will no doubt repay him with billions in contributions should he ever seek public office.

Eisenger then concludes that “Today the justice system is broken… [the Justice Department] has become fearful of losing and lost sight of its fundamental mission to make this country a just place.” He could not have been more right. The problem is that these people will never be brought to justice for their massive crimes against humanity and communities.

Albert Baldeo, 106-11 Liberty Avenue, Ozone Park, NY 11417; (917) 548-1055.

Guyana York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017 GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew New York Edition Week-ending August 4, 2017

The Peter Haynes Column

A

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URGENT NEED FOR THE RETURN OF A GUYANESE AIRLINE

strong case for the Government of Guyana to re-enter the Airline Industry, even if initially in the Caribbean, as passengers making return trips out of Ogle are being charged twice for basic services, which are given by every other airline in the world, but not by LIAT – the Caribbean Airline.

Guyanese depend mainly on LIAT to ferry them from Guyana to Barbados and other ports in the Region. In fact, Prime Minister Dr, Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has declared on numerous occasions that the GuyanaBarbados route is the most lucrative for LIAT. The airline over the years increased the number of weekly flights between the two countries to as many as ten (10) currently. In addition, every flight into and from Ogle (Guyana) is almost always at least seventy five percent (75%) filled.

That being the case, LIAT collects at least US$4,000.00 per month in Fees and Taxes on behalf of the Airports and Governments.

However, the Airline having charged the passengers the fees and taxes, which on average is in addition, 60% of the airline ticket, is not remitting those monies to the respective agencies — the Governments and the Airports.

The Airports in the Region except the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (Ogle in Guyana) are owned by the respective Governments of the participating countries — who are also shareholders of the airline. Herein lies the problem with the Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) and LIAT. Since April 2017, the airline has not remitted the monies to the tax agencies and the airport corporations.

At the start of the second quarter of 2017, the Airport Passenger Service fee which is for use of the Airport Facilities were not remitted by LIAT to OAI. The Airport derives its revenue primarily from Landing Service Fees, Passenger Service Fees and Cargo Service Fees, which may be collected directly by the Airport or charged by the Airline and subsequently remitted to the Airport. These fees are approved by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.

OAI decided to collect their Services directly from the passengers when they check-in at Ogle. In fact, when a passenger is leaving Barbados for Guyana on a return trip, he/she is required to pay the airfare,

To advertise in this newspaper call Dennis at: 917-379-6590

fees and taxes in Barbados for both sections of the trip. In addition, for them to leave Guyana via Ogle, that passenger is required to pay a second Service Fee, without any refund from LIAT. It was suggested that such passengers are not required to pay the service fees when they buy a ticket in Barbados, but when I checked on Monday last — on line — the airfare, fees and taxes are stated separately and collected.

Since all other airports are owned by the regional Governments, who are also aware of the dire financial problems faced

by LIAT, may not be pressing them for the remittances.

It would be reasonable to conclude that none of the Regional Governments have collected their fees and taxes for the past four months. It is well known that Regional Governments need every cent it can collect in taxes. It is also true that LIAT needs every cent it could put its hands on to keep the airline in the sky.

How long will the governments continue to allow LIAT to withhold money paid by taxpayers for the maintenance of their Airports and its facilities? How long will LIAT remain in the hole? From all appearances, there is no positive answer to those questions — it is a case of digging a hole to fill deeper holes.

It was also stated by some Regional Prime Ministers that their country will not make contributions to the airline to help pull it out of the hole, but at the same time are demanding a regular service.

Dr. Jean Holder, Chairman of LIAT’s Board of Directors, said that LIAT paid many millions of dollars in taxes to regional countries, and “if it shut down tomorrow, you may think that you have gotten rid of the problem but the opportunity cost of not having LIAT is really quiet substantial, and people need to give it a lot of thought”.

Dr. Holder lamented that “You can’t be subsidising or paying other airlines into your space and your country and just treat LIAT as though it was a floormat”.

