The Montserrat Reporter - May 10 2013

Friday, May 10, 2013

Page g 1 Today’s Scripture [The Lord said to Joshua,] “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (NRSV)

No new or expanded airport www.themontserratreporter.com

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Premier and Governor say

by Bennette Roach The Hon. Premiere Reuben T Meade confirmed upon his return from Dubai three

Hon. Premier Reuben T. Meade

Aerial shot of John A. Osborne airport

cont’d. on page 6

HE Governor Adrian Davis

More

Headlines...

DFID suspends PWD funding...pg 2

Thomas Irish, Montserrat rising star...pg 5

Defendants found guilty in couple’s slaying...pg 3

4.1 earthquake in St. Lucia...pg 6

Kids Korner...pg 7

First female governor general...pg 4

Bank Bank of of Montserrat Montserrat Your Your Bank.

Bank. Your Your Future.

Future.

weeks ago, effectively confirming Governor Governor Adrian Davis’ position who responded to the concerns of many who took issue with him, on Jan. 24, 2013 at his monthly meet with the press, to this question about the John A Osborne airport. “…there’s been quite a bit of concern as regard the airstrip at the John A. Osborne Airport and the need for possible expansion. The question is, will the British government be in a position

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sa

Friday, May 10, 2013

DFID suspends funding for Public Works Mechanical Workshop Project After just the weekend since DFID suspended funding to the A1 Road Improvements project, stunning many agreeable observers, DFID’s local representative issued another release this time announcing the suspension of further funding for the Restructuring of Public Works Mechanical Workshop Project.

The A1 Road project was suspended last Friday, May 3, 2013 and on Tuesday following the Labour Day Monday holiday, Dr. Kato Kimbugwe issued the following release which said in part: “The Department for International Development would like to inform members of the public of the suspension of further funding for the Restructuring of Public Works Mechanical Workshop Project.”

It explained: “On the 23rd April 2012 GoM(Government of

Montserrat) wrote to DFID informing us of an on-going investigation into procurement practices in the implementation of this project.

GoM requested technical assistance to support an audit of the project. An independent procurement audit was commissioned and conducted by the Auditor General in January 2013.”

For some months now there have been various investigations and inquiries taking place at the Ministry of Communications and Works, but no details have been forthcoming. The mere switching of permanent secretaries was said to be as a result of some of the fall-outs from the investigations, but we learned recently that DFID had become involved.

We were directed to the Hon. Financial Secretarywho recently returned from an extended vacation

and according to a GIU releasehe, he said he is in contact with the relevant department heads to ascertain the status of the audit and also any outstanding issues at PWD. According to a GIU release, he added that the necessary plans are being made to ensure that the project can get back on stream in the shortest possible time.

According to the said GIU release the DFID Resident Representative Kimbugwe announced Tuesday in a statement that the funds have been suspended pending the outcome of an audit being conducted by the Office of the Auditor General that In the interim, DFID said it will conduct an annual review of the project as stipulated in the joint project Memorandum of Understanding.

Meanwhile, PWD Director Ron Beardsley confirmedthat with

road hole on the side with no signage.

The above photo highregards to the suspension of the funding on A1 road project, current lights what continues to be and ongoing contractual work will potentially damaging to vehicular traffic and pedestrians. There is be completed.

rarely proper signage on the road projects to indicate hazardous breaks in the road where work is being conducted.

The Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) announced on May 8, 2013, the official launch their independent website.

In a release the RMPS says that “The purpose of this internet portal is to maximize communication between the communities and the police thus improving efficiency and effective service delivery to the populace of Montserrat.”

The release stated: “The RMPS Website was designed and created internally as a

“temporary drivers license”, they no longer need to wait until their arrival to seek the necessary documentation; the form may be retrieved from the Police website and can be completed and presented on arrival at the Immigration desk.

The release warns The website is continuously exchanging new and updated information. Advice: Check back often, to view many more online forms and applications as the website evolves.

NAGICO Insurance RMPS launches new website donates tv screen and DVD to Diabetes Assoc.

NAGICO Insurance donates TV screen and DVD to Diabetes Assoc.

The Montserrat Diabetes Association held a special meeting on Wednesday afternoon, May 8, 2013, during which NAGICO insurances and Judith Greer & Associ-

atespresented to the association a 32-inch television and DVD. Mrs. Greer on making the presentation described how pleased she was, being a member of the Association, but especially representing NAGICO Insurance. “I

am here today as a part of the Diabetes Association and secondly on behalf of Nagico Insurances,” she announced.

