The Montserrat Reporter - December 20 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

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Today’s Scripture

Merry Christmas www.themontserratreporter.com Vol. XXVIII No. 42

CHRISTMAS EDITION - 2013 Price $3.00

An angel . . . appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. . . . When they had seen [the baby], they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.

— Luke 2:9, 17 (NIV)

Did Premier misfire again

as he reports to LegAss Premier Reuben T. Meade

by Bennette Roach Instead of doing what is more normal and perhaps more productive, holding press briefing, Premier Reuben T. Meade chose to deliver via a Ministerial Statement in the Legislative Assembly Meeting, held Tuesday, December 17, 2013, Montserrat Cultural Center Conference Room, Little Bay. In that statement, there is the perception that he once again sought to belittle the Leader of the Opposition.

The premier told the Assembly, “I think it’s incumbent on me to report on my most recent visit. Madam Speaker I have recently returned from a threeweek visit to Europe, partially funded by the European Union.”

He reported in his statement of meetings with the Minister for DFID and his team in London followed by a meeting with the DFID Montserrat team in East Kilbride, Scotland. “We discussed, among other things, the aid program for Montserrat, both project related and recurrent budget support,” mentioning also that the matter of a pay rise as requested by the Civil Service Association was also raised.

He said that further detailed discussion on this matter will take place during the budgetary aid mission scheduled for mid-February of 2014.

His visit to Europe followed, the annual Joint Ministerial Conference where he said matters, among other cont’d. on page 6

Opposition Leader Donaldson Romeo

Festival 2013 declared open December 14 at Festival Village

More

Headlines...

Flashbacks...starting on pg 2

What is court’s message...pg 5

Ferry travelers routed to airport...pg 3

‘Island Days’ book a thrill...pg 7

Drunks cannot rule...pg 4

Primary Schools concerts...pgs 10-11

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Page 2

Friday, December 20, 2013

FLASHBACKS

Geothermal (game changer?) Khadija Furlonge easy crown update from February 2013 favourite at the festival 50 queen Georthermal energy excitement builds show 2012 with suspicions, as drill rig arrives Posted on 08 February 2013.

“A Game Changer” - Premier

By Bennette Roach

It’s a new milestone in the UK Government (through DFID) support for Montserrat’s move for green energy with Geothermal exploratory drilling set to begin towards the end of the month. Iceland Drilling Company (IDC) project director here on island, believes this to begin by February 20 – 25.

As the excitement builds meanwhile, seeking to make ‘geothermal’ a more than familiar word to the people of Montserrat, Premier although not the first to make the reference, says Geothermal could be a game changer for Montserrat.

He was speaking during a press briefing with the new European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mikael Barfod, who in turn told of the EU’s support to Montserrat’s recovery effort since volcanic activity began in 1995, but as far as back as 1986.

A quiet chatter and accusations of a lack of transparency in the procuring of the contract to Iceland Drilling Company, and related works have clouded the geothermal project. Last weekend however as Director of Public Works, Ron Beardsley had announced, a ship laden with ‘drilling related materials’ arrived at port Plymouth amidst some confusion or disagreements as to Customs and Port authority workers’ involvement in the off-loading of the equipment. Some information said that was the drilling rig, while sources described the shipment as “correction equipment”. That some unofficial sources said was proof that something had gone wrong already with the contract arising out of poor if not incorrect tendering requirements. cont’d. on page 6 Miss Khadija Furlonge being crowned Festival Queen 2012

As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year, and on those who have helped us shape our business.

We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the year to come.

We wish you a Happy Holiday Season and a New Year filled with Peace and Prosperity.

BANK OF MONTSERRAT YOUR BANK...YOUR FUTURE

By Staff Writer Miss M.S Osborne, Khadija Furlonge walked proudly away with the 2012 Festival 50 Queen Show crown amidst the glitz and glamour she and her fellow contestants presented to a sizable and appreciable audience at the festival city in Little Bay, for the Festival 50 Queen Show 2012.

The five beautiful young ladies made a show to dazzle the audience at the December 29, 2012 show, as contestants, they appeared in appearance order: Miss Montserrat Utilities Limited, Maureen Madu; Miss M.S Osborne, Khadija Furlonge; Miss St. Patricks Cooperation Credit Union, Charlene Sam; Miss MONFEST Bingo Fan, Jovita White; Miss Caribbean Cable Communications, Tiahna Howe.

Khadija Furlonge was a popular choice with everyone. Under the Miss M.S Osborne sash she won four out of the six major segments of the pageant; best swimwear, best performing talent, best eveningwear and a triple way tie along with Miss MONFEST Bingo Fan, Jovita White and Miss Caribbean Cable Communications, Tiahna Howe for best Introductory Speech.

First runner-up went to Miss MONFEST Bingo Fan, while the second runner up spot went to Miss St. Patricks Co-operation Credit Union, Charlene Sam. Best costume and Best question and answer went to MONFEST Bingo Fan, Jovita White. While Miss Congeniality went to Miss Montserrat Utilities Limited, Maureen Madu.

Montserrat Building Society Limited Season’s Greetings

to all our many customers and friends from the directors, management and staff of the

MONTSERRAT BUILDING SOCIETY LIMITED.

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Many thanks for your patronage during the year.

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Friday, December 20 2013

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Ferry travelers routed to airports for charter flights waiting on transport to transfer from ferry to charter flights out of Montserrat

Photos: Repacking luggage for transfer from ferry to charter flights out of Montserrat

by B. Roach Passengers, as they were finally facilitated last weekend, at the beginning of this weekend are being advised to make their way to the VC Bird airport and John A Osborne airport with their full luggage, for transportation between the two islands.

It has become a ‘saga’ as the ferry woes continue to disrupt travel by sea into and out of Montserrat. On Friday morning, December 20, 2013 after the ferry (Carib Sun) of which passengers have given good reviews, there was again no ferry for Friday continuing into Monday. It could not be at a worse time of the year, is the official word, but it seems no one is giving the full story.

The full story does not help the passengers and others who feel need for the service, especially after the hype that has been in the air for the entire year. Merchants in Montserrat may not be unhappy, except that they also may have need for goods coming out of Antigua to augment their Christmas stock, to facilitate those who could not afford the trip to Antigua. Those most disappointed would be those who would make the trip to improve their shopping choices.

The ‘new’ ferry functioned for two days this week, but today news came that the ferry, Carib Queen which was scheduled to operate this weekend could not because its maintenance and repairs had not been completed.

On Thursday, a news report said that Counterpart Access Coordinator Horatia Tuitt has provided an update on the ferry service, whereby, “ there will be no ferry operations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

He confirmed that the ferry M.V. Carib Queen which was scheduled to operate the service on Friday and Saturday, informed the authorities Thursday that they still have not completed maintenance and therefore cannot fulfill their obligation.

The report said that Tuitt made contact with the Owner of the M.V. Carib Sun and M.V. Carib Surf, but they have confirmed that both vessels

are already booked to operate special charter services from St. Kitts to St. Maarten and therefore will not be available.

Hence the management of the Montserrat Ferry Service has organised a number of charter flights from Antigua and Montserrat for Friday morning to facilitate the movement of passengers.

These problems have most likely been festering as sources claim that poor negotiations are to blame. This is being revealed now, but at the Governor’s press conference where Governor Davis rebuffed the use of and inclusion of Geralds airport in the transportation needs of Montserrat, DFID’s Kato Kimbugwe was updating on the latest good news position of ferry transportation.

He referred to the problem of addressing access to Montserrat, which he said, “involved increasing the frequency of the service from three days to five days, improving the type of vessel so instead of a mono-hull vessel…a twin-hull vessel (Carib Surf) because it was more comfortable.”

He had hinted there might be problems. “…the problem has been in trying to get it to a full-time service,…Carib Surf had other commitments in St. Kitts which they just couldn’t drop…”

He then enlightened: “We are trying finalising work on the economic appraisal for the acquisition of a ferry for Montserrat. We are not waiting until that decision has been taken and then it takes 18 months to build ferry.”

Kimbugwe was obviously the purpose built ferry heard of for more than a year now.

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Friday, December 20, 2013

Letters/Opinion

Merry Christmas

EDITORIAL

Shouldn’t politicians This Christmas, pray for be visionaries?

by Vernon ‘Auk’Jeffers

a better Montserrat

As Montserrat activities get geared to give the further appearance of progress, the Christmas season upon us, joined with festival 51, which has left some if not many people wondering. They are wondering aloud, “if you find Christmas, please bring it back for me.”

It makes us wonder if anyone of the few who do listen to what happens in the Legislative Assembly, make any connection to the Premier’s concession, that things are not good right now, while he tries to be optimistic with a vision which he and his government needs to share, for whatever it might be worth.

Whatever has gone wrong with the understanding of the way communication is beneficial, cannot have to do only with the fact that a country trying to come from below bottom seeks claim to lead in what we call egovernment, a topic like so many others is not well understood or properly supported. Or, could it?

Please understand that it was the management of Montserrat Printing & Publishing that encouraged government some 15 years ago to get ahead and start of using technology (known now as IT) and graduated to ICT. It was the David Brandt’s Ministry of Finance, under CT John, (RIP) that heeded the message that we had our own people outside of Montserrat (heavily connected to servicing The Montserrat Reporter (TMR)) who can guide us.