Interestingly, Dr, Holder made these remarks about six years ago and nothing has changed for the better, so we are back to the question —when will LIAT be pulled from the jaws of debt — no pun intended — and Guyanese stop being made to pay twice.

The LIAT Chairman also noted that the airline employs close to one thousand individuals in the region and flies from Tortola, throughout the region and down to Guyana. This service, he said is vital for the Caribbean and demands the support of all regional Governments.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition is aware that OAI and LIAT are attempting to resolve the situation of passengers having to pay the airport service fees when de-

Ogle Airport Inc. (Guyana)

parting Ogle, especially since the airline owes a significant amount of fees to OAI. Guyanese have over the years complained of the horrible treatment they receive when passing through Piarco. This makes a better case for the Guyana Government to return to the skies, as suggested to start with a regional service and then move internationally to Miami, New York and Toronto.

Guyanese are made to suffer not only when passing through Piarco, but also by the many airlines which entered the market plying between New York and Timehri.

There is no doubt that LIAT’s survival is vital for the Caribbean. It’s virtually the only means to get around the region, al-

though its prices are much higher than a ticket to Miami and sometimes to New York.

In the meantime, Guyanese residing in Barbados will have to continue paying twice, at Grantley Adams and at Eugene F. Correia Airports, whenever they are going there on holiday. It would be an honest thing for LIAT to inform passengers who are required to pay twice to produce their receipts from Ogle and to be refunded.

However, since the calls have been made for the past two years for the Government of Guyana to return to the Airline Industry, a statement from the GOG on the calls would be most timely.

Woe for the return of Guyana Airways.

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GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August August 4, 4, 2017 2017 Guyana

‘Collie’ Smith was destined for glory!

His death is probably the most tragic blow ever sustained by West Indian crick . . .

"H

e was three years older than me and already a fine cricketer who seemed destined to become even better. He was more than just an accomplished batsman, having scored big 100s against England and Australia.

He was also developing into a very good off-spin bowler. I am serious when I say that he had the potential to be a top class all-rounder, probably one of the world's best."

Sir Garfield Sobers There should have been four of them, but Roy Gilchrist did not turn up. After waiting an hour, the others gave up and decided to start without him. Fickle finger or fate, Garry Sobers says in his autobiography. If Gilchrist had turned up on time, or if he waited a bit longer, the tragedy might not have taken place at all.

That Summer Sobers was playing for Radcliffe in the Lancashire League. Collie had been turning out for Burnley. Three months earlier he had slammed an amazing triple hundred for them against Lowerhouse. Medium-pace bowler Tom Dewdney was bowling for Darwen. The three met at Manchester at the house of a Bajan fan.. After a jovial dinner, and some fruitless hours waiting for Gilchrist, the three cricketers set out to drive south of London, where they were supposed to play a charity game on Sunday. They were in good humor, because by virtue of being late they had avoided the heaviest of the London-bound traffic.

Smith was the one who took the wheels of Sobers's Ford Prefect. After a while he handed it to Dewdney. And in the wee hours, it was the turn of Sobers. Dewdney moved to the passenger seat and Smith went to sleep in the back. The car was speeding along the A34 near Stone in Staffordshire. At 4.45 am, as they approached the Darlaston Bend, two dazzling headlights blinded Sobers. He had no time to react. Everything went blank. Much later they learnt that they had collided with a 10-ton cattle truck. Sobers regained consciousness after a short while, heard Dewdney making a lot of noise and saw Smith lying on the ground.

"How are you little man?" he asked his friend.

Smith answered straight away, "I'm all right maan — go look at the big boy."

An ambulance arrived and took the three to hospital Dewdney, with facial cuts and some lost teeth, remained unconscious for a few hours. Sobers had a dislocated bone in his wrist, a cut eye and a severed nerve in a finger.

For all his nonchalance of the moment, it was Smith who had been hit the worst-with serious damage to his spinal cord.

Three days after the crash, a priest walked into the hospital room in which both Sobers and Dewdney were lying, and started speaking about the whims of fate, life, and uncertainties and tragedies. Finally he relayed the news that Collie Smith was dead.