She expressed commendation to the president Mrs. Valerie Lynch, “for the

cont’d. on page 8

NOTICE TO PAY OFF TO: The Personal Representatives of the Estate of James White deceased and/or The Estate of James White deceased We, as attorneys at law for Montserrat Building Society Limited and on its instructions, hereby require you to pay to Montserrat Building Society Limited at its offices at Brades, Montserrat, West Indies, the principal money and all interest accrued thereon and all fees, expenses and charges incurred in connection therewith now pending under the Charge dated the 1st day of May 1990 on the property known as Parcel 36, Block 11/1, Salem Registration Section, and made between Montserrat Building Society Limited on the one part and James White deceased on the other part.

And you are hereby given notice that if such principal money, interest, fees and charges are not paid before the expiration of three months from the date hereof, Montserrat Building Society Limited shall sell the property comprised in the Charge in accordance with the provisions of Section 72 (2) b of The Registered Land Act of the Laws of Montserrat.

Dated this 8th day of May, 2013

result of a policing review recommendation to be a modernized service, aligned with the ever-changing police and technology environment.”

The RMPS says the website outlines who they are, what they do and the many services they provide, offeringeasier access to information and documents that may be required by the public on a regular basis.

As an example, the siteofferspersons travelling to Montserrat wishing to have a

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A. D. 2013 [PROBATE] In the Estate of HERBERT CHESTERFIELD DALY, deceased LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of HERBERT CHESTERFIELD DALY late of Salem, Montserrat who died on the 23rd. day of September 2003 at Admirals Reach Nursing Home, Ridgewell Avenue, Chelmsford, England be granted to PERCIVAL AUSTIN BRAMBLE of Jones Hill, Montserrat the lawful attorney of ORVILLE VINCENT DALY the son of the deceased and the sole person entitled to take Letters of Administration of his Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to us the undersigned.

FURTHER any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, whose address is: Office of the Registrar General, Brades, Montserrat, not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

___________________ Jean E H Kelsick KELSICK & KELSICK Attorneys at Law for Montserrat Building Society Limited

Dated this 25th. day of April, 2013 …………………………….

ALLEN MARKHAM & ASSOCIATES Solicitors for the Applicant

Principal money, interest and legal expenses due at the 30th day of April, 2013– EC$24,700.82

This notice is published by Allen Markham & Associates Barristers & Solicitors whose address for Service is Banks, Montserrat.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Page g 3

Letters/Opinion

Prison for 3 in killing of EDITORIAL Good governance is trans- US couple in Caribbean parency, the lack of it is evil

The theme for World Press Freedom Day (WFPD) which was observed last week on Friday, May 3, was “Safe to Speak: Securing freedom of expression in all media.” Of the many thoughts and ideas that jumped out from this, the obvious to many in these parts, was the fear that generally exists in people, whether in small or large groups and communities.

The more freedom people enjoy to express themselves whether in words or action the more productive they will be leading to wealth, enhancement and advancement. In an Introduction to an Election Handbook for Journalists, it speaks early about the free exchange of ideas. “If, however, elec-

tions are not conducted in a manner that provides for the free exchange of ideas and solutions among candidates, their parties and the population, and if the process of voting and declaring results is not transparent, such elections will impact negatively on the ability of the eventual victor to govern under conditions that are widely accepted.”

It goes on to speak about, What are the marks of free and fair elections? For one thing, they must be conducted in a transparent and open way, with sufficient information made available for the advice of the electorate.

Naturally, there cannot be transparency without information on thoughts, ideas and plans, explanations of actions past and to come. So that transparency covers a multitude of situations.

It is the reluctance and the absence of transparency that push people in the arena of fear and solitude and even into the feelings of guilt. The result is always looking over the shoulder, afraid to speak. Unfortunately far too many are afraid to speak, when it is always ‘safe to speak’. It brings a freedom that is so powerful.

Speak out always to oppose evil. That is what good people do. Some people know of evil, but keep quiet about evil. They even begin to doubt that corruption is evil, so they struggle. The hard truth is however, if you are good, then the will is already present to stand up and fight for what you know to be right. Tell a journalist and leave the rest to him/her.

The further truth is, as Edmund Burke observes, “Time and again those who profess to be good seem to clearly outnumber those who are evil, yet those who are evil seem to prevail far too often. Seldom is it the numbers that determine the outcome.” Even in the scriptures, there are numerous examples of this sad and awful scenario being played out over and over again.

So here is the great saying: When good men do nothing, evil triumphs.

Evil, sin and sinful men must always be opposed.’ In our so-called Christian society, it is well known, God commands those who are good, not just to avoid evil but actively oppose it. So, here is another way to look at it, and let it sink in. When good people do nothing, they are no longer good. Many have the mistaken notion that good is merely the absence of doing that, which is wrong. This goes for the many people who know that they are being given evil instructions, yet the fear sets in and they do it nonetheless never realizing that they are just as evil as the one the perceive will persecute them.

Far too many say, “I cannot change the world,” “everyone else is doing it” and they question the benefits of being good.

