New york edition e paper 12 08 2017

www.guyanachronicle.com

ISSUE No. 79

WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 8, 2017

President visits Nairobi National Park

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Courtney Noel belting out his song Golden Arrowhead (I love my Golden Arrowhead) at Brooklyn Borough Hall during a Guyanese celebration.

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Courtney Noel

‘Life beyond Arrowhead’

One of the orphaned elephant calves seemed comfortable being fed by President David Granger during his visit to the Nairobi National Park

‘Don’t beat up on Exxon’ Page 4

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Diaspora mourns The Confluence GuySuCo CEO the deaths of two of quitting Great Minds year-end stalwarts Page 25

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

Several squatting areas to be regularised

-- Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown

By Svetlana Marshall NEXT year a number of areas will be regularised by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) including Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown, but the housing authority has made it clear that zero-tolerance areas will not be regularised.

CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul, in a recent interview, toldthe Guyana Chronicle that part of the authority’s focus in 2018 will not be on regularising but relocating residents from zero-tolerance areas.

He noted that Perry

Perry Street resident Tandika Hinkson

Street, Tucville, is among areas listed in Georgetown that would be regularised by the CH&PA. “That area can be regularised and it will be regularised,” Saul assured.

Parts of Guyhoc Park will also be regularised, he added.

However, persons squatting along the embankment of the East and West Front Road will be relocated in 2018.

Squatters in Sophia are also earmarked to be relocated.

“We will develop a plan that would see some folks

being relocated to Cummings Lodge; it will be a comprehensive plan. It is not just uprooting people and moving them but it is working with these communities, getting

CH&PA CEO Lelon Saul

people to understand the need for them to move,” the CH&PA CEO said.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited Perry Street, Tucville, on Sunday, residents expressed satisfaction with the authority’s announcement, noting that for years, they have been seeking legal documents to the plots of land they occupy.

Kevin Graham, who grew up in Perry Street, said for the past 12 years he has been living on a plot of land opposite his parents’ home and it would be a significant achievement for him to acquire legal ownership of the land.

“That is a very good initiative, I love that, it would make it easier for me and my family. We would [sic] have to study that we have to move,” Graham told the Guyana Chronicle upon learning of CH&PA’s intention to regularise the area.

He said having a legal document such as a title would allow him to qualify for a loan to extend his home.

Tandika Hinkson, who also grew up in Perry Street with her mother and siblings,

said persons would be very thrilled if the CH&PA makes good on its promises.

Hinkson told this newspaper that since the birth of her brother 23 years ago her mother has been trying to acquire legal ownership of the land they occupy.

“From ever since then to now my mother has been going into housing and finding out, they keep telling us that we are not part of the scheduled mapping their planning, etc. That was even before we got electricity or water,” she explained.

Because Perry Street is not regularised, Hinkson said her family was unable to build extensively.

“We would be very relieved because honestly speaking, I wish if we had papers I could have built already, my mother would have built up, and I would have been able to build down

Perry Street, Tucville – one of the areas in Georgetown earmarked to be regularised by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA)

31, 2018. Those squatters are required to relocate once they have viable alternatives.

For those persons who would have difficulties, Saul, in an earlier interview, said that the housing authority will assist.

“We will work with the residents to find a viable

alternative. Come January 31, 2018, if there are people still on the reserve and there is no other viable alternative, we will continue to work with these people to ensure that we find suitable accommodation for them,” he had explained.

CH&PA is encouraging

all squatters to submit their applications for house lots.

Due to the low affordability of some citizens, the CH&PA will be exploring a number of avenues to provide low-cost homes for the poor and working class.

Perry Street resident Kevin Graham

but because we don’t have the documents, they said anything above this height they will take it down,” she posited.

Meanwhile, there are over 500 persons squatting in the Sophia-Cummings Lodge area. CH&PA has given close to 300 of them eviction notices with a deadline of January

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

Anti-parking meters movement ready to hit the road FOLLOWING recent news reports that seemingly fruitful negotiations have been ongoing between Smart City Solutions (SCS) and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC)’s renegotiating team, the Movement Against Parking Meters (MAPM) says it stands ready to return to the streets to protest.

A release from the MAPM highlighted that while the movement is unopposed to a structured system for traffic regulation within the central areas of the city, including measures to facilitate the orderly parking of vehicles and the need for the M&CC to increase their revenue base, it is against the current agreement with SCS. As such, the MAPM release stated, “We therefore stand ready to mobilise our supporters to resume our street protests and exercise any and all options available to us to prevent this abomination from moving forward.”

It sought to highlight once more the numerous irregularities and discrepancies in the contract between SCS and the M&CC and thus related, “The MAPM will not compromise on its position that the contract between the City Council and SCS suffers from a number of procedural and other deficiencies and may be deemed illegal due to breaches of various laws.”

It was revealed that the movement takes umbrage to the announcement of the possible resumption of the con-

tract with SCS despite scores of Guyanese relentlessly highlighting the numerous deficiencies in the process of selecting and engaging Smart City Solutions as the provider of parking meter services in Georgetown.

Furthermore, the release said, “The thirteen councilors who voted to renegotiate this corrupt contract have demonstrated their laxity for transparency and due process,” and highlighted that the five members of the renegotiating committee of this corrupt contract were some of the same aforementioned thirteen that allegedly have no regard for impartiality.

Also, it was stated that “it speaks volumes” that there is the renegotiating of a project that lacks a public feasibility study and cost analysis seeking to perhaps resume the project. The study and analysis were pertinent features requested time and time again by the public; even highlighted in the Chairman of the Former Renegotiating committee Malcolm Ferreira’s report.

“MAPM is not prepared to support, neither allow the successful renegotiation of this corrupt contract or the resumption of the parking meter system in Georgetown by SCS regardless of the minimal cost attached,” the release said. The Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan was also called on to not release the suspension of the parking meter bylaws.

Stole meat valued $120,000 A 35-year-old labourer who was arrested and charged by police for breaking into a butcher shop at Kitty, Georgetown, and carting off a quantity of meats, on Monday appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Kevin Andrews of Railway line, Kitty, Georgetown, was also charged for the possession of an improvised smoking utensil after being busted by the police for the break and enter charge.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that between November 28 and November 29 at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Andrews broke and entered the shop of Roy Gittens and stole a quantity of meat valued $120,000.

Additionally, on November 29 at Georgetown, An-

drews had in his possession an improvised glass and plastic tube, suspected to be used for the purpose of smoking cocaine.

According to police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on November 28th, the accused allegedly broke into the victim’s butcher shop and carted off a quantity of meat.

Andrews, following a report to the police, was arrested based upon information. Under caution, Andrews admitted to breaking into the butcher shop and stealing the meat.

The defendant then took the police to a hiding place where he had stashed the meat. The police conducted a search on him and found the smoking utensil in his pants pocket.

3

President visits Nairobi National Park PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday visited the world famous Nairobi National Park, which is located within the capital of Kenya and covers an area of 117 square kilometers.

As part of the tour, the President visited an elephant orphanage located within the park. The President was briefed on the efforts being

made to protect orphaned elephants, which are cared for until they are ready to be released back into the wild.

President Granger's visit to the park comes at a time when Guyana is looking to learn from the experiences of other countries, particularly countries such as Kenya, which has a world class tourism product and

considerable experience in managing its ecotourism product.

Established 71 years ago, the park is the home of a number of wildlife species, including the black rhinoceros, lions, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes and hundreds of species of birds. The park contains two main types of ecosystems: grasslands and wetlands.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

‘Don’t beat up on Exxon’ …Greenidge cautions citizens

FOREIGN Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge has warned citizens against “beating up” on US oil company, ExxonMobil owing to its past experiences in other countries. He said it was the responsibility of the administration to ensure that the company pays its share of the contract.

Speaking during an outreach to Region Six on Sunday, Minister Greenidge noted that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure monies collected from companies, including oil companies, is spent to develop its people.

“It is our job to ensure that our Inland Revenue department is competently manned so as to analyse their books and impose the taxes they are supposed to pay. You can’t start up by beating up the company when in fact the company hasn’t been due to pay taxes and refused to pay taxes.” Greenidge said “what that should do is to put you on caution, on alert not to cause you to cuss them up,” Minister Greenidge said.

He cautioned residents not to “believe these jokers that will have you cuss out a company that has found oil and develop that oil”. ExxonMobil in partnership with CNOOC Nexen and Hess Corporation put Guyana on the map with its discovery of oil in 2015.

Currently, the company is developing the Liza Field located in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana for oil production in 2020.

The Stabroek block is now estimated to contain between 2.25 - 2.75 billion oil-equivalent barrels. Other oil companies have expressed interest in oil exploration offshore Guyana since Exxon’s de-risking of the Guyana offshore basin. The government is currently establishing policies and legislation to effectively govern the oil and gas industry. In its commitment to accountability and transparency in the industry, the government has joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and has recently committed to making its contract with Exxon public.

other countries to ensure the SG honours his obligations which is “he must refer the matter to the court at the end of 2017, unless there is significant progress in resolving the matter”.

Guyana has maintained that Venezuela’s claim on the nullity of the Award is a legal matter that must be resolved in the court. In 1962, Venezuela refused to recognise the 1899 Arbitral Award saying it was null and void. “If they are saying a decision is null and void it is only a law court that can decide on the meaning of nullity…not whether Venezuela should get a piece more land,” Minister Greenidge said.

The 1966 Geneva Agreement identified the UN SG to resolve the matter using a menu of measures under Article 33 of the

of Guyana’s maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The identification of the boundary marker by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) is an annual exercise. “It is important to maintain the markers because you don’t want people moving them and shifting them into Guyana, so that Venezuela can claim even more territory that is currently the case,” Minister Greenidge said. The Minster stressed that it is important for all Guyanese to take an interest in the resolution of this controversy. “Between the two neighbours (Venezuela and Suriname) if they get their wishes there will be no Guyana and you must understand

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge addressing residents of Berbice

BOUNDARY MARKER Meanwhile, Greenidge also told residents that the recent exercise to identify the markers demarcating the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela is important, as Guyana gears up to litigate the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award. Greenidge who is also Second Vice President explained that Guyana is awaiting the final decision from the United Nations Secretary-General, now that another year of the Good Offices Process is winding down.

The SG’s Personal Representative, Norwegian Diplomat, Dag Nylander, is to submit his report on the meetings he facilitated between the two countries to the SG. The engagements between the UN representative and the South American neighbours were concluded in November. According to Minister Greenidge, there have only been three meetings between the two countries in October since Nylander’s appointment earlier this year. Minister Greenidge said Guyana has intensified its bilateral activism with

Residents pay rapt attention during Minister Carl Greenidge’s presentation

UN agreement. “We call on the Secretary-General to look at his mandate and to refer the matter to the highest court in the world, the ICJ,” the Minister said. The more than 50-year-old controversy has since grown to include Venezuela’s claims to twothirds of Guyana, Essequibo, and almost all

that,” Minister Greenidge said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to intensify its sensitisation of Guyanese on the Guyana Venezuela controversy. The outreach is to supplement booklets that were created to educate Guyanese on the matter. (DPI)

Guyanese to get Queen’s young leaders award

GUYANESE Marva Langevine has been chosen as one of the final Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners in recognition of the lead she is taking in her community to change lives.

The prestigious Awards programme, now in its fourth and final year, celebrates exceptional young people aged 18 to 29 from across the Commonwealth and the work they are undertaking to improve lives across a diverse range of issues, from supporting people living with mental health problems, helping children to receive a quality education, to promoting gender equality.

Langevine will now join the Queen’s Young Leaders network of 240 Award winners, a unique community of influential change-makers, who represent all 52 Commonwealth countries. The winners announced on Monday will receive their Award from Her Majesty The Queen at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, UK, next year.

Langevine has been chosen in recognition of the work she is doing to transform

Guyanese Marva Langevine

the lives of bereaved, sick and underprivileged children and families in her community and beyond.

Aged 24, Langevine said: “I am truly grateful that I will be receiving a Queen's Young Leaders Award. I found my purpose and I received the courage to give hope to those who need it. What started as icecream dates and hugs for two toddlers after their mother died, has grown into an organisation dedicated to supporting bereaved children as they cope, grow and succeed. I am eager to learn and be actively involved in everything this prestigious Award and programme entails.”

Dr Astrid Bonfield, CBE, Chief Executive of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, said: “In this, the final year of The Queen’s Young Leaders programme, once again we have outstanding Award winners, leading the way in transforming people’s lives for the better in every part of the Commonwealth. We congratulate them all for their remarkable achievements. Over the coming year the programme will nurture and

develop their talents, and equip them to go further in making a lasting change in their communities. I hope they find the experience to be truly life-changing and I’m delighted to welcome today’s winners to the now complete network of Queen’s Young Leaders.”

The Queen’s Young Leaders programme was established in 2014 by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust in partnership with Comic Relief, The Royal Commonwealth Society and the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, in recognition of The Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

The Queen’s Young Leaders Award winners receive bespoke training, mentoring and networking opportunities, and take part in a residential programme in the UK, to help them build on the work they are leading in their communities.

They join a now complete network of Award winners and, in tribute to Her Majesty The Queen’s lifetime of Service, will continue to connect and collaborate and change.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

The Handel Andrews Column

5

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

CHRISTMAS SONGS I LOVE

I

love the Christmas season. with its wine and song and one cannot have one without the other. Another day I’ll talk about the wine, today let’s talk song. Everyone has his/her favorite Christmas songs and favorite singers and songs. Recognizing this, I seek your tolerance as I discuss some of my favorite Christmas songs.

I will begin with the ‘The Christmas Song’, composed by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells with music by Mel and sung by the inimitable, the great, the immortal Mel Tormé: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose Yuletide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like Eskimos Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe Help to make the season bright Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight They know that Santa's on his way He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy To see if reindeer really know how to fly So I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two Although it's been said many times, many ways "Merry Christmas to you" Love and joy come to you And to you your carol too And God bless you and send you A happy New Year And God send you A happy New Year.”

I heard it sung by some of the greats — Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan; but Torme’s piano playing, and his unique voice control is the best version. Mel was a jazz singer and Chestnuts is a poignant example of the best that genre offers.

He was born Howard Melvin Tormé on September 13, 1925 in Chicago, Illinois and died June 5, 1999 in Los Angeles, California. He was a larger than life figure — drummer, pianist, composer, arranger, actor and author of five books.

Including Rudolph in my selection was easy; but deciding on which singer’s version was not easy. I love Burl Ives and Gene Autry singing this seasonal favorite.

I gave the nod to the great folk singer.

Rudolph first appeared in 1937 in a small book by Robert L. May. The song was first performed by Harry Brannon in November 1949 on a New York City Radio program.

Burl Ivanhoe Ives was born June 14, 1909 at Hunt City, Illinois, USA. and died April 14, 1995 in Anacortes, Washington, U.S. Apart from acting, his favorite pursuit was folk singing. When he turned to Rudolph, it had to become a masterpiece like Autry’s.

