Guyana times october 20,2017

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, October 20, 2017

Issue No. 3366

President unilaterally appoints GECOM Chairman Page 2

PRICE

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Justice James Patterson

PPP to challenge illegal, unconstitutional act by President – Jagdeo

...says Granger cannot be trusted ...calls on supporters to boycott Govt

Page 3

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo (centre) along with PPP/C MPs Priya Manickchand, Anil Nandlall and Irfaan Ali during the press conference on Thursday evening

Govt increases minimum wage by $5000 Page 7

...makes ‘final offer’ for public servants’ 2017 salary increases

$80 vat included

45 years' jail for Vreed-en-Hoop granny killer

Local Govt P9 Commissioners appointed P11 Faulty electric wires blamed for La Jalousie fire

…4 homeless

Alleged sexual abuse P15

City Hall ‘cover-up’ sparks 2-man protest

Essequibo P8 man freed of “memory card” murder Makeup artist robbed by gunmen P16

Page 8

Coalition Govt divided on crime situation Page 17

…PNC dissatisfied with Ramjattan's efforts ...as Harmon expresses “satisfaction”

NA Prison escapee P17 recaptured in Suriname

2 news President unilaterally selects new GECOM Chair friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

retired Guyana-born judge who once served as the Chief Justice in Grenada will now take up the role of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), having been unilateral-

ly appointed to that post by President David Granger on Thursday evening at State House, Georgetown.

The announcement came a few hours after President Granger met with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for a brief meeting. According to the Head of State, his de-

cision to select a GECOM chairman was done in accordance with Article 161 of the Constitution.

Granger said he informed Jagdeo during their meeting that he had found the third list of nominees, submitted on August 25, 2017, unacceptable within the meaning

of the Constitution, and had also paid careful attention to the ruling of the acting Chief Justice, Madam Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

The President said he had decided to hand pick 84-yearold Justice Patterson for this position because of Patterson’s extensive ex-

Justice James Patterson taking his oath of office

perience as a former Chief Justice of Grenada. “He has long judicial service, and we feel that he is a fit and proper person. So it’s important for the reason I mentioned that we bring this to an end and continue with the business of Guyana,” he added.

Asked why retired Major General Joe Singh was not chosen, seeing he is one of the nominees on the third list submitted by the Opposition Leader; given his extensive experience in this regard, having once served as GECOM Chairman; and given that he is said to be overly qualified for the position, Granger defended his decision by stating, “I am not prepared to discuss the individual qualities of the nominees. Taken as a whole, the list was unacceptable. That’s all I need to say in accordance with the Constitution… I do believe he (Justice Patterson) brings with him years (of experience) and brings impartiality and independence.”

President Granger has claimed his search for the “fit and proper” candidate started some four to five weeks ago. He also claimed that his search was not limited to Patterson. “We searched and we tried to get somebody who is acceptable to the Guyanese public as a whole, and who confirms to the constitutional requirements,” he indicated; however, in that same breath, he also stated that none of the other persons rejected the offer.

The question that re-

mains to be answered is whether Justice Patterson, now 84 years old, is capable of handling the demands that are concomitant with the job of GECOM chair.

The President has said he is confident that Justice Patterson is up to the task.

Justice Patterson also has said he would deliver, and that his age will not become an impediment to his serving at the optimum.

“The President thinks so, and so do I. I don’t think it (age) matters. My opinion doesn’t matter, and the selector opinion matters. I have been a steward of the bar, and that is more damaging intellectually and otherwise than politics,” Justice Patterson declared. Justice Patterson also claimed that, prior to Thursday evening, he was never approached to take up the appointment.

Asked what message he would have for politicians, the new GECOM Chairman said he would encourage them to try and fight for the unity of the country. “It’s disheartening,” he opined.

Justice Patterson was admitted to the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and called to the degree of the Utter Bar on November 24, 1964, before being admitted to the local bar in 1970 while on holiday. He joined the Chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in March 1972, before taking up the position of Chief Justice of Grenada in 1987.

news

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friDAY, october 20, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, October 20 – 05:00h-07:30h and Saturday, October 21 – 05:30h-07:00h.

...says Granger cannot be trusted ...calls on supporters to boycott Govt

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, October 20 –16:45h-18:15h and Saturday, October 21 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with light cloud cover to partly cloudy skies expected in the late afternoon and evening hours.

Temperatures are expected to range between 26 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East South-easterly to East Northeasterly and Easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 04:34h and 16:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.70 metres and 2.73 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:22h and 22:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.44 metre respectively.

tuesDAY, October 17, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

DAILY MILLIONS 01 08 13 14 LUCKY 3 0 3 8 Afternoon Draw

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PPP to challenge illegal, unconstitutional act by President – Jagdeo

12 17 20

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O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has withdrawn his party’s support from any form of cooperation with Government, and has indicted that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will be calling on its support base countrywide to join in boycotting the Government.

Livid, the PPP leader made this announcement during an impromptu press engagement held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, where he said this course of action was in retaliation to President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Jagdeo reported to media operatives that he was informed by President Granger, during a five-minute meeting held two hours before the official swearing in at State House, that he had selected Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

The Opposition Leader, who appeared before the media with Members of Parliament Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand and Irfaan Ali, indicated that the PPP would be challenging what he considers an illegal and unconstitutional act by the President.

He was adamant that the PPP is prepared to run the full gamut in order to challenge the President’s action -- even leading the country down the road of a constitutional crisis with no Government in place—in order to protect the gains made since a return to democracy in Guyana.

Jagdeo told reporters that the PPP controls a number of municipalities and regional offices, and the leadership of the party will be communicating its directive of an official position of non-cooperation with the coalition APNU/AFC (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change) Government.

Meeting with the media minutes before the official swearing, Jagdeo told the local press corps, “I am duty bound to say to you and to the nation that today is one of the darkest days of our fledgling democracy.”

The former President, now General Secretary of the PPP and Opposition Leader, was adamant that at a time when Guyanese are celebrating the triumph of light over darkness — Diwali observances — the unilateral and undemocratic decisions of the President have in fact cast a dark shadow over the country.

“If we allow this act to go unchallenged, then this country will suffer serious consequences in the future,” Jagdeo opined. As a result, he told reporters, “At this point

International support

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

in time we have no choice.”

He indicated that in addition to soliciting the assistance of international bodies such as the United Nations, the party “will say to the entire support base (that) they must not cooperate with the Government on any issue...

“Right now this Government will not have our cooperation on any issue,” he declared.

Jagdeo also called on civil

thing he said…he and his minions.”

Speaking to the lack of independence of the person appointed by President Granger, the PPP leader observed that Justice Patterson is currently employed by Government as an advisor to the Attorney General.

Justice Patterson was also handpicked by the President to serve as the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry

The Opposition Leader noted that he would be approaching the international community on the matter.

“We will be engaging the international community on this matter…if you read President Carter’s book, he said when he came to Guyana, there were three tasks – a credible list, having votes counted at the place of poll and an independent, impartial Elections Commission,” the outraged Opposition Leader said. “…the President, at the beginning, knew that he was going to make a unilateral decision. But he went through this to seem democratic.”

Charade

Jagdeo called the 10-month delay in appointing a GECOM Chairperson a charade, on Granger’s part.

He said, “I believe that this was this intention at the beginning. The charade of having three lists, 18 names, was an attempt to frustrate me to the point that I would say that I am not submitting more names.

“Since he has failed to frustrate me, there has to be a time when the charade ends. He has decided to end this charade now. He has been engaged in a charade over the past 10 months.”

“I am duty bound to say to you and to the nation that today is one of the darkest days of our fledgling democracy” – Jagdeo society to lend support to the PPP in this struggle, and to see the President’s action for what it is.

The former president was firm in his conviction that the actions of the President were a calculated charade aimed at rigging the 2020 elections.

The PPP leader said that party had always harboured a grave suspicion that the President would ignore the 18 names he had submitted in order to make a unilateral appointment.

“All of our worst fears have manifested themselves,” Jagdeo declared, as he reported that the President had called him in to reject yet another list of nominees.

“When he did this, I said to him it is my view that: (1), you are acting illegally, (2) I do not share your interpretation of the Constitution, (3) I believe that you are acting in bad faith.” Affirming his position of the President acting in bad faith, Jagdeo recalled a joint position taken when Government and Opposition representatives had agreed that a high-level team would work immediately to bring resolution to the matter in the event that the third list was rejected.

“I accused the President to his face of dealing in bad faith... This is an untrustworthy President,” Jagdeo said, even as he insisted that Granger’s words “cannot be taken at face value at any-

into the Camp Street prison-break and fire.

Jagdeo told media operatives the President’s appointee fails to satisfy his own publicly declared criterion in respect to the Chairman of GECOM. The President had indicated that wide electoral knowledge should be among the requirements the Chairman of GECOM should possess.

Justice Patterson has no known knowledge in electoral matters. Jagdeo recalled, too, that the President had expressed a preference for youth, but Justice Patterson is in fact approaching 85 years of age.

“We will go into constitutional crisis… We are prepared to have the country go into a constitutional crisis if we can’t have elections on time...We are not going to cut corners in the fight for democracy and freedom in this country… We are prepared to go down the full gamut…all the way to CCJ if necessary,” he declared.

Illegal

The Opposition Leader also disclosed that Granger was informed that he was acting illegally, including in light of the acting Chief Justice’s ruling.

Impartially

Asked about Patterson’s ability to act impartially, Jagdeo said, “I will not get into Justice Patterson’s ability to act impartially now. The issue now is that the Constitution has been violated. He works for the Government currently. He works on the advisory committee for the Attorney General. He had appointed him to the CoI into the March 2016 jailbreak. Granger has handpicked him to do other things before.”

He added, “…more and more, we have to speak about the role that Granger played in rigged elections in the past, given that he admires Burnham so far. We tried to avoid issues like this in the interest of moving forward.”

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friDAY, october 20, 2017

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Morality and politics U

ltimately, even though the law in its dominant positivist version may assert morality is irrelevant in its strictures, all societies have to be grounded ultimately in moral values. Discussions about morality and politics inevitably cite Machiavelli’s realist advise to politicians, “The Prince”. Machiavelli, however, was at least dealing with actions that may be justified by the ruler, read “politician” to preserve the State, specifically for the greater good for the citizenry. It would be rather simplistic, and unfair, to claim Machiavelli proposed that “the ends justified the means.”

Ultimately Machiavelli was proposing a morality based on consequentialism: meaning that it was quite unrealistic to expect the ruler should only rely, so to speak, on the Marquis of Queensbury rules to achieve the greater good. The morality of the ruler is different than for the common man and the survival of the State for the greater good takes precedence.

Now while the founder leader of the People’s National Congress, Forbes Burnham was famously a follower of the Machiavellian code, one would be hard-pressed to envisage even him being involved with the traducing of all moral codes by City Hall in the instance of a fifteen-yearold boy being sexually violated by an employee of the City. The question, he would presumably ask is, “Where is the interest in the preservation of the city that might have justified the sordid actions committed by a series of officials?” Not so incidentally, Burnham was once Mayor of Georgetown.

What are the undisputed facts in this moral outrage?

The youth was arrested by a rank of the City Constabulary for “wandering” on August 22. Under the present law, such children would be housed at holding areas, including the Sophia Detention Centre as well as the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) on the Essequibo Coast.

After the arrest, the boy was placed on the prisoner’s bench at the Regent Street Enquiries Outpost at City Hall in the presence of a Corporal and at 23:00h, a Lance Corporal entered the outpost. Sometime after 02:20h the morning of August 23, the Corporal left and the Lance Corporal forced the boy to commit a sex act. Later that morning, the Corporal reported he heard sounds and upon investigation, saw the Lance Corporal and the teen engaged in a sex act. He filed a report on August 24 when the Town Clerk would have been informed. The Corporal and the victim both asserted the sex act was committed by the Lance Corporal.

The Protection of Children Act Section 7 (1) unambiguously states: “where a person has direct information that a child is or may be in need protective intervention, the person shall immediately report the matter to the Child Protection Agency (CPA) director, a probation officer appointed by the Public Service Commission or a Police Officer.” And that a person with this knowledge who fails to report is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $50,000.

But instead of making a report to the specified bodies, the Town Clerk and other officials sat on the report until a local newspaper reported the incident more than a month and a half later. Even then, after offering assurances that an investigation would be conducted, he did so on his own and he and the Mayor dragged the matter out in front of a Legal Affairs Committee, with the Lance Corporal remaining on duty.

Finally, a day after the Town Clerk insisted there was insufficient evidence to take action, on October 18 he fired the perpetrator of the act and also the Corporal who reported the incident. Evidently, the latter committed the cardinal error on not entering the incident in the “occurrence book”, which would presumably have galvanised the Town Clerk into action earlier.

One fails to see any overweening political gain to the City caused by the Town Clerk ignoring both the law and morality and shielding the Lance Corporal. If King is not dismissed forthwith by the Communities Minister, he must explain why.

India is in the grip of Diwali, the annual Festival of Lights – praying, lighting lamps, bursting crackers, exchanging sweets, gambling through the night, and making merry in general (Reuters/Amit Dave)

Senior administrators at M&CC should be sent home

Dear Editor, If the Georgetown city Councillors were worth their salt, they would send home all of the senior administrators that were involved in some way or the other with regard to the depraved sexual act that was committed by a City Constable on a hapless juvenile.