The Montserrat Reporter’s guest book then was the first Facebook as our people reconnected even more than they do today on Facebook. The problem! TMR didn’t have the resources and was too busy encouraging government to use the technology. We never dreamed that we would be sidelined even when the HMG while benefiting from the existence of TMR did not truly believe in practicing the democracy they claim. It has reached proportions so bad, that today we have a Governor who whether for himself or through his advisers cannot explain democracy and his role to guide our Government along paths that will lead to real progress. Or, maybe it is just a cover for them condoning the ignorance in his face.

Not the progress that allowed the Premier to say in his Ministerial Statement at the last sitting of the Legislative Assembly (LegAss): “The journey has not been smooth but the ship of Montserrat has gone through the rough waters and we are starting to see smoother waters and a bright future,” he said. The statement will resonate only in part, with most of it quite difficult to substantiate. because of the significance of the phrase at the beginning of this editorial.

Resources do not permit us to postulate in simple enough terms the state at which we are as the claim goes up, “Despite all of the challenges, Montserrat has a very good investment possibility. We will continue to develop our international profile while seeking to bring those possibilities into reality in the very near future.”

That is supposed to mean the future is ripe. Ah, but this started in 2008. MCAP had control of Government since then, but is 2020 what we call very near future, or even 2016?

Our wish and Christmas prayer is, that as we ‘revel’ into the Christmas festive season, because there are a very small few who can, for us to stop and look at who we are, what we have become and to take the required steps to emerge from our stupor.

Let’s copy a bit from a regional commentator, adding a bit here and there as appropriate: “If we continue to practice deceit, disrespect and bad mindedness, and make excuses for where we are and what we have evolved into, rather than seek honest solutions to our many problems we will continue to decline economically, socially and spiritually.

It is bad because we are a people acknowledging and accepting from those who say our people are resilient, while a deep-seated apathy strives and continues to grow.

Nevertheless, we wish a joyous and blessed Christmas, economically (let the good spirit in and open the eyes), socially and spiritually.

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

With the rising cost of health-care and given the inadequacies or inability of the current health-care delivery methodology on Montserrat, what plan or program is been contemplated to better provide for the people.

I am somewhat baffled that to date none of the “politicians / Government Ministers” on Montserrat, has thought of charting a pathway where the NHS in the UK can be linked to the public health services on Montserrat..

Whether you like it or not, since 1997 Monserrat has become not only a

grant aided British Colony it is also a quasi extension of Britain in the Caribbean Sea. Why then our “politicians / Government Ministers” are so foolhardy or power drunk in not accepting the reality and use our dilemma to our advantage.

The provision of adequate health-care and full access to education opportunity are the two most important elements in the development of any country. It is reported that the Government has spent over 20 billion dollars in “development projects”, but yet the health-care facilities are worst than before

and the schools are woefully lacking modernization.

While the feeling of independence and nationality is good, the healthiness and education of our citizenry should be paramount. Our school teachers, nurses, doctors and other social provides should be encouraged to participate in ongoing exchange programs in the UK. Access to higher education in the UK should be free and needy drugs for certain diseases or complications should also be free or at a level similar to those living in Britain.

Just my view, what do you think?

Drunks cannot rule the people will suffer - what do we see?

Dear Mr. Editor: Since I shared these passages with you, I feel moved to ask you to publish these for our people to think about. It can make I think for good discussion as there are those who I am sure will not understand the message, by taking literally every word and not realise when these were written. But please let us remember, as Montserrat claims it is a Christian country, that the words of scripture are eternal.

One bible translation adds the word ‘ruler’. I say this just in case we say we have no kings in Montserrat.

Proverbs 31:1-9 GNBDK “These are the solemn words which King Lemuel’s mother said to him: “You are my own dear son, the answer to my

prayers. What shall I tell you?

Don’t spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings.

Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness. “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge.

Protect the rights of the poor and needy.””

Proverbs 31:25-31 GNBDK “She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.

She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs.

Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.

He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.”

Now, I would like you to be comforted with the following.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 GNBDK “The wiser you are, the more worries you have; the more you know, the more it hurts.”

See it at YouVersion.com: Thank you.

Lover of this land and all within it

Our Scripture Verse Today Christmas Day An angel . . . appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. . . . When they had seen [the baby], they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. — Luke 2:9, 17 (NIV) As my wife and I walked from the church with our four-year-old son, we saw a heavily bearded man approaching us. I had seen the man before and was familiar with his fast-paced gait but had not noticed him more than to exchange occasional greetings. Upon seeing the man, my son shouted, “Daddy, see Jesus coming right in front of us!” Apparently, my son’s image of Jesus came from the

children’s Bible storybooks and movies that depict Jesus as a heavily bearded, light-skinned man. As I chuckled, I remembered the shepherds who were watching over their flocks on the night Christ was born and how startled and frightened they had been. Reflecting on this, I admired my son’s excitement at seeing and meeting “Jesus” that day. As we approach this Christmas, my son’s exclamation reminds me to look for Jesus. When we focus on Christ instead of allowing ourselves to be distracted by the many interruptions we encounter every day, we are able to spread the word about his birth and saving grace for all people!

Friday, December 20, 2013

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Merry Christmas

What is the court’s message?

By Claude Gerald

Recent judgments in the local High Court are perhaps as divisive and unsettling as the row that pits Jamaica against Trinidad over immigration issues, which has the potential for social instability in the region.

The courts seem plagued with finding the optimum way to impose sentences on convicted offenders. The appear bobbing and weaving, uncertain of their target objectives and their mission, lost in the Sargasso Sea of the turmoil that is characteristic of our times.

The ever visible institution of the court is hardly a fly-bynight leader and the judiciary’s leaders must decline sending mix signals; they ought to be decisive and assured and confident in their utterances and actions. Society as the client needs to better understand how the court functions in order to best find favour and comfort in its determinations.

The court must bridge the gap between its lofty superstructure that is tailor made to communicate in its own language and procedures, and that of the common litigant/defendant imbued with apprehension due to basic ignorance. We know as of now that the broad concept of the rule of law, inherent in an English Legal System, remains the guiding principle for stakeholders.

We know and feel that the court in large part is settled on its role. However we are hesitant to believe that it is not as confused as many observers in the layman’s world as to its mechanisms, particularly in sentencing and penalties. The certainness of the court ideally must be predictable.

When it gets it wrong it is a social time bomb that seismically affects the social order. This ushers in critical condemnation and contemptuous ridicule amongst law abiding citizens searching for that elusive tranquility: the Holy Grail of man’s basic instincts.

The practice of law to the layman’s thinking is one of glorified common sense; a standard that has merit.

Anolda Fenton, the popular Boston-based Montserratian lost her life in an apparent domestic dispute at her Brades home, nearly two years ago. She was gruesomely slaughtered by her ex-lover who previously shared her home. Her death was so shocking that it best fits a horror film and it rippled painfully throughout her large social sphere of well wishers. Knowledgeable observers view her killing as an act that was intentional, deliberate and willfully executed; it seemed coldly planned, timed to precision and motivated likely by a revengeful spirit.

The offense of murder is hardly better defined than in this instance. Taking a person’s life with intention to do so is classically murder. Having thought of it you did it. Act and thought in unison.

Is it that the court allowed the charge of murder to be reduced to manslaughter on the grounds of provocation - that Anolda Fenton provoked John Jones to the extent that provocation was a relevant factor in the court’s assessment of the killer’s state of mind at the time of the act? At least the evidence would have shown that the provocation was never immediate if it at all qualifies in law. That being so the court accepted that Jones’s actions did not give rise to murder but instead supported the lesser offense of manslaughter which attracted a lighter punishment of 11 years. This is an outrage on the concept of proportionality it is argued by many a decent citizen.

The provocation element remains a puzzle. Who lead and provided evidence of provocation? Was that evidenced in court by the defense and how was it done? Did the prosecutorial arm speak on behalf of the murdered Anolda in defense of the State and people? How could the prosecution stomach a defense of provocation in this particular

BRITISH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

(In Judicial Management) ELLIOTT LIONEL BERESFORD NANTON of Woodlands Beach Road, Montserrat having made sworn declaration that Policy No. BMT003336 issued by British American Insurance Company Limited has been lost and having made Application to the Judicial Manager, notice is hereby given that unless objection is raised within one (1) month of the date hereof, the policy holder will be entitled to receive any benefits under the above policy that are being made available as part of the Judicial Management of British American Insurance Company Limited.

Dated December 18, 2013 Brian A Glasgow Judicial Manager

case? What role did Anolda’s sister, former OECS Ambassador to Canada, Laurine Fenton play through her evidence? Did her utterances and representations in any way help to bolster the provocation argument as court watchers, including jurors firmly claim? Was there really collusion amongst legal practitioners at the trial that compromised the case to the Anolda’s dishonour?

To what extent are the professional leanings of the judge a factor in sentencing? Is the dispensation of justice dependant on the personality of court actors?

Anolda’s case was heard by a judge steeped in defense tactics and strategies. Did these factors somehow impact the court and prejudice her case?

Each criminal case has its own unique circumstances that guide rulings. The apparent disparity in penalties raises eyebrows. Contrast Anolda’s with the gruesome head hammered death of businessman Aubrey Barry. Murder conviction was secured as the self-defense strategy failed on the evidence. Here the actors on both sides of the case were different. An experienced judge with a prosecutorial background presided and did this hurt the defendant? The sentence imposed (35 years) was much

different for an apparently similar offense and questions of constancy in sentencing arise as this is important to the acceptance of justice, craved by our society.