Whether by Autry or Ives, this song more than any other reminds me of my innocent Christmases, that are gone forever. It helps me pretend that I am, what I was in my boyhood and how I loved Christmas then. ;O Holy Night’, I love the Gigli’s version of this wonderful song; but I choose Mathis’s version; because it is closer to my heart. My uncle was a tenor for Guyana’s Police Male Voice Choir and every time I

hear this chorister sing ;O Holy Night’, I remember uncle Joseph (Jake Nurse) singing it with Saggy Jarvis’s men.

‘O Holy Night’ (French: Cantique de Noël) was composed by Placide Cappeau, a French wine merchant, in 1843 and set to music by Adolphe Adam in 1847.

The song we know is not Cappeau’s ver-

MEL TORME

To erase the stain of original sin And to end the wrath of His Father.

In 1855, John Sullivan, a Unitarian minister created his singing version based on the Frenchman’s text.

Johnny Mathis (real name John Royce Mathis) was born September 30, 1935 in Gilmer, Texas. He was an outstanding athlete at college and even tried out for the US Olympic team. Preferring a singing career, he is one of the most successful singers in popular American music.

My primary school teacher William McDonald always said, “Never say‘everyone

JOHNNY MATHIS

ness of Johnny. I say no more.

There is a warmth and serenity about Mathis’s rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ and it goes well with a glass of wine.

Another Christmas favorite of mine is not a song; but a poem, ‘Twas the night before Christmas. It might have been written in the early 19th Century by either Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston Jr. and was published December 23.

It requires no literary appreciation. It is its own best critic: 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there The children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Mom in her kerchief and I in my cap Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter Away to the window I flew with a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave a luster of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes

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(continued on page 19)

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition 2017 Guyana Chronicle New York EditionWeek-ending week ending September December 8,8,2017

Haiti to assume CARICOM chair --early next year

guyanachronicle.com

For All Publishing and Advertising in New York consult our New York Representative:

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque has held talks with President Jovenel Moise, who becomes the next chairman of the 15-member regional integration movement in February next year.

A brief statement posted on the CARICOM Website on Friday says that LaRocque met with Moise here on Thursday “to provide his usual briefing to the incoming chairman.”

Moise will replace Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell

following his six-month stint as chairman of the regional grouping under the rotation system.

Moise became head of state of the French-Speaking CARICOM country in February, after a long-running political crisis.

The 48-year-old banana exporter, who had never held political office before, was the handpicked candidate of former president, Michel Martelly.

Moise initially won the first round of voting in October 2015, but the results were subsequently annulled amid allegations of massive fraud.

But, he prevailed in the elections last November, and vowed to stimulate the economy and create more jobs on taking up office.

The CARICOM website has noted that Haiti will also host the 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in February, and representatives of the Haitian government and the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat “have started joint preparations for the meeting, which is expected to further advance a number of critical issues for the Community.”

Dennis A. Nelson

dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.com

Tel: 917-379-6590

Editorial

Ending violence against women

THIS year, the United Nations UNiTE Campaign under the overarching theme, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls.”

From November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

One type of violence, more specifically sexual violence against women in the workplace has been headlining the news lately.

The workplace should be a place where we go daily to fulfil our obligations to our employers. Implicit in this arrangement is an understanding via contract, written and unwritten, as to the other conditions of our service. Chief among these, are that we be punctual and be of personal conduct acceptable to good human relations. But there is also a corresponding obligation -- that employees, both male and female, be made to feel safe from any personal harm or injury.

That has always been the traditional meaning of a safe working environment.

Guyana is guided by some strong, progressive and gender-inclusive laws, including the Domestic Violence Act 1996 Chapter 98:01 and the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 8:03. This Act reveals that there are no specific laws which protect against sexual harassment in workplaces, which renders the need for this to be examined.

Section 8 of the Prevention of Discrimination Act Chapter 99:09 states that: “Any act of sexual harassment against an employee committed by an employer, managerial employee or co-worker, shall constitute unlawful discrimination based on sex within the meaning of section 4 of

this Act and the Sexual Offences Act 2010. lack of confidence in the legal system to of sexual abuse and violence in all forms, Section 4 further states that, “A person deliver justice promptly.” perpetrated by the those who are influential discriminates against another person if In Guyana, with its more than fair share (in management and supervisory positions) the first mentioned person makes, on any of single mothers, maintaining a job is lit- the rich and powerful. These have not been of the grounds mentioned in subsection erally a matter maintaining one’s livelihood recent, but instead have been the source of (2), any distinction, exclusion or prefer- and most females are very reluctant to report whispers in the corridors of power and influence the intent or effect of which is to cases of sexual harassment. But if the anec- ence wherever they are, with women being nullify or impair equality of opportunity dotal evidence is to be believed, then closer seen as fair game for the lascivious gluttony or treatment in any employment or oc- attention has to be paid to all places of work, of those in positions of power. cupation.” These grounds include, inter be it private or public sector organisations.

The latest to fall by way of the ME Too alia, “race, sex, religion, ethnic origin and These violations are not confined to the poor route is the famed anchor Matt Lauer of the colour…” and include all strata and ethnic groups. widely watched NBC TODAY show. This Sexual harassment is covered under the Many Guyanese men believe that sexual latest disgrace has shaken the American Prevention of Discrimination Act of 1997. overtures are harmless, but the reality is that television news system to the core.

The section is very cursory and simply it can beset both physical and emotional anThis brings sharply to the fore that states that, “‘Sexual harassment’ is defined guish to women and girls. The more serious we in Guyana can no longer sweep under as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature in the nature of the harassment, the more harm the rug, instances of sexual harassment the workplace or in connection with the will be inflicted on the victims. and sexual violence in the workplace or performance of work, which is threatened Within recent times, the issue of the in any other environment for that matter. or imposed as a condition of employment workplace and how safe it has been for fe- Sexual harassment of women and girls on the employee, or which creates a hostile male employees has come full circle, with is a serious problem and many women/ working environment for the employee.” shocking revelations dominating our inter- girls in Guyana experience it daily. It is The law thus confines the offence to national news headlines. clear that many do not understand their the workplace when in fact it can, and For the greater part of the year, there rights, much less how to deal with this does, occur in any location. Schools, for have been numerous revelations of inap- problem. Considering Guyana’s unique instance, is a source for sexual harass- propriate behaviour in all forms, ranging ethnic, social and cultural conventions, ment of female students by teachers, the from rape and sexual harassment, in the legislation to define and penalise sexual most recent case in point is the Bishops form of allegations from some famous harassment should be fully explored. It High School case which was widely re- personalities, levelled against equally should incorporate appropriate mechaported in the media. famous and powerful males. nisms for public education on the Sexual But even with the limited ambit of our These reports have emanated from fa- Offences Act 2010 and Section 8 of the law, the problem is much more widespread mous places such as Hollywood; the United Prevention of Discrimination Act Chapthan the reports indicate. In 2005 a U.S. States House of Representatives; the British ter 99:09 about what constitutes sexual State Department report on Guyana revealed House of Commons, involving a few Mem- harassment, as well as grievance-resoluthat a study conducted by the Guyana Wom- bers of Parliament, and even allegations tion measures. Sadly, the workplace as en’s Leadership Institute(GWLI) in a collab- against a former deceased prime minister; a domain of meaningful endeavours has orative effort between the Government and and the popular internationally known news become an extension of the societal jungle the UNDP, asserted that sexual harassment outlets ranging from the BBC in England; where women have continued to be violatwas a significant problem. GWLI reported ABC, NBC, CBS, AND FOX news in the ed and forced to accept sexual harassment that, “while the problem is widespread, vic- United States. as part and parcel of their employment Theto views and opinions expressed in this tims were reluctant make official reports The reality is that females inin thearticles work- obligations.

Wenewspaper say no more to this are form due to fear of the associated stigma and a place have been targets for the criminal acts of violence against women!!

Disclaimer:

those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies and

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

robertsconsulting@gmx.com * (347) 279-6668

7

The Hypocrisy Of Republican “Christian Values”

I

n recent times America and the world has been riveted by claim after claim, accusation after accusation, of White men in powerful positions allegedly guilty of sexual abuse, molestation and harassment. Alabama’s Republican Senate candidate, Roy Moore, is facing a number of these allegations that he sexually assaulted, harassed, or made sexual advances towards teenagers when he was the state’s District Attorney. Many of his fellow Republicans in the US Congress have abandoned him. But not his Christian Evangelical Base. Particularly, Alabama’s White Evangelical Protestants.

In fact, as accusations came quick and thick, poll after poll revealed that most evangelicals (71 percent) said that they would still vote for him in the upcoming December 12th elections.

And a group of Christian conservative leaders also came out in an unprecedented Press Conference praising Moore, even going so far as to make a letter public that swooned and gushed over the “Messiah Candidate” saying in part that he was a “man of integrity who has never wavered from his valiant defense of the unborn, the Ten Commandments, and the Constitution.”

This kind of White, Christian evangelical hypocrisy is now a feature of the American political establishment and discourse. And remember too, that is Alabama we’re talking about — one of the most racist and segregationist states in the union. Old habits die hard and political leopards are hard-pressed to change their ugly spots. So how do you wrap your head around the fact that a majority of “Good Christian” conservatives are willing and prepared to look past Moore’s sexual dalliances in much the same way that they condoned and supported the enslavement and lynching of Black people?

At first glance this seems to be the epitome of hypocrisy for a group of religious people hung up on so-called “Christian values” and who use the Bible as their political guidebook. How does this constituency square of support for Moore against their “family value issues” that place traditional sexual morality at the center of their political philosophy? Well, it does start with crass hypocrisy, because these people are willing to overlook the allegations of sexual misconduct against minors in their candidate while condemning others. For them Democrat Bill Clinton, a former US President is the evil adulterer, while Moore is guilty only of youthful indiscretions. For conservative Christians personal character is important but nowhere important as who will fight for their backward and reactionary causes and advance their rigid dogmatic agenda on

the key issues they care about.

Starting in the late 1980s and early 1990s, influential Christian conservative Republican leaders like Pat Robertson and Ralph Reed pushed the idea that politicians must support and protect their versions of “family values.” These values rested on and centered around the two-parent, heterosexual, Christian nuclear family.

And for these conservatives they would cast their votes only for politicians that promised to protect these values from what they see as the attacks from secularism, feminism and moral relativism. Their “moral values” included unwavering and rigid opposition to things like abortion, homosexuality, school vouchers and pornography.

For Evangelical Christians the issues that have a great impact on candidate selection are abortion (64 percent) and religious liberty (67 percent) as the economy (69 percent). 77 percent of

Republican Senate Candidate Roy Moore — Note the title of the book in his hand.

evangelicals also feel that religious freedom in the U.S. had grown worse over the past 10 years (under President Obama), and 68 percent said they agreed that “the gay and lesbian community is the most active group trying to remove Christian values from the country.” Now you know one of the reasons why Hillary Clinton could never have won the 2016 Presidential Election.

Evangelical Christians also believe that their Christian values are in-

creasingly being threatened. A poll conducted by the Baptist-affiliated LifeWay Research in September 2015 found that 71 percent of evangelicals believe religious liberty is on the decline and that 82 percent of them say Christians are facing increasing intolerance in America today. Its this sense of cultural embattlement and being under attack among evangelicals, and thus the importance of prioritizing the political issues that promote their way

(continued on page 20)

8

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

EMPHASIS ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM

SPIRIT TO INCREASE FLIGHTS TO ST. THOMAS IN FEBRUARY U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — On the heels of her visit to New York and Atlanta in November, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Beverly NicholsonDoty is reporting a planned increase in air service to the Territory following a meeting with Spirit Airlines in South Florida this week.

Commissioner NicholsonDoty, who was in Miami to meet

with airline and cruise partners, disclosed that Spirit's twice weekly service between Fort Lauderdale and St. Thomas on Wednesdays and Saturdays will increase to four flights per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays), effective February 16, 2018.

She reported that a senior Spirit executive is planning a visit to the Territory after the holidays to meet with partners and evaluate the possibility of additional increases in service.

Last week, the Commissioner traveled to the West Coast to share updates of the Territory's ongoing recovery with travel professionals and media in the Los Angeles area, where she also was one of 10 honorees in the "Women Up" category at the Ebony Power 100 Gala.

Commissioner Beverly NicholsonDoty with basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. at the Ebony Power 100 Gala.

"I am personally very honored and extremely humbled to be recognized by Ebony Magazine," said Commissioner Nicholson-Doty, who noted the distinction represented an important platform to bring awareness to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Hosting a luncheon for a

group of more than 35 attendees, including meeting and incentive travel planners, travel agents and members of the media, Commissioner NicholsonDoty provided post-hurricane updates.

"We want our travel partners to know that during our recovery, their clients can still have a very Commissioner Nicholson-Doty with Kenspecial vacation experience neth Shapiro, Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge this season, whether they West. are visiting by cruise or said. staying at a hotel or villa, and takShe shared plans that are uning advantage of the many activities and attractions, restaurants and derway to rebuild hotel properties, (continued on page 9) shops that are operational," she

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ELAINE HENRY, CTA, MCC Travel Consultant 1053 E 40th Street Tel: 718-377-2071 Brooklyn, NY 11210 Fax: 718-377-1291 email: minitravel@hotmail.com www.minervatravel.net

To Advertise in this new and exciting paper The New York Edition of the GUYANA CHRONICLE — Guyana’s National Newspaper call: 917-379-6590

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

9

Region 10 gets record $3.4B allocation …MP says keys sectors for major improvements

By Svetlana Marshal BOASTING that his Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is earmarked to receive its largest budgetary allocation in 2018–a whopping $3.4B, Audwin Rutherford told the National Assembly that the key sectors in the region are in line to benefit significantly as he debated the 2018 National Budget on Monday. But the Opposition Members of Parliament argued that the $267.1B budget proposed for 2018 fell short in addressing social issues affecting the regular man in the street.

Addressing the 65 Member National Assembly, Rutherford pointed out that the proposed allocation for the region is $280M more than 2017 with Regional Administration and Finance expected to receive $301.9, Public Infrastructure $322.5, Education Delivery $2.1B and Health Services $663.03M. In 2018, he put to the House that a $33.016M Regional Administrative Building will be constructed. He said to enable the optimal use of the region’s resources it is imperative that staff of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) work in a safe and comfortable environment. In the area of Public Infrastructure, Region 10 Parliamentarian noted that in 2018, major focus will continue to be placed on road improvement, and agriculture development.

“Some of the major road upgrades include Stanley Road, Wismar Hill Primary School Road, and Teacher’s Compound Main Access Road for a combined $68.5M. This will bring

relief to more than 5,000 residents directly and over 10,000 indirectly,” Rutherford detailed.

It was pointed too that $20.8M has been proposed for the upgrading of the drainage system at Stanley Road, Dakama Circle and Determa Street much to the benefit of over 10,000 residents.