Starting with the official who brought this Lance Corporal back to the job and had him reemployed after he was dismissed for engaging in a similar depraved sexu-

al act should be held responsible for what happened to this latest victim.

The puerile excuse that he was not charged due to a lack of evidence and therefore should be reemployed is immoral.

The City Constabulary in employing law enforcement officers should ensure that they do not exhibit any type of mental or behavioural disorders, should be emotionally stable and capable of exercising good judgement.

Persons who display ad-

dictive behaviour patterns are not good candidates for a law enforcement career.

The administrative officer who was responsible for having this officer remain on duty since the incident occurred, hiding him at remote locations rather than having him interdicted, should be sent home. That person is in collusion with the sexual deviant.

The persons who deliberately had this investigation drag on by failing to submit reports in a timely man-

ner or at all, who refused to call in the national Police for more than two months, and the administrator who has equated the level of misconduct committed by the two Constables – one for failing to simply make a diary entry as opposed to the other far more grave act of sexually molesting a juvenile – by firing them both is just disgusting and should be fired himself.

Best regards, Sambu Jacobus

Auditor General’s office should keep GECOM on its radar

Dear Editor, The false notion of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition under the leadership of David Granger suggests an objectionable self-conviction and belief that the Guyanese electorate has affirmed him and his party an unchangeable life leadership status.

On the contrary, the electorate is now even more keenly aware of the nature of deceptiveness defining the coalition’s operations driven by the People’s National Congress (PNC). The further direct and deep-seated undermining of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Granger is the issue topical of concern to the nation.

It is not surprising that nothing much has come from the other parties making up the coalition, regarding the regular serious flouting of expected constitutional adherence. Of course, they too

have become exposed as the used puppets in the evolving process. Highlighted in this regard is level of unacceptable, stubborn and irrational indecisiveness that have not only received broad public criticisms, but also demands rejections in the strongest possible terms.

There will be significant and far reaching consequences for the nation, the longer certain key decisions are delayed and the level of indecisiveness perpetuated by the Government continues. It is clear that the Granger Administration is at serious loggerhead with the PNC to appoint members to the several constitutional service commissions.

Concurrently, the nation is being held at ‘ransom’ as David Granger blatantly refuses to appoint even the most eminent personalities recommended to him in writing.

It is of note that toward these recommendations, for-

mer President and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo, held several consultations with many influential groups and genuine members of civic society in Guyana. Most of those meetings were held at the public Parliament Building to facilitate unbiased considerations. From the thorough discussions with prominent and distinguished Guyanese, including broader citizenry representation at those meetings; the Leader of the Opposition prepared lists of balanced, well-thought-out names and forward them to President Granger for him to select a person of his choice.

Granger’s approach to the lists of nominees is certainly vicious, vindictive and certainly bent on keeping unbalanced and speculative as to what next? He has rejected persons whose integrity and standing in society, comparatively is above most of those that are in the

President’s Cabinet. Most of the nation is certainly disgusted by his isolative disregard and dismissive signal to the ethos and credence of the men and women who deliberated for hours in their own organisations, before meeting with the Leader of the Opposition towards recommending eminent Guyanese names for submittal to the President.

Without an appointed Chairman, and given GECOM’s Secretariat exposed skullduggery, there is need for urgent review given what was taking place based on the Auditor General’s findings. What is being encouraged by Granger’s defiance is akin to a maggot cultivation and rogue infestation at GECOM’s Secretariat.

Notwithstanding, with the imperative appointment of a new GECOM Chairman, several urgent undertakings must be prioritised. Among these: continued on page 5

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

An appropriate sentence M&CC and the sexual act for a bestial crime

Dear Editor, If anyone had any doubt before, it has now been made crystal clear that the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown are nothing more than rubber stamps.

On October 17, 2017, the Town Clerk dispatched two letters to two members of the City Constabulary, arbitrarily and unilaterally dismissing them for what he deemed to be ‘gross misconduct’ and for ‘dereliction of duty’.

Whether the Town Clerk, who is only the Chief Administrative Officer and not the Chief Executive Officer, possesses the legal authority or force to dismiss these two employees on his own is a different matter which should be challenged in the courts, but it is the absurdity of the Town Clerk’s actions is what this letter is addressing.

Just the day before, the Town Clerk had the 30 city fathers and mothers – all adults, sit for hours and pontificate on the issue, during which time Mayor Patricia Chase Green called on the Legal Affairs Committee to do a thorough investigation and to obtain more statements that were not earlier taken, all the while leading them to believe that they would be making the deci-

sion about the future of the Constable.

Why did the Town Clerk waste the time and energy of the members of the Legal Affairs and Security Committee, whilst he went off and was doing his own investigation, even interviewing the victim? And how come an investigation that was taking months to be undertaken could suddenly be done overnight?

Why did the Town Clerk tell the Council just a day before that absolutely nothing was proven and that the Council should not be carried away by news reports on the matter, then the following day proceeds to fire the Lance Corporal where he said in his letter that the accused had engaged in a sexual act with a juvenile?

The great Winston Churchill once said: Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong – these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history.

Sincerely, Modi Sankar

Auditor General’s office should... from page 4

* He must work to produce a new Register of Registrants * He must call urgent meetings with the Commissioners so that the work of the Secretariat is done in an accountable and transparent way * Ensure that systems are in place to halt thieving at GECOM’s Office and eradicate the illegal and bad staff immediately * Address and balance staffing matters, including revisiting the renewal of contracts for staff during this period when there is no Chairman. * Ensure that party cronies do not infiltrate the system to be favoured for strategically placed positions of the institutions and that ethnic balance and professionalism are of paramount importance in staff considerations.

It is also relevant that

the Office of the Auditor General keeps GECOM under its radar. Their auditors must be thorough in undertaking the investigations and let the general public know about all skullduggery that is taken place. This is necessary since there must be changes at the election management body in recruitment of staff and prudent financial management must be practiced to alleviate suspicion of continuous corruption at that entity.

Guyanese must stand up in the face of the cultivation of maggots; for if we allow metamorphosis to take place, the resulting carnage and plague will eat away all democracy, all human rights, all law and order on a path to becoming the most destroyed civilisation in this hemisphere.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Dear Editor, However described, sex offenders, in my opinion, are outside the pale of humanity.

Take the offence of rape -- the unlawful sexual intercourse, or any other sexual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person, with or without force, by a sex organ, other body part, or foreign object, without the consent of the victim -- it is bestial in every way, for the animalistic manner in which such an offence is committed.

In many cases, the victim is scarred for life or is killed, with strangulation being the common act that is committed by these animals.

In fact, there is this view that I have long posited – that the offence is the most despicable that can ever be committed by any man or woman; and it is the same as: holding/imprisoning a woman, man or child against their will, where they are also sexually abused.

Because of their nature, sexual offences invite the most robust condemnation from the public. In the United States, released sex offenders are placed on registers, and their release dates are given to the authorities of the locales where they return.

I write this piece to express satisfaction at a recent life sentence given by a High Court Judge to a predator for abusing a three-year-old child.

Even the babes and sucklings are not spared by these sub-humans. What manner of man would want to inflict such depravity on a child!

Editor, this category of sexual violence has become cultural in this country. The Police files are filled with reports of very young children being sexually violated and abused.

Young children are now at the mercy of these twisted minds, as evidenced by the annual reports from the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). The horrible fact is that these innocents are ravished mainly by family members or very close friends of the household.

These are persons who are trusted by these innocents.

Just imagine the psychological trauma that these young children experience after such an ordeal. It begs the question: if our children cannot be safe, and feel protected in their homes and with relatives and persons placed in positions of trust, then with whom, and where else, can they be?

Our young have become an endangered category!

There is a need for the public to make it their sacred duty and responsibility to ensure children are protected against all forms of abuse.

The police and the courts are empowered under the Domestic Violence Act, as well as the Sexual Offences Act 2010 and the Children Act, to arrest, prosecute and convict perpetrators of sexual offences committed against women and children.

Child sexual abuse is a topic that persons do not wish to discuss. However, it needs to be addressed, so that necessary action is taken to prevent both the mental and psychological damage caused to victims.

This is the second time I do recall that a life sentence has been given for such an offence. Such sentences as given in this instance are indeed condign in every respect, for they befit the gravity of an act that is cruelly brutal, heartless, and without mercy. But it should create a consistency that begins with the prompt report on the part of the par-

ents/guardians, or anyone who has witnessed this most grievous sexual assault being perpetrated on victims.

And believe me, editor: this nation is filled with countless sexual predators and perpetrators, as evidenced by the daily media reports and those from the CPA, which disclosed that 424 child sexual abuse cases were reported for the first half of this year, notwithstanding that there may have been many unreported child sexual abuse cases.

This penalty signals that our system of justice is prepared to act once thorough investigation has been done and all the facts and appropriate charges are correctly made. Also, the judicial process has to be timely, for a sentence of this nature to have a prohibitive effect on those who are especially pre-disposed to commit this particular felony.

These deviants are simply beasts, and must be locked away in cages!

Sincerely, Cindy Evans

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Foundation

How can parents teach tolerance?

P

arents can teach tolerance by example — and in other ways, too. Talking together about tolerance and respect helps children learn more about the values you want them to have. Giving them opportunities to play and work with others is important as well. This lets children learn firsthand that everyone has something to contribute and to experience differences and similarities.

Things parents can do to help children learn tolerance include: Notice your own attitudes. Parents who want to help their children value diversity can be sensitive to cultural stereotypes they may have learned and make an effort to correct them.

Demonstrate an attitude of respect for others.

Remember that children

This young lady ably assists Minister Cathy Hughes in setting out some diyas during a State House activity on Diwali

are always listening. Be aware of the way you talk about people who are different from yourself. Do not make jokes that perpetuate stereotypes. Although some of these might seem like harmless fun, they can undo attitudes of tolerance and respect.

Select books, toys, music, art, and videos carefully. Keep in mind the powerful effect the media and pop culture have on shaping attitudes.

Point out and talk about unfair stereotypes that may be portrayed in media.

Answer children’ questions about differences honestly and respectfully. This teaches that it is acceptable to notice and discuss differences as long as it is done with respect.

Acknowledge and respect differences within your own family*.

Demonstrate acceptance of your children’s differing abilities, interests, and styles. Value the uniqueness of each member of your family.

Remember that tolerance does not mean tolerating unacceptable behaviour.

It means that everyone deserves to be treated with respect — and should treat others with respect as well.

Help your children feel good about themselves. Children who feel badly about themselves often treat others badly.

Children with strong self-esteem value and respect themselves and are more likely to treat others with respect, too. Help your child to feel accepted, respected, and valued.

Give children opportunities to work and play with others who are different from them. When choosing a school, day camp, or child-care facility for your child, find one with a diverse population.

Learn together about holiday and religious celebrations that are not part of your own tradition.

Honour your family’s traditions and teach them to your children — and to someone outside the family who wants to learn about the diversity you have to offer.

When parents encourage a tolerant attitude in their children, talk about their values, and model the behaviour they would like to see by treating others well, children will follow in their footsteps. (kidshealth.org)

Teaching adolescents how to evaluate the quality of online information – use these strategies to help middle and high school students identify relevance, accuracy, bias, and reliability in the content they read.

By Julie Coiro

A

n essential part of online research is the ability to critically evaluate information. This includes the ability to assess its level of accuracy, reliability, and bias. In 2012, my colleagues and I assessed 770 seventh graders in two states to study these areas, and the results definitely got our attention.

Unfortunately, over 70 per cent of the students’ responses suggested that: Middle school students are more concerned with content

relevance than with credibility They rarely attend to source features such as author, venue, or publication type to evaluate reliability and author perspective When they do refer to source features in their explanations, their judgments are often vague, superficial, and lacking in reasoned justification Other studies highlight similar shortcomings of high school and college students in these areas (see, for example, a 2016 study from Stanford).

From my perspective, the

problem is not likely to go away without intervention during regular content area instruction.

So what can you do to more explicitly teach adolescents how to evaluate the quality of online information?

Dimensions of critical evaluation First, talk with students about the multiple dimensions of critical evaluation. Students learning to make reasoned judgments about the overall quality of information on a

website benefit from clear definitions and discussion of these dimensions: Relevance: the information’s level of importance to a particular reading purpose or explicitly stated need for that information Accuracy: the extent to which information contains factual and updated details that can be verified by consulting alternative and/or primary sources Bias/Perspective: the position or slant toward which an author shapes information Reliability: the information’s level of trustworthiness based on information about the author and the publishing body After defining and discussing these dimensions, encourage students to compare these terms. They should notice that evaluating relevance and accuracy involves considering the quality of the content itself in relation to what’s important to their purpose and whether the author’s claims are supported with evidence-based factual reasoning. Judgments about perspective and reliability require an examination of details about the author (from multiple people’s viewpoints) and his or her agenda in relation to a specific affiliation.

Understanding these differences provides a concrete way to remember that any judgment should be informed by a critical examination of both relevant claims and an author’s level of expertise to make those claims.