Because of this apparent inequity in penalties the public is inclined to reason that legal fate relates directly to the luck of the draw in terms of the court actors at work. This thinking tarnishes the credibility of the judicial system and demotivates law enforcers in the course of their work.

Signals are surely mixed from the judicial arm of state governance.

Sir Brian Alleyne, a former Chief Justice of the OECS is never short of opinions on justice. The law is a living entity that develops with social norms and expectations he said. But sentencing is not about revenge and retribution. It must be legally based, lacking in emotion and therefore rational. Vengeance is of society but not of the court since guidelines for sentencing set down by legislature or court and judges balance these guidelines in light of circumstances of the case.

Interestingly Sir Brian continued that judges must be socially aware and conscious of public interest and circumstances in the case. This column is submitting anecdotally that Judges, familiar with the society in which

they work are believed to adopt additional information outside the court arrangement and that this informs their judgment in court.

If justice begins and ends in the court, the moral content of the judge must never ever be questioned. The judge must be a cut above the average. Only so can he embrace excellence in leadership at the court level. Careful selection of judges is an important cog in the wheel to erase guesses and would lend confidence from civil society.

In its confused state there must be miscarriages of justice which put the judiciary on constant trial and its integrity at peril.

The confused state opens the door to a certain degree of political correctness that compromises cases, further victimizing victims and protecting the bad guys of society. It gives favour to the criminal over the victim. It suggests that it is wrong to punish criminals at all. Rehabilitation is the answer.

Charles Dickens famed English writer of the early 19th century theorized that the law is an ass. He may be of that opinion still.

Claude Gerald is a social commentator. He lives and enjoys the ‘new’ Montserrat. Ceegee15@hotmail.com

Montserrat gets a Postcode GIU – Montserrat now has a postcode system which will go into effect April 1, 2014.

The new postcode consists of a three-letter code and four digits. MSR is the identifying code for Montserrat, followed by four numbers for example 1110, which designates mail going to the General Post Office and mailboxes.

Postmaster Elsa Morgan says in the coming months leading up to the implementation more information on how to use the new post code for sending and receiving mail will be distributed.

A postcode for Montserrat was one of the initiatives identified in the Strategic Growth Programme for the island which would help to facilitate more effective delivery of mail and packages to the island.

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT A.D.2013 [PROBATE DIVISION] LEGAL NOTICE

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2013

In the Estate of WINIFRED WEEKES, deceased

In the Estate of WILLIAM SILCOTT, 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 WINIFRED WEEKES late of 1012 Poquonock Ave.; Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, 06095 formerly of St John’s, Montserrat who died on the 18th day of December 2007 be issued to John R. Skerritt lawful attorney of VALENTINE BENJAMIN WEEKES of 25 Broadlane, South Tottenham, London, N15 4DE, United Kingdom, the son 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 WILLIAM SILCOTT late of Dick Hill St. Johns Montserrat who died on the 17th of November 2013 at the University Hospital of Brooklyn, Brooklyn United States of America be granted to KHARL MARKHAM of Allen Markham & Associates Banks Montserrat the Lawful Attorney of BERNICE SILCOTT of 9024 Av B Brooklyn, New York 11236 United States of America the wife and Personal Representative of the deceased.

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.

LEGAL NOTICE

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.

Dated the 09th day of December 2013

DATED this 10th day of December 2013

Marcelle E.M. Watts Attorney at law for the Applicant

Kharl Markham Allen Markham & Associates

Page 6

Friday, December 20, 2013

FLASHBACK: Geothermal progress cont’d. from page 2

Dominica that Premier Meade in December, 2011 had said that drilling operations should be timed, “so that at the back end of the Dominica drill operations that we can get that drill rig into Montserrat.”

The latest question being asked about drilling operations comes over the suspicions over the tender document and the contract signed by IDC for US$6.3

million which claims are being made that the sum has had to be increased to over US$8 million.

Members of the seeming defunct Energy Committee who claim to have been side-lined since the approval of the funds totalling eight and a half (8.5) million pounds, are seeking to have access to the documents involved.

Two drilling rig platforms only yards apart have been com-

pleted in the Exclusion Zone at lower Weekes next to the Cork Hill main road ín preparation for the exploration and drilling the production wells. Following this, PWD and private workers have been engaged in leveling and compacting the sites around the wells and platform as well as simultaneously erecting the parameter fencing for security purposes.

Posted on 08 March 2013.

By Bennette Roach

The Montserrat Reporter reported at press time prematurely in anticipation that geothermal drilling was due to start last week Wednesday night. The drilling was scheduled to begin began at seven o’clock on Wednesday, February 23 as announced the day before at the blessing and opening of the drilling at the bottom of Weekes near the Cork Hill main road.

It was TMR’s press night but on invitation we had travelled to

Cork Hill, that was the intention, to witness the start of the drilling.

On arrival at the gate, we found it closed and after unsuccessful enquires were forced to vacate the privilege, after being given strange and unusual directives as to who to contact to get the gate open..

We would not learn until the following day, too late for the press, that the engines never started and the drilling did not begin.

Director of Public Works in a report to ZJB news eventually confirmed that the rig which

came from Dominica where it had been parked up for a number of months… “they found a number of issues. Some of the cables have been chewed by vermin, which should be replaced. The computer system that drives the rig failed…”

Sources said that the problems may be more than has been advertised, but Beardsley reported that parts had to be sourced from Iceland and that they had a potential new start date of March 6. (Beardsley addreses delay)

Posted on 26 April 2013.

Within hours of speaking to directors at the first geothermal drilling site in Cork Hill came the news that the resource could be close to expectation, or just hope!

Roger Almond and George Fie had told The Montserrat Reporter accompanied by a couple members of CRM (Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat) at 7.30 a.m. that in a few more hundred feet they would have reached the end of the Icelandic rig’s drilling capacity, however they were already feeling 300° F temperature and in the process of tests. That was good news and hopeful information.

However, this created some nervous concerns that should nothing better was encountered, the process might have to be shelved and a new rig imported.

These concerns were immediately conveyed to the Premier who was due to have a meeting with the Public Works Director, Ron Beardsley. Among the immediate concerns, the CRM members led by the chairman, presented.

“Drill depth currently achieved is 2000m (6150ft). IDC can only drill another 400-500ft more, so drilling will stop in the next 2-3 days because the drill rig lacks the power to drill any deeper. This can mean no water, no steam, no pres-

Geothermal drilling not yet underway after a failed start

Another misfire? cont’d. from page 1 other things, relating to Montserrat, such as lobby for pensions indexing for UK pensioners retiring to Montserrat; request consideration for the procurement of pharmaceutical products through their Health Trust or National Health Service; were discussed, along with matters relating to the Overseas Territories.

He reported that a oneday investment forum, previously reported, attended by the MDC was also included this year to expose the prospects for UK investors seeking investment opportunities in the overseas territories.

He reported: “The Premier of Montserrat has been elected as chair of the Caribbean OCT Group with Aruba’s Prime Minister as the Deputy Chair. Our teams will draft the program and provide management support for the EDF 11 Regional Program.”

But he inserted the following: ”And Madam Speaker, I carefully indicated to them that Montserrat’s chairmanship could very well end in September next year because of elections.,” mentioning once again this time in the international arena, that he is planning for elections in September, 2014.

However sources out of the UK have said that he has told close associates of the MCAP team that the elections will take place by the end of April, next year.

That would be the third hint of a date for the elections.

It is reported that he made the statements saying he is aware of the constitutional requirements for calling an election that must involve the Governor and the Electoral Commission.

His statement seemed to strolling well as he mentioned in doubtful but hopeful terms, the biggest challenge that Montserrat faces.

“Despite all of the challenges, Madam Speaker, Montserrat has a very good investment possibility. We will continue to develop our international profile while seeking to bring those possibilities into reality in the very near future. The future is ripe for Montserrat but we must be willing to go out and be positive in competing successfully for the investment capital that could become available.”

The following was supposed to be good news, the matter of funding by HMG, his government’s approach, criticised repeatedly by the Leader of the Opposition, Donaldson Romeo. He said, that in a follow-up meeting in East Kilbride with the DFID technical team, “We have been able to obtain additional funding, the terms of which, will be discussed at Cabinet.”

He noted that the matter relates to statements made by the Leader of the Opposition as it pertains to DFID being willing to provide additional funds, that “I was the holdup,” he said.

The Premier continued on the matter of the additional funds. “I have been

informed that as a consequence of these misrepresentations by the Leader of the Opposition, future meetings with the Opposition must be considered as inappropriate since they wish to use these meetings to discredit both DFID staff and the government of Montserrat.”

Mr. Romeo has said that he has enquired of DFID whether the Premier’s statements has any truth in it and that he has been told that DFID did not so intimate.

The Opposition Leader reported that he has taken the statement to its obvious conclusion and has written to the local DFID representative Dr. Kato Kimbugwe, asking him to officially, “… confirm whether the (following) statement made by our Hon Premier in House of Assembly on Tuesday past reflects your sentiments or those of your colleagues in England.”

He concluded his statement still on a political strain what may be the focus of his election campaign. “We (MCAP) have been bold in transforming the way we, as a government, does business. We have developed relationships over the past four plus years. The journey has not been smooth but the ship of Montserrat has gone through the rough waters and we are starting to see smoother waters and a bright future. We do not have the luxury of handing over the management at this critical time in our development to an inexperienced group who have no proven track record.