There are many verses of scripture and stories of scripture that can aid the good person to be good and speak out loudly, quietly against good to expose it and stop it. For those who tend to want to hide our evil from the outside world, figuring that the only thing they want to do is use the information against us, it is only because you believe they are evil also. But, evil plus evil remains evil, and hauntedness and more evil is all that will result.

Where there is lack of transparency, there is evil. Whenever there is something to hide it cannot be good, it is evil. Failure to make it possible for all to be informed and thus empowered is evil. Anyone who is good wants to share good to all.

The Montserrat Reporter

Published by: Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - Editor: Bennette Roach Office: Davy Hill, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, Montserrat, W.I. Typeset and Printed by Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - monp_p@candw.ms.

Tel. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: editor@themontserratreporter.com or monrep@candw.ms - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com

Boston.com

by JUDY FITZPATRICK Associated Press /

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (AP) — A judge in St. Maarten convicted three men and issued prison sentences Wednesday, May 08, 2013 in the killing of a South Carolina couple in the Caribbean country.

Lead defendant Meyshane Johnson was found guilty of all six charges against him, including two counts of murder in the deaths Michael and Thelma King of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Judge Tamara Tijhuis imposed a life sentence, citing the cruel nature of the crime and the possibility that he might commit similar crimes if released. ‘‘You have not shown any remorse,’’ Tijhuis told Johnson, a citizen of Jamaica who worked

as a security guard in St. Maarten. ‘‘Only a life sentence is justified.’’

Jeremiah Mills, who was on probation for robbery, was acquitted of the murder charge but convicted of being an accomplice.

The judge sentenced him to 28 years in prison.

Jamal Woolfordwas convicted of being an accessory and received 22 years.

Authorities portrayed the killing as part of a crime spree that included the robbery of a Chinese restaurant, for which all three were also convicted. The judge issues a verdict and sentence at the same time under the St. Maarten legal system.

Friends and relatives of the Kings wept as the verdicts were read out. Gasps were heard from the audience when Johnson turned and smiled to the gallery as

he was led out of court following the verdict.

Michael King, a retired insurance executive, and his wife owned a home in St. Maarten, which shares an island with the French dependency of St. Martin.

Their throats were slashed and their house looted in the September attack.

Johnson’s lawyer, Brenda Brooks, had argued that her client did not intend to kill the couple and should be convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter. She said Wednesday that she would appeal the verdict and sentence.

The three men are expected to serve their sentences in St. Maarten’s Pointe Blanche prison. © Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

FILE - This Sept. 25, 2012 file photo shows an undated picture of Michael and Thelma King of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, that hangs inside Topper's Restaurant in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten. On Wednesday, May 8, 2013, a judge in St. Maarten convicted three men and issued prison sentences in the killing of the South Carolina couple who owned a home in the Caribbean country.

Lead defendant Meyshane Johnson was found guilty of six charges, including two counts of murder in the deaths of Michael and Thelma King, receiving a life sentence. (AP Photo/Judy Fitzpatrick, File)

Our Scripture Verse Today Run A Little

[The Lord said to Joshua,] “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9 (NRSV) When our son was around six years old, he would sometimes stop as we made our way home from our shop, saying, “Dad, I’m too tired to walk.” I would answer, “Then you can run a little.” That was one of those typical illogical answers that a child sometimes gets from an adult. To be honest, I said it in order to distract him. But to my surprise he restored his energy by changing pace, and he was not tired anymore.

We all can sometimes lose our energy simply because we get stuck at a certain

pace. We form our lives in certain routines, doing business as usual. That’s why I admire the paralytic in this story from Mark’s Gospel. When Jesus told him to stand up and walk, he had the courage to do so. Jesus asked him not only to change pace but to do something he certainly was not used to doing.

Persevering in the faith requires us to be willing to listen to God’s voice calling us to change our routines, to do something we have not done before, and to enter areas we could never have imagined.

Such a change of pace takes courage. But “the one who calls you is faithful” and will give us the grace we need to change (1 Thess. 5:24).

Hans Vaxby (Moscow, Russia)

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Rising seas in southern Caribbean offer dark preview of future amid climate change The Washington Post

By Associated Press TELESCOPE, Grenada — The old coastal road in this fishing village at the eastern edge of Grenada sits under a couple of feet of murky saltwater, which regularly surges past a hastilyerected breakwater of truck tires and bundles of driftwood intended to hold back the Atlantic Ocean.

For Desmond Augustin and other fishermen living along the shorelines of the southern Caribbean island, there’s nothing theoretical about the threat of

rising sea levels.

“The sea will take this whole place down,” Augustin said as he stood on the stump of one of the uprooted palm trees that line the shallows off his village of tin-roofed shacks built on stilts.

“There’s not a lot we can do about it except move higher up.”