As he turned his attention to Agriculture, Rutherford expressed the belief that region’s agriculture development, like Education and Health, should be financed separately. Currently, it is being funded by the Agriculture Ministry or under the Public Infrastructure Programme of the RDC. He argued that this is necessary to push the agriculture potential of the region particularly in Sub-Region Two (Kwakwani).

“In the meantime the region’s Agriculture will continue to benefit from programmes in the Ministry of Agriculture, Public Infrastructure, Business, Social Cohesion, Natural Resources, and Indigenous Peoples Affairs,” Rutherford told his colleagues on both sides of the House.

He said in 2018, it has been proposed that $15M be used to construct additional farm to market roads in West Watooka and the provision of revetment, erosion control structures in Mackenzie, in addition to the desilting of creeks.

Under the region’s education programme, two schools (Nursery and Primary) will be constructed in the community of Bamia at a cost of $133M in 2018. The schools, Rutherford argued will bring much needed relief to

APNU+AFC Region 10 Member of Parliament, Audwin Rutherford

residents not only in Bamia but also in Millie's Hideout and Upper Amelia’s Ward. Additionally $14.5M will be spent to purchase a bus to increase the fleet of vehicles.

In the area health, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament announced that the age-old West Demerara Regional Hospital will be rehabilitated using some $64.5M. Provisions have also been made for the health centres at Mabura Hill and Amelia’s Ward, he further pointed out, while noting that these upgrades will benefit well over 30, 000 residents.

“Further to improve Health Services in our riverine areas river ambulances will be purchased for $19.4M bringing overdue relief to over 8,000 of our citizens. A further

$15M will have to be spent for other essential supplies, inclusive of solar systems which will tremendously benefit the far flung areas and our indigenous brothers and sisters,” he told the House.

But while Rutherford believe that the 2018 National Budget will aid the provision of “the Good Life” that the APNU+AFC Government promises, the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members of Parliament argued that it lacked direction, and in doing so failed to address concerns of the masses.

PPP back bencher, Neil Kumar from the onset said he was in sympathy with the poor and working class, contending that enough provisions have not been made, particularly for the young people of the country.

Before debating the budget in its entirety, Kumar, in response to Rutherford’s presentation, contended that the health centers, schools in riverine communities, particularly those in Sub-Region Two (Berbice River) remain in deplorable conditions.

That aside, Kumar argued that the imposition of taxes by the APNU+AFC Government has brought greater hardship to the people of Guyana even as the country experiences decline in the productive sectors. His comments come at a time when the government has opted to cut back on a number of taxes including VAT on Education, and the reversing of the Tributors Tax from 20% to $10. No new taxes were included in the measures outlined in the 2018 Budget.

— WANTED — SPIRIT TO INCREASE FLIGHTS TO ST. THOMAS IN FEBRUARY ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES (from page 8)

to welcome group travel and to roll out a variety of voluntourism opportunities throughout the destination.

While in Los Angeles, the Commissioner held one-on-one media appointments with reporters from TravelAge West and the Los Angeles Times.

About the U.S. Virgin Islands For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Twitter (@USVITourism) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).

When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin

Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland.

Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

Source: United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Contacts: Keisha Nelson, Marketplace Excellence + 1 201 861-2056 keisha@marketplaceexcellence.com Alani Henneman-Todman, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism + 1 340 642-9789 ahenneman@usvitourism.vi Bevan Springer, Marketplace Excellence, 1812 Front Street, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

The New York Edition (Guyana Chronicle, Inc.) is looking for motivated sales representatives to join our team, selling print and online advertising to an established account list.

The New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle is a weekly newspaper, carrying news, views and comments from the Diaspora, Guyana and the Caribbean.

It is circulated every Friday in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, as well as on our webpage (www.guyana chronicle.com).

Do you have experience meeting and exceeding sales goals, anticipating challenges and continually seeking new customers. If you are goal-driven, we want to talk to you.

EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO: DENNIS NELSON @ dennisnelson.nychronicle@yahoo.com or call: (917) 379-6590 to schedule an interview.

10

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

PRODUCTIVITY AND TAXATION "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away."

— Matthew 25:29 force, high productivity converts to high n an article in Automation World (January 2006) entitled "Peoprofitability (in the context of the private ple are your primary assets", Jim Pinto stated as follows: "Peter sector) and high efficiency (in the context Drucker, the great management guru, died (November 2005) of the public sector) and leads to sustainpeacefully in his sleep at home on Nov. 11 at 95, eight days short of able economic growth. his 96th birthday. For over a half-century he wrote continuously on Governments engage in taxation as management and social issues. He originated the view of the cor- a primary source of the revenue required poration not just as a profit-making machine, but as a human com- to pay for the central services it is manmunity built on trust and respect for its people. He coined the term dated to provide. If there is a shortfall in “knowledge workers”. In his later years his comprehensive articles government revenue, then governments tend to increase taxation. Theoretically covered an amazingly wide spectrum of human affairs. In a 1992 this would seem to be a reasonable thing article in Harvard Business Review, Drucker observed that, while all to do. However, in practice, increased organizations say routinely that people are their greatest asset, 'Few taxation means less disposal income for practice what they preach, let alone truly believe it'." the individual who then becomes demoGod has given each of us adults in we are going to make an optimal contri- tivated and unhappy resulting in a loss of productivity. the work force 24 hours a day (at no cost bution to growth in society.

A sample of simple solutions (not at the point of delivery) and a free will for Collectively, over the total work us to use this resource well to create abundance. We can spend this 24 hour INPUT in three basic ways: (1) gainful employment (whether as an employee or an entrepreneur) where we generate productive OUTPUT to create wealth in our community; (2) sleep (since we are human beings and not machines) where we continually recharge our batteries to prepare us for the next day; and (3) personal time (education, recreation, nutrition, exercise, relationships, peace of mind and community service) where we feed mind, body and soul and exhibit appreciation for our fellow man.

Productivity is the rate of OUTPUT per unit of INPUT. To a large extent, we individuals in a free society can determine the INPUT (the portion of the 24 hours which we allocate to gainful employment) as human resources. We need to be concerned about maximizing the OUTPUT for a given level of INPUT, i.e. we need to continually increase our productivity level, for fair compensation, if

I

Dr. Basil Springer’s Column

necessarily easy to implement) are to: (1) incentivize the private sector to grow the economy, with government providing the enabling environment, in this way more taxes will be due at the same tax rate; and (2) reduce government expenses beginning with a usually oversized and inefficient civil service — in this way the government expenses will be reduced.

Let us invest some time in aggressively and diligently focusing on the twin concepts of productivity and taxation to arrive at an optimal combination which would maximize the rate of economic growth.

(Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a Change-Engine Consultant. His email address is basilgf57@gmail .com. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com and on www.facebook.com/basilgf)

Venezuela to Launch Cryptocurrency to Fight U.S. Sanctions

V

enezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his government will launch a cryptocurrency (digital currency) to circumvent what he called a financial 'blockade'' by the U.S. government.

The new currency will be called the "petro," the leftist leader said in his TV address Sunday, and will be backed by the socialist-run, OPEC nation's oil, gold and mineral reserves.

That will allow Venezuela to advance toward new forms of international financing for its economic and social development, Maduro said.

'That Venezuela is going to implement a new cryptocurrency system from the oil reserves, Venezuela will create a cryptocurrency, the petro-currency, the petro, to advance in monetary sovereignty, to make their financial transactions, to overcome the financial blockade. This will allow us to move towards new forms of international financing for the economic and social development of the country. And it will be done with a cryptocurrency issue backed by reserves of Venezuelan riches of gold, oil, gas and diamond.'

Maduro did not give any details what the new currency's value will be, how it will work or when it will be launched.

The government also announced the creation of a 'blockchain observatory' software platform for buying and selling virtual currency.

Opposition leaders objected to Maduro's announcement, which they said needed congressional approval. Some questioned whether the digital currency would even be introduced in the midst of turmoil.

Venezuela's traditional currency, the bolivar, has significantly declined in recent weeks as U.S. sanctions make it harder for the country to stay current on its foreign debt.

(VOA) (Caribbeannews.net)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

11

Ease The Tension — Enjoy A Laugh RICH COCONUT BUNS

Ingredients: 8 ozs. margarine 8 ozs, sugar 3 eggs 12 ozs. flour 2 level tsps. baking powder 1 ⁄2 large peeled coconut (grated) 1 ⁄2 tsp. almond essenge

soft dropping consistency.

5. Put into queen cake tins and bake in a hot oven 4250F for 2030 minutes

Method: 1. Cream margarine and sugar 2. Beat in eggs singly, with essence.

3. Cut in flour and baking powder.

4. Add grated coconut. Mix to a

A 75-year-old man made the trip back to his old college to take one last look around campus before he settled in to retired life.

As he got to the student quad he saw a young man studying hard, bringing back memories. He sat on the bench beside the lad, but was surprised when the kid started spouting off at him.

“Your generation will never understand my generation,” the kid lectured. “You grew up in a different world. In fact, your world is almost primitive compared to mine,” the student said.

“Is that right?” the elder man said.

“The young people of today grow up with television, jet planes, space travel, microwaves. I can carry a dozen books on a tiny chip in my pocket organizer. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing, and,” he paused to take swig from his water bottle.

The senior took advantage of the break

DON’T MESS WITH SENIORS

IT’S A FACT

by JAMES SYDNEY

RUBBER – AND THE BIG STEAL BY THE BRITISH

T

he famous chemist Joseph Priestley (discoverer of oxygen), was the one who gave rubber its name, when he realized around the year 1770 that the substance could erase or “rub out” pencil marks. Europeans did not know then all the things that rubber could do.

Shortly after, they were able to do more with rubber, such as waterproofing fabrics, and making elastic bands, solid playthings and ornaments. In those early days, such items were made by cutting up pieces of rubber imported from Brazil.

It was clear however that rubber held great promise and that scientific work needed to be done to refine it. Crude rubber also had an unattractive smell, and was tacky and perishable. It was hard in cold temperatures and soft when it was warm.

This substance, new to Europeans, was a familiar one to the ancient Incas and the Mayans of Central and South America.

Before Columbus came to the so-called New World, the Amerindians were already using rubber from the Hevea brasiliensis

fires.

A Spanish subject who was with Columbus on his second voyage to the New World, wrote a report in which he told of natives playing a game with a ball made from “the gum of a tree.”

In 1520, Emperor Montezuma entertained Cortes and his soldiers in Mexico City with a game played with rubber balls.

Spanish and Portuguese writers began mentioning rubber but the interest of Europeans was not really excited until reports about it were made to the French Academy of Sciences by Charles de la Condamine and Harvesting latex from the rubber tree.

François Fresneau in the 18th Century. tree. They had been making rubber balls A 1736 report by La Condamine was with it and using it for containers and shoes accompanied by samples of rubber from an and for waterproofing fabrics. expedition to South America. He described Rubber is a sticky elastic solid obhow the natives made shoes, battle shields tained from a milky liquid in plants known and bottles from the rubber and how it was as latex. The latex appears in the bark, used to waterproof clothing. roots, stem, branches, leaves and fruit of Once rubber was introduced to Europe certain plants and trees. Amerindians obtained latex from the inner bark by tapping and they saw its possibilities, they set about it. They then coagulated it by smoking over finding a solvent so that they could suitably

and said, “You’re right, son. We didn’t have those things when we were young — so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little upstart, what are you doing for the next generation?”

Ah, seniors: they may be slow, but they’re thorough!

When I take a long time, I am slow.

WHEN MY BOSS TAKES A LONG TIME, HE IS THOROUGH. When I don’t do it, I am lazy. WHEN MY BOSS DOESN’T DO IT, HE’S TOO BUSY. When I do it without being told, I’m trying to be smart. WHEN MY BOSS DOES THE SAME, THAT IS INITIATIVE. When I please my boss, that’s brownnosing. WHEN MY BOSS PLEASES HIS BOSS, THAT’S CO-OPERATING. When I do good, my boss never remembers. WHEN I DO WRONG, HE NEVER FORGETS.

BOSSES VERSUS WORKERS

change its form. When workable solvents were found, rubber became increasingly important.

Numerous developments made rubber both useful and popular. Included among them were a practical process for waterproofing fabrics found by Charles Macintosh, and the discovery of vulcanization by Charles Goodyear, which revolutionized the rubber industry. The use of rubber for electrical insulation and the invention of the pneumatic tire extended the demand for rubber.

During the 19th century, nearly all crude rubber came out of the jungles of Brazil and rubber suppliers could not meet commercial demands. The British therefore sought a way to break the Brazilian monopoly. They decided to establish rubber plantations in their colonial territories in tropical Asia.

To do this, they had seeds of the rubber plant smuggled out of Brazil in 1876, propagated by botanists in Kew Gardens in England, and transferred to botanical gardens in Ceylon and Singapore. They were then introduced to Malaysia, Sumatra and West Java plantation-style.

This was the beginning the enormous East Asian rubber industry – a system of carefully cultivated and managed plantations that diminished the relative importance of rubber from Brazil.

Today rubber in both its natural and synthetic forms is everywhere.

Thousands of products made of rubber are used at work, at home, at school and at play. Cars, trains and aircraft rely on them. There is hardly any aspect of life that is not affected by rubber.

12

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

THE ALLIED ORGANIZATION OF GUYANA & USA 52nd Anniversary Celebration and XMAS Musical Luncheon honoring DR. MARGUERITE C. THOMPSON (President)

T

he event was held on Saturday December 2, 2017 at The New Life Tabernacle, Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn.

Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Leyland Hazlewood.

After the invocation by Rev. Dr. William Smart, the National Anthems of Guyana and the United States were sung by Mrs. Patrine Simon and Ms. Misha Josiah.

Mr. Claudius Agrippa performed a violin solo.

This was followed by a very impressive dance by a youth dance group.

Rev. Dr. William Smart, Dr. Castro, Rev. Snart-Sears and Mrs. Fraser-Barrington made presentations. Each praised Dr. Thompson for her pioneering work in education and her unselfish community work.

Mrs. Sandra Chapman gave the Dr. Thompson a citation from the Hon. Eric Adams, Brooklyn’s Borough President.

Then it was time for the musical presentations. Attendees got the very best of Guyanese musical talent. Performers were Professor Keith Proctor on the organ, the Dalghetty Trio, who performed traditional and contemporary Guyanese folk songs to the delight of the crowd

Dr. Marguerite with citation surrounded by well-wishers.

A section of the attendees enjoying one of the performances. (all pictures by Alison Lovell)

and they all sang along with the talented trio, Master drummer Menes de Griot delighted the audience in his own special way with verse and drumming in the African tradition and Mr. Calvin Booker gave a brilliant tap dance session to African drum selections.

After a very delightful afternoon of delectable food and entertainment from both young and adult performers. Rev. Helen John, pastor of New Life Tabernacle, gave the closing prayer.

Below are some pictures from the tribute to Dr. Marguerite Thompson, a stalwart in the Brooklyn and New York communities, who has after a long and arduous career decided to call it quits.