Geother mal drilling, h o p i n g fo r We l l # 1 sure, thus no geothermal power!”

The confirmation note to the Premier as to the earlier meeting continued: “…The reason, (problem) we should have had a rig with 1000hp (and not the existing 550hp) with the 200,000lbs lifting power, and most important multidirectional drilling capability which the present rig does not have and the EGS final report recommended.“ The recommendation included, “Firstly, enter into negotiations with IDC for a larger rig as specified by EGS, or cancel the contract and retender again. cont’d. on page 12

Emerald Sports and Games wishes to thank its valued customers for their support in 2013. We look forward to serving you in the upcoming year.

Have a joyous Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year The Management and Staff

Merry Christmas

Friday, December 20 2013

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Caribbean moms and authors abroad delight in childhood memories captured in Island Days

Nerissa Golden (pictured above), author of Island Days (left) GIU – Caribbean mothers in the Diaspora are raving about Island Days, the new children’s book by Nerissa Golden.

“I was so excited to receive my copy in the mail and look forward to my children reading it. My sons always have questions about what my life was like growing

up in the islands and this is a great way to show them.” said Ruby Brown, who grew up in the British Virgin Islands but now resides in Atlanta. “I had a good laugh at the first poem Church Days because I think she captured perfectly the character of an old gentleman I remembered as a child on Tortola. I recommend Island Days to anyone who would love to share the island culture with their children.”

“For West Indian parents raising their children outside of the Caribbean, it is a fun book, easily read aloud, to help them introduce their culture,” says Eva Greene Wilson of socamom.com.

Wilson, who is a Trinidadian native now living in the Washington DC said “I enjoyed reading Nerissa’s new book. The illustrations are bright, colourful, and filled cont’d. on page 12

Page 8

Friday, December 20, 2013

Festival 2013 declared open December 14 at Festival Village

cont’d. on page

A motorcade from Salem Centre to Festival City featuring the 2013 Festival Queen and Teenage Pageant delegates, described as disappointing preceded the official opening. But there was a sizeable crowd at the village to witness the opening ceremony and events.

In a ZJB radio news report, Coordinator of the Festival opening Neilson Duberry said, “We expected more persons but nevertheless, the few that came out, we did have a ball.” However he was overwhelmed by the grand attendance at the opening of festival, which followed the motorcade.

Parliamentary Secretary, the Honourable Jermaine Wade declared the 51st annual Montserrat Festival opened as he announced, “As we try our best to embrace what we have a Montserratians and visitors and friends of Montserrat I implore upon you to have a safe one , to fully participate, come to all of the events and support to the fullest Festival 2013.”

Sensing some doubt, he began to look forward to the future of festivals.

“We will look at the economics of it; we will look in the future years at how we can make festivals more efficient. How we can improve on the standards, and how we can live to an international level that Montserrat festival will be a amongst the best of the best within the region, in

fact, within the world,…” he said, as he continued to thank sponsors and all involved in staging the festival. “You are an important element of ensuring that our festival is successful,” he concluded.

Meanwhile events coordinator, Veta Wade called newness and innovation; for preservation of Festival’s African origins to be submerged, and

protected. “As we all continue to work together for the love of our Festival we must continue to encourage and create newness in this celebration.”

“Innovation is important,” she said. “Our Festival must evolve ad the same time. We must not allow our Festival’s African origins to be submerged, we must protect it’s Africaness.”

Viona Alexander-Smith and Warren M. Cassell performed and entertained as the MCs for the

opening events. Along with the masqueraders serenading on stage, the queen and teen pageant contestants paraded, while the national youth choir looked huge on stage giving their rendition of Arrow’s, “Proud to be Montserratian”.

Miss Goosey and the new Mr. Goosey made appearances, with Soca artist Garvin ‘Scrappy’ Johnson and Trevon ‘Trevele’ Pollard, bringing down curtains to the opening.

To every member of the St. Patrick’s Coorperative Credit Union Ltd. At this gentle season, may you find time to enjoy life’s simple blessings and the beauty of each quiet moment.

Merry Christmas

Friday, December 20, 2013

Merry Christmas

There’s no Greater Gift than… … a season of dreams and a New Year where they come true.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at RBC Royal Bank™

Strength at Work for You

® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

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Page 10

Friday, December 20, 2013

Merry Christmas

Look Out Primary Christmas Concert in pictures Both primary schools, Lookout and St. Augustine held On Tuesday evening, beginning at 5:00 p.m., Dec 10, written by popular head teacher, comedian Edith Duberry.

The St. Augustine staged their concert two days later, their annual Christmas concerts on December 10 and 12 Shawn O’Garro chaired for Lookout school as the children respectively. Both took place at the Montserrat Cultural went through their singing, dancing and recitations, crowned with Austin Howe as MC. They from all accounts lived up Centre, Little Bay. by a skit performance by the teachers. The title, “Just come” to their usual standard. Theirs was crowned also by a short play titled “The Nativity”

Bottom rt.

Headteacher Duberry with a top student openiing with greetings

Friday, December 20, 2013

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Merry Christmas

St. Augustine Christmas Concert in pictures

Page 12

Friday, December 20, 2013

FLASHBACK: Geothermal progress Ron Beardsley – geothermal shows, we have already past the hottest point in the well and start are sure that IDC will be update to cool off slightly, then there

and to line the production area of the well. A 7 steel, perforated, liner pipe was installed from 1,111M down to the bottom of the well (2,298m).

Senior Geologist Paul Brophy was due on island, bringing “…some very sensitive instruments with them, that can test the pressure and temperatures down the well.”

PWD director, Ron Beardsley now also reports the geothermal Well, referenced as ‘Mon-01’. He confirms that between last Saturday and Sunday geophysicist Thorstein Egilson using specialist measuring tools surveyed temperature and pressure in the #1 Well. Egilson’s report was studied

by GoM Geothermal Adviser Mike Allen, Senior Geologist Paul Brophy, Senior Geophysicist Graham Ryan and Geothermal Drilling Project Manager George Scheid.

To come at the Well is, “testing the capacity of the well to generate geothermal energy.”

cont’d. from page 6

interested in providing what Government requires, in order that we do not lose continuity and the cost of the present well. In the final analysis, it will simply be changing one rig for what we should have had in the first place.”

The (PWD) director (Ministry of Comms and Works) when contacted and asked how the drilling was progressing, first of all said that at the moment (Thursday, there was an equipment breakdown, that may require the importation of spares). Beardsley said that as of Thursday a.m., the drilling had gone down 2,298 meters. “The plan was to go down 2,000 meters…We will continue to go down far as 2400 meters,” he countered. BR speaks to

He said that there was some excitement and that things were fairly stable, as they were losing water at, ”… a maximum of 160 gallons a minute of water loss, it’s major, we’d like to see bigger loss than that.”

He told TMR much the same as was told to us by the experts at the site on Wednesday and revealed that the geophysicist is due in on the weekend, bringing, “…some very sensitive instruments with them, that can test the pressure and temperatures down the well.”

He added the instruments will check the temperature profile as it goes down the well and show where the hottest point is. “… however the profile goes, if that

would be little point drilling down any deeper…” he said, hinting that this could well be the news at this point, which some ‘experts’ have determined, suggest this will mean that Well #1 is in sight.

He concluded that if the profile shows (the temperature continues to rise, the drilling would continue to 2,400 meters.”

He also said that regarding mechanical breakdown at the plant, “the engineers are currently assessing that to see how bad it is – it sounds like we’re going to have to get some parts to get it up and running again,” which from positive hopes and unconfirmed accounts will be in time to set up the rig for Well #2.

Geothermal resource confirmed, Well completed...resource to be tested Posted on 17 May 2013.

by Bennette Roach “The well is now fully secured” is the latest exciting news as hopes for the sourcing of geothermal energy became reality and preparations are very much

underway for drilling a second Well at the other site nearer to the unoccupied Cork Hill village.

Official reports following our story of April 26, 2013, (http://www.

themontserratreporter.com/

geothermal-drilling-hopingfor-well-1/ ) which said that “the resource could be close to expectation, or just hope,” now say after tests, “The results were very encouraging and it was unanimously agreed to stop drilling

Island Days book

with energy.”

“I’m enjoying the feedback from parents on how the children react and laugh when they read Island Days and that is the best testimonial I could get,” beams Nerissa Golden. “It’s also been helpful to discuss what life was like on some islands years ago but I like the fact that many aspects of the poems still occur on Montserrat today.”

“This is a book that while it caters to a wide age group, should be in the hands of every Caribbean child,” comments Sonja Smith,

the Librarian at the Montserrat Public Library. “Golden delivered an interesting and entertaining account about Montserrat and aspects of Caribbean culture in her writing of her new book. The construction of the book covers a range of themes that include family, fun, religion and festival.

It brought back reminders of going to the market to buy produce with my very own grandmother and the lovely times we had as children.

The colourful pictures cause the imagination to go wild as Max and

Grace celebrate the good times with their family and friends.”

Fellow children’s author Carol Mitchell who now lives in the US described Island Days as “a charming book that will delight children with its lilting lyrics and beautifully simple depictions of everyday life in the Caribbean of old. For me the words and the lovely illustrations evoked fond memories of growing up in the Caribbean. Island Days will become a standard in homes and school where it will serve as a starting

Wishing all our customers and everyone on Montserrat every happiness for this holiday season and throughout the coming year.