Modelling and practice Next, make time to explicitly model how to evaluate each dimension and provide repeated opportunities for students to practise and apply these strategies to information they encounter during the research process.

Demonstration lessons can focus on how to: Verify and refute online information Investigate author credentials Detect bias and stance Negotiate multiple perspectives You might use this planning guide for designing think-aloud lessons about online reading comprehension or explore articles such as “Evaluating Sources in a ‘Post-Truth’ World.” The most productive lessons weave these strategy demonstrations into your own curriculum-based scenarios that align with important content in your lesson.(edutopia.org)

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friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt increases minimum wage by $5000 ...makes ‘final offer’ for public servants’ 2017 salary increases

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overnment has made its “final offer” for 2017 to the unionized workers in the Public Service – an increase in the minimum wage from $55,000 per month to $60,000 – an increase of $5,000 (US$25) along with staggered increases in wages and salaries, with the band of lowest paid workers being offered an eight per cent increase.

The announcement was made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during a post-Cabinet press engagement on Thursday.

He told media operatives the decision to make the final offer was taken in light of the impending presentation of the 2018 Budget by Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Staggered increases

According to Minister Harmon, Government has already communicated to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) its final offer of an eight per cent increase for public service employees earning between $55,000 and $99,999.

Public service employees earning between $100,000 and $299,999 are being offered an increase of six per cent, while workers earning between $300,000 and $500,000 are being offered a five per cent increase.

Those earning between $500,000 and $699,999 are being offered a four per cent increase, while those earning between $700,000 and $799,999 are being offered a two per cent increase.

Employees earning between $800,000 and $1 million are being offered a half per cent (0.5 per cent) increase, while those earning above $1 million have been ‘red circled’ and will have no increases.

Media operatives were told that those earning salaries above $1million would

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

have had those set ahead of 2015, but these could not be reduced.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Reginald Brotherson, on hand for the announcement by Minister Harmon, indicated to media operatives that the increases are expected to pile on an additional $3.6 billion to the national wages bill.

2016 talks over

Brotherson told reporters that the final offer made to the union was not countered, since the GPSU was still of the view that the talks over the 2016 increases were not completed.

According to Brotherson, however, all negotiations for wages and salaries for 2016 have been completed.

Minister Harmon, in making the announcement at the Ministry of the Presidency, indicated that Cabinet, after considering the report on the negotiations between Government and the GPSU along with the need for the allocations to be made available in the 2018 Budget, concurred “a final offer for wages and salaries for public servants will be conveyed to the union.”

Questioned on the sus-

tainability of the increases in light of the Finance Ministry’s public pronouncement of no new taxes, the Permanent Secretary told media operatives, “Obviously, the economists at the Ministry of Finance, when they put these numbers together, had to take into account the level of revenues and our ability to sustain any increases that are given to public servants.”

The increases, according to Brotherson, is expected to benefit some 14,000 public servants and will “cost the Government couple billion dollars well”, later clarifying $3.5 billion—retroactive to January 2017. Final Offer As it relates to the union’s position, Brotherson reported that the GPSU continues to rely on a letter inked to the GPSU by Head of State, President David Granger, in December 2016, which dealt with wages, salaries and allowances.

Brotherson contends that the only outstanding matter when it comes to the 2016 negotiations revolves around allowances, “but from the Government side, a final offer was given in 2016”.

He told media operatives the GPSU has since opted to write the Head of State for clarification on the matter, even as he reiterated that “the Government negotiating team is very clear that we have concluded 2016 negotiations.”

In regard to the announced offer, Brotherson maintained that this was Government’s final offer on the table for wages and salaries.

Questioned on whether the offer was a ‘take it or leave it’ affair, Brotherson sought to impress on members of the press corps that collective bargaining “is a process...the Government has given this offer based on what the economy can afford.”

He did indicate that the

GPSU hinted that it was not in favour of accepting the 2017 offer “because they feel that the 2016 (negotiation) is incomplete.”

The Permanent Secretary did use the occasion to point

out that the union, if dissatisfied, has available to it recourse in the Collective Bargaining Process.

“I cannot sit here and pontificate or anticipate what the union is going to do,” he said.

The GPSU did not make any counter demands in relation to the staggered increases announced by Government, since it is of the view that the affairs affecting 2016 were yet to be concluded.

8 NEWS

friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS 45 years’ jail for Vreeden-Hoop granny killer

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wo years after a West Demerara grandmother had been horrifically killed in a sexual assault, her attacker -- Stanley Barrow, called ‘Cuffy’ -was on Thursday afternoon handed a prison sentence of 45 years.

Barrow admitted that, in July 2015, the 68-year-old Megan Jones had been wandering alone at the Vreeden-Hoop jetty on the West Coast of Demerara when he beat and sexually assaulted her before cutting out her tongue.

Justice Simone MorrisRamlall, in handing down sentence, subtracted eight years for Barrow’s guilty

Self-confessed killer Stanley Barrow

plea to the offence of manslaughter, and two additional years for time spent awaiting trial. As such, Barrow, a known drug addict, will spend the next 35

years behind bars with the chance of getting parole after 25 years.

In computing the sentence, Justice Ramlall considered that the convict has a separate rape matter pending before the courts.

Back in 2015, Jones’s family acknowledged that the elderly woman suffered periods of mental health problems in the past, but it was stated that she was in the right frame of mind during the time of the brutal attack. According to reports, “Cuffy” outlined that he decided to remove the elderly woman’s tongue after she began complaining of pains during the time he sexual-

ly assaulted her. After he and other accomplices fled the scene, passersby rescued Jones and transported her to hospital, but she succumbed three days later. She was however able to indicate by writing the name of the person who had perpetrated the act upon her.

Relatives had noted that the assaulted woman was found with her jaw, ribs, right arm and leg broken, in addition to part of her tongue being severed.

Barrow was represented by defence counsel Maxwell Mc Kay, while Prosecutors Seeta Bisundial, Abigail Gibbs and Narissa Leander presented the State’s case.

2 testify as causing death trial continues

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wo witnesses on Thursday took to the stand to provide sworn testimonies before Magistrate Leron Daly as the trial continued into the circumstances surrounding the fatal early morning accident which took the life of a city businessman and his towa-towa bird in early May. Rajkumarie Ragoobar, 23, of Eccles East Bank

Demerara (EBD) and Steven Cox, 24, of Kitty Georgetown, the two drivers charged for causing the death of Derek Mangal, appeared in the company of their lawyers, who strenuously grilled the prosecution’s witnesses under cross-examination.

It was reported that the two witnesses, one of whom is an employee of the Igloo outlet on Camp Street, and a

pedestrian witnessed the fatal smashup which took the life of the pedestrian’s birding buddy.

The three-vehicle smashup, which occurred at about 07:30h on May 29, 2017 at the corner of Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown, resulted in the death of 45-year-old businessman Derek Mangal of Diamond, East Bank

Deceased: Derek Mangal

Demerara (EBD).

Eyewitnesses report that a white Toyota Allion motor car was proceeding west along Middle Street when its female driver reportedly failed to adhere to the traffic lights and thus collided with a Toyota Raum heading in a northerly direction along Camp Street. The court heard that the impact caused the Toyota Raum, driven by Cox, to spin and hit Mangal, who was driving a motorcycle east along the northern side of Middle Street.

Mangal was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); however, his beloved bird remained dead in its cage at the scene for quite a while.

According to Diandra Mangal, daughter of the deceased man, her father would usually take his bird with him when he goes jogging in the National Park, after which he would proceed to the Regent Multiplex Mall to open his clothing store. It was during the execution of his daily routine that the deceased man was struck.

The two accused are presently out on $900,000 bail pending the outcome of the case. They are expected to return to court on November 6.

One people…

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…but not in Linden he Mayor of Linden has his bukta in a knot because Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo visited Linden on a walkabout and a meeting. There’s been one response insisting that the Constitution of Guyana offers Jagdeo, like everyone else, freedom of movement, so why the heck can’t he visit Linden. Nothing wrong with that view, but it misses the point, doesn’t it?

And we all know what’s the point, don’t we? And that’s the nub of our political dilemma in Guyana: we all know that our politics is dominated by ethnic cleavages which the leaders of the communities try to seal as hermetically as they possibly can. But we skip around this inconvenient truth: it’s not about freedom of movement in a geographical sense, but freedom of movement en an anthropological sense. The Linden Mayor was upset that Jagdeo, an “Indian PPP leader” was poaching on his “African PNC” turf.

It’s as simple (and complicated) as that. In Guyana, however, while the two parties are seen to “own” their respective constituencies”, it does appear that the PNC is much more protective of its turf. Even in 2008, when Corbin the PNC leader visited Lusignan after the massacre of that year by “Fine Man” and his gang, there were no protests from the “PPP villagers”. But in 2010, there was an even bigger outcry when Jagdeo, then President of the Republic, decided to visit Buxton. How dare he, some “African” activists snorted, with smoke coming out of their noses.

They complained Jagdeo was trying to “buy off” the folks of Buxton by handing out goodies. But Jagdeo is now Opposition Leader which means he doesn’t even have a bucket of warm spit to give anyone. Your Eyewitness just can’t understand the fear. Do the (conscientious) objectors think there will be mass defections by Africans to the PPP? Since 1957 when Burnham stuck out on his own, the parties of both leaders attempted to attract “multiracial” votes. The truth however, is the people, by and large, always voted along ethnic lines. For instance, even though Buxton had been neglected by Burnham’s PNC because it was a “WPA” village and thus a “betrayer”, the PPP didn’t get any votes to speak of in 1992 or thereafter.

Similarly, the PPP received some 4000 votes in Linden in 1997 and this declined steadily in the following years.

But your Eyewitness was just struck by a thought – a bolt from the blue? Could it be because the vote in 2015 was so close – some 4500 – it’s critical to keep the base intact to the nth degree? But upon reflection, your Eyewitness doesn’t think so.

There are many other quills in the PNC’s (rigging) quiver!! …too many advisors Aaah…the travails of being a Minister. Long pilloried by yours truly and various other observers on the local scene for not having any nous, much less expertise in his Natural Resource remit, Trotman promised to get some advisors. Now remember that old saying about being careful what you ask for – you just might get it? Well Trotman just confessed he has advisors coming out of his kazoos and that’s now his problem!!

So, what’s the lesson here, folks? Just that a leader of any organisation or even a project has to grasp at least the basics of his remit and also be very clear about his goals. Once he has these under his belt, he can pick sense from nonsense. The problem with Trotman – and it’s a HUUUUGE problem – is he has absolutely no clue about either variable. While he has a yen for the dough, the oil business is beyond his ken!

And his goals are conflicted. Sure, he wants to become President. But as AFC or PNC? To be or not to be! …no renegotiation What’s this about a committee to RENEGOTIATE the parking meter contract?? That abomination was void ab initio – just ask the moustache man!

Start from scratch!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

News

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friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local Govt Commissioners appointed

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Appointed: Former Ministerial advisor Clinton Collymore

By Jarryl Bryan

Joseph Harmon during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, comes after persistent calls from the political Opposition for the Government to end the deadlock.

“Cabinet, upon the submission of a memorandum by the Minister of Communities, approved the appointment of the members. The members appointed are Mr Mortimer Mingo,

M

onths after the political Opposition had submitted nominees, the long wait for the establishment of the Local Government Commission is finally about to be over, with Government announcing on Thursday that the nominees have been appointed.

This announcement, made by Minister of State

year, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan had, on several occasions, promised to have the commission established within 2016. He had even set deadlines.

One such deadline had been March 2016. When asked during the latter part of the month for an explanation, the minister had moved the deadline to the

vacancy being advertised.

In addition, there have been reports that young qualified applicants are being overlooked in favour of other more elderly appointees with questionable qualifications.

The commission would, among other things, have control over who get appointed as officials in the

Appointed: Former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo

Former Town Clerk Carol Sooba

Former Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker

gard.”

He added, “Once they are sworn in, they will hit the ground running. So work has started in that regard, and we expect that once the commissioners are sworn in, they should start working immediately,” Harmon expressed.

end of June.

In the 2016 budget estimates, some $30 million had been allocated by the Government to the non-functioning commission. When asked, Bulkan had stated that this was to allow the commission to operate independently of Central Government.

There have been calls for Government to release the qualifications of all Regional Executive Officers, to ensure that their positions were secured through merit, and not political allegiance.

This came in the wake of reports that in some local authority areas, officials are being appointed without any

Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and other local authorities. In addition, it would have to approve budgets for the NDCs. By law, the commission is to be made up of eight members. These members would include four nominated from the Government, one from the unions, and three nominees from the Leader of the Opposition.

Former acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba and former Local Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore were nominated as the PPP’s representatives on the Local Government Commission.

Appointed: Former Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette

Mr Clement Corlette, Mr Marlon Williams, Ms Jo Ann Romascindo, Mr Andrew Garnett, Ms Carol Sooba, Mr Norman Whittaker and Mr Clinton Collymore,” Harmon revealed.

According to the minister, the commission members would have to be sworn in by the President before they can begin fulfilling their mandate. When asked

Essequibo man freed of "memory card" murder

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wath Cobis, who had been on trial for the murder of his friend Ronaldo Joseph, called “Long Hair”, on December 18, 2012 over a memory card, walked out of the High Court a free man on Thursday after a 12-member jury unanimously acquitted him of both murder and the lesser count of manslaughter.