The cricket world was shocked. O'Neil Gordon Smith was the favorite son of Jamaica, and had kindled the imagination of the cricket loving island. At 26, he was just maturing into a genuinely great all-rounder. With the supreme gifts of Sobers alongside him Smith could have propelled the West Indies team into an unprecedented powerhouse of all-round strength.

Instead 60,000 mourners turned up in disbelief and dismay at his funeral in Kingston shocked at the death of Jamaica's favorite son.

With the three Ws in the evening of their great careers, Smith was an integral in the West Indian vision of the sixties. Especially with his excellent record against England, he was ex-

pected to be one of the key players when Peter May's team would visit in the 1959-60 season.

And suddenly it all ended, on that highway in Staffordshire. The life of this vibrant cricketer was snuffed out in its very prime. Smith's final figures show 1,331 runs at 31.69 and 48 wickets with his off-brake at 33.85 in 26 Tests, He had hit 104 against Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller, Ian Johnson, and Richie Benaud on debut and 161 against Fred Truman, Brian Statham, his idol Jim Laker and Tony Lock in his first Test against England. He had been named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the year in 1958.

Popular belief remains that the numbers were bound to improve with time. If fate had not snatched him from our midst and he had played for another decade, one wonders what he could have achieved. Smith had shown only glimpses of his enormous potential.

Some claimed he was as great a talent as Sobers. The tragic untimely death may have led to a tribute tinged with tendency to exaggerate, spilling into the panegyric. But the very fact

O.G. “Collie” SMITH that such comparison could be tempted underlines what might have been.

Sobers himself, a close friend and a roommate on tours to England and Pakistan, was mortified — not least because he had been the one driving the car when the fatal collision took place. Few days after the incident, he was charged with careless driving and fined 10 pounds. He was devastated by the implications, the burden of responsibility. He later wrote in his prologue to his autobiography that for awhile the events of that night dominated his thoughts and cricket remained a distant second.

When the shock and sorrow subsided, Sobers played against England in the first Test of the 1959-60 series at Bridgetown. He batted 10 hours and 47 minutes to score 226 before being bowled by Fred Truman. According to the great all-rounder he had realized that from then on he would have to do the job of both Garry Sobers and Collie Smith.

The Australians had completed their first tour to the Caribbean in 1955. For the first time the West Indies had failed to win a Test against Australia. Worst, they suffered their first defeat at home. From the West Indies point of view there were, apart from Sobers, two developments of significance for the future. In the game against Jamaica which opened the tour, a young man made his international debut, batting at number six.

From a poor background, he had early in his life come under the influence of a great social worker and cricket lover, the Rev. Hugh Sherlock of the local Methodist Church. Rev. Sherlock created a club for the youngsters in the ghetto in the western part of Kingston. He had named it Boys’ Town and guided its development into a most valuable institution, which

was responsible for the salvage of hundreds of young boys, who might otherwise have been crushed by the brutalities of ghetto life.

The young man, who faced the might of Australia’s two most feared bowlers, Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller in 1955 was just 21, and remains the most notable personality to emerge from Rev. Sherlock’s deeply caring attention.

He was O. G. “Collie” Smith. He made 169 for Jamaica and was promptly included in the West Indies side in the first Test. His Test debut was equally auspicious when his 104 in the second innings helped Walcott add certain respectability for the West Indian statistics of that match.

Also a useful off-spinner, Collie Smith did not do much else of note during that tour but already, he had established himself as a fixture in the side where he remained until his early death in 1959.

It was not only that Smith batted with aggressive fluency and bowled inspired spells of off-spin. There was much more to the man. His infectious enthusiasm and hugh grin made it apparent that he was enjoying his cricket, and it made him a joy to watch. His natural inclination was to belt every ball, but he had learnt to curb his instincts to attack with some semblance of restraint.

He had the knack of picking up valuable wickets with his offbreaks. And he had the ability to lift the spirit of the entire side with his magnificent fielding.