Montserrat Enterprises Limited

...cont’d.

point for a dialogue between the young and old about the idiosyncrasies of Caribbean life.”

Kathryn Duncan of Karibgraphics of Trinidad & Tobago said she “thoroughly enjoyed illustrating Island Days. I gave as much colour and texture to the characters and scenes as possible, because that is what the Caribbean is all about: colour and texture! I hope that readers, especially children, will be able to identify with the characters, as the latter help to bring the

Beardsley confirmed to TMR, “We did the testing to temperature and pressure, and based on those results it was agreed that we will line the well as it is, there is no need to try drilling any deeper…” adding, “we now leave it for roughly a month to stabilize … once that time expires we will then do a flow test on the well and that’s really what will tell us what resource we have.”

Mon-01 Well capped The PWD director also confirmed that the repairs of broken down equipment were completed before the latest tests and that while not getting hot water as desired it was satisfactory with the from page 7 other signs. “What we’ve always poems to life.” had is decent temperature so we Island Days was officially were less concerned about getting launched at a Reading Party on a hot well…So at that point, we Saturday, December 14, 2013 at know we have temperature and the Montserrat Public Library. In we know we have fractures in the attendance was His Excellency rock,…” responding that they had the Governor Adrian Davis and to repair to be able to pull out of his wife Sujue who were early the first well. financial supporters of the project.

But there are sceptics, Island Days is now available so TMR asked on their behalf, on amazon.com. More details on what would happen a month from the author and the book can be now “…what happens if your flow found on www.nerissagolden. test fails, what will happen to the com. first well?” Beardsley responded: Officially launched December cont’d. on page 17 14, 2013 at the Public Library

Because the goodwill of those we serve is the foundation of our cussess it’s a real pleasure at this holiday time to say ‘Thank you’ as we wish you a full year of happiness and prosperity

THE STATIONERY OFFICE & JOHNNIE’S MECCA FASHIONS

Friday, December 20 2013

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FLASHBACKS

Lawyer calls on Deputy Governor to appoint Registrar, face possible consequence ly appointed judge, Justice Anthony Astaphan presiding in Montserrat, following the address of the acting Chief Justice, the Hon. Honourable Justice Janice Pereira.

“Montserrat is a mouse

Attorney-at-Law, Jean Kelsick was the most recent attorney to call on Government to take action to provide long overdue adequate court accommodations, at the opening of the New Law Year, while speaking on behalf of the local bar association. He told the court, with new-

that is sometimes capable of roaring,” he said in his introduction.

He said: “I will start my lord with the lack of a proper court house and facilities for the registry including proper facilities for the storage of registry documents. Both of these issues remain an open sore

I regret to say. It is one that is raised annually by us at the private bar.” “…about five years ago my lord I remember that we wrote to the then Governor, pointing out to her the registry documents were either being lost or contaminated by water and of the pressing need to address this issue by providing the registry safe and secure storage facilities. Not only are persons alive being affective by this adversity but there is a historical importance of legal documents…” as he added, “I think my lord most of us would agree that the structure in which we currently stand and sit, is an uncomfortable embarrassment to Montserrat.”

Earlier this week the Attorney Kelsick revealed a letter he wrote to the

Deputy Governor (DG), copied to members of cabinet, including H E Governor Avis, Honourable Premier, Attorney General, Minister

Season’s Greetings Wishing you all the love, peace and joy the season has to offer.

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year from the Directors & Staff The Montserrat Tourist Board

of MAHLE, and all the Bank Managers. In the letter he reminded the DG of their conversation of: “the fact that there is currently

no Registrar of Lands, as a result of which no documents have been processed by the Land Registry for the past 3 weeks.”

The letter observed that David Gerald acted as Registrar of Lands for an extended period until he was informed a few months ago without notice that his contract would not be renewed.

Page 14

Friday, December 20, 2013

FLASHBACKS

Premier Meade, Public Servants to get bonus But based on performance, then goes to Dubai and EU in Brussels to seek investors and financing Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Reuben T. Meade has on at least two occasions, publicly guaranteed that while civil servants are unlikely to receive a salary increase in the immediate future, there is a good chance they will get a bonus at the end of this financial year.

In the first instance at the beginning of the year, while forecasting economic growth for 2013, even though with uncertainty, he said, “And if the economy in fact makes that turn around I think I can say it now publicly, if we generate any form of surplus in 2013 a portion of that will be given back to the public servants.”

“So that it may not be a salary increase but it could possibly be a bonus at the end of the year,” as he cautioned, “we just want everybody to continue working hard.”

The Premier, who just took

a team to Dubai to seek investors with respect to the port development of Carrs Bay and Little Bay, was upbeat then, as he encouraged, “let us put our backs to the wall, it’s our country. We are

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

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.”

Governor responds about Aiport expansion and ferry as the best option 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 develop-

Premier Reuben Meade

the ones who must develop this country so that all of us, our children, our grandchildren, visitors, Montserratians overseas, will see that we can do it.”

On another occasion as he made similar pronouncements he had even more cautions and warnings, that not everyone will likely get the bonus on their salaries, but he had been holding discussions with Montserrat’s budgetary supporters DFID (UK Department for International Development).

He was speaking during the budget debate. “There are still ongoing negotiations with DFID in terms of additional funding,” he told the Legislative Assembly,

giving a hint that the budget was an incomplete one.

“We expect to have a Supplementary Appropriation bill later in the year when those funds are agreed and the negotiations are completed,” he said.

He then continued with provisos and conditions. “But, I want to give the civil servants that assurance, Madam Speaker, that performance bonus is a performance bonus and it is dependent on improved outputs and performance. You can only get performance bonus if you’re performing,” he warned.

He noted the category of people to whom he was directing his comments, saying, “Habitual

late comers, persons who are habitually absent from work without sufficient reason or cause, and general poor performers will be excluded from such bonus payments,” adding that this will be, “prorated on the basis of their performance evaluation.”

In the end, what public servants see as a dampener to his promise, he said it all depended on if the civil service keeps on improving its performance. “And we do not run into deficits caused by poor financial management – and revenues improved, we may be in a position to give a performance bonus at the end of 2013, 2014 fiscal period,” he concluded.

No new or expanded airport: Premier and Governor say ment strategy and that the airport issue is not “a fundamental constraint to Montserrat’s development.”

“Seco n d l y, I don’t believe a fundamental Aerial view of John A. Osborne Airport constraint to Montserrat’s development is access Montserrat’s development is – to get back a regular ferry by air. I think one of the access by sea, which is why service that gets you to and fundamental constraints to I really emphasize the need 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.

Aravin’s Supermarket 491-7071 Always low prices

Thanks our customers for their patronage in 2013.

We wish you and the entire Montserrat community a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Friday, December 20 2013

Winward Islands Airways returns to BVI Caribbean News Now TORTOLA, BVI -Starting on Sunday, Windward Islands Airways International (WINAIR) will commence double daily service between Beef Island (EIS) in the British Virgin Islands and St Maarten (SXM). The airline will operate 19-seater de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft.

The return of WINAIR to the BVI will increase capacity to the BVI by an additional 13,000 seats per year and provides excellent connections for passengers travelling from the US and Europe via St Maarten. WINAIR currently has interline agreements with most of the major US carriers flying

into St Maarten, making the transfer of passengers seamless. The WINAIR flights are bookable through the Global Distribution System (GDS).

“We are very pleased to welcome the WINAIR service to the British Virgin Islands. WINAIR’s flight schedule between St Maarten and Tortola is an addition to the growing list of travel options available to our visitors,” said Sharon Flax-Mars, Director of Tourism. “We continue to work with the airlines to make the BVI more accessible to travelers and to ensure that travel connections from our major source markets are efficient and effortless.”

“We at WINAIR are very happy to be recommencing service to the BVI. This is just the start of the long partnership that we plan to develop with the BVI. Over the next few months, we may start using the ATR 42 (48-seater) on this route, which will offer even more seats between our two islands. We are looking at the connectivity with Copa Airlines and should be in a position to offer round-trip connectivity very soon. This new service will also offer residents of the BVI more accessibility to St Maarten where there has been a long shopping history,” said Michael Cleaver, president and CEO of WINAIR.

How to Forgive

How to Forgive  Be open.  Make a decision to forgive your spouse.  When images of the betrayal or hurt flash in your mind, think of a calming place or do something to distract yourself from dwelling on those thoughts.  Don’t throw an error or mistake back in your spouse’s face at a later date. Don’t use it as ammunition in an argument.  Don’t seek revenge or retribution. It will only extend the pain.  Accept that you may never know the reason for the transgression.  Remember that forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone the hurtful behavior.  Be patient with yourself. Being able to forgive your spouse takes time. Don’t try to hurry the process.  If you continue to be unable to forgive, or you find yourself dwelling on the betrayal or hurt, please seek professional counseling to help you let go and forgive.

How to Ask for Forgiveness  Show true contrition and remorse for the pain that you’ve caused.  Be willing to make a commitment to not hurt your spouse again by repeating the hurtful behavior.  Accept the consequences of the action that created the hurt.  Be open to making amends.  Be patient with your spouse. Being able to forgive you often takes time. Don’t dismiss your spouse’s feelings of betrayal by telling your spouse to “get over it.”

Marriage Relationships Need Forgiveness

Holiday Greetings

from the Management & Staff of

N & B Service Centre.