The verdict was returned after some three hours of deliberation. All smiles after his release, Cobis indicated that among his first plans will be to seek employment and live “a humble life”.

“I feel happy to be a free man once again,” he told Guyana Times moments after leaving the court room.

The murder was alleged to have occurred at Monosse backdam in Barima-Waini (Region One) on a night when the duo had consumed alcohol at a shop. In his defence, Cobis claimed that Joseph, the aggressor, had dealt him three lashes with a cutlass after he had refused to give him the memory card. At this point, Cobis said, he picked up a knife in an attempt to save his own life

for a time frame, Harmon said this would be done shortly.

“They have to be sworn in by the President, and that will be done shortly. The facilities which they would need for office (and) staff, are being finalized. I am advised by the Ministry of Communities that work has already started in that re-

Long road

The parliamentary Opposition had named its nominees to the Local Government Commission since last year. However, the Government had previously failed to make any nominations, resulting in a deadlock.

Responding to challenges from the media last

Freed: Ewath Cobis

and accidently stabbed Joseph.

State prosecutors Abigail Gibbs, Narissa Leander and Seeta Bisundial presented the case, and Attorney-at-law Mark Conway represented Cobis.

10 news

friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IMF inflation projection

Former Minister blames mismanagement of economy

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uyana’s projected increase in inflation for 2018 is mainly due to the coalition Administration’s mismanagement of the economy, former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill claims.

Edghill says the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) is not surprised that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Guyana’s inflation will continue to rise in 2018.

“We are not surprised by that report, and this is because the mismanagement of the economy is what is

having this adverse effect on the way things are going here,” he opined.

What is more worrying, according to the former minister, is that this could lead to several other issues, such as a depreciated currency, and place a burden on the real wages.

“There are going to have situations where you have money in your hand but you can’t buy the product or commodity that you are looking for, because the money doesn’t have the value it used to have. That is also going to be tied into the fact of a depreciated curren-

cy,” he said.

The Opposition MP said Government may be cognisant of that fact, and that may be one of the reasons behind the administration “trying to control the cambios with the difference between the buying and selling rate, and putting money into the system to save the shortages.”

Edghill says the core issue will be the adverse effect on real wages for workers; because once there is inflation, employers will have to start to think about the value of the money workers are getting.

Former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill

Pointing to the recent case wherein the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) rejected the Government’s proposed increase, the MP said that

consideration must also be given to the rise in inflation.

Edghill also reminded that these are all signals that the Government is sending to the business community, both local and foreign, which is causing those communities to have a lack of interest in investing locally.

According to the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook update on Latin America and the Caribbean, economic growth in Guyana is being supported by two large gold mines and “positive sentiment ahead of oil production.”

According to the IMF in its report, Guyana’s projected output growth (value for goods it produces) for 2017 is 3.5 per cent. For the

year 2018, it is 3.6 per cent.

But the IMF also projected a 2.6 per cent rise in inflation (rate at which prices for goods and services increases) for 2017, while a 2.7 per cent increase is expected for next year.

The IMF urged Governments in the region to urgently press ahead with much-needed structural reforms, to ensure growth is sustained and inclusive. It recommended that countries improve their infrastructure, invest in human capital, encourage more females in the labour force, increase oversight of the labour market, enhance governance and anti- corruption efforts, and take steps to further trade.

Alleged fraud

RDC employees reinstated almost 2 years later

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lmost two years after being implicated in alleged fraudulent activities, four employees attached to the regional administration of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) who were sent on administrative leave pending investigations are now back on the job. The employees were relieved of their duties in January 2016 after officers of the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), State Audit Department, Police and Office of the President (OP) were summoned to the Council to investigate discrepancies in relation to the Council’s money and were each placed on $50,000 station bail in relation to the issue.

Auditors were summoned to investigate the offences which involved missing money and several internal employees and external contract workers were questioned. It

was revealed at the time by former E Division (LindenKwakwani) Commander Calvin Brutus that there were alleged impropriety in terms of records and false payment vouchers which were prepared and monies paid, also with regards to monies which were about to be paid.

While the investigations were expected to wrap-up in January of this year, in February Morian related that more disturbing discrepancies were still being unearthed. Following the investigations, a report was reportedly sent to OP. It is unclear what are the official results of the findings, however, an official attached to the RDC on Thursday indicated that while the Council was not made aware of the findings, the employees appeared to have been cleared of wrongdoings. The official noted that three of the employees who were implicat-

ed in the matter continue to work under their original capacities while the other has been reassigned to work in a different capacity. According to the official, the position which the employee has been reassigned to is a higher paying position.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian during the most recent statutory meeting of the Council earlier this month confirmed that all four of the employees were back on the job after he was questioned in relation to the issue by Councillor Tracy Johnson.

Johnson had indicated at the time that nothing was said to the Council with regards to the return of the employees. Some months ago, the Council had also, by way of Motion, voted in favour of having the employees reinstated, as they pointed out that the Regional Works Department was suffering tremendously as a result of their absence.

news

S RAIGHT

Faulty electric wires blamed for La Jalousie fire …4 homeless

about $7 million.

However, she stressed that this disaster could have been adverted had GPL rectified the faulty wires which were supplying electricity to the home.

“We always call GPL

Private investment is not a political issue; it is a national survival one

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s part of my day job, I was guided toward a meeting with a group of “fellas” who introduced me to an official in the Ministry of Economy and Industry from the State of Israel. I did not need that conversation to convince me that the Granger model is bound to fail, but that conversation reinforced my belief that under President David Granger, Guyana is on a highway to nowhere. When asked the question why Israel, the young State planning executive in that Ministry clearly outlined what is being done. No part of the conversation included phrases like “we want to do this” and “we want to do that”, that closely resembled the vocabulary mindset of Team Granger. Rather it was populated with phrases like “we have done this” and “we have done that” which exhibited a sense of confidence that any investor would want to get involved.

His answer to WHY ISRAEL was as follows: 1. A list of real examples of how they are attracting investment in biotechnology, nanotechnology, nuclear technology, green technology, agricultural technology (all high-tech stuff) among others.

2. None of his officers are authorised to say “NO” to an investor who has demonstrated tangible confidence in the country by depositing funds into an escrow account in an Israeli Bank. The team leader in that Ministry has a direct phone link up to the Prime Minister of Israel (Head of State) who encourages that he be disturbed if an investment deal is being frustrated by another department. Can Go-Invest call upon President Granger to break down walls? Even if it was a bad idea, once there is investment money on the table, his technicians help the investor strengthen and refine the project until it is bankable. All of this support service is free of cost to the investor – the lawyers, the accountants, the business strategists. The bottom line – the State of Israel pulls out all the stops to make the deal happen and this is a system that has been supported by all the major political parties for years. Private Sector investment is not a political issue in Israel, it is a national survival issue and it is treated as such.

3. Nothing is impossible in Israel when it comes to making deals. As an example, Israel will be exporting US$1 billion in medical marijuana and hemp by the end of 2018. The key word is export.

4. Israel’s world-renowned academic system fosters talent. Israel has the highest concentration of engineers and science researchers per capita in the world. Can we understand why all of these value-added science-based companies are rushing to Israel despite their geopolitical challenge? The young university graduates are like flowers to the investing bees. Together they make honey; I mean money!

Why aren’t there more scholarships for the sciencebased and engineering programmes at UG? Why should a young man who invested four years at UG in an engineering programme remain in Guyana when right next door in the Caribbean, there are jobs that are available that will pay him multiples of what he can possibly earn locally, unless of course he has the right family connected to the bigwigs in the PNC? 5. Israel has people in their public service at the leadership level who are thinkers, makers and doers at changing the world of cyber security, water technology, agro technology, Health and Life Science, finance technology, high-tech and smart technology, telecommunications, and electricity generation.

Every one of these industries is billion-dollar industries today in Israel. But it is clear that since Granger turned up, goat seems to have bitten Guyana and good projects like Amaila Falls Hydro are being made collateral damage to the uninformed mind.

6. “Israel is pro-your business”. Once you show some cash in an escrow account in an Israeli Bank, the Government rings fence your business idea and allows its army of deal technicians to leverage an assortment of governmental incentives and grants to seal the deal. Even after your business ideas have been converted to a working project, the government has a post-award analysis team that continues to check in like a “big brother”, to ensure that all is well but really to explore opportunities for expansion.

Can you now understand why all of a sudden since President Granger came to office that Guyana has become a ghost town when it comes to new investments? We are nowhere near the competition.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

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friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

always call them from this place here. Me nah know, man! Is everything down!

Everything down!” the woman cried.

As a result of the fire, the family of four is now left homeless, with a mini-

The gutted La Jalousie home

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t about 6:00 hrs on Thursday, the Lot 12 La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara residence of Nazeema Hamid and her husband, Hazarodeen Usman, was almost entirely destroyed by a fire that ripped through their home, completely gutting the upper flat and leaving just the walls standing in the bottom flat.

The couple and their two children have been rendered homeless, and are accusing the Guyana Power & Light (GPL) of failing to take action despite allegedly receiving numerous previous reports of sparks emanating from faulty electric wires attached to the building.

When Guyana Times visited the scene mere hours after the incident, family members were counting their losses, as very few items could be salvaged from what remained of the home.

Speaking to Guyana Times, Nazeema Hamid’s mother-in-law said her daughter-in-law had been forced to grab her children and run out of the burning home because the blaze spread quickly throughout the building.

“My neighbour next door said she see smoke outside from the wire to the house. She bin a sweep and said, ‘Look at the smoke at the place deh!

Hazzary house a bun down deh! Call for Nazeema and them children, because she deh in the house deh!’ ” The woman went on to say, “So when she tell me nephew to call, and them a run to come; by the time them call, by ah de current, the whole place take place in the fire at the top!”

She noted that by the time she arrived at the scene, the house was already engulfed in flames.

The aggrieved woman indicated that her daughterin-law and two grandchildren were at home at the time of the incident, and they explained how they had managed to escape

from the inferno.

“She bin in the kitchen, and she just sleep she baby and tun she baby down in the hammock. So she grabble she baby and she got one seven-year-old and she hold them hand and they come out through the gate,” the woman outlined.

In her account of the incident, the woman, former owner of the now gutted home, pointed out that the couple and their children had been occupying the home for over five years.

She added that the house, which was recently refurnished, carries a value of

The few remaining household items that were partially destroyed by the fire

to look at the pigtail. Only one month and a half ago GPL come to fix that pigtail. I don’t know in wah way they fixing it. If they go and look back at the calls, they will see that we

bus being their only remaining possession. They now join three other families, all of whom lost their homes in fires that occurred just this week.

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friday, october 20, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Miss Guyana Universe

confident of placing at international pageant

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ven with the many controversies which surrounded the crowning of Rafeiya Husain as Miss Guyana Universe 2017, the local beauty remains humble and is confident that she will place in the international pageant come November 26.

This was revealed by the overseas-based Guyana who is no stranger to local pageantry, during a sit down with Guyana Times Entertainment as a part of her home tour for the Diwali celebrations.

While speaking to this publication, Husain, who will be competing alongside in excess of 80 other beauties from around the world, indicated that because of her experience in pageantry, she is driven and determined to place Guyana in the spotlight w h i l e

representing her country on the international stage.

“When it comes to what I am taking to Miss Universe, I am taking the fact that

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wo years after Traits Model Management kicked off their STRUT fashion extravaganza which proved to be a massive success, the agency has returned with a highly anticipated sequel which promises to take the Georgetown Marriott Hotel by storm, come November 1.

STRUT II, under the theme “Live the runway” will feature five of Guyana’s top designers; a line-up which includes Randy Madray, Sidney Francois, House of Pearson, Mwanza Glenn and Olympia Fashions, in collaboration with three major international artists. These are Andrew Harris of New York, Roell Gomes of Canada and Peta Odini of Grenada.

With the intention of each

A sketch of Miss Guyana’s costume “The Jewel Of Guyana”, designed by Zara Khan

I’ve been doing this for almost seven years.

Guyana has never placed at Miss Universe and I wanna make that happen for us,” boldly expressed the local beauty queen.

While continuing on that note, Miss Universe Guyana 2017 posited that, “I want it to be that, God forbid I don’t bring that crown, I’m in the top five so that next year they are looking at Guyana, they are saying she did it last year, we should crown her this year.”

With this mission in mind, the 25-yearold is calling for Guyanese to rally behind her as she aims to cop the crown. Although highlighting that during her reign thus far, the organisation has not received as much support as they would like, they pledged to continue to push on.

In doing so she relayed, “They say it takes a village to raise a child; it takes a

country to take a girl to a pageant like this and together I do believe we can do it. So any support, whether it’s towards me or my non-profit RIVAH, anything really does help.”

Speaking on her organisation RIVAH, Husian revealed that currently three scholarships are being offered to have three persons certified as crisis workers in Guyana.

Meanwhile, not so long ago when Husain was crowned in New York as the 2017 winner of the pageant, some members of the organisation along with a number of her fellow contestants, alleged she was not the rightful winner. Nevertheless, she will be leaving Guyana for New York on Saturday so as to further prepare for the competition which is just about a month away.