The young dancers performing to the delight of the attendees.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

13

The Caribbean American Social Workers’ Association (CASWA) is very active in New York

T

he Caribbean American Social Workers’ Association (CASWA) has been in existence for the past 14 years. Two Caribbean social workers’ stalwarts, Elaine Reid, from Jamaica, and Ismay Griffith from Guyana founded this not-for-profit organization. They are both licensed clinical social workers. Currently, Professor Reid is a faculty member of CUNY/Medgar Evers College, and Ms. Griffith is a Family Team Conference Facilitator at New York City, Administration of Children Services and an adjunct instructor at SUNY/Empire State College. In 2003, these two visionaries came together and saw the need for such an organization — to specifically cater to mental and medical health of Caribbean immigrants, and individuals of Caribbean ancestry.

CASWA’s mission includes the promotion of professional advancement of Caribbean-American social workers and other social service providers who address the needs of the Caribbean-American and other Diaspora communities.

In July 2017, CASWA held its elections and the former president, a licensed master social worker, Ms. Elsa Kum, who served for two terms, turned the leadership over to newly elected Mr. Shaun Henry and Ms. Genevieve Alleyne, President and Vice- president, respectively.

Mr. Henry, a licensed clinical social worker serves veterans at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs — Veterans Health Administration, and Ms. Alleyne, who holds two Masters degrees: one in Finance and the other in Public Administration/Health Care Administra-

by Staff Reporter

tion, works with ‘Little Flower Children’ and ‘Family Services of New York’ as a supervisor of Health Care Management.

Ms. Alleyne also served as the Secretary during Ms. Kum’s tenure as President.

Other board members are: Ms. Cheryl-Ann Clarke, Treasurer; and Mr. Freddy Thelisma, the Secretary. It should be noted that there are other committee members who support the executive board. This new executive committee works closely with the Advisory Board comprising: Dr. Lear Matthews, Dr. Beverly Lyons, Dr. Christiana Best, Dr. Karenza Alexis, Attorney, Joan Foy, and Mr. Aubrey Featherstone. Together, the Executive and Advisory boards, along with the committee members have exciting plans for the upcoming 15th anniversary in 2018.

CASWA is a partner in the Caribbean-American community. Every year, CASWA engages the public at forums inclusive of Cancer Awareness, Hypertension, Obesity, HIV/AIDS, Child Abuse/Neglect, Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Community Health Fairs, and Back to School Backpack Giveaways, to list a few. There are also two annual fundraising events, namely, Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration in June and an Annual Breakfast in December.

On Saturday, December 2, this year’s Annual Breakfast was held at St.

Marks United Methodist Church’s auditorium in the Flatbush area. Approximately 225 individuals attended this event, and they were treated to a variety of Caribbean meals that really tantalized their appetites. In addition to feasting on Caribbean foods, attendees were treated to an update of the organization by President Henry, who is also a board memberat-large of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), a member of the Committee on Race Diversity & Intersectionality (CRDI), and the New Jersey lead for the Association of VA Social Workers (AVASW). President Henry shared the accomplishments CASWA along with his vision and plans for the future. Additionally, a spiritual uplifting experience was offered by this year’s keynote speaker, Reverend Dr. Michael Johnson, who currently serves as the pastor for the John Hus Moravian Church in Brooklyn. Rev. Dr. Johnson’s keynote speech was quite moving, especially when he mentioned that we are all social workers in some way. Also, on the program was the songstress, Ms. Jasmine James, who rendered a Christmas song, reminding us about the season of giving.

Her voice was not only soothing, but also powerful. What a voice! A must-mention is the signature item of this annual event, The Fashion Show. Every year, “home-grown models” are selected from the audience to showcase the designer’s fashions. This year’s featured designer was Marva Whaul of ‘Marvelous Fun Fashions’. Ms. Whaul specializes in fabric painting, tie-dyes, casual and evening attire. The attendees were treated to a fashion display by six fun-loving “home-grown models”.

This annual event closed with “the gift of giving”. There were raffle and door prizes. The raffle

(from left) Genevieve "Penny" Alleyne, Vice President; Cheryl-Ann Clarke, Treasurer; Elaine Reid, Founder; Elsa Kum, Former President; Shaun Henry, President and Ismay Griffith, Founder. (The photograph was taken by Malcolm Douglas Brown — Freedgy Thelisma, Secretary is missing in picture).

prizes: a tablet, Charge 2, a Fitbit (watch), and a flat-screened television were donated by the advisory board members, along with an additional donation by Ms. Jean Millington. Dr. Harrison Mitchell and Kesha Nembhard donated two door prizes of a personal spa hamper and a Mary Kay hamper, respectively. One of the three vendors, Unique Creations owned by Ms. Melisha Patterson also raffled three jewelry pieces. One of the highlights of the day was surprise addition by the Mistress of Ceremonies of the event, Dr. Rose October–Edun who added “the pink feature”. This allowed those whose favorite color is pink, to participate in a special raffle for a pink designer pocketbook. An unexpected happy and lucky young lady walked away with this prize. Dr. Beverly Lyons gave the vote of thanks.

Throughout the event, recognition was given to many individuals and organizations in attendance. Mr. Wayne Orlowitz and Ms. Stella Padnos of the

NASW were also in attendance. As always, CASWA would like to extend thanks to all those who have contributed their time, expertise, and/or monetary donations to make this event a success, and looks forward to continue serving the Caribbean-American community.

A special thank you to designer, Ms. Marva Whaul, sound technician/DJ, Mr. Leslie Stewart, photographer, Mr. Malcolm Douglas Brown, and those who transported items. The proceeds of this event will benefit CASWA’s Scholarship and Community Programming.

Please visit CASWA’s Facebook page for more information, and note, the public will be notified of when the upgraded website will be available for viewing. As we come to the end of 2017, from us to you —All the best — have a funfilled holiday season, and we wish you a successful 2018! Please stay tuned for more information about upcoming events in celebration of CASWA’s 15th anniversary in 2018.

14

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

‘Nothing unusual’ about Blanhum’s reposting --Top Cop says ACTING Top Cop David Ramnarine has said that there’s no ulterior motive in making former crime chief, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum deputy commander of ‘A’ Division.

“It is nothing unusual; Blanhum’s re-posting is also not without precedent,” he said.

“Blanhum’s performance as crime chief is nationally known, and when he was going on leave a lot of people thought he was kicked out and that was not necessarily so,” Ramnarine told the media on Tuesday when pressed about the issue.

Earlier into the conversation, he had said: “At this point in time, we have launched several initiatives for the Christmas policing arrangement, and you don’t want to chop and change.

“I must say that, for example, there is an assistant commissioner in charge of crime... For example, I know you want to get to the issue of Senior Superintendent Blanhum who is a senior officer.

“I want to add that Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus was the Commander of ‘C’ Division; he was on leave and has resumed, and is presently holding as second-in-command of Operations.”

As he went on to explain, at one point Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell had held for Commander Brutus when the latter was on leave, and that he has since asked him to continue as the Commander of ‘C’ Division until perhaps after the Christmas season is over.

But in the interest of clarity where the reassignment of Senior Superintendent Blanhum is concerned, Ramnarine, a former crime chief himself, confirmed that for now, he is out of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). And while he

David Ramnarine

Wendell Blanhum

did not indicate whether or not the transferral is permanent, he did say, somewhat cryptically, that since there’s no telling what changes next year may bring, one should brace oneself for the unexpected.

He, however, conceded when pressed that there’s no denying that Blanhum is indeed one of the more successful crime chiefs.

Asked how he felt about no longer being at the helm of CID, Ramnarine simply said that the nature of law enforcement doesn’t allow him to make such decisions.

“I am a professional, as well [as] Blanhum,” he said, “and the officers have proven that thus far. And I will leave it at that.”

According to a statement issued by the Guyana Police Force, Senior Superintendent Blanhum, who was crime chief when he went on leave, has been temporarily reassigned as Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), and is working under Assistant Commissioner of Police, Marlon Chapman who is the commander.

The statement further said that Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Williams, who was Commander of “B” Division (Berbice), will continue to act as crime chief.

Back in September, Commissioner Ramnarine was quoted as saying: “Blanhum requested to proceed on

another short period of annual vacation leave, which was approved, taking into account that it was again deserved and that he, as well as other senior officers, will have to resume duty in time for the commencement of the police’s Christmas period; a period where the intensification of operational and preventive law-enforcement strategies are paramount.”

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger had called for Blanhum to be replaced, reportedly due to poor leadership and questions surrounding his role in the successes in solving crimes under his watch.

The Paul Slowe-led CoI chided Blanhum for his failure to properly supervise the investigation, though so instructed by the acting commissioner; for allegedly lying to Ramnarine; not conducting due diligence on a report containing factual errors sent to the National Security Council (NSC); neglect of duty; and insubordination.

“Blanhum should be replaced as crime chief and reassigned in order to gain command experience,” the report recommended.

Blanhum was the first person in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to receive information in relation to the plot to assassinate the President. He received a call from the Ministry of Public Security informing him that Andriff Gillard had made the allegation on March 29 this year.

Guadeloupeans looking to do business in ‘GT’ --from as early as January

By Navendra Seoraj A DELEGATION from the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) of Guadeloupe and Martinique have journeyed to Guyana in the hope of starting a trade relationship with local businessmen.

Guadeloupe and Martinique are overseas departments of France in the Caribbean, with each having populations of less than 500,000 people. Both also have a strong East Indian presence due to their high dependency at one point on indentured labour for a once vibrant sugar industry.

While the Martiniquans are more focused on culture, and do not have an immediate interest in business relations, the Guadeloupeans, on the other hand, are ready to create a new avenue for trade.

And although both countries are mainly focused on

agriculture and tourism, they also have a huge importation bill, so the business community, particularly those from Guadeloupe, are looking to add Guyana to their list of importers.

The group’s visit here is at the invitation of the Prime Minister Mr Moses Nagamootoo, who was in Guadeloupe back in May to help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship there.

The prime minister, while in Guadeloupe, had reportedly invited persons from the island to come and explore what Guyana has to offer in terms of trade, tourism and even culture.

Asked on Saturday how he felt that the Guadeloupeans and Martiniquans did take him up on his offer, and so soon, the PM said though he was a bit taken by surprise, he couldn’t be more happy to accommodate them.

“They came at short notice; it was probably because

of the recent hurricane that hit Guadeloupe, which left them to look for supplies that they would not have gotten from the other islands,” he said, adding: “They came desperately looking for contacts that they could get for fish, coconut, sugar, rice and even fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Noting that the group has submitted a long list of items they require immediately, the PM said that one of the things they are desperately in need of is lumber.

“They did not come here to seek relief; they want to buy,” he said.

“They are basically saying that they have money, and are asking us to deliver,” he added.

According to President of GOPIO Guadeloupe, Mr Michel Narananissamy, the delegation arrived here on Tuesday to start discussions with government officials and businesspeople.

And their main objective,

Members of the delegation from the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) of Guadeloupe and Martinique (photo by Adrian Narine)

he told the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, is to engage in cultural exchange. He said that since they arrived here, they have had the opportunity to meet with farmers and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

The delegation has also had the opportunity of meeting with officials of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), during which discussions they learnt about the opportunities and avenues that they have to invest in.

“We have noticed different products, and we are right now looking to see if

the prices are competitive, so that we can start to import products from Guyana as soon as January 2018,” Narananissamy said.

Some of the key sectors they have a deep interest in, he said, are water, agriculture and tourism.

“We are hoping that the prices are competitive enough when compared to the current prices we pay to import products, because we want to start the relationship with Guyana as soon as possible,” he said.

And, given that the laws here are business-friendly, he says it is easy for them

to have a clear view of what they want to do.

The delegation, which is expected to return to their countries on Tuesday, is awaiting certain documents from Go-invest that are pertinent to their decision-making process.

One of the businessmen on the team who deals specifically with lumber, said that while Guyana has the potential to meet their demands, it needs to add some element of value to the products.

He said he is quite prepared to assist in that area, once the consultancy period is over.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

15

‘People before profits’

…Pres. Granger tells UN forum citizens must be at heart of development of natural resources

PRESIDENT David Granger has reiterated that citizens must come before any profits as the world’s natural resources are the patrimony of all humanity. He was at the time addressing the high-level event on Combating Pollution in the Extractive Industries at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Guyanese leader also used the opportunity to propose a three-pronged approach, which can help primarily small states with their fight against pollution and protection of the environment. “People, therefore, must be at the heart of the development of our natural resources. People must come before profits.

The pursuit of profits has been accompanied, over the past century, by an exponential increase in extractive industries. This expansion, however, has aggravated environmental damage, which can have a long-lasting and harmful negative impact “…on human dignity and well-being”,” the President said.

The Head of State said that pollution in the extractive industries threatens environmental security and it increases human vulnerability to human-induced environmental degradation and impacts on human security. While extractive industries have made inestimable contributions to the economies of low-income and middle-income countries, the President said that these measurable economic benefits are associated with air pollution, biodiversity loss, freshwater and oceanic contamination, greenhouse-gas emissions, land degradation and resource depletion.

“Pollution, within extractive industries, threatens human well-being and life. It can undermine production, impair human health and damage the physical environment. Envi-

ronmental security, therefore, is a cross-cutting concern with economic, political and

state’ will demonstrate how our extractive industries – bauxite, diamond and gold

President David Granger is accompanied by President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya (centre) and President Anthony Carmona of Trinidad and Tobago (right) at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Kenya (UNEA photo)

social implications. Combatting pollution in extractive industries requires a holistic response,” he said.

On this note, the Head of State said that Guyana is prepared to play its part and is pursuing a holistic approach to the exploitation of its natural resources.

“Guyana’s ‘Green State Development Strategy’ will become our blueprint for moving towards becoming a ‘green state.’

The ‘green state’ will exemplify the policy of placing people before profits. The ‘green

mining and logging – can be aligned with the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity and the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources. The ‘green state’ will become a model of environmental stewardship. It will demonstrate the signal role which a small state can play in protecting the world’s air, water and land from the threat of pollution,” he said.

President Granger reminded that Guyana cannot do it alone and requires

international cooperation, international organisation and information, education and communication. “International cooperation should be strengthened to ensure that states, particularly small states, can benefit from transfer of technologies and access to international financing to support programmes to reduce pollution. Guyana looks forward to increased international cooperation between large and small states in combatting pollution. Guyana recognises the need for an international organisation to drive greater international cooperation, collaboration and coordination to ensure a pollution-free planet and Information, education and communication must be extended through a sustained campaign aimed at raising awareness of the urgency of eliminating pollution at the level of citizen, household and community,” he said.

Guyana has already begun taking steps to reduce the level of pollution in its extractive industries. In September the Head of State travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, for the first Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Minamata Convention, where he reassured the international community that Guyana will not only reduce its use of mercury in the mining industry, but will work to eliminate the practice. The United Nations Environment Assembly is not only the highest authority on the Environment within the United Nations. It is also an ideal platform for bringing together different stakeholders: Governments, Civil Society/Major Groups, Science and the private sector to enable them to work together to tackle the shared and unprecedented challenges the world is facing.