The people along this vulnerable stretch of eastern Grenada have been watching the sea eat away at their shoreline in recent decades, a result of destructive practices such as the extraction of sand for construction and fero-

cious storm surges made worse by climate change, according to researchers with the U.S.-based Nature Conservancy, who have helped locals map the extent of coastal erosion.

Dozens of families are now thinking about relocating to new apartments built on a hillside about a 10-minute walk from their source of livelihood, a tough sell for hardy Caribbean fishing families who see beachfront living as a virtual birthright.

cont’d. on page 8

T&T - Jack faces expulsion should he run First female governor as an independent general of Grenada sworn into office Written by Sourced Infor- constitution provides that ment Primary School, Stansuch a person would be ex- more Avenue, Port of Spain. mation

(Caricom News Network) PORT OF SPAIN Former Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West Jack Warner would face expulsion from the United National Congress (UNC) if he contests the by-election as an independent candidate.

Prime Minister KamlaPersad-Bissessar yesterday said the party’s constitution does have certain sanctions and provisions that prevent a member from contesting a seat as an independent candidate.

“The constitution of the party provides for what will happen if a person should go up on any other ticket except that of the party. I think the

pelled,” Persad-Bissessar said.

The Prime Minister made the statement in response to questions from the media after a visit with Secondary entrance Assessment (SEA) pupils at Tranquility Govern-

(see more – go to) http://www.caricomnewsnetwork.com/2013/index.php/ health-science-and-technology/health-schi-tech-news/ science/2419-t-t-jack-facesexpulsion-should-he-run-asan-independent

Jack Warner and Kamla Persad-Bissessar in brighter days

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2013 LEGAL NOTICE In the Estate of ELIZABETH O’GARRO, deceased

by Nicole Best

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Tuesday May 7, 2013 – The first ever female Governor General of Grenada was sworn into office on Tuesday with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell saying that her inauguration serves as a “beacon of hope that can inspire a whole nation”.

Former head of the Public Service Commission, Dr. Cecile La Grenade, took the oath of office before Justice Margaret Price-Findlay and becomes the second woman to be head of state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Dame Hilda Bynoe, who died earlier this year, became the island’s first Governor when Grenada attained statehood status from Britain in 1967. She was also the first Governor in the Commonwealth.

D r. L a G r e n a d e , a United States trained food technologist, succeeds Sir Carlyle Glean and Prime Minister Mitchell said the inauguration sets a new national tone and “also allows us to once again, make a bold national statement about the value we place on women leadership.

“We are pleased to note that her swearing in breaks

the tradition of nominating Heads of State who came into office after having recent connections to a party’s political process. She has not been an MP or a member of the executive of a party like our last three nominees had been.

“And while all are men with great attributes and are well meaning, there might have been a quiet suspicion among the population – rightly or wrongly – that in the heat of political battles, our Head of State might have a team in the fight.

This will definitely not be the case now,” said Mitch

cont’d. on page 8

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2013 LEGAL NOTICE In the Estate of JOHN JOSEPH WEEKES, also known as JOSEPH WEEKES, deceased

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration to the estate of ELIZABETH O’GARRA late of St. Albans 120-48 198th Street 11412 United States of America who died on the 13th of July 2009 at Queens Hospital Center, Queens New York United States of America be granted to KHARL MARKHAM of Allen Markham & Associates Banks Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of KATHY J. KING the daughter and Personal Representative of the deceased.

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration to the estate of JOHN JOSEPH WEEKES also known as JOSEPH WEEKES late of Drummonds Montserrat who died on the 3rd of March 1979 at Geralds Montserrat be granted to KHARL MARKHAM of Allen Markham & Associates Banks Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of GILBERT ABRAHAM EMMANUEL WEEKES the son and Personal Representative of the deceased.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

DATED this 7th day of May 2013

DATED this 7th day of May 2013

Kharl Markham Allen Markham & Associates

Kharl Markham Allen Markham & Associates

Friday, May 10, 2013

Page g 5

Another rising Montserrat star Thomas Irish is certainly a rising Montserrat Star. He migrated to England aged 5 in 2000.

Diagnosed as profoundly deaf, he attended a special primary school for deaf children. He did not allow his disability to hamper his ability.

Currently, Thomas is a member of the Great Britain Deaf Basketball Team who will travel to Sweden from May 8 to 10 to compete against Sweden, Latvia and Estonia.

Other reports say, he will be the second Montserratian to represent the UK at a high profile basketball tournament in Europe.

The youngster achieved top accolades, trophies and prizes throughout his primary years. His accomplishments paved the way for him to be accepted as a student in a top rated school for deaf children (Mary Hare Grammar School).

In 2010, he had surgery for two cochlear implants which enabled him to hear and speak better.

In addition to being articulate, Thomas can also communicate through sign language. He successfully completed his GCSEs and is currently working towards his Alevels. Thomas continues

to rise and shine as a student with star quality.