Caribbean Adventures Series to be used in CXCs Primary Exit Assessment GIU – The Caribbean Adventure Series by Carol Mitchell is among the list of new books that the Ministry of Education in Montserrat will be using to prepare students for the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA).

2014 will be the first year that Montserrat will be replacing its local standardised test with the CPEA which is administered by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC). The CPEA is a method of assessing students’ readiness to enter high school in the areas of civic, mathematical, science and language literacies.

As a part of this process, the ministry selected books by Caribbean authors including the adventure series written by Mitchell. There are four books in the series to date, each based in a different island, St. Kitts, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Montserrat. The books are designed to draw young readers in with secret tunnels, pirate ships, kidnappers, and erupting volcanoes galore, but they also touch on serious topics such as conservation and the impact of natural disasters. cont’d. on page 16

Pastoral visit encourages Church in Caribbean Pastoral visit encourages Church in Caribbean (Vatican Radio) Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, addressed the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of the Antilles on Saturday, while on his first pastoral visit to the region.

In his address to the bishops at the Seminary of St John Vianney and Ugandan Martyrs in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, the cardinal spoke of the three main challenges facing the Church in the Caribbean: the scarcity of priests and religious, the declining number of Catholics engaged in the life of the Church, and always decreasing financial resources.

He encouraged the bishops in facing these problems and urged them to take the necessary steps in fostering healthy clergy and lay communities, capable of living fully the faith and mission of the Church.

He also pointed to signs of hope: the re-opening of the seminary, the presence of new lay movements and religious communities, and the institution of the permanent diaconate.

He later preached at San Fernando Cathedral in Port Hope.

Cardinal Filoni’s visit began on Friday and will continue until 4 December, with stops in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Martinique and Guadeloupe. On Sunday, he travels to Jamaica, where the local Church is to hold a closing mass for the Year of Faith.

Read Cardinal Filoni’s full text to the bishops below, at: http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/11/30/pastoral_visit_encourages_church_in_caribbean/en1-751443 of the Vatican Radio website Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has grumpy days. Many people say things they do not mean now and then. Everyone needs to forgive and to be forgiven.

No relationship, especially a marriage relationship, can be sustained over a long period of time without forgiveness. Even though you may find it find it difficult to forgive, being able to forgive is crucial in marriage.

Knowing When Enough is Enough If your spouse abuses you, continues to betray you, continues to lie to you, etc., then it may be time to say enough is enough and to end your marriage. In these situations, forgiveness for the past hurts may take longer and that is okay.

For more on dealing with forgiveness, visit the Forgiveness section of this site.

Ashok’sSupermarket

Season’s Greetings

Ash is OK

We extend our appreciation for your patronage during 2013 and look forward to continue serving you in 2014.

Merry Christmas and the best for The New Year

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TheManagementandStaffofAshok’sSupermarketwish tothanktheircustomersfortheirpatronagein2013and wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Ashok’s - The most convenient one-stop shopping centre

Page 16

Friday, December 20, 2013

Los Angeles police: Man Caribbean Adventures shoots ailing wife, sister books to be used for CXC “Everybody thought it was a balloon (popping) until they went in that room,” Chabolla said.

Police arrested Anderson as he sat in the courtyard.

The man “was just sitting down right in the patio,” Chabolla said. “I didn’t know it was him. I just saw him with his head down.”

It wasn’t immediately clear if Anderson had a lawyer who could comment on the case. Calls to home and cellphone numbers Los Angeles police officers walk out of back of the Country listed in public records went Villa Sheraton nursing facility in the North Hills area of Los unanswered.

In a statement, nursing home Angeles Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. Police say a 60-year-old officials said they were sadman, Lance Holger Anderson of suburban Santa Clarita, has dened by the shooting and “many been booked for investigation of murder in the shootings thoughts and prayers are with of his dementia-stricken wife and his sister, who was in a the family.” vegetative state at a nursing home. Photo By Nick Ut/AP After learning of Nave’s

By ROBERT JABLON and “He treated her like she was death, family members called Los RAQUEL MARIA DILLON, Associ- a jewel ... because she was so Angeles County sheriff’s deputies ated Press fragile,” Gale Madrigal said. and asked them to check on the LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Anderson walked into the welfare of Anderson’s 63-year-old 60-year-old man fatally shot his Country Villa Sheraton nursing fawife, Los Angeles police Lt. Paul dementia-stricken wife at their cility in the North Hills area of Los Vernon said. home and then walked into a Angeles shortly before 9:30 a.m.

Deputies found the wife’s convalescent home Wednesday and shot his sister Lisa Nave in the body at the couple’s three-bedand killed his sister, according to head, police said. room town house on a curved, police, who described the shootNave, 58, had been at the tree-lined street in the community ings as apparent mercy killings. home for about five years and of Canyon Country in northern Los Lance Holger Anderson of was in a vegetative state or coma, Angeles County. suburban Santa Clarita surren- police said.

The wife, whose name dered at the nursing home and was David Chabolla, who lives wasn’t immediately released, booked on suspicion of murder, in the room next door to where died from a small-caliber gunshot shocking neighbors who described the shooting took place, said wound, sheriff’s Lt. Holly Franhim as a chatty, friendly man who nobody recognized the noise of cisco said. doted on his frail wife. the gunshot.

According to family, the wife was suffering from dementia, Vernon said. He characterized the shootings as “apparent mercy killings.”

Los Angeles Police Department officers arrive at the Country Villa Sheraton nursing facility in the North Hills area of Los Angeles Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. Police say a 60-year-old man, Lance Holger Anderson of suburban Santa Clarita, has been booked for investigation of murder in the shootings of his dementiastricken wife and his sister, who was in a vegetative state at a nursing home.

cont’d. from page 15 “The students preparing for CPEA are expected to do book reports. Since this is the first time Montserrat is participating, the number of books teachers would have to read in order to effectively guide students was limited and since the libraries do not have 10 copies of any one book, the ministry had to assist here,” explained Zelma

White who is Primary School Curriculum Coordinator for Montserrat. “We were happy to see the size and content of the books with the added bonus that they are about children in the Caribbean.”

The author expressed pride in the fact that the books would become a part of classroom work. “My intent has always been to provide books that portray

the social and cultural practices with which Caribbean children are familiar. I am excited to have the children discuss the books and analyse the actions of Mark, Kyle, Ingrid and their friends as a part of their studies. I really hope that the Caribbean Adventure Series will make the assessment process both fruitful and enjoyable for the children.”

Dominica, China ink US$300 million development deal

ROSEAU (Dominica), (BERNAMA-NNN-MERCOPRESS) -- Dominica and China have signed a new US$300 million cooperation agreement that includes the construction of a hotel, an international airport and hospital.

The sum is equivalent to a third of the small Caribbean island’s gross domestic product (GDP) which could mean Beijing is virtually ‘purchasing’ the small territory.

According to Caribbean News, the agreement was signed between Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and ASCG president Xue Song early last month.

ASCG said the hotel, to be situated in Roseau, will be the first to be constructed at a cost of US$70 million.

The Chinese government will provide a preferential loan to support the projects.

ASCG’s general manager Wang Yueyuan said since both countries established diplomatic relations in 2004, China has strengthened its cooperation with Dominica.

A government statement said a team of Chinese officials is now on the island inspecting the site for the construction of the five-star hotel in the capital.

It quoted Skerrit as having declared during the 2013-14 national budget that design works for the hotel had been completed and an offer of financing and for the construction was being considered by the government.

Dominica’s GDP in 2012 was US$1.018 billion and has 71,500 population in 2011.

However, a neighbor who “sweetest guy you could ever bors recall her exchanging a word spoke frequently with Anderson imagine,” Madrigal said. or two as she sat on the couple’s said he indicated the woman was Kristen and Lee Booker said patio, smoking or drinking coffee. having some sort of hormonal Anderson offered them food and Sometimes Anderson was problems. help moving furniture after fire bending over her, caressing her Neighbors reported hearing damaged their home in September. hand, Madrigal said. two loud booms Tuesday night Another neighbor recalled AnderTwo weeks ago, Anderson that they mistook for firecrackers. son fixing her flat tire. offered Madrigal his artificial Nearby residents said the Neighbors said Anderson in- Christmas tree. couple had moved in about six dicated he had moved from Arizona He told Madrigal that the months ago. because of his wife’s health. He couple wouldn’t be doing anything Anderson seemed like the often talked to neighbors but his for Christmas this year, she said. wife was more secluded. Neigh-

Wishing all our valued customers and friends a heartfelt Christmas Season and a Prosperous and Bright 2014 from the Management & Staff

Angelo’s Supermarket

Friday, December 20 2013

Page g 17

FLASHBACK: Geothermal progress cont’d. from page 12 “If we, at the end of one month, we’re not getting the flow through into each of the well that we’d expect, so that we’re not under heavy pressure, then there are things that we can do to stimulate the well and encourage it to start flowing,” adding somewhat dismissively, “But the expectation is that, that will be the case anyway.”

Immediately after the testing had been reported, confirmed and accepted, the Iceland Drilling Company (IDC) who is executing

the drilling work since February 2013, began the dismantling of the site and moved everything to the second well referenced “Mon02 in preparation for drilling. As of today (May 17), our pics show the Well head at the now almost vacated first site and final clearings being carried out, along with the rig being set up at the #2 site.

This report comes nine days after Director of Public Works, Ron Beardsley announced that drilling to prove geothermal resource on Montserrat began. That commencement was delayed and postponed when the engine failed to function.