Turn aspirations into actions’ -President urges UN Environment Assembly

PRESIDENT David Granger on Tuesday said that if the theme of this year’s United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), ‘Towards a Pollution Free Planet’ is to be achieved then world leaders must find a way to translate aspirations into actions.

The Head of State, during his address to the High Level Segment Opening of the Third Session of the UNEA, which is currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya, proposed a four pronged approach, which focuses on (1) information, education and communication, (2) cooperation, (3) international organisation and (4) legislation and regulation.

Pointing out that small states are limited in size, human resources, technology and capital, the President said that they cannot effectively eradicate pollution on their own.

Small states, therefore, he said need the support of international organisations to propel the processes of public education, international cooperation and capacity-building necessary

for ensuring people’s entitlement to a clean and healthy environment.

President Granger said that the Assembly must be cognizant of the fact that not all states are created equal and their different endowments must guide the four-pronged approach.

The first approach of his proposed four pronged plan calls for a focus on information, education and communication that extended through a sustained campaign aimed at raising awareness on the urgency of eliminating pollution at the level of citizen, household and community in all countries. “It is not to be assumed that peoples everywhere are aware of the consequences of contamination and pollution. Poverty reduces peoples’ range of choices.

Persons in remote areas might be ignorant or uninformed, leading to risk-taking or recklessness,” he said.

Secondly, the President said that cooperation should be strengthened to ensure that states, particularly small states, can benefit from the transfer of technologies and can

access international financing to support programmes to reduce pollution.

Thirdly President Granger called for an international mechanism, which drives an organised approach to building partnerships and matches small states with the resources they need to fight pollution. “The world needs an international organisation to drive cooperation, collaboration and coordination to ensure a pollution free-planet. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is that organisation. UNEP must be supported by all members of the United Nations, in fulfilling its mission,” the President said.

But more importantly, the President said that legislation and regulation to promote environmental security must be comprehensive and be backed by robust enforcement.

“Much of the pollution in the mining and forestry sectors takes place in remote areas, away from the main population centres. This isolation can conceal lawlessness. It makes it difficult, also, to enforce environmental

laws. Given the transnational potential of pollution, municipal laws must reflect the principles of environmentalism contained in international agreements and conventions. A sustained public information and education campaign, the intensification of cooperation, a strong international environmental organisation, and the robust enforcement of environmental laws form the bases for ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all of earth’s citizens,” he said.

To this end, the President said that as Guyana embarks on its journey to becoming a ‘green state,’ it recognises that “… a life of dignity and well-being” is linked to the protection of the environment.

“Guyana is setting aside an additional two million hectares of its land mass for conservation, bringing the total protected area system to 15 percent of the country’s territory.

Guyana’s ‘Constitution’ provides that: “Everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to his or her well-being.”

Conservation is a vital tool in preserving and protecting biodiversity, freshwater sources and the integrity of ecosystems. It promotes the production of environmental services which support life on earth,” he said.

The ‘green state’, he said, can become a model of environmental stewardship. He noted that it can show how small states can play a big role in protecting the world’s air, water and land from the threat of pollution. “A pollution-free planet is consistent with people’s entitlement to live in a clean and healthy environment. It promotes the environmental security of small states. That entitlement can be realised through support for an extensive information, education and communication campaign aimed at raising awareness of environmental responsibility, international cooperation, international organisation and legislation aimed at giving effect to principles of international environmental law,” President Granger said.

16

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

Qualfon to create 100 jobs for Lindeners

By16Naomi Marshall

“Things are getting better in Linden, Upper Demerara-Berbice” says Region Ten’s Chairman, Rennis Morian.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region 10 has partnered with Qualfon to create jobs for 100 residents of Linden.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Morian noted that the partnership is focusing on jobs for young people of the mining town.

“Basically this is the focus of the government that the Regional Democratic Council should engage with the employers in relation to the employment in the region,” Morian said.

Senior Site Manager of Qualfon, Plaisance, Shem Erskine stated that the idea was brought about by at least five Lindeners who moved to the city seeking jobs and are presently apart of their team. He further noted that their team met

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017 tween us and the commu-

Members of the Head table (from right: Alana Mitchel Recruitment Manager, Senior Site Manager Shem Erskine, Regional Chairman Rennis Morian, Councillor Denise Belgrave and Councilor Charles Sampson)

with a few community leaders and the feedback that they received has been exceptional which lead them to host a Job Fair. The Job Fair will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Lens building at 9:00hrs in the mining town. The fair will focus on hiring persons

from Linden to work for Qualfon.

At the fair, on-the-spot interviews will be conducted by Qualfon’s Marketing team. Once that is done they will be conducting an assessment in Georgetown at Qualfon on Sunday, December 3, 2017 and Monday,

December 4, 2017. Transportation will be provided.

At the final stage of the process, those that passed the assessment will be officially employed at Qualfon.

Those employed will be based in Georgetown, however, their transportation cost to and from work will

be funded by Qualfon.

Those interested must be 17-years-old and over; must have completed secondary school and are asked to walk with any form of valid identification proof and qualifications if any.

“This is going to be an ongoing relationship be-

nity. Whenever there are jobs available we’re going to reach out to those leaders within the Linden community who we formed a partnership with,” highlighted Erskine.

Councillor Charles Sampson pointed out that there is a high level of unemployment in Linden, especially among the young people.

“I am hoping that after this programme and the subsequent interviews a lot of our young people would be employed,” stated Sampson.

He also appeals to the young people to take up the opportunity so they can get jobs and earn some money and have a good life.

According to Morian, this is the first partnership but certainly is not the last since the RDC plans to meet with another team in the near future to address the infrastructural development in Linden.

Converting agricultural waste to energy part two…

Guyana’s wood waste can produce 109,393.87 barrels of diesel

IN a growing world, where the conventional forms of energy are moving fast toward extinction as well as contributing to global concerns like the greenhouse effect and global warming, the need to innovate and employ alternative or unconventional energy sources

has become crucial for the existence of a future.

As such, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI)’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oudho Homenauth and Clairmont Clementson, both Research Scientists conducted a research aimed at compress-

ing and disposing of waste, while attempting the generation of energy from them.

The study, which was aided by Research Assistants, Lalita Gopaul and Vickram Persaud, was done early this year and titled, “Investigation of Bioenergy utilisation in Guyana, including environ-

mental and economic impacts.”

The bioenergy sources identified in Guyana are rice husk from rice production, residues from the forestry industry, biodiesel from palm oil, cogeneration of bagasse, bioethanol from the molasses and biogas from cattle

manure, sewage sludge, and erated or disposed of in the urban and suburban waste. landfill. There is currently a The conversion of rice 40 percent recovery rate of husk to energy was featured timber in Guyana coupled in this column last week, now with a build-up of sawmill we will look at the transfer of waste which leads to a solid forest residue to energy. waste issue.

Wood waste includes Operators of wood prosawmill rejects, edging, trim- cessing facilities are encourmings, veneer rejects, barks aged by the Guyana Forestry and sawdust from the logging Commission through their industry. The study found code of practice to recycle that wood residue forms a sawdust and wood shavings significant input for energy for animal bedding, waste used in gasification, combus- as fuel for the generation of tion and other systems that heat/power, production of fuel harness energy from woody briquettes and manufacture of biomass. charcoal.

While combustion releasHowever, a significant es carbon dioxide into the amount of sawmill waste ends atmosphere, gasification is a up in landfills and dumpsites cleaner method of conversion. across the country despite beIt uses high temperatures in ing advised that this practice an oxygen-deprived environ- is unacceptable. ment to convert woody bioOne major challenge mass into a gas (a mixture of faced by operators in utilisahydrogen, carbon monoxide, tion of their waste to produce and methane). energy is the high investment The gas produced by this needed to implement a gasifimethod is called synthesis gas cation system. and it is considered an enviA large sawmill operronmentally safe alternative. ator in Parika reported Guyana’s 81,974.4 tons of their attempt to source a wood waste has the potential gasification system. Howevto produce 631,202,880,000 er, the cost of a twelve year British thermal unit (BTU) of payback period caused the energy which is equivalent to project to be abandoned.

109,393.87 barrels of diesel.

Smaller sawmill operators The report noted that noted that they are not many sawmills regarded willing to invest in such wood waste as a troublesome a system since it doesn’t by-product of their operation make their small operation (continued on page resulting in it being incin-17) profitable.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

17

Entertainer Courtney Noel – “Life beyond Arrowhead”

W

ith scores of recordings in his repertoire, entertainer Courtney Noel, who, produced and directed the Music Video “Chutney Gyal!” featuring Guyanese Chutney superstar Terry Gajraj last July, which is due for a Georgetown release during the Christmas season, will begin shooting another video entitled “GT Woman,” while in Guyana.

The video will commence shooting the moment Noel disembarks the plane at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, will go on to include locations such as Linden, Plaisance, Bartica and Mazaruni, where the producer hopes to capture the By lives of women in their natural environment. He has pinpointed Aruwai Resort White H2O, on the Essequibo River, where salient elements of the video will be shot as “a Director’s dream locale”.

This production will pay tribute to Guyanese women in the fields of Arts and Culture, Business, Politics, Sports, Medicine and Peacekeeping while showcasing the legendary beauty of Guyanese women, as well as the country’s breathtaking panoramic vistas, majestic Kaieteur Falls, and stunning rainforest. With this stirring production on tap, Noel said he wants to captivate tourists, as well as entice homesick expatriates who have not visited their homeland in many years.

Tangerine Clarke

The budding movie Actor, Producer and Director, says he looks forward to partnering local businesses to realize the diverse production in Guyana.

And while Courtney is expanding his entertainment portfolio, he said it is important for his fans, who, love Arrowhead! (I love my Golden Arrowhead), to know that he deeply appreciates that they have popularized the patriotic track, but would like them to know he has also written and recorded many other songs which he hopes Deejays would play on Guyana’s airways to bring listening pleasure to his growing audience.

“Hopefully, people will eventually realize there is more to me than “Arrowhead!” (“I love my Golden Arrowhead”). I am not a “one-trick pony”, quipped, Noel, who added that he would like to thank his production crew, Darrel Pugsley (AD/Videographer/ Editor) Make-up Artiste MOA, Costume Designer Carol Fraser, and Coordinator, Shellon Smith of ‘Miracle Hands Designs’.

Noel, an award-winning Lyricist, Producer and Writer of one of Guyana’s most loved songs, “ Arrowhead! (I Love my Golden Arrowhead”) said he was very privileged to sit in on a discussion that involved the United Nations endeavoring to partner with Hollywood to showcase elements of topics like human trafficking, with actress Serinda Swan, of HBO’s show ”Ballers”, and Marvel’s “Inhumans”, adding that he was inspired by the activist’s impassioned discussion on this particular platform, and her charity — www.deedly.com.

Noel, a well-known artiste, who on November 21, attended UN World TV Day, noted he had the unique opportunity to present his CD, entitled “A Child Should Be” (a Song for the World’s Children) to Neal Weinberg who helped create CNN’s “ASPIREist” which

Courtney Noel hands over his CD to CNN creator of ASPIRist, Neal Weinberg, while MTV Networks Screen, Creative Director/Series Producer, Raeshem NiJhon, look on, after a panel discussion on human trafficking on World TV Day at the United Nations Headquarters in NYC.

features superstars such as George Clooney.

The Screen writer whose niece Ebonee Noel is heating up the TBS series “Wrecked,” as well as the Shonda Rhimes produced show “Still Star crossed” — said his song about the “plight of children in the world”, as well as the script for his first movie — “Similar Differences” — (an inter-racial Romantic Dramedy set in Guyana and the US) — were timely to programs spotlighting global issues through entertainment coordinated by MTV Networks Screen Raeshem NiJhon, Creative Director/Series Producer, and Carlos Islam of the UN Department of Public Information — who were also on the panel.

To hear some of Noel’s songs, go to www.SoundCloud COURTNEY NOEL

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

18

Emphasis on Real Estate, Taxes and Business The Edgar Henry Column

H

ow can you tell if a real estate broker or any salesperson for that matter is lying? In life we have to trust someone at least up to a certain extent. We cannot go around disbelieving every single person. It simply boils down to one question.

Who can we trust?

“TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE” This phrase is one of the countless famous quotes coined by William Shakespeare. In Act 1, Scene III of the famous play, Hamlet, Polonius says:“This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day. Thou canst not then be false to any man/Farewell,. My blessing, season this in thee!”

Let us be fair, real estate sales people may not be telling a bold-faced lie when they say they're giving you a great deal. Neither are credit card companies necessarily dishonest when they tease you with low introductory rates, then ‘jack’ them up later. We have to examine the available real estate property, get an engineer’s report for accuracy and validation to make sure you are not purchasing a lemon. Additionally, you must read the fine print on credit cards agreements and other documents.

Normally, a sales person’s presentation would on occasion have omissions, exaggerations, confusing language, a few white lies and would paint a wrong picture at times to ring in a sale and pad the bottom line. Consumers oft times fall for these gimmicks.

“Trust me; I'll take care of you.”

This is one of the most common lines used as a sales pitch, especially if you were highly recommended by someone. Sales persons tend to become overly complacent and may not deliver the type of service they would normally deliver if the customer were not recommended.

They are presenting themselves as experts guiding you through a difficult

maze of transactions and contracts, especially if you haven't done your research ahead of time and also if you are not cognizant of real estate jargon and basic terms and expressions. As a novice you're likely to take the real estate salesperson’s advice as gospel.

Buyers fall prey to one-liners and other sales strategies all the time. Salespersons have a convincing way of telling purchasers what they want to

Potential Customers: “Beware!” believe the salesperson is on their side of the bargaining table.

Your best defense is to find out as much as you can about a given piece of property, such as the condition and price before you even think about visiting the actual real estate property. The more knowledge you display, in terms of property savvy, roof, plumbing worthiness, heating and termite warranties, the less likely they are to pull tricks out of a hat.

APPLY FOR A LOW FIXEDRATE CREDIT CARD? When it comes to credit cards, there is no such thing as a fixed rate.

“Trust me; I'll take care of you.”

This is one of the most common lines used as a sales pitch, especially if you were highly recommended by someone. Sales persons tend to become overly complacent and may not deliver the type of service they would normally deliver if the customer were not recommended.

hear, as if they are doing them a favor.

Famous quotes such as "We're losing money on this deal." This is a powerful lie because it gets buyers to ease up on their negotiations. Another popular line is, "My boss will never accept this offer . . . I will try to see if I could twist his arm." These statements make buyers

Basically, credit card companies can write their own rules. Credit card issuers have the right to change their interest rates — even fixed rates — at any point as long as they send cardholders advance written notice.

If you pay late, issuers can automatically increase your rate. Sometimes it's not enough to pay your credit card bill on time. Increasingly, issuers are penalizing cardholders who are late paying other creditors. Nearly half of all issuers have what's known as a universal default policy. People may not realize it, but paying your mortgage late could also trigger a penalty rate on your credit card and they don't all disclose this in the fine print.