During the Miss Universe 2017 pageant slated for Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States, the Guyanese representative will be competing in swimwear, evening gown, talent and the intelligence segments, as she vies for the much coveted crown.

As for her national wear, Miss G u y a n a ’s costume stands eight feet tall and cascades over 10 yards of beaded silk organza. It is layered with over

20,000 crystals and 100 yards of crystal strands, ending in a plume of white spray.

This is all done in a relief asymmetrical design, rich in gold and topaz tones. The piece titled “The Jewel of Guyana”, was designed by Zara Khan and is an artistic depiction of the majestic Kaieteur Falls.

This is not the first time Rafeiya Husain will be representing Guyana on the international platform, as she was place among the top 10 while competing in the Miss World 2014 pageant. Added to that, Husain copped the signature Beauty With a Purpose Title which led her to be crowned Miss Caribbean World for that year. With these accomplishments under her belt, Husain now eyes the Miss Universe crown.

designer showcasing a brand new collection, to name a few, Randy Madray – who is a first-time participant – will have his designs displayed under the theme “Ready to wear” while House of Pearson intends to exhibit his 2018 swimsuit collection.

According to coordinator of the event, Oronde George, STRUT II seeks to place the spotlight on budding designers, as well as to give the population a “reason to dress up.”

“Fashion shows have been lacking lately. People don’t have a reason to dress up. We want to bring that back. People must get their best or shop for that dress or outfit that’s for Strut II,” he explained while noting that “[We] want to show [that] the upcoming designers model the level of execution and professionalism that can be brought

to a fashion showcase of this magnitude.”

Persons interested in purchasing their tickets for this event can do so by checking locations such as Palm Court, Oasis Café, ENVY ME, The Kurl Box, That Look Boutique, Street Styles, and Pieces and Things.

This fashion spectacle was first introduced to Guyana in 2015, when TRAITS staged the inaugural event at Pegasus Aura Lounge in Kingston, Georgetown.

After much calls from fans within fashion arena, the event is now back with the intention of being bigger and better than before.

Those wishing to cash in on this one a kind fashion experience can do, with the cost for regular tickets being $4000, while Premium tickets are tagged at $5000 and the VIP tickets cost $6000.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, october 20, 2017

A

ll plans are in place for the hosting of the Miss Cultured Guyana (MCG) pageant slated for the Umana Yana on Saturday evening. Those vying for the pageant are Jenel Bennett, Faith Harding, Akita Joseph and Romichelle Brumell.

The four delegates are presently wrapping up their final rehearsals under the stewartship of pageant icon Alicia Bess and from all indications, they will set the stage on fire.

Bess is optimistic that the delegate will do well and that patrons are in for a treat. Over the next day, the delegates will ensure that their

talent pieces are well rehearsed and more importantly, their evening gowns are stage ready for pageant night.

The pageant coordinator is also making all arrangements for the grand evening to go as smoothly as possible, without any hiccups.

The pageant starts at 20:00h sharp with several cultural presentations.

The Miss Cultured Guyana

The pageant came into existence in March 2016 under the stewardship of Lloyd N De Arts Production. During the months of planning, the pageant developed its diverse meaning and was subsequently launched.

The inaugural MCG pageant saw seven beautiful, talented and cultured young women competing for the coveted title.

These young women were ex-

13

posed to various cultural activities such as an educational training programme designed to revive their knowledge about our local culture and training sessions on cultured topics.

Additionally, as part of the preliminaries, delegates executed various challenges to harness a true cultural experience.

On pageant night, the delegates will compete in the introduction, talent, presentation on an Indigenous cultured personality, catwalk challenge, creative cultural cocktail wear, creative cultural creek wear, professional wear, intelligence and creative cultural evening wear segments.

W

ith just over a week left for the staging of the Pepsi Super Concert, the beverage company has kick-started its promotion in Berbice, which allows customers to secure invitations for the event. According to the Brand Manager, Larry Wills, the promotion started a week ago and will cater for at least 6000 persons entering the event by invitation.

To get an invitation to the event, customers are required to purchase a case of one litre or one case of two litres Pepsi and by doing so, it will entitle them to an invitation.

This year, the headlining act will be former International Chutney Monarch, KI, out of Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, “Guyanese Baboo” Terry Gajraj; Omardath Maraj; Rasika Dindial; Neval Chaitlal; and Savita Singh are expected to perform at the event.

The emcee for the show is Guyana’s most popular television personality, Joel Gansham, who is known for his glitz and glamour.

However, this event is not ticketed.

Meanwhile, the Brand Manager noted that invitations are limited, and as such, persons are urged to take full advantage of the promotion.

Gates for the event open at 18:00h and the concert will get underway at 20:00h.

Strict security measures will be in place.

A

fter attending several events in the United States of America over the past week, Miss Guyana World, Vena Mookram is en route to China where she will begin preparations for the international pageant slated for mid-November.

The elated Guyanese queen is optimistic that she will make Guyana proud, especially taking into consideration the big shoes she has to fill as Guyana has been making the spotlight in the past years.

The confident Mookram will participate in several preliminary competitions leading up to the grand coronation. One of the competitions which is described as the most tense in the pageant is the Beauty with a Purpose project.

Each delegate was required to present their project in advance and during the preliminaries, they will be grilled extensively on the

content of the project and how it has benefited the respective countries or how it will in the future.

More than 100 beauties from around the world will assemble in China with one aim – that is to win the title. The preliminary competitions include talent, display of national costume, swim wear, evening wear, intelligence and several interview segments.

The competition starts as the delegates arrive in China, since they will be judged on everything they do.

All eyes will be on the beauties.

However, the Guyanese beauty said she is ready to compete on the international stage. Her wardrobe includes pieces from renowned Guyanese designer, Michelle Cole.

Guyana Times Entertainment extends best wishes to the Guyanese beauty on her journey to the Miss World title.

14

friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

15

friDAY, OCTOber 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Alleged sexual abuse

City Hall ‘cover-up’ sparks 2-man protest

A

The two protesters outside City Hall

two-man protest was staged outside City Hall on Thursday, during which City officials were accused of not being proactive in dealing with a report of sexual abuse committed on a teenage male by a City Constabulary lance corporal.

The two protesters are calling for the arrest of Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase Green and Town Clerk Royston King, whom they accuse of protecting the city constable who has been

arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual act with a 15-year-old lad on August 18.

According to Don Singh, one of the protesters, the Mayor and Town Clerk knew of the incident some two months ago, but decided to look into the matter only after a social media post was made about the incident.

Singh said the protest action was staged to bring an end to silence on other cases of this nature, which might be hidden, protected, or cov-

ered up from the watchful eyes of the public.

Meanwhile, the other protester, Jonathan Yearwood, has said that according to the laws of Guyana, as long as one has knowledge of a crime and does not report it, one becomes an accessory to that crime.

“We have to be our brother’s keeper. Someone has to stand up and raise awareness; for rape and paedophilia (are) becoming too prevalent in our society, and we don’t accept it until we become the victim and speak out, then is when it really hits home,” Singh said.

The men pointed out that this situation translates to gross misconduct of the people’s interest, and the nation cannot continue to protect child molesters.

Reports are that the teen was arrested on August 18 for loitering, and was taken to the City Hall compound, where he was allegedly raped.

The magistrate’s court was provided with a birth

certificate for the child, which proved his age as 15 years old.

Mayor Chase Green, in a statement released to the media, confirmed that the

accused lance corporal had previously been investigated for a similar act. She said he was placed on close arrest for seven days, and a report was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He, however, had been reinstated after the DPP had indicated that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges.

This latest act was reportedly witnessed by another city constable, who reported the matter to the authorities.

16 news

friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Makeup artist robbed by gunmen A makeup artist attached to Amanda’s Bridal in Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara was on Tuesday evening assaulted and robbed by gunmen who thought he was carrying cash belonging to the business establishment.

Twenty-five-year-old Aditya Ali was attacked and injured in front of his Lot 91 Best Road, West Coast Demerara residence shortly after returning home from work. According to information received, just as he was parking his car in the yard

at about 19:00h on Tuesday, three masked and hooded men approached the makeup artist and demanded money which they believed he had in his possession.

When Guyana Times visited his residence on Wednesday, the still shak-

en man related, “I was going to close the gate. I saw three males approach and one of them was holding a gun pointing to me, demanding, ‘Where is all of the money?’ So then I did not hesitate, I just told the guy that all of the money is in my haversack,” Ali explained.

Ali said he was held at gunpoint by the bandits, who subsequently stripped him of his car keys, wallet containing a sum of cash, and two smart phones. His losses carry a total value of about $160,000.

Ali recalled the most terrifying moment of the experience. “The last command was to shoot me. Right there and then I thought this guy

Ali displaying the wound to his head

was going to kill me even though I gave him all of my possessions.” continued on page 17

Injured: Aditya Ali

news

17

friDAY, october 20, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Coalition Govt divided NA Prison escapee recaptured in Suriname on crime situation …PNC dissatisfied with Ramjattan’s efforts …as Harmon expresses “satisfaction”

T

he coalition Government appears to be divided on the issue of the escalating crime rate as the People’s National Congress (PNC) on Thursday called for more to be done to address the soaring issue.

According to the Georgetown district of the PNC, crime and the consequential loss of life cannot continue unabated. In a statement on Thursday, the party called on organisations and communities to collaborate in ending crime.

The Georgetown district of the party referred to the recent murders of two elderly women – Constance Fraser and Phyllis Caesar – and urged the Public Security Ministry to do more than it is presently doing.

“The Georgetown District’s Executive Committee is calling on the Ministry of Public Security and the Judiciary to intensify their actions regarding security and for the Judiciary to impose stiffer penalties for violence committed crimes,” the party noted.

When asked about the statement during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon threw his support behind the Public Security Ministry. He noted that the Ministry, headed by former Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, is undergoing capacity building. Harmon went on to distance himself from the statement.

“The party and the

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Government are two separate entities. So, the Government is satisfied.

You have to deal with the statement made by the party. I am making a statement on behalf of the

Government,” Harmon insisted.

Police Force work

According to Harmon, there was a need for senior officers in the Guyana Police Force to transmit their knowledge to other, inexperienced ranks. He noted that a higher level of training and competence is being facilitated. In the inter-

Makeup artist...

However, Ali noted that one of the gunmen hit him in the head, and he recalled falling to the ground.

“I dropped to the floor and started to bleed. I was unconscious for a couple of minutes, but I was aware or what happened.”

It was then that the bandits made good their escape, leaving the injured man bleeding.

“They were under the impression that I am transporting cash to and from work because they have been monitoring how I’ve been going out from the building and coming in. So they thought I’m moving the cash from work and to where I’m living. So that was the whole idea. Because, instantly, when the guy asked me where is the money, I realised that this guy think

from page 16

that I brought the money from my workplace.”

This was backed by the fact that, following the incident, eyewitnesses to the crime pointed out that the gunmen, who were also traveling in an Allion, were seen trailing the man along the roadway. They reportedly stopped feet away from the residence and approached on foot at the opportune time.

Ali, who sustained a twoinch gaping wound from the blow to his head, was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he received three stitches and was sent away.

A report has since been filed at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, but no arrest has been made to date.

Nevertheless, investigations are underway.

im, Harmon noted that the cooperation of the public in solving crime remained important.

“Very often, people in the communities know who the criminals are. And so what we are asking for is that partnership. We’re asking for the people to inform the Police. Get involved in the policing groups. And let us try to ensure crime is beaten.”

“We believe that the work being done by the Police Force and all the various agencies that provide us with training and resources, we want to stick all of that in a matrix that says to the criminals, your days are up.”

In August, the Guyana Police Force had announced that it recorded an 11 per cent decrease in serious crime up to the end of July, when compared to the same period last year. In June, the Force also reported a seven per cent decrease in serious crime.

Based on statistics provided by the Guyana Police Force, there was a 16 per cent reduction in the incidents of murder for the month of June; a four per cent decrease in incidents of robbery wherein no instrument was used; a five per cent decrease in incidents of robbery under arms.

There was also a four per cent decrease in incidents of robbery under arms wherein instruments other than firearms were used; but there has been a 64 per cent increase in incidents of robbery with violence, and a 53 per cent increase in incidents of larceny from the person.

In addition, the Police had recorded a six per cent decrease in incidents of rape, as well as a one per cent decrease in incidents of burglary and a 19 per cent decrease in incidents of break and enter and larceny.

However, the stats provided proved that 70 murders were committed for the year thus far, with those stemming from disorderly behaviour topping the list with 32. Thirteen murders were committed as a result of domestic disputes, 11 stemmed from robberies, eight unknown, four executions and two persons were killed other than the reasons mentioned above.

And though the statistics show a decrease from last year, Guyana still exceeds the regional crime average. According to a report the Inter-American Development Bank compiled under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, Guyana had a rate of 33.8 murders per 100,000 people; above the regional average of 26.

S

ome six years after escaping from the New Amsterdam Prison, Rickford LaFleur was recently arrested by law enforcement authorities in neighbouring Suriname.

The 43-year-old wanted man was among four prisoners who escaped from the penitentiary on June 11, 2011.