He was recently appointed Head Boy, the first Black student in the school to attain this position. In addition to academics, Thomas is also involved in music and sports. He plays the bass guitar and

recorder for the school band. He also sings, writes song lyrics and has produced his own music.

He is an active member of the school’s drama club.

He has represented his school in athletics, football and basketball.

His proud parents are

Errol Irish of Harris Village and Adelle Meade-Irish of St. Patrick’s, Montserrat.

Congratulations Thomas!

You are a rising star indeed!

Number 34 Thomas Irish, outstanding student and rising basketball star

Linda Dias wins prestigious Chevening scholarship award Government of Montserrat architect currently seconded to the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC), will study at the University of Westminster’s School of Architecture in London for a Masters in Cultural Identity and Globalisation. She leaves here in mid-September.

Meanwhile the release notes that “His Excellency the Governor, Mr Adrian Davis has extended his personal congratulations to Miss Dias, on her award.”

She, last year won the design of the Statistics logo for the latest Census release.

Miss Linda Dias

Miss Linda Dias of Lookout is one of only two British Overseas Territories (BOT) citizens to be awarded a prestigious Chevening scholarship. The other has gone to a candidate from the British Virgin Islands.

Government House made the announcement through a release which says, “The Chevening scholarship for the 2013 / 14 academic year. Chevening scholarships are the highest awards offered by Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and are extremely competitive.

Miss Dias, who is a

Page 6

Friday, May 10, 2013

No expansion for John A Osborne airport cont’d. from page 1 to provide the necessary funding for an expansion to the existing strip?”

The Governor responded as though he was expecting the question, firstly referencing part of a statement by the Hon. Donaldson Romeo recently made in Legislative Assembly. “First thing I would say is that I disagree with what the Leader of the Opposition said yesterday which I don’t think was actually referred to in any one’s reply where he made the blanket statement that everybody knows that Montserrat has an unsafe airport.That is completely untrue. It is certified as safe for the planes that it receives,” the Governor said, adding that the airport is no more hazardous than several other airports around the world.

“So, there is no question that Montserrat is operating “an unsafe airport.”

As for the UK government providing funds for expanding the “airstrip”, the Governor dismissed the thought and said it was not part of the GoM development strategy and that the airport issue is not “a fundamental constraint to Montserrat’s development.”

“Secondly, I don’t believe a fundamental constraint to Montserrat’s development is access by air. I

think one of the fundamental constraints to Montserrat’s development is access by sea, which is why I really emphasize the need - to get back a regular ferry service that gets you to and from Antigua in an hour...It’s always going to be access by sea that’s the critical constraint.”

Gov Davis said.

The Governor continued: “You can’t expand the airport at the current location. It can take Islanders.

It can take Twin Otters. It can’t take anything else and you can’t expand it to take anything else,”he said.

He then offered the “real question. ”So what you are effectively asking is to reopen the idea of moving the airport to somewhere else so it could take other planes. I doubt if you would find that to be an economically justifiable investment. It hasn’t really been examined. It is not on anyone’s horizon and certainly doesn’t form part of the Strategic Growth Program,” he contributed.

HE while agreeing that it was a mistake not to buy a ferry prior to 2005 contended: “the airport is vital, but it’s not going to be the key to getting lots of people here given you’re talking about six or 19 at the most. At the moment, we’re still talking about Islander operations,” he argued.

Premier confirms no airport expansion/development Many expected a rebuttal or a denial by the Premier of the Governor’s position. It never happened but instead the Premier confirmed that the governor’s expression of his knowledge on the access issue. He reported a successful visit. “We left Dubai with a letter of intent addressed to the MDC basically indicating an interest in doing the hotel which is 150 rooms and twenty luxury villas on Potato Hill,” he told the media on April 19 at his office.

During questions that followed, the premier said that there is no need to do anything with the airport.

He said that an upgrade to the ferry and its service along with the introduction of twin otters should take care of Montserrat’s access problems.

“No in relation to the developer (Dubai discussions) and the developments which we are looking at the airport was not seen as a major issue greater focus was placed on a proper ferry and a port facility,” the Premier responded, explaining, “Most times despite the relative rough seas, and I say relative rough seas, if there is a suitable ferry, there are only a few days in the year

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The deadline for the submission of applications is 26 May 2013.

then the ferry would not be able to operate provided we had a proper breakwater and docking facilities.”

He continued addressing the airport access. “The other one is that part of the MOU discussions which we are taking forward is the discussion of using the 19seater aircraft (twin otter) which can utilise the facilities here to be able to bring that on stream this year…” he further explained.

Montserrat a unique

destination negates need for bigger airport He went on to justify the no need of an upgraded or new airport referencing still the Dubai discussions.

“The other element which is being discussed still is we do not necessarily want to have a destination that is easy to get to which is what the developers are talking about.