CALLS FOR JUST 5 CENTS PER MINUTE Long distance companies advertise rates let’s say of 5 or 7 cents a minute, but don't mention that you'll pay a monthly fee of $4 to $6 a month to get that low rate. If you're the average customer making 120 minutes

of calls a month, that fee brings your per-minute rate up to about 10 cents a minute. There is also a scam with phone card companies who advertise 10 cents a minute and fail to mention that there is a built in connection fee.

That rate goes up even more when you consider additional fees and surcharges that sounds official but aren’t really. AT&T charges let us say 99 cents for a regulatory assessment fee that covers the costs associated with interstate access charges, regulatory compliance, advocacy costs and property taxes, or in layman's terms some of the costs of doing business.

Some carriers charge long-distance customers 99 cents a month and local customers 1.4 percent of their bill.

There is also a 2.3 percent property tax surcharge. The Federal Communications Commission allows carriers to charge up to $6.50 a month for a federal subscriber line charge to help defray basic service costs.

FREE TRAVEL FOR 25,000 MILES Frequent flier programs have made it easy to accrue frequent flier miles without ever stepping on a plane.

But what airlines won't tell you is that when you try to redeem your free ticket you're competing with 40 million other frequent fliers for the same ticket. Also the accumulated mileage does not apply to peak season periods. The main problem is that we all want to go to the same place and there aren't enough upgrade seats to go around.

Unless you plan to use your miles for some of the less popular routes, you'll probably need to cash in more miles for an unrestricted award. Even then, there are fees and surcharges, including the fuel surcharge. Free really isn't free, no matter what you read or what is advertised. Hence as consumers, it is imperative that we exercise caution and institute checks and balances to avoid the tricks of the trade.

Needless to say there are still genuine salespersons around in the likes of the writer of this article. “Caveat Emptor.”

“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 Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

19

CHRISTMAS SONGS I LOVE (from page 5)

should appear But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer With a little old driver so lively and quick Well I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came And he whistled and he shouted and he called them by name "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly When they meet to an obstacle mount to the sky So up to the rooftop the coursers they flew With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing, the pawing of each

little hoof As I drew in my head and was turning around Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot A bundle of toys he had flung on his back And he looked like a peddler just op'ning his pack His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples, how merry His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry His droll little mouth was drawn up in a bow And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when laughed (ho, ho, ho, ho) like a bowl full of jelly (ho, ho, ho, ho) He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread He spoke not a word but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings and turned with a jerk And laying a finger to the side of his nose And giving a nod up the chimney he rose

BING CROSBY

He sprang to his sleigh, and to his team gave a whistle And away they all flew like the down of a thistle But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight "Merry Christmas to all and to all..goodnight Goodnight."

My favorite Christmas song is White Christmas by Bing Crosby. Its words and music were done by Irving Berlin, the great American songwriter of many classics, including Alexander’s Ragtime Band and God Bless America. He was born Israel Berlin May 11, 1888 in Tolochin, Russian Empire and died September 22, 1989 in New York, New York.

Bing Crosby’s version of the song is the world's best-selling single with estimated sales in excess of 100 million copies worldwide.

Its first public performance was by Bing Crosby, on his NBC radio show The Kraft Music Hall on Christmas Day, 1941.

Bing was born Harry Lillis Crosby Jr., on May 3, 1903 in Tacoma, Washington and died October 14, 1977 at Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain.

Next Week: A Caribbean Christmas in song.

Tillerson Says Diplomatic People in Cuba Were ‘Targeted’ T he Latest on incidents in Cuba that sickened American diplomatic personnel (all times

local): Secretary of State says the United States is convinced the incidents harming the health of U.S. Embassy workers in Cuba were 'targeted attacks.'

Tillerson is pushing back on Cuba's complaints that the U.S. hasn't shared enough information to let Cuban authorities investigate. He says the U.S. has shared

some information but that he's put two restrictions in place.

Tillerson says he won't share information that violates individuals' privacy or reveals their medical conditions. And he says he won't release information that helps the perpetrator determine how effective the attacks were.

Tillerson says he understands the Cubans don't like the actions the U.S. has taken in response. But he says the United States doesn't like having its diplomats US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

come under attack.

Doctors treating the U.S. Embassy victims of mysterious, invisible attacks in Cuba have discovered brain abnormalities as they search for clues to explain the hearing, vision, balance and memory damage, The Associated Press has learned.

It's the most specific finding to date

about physical damage, showing that whatever it was that harmed the Americans, it led to perceptible changes in their brains.

The finding is also one of several factors fueling growing skepticism that some kind of sonic weapon was involved.

Medical testing has revealed the embassy workers developed changes to the

white matter tracts that let different parts of the brain communicate, several U.S. officials said, describing a growing consensus held by university and government physicians researching the attacks. White matter acts like information highways between brain cells.

VOA —(Caribbeannews.net.net)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

20

The Hypocrisy Of Republican “Christian Values” (from page 7)

of life, is also visible in evangelicals’ attitudes toward the federal government and the Democratic Party. That’s why Roy Moore and Donald Trump are still hugely popular among this group.

They hate the federal government and describe themselves as “frustrated” (87 percent) or “angry” (63 percent) with its incursions into their daily life.

And they are highly partisan: Members of the largest evangelical denominations are overwhelmingly likely to vote for Republican candidates (Pew research & analysis 2016). They also have negative views of the Democrats.

Nearly half (47 percent) of White Evangelical Protestants reported in 2016 that the Democrats are so mis-

guided that they pose a serious threat to the United States of America.

So back to the significance of Roy Moore and how he epitomizes the most right-wing, rabid section of modernday Republicanism.

First, he’s made a career of positioning himself as an advocate for conservative Christian issues like opposition to gay rights and abortion.

He’s been removed twice from his position as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court for fist refusing to obey a federal judicial order to take down a monument to the Ten Commandments that he set up in the courthouse. Then, after he was again elected to that post, Moore ordered lower court judges to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in violation and defiance of the United States Supreme

Court’s ruling that gay couples had a constitutional right to marry.

But it does not end there. Moore has denied the existence of evolution putting him in line with 57 percent of Christian evangelicals in the United States. He’s also suggested that the 9/11 attacks may have been a punishment from God because abortion and sodomy are legal in the United States.

Moore fed red meat to the Christian Conservative Republican base by claiming that the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage was “even worse” than the 1857 decision in the Dred Scott case, which found that African-Americans were property and not citizens.

For Christian evangelicals the December 12th election is a simple choice — vote for a man who supports and sub-

scribes to their extreme, reactionary value systems that they see as emanating from God and the Bible or cast their vote for a hated Democrat who will take their guns, embrace gays and lesbians, and trample over their “good, God-given rights” and Christian family values.

For them Roy Moore could sexually abuse the Virgin Mary and that will not matter. He’ll still be electable because Christian evangelical conservatives are stuck in a time warp and long for a return to the days when Black people were White property, when fire and brimstone family values were preached every Sunday by preachers to God-fearing Christians — scant yards from a good oak tree from which hung the lifeless bodies of three Black runaway slaves.

And these people call Muslims fanatics!

China's Exports to Cuba Slump as Island's Cash Crunch Deepens HAVANA — Chinese exports to Cuba have plunged this year in the latest sign of a worsening in the Communist-run island's financial situation, which began in

business representatives attending a 2015 with the economic crisis according to Chinese customs.

Chinese exports peaked at a Havana trade fair last month, acin its top trading partner record $1.9 billion in 2015, nearly cording to news agency Xinhua.

Venezuela.

60 percent above the annual average Chinese exports to Cuba of the previous decade. They slipped slumped 29.8 percent to $1 billion slightly last year to $1.8 billion. from January through October comChina sends a broad array of pared with the same period last year, supplies to Cuba, from machinery and transportation equipment to raw materials, chemicals and food.

The Chinese commercial office in Havana said the decline was due to Cuba's payment problems. China ranked as Cuba's first trading partner in terms of goods in 2016, followed by Venezuela.

The economic crisis in Venezuela, lower revenue from commodity and related exports, the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irma and the Trump administration's tightening of business and travel restrictions have left Cuba without cash to pay some suppliers and investment partners.

Western diplomats and businessmen estimate Cuban state-run banks, which must pay suppliers, have fallen behind by anywhere from $800 million to well over a billion dollars since 2015.

"China's exports to Cuba are experiencing difficult times and the pressure continues for many businessmen due to the economic difficulties this Caribbean nation is going through," Hong Xiao, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese embassy, told Chinese

Cuba's trade in goods last year was $12.6 billion, compared with $15 billion in 2015, more than 80 percent imports.

The cash crunch and lower oil supplies from Venezuela have forced the government to slash imports and reduce the use of fuel and electricity, helping tip its economy into recession in 2016 for the first time in nearly a quarter century.

The island's economy relies on imports to fuel economic activity, so a drop in Chinese exports does not bode well.

"The fall in imports from China is a pattern more or less across the board and in part reflects the government's efforts to balance revenues and pay debts," said former Cuban central bank economist Pavel Vidal, now a professor at Universidad Javeriana Cali in Colombia.

"That means less consumer goods and supplies for the productive sector, which effects growth," said Vidal, who expects little if any growth this year despite increased government spending and foreign investment.

The government had hoped for a two percent increase in the gross domestic product after last year's contraction of 0.9 percent.

VOA (Caribbeannews.net)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

New York Chronicle Horoscope

21

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

ISSUE 78 CROSSWORD ANSWER

ARIES (Mar. 21 - April 20) Stand up and propose your ideas, and you’ll be surprised how many people will follow you. You will enjoy events that lean toward theater, art, or music this week. Purchases will be well worth it and they will last a long time. Channel your energy into decorating or household chores.Your lucky day next week will be Monday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21 - May 21) You may find that depression is causing you to feel lonely and insecure.

Take the time to close deals that have been up in the air. Entertain those who can provide you with valuable information and knowledge. Your energy will be high.Your lucky day next week will be Tuesday.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Try to get others to stand behind your good judgment. Don’t rely on others to do your work. This is a great day to mingle with people you would like to impress. Try not to argue about trivial matters. Your lucky day next week will be Monday.

CANCER (June 22 - July 22) You will learn valuable skills if you sign up for seminars this week. Entertainment could cost you more than you expect. Pamper yourself this week. Do things because you want to, not because someone else thinks you should. Your lucky day next week will be Tuesday.

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22) Try to keep your opinions to yourself. Emotional disputes will only end in sorrow. Take a long look at your present direction and consider your professional options. Accept the inevitable and continue to do your job.

Your lucky day next week will be Sunday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 23) Need some adventure in your life? Exotic destinations beckon you. Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports. You can convince others to follow suit. Be diplomatic when dealing with in-laws. Your lucky day next week will be Tuesday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) Everything is moving quickly, just the way you like it. Look into making changes to your personal papers and don’t neglect those bills that have been piling up. Be careful not to lead someone on if you truly have no interest.

You may overspend if you travel this week; however, the trip will be one to remember. Your lucky day next week will be Sunday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) If you go shopping, only take what you can afford to part with. You won’t be able to keep a secret. Depression may be likely if you’re away from home. Travel for business purposes may bring the highest returns. Your lucky day next week will be Tuesday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) Your ability to talk circles around your colleagues will help you forge ahead in the workforce. Trips should be your choice. Pleasure trips will bring you into contact with new and interesting people. In-laws or older individuals may give you a bit of a hard time this week. Your lucky day next week will be Saturday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You may want to invest in something that will grow in value. Don’t back down but don’t ignite the situation. Your ideas are right on the mark and your work commendable. You will be too quick to point your finger at your mate.Your lucky day next week will be Saturday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21- Feb. 19) Make sure that you have all the pertinent information before any reprisals or making any moves. Focus on your domestic scene. Get together with friends or relatives. Get thinking about prolonging longevity. Try not to spend too much on children or entertainment. Your lucky day next week will be Thursday.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20) You should be putting in some overtime. You will have a tendency to put on pounds. You can make progress if you deal with the right individuals.

Pleasure trips will be favorable and bring about romance.Your lucky day next week will be Thursday.

8. Garage floor residue 9. Mao___-tung 11. Billiards shot 12. Northern abode 17. Exist in the present 19.___-limits 38. Harsh 21. “Don’t ___stranger!” (2 wds.)

41. Knot again 22. Ventriloquist Bergen 42. ___ view mirror 24. Wall St. market 43. Honolulu garland 25. Stag 45. Allude (to) 26. Comic Johnson 49. Kind 27. Hollywood VIP 52. Nautical prison 28. Arrive 55. Businessman lacocca 29. Shout of contempt 56. Like Kojak 33. Calendar abbr.

57. Silent clown 36. Angered 58. Capone and Jolson 37. Oxford width 59. Singer Grant 39. Noncom, familiarly 60. Moisten 40. Three, to Luigi 61. Attention-getting hiss 44. Certain PCs 46. Big fuss DOWN 47. Snaky creatures 1. Shawl 48. Musical symbol 2. Angelic ring 49. TV schedule abbr.

3. Bellow 50. Thanksgiving tuber 4. Adriatic ___ 51. Paper thickness 5. By means of 53. ___ Grande 6. Horned vipers 54.

Evil spirit 7.___-la-la

ACROSS 1. “Because!” preceder 4. Mud bath locale 7. Young child 10. “Norma ___ (Sally Field movie) 11. Third letters 12. Spring flower 13. Everybody 14. Senior citizens’ org.

15. Strong wind 16. __ ice cap 18. Fa’s follower 20. Housecoat 23. Henry or Jane of films 27. Planned 30. Entrance area 31. Extremely 32. CIA employee (abbr.)

34. Ensemble 35. Love, Italian-style

W O R D F I N D

B I B L I C A L

AENON AZEKAH BABEL BABYLON CANAAN DAN EDEN EDOM ELATH ERECH ETAM GAZA GERAR HARAN HEBRON HERMON ISRAEL JEBUS JEAREEL KADESH

P L A C E S LUZ MIZPEH NAIN NAIOTH NAZARETH RAMAH SAMARIA SELA SHALIM SHEBAH SHIHOR SHILOH SHUR SILLA TYRE ZIDON ZIN ZION ZOAR ZUPH

ISSUE 78 WORDFIND ANSWER

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Condolence Announcement on the Passing of DR. LOWELL F. HAWTHORNE

1

IDC Mourns the Passing of Ramesh D. Kalicharran

President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill — The nation’s largest manufacturer, distributor and franchisor of Caribbean baked products and former board member of The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI)

The late RAMESH D. KALICHARRAN

T The late DR. LOWELL F. HAWTHORNE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CACCI God is our refuge and strength a very present help in the time of trouble.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely passing of CACCI Board member, founder and CEO of Golden Krust, Dr. Lowell Hawthorne on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017.

For those of us who were privileged to know Dr. Lowell Hawthorne, he was an esteemed colleague, a friend, CACCI board member who could always be counted for his presence at CACCI events including board member meetings, annual fundraisers, willing to engage in discussions on programmatic and philanthropic issues that impact on our communities and our membership.