After being recaptured in the neighbouring country, he was handed over to local authorities.

“He was escorted to Guyana earlier today (Thursday) and is presently in custody at the New

Recaptured: Rickford LaFleur

Amsterdam Prison,” the Police said in a statement late Thursday. At the time of his escape, LaFleur was on remand for murder and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

LaFleur, also called “Rickford Williams”, of Circle Street, Skeldon, Berbice, was charged with the murder of another prisoner, called “Clato” at the New Amsterdam facility.

He was a known character and reportedly had several other matters before the courts including high profile robberies.

Victim of abuse, acid attack calls for Police help abused, she has made several reports against her ex at the Kitty Police Station, the Prashad Nagar outpost, the Sparendaam Police Station, and most recently at the Sophia Police Station.

However, the mother of five said that these reports have proved futile, as no action has ever been taken against her former spouse.

“Many times when I go

A

Lavern Newton

mother of five is at her wits’ end, calling on the local authorities to help her after enduring years of domestic abuse, threats, alleged rape and, most recently, an acid attack by her 56-year-old ex-reputed husband at D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Lavern Newton, 45, spoke with Guyana Times on Thursday and explained that she was in a relationship with her now ex-reputed husband for about 25 years.

She said that for the past 10 years, however, they have been separated temporarily on several occasions, but she would always return because of his threats to end her life.

Newton noted that after all the years of being

Newton’s injuries as a result of the acid attack by her exreputed husband

mek the report, the Police would call he. Not to arrest he or nothing, but for him to come for me. I make a set a report and nothing.

They never take my words,” Newton told this publication.

The Sophia woman explained that she and her paramour has again separated for the past three months, but since then, he would often call to leave threats or show up abruptly and, on several occasions, he has raped her in front of her children.

Newton has three children – ages 12, 8 and 6 – with her ex and two others – ages 27 and 16 – from a previous relationship.

Newton further told this newspaper that her most recent encounter with her ex-reputed husband was on Sunday last when he attempted to throw acid in her face.

“He went by the neighbour opposite by my house and when I went coming home from work, I see somebody running out the yard.

When I realise is he, he throw the acid on me, but I run, so it only catch the back of my foot them,” the mother of five said.

Meanwhile, acting C Division (East Coast Demerara) Commander Stephen Mansel explained that he was aware that a report was made, but he was in the process of briefing himself on the issue as Police investigations continue.

(Ramona Luthi)

Venezuela swears in Governors amid Opposition boycott

I

n Venezuela, 18 newly elected socialist governors have been sworn in by the constituent assembly.

Five governors from the Opposition Roundtable for Democracy (MUD) coalition boycotted the event. They said they refused to bow to the constituent assembly, which they consider illegitimate.

The boycott is the latest stand-off between the Opposition and the governing socialist party amid a grave economic and political crisis. The swearing-in ceremony followed disputed regional elections on Sunday.

The Opposition expected to win in a majority of states

Eighteen newly elected governors out of 23 were sworn in

following months of anti-government protests and amid widespread discontent about sky-high inflation and wide-spread shortages of basic goods.

But according to the National Electoral Council, the Socialist Unity Party (PSUV) of President Nicolás Maduro won in 18 of Venezuela's 23 states. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, october 20, 2017

ARCHIE

You are best off keeping secrets and withholding informa(March 21tion that could affect your repApril 19) utation or position if it got out.

Emotional outbursts will not help you resolve an issue. Patience will be required.

ARIES

Stressful situations will af-

TAURUS fect your health and relation(April 20- ships with peers. Look for opMay 20) portunities to collaborate and

dilbert

bring about positive change.

Don’t be afraid to offer unusual suggestions.

Documents and deals GEMINI (May 21- should be looked over careJune 20) fully. Don’t overreact if something doesn’t look right. Get the facts and make adjustments. Socializing will lead to new beginnings.

Getting

together

with

CANCER friends or peers will do you (June 21- good. Listen to the ideas and July 22) suggestions offered to get a

Peanuts

sense of what you want to pursue next.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Emotions will be difficult to control. Look after your finances and protect against situations that could turn out to be costly. Be creative when handling legal or financial affairs.

Taking a trip or reconnectVIRGO ing with someone from your (Aug. 23past will do you good. Attend Sept. 22) a reunion or visit old friends or relatives. Catching up will spark memories and prompt future contact.

Calvin and Hobbes

Don’t let a last-minute LIBRA change of plans throw you off(Sept. 23guard. Assess and restructure Oct. 23)

your plan, and keep moving forward. Your resilience will help you move onward and upward.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

A change in how you live or SCORPIO handle your personal finances (Oct. 24will lead to greater disposable Nov. 22) income. An unusual investment will catch your interest.

Let your intuitive intelligence be your guide.

Look at a proposal or what’s SAGITTARIUS being asked of you before (Nov. 23- jumping in and taking part.

Dec. 21) Determine whether what’s be-

ing offered is doable. Protect against being taken for granted.

Step up and take the reins.

CAPRICORN Your ability to intuitively make (Dec. 22- the right choice will put you in Jan. 19) a good position when it comes to handling your money.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle Look for alternative ways AQUARIUS to conquer a growing problem.

(Jan. 20- Overreacting will not help the Feb. 19) situation, but a safe alternative solution will help you deal with loss or an unexpected change.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

You’ll have the upper hand PISCES (Feb. 20- if you negotiate on your behalf.

March 20) An opportunity looks interesting, and with a unique approach you will surpass your expectations. The chances of financial gain look promising.

friDAY, OCTOber 20, 2017

19

Upper Demerara capture interassociation football title

Randy Small

U

pper Demerara delivered the inaugural GT Beer Inter-Association title with a classic 3-0 demolition of West Demerara on Wednesday night in front

of cheering football fans at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.

Playing the championship game, the new breed of talented players exposed to this level did not disappoint their coach Anthony “Toto” Stephens and came away deserving of being crowned Inter-Association champions.

But they began their quest with some butterflies and it showed.

However, they settled into a rhythm that allowed them to get an early chance as Kellon Primo sauntered down the right and set up teammate Jashwan Moore, who was guilty of muffing the chance from on top the box. Before long, West Demerara too could not

deliver, being denied by Shaquile Frank in goal for the Linden team.

Then Jomain Samuels could not make the best of another try for the bauxite side, as they took the game to their opponents; the ball was running free when he brought it back to finish with a nice shot to goal in the 30th minute.

With that 1-0 advantage, there was no stopping the gyrating in the stands, and this support gave the young brigade of footballers from Upper Demerara the impetus to carry out an offensive onslaught, but the first half ended 1-0.

With the tempo in their favour and West Demerara under pressure, Upper Demerara would go 2-0 up

GCA/Carib Beer T20

Powerhouse DCC battle Everest in 1st semi-final today

A

Akshaya Persaud Sattaur, Kemol Savoury, and Sherfene Rutherford are all more than capable of decimating bowling attacks.

With ball in hand, nippy seamer Paul Wintz, along with Andre Stoll, holds the key with the new ball while spinners Totaran Bishun and Ashmead Nedd are more than capable of restricting batsmen.

For the Camp Road unit, much will be expected of Captain Akshaya Persaud and Test batsman Rajendra Chandrika.

National players Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Bhaskar Yadram and his brother, Kamesh Yadram are also handy batsmen. With the ball, their trump card is expected to be menacing leg-spinner Amir Khan.

The second semi-final will be played on Saturday at the Georgetown Cricket Club where the home side will battle Police.

Kellon Primo

Jomain Samuels

a beautiful goal and dash any hopes the visitors had of getting back into the game.

That 3-0 score would, in fact, be intact when the final whistle came, and wild celebrations erupted in the stands.

For the third-place match, Georgetown failed to turn up, thus giving Essequibo Pomeroon that

prize which was worth $400,000 as they played an exhibition game against a Select XI which they won 4-2.

Among those who witnessed the final were Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland; Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde; GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood; sponsor Banks DIH Senior Supervisor Shawn Grant; UDFA President Terrence Mitchell and other UDFA officials.

Tenpow brothers

bringing the heat for “Caribbean Showdown”

T

fter a prolonged break, the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Carib Beer T20 competition returns today with its first semi-final at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown.

The powerful home side, who are also the defending champions, will do battle with Everest Cricket Club (ECC) from 13:00h.

DCC will start as strong favourites at home, given that their unit boasts numerous talented national players. Captain Christopher Barnwell will look to lead his team into the final with his big-hitting ability. The power does not stop at the all-rounder, since Kevon Boodie, Keemo Paul, Brian

Christopher Barnwell

– the result of a foul just into the West Demerara half. The subsequent Randy Small free kick from outside the 18 yards box was pacey and it breached the shaky defensive wall in the 67th minute.

Now with their game plan being orchestrated well and a hesitant opponent in front of an expectant crowd, Upper Demerara scored goal number three in the 81st minute, this time from the combination of Denzil Fordyce and Kellon Primo, who together had opened the defence of West Demerara.

This time, Primo, the eventual Most Valuable Player with a top score of five goals, would deliver the final nail in the coffin of West Demerara with

hey may be small in stature, but the Tenpow brothers, Jeremy and Justin, are certainly big on sustaining their dominance on the race track.

Backing down from a challenge is alien to them and that trend is set to continue on Saturday (October 21) when GT Motorsports stages the Georgetown Grand Prix “Caribbean Showdown”.

The Tenpows of Pure Racing are once again billed to line up against their rivals in what is usually a hotly-contested Sunburst Kids Cup 60cc. In previous Grand Prix events, the Kids Cup was an all-local field, but this time around, it will have the presence of foreign competition with Jamaican Ryan Lue set to showcase his skills. “To the Jamaican team, welcome to Guyana and watch out for Pure Racing,” Jeremy said.

Justin added, “Welcome everybody. I’m ready for some epic racing.”

The two are among the brightest prospects in the sport, and Saturday’s Grand Prix is another opportunity for them to further enhance their growing reputation.

Jeremy, the older

of the two, has a record to maintain as he is the points leader of the Sunburst Kids Cup after three Grand Prix events and a total of nine races. He has chalked up five wins and two second-place finishes and has amassed a whopping 188 points for his remarkable consistency.

The only female in the category, the indomitable Paige Mendonca, is second on 158, followed by Nathan Rahaman in third spot on 155. Justin, with two second-place finishes and three thirds, occupies fourth position on 129 points.

Josh Khan is way back in fifth on 30 points, but he has only participated in one Grand Prix— a total of just three races.

Action will speed off at 18:00h, and admission to the venue is $1000 for adults, $500 for children and $4000 for the VIP experience.

The event will set the stage for the ultimate motorsport event of the year – the final leg of the

Caribbean Motor Racing Championship on November 12 at the South Dakota Circuit.

It is being supported

by Sunburst Juices, RentA-Tent, Fly Jamaica, Stag Beer, Monster Energy Drink, ExxonMobil, Hand-in-Hand Insurance, Readymix Concrete, Scotiabank, Cloud 9, Optique Vision Care, Toucan Industries, Ticket Master Travel Agency, E-Networks, King’s Jewellery World, Hero Motor Cycles, Ray’s Motor Spares, Cyril’s Taxi Service, Bounty, Trophy Stall, Prem’s Electrical Store, Impressions, Truck Masters, Windjammer, Super Bet, The Track B a r , Ocean Spray Hotel, Secure Innovation a n d Concept, C l e a r Waters, Marics, Rid-O-Pest and Karcher.

Jeremy (right) and Justin Tenpow

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, october 20, 2017

Boyce and Jefford

Courts/Malta Pee-Wee Football

Committee supports District 10 school sports

Boyce/Jefford Committee Chairman Colin Boyce (left) hands over a quantity of medals to a representative of the Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani District 10 Branch while Committee Member Theodore DeMonick (right) shares the moment

The group action leaves these round-of-16 matches too close to call

T

he seventh annual Courts/Malta PeeWee School Football Tournament will continue on Saturday with roundof-16 action at the Banks DIH Thirst Park Ground.

The highlight match of the day should be front-runners Sophia Primary against Tucville.

Sophia have played unbeaten in their goal rush campaign, only being held

by Marian Academy 2-2 last weekend.

Tucville, on the other hand, have been less impressive, drawing on two occasions and notching one

victory.

The 2016 runners-up, St Agnes Primary, have a date with Goed Fortuin while former champions Stella Maris will clash with South Ruimveldt Primary. An interesting battle should en-

sue between West Ruimveldt Primary and newcomers Den Amstel Primary.

Inaugural champions Marian Academy will meet the impressive FE Pollard Primary. St Ambrose Primary will meet

Enterprise in another match that is too close to call while School of the Nations oppose Mae’s and Parfaite Harmonie Primary battle Redeemer Primary.

The first match is expected to kick off from 10:45h.

10/21/2017

Round 4 (Round of 16)

Thirst Park

10:45 hrs 10:45 hrs 11:30 hrs 11:30 hrs 12:15 hrs 12:15 hrs 13:00 hrs 13:00 hrs

Parfaite Harmonie, v/s Reedeemer Den Amstel Primary v/s West RVDLT Primary St Agnes Primary v/s Goed Fortuin School of the Nations v/s Maes Primary South Ruimveldt Primary v/s Stella Marris Primary F.E Pollard Primary v/s Marian Academy Enterprise Primary v/s ST Ambrose Sophia Primary v/s Tucville Primary

Match # 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

T

he Boyce and Jefford Committee this week handed over a quantity of new medals to the Upper Demerara-Kwakwani District 10 (Linden) National Schools Championships Branch which will be awarded to the top-performing athletes.