They want it to be a unique destination where people will pay money to come to,‘cause they would not see

the Ruben Meade’s and the Bennette Roaches’ laying on the beach next to them, given where their coming from as well.That part of the world they are also looking at the possibilities of if you’re getting the coffee get the coffee one time and done.”

In addition to the foregoing Premier Meade revealed that the developers who as already said seek to have Montserrat as a unique destination will build their own helicopter landing site“

Caribbean bank accounts are next IRS target

by Kevin McCoy, USA TO- serve the summons on Wells which requests account data Fargo, the San Francisco-based for Americans who had CIBC DAY

Opening a new front in the U.S. crackdown on offshore tax evasion, federal investigators late Monday won court approval for a summons that will force a Caribbean bank to turn over account data for wealthy American clients.

Investigators planned to

bank that maintains correspondent accounts for CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. FCIB is a Barbados-based bank with 18 branches in the Caribbean but no operations in the U.S. The Justice Department said a federal court in San Francisco approved the summons,

accounts from 2004 through 2012.

"The IRS has launched a compliance initiative to investigate U.S. taxpayers" with FCIB accounts "who have not been or may not be complying with U.S. internal revenue laws requiring

cont’d. on page 8

St. Lucia jolted by 4.1 magnitude earthquake (CMC) CASTRIES, St. Lucia –An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 jolted St. Lucia late on Tuesday night, the Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) reported Wednesday.

It said that the quake occurred at 11.45 pm (local time) and was located at 14.02° degrees north, and 60.61 degrees west.

UWI said that the quake

with a depth of 20km “may have been felt in nearby islands” but that there have been no reports of injury or damage.

The earthquake is the latest in a series of tremors that have occurred in several Caribbean countries in recent months.

Earlier this month, Trinidad and Tobago shookfrom a quake with a magnitude of 3.7 on the Richter scale just as SRC officials

warn the oil rich twin island country to be prepared for a major earthquake.

Late last month, Antigua and Barbuda and several other countries in the Leeward Islands were also affected by an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1.

The earthquake is the latest in a series of tremors that have occurred in several Caribbean countries in recent months.

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT A.D.2013 [PROBATE DIVISION] LEGAL NOTICE In the Estate of ABRAHAM HOWSON, deceased NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of 14 days from the date of this notice, an application will be filed at the Registry, High Court of Justice for a Grant of Letters of Administration of the Estate of ABRAHAM HOWSON deceased, late of St. John’s, Montserrat who died on the 17th day of July 1995 be issued to JOSEPH SILCOTT of St. John’s, the nephew of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to a share in the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested in the Estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this notice.

FURTHER any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant of Letters of Administration to the said applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice whose address is: Office of the Registrar General, Brades, Montserrat not later than fourteen (14) days from the publication of this notice.

Dated the 03 rd day of May 2013 Marcelle E.M. Watts Attorney at law for the Applicant

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Kids time - In your own korner Hello everyone – It is kid’s time with Auntie Lyka “In Your Own Korner”. I hope you are putting your all into your school work. You are now you the home stretch towards your end of year examination. Remember the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. Remember to read a book. It will take you around the world.

An original story from the Shona people Ngoma: A Zimbabwean Story Ngo, ngo, ngo. in Zimbabwe, this is also a tale about the power of the drum. The storyteller, Ephat Retold by Gerald Hausman and Seth Cohen In the hot sun the villagers heard the tree speak Mujuru, told this story so that we might and they began singing. Their song went like this— understand how drumming brings people What is it that is making that sound? together and makes one out of many, and The trunk of the tree is making that sound. many out of one.

They sang this song over and over. Yet when they stopped singing, they always heard the tree talking to them: ngo, ngo, ngo.

*** Once there were three hunters.

At last the drummer who had found the talking tree said, “Let us move this rock and maybe the mystery of the talking tree will be shown to us.”

Well, that is a good beginning. But the truth is, two of the hunters were such lazy fellows that they were not hunters at all.

So all of the villagers—men, women and children—pushed the rock with all their strength. And the rock rolled away.

So there was really only one hunter. When his bowstring sang, his arrow always hit its mark. And he always brought food back to the village.

One day the three men were in the forest when a deer they were stalking disappeared into a hole in a big hollow tree. The inside of the tree was hollowed out by the white ants that like to eat this kind of wood. It was like a cave inside. And the hunter who was really a hunter went in after the deer. He disappeared inside the tree.

He dreamed all the way to morning.

The sun came up and along with it there came a drummer who was looking for a drum tree.

Once within he could not find his way out, nor could he find the deer. Was it ever really there? It must be a spirit deer! he thought.

Ngo, ngo, ngo. This was the sound of the axe striking the wood of the tree. Inside, the hunter woke up.