Roger Almond confirmed, “The engine was the problem, everything’s running really well,” he said, adding that, while the engine is not brand new that was better because brand new need time to “breakin”.

“We started nine days ago, we’re good,” Almond told The Montserrat Reporter on Tuesday this week. “ He added, “we are in the second stage and we’re getting ready to

of Montserrat. There are four of them. They take spells, two at a time, “at least two of us at any given time,” as Almond, the leadsman noted to us.

He gave a further insight to the process of the drilling.

He said that it is believed that they are drilling right over the reservoir. “We’re looking for the temperature to increase and we’re looking for influx … maybe we’ll see a formation that shows this Roger Almond is the reservoir, that’s what the Almond is a member of the geologist is looking for….” firm Capuano Engineering out of Ron Beardsley ,” confirming California who are supervising Almonds description a week ago, the drilling operations on behalf

stated: “Drilling will now be almost continuous until we find the resource or go down to a maximum depth of two kilometers also as they’re drilling down; they drill to a certain depth and then they withdraw the drill and they put in the steel casing.

The drilling was scheduled to start on February 23, but eventually kicked into action at noon on March 17.

The 8.5 million pounds UK Government funded drilling project exploration phase is estimated to last forty (40) to sixty (60) days.

put the casings in the ground..”

“We have already put in the bigger casing earlier last week and now we’re putting another section of the casing so all this is going in,” he explained.

Almond reported that they have reached about 300 meters.

“I figure we’re down 300meters down to a possible 2250….,” he said.

He reported also that they have not encountered any difficulties and no excess temperatures adding, “we’re waiting for that, but we don’t want them yet,” noting, “we want ‘em in a deeper

section,” reiterating, “but right now everything is going well.”

He further reassured that the drilling is good, and “the drills are working good.”

Posted on 26 July 2013.

By Bennette Roach Reports on drilling for geothermal resource are that drilling at Well #2 for is complete. What is left is testing, and answers to the questions. ‘Is the resource really there, was the drilling adequate, was this a waste of money to date?”

Three weeks ago in the July 5, 2013 issue we headlined, “Hopes, Doubts and ques-

tions shroud geothermal will test the market to make sure exploration from the drilling had resource exploration”, noting that there is no private sector in- indicated that the geothermal re-

Well #2 drilling complete Geothermal Testing to run until October

May the Peace

and Joy of the Holiday Season be with you throughout the coming year

Merry Christmas

that Director of Public Works, Ron Beardsley who had been reporting on the progress of the drilling project for geothermal resource in the Cork Hill/Weekes area, citing, ‘very good news’ as he reports that the temperature at the geothermal site in the Cork Hill/Weekes area at Well #1has increased to 219.5°C.” (see: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/hopes-doubtsand-questions-shroud-geothermalresource-exploration/) We reported also that the project had been plagued resulting from equipment and procurement problems. Members of the CRM group, who can be credited to have insisted that Government of Montserrat (GoM) and the people, should own everything to do with the geothermal development. This, resulted in the UK Government’s support. The group have long questioned the drilling capacity of the Iceland Drilling rig, which has the capability of going down a depth of only 2,400 meters (approximately 7,872 ft.

Since that report we learnt that the drilling rig at well #2 had suffered another equipment breakdown, but this quickly remedied, and drilling had recommenced on July 10, the same day DFID’s Dr. Kato Kimbugwe was responding to the media on various matters surrounding the geothermal development.

One answer dealt with how DFID would proceed with the production development progress, following a successful resource exploration, which he said ‘there is confidence that the resource is there in Well #1.

Kimbugwe said, “I think the way we’ve dealt with geothermal sets the tone for all the other SGP (Strategic growth plan), investments in that at every stage we

terest before any sort of UK funding is provided for geothermal.”

Earlier, Premier Meade had addressed that subject at a press briefing as follows: “…the understanding that the GoM is putting forward is, let us as a people own that resource , let’s develop it and own it. Let us not go to the private sector to seek funding for the development of the production side of things once we can get to the production phase…we have MUL as a power company which is wholly owned by the government of Montserrat, then let us deal with the development where MUL will take it forward…”

There was also the stated position of the Montserrat Geothermal Power Company (MGPC) group that said a month ago at a press briefing on June 28, “MGPC WILL on behalf of the people of Montserrat, provide a bid for the geothermal power complex in response to an Expression of Interest (EoI) or any other legally authorised tender.”

While all this happening and with drilling continuing at Well #2, and testing at #1, Dr. Kimbugwe told the media that testing will run through to October. “The next phase really after the current drilling is the testing phase which is expected to be completed sometime around October,” he said.

Drilling began on or about February 22, this year, with drilling and testing (of the resource) expected to last six months (four and two months respectively).

Beardsley had said at the beginning of this month, confirming previous statements as to testing, “…we can start pulling it (water) out…and then we can do our long-term testing from that point,” he said.

Our information provided, “reports about the geothermal

source was definite, but its power had to be ascertained and testings were being done for verification.”

That information was from the moment Well #1 had been capped.

Further information had indicated testing would last for about two months.

In that earlier story we also reported that officials from the Government overseers of the project had said: “There must be temperature, pressure and flow, tested for a minimum of two months to “prove” the resource.”

Beardsley confirmed that later, but referred to it as, “our longterm testing.”

Well #2 – drilling completed Meanwhile reliable Reports earlier in the week now say that drilling at Well #2 is complete, although today a Ministry of Communication & Works official, would only say that a statement is forthcoming in the coming week.

Also unofficial is the news that while it was thought that Well #2 would have produced more positive existence of the resource, the only better news is that the temperature from the well is better than that of Well #1 when drilling had ceased.

Geothermal Unit and Steering Committee That news is supposed to be good or better news, but although unofficial it did not change the doubts and fears that exist or surround the geothermal project.

What keeps surfacing is that with a rig that can only reach straight down less than 2400 meters, the most encouraging information after Well #1 as we await the findings on Well #2, is, “they are confident the resource is there”.

The following further statement

by Kimbugwe in his response cont’d. on page 18

Page 18

Friday, December 20, 2013

FLASHBACK: Geothermal progress cont’d. from page 17 he said, “…So once that have been proven in terms of whether you have a resource or not and the size of that resource,” once again cast doubt and uncertainty on the other statement of ‘confidence’.

Questions also surface on the management of the project, who speaks for it, who reports on it and to whom. According to project documents there was to be a

“Geothermal Unit” which had to be in place prior to June 2012. The DFID rep was unable to name the entire Geothermal Unit, but said it was in place.

“Yes, you do have a geothermal unit. The geothermal unit is based in the Ministry of Communications and Works,” he responded, giving the names of two persons and two agencies, the other two he was unable to

name, one of whom was to be an engineer.

That unit was, accordingly as the project dictated: “GoM will staff a new Geothermal Unit responsible for overall project management, procurement processes including evaluation of tenders and presentation to the GoM Central Tenders Board,. This Unit will report on all matters related to the drilling contract.

“The key positions in this unit will be: 1. Geothermal Project Manager – Contracted in for preparation, drilling and testing.

2. “Company Man” – Contracted in for the drilling operation which requires 24/7 cover (3 people on rotation.) 3. Civil Engineer (GoM local recruit) 4. Well Test Engineer (contracted) 5. Administrative and accountancy staff (GoM local re-

cruit.) 6. Montserrat Volcano Observatory Staff – contracted for extra safety cover at unloading/loading.”

The dedicated Geothermal Unit was to, “be established to lead and oversee a successful drilling operation leading to the proving of a geothermal resource, on time and within budget. “…to keep an accurate track of progress and expenditure, and use this to keep amending the

programme as required and rolling forecasts out on a monthly basis…”

Besides this, GoM was to establish a Steering Committee for the geothermal exploratory drilling operation, to monitor progress and hold the geothermal unit to account. “This will be made up of : Financial Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development MCWL/ PWD and DFID.”

hoping for even better news.

The temperature of the water at the surface has been increasingly and last reported at 298ºC, converts to approximately 568.4 ºF, from 290 ºC overnight.

Director of Public Works Ron Beardsley speaking officially on the matter said that tests at the base of the well earlier read 235 ºC. This good news comes after several weeks of coaxing and searching with the belief that the resource was there, while the wait as expressed above will be to determine the capacity of the resource.

The good news is that the report is, “it looks very favorable.”

That is the best news to date.

ZJB Radio calls it a, “major breakthrough in geothermal exploration in Montserrat.”

He confirms our source as he follows up, intending not to be over confident, “It is still too early to confidently say that we have a commercially viable well.

However,” he said, “The signs are

very encouraging.”

The Director who, naturally serves on the Geothermal Unit says, the intention is, “to let it continue to flow for a few days to monitor temperature and pressure.”

In this statement, Beardsley says, that the next step will be to cont’d. on page 19

Geothermal resource best news

Posted on 06 September 2013.

by Bennette Roach …The settling of a long outstanding issue of Government’s (GoM) to the Social Security Board, the value for money conditional support for development of Little Bay and Carrs Bay, assuring that Montserrat can sign the treaty which establishes the OECS Economic Union. Moreover, the best as far as the economic future of Montserrat was perceived, news of support for the beginning of exploration and development of ‘geothermal energy’.

Twenty months later, UK’s £8.5 million input (the initial cost of Gerald’s airport) it appears that the investment to support produc-

tion well drilling for geothermal energy is on the verge of becoming what both UK DFID and the Premier Reuben T. Meade described as an “economic game changer” for Montserrat.