The District schools sports is currently underway at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, and is expected to conclude tomorrow. Boyce and Jefford Committee Chairman Colin Boyce said that the donation was made following a request from the District.

He said that the Committee saw it most appropriate to continue to contribute to the development of young athletes in the community. According to Boyce, such contributions are not alien to them, since they were in the habit of making such donations.

The Boyce and Jefford Track and Field Classic is held annually in Linden. This year, following the eighth edition of the meet in August, an undisclosed sum of cash was given to Linden and Guyana’s top three athletes at the MSC Ground.

The signature track and field event in Linden had opened a fund with a lucrative first financial donation; following that pioneering initiative, several individuals, groups and businesses present at the meet made pledges that were accumulated and divided among the three athletes.

Those who benefited from the funds included multiple CARIFTA Games medallist Chantoba Bright; World Junior silver medallist Daniel Williams and Guyana’s first sprint gold medallist at the CARIFTA Games, Compton Caesar.

GFF impressed Busta Softball Cricket

by MSC-UDFA 8 teams advance to quarter-finals partnership T

From left: MSC First Vice President Aubrey Major, MSC Secretary Marlon Pierson, MSC President Avery Trimm, GFF President Wayne Forde, UDFA President Terrence Mitchell, UDFA PRO Verona Hunter and UDFA Treasurer Answatt Bharrot

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he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) met with the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Executive Committee at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) building on October 14 to negotiate the cost of using the Ground.

This intervention was necessitated following the request of the MSC to have the GFF intervene on its behalf in the interest of football development in the region.

Among the key decisions reached were a negotiated reduced price per night for the rental of the ground and a reduced cost for the usage of the lights at the Ground.

In an invited comment, GFF President Wayne Forde stated: “I am very pleased that the management at the MSC has recommitted themselves to the development of football in the UDFA. This is yet another step of stakeholders recognising the value that can be derived from working hand in hand with the GFF and its members.”

Present at the meeting were MSC President Avery Trimm; MSC First Vice President Aubrey Major, MSC Secretary Marlon Pierson, UDFA President Terrence Mitchell, UDFA Public Relations Officer Verona Hunter, and UDFA Treasurer Answatt Bharrot.

he 2017 edition of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC)/Busta softball cricket competition bowled off on Sunday last at the Area H Ground in front of a capacity crowd.

The 14th edition of the popular tournament is being played for the first time using the softball format. After the first round of matches, eight teams advanced to next weekend’s quarter-finals at the Area H Ground. The eight teams advancing are Grill Master of Canje, Toopoo of Albion, Sparta of Cumberland, Hard Knock of Ulverston, Rising Star of Port Mourant, Terry Grocery XI of Rose Hall Town, Set Up of Rose Hall Town and Jai Hind Cricket Club of Chesney.

Jai Hind drew the bye to the quarter-finals while Grill Master, Sparta, Hard Knock, Rising Star and Toopoo qualified by winning their matches.

Terry Grocery XI and Set Up despite losing, qualified for the quarter-finals by having the best batting average of the five losing teams in the opening round.

In the opening match, Sparta defeated Fyrish by eight wickets after restricting Fyrish to 62 for 7 in their allotted 10 overs. Amit Mohamed (20) and Hemand Samaroo (16) topscored for Fyrish as Sunil Madramootoo claimed three wickets for eight runs. In response, Kishan Sankt (29) and David Luknauth (16*) batted well to lead Sparta to victory.

Toopoo defeated Terry Pike’s Grocery XI by seven runs. Batting first, Toopoo reached 98 for 7 from 10 overs, with V Kandasammy topscoring with 22 (2 sixes) and V Narain making 20 not out.

Michael Hicks took two wickets for 11 while Keith Simpson and Jamal Jarvis each took a wicket for 11 and 14 runs respectively. In response, Terry’s Grocery were restricted to 91 for 6 despite an attacking 20 not out from Berbice junior cricketer Keith Simpson.

Meanwhile, Grill Master easily defeated Tamarind Root of Hampshire by 42 runs after hitting 113 for 3. Keith Fraser scored 32 opening the batting while Balram Samaroo supported with 25 not out and Davendra Ramoutar, 27 not out. In response, Tamarind Root could only muster 71 as Keon Sinclair (3-10) and Ray Jaferally (2-14) bowled well for the winners.

Shamie Grocery XI were beaten

by Rising Star by 10 wickets after being kept on a tight rein, only scoring 46 all out in 8.3 overs. Five of Shamie Grocery’s batsmen were dismissed run out as Rising Star fielded well. In response, the boys from Port Mourant blasted their way to 49 without loss in just 3.2 overs. In the final match of an exciting day, Hard Knock held their nerve to squeeze past Set Up by four runs.

Set Up, however, qualified for the quarter-finals by passing the 71 posted by Tamarind Root, to go through along with Terry Grocery XI. Hard Knock reached 82 for 9 from 10 overs, with R Braithwaite (26) and E Tyndall being the principal scor-

ers. Set Up, in response, had reached 78 for 5 when their allotted overs expired.

Coordinator Mark Papannah expressed satisfaction at the standard of play, the discipline of every team and the large number of spectators who turned up to witness the first round. Papannah disclosed that the quarter-finals would be played on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the Area H Ground. Teams are required to be at the Ground by 10:00h for a 10:30h start. Each of the teams would be uniformed in Busta T-Shirts.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, October 29, 2017 at the same venue from 11:00h. The organisers would also be arranging a special cricket match between the RHTY&SC King Solomon Logistics Under-12 Team and the Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 Cricket Team.

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sports

21

Florida Guyana Hope wins thriller at CWC

B

efore the feature softball match last Sunday between the visiting charity organization, Florida Guyana Hope and hosts Corriverton United Sports Club there was a hype surrounding the day’s event and it certainly lived up to expectations thanks to exceptional batting from Eric Thomas and Vibert Dan which sealed the three-run thriller.

In brilliant conditions for cricket, Anthony Dhannie won the toss and immediately opted to bat. However, in the early exchanges the hosts were in the drivers’ seat with Florida Guyana

Hope (FGH) losing three wickets inside the first five overs before Eric Thomas and Mahendra Arjune consolidated.

Mohamed Yassin hit 11 (6x1), Mahesh Chunilall 7 (4x1) and Eon “Rapper” Abel 25 (6x2; 4x1) but were quickly in the shade of the Saman tree with the score on 45 after five overs. The partnership of the match then came up with Arjune playing the supporting role to the aggressive Thomas.

Arjune eventually fell for 33 (6x1; 4x1) but Thomas clobbered the Corriverton bowling to all parts of the ground much to the delight

GCB School Cricket

Nations, Richard Ishmael in winners’ row T

he 2017-2018 Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited/National Sports Commission/National Secondary School Cricket League got off to a productive start, with School of the Nations and Richard Ishmael Secondary School emerging winners of the two first-round matches in the North Georgetown Zone on Thursday.

In the match played at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) Ground, Kingston Secondary won the toss and elected to bat, making 115 all out in 14 overs of their allotted 30. Dwane Malichi topscored with 35, while Joel Best and Shawn Inniss contributed 14 and 12 respectively. Kingston Secondary School also benefited from 39 extras.

Devin Shivraj grabbed 4 for 12 with his valuable medium pace; his brother, Ashesh Shivraj took 2 for 38 with his useful medium pace, while off-spinner Kaillan Leiteira bowled superbly to take 2 for 17.

In reply, School of the Nations made 118 for 5 off 20 overs. Christopher Baljit topscored with an unbeaten 44, while Darius Andrews supported with 14. School of the Nations were also the beneficiaries of a significant number of extras – 34. Bowling for Kingston Secondary School, Keon Williams grabbed 3 for 30.

Over at the GNIC Ground, Queen’s College were bundled out for 89 off 21.4 of their allotted 30 overs. Batsmen Ethancanel Sukhnana and Navendra Persaud seemed set to give Queen’s College a big score, with a solid start of 25 and 20 respectively; however, the other batsmen were un-

able to contribute useful scores. Bowling for Richard Ishmael, Ezekile Wilson took 3 for 5 from 3.4 overs, Juspiece Jones, 3 for 19, and Joshua Gardener, 3 for 27.

In reply, Richard Ishmael reached their winning target of 90 for the loss of five wickets from just 19.4 overs. Bryan Bowen made an unbeaten 27, while Tariq Hendricks was not out on 17. Bowling for Queen’s College, Navendra Persaud took 2 for 22.

Matches continue today from 11:00h, with Brickdam Secondary School opposing St Stanislaus College at the GNIC Ground and Charlestown Secondary School competing with D o l p h i n Secondary School at the MYO Ground.

– US$21,500 handed over to local charity

of the delight of the crowd which included Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan.

After the allotted 18 overs the visitors had tallied 161 for 9 with Thomas hitting the top score of 62 with eight maximums and two fours.

After the top order stumble, FGH also had a lower order collapse mainly due to the bowling of Corriverton’s captain, James Hart (4-27) and Sherwin Murray (3-39) who picked up two victims in the final over.

Corriverton United SC who was down at 63 for 7 at the halfway stage of their run chase, kept losing wickets and the result seemed a formality before Hart and Vibert Dan brought them back in the contest with smart batting.

EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League

Jamal Cordis

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Christopher Baljit

The pair was hitting boundaries at will and turned the tide on the visitors and suddenly the equation was 25 runs needed to win from 18 balls. This brought the home crowd alive again while the visitors were unsettled. It was either team’s game at this point.

The next over was bowled

by Thomas and only four runs were leaked. It was now 21 runs to get from 12 balls for Corriverton United to win. Mahenrda Hardyal then disappeared out the park thanks to Vibert Dan who swung for the fences very hard to get nine runs from the 17th over to take the equation to 12 from 6.

After two singles and a dot ball, the fourth ball sailed over long on leaving two balls to get four runs.

Dan missed both to silence the crowd as Thomas and his team started to party.

Dan finished unbeaten on 45 (6x6) while Hard got 30 (6x2; 4x3). Thomas who picked up two wickets was named Man of the Match during the presentation ceremony.

The other aspect of the day’s event was the handing over of donations collected by Florida Guyana Hope to the less fortunate in Guyana. It was the fourth annual presentation and this time US$21,500 was handed over to Guyana Florida Hope which included 40 wheelchairs and 20 walkers.

The money will be spent on patients who reach out to the organization’s local chapter with various needs and families who have unbearable expenses including funeral and surgical bills.

In addition to assisting with the presentation of trophies, Minister Ramjattan also donated cricket gears to the Corriverton United Sports Club and Chess games to young members of the Crabwood Creek community. In brief remarks, the honourable Minister lauded Florida Guyana Hope for their kind gestures and implore the recipients to make full use of the generosity.

Marian Academy to host InterSchool 2-Day Basketball tourney

Cordis’s double leads Grove to T victory

hen play in the second annual East Bank Football Association(EBFA)/Ralph Green sponsored Under-11 League continued on Saturday at the Grove Playfield, there were wins for Grove Hi Tech, Mocha Champs and Herstelling Raiders Football Clubs respectively.

Grove Hi Tech downed defending champions Agricola Red Triangle 4-2; Mocha Champs hammered Friendship 4-1 while Herstelling Raiders blanked Samatta Point/Kaneville 2-0. Grove were led to victory by Jamal Cordis, who netted a double in the 17th and 26th minute. Their account was opened 14 minutes into the game, through an own goal from Agricola while the final goal came off the boot of Jevon Pluck in the 29th minute.

Agricola got their goals from Jonathan Andries in the 16th minute and Seon Grant in the 23rd minute.

Mocha made light work of Friendship, mainly on account of Jamal Harry’s brace of goals, which were scored in the seventh and 10th minute respectively. Kerry Boyce had opened the proceedings in the fifth minute while the final goal was scored by Daniel Bradford in the 25th minute.

Herstelling’s win against Samatta Point/Kaneville was shaped by Solomon Austin, who netted both goals – one in the fifth minute and the other in the 17th.

he Fifth Form Physical Education students of Marian Academy will be hosting a two-day InterSchool Basketball competition as part of a class project in preparation for the 2018 CXC Examinations.

The action gets underway from Friday, October 20 at 14:00h with the preliminaries in both male and female categories being contested. On Saturday, October 21, the top teams will duke it out in the semis and finals, which commence at 15:00h.

Some of the participating schools include: St Rose’s High School, Bishops’ High School, Marian Academy and President’s College.

Prizes for first-place teams include a trophy and medals while runners-up will also walk away with similar prizes. There will also be trophies for the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in both categories.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, october 20, 2017

Permaul backing Jaguars to win helmet-trick of 4-Day titles

– confident young brigade will perform

By Clifton Ross

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Veerasammy Permaul, whose career began in 2007, now approaches the 400-wicket milestone

uyana Jaguars left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul said the threetime defending regional 4-Day champs are well poised ahead of next week’s start to the 2017-18 season, adding that he was strongly backing his team to win the competition for the fourth straight year.