His friends, who were not really friends, rolled a big rock in front of the tree mouth. Then they went back to the village and told everyone that the hunter had been eaten by lions.

“I see a tree,” he said. “This tree will give me the wood that I need to make my drum.” He began to chop at the tree.

“What is that sound I hear?” he asked.

Outside, the drummer swung his axe. Ngo, ngo, ngo.

There, inside, standing all by himself, was the hunter. Free at last, he was filled with joy. He was also thankful for the talking tree.

Then the drummer said to him, “The drum was the reason I came to this tree. I wanted to make a drum.”

“My heart was the reason I heard drums in my dreams,” said the hunter.

“It was our hands and the wood of the tree that made our hearts speak to us,” said the drummer.

The people knew then that this was not a talking tree. It was a drum tree. After this they knew that when they listened to the beat of their hearts, they would not feel trapped or lost. When they spoke with their hands and beat a rhythm they would speak for all living things.

Inside the hollow tree the hunter found the rock held him captive. There is no way out, he thought.

I am trapped. So he sat down in the darkness, and tried to think.

Inside, the hunter heard the same sound, as if it were the heart beat of the tree itself— ngo, ngo, ngo.

Inside the hollow tree there was no light, no sound. There was nothing. Even the spirit deer was not there in all of that nothingness. The hunter sat in the stillness, and darkness. And he listened to his heart. The sound of his heart quieted him. Soon he fell asleep.

The drummer began to feel a strange rhythm as he chopped.

Outside the tree, day turned into night. The hunter dreamed of drums that sounded like his heart.

When the drummer told his story, everyone wanted to listen to the talking tree. So they walked into the forest— men, women and children.

After that day, ngoma, drums, were always with the drummers, muridzi we ngoma. The drummers carried them everywhere they went and they talked with them. From afar, the hills rang with the words of the drums.

Inside, the hunter felt a stirring in his heart. He got up and began to strike his palms on the wood of the tree.

In the field, hoeing or planting— ngo, ngo, ngo.

Pre-School Corner

Hello to you my preschool friends. This week we will at Colours. do enjoy.

“The tree is alive,” he said.

“The tree is talking to me,” he said. “I shall return home and tell everyone in the village that I have found a talking tree.”

Ngo, ngo, ngo.

Again and again, the hunter pounded the hollow tree.

Picture Crossword Puzzle

See you next week right here

In Your Own Korner.

Where we will have fun Kids write your stories, tell us about yourselves. Email or post - Write to Aunty Lyka, at P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, or send email to: kidstime@themontserratreporter.com

That was Ngoma’s message to the people.

The people were then known as muridzi we ngoma, people of the drum, drummers of the heart.

Afterward

On the hard earth, grinding corn— ngo, ngo, ngo.

At the river, washing clothes— ngo, ngo, ngo And when the storyteller finishes this story he always says, “If you doubt the power of the drum, or the truth of this tale, put your hand over your heart and feel the beat.”

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Friday, May 10, 2013

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Climate change NAGICO dontations cont’d. from page 4 The Washington Post

By Associated Press TELESCOPE, Grenada — The old coastal road in this fishing village at the eastern edge of Grenada sits under a couple of feet of murky saltwater, which regularly surges past a hastilyerected breakwater of truck tires and bundles of driftwood intended to hold back the Atlantic Ocean.

For Desmond Augustin and other fishermen living along the shorelines of the southern Caribbean island, there’s nothing theoretical about the threat of rising sea levels.

“The sea will take this whole place down,” Augustin said as he stood on the stump of one of the uprooted palm trees that line the shallows off his village of tin-roofed shacks built on stilts.

“There’s not a lot we can do about it except move higher up.”

The people along this vulnerable stretch of eastern Grenada have been watching the sea eat

away at their shoreline in recent decades, a result of destructive practices such as the extraction of sand for construction and ferocious storm surges made worse by climate change, according to researchers with the U.S.-based Nature Conservancy, who have helped locals map the extent of coastal erosion.

Dozens of families are now thinking about relocating to new apartments built on a hillside about a 10-minute walk from their source of livelihood, a tough sell for hardy Caribbean fishing families who see beachfront living as a virtual birthright.

If climate change impact predictions come true, scientists and a growing number of government officials worry that this stressed swath of Grenada could preview what’s to come for many other areas in the Caribbean, where 70 percent of the population live in coastal settlements.

In fact, a 2007 report by the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovern-

mental Panel on Climate Change said the devastation wreaked on Grenada by 2004’s Hurricane Ivan “is a powerful illustration of the reality of small-island vulnerability.”

The hurricane killed 28 people, caused damage twice the nation’s gross domestic product, damaged 90 percent of the housing stock and hotel rooms and shrank an economy that had been growing nearly 6 percent a year, according to the climate scientists’ report.