The death of O’Neil ‘Collie’ Smith in September, 1959, is probably the most tragic blow ever sustained by West Indian cricket. For one thing, Smith who played his first Test match in March, 1955, and his last in March in 1959 was only26- years-old when he died.

Sobers felt that Collie Smith was a greater allrounder than himself; someone who was considered a hero in Jamaica, and someone whose magic spirit was tragically cut short at a tender age.

Smith’s career was during a period of rebuilding in the second half of the 1950s when West Indies were shedding distinguished, aging players in favor of new blood. Cognoscenti of the day fully expected that the great batting triumvirate of Weekes, Worrell and Worrell would be replaced by three promising stars — Sobers, Kanhai and Smith.

Since we know the glorious heights later reached by Sobers and Kanhai, there is every reason to believe that Smith was destined for similar glory. This expectation was not based only on runs and wickets; it also had to do with Smith’s warmth, generosity, and the overall exuberance of his personality, on and off the field.

In his first Test match on his home ground at Sabina Park, Australia had made 515 for nine declared, and in reply West Indies had mustered up 101 for five wickets, when Smith entered to partner Walcott. Consider the circumstances; the five top order batsmen, including Worrell and Weekes, had already been dismissed, and an inexperienced 21-year-old, the last of the accredited batsmen, stood alone between Australia and almost certain victory.

Nothing daunted him, he stood his ground steadfastly, while Walcott pushed the score merrily along at the other end. The partnership realized 128 runs, of which Smith contributed 44, after his departure the team collapsed for 295. It was a magnificent start. In the second

by SHAN RAZACK

COLLIE SMITH

innings facing a deficit of 256, they had reached a slender total of 22 for two wickets, when in a move that seemed to border on panic, skipper Dennis Atkinson decided to move Smith out from his relaxed position at number seven to number four, to face the full fury of Lindwall, Miller, Johnson and Benaud.

Admittedly, Worrell was hurt and Atkinson’s options were limited. But consider again what could he have expected from a youth in his first Test against the likes of Lindwall and Miller! Whatever his hopes, Atkinson could never have expected the new youngster to stroke his way through the Australian bowlers for 104 dazzling runs and achieve the distinction of a Test century in his debut.

But Smith did not maintain this high level of performance during the rest of the tour: he ended with a batting average of 25.75 in eight innings, while he took five wickets for 68 apiece.

In his next series against New Zealand, he fared worst; but in the ill-fated West Indies tour to England in 1957, he topped the Test aggregate with 396 runs for an average of 39.60. In the third Test in England, West Indies followed on, 256 runs behind England. Greater disaster loomed, as they sank to 56 for four wickets in their second innings. But Smith entered and once again asserted the situation, displaying his fighting qualities by scoring 168, including three lofty sixes, one of which was driven with such power and daring that the bowler Statham had to applaud as the ball sailed backward high over his head.

After 1957, Smith did not excel, although he scored at an acceptable rate. His fourth and last test hundred (exactly 100) was against India in Delhi in February, 1959. In the end, the tragedy of Smith’s loss was a great blow to West Indian cricket. Collie Smith, however, was a player whose natural abilities were considerable but not touched by the quality of genius. He approached life as a challenge and was a disciplined player.

He was a born leader. Perhaps, George Headley had a hand in the making of Collie Smith, as a batsman and cricketer. That six over the head of a fast bowler Statham and the many rearguard battles which Smith fought for the West Indies are reminiscent of numerous innings that one of the greatest of all West Indian batsmen played in the 1930s. Such a connection illustrates a distinct batting tradition in a region notorious for either the absence of traditions or its fragmentation. But even if something of George Headley was reincarnated in Collie Smith, the reincarnation was short-lived, flashing like a shooting star that, for a mere instance in celestial time, brilliantly lit up the firmament, before suddenly, tragically, fading away from our view.