The Best News And after misdirection, stuttering, stumbles, silence and accusations, the news broke on Wednesday that there was a noisy sound as steam hissed from a tank at the Well #1 site. Upon enquiry it was not to undo the good news, but one observer familiar with how it ought to sound to bring it to the stage of commercial viability, said, “I hope that the well is mostly capped and that this is just minor venting.” The explanation, “An

Icelandic production well venting makes an enormous steam cloud and roars like a dragon!” Brings to mind the sounds when the steam pushed its way out at Soufriere Hills that July 18 night.

First information said that it would not be known before a few more days, “that the well is pretty productive…”

Cautioning against overoptimistic expectations, a source explained: “They have pumped so much water into the well and at the moment it’s coming back out again. What they want to find out is when the water stop coming out and it becomes the water which is being generated from underground and it’s starting to come up…” still

The Management and Staff of

Merry Christmas

C & G Construction wishes all of Montserrat a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Let us cherish the gift of family and friends this holiday season

Merry Christmas

The Peoples’ Mini Mart wishes to thank our loyal customers for your patronage throughout 2013.

May the spirit of Christmas be with you throughout the New Year

Friday, December 20 2013

Page g 19

FLASHBACKS Cardinal Bergoglio is Pope Francis

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina elected pope, takes name Pope Francis Pope Francis’ first greeting

‘Fruitful mission’ The election of a new Pope was signaled by white smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday evening.

About an hour later, the name of the new Pope was read out.

He began his address to the crowds by offering a prayer for his predecessor.

In a light-hearted moment, he said his fellow cardinals had gone to the “ends of the Earth” to find a bishop of Rome.

He went on to ask the crowd to “pray to God so that he can bless me”, before calling on the world to set off on a path of love and fraternity.

“Habemus Papam Franciscum,” was the first tweet by the papal account @pontifex since Benedict stood down last month.

The election was met with thunderous applause at the cathedral in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis’ home city.

— The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church broke Europe’s millennium-long stranglehold on the papacy and astonished the Catholic world Wednesday, electing Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina as the 266th pope.

“The duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome,” said Bergoglio, 76, who took the name Francis, the first pope in history to do so. “And it seems to me that my brother cardinals went to fetch him at the end of the world. But here I am.”

Bergoglio was believed to have been the runner-up in the 2005 conclave, which yielded Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Last month, Benedict became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign.

Shortly after his election, Francis called Benedict, now known as pope emeritus, with whom he will meet in the coming days.

Francis, who will be officially installed in a Mass on Tuesday, is a pope of firsts. He chose a name never before used in the church’s 2,000 -year history, signaling to Vatican analysts that he wants a new beginning for the faith.

“It’s a genius move,” Marco Politi, a papal biographer and veteran Vatican watcher, said of the choice of Bergoglio.

“It’s a non-Italian, non-European, not a man of the Roman government. It’s an opening to the Third World, a moderate.

Cardinal Bergoglio

FLASHBACK: cont’d. from page 18 carry out specialist longterm testing. This will be carried out over several weeks and will determine the chemical composition of the geothermal fluids, as well as the temperature and pressure from the resource. This critical data will inform the design of the most cost-

effective generation plant for our location. It will also give an estimate of the long term capacity of the resource. The long term testing will be carried out over the next couple of months.

But the next question. What about Well #2? Can they just do the same and hope? The project managers sensing they need to take action as reported last week had sought to improve on the drilling to date, being carried out by the Icelandic Drilling Company Ltd. Beardsley reported that the rig “has now been repaired and the drilling team resumed operations last night (Wednesday night).”

By taking the name Francis, it means a completely new beginning.”

“It’s highly significant for what Francis means,” said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, referring to Saint Francis of Assisi, who was known for his total vow of poverty. “It means that he is here to serve.”

Lombardi added that after weeks of focus on a Vatican scandal over the leaking of papal letters, and on talk about who exercises power and authority in the church, the selection of the humble Jesuit, who used to take the bus and cook for himself, amounted to a “refusal of power” and “was absolutely radical.”

For many Bergoglio’s hemisphere of origin, home to the largest percentage of Catholics in the world, that was potentially the most important “first” for the future of the church.

“We know how longed-for this was by the Catholics in Latin America,” said Lombardi. “This is a great response to this anticipation.”

That reaction was palpable in St. Peter’s Square as Bergoglio, after being introduced with an announcement of “habemus papam” (we have a pope), walked through crimson curtains and onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to address the crowed, which greeted him with cheers of “Viva il papa!”

Clad in white and surrounded by scarlet-clad cardinals, he looked over a stately book and blessed the faithful below him. Then, in a gesture that many interpreted as a greater embrace of dialogue, he asked the crowd to “pray for me, and we’ll see each other soon.”

Finally, with avuncular simplicity, he bid the crowd, “Good night, and have a good rest.”

Geothermal

He said the Well would be cleaned out and lined down to its current depth of 2347 meters.

That the intention is to carry on drilling a little deeper to provide further geological data. He concludes, “The drilling operation on Montserrat should be fully completed within the next two weeks.”

While all the news sounds great there is still some nervousness of the unknown possible result, that the activity to be carried out at Well #2. “I don’t know what’s the difference going down to 3,000 meters might make!” our source said nervously.

He explained, “Well, because it may not make any difference at all. It is possible to go pass the heat source – for the temperature to decrease. It doesn’t have to increase.” The suggestion is, that while being near to the resource it can be in any direction away from the hole.

That however, everyone agrees, is that there is great news. Everything seems set for potentially greater news by the end of October.

Next report – December 13 issue – page 3 – Slow geothermal progress (and reports) leave doubt

Page 20

Friday, December 20, 2013

www.themontserratreporter.com

Merry Christmas

MCC proudly graduates 8

by Staff writer

2013 MCC graduates left: Debbie Lewis, head of the Office of the Deputy Governor. far left: MCC Principal Mr. Paul Payne gave the past academic activities report

Several students obtained Associate Degrees and Diplomas at the Montserrat Community College’s (MCC) graduating ceremony. The ceremony, after a call to order

by Principal Paul Payne, and prayer

by Rev. Dr. Ruth Allen, had for the chairman, Mr. Glenroy Foster, one of the first 2005 graduates of the College, took place in the Auditorium at the Cultural Centre on December 18, 2013.

As is the custom the Principal gave a detailed report of the past academic activities. Mr. Payne happily reported: “the year ended on a very positive note. Of course there was the high pass rate in CAPE examinations, but more significantly, the Government of Montserrat provided funds to upgrade the computers at the College, especially the wellused but outdated Computer Lab and to upgrade the operating and production software.”

He noted that “the new school year (2012/2013) began with forty-two full-time students in the 2-Year Associate Degree Programme. There were nineteen returning students, three having fallen by the way, and twenty-three new students. This increase from twenty-nine in the previous year, resulted in a fortyfive percent increase and marked the highest number of students to date, in this CAPE Associate Degree Programme.”

The principal also reported that as it concerns overseas exams, the top performing student this year was Ruian Zhu who passed the six CAPE Units that he sat, while T’Sean Blake, Nish Brown, Jhovan Daniel, TiVonne Howe, and Anjeanette Williams all passed five subjects with another 16 students, obtaining passes in four CAPE Units. While 64% of the passes were at Grades IV and

V, Tiffannie Skerritt obtained two passes at Grade I, one at Grade II and one at Grade III. According to Mr. Payne, sixteen of the eighteen students who completed the 2-year Associate Degree Programme in 2013 obtained the CAPE Diploma and of these twelve achieved the Associate Degree. In addition, two students from last year’s final-year group, completed the requirements of the Associate Degree in 2013. He said that “this equates to a 78% success, the second most successful group in the Colleges brief history, surpassed only in 2009, when 20 out of the class of 21 (95%) attained the Associate Degree.”

Tiffannie Skerritt, Nadia Brown and Trecia Meade entertained students and guests in song as they performed a cover of the popular Christmas tune “Give love on Christmas day”. Nish Brown joined and played a Piano solo of Celine Dion’s hit - “The Prayer”.

Debra Lewis, head of the office of the Deputy Governor, delivered the address to the 2013 graduating class. She told the grandaunts, that unlike any other generation in the history of Montserrat, their generation was “uniquely poised for success”, but nonetheless they must pay particular attention to some selfmade barriers. Such barriers she says include phrases we repeat such as “I can’t”, “I am afraid” and “I don’t know”. Miss Lewis took time out to impress upon the parents and teachers that they should allow the graduates to fol-

low their own dreams rather than the ones parents and teachers may have for them. In concluding, she told the class to go forward and be comfortable with being themselves.

Jhovan Daniel was applauded as the top student and even though absent, addressed the audience through his father Mr. Julian Daniel.

Mrs. Esternella West handed out awards and certificates to deserving students.

The proceedings culminated with a vote of thanks by Mr. Szjohn Griffith followed by the presentation of the 2013 graduating class. The college is in its 10 year of operation as a tertiary educational institution.

Trecia Meade, Tiffannie Skerritt and Nadia Brown entertained students and guests in song as they performed a cover of the popular Christmas tune “Give love on Christmas day”.

Below: Glenroy Foster - MC

Visit online: www.themontserratreporter.com and follow up to date, by the hour, near accurately what weather to expect all over Montserrat. Choose your location.

Mrs. Esternella West hands out awards and certificates