We last saw him on October 26, 2017 at the most recent CACCI Small Business Reception, when Lowell addressed the gathering of Small Business Champions, CACCI members and guests.

On learning of Lowell’s passing CACCI President Dr. Roy Hastick, Sr. stated: “We extend our condolences to his family. Lowell was an astute entrepreneur, business leader, author, husband, father, grandfather, philanthropist, and a dear friend.” Other board members who expressed condolences on Lowell’s passing include: board chair Edmund Sadio and board members Marcia Melendez, George Hulse, Eda Harris-Hastick, Balfour Peart, Bishop Cecil Riley and Harry Forché also numerous CACCI members and supporters.

Golden Krust operates 120 Franchises in nine states and employs sixteen hundred (1600) persons, system wide. Lowell was also an author who chronicled his life in his autobiography entitled “The Baker’s Son.” May God bless his family — his wife Lorna and their four children — Monique, Omar, Daren and Haywood, numerous other relatives during this time of their bereavement, and may God grant him peace. According to the family — funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. CACCI members are invited to send condolences which will be relayed to the family to the following address:

Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CACCI) Brooklyn Navy Yard Industrial Complex, 63 Flushing Avenue, Building # 5, Unit 239, Brooklyn, NY 11205 Tel.: (718) 834-4544 - Fax: (718) 834-9774 Email: cacci1@outlook.com Visit our website: www.Caribbeantradecenter.com

he Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) joins in solidarity with organizations, institutions, agencies, and individuals in the United States of America, Guyana and other countries in mourning the passing of renowned community advocate, businessman and philanthropist Ramesh Dalchand Kalicharranj who passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New York. We express deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife Judy; children: Jagdesh, Nadesh and Romanee; grandchildren; siblings; extended family; friends and associates.

IDC statement: “Ramesh Kalicharran was an outstanding community stalwart. He was a prominent and well recognized cornerstone of the community, having pioneered several programs and events which promoted the interests of Indo-Caribbean people in New York and the Caribbean. He is widely recognized for his advocacy, philanthropy and exemplary contributions to charitable and community causes. Ramesh D. Kalicharran was an active member of IDC and recognized for his exemplary contributions to his community and the promotion of Indian culture and heritage. He was an icon among Indo-Caribbean people with a long lasting legacy of selfless service. He will be greatly missed”.

“Kali” as he was fondly called, was born on April 7, 1949 in Guyana. He was the eldest of eleven children born to Ramdayal and Mangani Kalicharran, second generation Indians of Guyana who trace their roots to the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Though of Indian origin,’ Kali’ sees himself beyond such limits as he continuously and relentlessly promoted the welfare of his Indo-Caribbean community, as well as others.

Kali has excelled in every field of endeavour since his boyhood days in Guyana when he served as an outstanding role model for our youth. He excelled academically, and in extra-curricular activities since his teenage days.

‘Kali’ emigrated to the United States in 1970. Kali and Judy were married in 1974 and they have three talented children and two grandchildren.

Kali entered the real estate business, started a driving school and then launched an innovative concept, the “Kali Bharat Yatra Tours” (KBY) for people of Indian origin to discover and re-connect with their roots in India. He was owner and president of the Kali Group Kali of Companies. Throughout it all, he contributed substantially to community and humanitarian causes.

Ramesh D. Kalicharran, was an extraordinary community leader, who led by example. In recognition of his tremendous contributions to the Guyana Diaspora, he has received several citations and awards: Asian-Indian, the IndoCaribbean, and Other Ethnic American communities in New York. Kali was a proud ambassador for Guyana in particular, and the Caribbean, in general.

A citation to Ramesh Kalicharran from former Queens Borough President, Claire Shulman best encapsulates his achievements:"As an outstanding business and civic leader of the Guyanese community in Queens, you have generously given time, talent, and resources toward the betterment of your community and the preservation of its cultural heritage. I, President Shulman, wish to express my sincere gratitude for your valuable contribution to the cultural richness and vitality of our borough".

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

2

COUNCIL MEMBER WILLIAMS HONORS Queen’s College of Guyana Alumni DIANA WRIGHT — REAL-LIFE WONDER WOMAN Association day of giving

T

he Queen’s College of NEW YORK, NY: On Thursday, (November 30) Council Guyana Alumni AssociaMember Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn), was joined tion (New York), Inc.

by Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito to honor Ms. Diana (“QCAANY”) will spread ChristWright with a proclamation during a ceremony at City mas cheer during a Day of GivHall. ing and Celebrating at Calvary’s

A beloved fifth grade public school teacher, Ms. Wright was named 'Teacher of the Year' at PS 109, Brooklyn, in 2014. The next year, her life was forever changed when she was involved in a horrific car accident, and lost her left leg above the knee.

Council Member Williams presents an official proclamation to Diana Wright, who was joined by several of her students for the ceremony

With the love and support of family, friends, clergy, and colleagues, she persisted. Diana not only regained her balance, but is as active as she was before the accident — weightlifting, rock climbing, and more.

Her message of perseverance, confidence, and strength resonated so strongly throughout the community that ‘Dove’ and acclaimed writer/producer Shonda Rimes collaborated on a short film 'Meet Diana,' that told her story to millions of viewers.

Council Member Williams presented Ms. Wright with a proclamation honoring her for 'sharing her extraordinary story and inspiring millions to persevere.' She was joined for the ceremony by her husband, Xavier Wright, and daughters Sasha and Samantha Salmon, as well as Dr. Marina Brown from her school, PS 109, and a group of her students.

Briget Rein and Paul Egan of the United Federation of Teachers also attended to honor Ms. Wright.

The proclamation reads, in part: "Ms. Wright has constantly told her students 'strength and growth come only through continuous effort in spite of the struggle.' Today, as she embodies that message, she is teaching people of all ages around the world." The City Council Chambers erupted in applause in recognition and in gratitude of the work she does and inspiration that she provides.

"This is the least that we can do for Ms. Wright, someone of her importance." said Council Member Williams as he presented the proclamation . "Her story truly is an inspiration, and many of us can only hope to provide that source of pride."

"Diana Wright lives the lessons she shares with her students — lessons in strength and courage and how to find hope and joy in adversity," said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers. "I thank the City Council for honoring Diana Wright and recognizing the impact she has on our students."

Ms. Wright thanked her family, students, school, and church family, saying "I am here today because of their encouraging words, because of their support . . . I set goals, and they support me on that vision."

(Photo Credit: Kevin Fagan)

Mission Food Pantry in Richmond Hill, where volunteers will help to distribute food to the community, at 7 a.m. on December 9.

The executive is inviting the community to share in the festive Day of Giving that will culminate with an appreciation Christmas party, to say thanks to the community that supported the organization over the past year. The event will be held at Guiding Light Cocktail Lounge in Jamaica, Queens, at 7pm.

To volunteer, please send email to nychapter@qcguyanaalumnny.org.

Karen Wharton, President of the QCAANY in a statement to New York Edition of the Guyana Chronicle, said that the upcoming Day of Giving and Celebrating further embraces the QCAANY’s role within the community.

She noted that QCAANY is collaborating with Calvary’s Mission Food Pantry and its Guyanese-American President, Tony Singh, to provide families with needed food supplies. The Association chose Calvary’s Mission Food Pantry because of Calvary’s history of providing help to the working poor within the Richmond Hill community.

“Calvary’s Mission is one of the largest food pantries in Queens, distributing over three million pounds of food each year to working families within our community,” said Karen Wharton, the President of QCAANY. “We feel compelled to aid in whatever ways we can, particularly at this time of year, and hope that the community joins us in supporting Calvary’s mission.”

Lead organizer of the Day of Giving and Celebrating, Sherrilyn McPher-

son, noted that she is excited to create more opportunities to engage the community. “Our school’s motto is Faithful and Useful Everywhere. Working with Calvary gives us the opportunity to connect with various members of our community in ways that are beneficial to all,” she said. Ms. McPherson says this type of community engagement will continue to be a vital part of QCAANY. With a focus on rehabilitating and revitalizing Queen’s College of Guyana, QCAANY held its first meeting in Brooklyn on August 21, 1991. Since then, the Association has made several pivotal contributions to the school with recent offerings centered largely on supporting the development of social and academic

by TANGERINE CLARKE

skills of students. The efforts included the annual student conferences that reach about 200 students from Queen’s College and other Georgetown schools each year; an annual summer math program to inspire students to pursue STEM careers; and donations to language immersion trips for students.

The Association also engages in activities that enhance the social and economic welfare of Queen’s College alumni, both in Guyana and overseas.

One recent event focused on promoting artists of Guyanese heritage through the Liminal Space Exhibition at the Caribbean Culture Center African Diaspora Institute in Harlem, New York.

QCAANY member, Grace Ali, curated the exhibition and, among the 12-featured artists were former Queen’s College art instructors Stanley Greaves and the late Donald Locke. The success of the exhibition has led the Association to include a creative arts component in its upcoming February 8th -9th, 2018 student conference in Guyana, with emphasis toward strengthening the creative arts program in the school.

The QCAANY 2017 executive (L-R:) Shindy Johnson (Asst Sec/Treas), Clive English (Treas), Gordon Wilson (Sec.), Karen Wharton (Pres.), Michael Jones (Vice Pres.), Sherrilyn McPherson (Org Sec.)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

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EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

3

WILLIAMS HONORS COLIN KAEPERNICK WITH CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION NEW YORK, NY: Tuesday night, at a gala hosted by The Nation Institute, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Brooklyn) presented former NFL quarterback and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick with a New York City Council proclamation, honoring him for his 'commitment to protesting the systemic oppression of and police brutality toward people of color.'

Prior to presenting the proclamation, Council Member Williams and Mr. Kaepernick discussed the movement that the quarterback sparked when first he opted to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem at NFL games. Since then, the act of protest has gained momentum, most recently when the President began a sustained campaign of attack against Kaepernick and the other athletes he

inspired to take a knee.

Council Member Williams has long been an active supporter of Kaepernick's efforts, leading a rally in support of his movement alongside a group of NYPD officers in August and leading 14 of his fellow Council Members in staging a 'kneel-in' on the steps of City Hall in September, in solidarity with the protesting athletes.

The proclamation reads in part, "Despite all criticism, Mr. Kaepernick knew he was in the right and risked everything to make a difference . . . he continues to prove that by working together, we can create the change needed to improve our society for both our current and future generations." Kaepernick also received the 2017 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship at the event.

"I don't want to have to wait 20, 30 years to celebrate Colin Kaepernick and what's done," said Council

Council Member Williams presents Colin Kaepernick with an official City Council proclamation (Photo Credit: Kevin Fagan)

Member Williams. "We had to wait decades before we could celebrate Muhammad Ali. But it's important to have the courage to know when you're in a moment, to recognize and celebrate the people who have made

that moment happen. Colin Kaepernick ignited a movement with the simple and courageous act of kneeling, and he deserves the recognition and respect that some are trying to deny him."

BP DIAZ URGES BRONX RESIDENTS TO APPLY TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY BOARD

board.

I believe that the earlier young people become engaged in community affairs and interact with government officials and agencies, the betRuben Diaz Jr. ter they will understand government and become active leaders in their Bronx Borough President communities. It is important to hear the voices of our youth when planning for our neighborhoods,” said Borough President Diaz.

John DeSio Applications are available online at http://bronxboropres.nyc Communications Director .gov/community-boards/. Applications can also be picked up at any Bronx Community Board office, or by calling the Borough President’s Community Board department at (718) 590-3913.

The deadline for submission of applications for the next round of ronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. is inviting appointments is February 9, 2018.

Bronx residents to consider joining their local Community Board. The Office of The Bronx Borough President will be accepting applications for all 12 Community Boards from city residents who reside, work or have professional or other significant interests in The Bronx.

Participation on local Community Boards can provide Bronx residents with a forum to share with their community their expertise and “The Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress talents,” stated Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “There are great have partnered to pass a new tax law that is a disaster for the peothings happening in The Bronx that involve the participation of comple of New York City. munity boards. It is important that community residents participate in “This new law eliminates local deductions and the ability to the decisions that are building and revitalizing our borough, and our deduct medical expenses, both of which will only increase the burcommunity boards are a great place to do so.” den on those who are struggling to get by.

In addition, Borough President Diaz is encouraging young people ages 16 and 17 to apply for community board membership. Presently, “A rushed, hyper-partisan tax plan that benefits the superrich there are six high school students who have been appointed by the Borat the expense of the sick is not what this city and this nation deough President to community boards, and Borough President Diaz is serve,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. working to ensure that there is a least one youth member per community

B

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ RE: Senate Passage of the Trump Tax Bill

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017

25

THE CONFLUENCE OF GREAT MINDS HOW Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr, MAHATMA GANDHI AND NELSON MANDELA INSPIRE US TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND CIVIC DUTY — by Albert Baldeo Baldeo

“L

ives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.”

—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Being unjustly plucked from family and society and being tossed in jail for bogus crimes designed to silence them were but mere stepping stones to their individual journeys to greatness for these divine titans.

When others would have been broken, they became more resolved to fight oppression and injustice, and inspired the world, making it a better place. We must forever cherish their examples of courage and purpose.

As we celebrate the holidays, and the good things of life, we must pause, and pay tribute to the true people and real icons, who made happiness and progress possible in America. The most revered in America is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His life and legacy reminds us of the universality of the message of love, peace, brotherhood and the principles of truth and justice. In a letter from Birmingham City Jail, April 1963, Dr. King taught us, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an in-

escapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

Dr. King was strongly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's doctrine on nonviolence.

Globalization of thought has existed from time immemorial. In March, 1936, Mahatma Gandhi shared, "I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and nonviolence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could."

Yet, he defined the soul of human existence.

Similarly, Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid icon and revolutionary leader who broke the shackles of the color barrier to become President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was also inspired by Gandhi’s and King’s common philosophy.

After serving 27 years of imprisonment by his oppressors, he became the country's first Black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His

We are all indebted to the inescapable fabric of sacrifice, inspiration and courage that defined the greatness of these unique men — Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Our implementation of their doctrines will ultimately define each of us as a person, and our childrens’ collective future in the USA. government focused on dismantling the tegration effort, and will continue the process legacy of apartheid by tackling institutional- of assisting our fellow human beings, our ized racism and fostering racial reconcilia- brothers and sisters. tion. He conquered the evil system of We must demystify archaic traditions of apartheid by his monumental sacrifices. caste, class and consciousness, and help our Mandela’s teachings will also live on neighbors to see us as just another person long after his death. He taught us that, “It al- passing this way but once, and if we stop to ways seems impossible until it's done . . . help a brother or sister, it must be seen as just Never, never and never again shall it be that that — humanity. If we work together, we will this beautiful land will again experience the realize our transformative collective potential. oppression of one by another . . . The greatWhen we build bridges of understandest glory in living lies not in never falling, ing with our neighbors, we need to address but in rising every time we fall . . . Difficul- the issues that suppress and divide us. We ties break some men but make others, No must applaud and promote service to our axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sin- brothers and sisters, not detract from them. ner who keeps on trying, one armed with the Service costs money, sacrifice and time. We hope that he will rise even in the end . . . And need to develop our civic consciousness, as we let our own light shine, we uncon- overcome our petty prejudices and narrow sciously give other people permission to do mindedness, and make a difference in the the same . . . I am not a saint, unless you fabric of America. Colloquially, you must rid think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on yourselves of the crab mentality, stop pulling each other down, and criticizing each other. trying.”