Guyana Chronicle August 4, 4, 2017 ChronicleNew NewYork YorkEdition EditionWeek-ending Week-ending August 2017

27 27

Sheffield defeats Atlantis in the inaugural cricket match for the Andrew Lyght Unity Cup

T

he Guyanese cricket fraternity in New York last weekend recognized the contributions of Andrew “Monster” Lyght to cricket with an inaugural game for the ‘Andrew Lyght Unity Cup.’ The game will be contested annually between Atlantis Cricket Club and Sheffield Cricket Club both part of the Metropolitan League for the beautiful cup and bragging rights.

Many cricketers, officials and spectators representing Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) who knew An-

drew Lyght were present adding to the atmosphere and expectations for the game.

In this inaugural game Sheffield

Claude Raphael former President of Malteenoes Sports Club presenting the Unity trophy to Sheffield’s victorious captain Ahmad Dodson.

Cricket Club defeated Atlantis Cricket Club to take the first lien on the cup.

Sheffield won the toss and elected to bat rattling up 228 runs for 6 wickets in their allotted 35 overs — thanks to contributions from Seon Barrington 91, Andrae Lindsay 29 and Ahmad Dodson 35 not out. For Atlantis Cricket Club the pick of the bowlers were T. Forde 2 for 38 in 7 overs and Keon Lake 2 for 39 in 7 overs.

In reply Atlantis Cricket Club could only muster 165 all out in 27 overs with contributions from Alex Amsterdam (captain) 41 not out, T. Forde 30 and F. Mendonca 28. Bowling for Sheffield Cricket Club, Maurice Powell bagged 3 for 26 in 7 overs and Ahmad Dodson took 3 for 40 in 5 overs.

At the presentation that followed, Dr Linden Dodson of Sheffield Cricket Club commented that Andrew Lyght honorably represented DCC and Guyana, was a great friend of Malteenoes and it is a fitting gesture that his legacy should serve to unite the two teams.

Keith Aaron, who received a standing ovation for his presentation spoke of Andrew as his team mate,

The late Andrew Lyght

the consummate team player, the responsibility he took for his and the team’s performance and his fearlessness in the face of adversity. Keith Aaron’s presentation was indeed a fitting tribute to a fallen hero.

Claude Raphael former President of Malteenoes Sports Club of Guyana presented the Andrew Lyght Unity Cup to Ahmad Dodson the victorious captain of the Sheffield Cricket Club.

Neymar to earn £40.3M a year at PSG NEYMAR will earn 865 000 euros (£775 477) a week when the Brazil forward completes his world record move from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain (PSG).

The 25-year-old's wages will equate to 45 million euros (£40.3M) a year before tax.

Barcelona have told the French club they must pay his 222 million euro (£198M) fee "in full" and they are understood to be ready to meet his release clause.

It means PSG's total outlay across the initial five-year deal will come to £400M. The Brazil international arrived at training yesterday

with his father and representative, and told the Spanish club he wanted to leave.

He was then given permission by Barca manager Ernesto Valverde not to train and to "sort out his future".

The latest development comes two days after it emerged Barca were ready to push for a Financial Fair Play investigation if PSG signed Neymar.

That came after La Liga president Javier Tebas threatened, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, a legal response against the former Ligue 1 champions if European football's governing body failed to take action.

He also said PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi

Neymar arrived for training at Barcelona yesterday, and told his team-mates he wanted to leave

had been made aware of the Spanish league's intentions.

According to Forbes' rich list, the Brazilian is currently the only footballer to earn more from his off-field

endorsements than his playing contract at Barcelona.

Neymar's sponsors include global brands such as Nike, Gillette, Panasonic and Beats by Dre and

bring the 25-year-old in $22M (£16.6M) on top of his $15M (£11.3M) salary.

"He was the first soccer player to have his own custom Air Jordan sneakers

made by the Swoosh," says Forbes.

However, that will change when he completes a world-record move to PSG and collects a pre-tax weekly wage of 865 000 euros (£775 477) or 45 million euros (£40.3M) a year.

That is more than current Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, who signed a new deal worth a reported £500k per week in July, and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo's £365,00-a-week deal.