The left-arm spinner, who has been a key cog in the Jaguars machine over the past four years, told Guyana Times Sport on Thursday following his team’s training session, that he was strongly backing the champs to deliver the goods come this season.

“I think the preparation has been coming fairly well for us; we had the Jaguars 3-Day

League and I think everyone is well prepared now, so we will just be doing some final top-ups,” said Permaul, who added that the League has provided the players with vital match time, which will be very crucial in the days to come.

The 28-year-old has been the main bowler for Guyana – along with his spin-twin partner, Davendra Bishoo, who is currently away on international duty – and will enter this year’s competition with 394 wickets, with more than enough games to reach the milestone 400 mark. Speaking about his personal preparations leading up to the season, the out-of-favour West Indies Test spinner said he has been sticking to the basics which have brought himself and team much success over the years.

“Well, basically, I do the things that bring success to me all the time and that’s try to be consistent

National Futsal Cup

Kellman’s hat-trick seals $700,000 for Future Stars

– rampant Sparta Boss claim 3rd place

Future Stars player Jeremy Garrett receives the prize money from an official while Curtez Kellman (far left) and Keron Solomon look on

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n Wednesday evening at the National Gymnasium, the Future Stars had Curtez Kellman to thank for their resounding 4-1 victory over Gold is Money in front of a sizable crowd in the final of the inaugural National Futsal Cup. Future Stars were technically better than their opponents, who struggled to retain possession as they were stifled by the Stars.

For the majority of the first half, it was a stalemate until the exuberant Kellman burst down the left wing to thunder home his side’s first goal in the 15th minute. It was Kellman again who would double his side’s advantage just before halftime after some particularly good work from the ever-dangerous Jermin Junior. It was 2-0 at the break.

Upon resumption, Gold is Money came out rejuvenated, looking to take the attack

whenever I bowl. I always look to put six balls in the same area, because 4-Day (cricket) is about patience and you have to be more patient than the batsmen,” he stated.

Despite a healthy track record at the regional 4-Day competition over the past three years, Guyana will be faced with fielding a side minus the likes of Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh, Keon Joseph, Shimron Hetmyer and Bishoo, who are all on international duty with either the West Indies A or Test teams. Permaul said he was, however, confident that the young breed of players could give good accounts of themselves once given an opportunity, after they showed a lot of maturity and hunger in the 3-Day league. “I think it’s a big miss, ‘cause we’re missing five senior guys, but, nevertheless, we have capable young players; you can see by the way they performed

in the League. I also hope whatever they did in the League they can go out next week and showcase their talent and, hopefully, become senior members of the team for the future,” Permaul declared.

Guyana will commence their title defence from October 26 against the Jamaican Scorpions in the opener at Providence, and Permaul believes that his team, weakened or not, can win the title for the fourth time, but they will need to keep playing as a unit.

“I think it’s important we stick to our plans from the last three years where we have been working hard and playing as a team. We’ve been having performances collectively as a team, but every game someone different performed, so I think that has been our strength over the years and we will need to continue playing that way,” he concluded.

Turbo Knock-out Football

Police, Pele

progress with contrasting wins

Police marksmen (L-R): Kester Dundas, Rawle Haynes, Junior Gordon, and Travis Jones

to Future Stars, they were duly rewarded when Michael Pedro seized on a defensive error to slot one home in the 35th minute; however, Future Stars showed real composure, as Kellman sealed his hat-trick almost immediately after in the 37th minute while Akeemo Anthony netted a wonderful solo effort to close the game off in the 45th minute.

The victory meant that Future Stars walked away $700,000 richer while Gold is Money had to settle for the second-place prize of $300,000.

Earlier, in the third-place playoff, Sparta Boss dominated Back Circle as they bulldozed their way to a 7-0 victory. Eusi Phillips was the architect as he netted in the 4th and 19th minutes while Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, Jerome Richardson, Solomon Austin, Courtney Britton and Daniel Wilson all had a goal apiece.

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t was a tale of two stories when the inaugural Turbo Knockout Football tournament kicked off at the newly-lit Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue on Wednesday evening.

For one, Guyana Police Force FC humiliated West Demerara’s Eagles with a 6-0 hammering while Pele FC edged Northern Rangers 2-1 in an exciting match.

Rawle Haynes’ hat-trick led the arrest for the lawmen, in the 64th, 75th and 77th minutes.

The lopsided contest also saw goals coming from

Junior Gordon (34th minute); Travis Jones (48th) and Kester Dundas (63rd).

The see-saw encounter between the youthful Pele and Rangers went into extra time after the scores were locked at 1-1. Sherwin Vincent had the Rangers ahead in the 12th minute.

Darrhan Persaud found the equaliser in the 35th.

Both sides kept a tight battle going, but still no more goals were scored.

Akosi Jarvis scored just two minutes into the additional time (90+2).

Matches will continue on Tuesday evening at the same venue with

Northern Rangers’ Sunil Logan and Pele’s Lloyd Anderson (yellow) having an intense battle for ball possession

Georgetown Football Club taking on Silver Shattas followed by Riddim Squad against Pouderoyen.

Group A now contains Pele, Santos, Riddim Squad, Silver Shattas, Uitvlugt and Winners Connection.

Group B has Grove HiTech, Pouderoyen, Buxton Stars, Camptown FC, Mahaica Determinators, Kuru Kuru, Georgetown Football Club, and Police.

The remaining 14 teams are contesting for a firstplace prize of $500,000 while the runners-up will receive $250,000; third place, $125,000 and fourth place, $75,000.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, october 20, 2017

23

Pan-Am Indoor Hockey Championships 2017…

Tough day for Guyana – both male and female sides suffer losses

Earlier she had opened the scoring in the 27th minute but Maria Viana puled one back for Uruguay in the 31st minute.

Superb! Aroydy Branford gets off a shot against Canada (Michelangelo Jacobus Photo)

By Michelangelo Jacobus

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he Guyana women’s team came from behind to lead against Trinidad and Tobago at halftime but could not hold on that lead as they eventually lost 6-3 in their first game on Thursday on day four of the Pan American Indoor Hockey Championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Arielle Williams opened the scoring for the Trinidadians after just two minutes from a penalty cornerwhile her teammate Krizia Layne doubled their lead in the fifth minute.

However the Guyanese ladies seemed to find their bearings and Nicole Eastman halved the deficit immediately after with a well taken field goal. Marzana Fiedtkou then scored from consecutive penalty corners in the 18th and 20th minutes to edge Guyana in-front at 3-2 going into the

half.

When play in the second half resumed it was all about the ladies from the twin island republic as they hit back four times with Blair Wynne grabbing two while Layne added her second. Wynne’s goals came in the 22nd and 40th minutes while Layne had her second in the 36th minute, Alanna Lewis was the other goal scorer in the 37th minute. *USA beat Barbados 100* Earlier the USA women made light work of Barbados thrashing them 10-0 with Ali Campbell scoring four goals while Sammy Popper netted a hattrick with Paityn Wirth, Mary Beth Barham and Madison Orobono adding a goal apiece. They then turned their attention to home side Guyana later in the evening with a 7-1 victory.

Campbell was once again among the goals as the USA

Argentina beat Canada 2-1 However in the game against Argentina, Canada only managed to score once through Angela Lancaster in the 30th minute. Argentina had the Marias to thank for their victory as Maria Nimo opened the scoring in the

ty of the first half against defending champs Canada with Aroydy Branford turning in an outstanding performance despite not being able to put his side in the lead. Eventually the Guyanese resolve broke and Canada’s Jonathan Roberts put Canada ahead with three quick goals to leave the score line at 3-0 halftime.

Guyana came out in the second looking as they did in the first half but suffered

women outplayed their opponents. Campbell added another four goals in the fifth, 19th, 38th and 39th minutes while Mary Beth Barham provide valuable backup with a brace in the 17th and 31st minutes, Sammy Popper added the other goal in the 6th minute. The Guyanese seemed out of sorts and it showed when their captain Trisha Woodroffe missed a penalty in the opening minutes of the game, their lone goal came courtesy of a bandaged Marzan Fiedtkou who dispatched a penalty corner with aplomb.

Canada beat Uruguay 2-1 Meanwhile defending female champions Canada suffered a mixed day as the first dispatched of Uruguay 2-1 then lost by the same scoreline to Argentina.

Canadian Captain Alison Lee scored a late goal in the 40th minute to make sure Canada beat the Uruguayans.

Marzana Fiedtkou scored Guyana's only goal against the USA

20th minute while Maria Paz sealed the win in the 34th minute.

Men’s action Canada beat Guyana 8-5 The Guyanese men were impressive in the majori-

a setback in the 22nd minute when Micah Teixeira netted to make it 4-0. Jamarj Assanah then took things into his own hands as he netted a field goal immediately after. As Guyana hunted for more goals they were hit on

the counter as Roberts netted twice for Canada in the 28th minute. At 6-1 it appeared the game was all but sealed but the Assanah who was far and away the best Guyanese player on the night netted in the 32nd minute.

Roberts who was a real menace for Canada then scored again immediately after. Assanah scored twice more in the 34th and 39th minutes while Aroydy Branford also got a goal in the 38th minute but it was too late as Devohn Norohna Teixeira sealed Canada’s win in the 37th minute. The game ended at 8-5.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport after his side’s defeat, Robert France conceded that his side switched up at an integral time towards the end of the first half and were thus punished, he however pointed out that Guyana did well to give the Canadians a scare in the second half but noted that by then the game had already slipped away from his men. Guyana will next be facing Argentina and France noted that his side will be going for the jugular.

In the other male matchup of the day Mexico’s misery continued as Trinidad and Tobago inflicted a 13-2 drubbing of them.

Up to press time Argentina and Barbados were yet to play, the results of that game will be published in a subsequent report.

Organisers upbeat ahead of “Cricket Cares” T20

From left: Keem representative Feliz Roberts, Ansa Mcal’s Nigel Worrell, event PRO Sean Devers, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie and GCB TDO Colin Stuart

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in partnership with the Keem’s Foundation and Ansal McAl, on Thursday officially launched the Hurricane Relief T20 charity match “Cricket Cares” set for Sunday October 22 at the Providence National Stadium, Guyana.

The match will feature a strong Guyana T20 team led by Leon Johnson who will play a Caribbean All-Star XI headed by Rayad Emrit. Held at the GCB’s boardroom, Regent Street, Board Secretary Anand Sanasie, event PRO Sean Devers, Nigel Worrell of Carib Beer and Feliz Roberts of the Keem foundation, engaged with media operatives regarding the lo-

gistics of the game.

Roberts said the foundation, founded by entertainer Rawle Ferguson was created after the radio personality’s son passed a few years ago from cancer. She said the event was geared towards assisting resident of St Martin and Dominica who are now in the process of rebuilding following the devastation left by last month’s hurricane.

Regarding the concept of the match, Devers pointed out that no medals, awards or trophies will be awarded as the purpose of the match is based on unity and assistance, rather than the usual glitz and glamor associated with the T20 format.

– tickets go on sale today He added that while the game will be played with the typical exciting T20 setting, its important to ensure that the main objective is to promote unity and help those who have been affected by the catastrophe.

Sanasie pointed out that the GCB was happy to be apart of the venture which will effectively aid in the rebuilding of families and lives, a move which will also help to unity persons around the Caribbean. The Secretary added that the match will prove a good workout for the national team who will then switch back to 4-day mode ahead of next Thursday’s start to the season.

Meanwhile, the sponsors prom-

ise an exciting match which includes half time entertainment by entertainers Jomo Primo, Timeka Marshall and Natural Black.

Grass Mount $1,500 and all stands are $2,000 and will go on sale from Today, Friday 20th, 2017.

Tickets are expected to go on sale from today at various locations including; Poonai’s Pharmacy in Rose Hall Town, Little Rock Hotel in New Amsterdam, M&Ms on the East Bank Demerara, Saro Boy Groceries in Buxton, Nimbus Water in Vreed-en-Hoop, Big Yard Auto Sales in Tuschen and Dan’s Snackett in Parika and at the GCB office.

The match is expected to start time of 17 00 hours.

Guyana T20 team: Leon Johnson (Captain), Robin Bacchus, Sherfane Rutherford, Johnathan Foo, Gajanand Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Anthony Bramble, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Ricardo Adams, Chris Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton and Ramaal Lewis Caribbean All Stars: Rayad Emrit (Captain), Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Andre Fletcher, Nicholas Pooran, Kjorn Ottly, Kevin Cooper, Kesrick Williams, Javon Searles, Fidel Edwards, Suleiman Benn, Lennox Cush, Joshua Wade, Andre Stoll and Romaine Maniram.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Pan-Am Indoor Hockey Championships 2017…

Tough day for Guyana

– both male and female sides suffer losses

Pg 23

Gabriella Xavier battles for the ball with two T&T players

Pg 22

Permaul backing Jaguars to win helmettrick of 4-Day titles

– confident young brigade will perform Veerasammy Permaul is confident Guyana can successfully defend their title this season

Turbo Knock-out Football Pg 22

Police, Pele

progress with contrasting winss Though a physical clash, Police (blue shirt) were too much of a superior opponent for Eagles

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