Uplift and progress, not stagnate and destroy.

So how does this relate to you? New The efforts of these three giants York is a microcosm of America. Our portals are graced by the entry of many different changed the course of history in their counpeople, whose blood, sweat and tears, often- tries, and indeed, the world. We must nurture times unrequited, provide the foundations for inspiration today to understand what it means growth. Its strength is its diversity, in excel- to be part of a much more diverse and chalsis. The hero who opened that door widest in lenging America, where our challenges will America is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Be grow daily to preserve the hard fought victories won against those who want to preserve grateful for that. the status quo. Just as how communities Yes, it was Dr. King who not only across America are inspired, daily, by King’s, brought together people of color, but also Mandela’s and Gandhi's approach to incluwelcomed people from around the world, sion, brotherhood, peace and nonviolence, from all races and walks of life, to follow his we must likewise take counsel. dream and work for equality and justice. The My fervent hope is that we will undercelebration of his life is a timely reminder of stand the issues and get involved to the ideals for which he stood. Not for a day, strengthen and empower ourselves, our but for the rest of our lives, if we are to truly neighborhoods, our families and communiand collectively live the American dream! ties before it is too late. Walk a few steps in To live the dreams and hopes of Dr. the imprints they left us . . . just follow the Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and path . . . it’s already marked out for you!

Nelson Mandela, communities must unite for a common cause, and unite and participate in Note: Albert Baldeo is a civil rights meaningful pursuits. activist and community advocate. As

One of the pillars of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings was to attain freedom and build unity by integrating the principles of Truth and using peaceful methods to advocate selfreliance and self-sufficiency. Our efforts to gain political inclusion have initiated the in-

President of the Baldeo Foundation and Liberty Justice Center, he has continued to fight for equal rights, dignity and inclusion in the decision making process. He can be contacted at the Baldeo Foundation: (718) 529-2300.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition week ending December 8, 2017

An honest living

Sharon Smith, the coconut vendor

By Michel Outridge IT may not be the preferred job for women but for a single parent of two, this woman sought an honest living that was available to her in order to support herself and family.

In an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine, Sharon Smith said that she never wanted to be a coconut vendor but she grasped the opportunity when it presented itself, nevertheless.

“For me, I really don’t care what people say about my profession because at the end of the day I am self-employed and it is a paying job,” Smith said.

This Herstelling,East Bank Demerara resident said she learned from watching and working with her children’s father who was a coconut vendor as well. She worked beside him for some time and one day when he left her to oversee the business as went to `run’ some errands but took some time to return, she attended to customers who came by..

Smith related that the customers wanted coconut water and she had no choice but to out her `non-skill’ to work at cutting the nuts.

She admitted that initially it is was

not an easy task, she received many cuts but after much practice she has perfected the art and today considers herself as just as good as any other coconut vendor.

Smith stated that cutting coconuts isn’t an art that is learnt overnight since it is all about being precise and knowing what you are about.

“Cutting coconuts is harder than it actually looks, the cutlass is very sharp and any slip of the blade [if] it comes in contact with your bare hands, you can get cut easily and that happened when I first started but now I can do it in relative ease,” she said.

Now, 10 years later, the 37-year-old is a "pro" at what she does. She admitted that some people look at her ‘funny’, while others are in awe of her skills with a coconut and a cutlass.

In plying her trade she has gained the respect from both women and men, some of whom would stare in sheer amazement whenever she places a coconut in her bare hands and chops it for a customer to have a cool drink of coconut water.

Smith likened the chopping coconuts in her hands as just like learning to ride a bicycle because you have to fall down

and get up to be able to have the balance to continue.

She added that some men have since admitted to her that they would not even attempt to chop up a coconut like she does because they are afraid. Other persons also ask her a lot of questions about her job.

The water coconut business is lucrative whenever there is sunshine, it isn’t a high paying job but. Smith said that she would rather work for herself than to be employed somewhere else.

Her sweet water coconuts are sourced from the Pomeroon.

“I make a small profit but it is better than nothing because I have to buy ice to place the coconuts in a large cooler for it to be cold for customers, plus I have to pay [someone] $600 per day to push my stand to and from Leopold Street,” she said.

She vends every day except Sundays, a day set aside for her family and it is a job which is right up her alley.

Smith said that she does not see herself doing any other job unless it is a very high paying one.

Michel Outridge photos saved in a folder in Graphics as Coconut vendor.

Sharon Smith vending her coconuts in downtown Georgetown.

GuySuCo CEO quitting year-end

GuySuCo CEO Errol Hanoman

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: JOHN CALLENDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (347) 564-0678 LEAR MATTHEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (718) 216-4505 DALE/ LORRAINE EDINBORO . . . . . . . (347) 701-9293 WILTON/ PAMELA GRANNUM . . . . . . (718) 735-9186 BARBARA SAMPSON . . . . . . . . . . . . (908) 403-0474 KEITH CADOGAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (917) 836-8203 INGRID ALLEYNE-GREEN . . . . . . . . . (718) 245-3970 IMELDA SARGEANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . (646) 644-8360 DESIREE BRITTON-PRYCE . . . . . . . . . (646 522-9063 PAULINE C. WEBSTER . . . . . . . . . . . . (347) 425-5053 JOYCE JERVIS-HENRY . . . . . . . . . . . (917) 693-5415

GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Errol Hanoman will be parting ways with the sugar company when his contract ends this year-end.

This is according to chairman of the corporation Dr. Clive Thomas, during a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday.

Dr Thomas explained that the CEO opted not to renew his contract with the company due to other commitments, noting that his departure has nothing to do with the issuance of redundancy letters to some 400 sugar workers.

He said Hanoman has made personal sacrifices to head the company and has now made a decision.

“In terms of persuading him to stay, I have been persuading him for the last two and [a] half years. I don’t think I could persuade

him any longer. He has made a lot of sacrifices -- personal sacrifices -- and he will be leaving by the end of the year.”

Hanoman previously served as CEO of GuySuCo under the former People’s Progressive Party administration before opting to resign in 2010, after serving just one year in the post. Then, he had cited “personal reasons” for his resignation.

At the time of his last appointment, the then government was trying to turn around the fortunes of GuySuCo and years after he rejoined the corporation, the new government is trying to do the same thing.

Hanoman had said earlier this year that the company’s board and management have the firm view that GuySuCo has for years been running down its good estates to keep the poorly performing estates afloat.

GuyanaChronicle ChronicleNew NewYork York Edition Week-ending December 8, 2017 Guyana Edition week ending December 8, 2017

27 27

Richard Pybus on shortlist to be Bangladesh coach

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ichard Pybus arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday to be interviewed for the position of Bangladesh's head coach.

He is no stranger to the role, having been in charge for a few brief months in 2012.

Pybus, who was seen sitting with BCB president Nazmul Hassan and watching the second BPL game of the day at Shere Bangla stadium, is on a shortlist of candidates the BCB is hoping to meet in the near future. ESPNcricinfo understands that former West Indies coach Phil Simmons is one among that list.

"He [Pybus] is in our shortlist," Akram Khan, the cricket operations committee chairman, said.

"We will finalise it after talking with all the [BCB] directors. We don't want to hastily make a decision, as we want to take a coach for 2-3

years. We have three or four coaches on our shortlist. We are thinking of interviewing all of them. But we will finalise it after talking to [Pybus]."

Pybus was Bangladesh's head coach from June to October 2012 before he left, rather unceremoniously, due to issues relating to his contract and interference from the BCB directors. He said at the time: "My position was undermined consistently by interference from the board, some of whom were not only obstructive, but seemed to be completely ignorant of cricket." Pybus has also served as director of cricket for the West Indies.

The Bangladesh head coach position has been vacant since Chandika Hathurusingha tendered his resignation in October. Neither the BCB nor Hathurusingha has re-

Richard Prybus (left). vealed the exact reason for the de- cricinfo's Bangladesh corresponvelopment. dent. ESPN Sports Media Ltd. (Caribbeannews.net) Mohammad Isam is ESPN-

Athletes’ support and infrastructure to be hallmark for Minister Norton in 2018 MINISTER Dr George Norton yesterday said the $520M allocated for sports in the 2018 Budget, will help to create a cohesive society, while touting athletes and infrastructural development, as well as coaches’ education and support for national sport teams.

In his over 35-minute presentation, the Minister of Social Cohesion who also holds the portfolio for Sport, spoke passionately as he highlighted the vital role of sports in today’s society, while adding how proud he is of Guyana’s achievement in sports since the change of Government in 2015.

Norton mentioned the achievement in the field of athletics alone. “Guyana now stands out as a proud nation, not only in the Caribbean but in all of South America.

“For the first time, Guyana hosted the South American Junior Under-20 Championship in June of this year and Guyana gained, for the first time, 25 medals, including 3 gold, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals but that, not being a flash in the pond, we also participated in the CARIFTA Games held in Curacao in April where with 5 athletes, we got 4 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.

“The icing on the cake was the feat of Daniel Williams from Linden, who copped a silver medal in the world U-18 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya and in the South American Senior, Winston George won a gold medal in the 400 metres.

“Only recently in the South American Youth Games in Chile, we had young rising female star, Deshanna Skeete winning gold

Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton during his presentation in the Nationa Assembly Wednesday. (Adrian Narine photo)

in the 400 metres, also from Linden and Jermaine King from Cumberland, Canje placing second in the 200 metres and Kenisha Phillips gaining silver medals in both the 100 and 200 metres,” said Norton.

In 2017, Dr Norton noted the Ministry moved to enhance a number of grounds for recreational purposes and “all of the regions have been targeted, because of the value

of sport and particularly the availability of open spaces for promoting cohesion.”

“In Region 1, the Mabaruma Settlement Ground is being upgraded, as well as the Pomona Ground in Region 2, Parika and La Retraite Stanleytown ground, to name a few. Region 6 would see work done at the Number 53, Union Ground and Gibraltar/ Fyrish ground,” Dr Norton highlighted.

Meanwhile, the Social Cohesion Minister told the National Assembly that Government is pursuing the application of a comprehensive National Sports Policy, based on consultations, as a matter of good governance, transparency and accountability.

Looking ahead, Dr Norton related that phasing into 2018 two additional synthetic tracks will be laid in Guyana, in the coastal and interior hubs of Regions 6 and 10.

The remodelling of the National Gymnasium, Norton told the ‘House’, will see the addition of two multipurpose courts to facilitate Futsal, Tennis, Basketball and Volleyball as well as the addition of bleachers.

This allocation, Norton said, would ensure that the Multipurpose facility being established in Bartica to cater for at least six disciplines (Circle Tennis, Volleyball, Football, Tennis, Cricket and Futsal) at the Bartica Community Centre ground, would be completed.

The support of athletes through the provision of grants will continue to be a permanent feature of the Guyana Government, with the budget providing G$25M being made available to assist athletes to partici-

pate in local and international tournaments.

“We plan to not only participate in the Commonwealth Games, but to participate with 23 athletes, as well as in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia with a large number of athletes. The male and female hockey teams have already qualified,” the minister said.

He further added, “We must also not forget about boxing where we gained a silver in the Commonwealth Youth Boxing Championship in Mr (Keevin) Allicock as well as winning the Caribbean Boxing Championship in 2015 and 2016.”

“Mr Speaker, the budget of the Ministry of Social Cohesion would be expended, in the areas outlined. It would enable the Ministry to make contributions to support Guyana in achieving the UNDP sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 10, which addresses Reduced Inequality, Goal 11 which gives attention to Sustainable Communities and Goal 16, which emphasises Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.”

“Summarily Mr Speaker the allocation would also position the Ministry to provide support to my Government’s vision of a Green Economy. It would allow me to continue to lead the Ministry to ensure that our country becomes a unified one, where diversities are embraced, conflicts are resolved, networks and collaboration with stakeholders strengthened, equity promoted and decision-making processes result in equal opportunities and benefits for all.”

(By Rawle Toney)

Jason Holder suspended for Hamilton Test D

ubai [UAE], December 5 (ANI): West Indies skipper Jason Holder will miss his side's second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton after being suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for yet another slow-over rate offence.

The second Test of the twomatch series between two sides will start on Saturday at Seddon Park.

Holder has been suspended for one Test and fined 60 per cent of his match fee, while his players have been fined 30 per cent of their match fees, for maintaining a slow over-rate during New Zealand's innings and 67-run victory in the opening Test in Wellington which ended on Monday.

Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the suspension on Holder after the Windies were ruled to be

three overs short of their target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 and Appendix 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and

WEST INDIES SKIPPER JASON HOLDER

Players Support Personnel, which deals with minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As Holder had previously been found guilty of a minor over-rate offence during the Jamaica Test against Pakistan in April 2017, this offence constituted his second minor over-rate offence in a Test match within a 12-month period.

The charge was laid by onfield umpires Ian Gould and Rod Tucker, third umpire Bruce Oxenford, all from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, and fourth official Wayne Knights.

(ANI) (Caribbeannews.net)

Sri Lanka set to play Test at Kensington Oval for first time in June 2018

ri Lanka will play a Test at at Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in day tour match, between May 30 the iconic Kensington Oval St. Lucia from June 23. Sri Lanka and June 1 at the Brian Lara Cricket in Barbados for the first are also scheduled to play a three- Ground in Trinidad. time during their three-match tour of West Indies in May-June 2018. Barbados will host the second Test of the series, from June 14-18, according to the fixtures announced by Cricket West Indies on Monday.

Sri Lanka's schedule in the West Indies Tour match: May 30 - June 1, Brian Lara Cricket Ground, Trinidad First Test: June 6-10, Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad Second Test: June 14-18, Kensington Oval, Barbados Third Test: June 23-27, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia The Test series will begin with the first match at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad, from June 6, while the third Test is scheduled to be held FLASHBACK: WI dismisses Sri Lankan batsman in previous encounter.

S

The tour, which had been put down in the Future Tours Programme, will be Sri Lanka's first Test tour of the West Indies in 10 years. The last time both sides played a Test series in the Caribbean — in March 2008 — the series ended in a 1-1 deadlock, but was memorable for the visitors, who won in the West Indies for the first time. Since then, Sri Lanka have travelled to the West Indies for limited-overs fixtures — the World T20 in 2010 and a tri-series featuring the two sides and India in 2013. Overall, this will be the fourth Test series between the two sides in the West Indies.

The most recent Test series between the two sides took place in Sri Lanka, in October 2015, where the hosts thrashed West Indies 2-0 to claim the Sobers-Tissera Trophy.

ESPN Sports Media Ltd. (Caribbeannews.net)