It looks set to make the Brazilian the best-paid player in the world, overtaking Carlos Tevez who is said to earn £615 000 per week at Shanghai Shenhua.

Amazon Warriors depart Guyana for CPL title hunt

By Rajiv Bisnauth FOLLOWING a on-week training camp, which included three warm-up games, Guyana’s star-studded professional cricket team, known as the Guyana Amazon Warriors, departed these shores yesterday en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for their first match of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Saturday.

The Warriors, three-time finalists in the CPL will look to complete the journey this season with their new-look team led by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill.

The 17-man squad spent the last seven days, fine-tuning their preparations for this year’s tournament, in a preparatory camp held under head coach Roger Harper and his technical support team.

After Tuesday’s final warmup game, Harper indicated how pleased he was, heading into this year’s tournament.

“Taking everything into consideration I think we are satisfied with where we are at the moment. We expect that we will have a couple of sessions when we get to Florida

… Team spirit high, says Guptill

to fine-tune for the matches in Florida, and come our first game, we expect to be ready,” Harper said.

Harper further indicated that their main aim is to win the tournament, but they will play each game as it comes as they aim to reach the playoffs stage.

Further, Guptill pointed out that team spirit is high, adding that the management will be depending on everyone to play his part during the competition.

The second assignment for the Warriors will be on Sunday against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad and management unit after the final warm-up game before returning to the on Tuesday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence Caribbean.

Guyana home games 18:00hrs and St Lucia Stars on Singh, Keon Joseph and Keemo Warriors with 47 from 25 balls are billed for August 17, 19, 20 August 22 from 18:00hrs.

Paul. inclusive of two sixes and six fours and 22 at the Guyana National The full squad reads: Martin Meanwhile, the Warriors re- while receiving support from Jason Stadium.

Guptill (captain), Babar Azam, corded a convincing 72-run victory Mohammed (45) and Babar Azam The host team (Guyana Ama- Sohail Tanvir, Rayad Emrit, Ja- over the Guyana Select X1 on (41). zon Warriors) take on the Jamaica son Mohammed, Veerasammy Tuesday, the last of three warm-up In reply the Select X1 were Tallawahs on August 17 from Permaul, Assad Fudadin, Steven games. restricted to 88-7. Medium pacer 20:00hrs; Trinbago Knight Riders Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, ChadScores in the match: Guyana Rayad Emrit claimed 3-12 and on August 19 from 12:00hrs; Bar- wick Walton, Rashid Khan, Steven Amazon Warriors 160-5 in 20 left-arm spinner Veerasammy bados Tridents on August 20 from Taylor, Roshon Primus, Gajanand overs. Guptill led the way for the Permaul had 2-17.

Bunbury opens up eight football scholarships at Keyano College

By Rawle Toney ALEX Bunbury, the famed Guyanese-born Canadian superstar football player, has opened up the doors for eight of Guyana’s youths to attend college in his current homeland at Keyano College.

Located in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, Bunbury told Chronicle Sport yesterday, that the scholarships will see the selected students, both male and females, being offered a chance to attend school free of charge.

“The only expense is accommodation and

meals and to that end, I had reached out to the Government of Guyana to assist,” Bunbury said during an exclusive interview.

Channelled through the Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy (ABSAA), the Canadian football Hall of Fame inductee stated, “I wrote to the Minister of Education (Nicolette Henry) about six weeks ago about this, and I’m happy to say that she replied timely and said that this is something her Government will be happy to support. So I’m just here waiting on a word.”

Bunbury said an additional letter was re-

cently sent as a follow-up “and as soon as we get a response and one which we’re certain will be in our favour, we’ll head into selection process with players and their parents, and then we’ll take it from there.”

Bunbury also noted that next March, the College will be in Guyana to scout for players in the sport of basketball.

“I can't thank Keyano College enough for this great opportunity given to our young men and women for working with myself and the Guyana government to make this possible,” Bunbury added.

Alex Bunbury