Storms and beach erosion have long shaped the geography of coastal environments, but rising sea levels and surge from more intense storms are expected to dramatically transform shorelines in coming decades, bringing enormous economic and social costs, experts say. The tourismdependent Caribbean is thought to be one of the globe’s most vulnerable regions.

“It’s a massive threat to the economies of these islands,” said Owen Day, a marine biologist with the Caribsave Partnership, a

This is the southern end of Carrs Bay - Little Bay is barely above sea level - Major developments - Montserrat’s future in these areas! - Be awaare

cont’d. from page 2

wonderful work that she has been doing,and may God continue to keep her,” she added, as she explained how Mrs. Lynch approached her with ‘a smile’ for the specific request, “and here we are with the 32 inch TV and the DVD.” In accepting and expressing thanks for the donation, the President of the Association said the television and DVD will be used for educational purposes.“Let me say how extremely grateful I am to Mrs. Judith Greer and Nagico for once again assisting us and helping us to get this TV and DVD,” she said, adding,“I can assure you that this equipment will be well utilize to further enhance our education programs.”

She then told members that, “One of our objectives is to disseminate information and create awareness about diabetes, and this fits in nicely with the International Diabetes Federation five year campaign which focus on diabetes education and prevention.”

Mrs. Lynch recalled

that, “as far back as 2005, at our inaugural meeting, the guest speaker, Dr Samuda, from CFNI, challenged us to invest in diabetes education programmes, as this is one of the solutions to the diabetes problem.”

She closed by thanking Mrs. Greer again, “…many thanks for this generous donation and for being such a good corporate citizen. We are indeed greatly appreciative of your support over the years and look forward to

continued collaboration…”

Following the brief presentations the first showing on the TV was a a video from the 1995 inaugural Asssociation meeting, where the guest Speaker addressed them. In that address Dr. Samuda had informed the meeting that prior to then not enough food was a problem while “today it is obesity, eating too much and poorly is the problem.”

Footcare was the focus as they lessened and treated diabetes.

First female governor general cont’d. from page 4

by Nicole Best

IRS targeting Caribbean banks cont’d. from page 6 the reporting of foreign financial accounts and income earned on those accounts," wrote Justice Dept. attorney Jeremy Hendon in an Apr. 29 petition seeking the summons.

FCIB is the latest of several overseas banks served with similar information demands as part of the continuing Justice Dept. and IRS effort to identify federal tax dodgers who have assets and income hidden offshore. Swiss banking giant UBS and Londonheadquartered HSBC are among banks previously targeted.

"Our work here shows our resolve to pursue these cases in all parts of the world, regardless of whether the person hiding money overseas chooses

a bank with no offices on U.S. soil," acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller said of the latest petition.

FCIB spokeswoman Debra King said the bank is "committed to complying with all laws and regulatory requirements. We are working with Wells Fargo, our correspondent bank, to understand the nature of the order.

It is our intention to cooperate with authorities in accordance with the respective laws of all jurisdictions involved."

The Caribbean bank was used by at least 129 Americans who voluntarily disclosed previously secret foreign accounts in response to IRS leniency programs, according to a federal court declaration IRS revenue

agent Cheryl Kiger filed Apr. 29.

A review of the disclosures found that all involved "taxpayers failed to report income related to undisclosed accounts at FCIB and its predecessors," wrote Kiger.

Among them was the owner of a U.S.-based taxi company who controlled an FCIB account through a Cayman Islands shell corporation that concealed the identity of the true account owner. Kiger, who cited that example in her court declaration, also wrote that FCIB allegedly had been the offshore bank for several Americans suspected or accused of tax evasion or of hiding proceeds of other alleged crimes.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Tuesday May 7, 2013 – The first ever female Governor General of Grenada was sworn into office on Tuesday with Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell saying that her inauguration serves as a “beacon of hope that can inspire a whole nation”.

Former head of the Public Service Commission, Dr. Cecile La Grenade, took the oath of office before Justice Margaret Price-Findlay and becomes the second woman to be head of state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Dame Hilda Bynoe, who died earlier this year, became the island’s first Governor when Grenada attained statehood status from Britain in 1967. She was also the first Governor in the Commonwealth.

D r. L a G r e n a d e , a United States trained food technologist, succeeds Sir Carlyle Glean and Prime Minister Mitchell said the

inauguration sets a new national tone and “also allows us to once again, make a bold national statement about the value we place on women leadership.

“We are pleased to note that her swearing in breaks the tradition of nominating Heads of State who came into office after having recent connections to a p a r t y ’s political process.

She has not been an MP or a member of the executive of a party like our last three nominees had been.

“And while all are men with great attributes and are well mean-

ing, there might have been a quiet suspicion among the population – rightly or wrongly – that in the heat of political battles, our Head of State might have a team in the fight. This will definitely not be the case now,” said Mitchell, who was returned to government in the