The Montserrat Reporter- 07 September 2012

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Friday, September 07, 2012

www.themontserratreporter.com Vol. XXVII No. 21

Week Ending Friday, September 07, 2012 Price $2.00

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17 (NRSV)

Timely: Festival at 50, and Obama and Other poems connected to them, was formal and set in an environment most fitting for Sir Howard as so many of his books are of a historical nature available at their major outlet. No questioning of special thanks to, “…the host the Montserrat National Trust, recognize the president and Mrs. (Lady) Fergus did assist us greatly in making the arrangements for today. We are grateful to the Trust for hosting, they are our leading book sellers,” he said at the end, as he thanked several others, those people who helped in a very special way.

He said the book itself gives

cont’d. on page 6

By Staff Reporter Professor Sir Howard A Fergus launched in grand Montserrat style his two latest books, ‘Festival at 50’ and ‘Obama and other Poems’, at the end of which he also put on display several of his earlier

works, such as ‘Road from Long Ground.’

This took place at the Montserrat National Trust (MNT) compound joint hosts with the University of West Indies Open Campus.

‘Festival 50’, buzz words these days, with the setting for the launch of this book

More Headlines...

MP Romeo campaigns - End to UK ‘Wilful Neglect’

by Bennette Roach

Premier calls for public support...pg 2

Open letter to Honourable Kirnon...pg 4 Lionfish invasion...pg 5 Kids’ Korner...pg 8 CXCs for $ale...pg 9 Accuweather, Weekly Horoscopes & Community Diary...pg 11

NP Donaldson Romeo at ZJB radio

MP Donaldson Romeo at ZJB Radio

Member of Parliament Donaldson Romeo leads the opposition side of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly, as one of three (independent) members. He champions the notion that the Government that seats six of the nine elected members of the Legislative Assembly, does not get it right in their approach to the Britain in getting (cont’d. on page 9)

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Friday, September 07, 2012

P REMIER

SPEAKS OUT ON SEXUAL ASSAULTS , CALLS ON THE PUBLIC FOR COOPERATION

by Tomeika Jeffrey

The Honourable Premier, Mr. Rueben T Meade attempted to defuse heavy criticism from the public against the subsequent actions of the Honourable Minister, Mr. Collin Riley in the case of an alleged minor on minor sexual assault case, during a radio presentation on Wednesday, August 29.

The Premier said, “Speaking with Mr. Riley and another individual, along with the community services workers, I understood why the decision was made in

the manner in which it was made….I think on the order of the Magistrate that it was recommended that Mr. Riley took the child overseas with the cricket team, and my intervention on that was, yes the children can remain overseas with the cricket team, but he must not represent Montserrat on that cricket team.”

He added, “Mr. Riley should not be seen as somebody who did something wrong, he was simply protecting a child at the request of the legal system and he is

making the child available to the authorities. He will continue to work on the matter to the benefit of the children of this country, and I think he’s doing a wonderful job.”

Premier Meade highlighted the Government’s commitment to resolving the matter. “I actually met with the family privately, of the little girl, along with the godparents who are Montserratians to get their views and opinions on what was happening…and to provide them with some indication that Government really cares… we care about them and the child and that the matter will be dealt with fully,” said Premier Meade.

M r. M e a d e added, “The Government has a program dealing with children…we have a professional from the United Kingdom, a Montserratian, who has returned and is working in the De-

partment of Child Services.

She is leading on this particular issue and I’m very pleased that we have the competence within the Community Services Department to deal with this matter professionally.”

During his presentation the Premier also touched on the issue of, what he calls ‘a wall of silence’ and lack of cooperation in reporting incidence of sexual assault in the

community. He then called on the public to speak out against sexual abuse, “…We are simply trying to sensitize people to the fact that these things do happen within our society, but there seems to be a wall of silence on a lot of these issues, because people are afraid to talk out. People are afraid to act, and people are afraid to get the authorities involved…we can’t short

change our children and sell them out,” he said.

In mid-August there were allegations of sexual assault incidents among minors, one which ‘unfortunately’ hit the internet.

Later, the police have also confirmed allegations of another sexual assault incident involving a five-year-old female and two males, ages 13 and 14.

MONTSERRAT OBSERVES CARIBBEAN WELLNESS DAY AND HOSTS NCDS FORUM Epidemiological indicators identified NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs) as the leading cause of death on Montserrat, which has prompted a consultative forum to be held at the Montserrat Cultural Center on September 12, 2012. The event is one of several activities organized to commemorate

Caribbean Wellness Day, o b s e r v e d o n S a t u r d a y, September 8.

The Initiative was launched under the theme, “Uniting to Stem the Tide of Chronic Disease in Montserrat,” According to a release from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the event is a collaborative effort be-

tween the Ministry and Pan American Health O rg a n i z a t i o n ( PA H O ) , to inform stakeholders of the emerging health crisis.

The release stated that, “If the current trend is allowed to continue, the disease burden of NCDs will pose a direct threat to the sustainable

cont’d. on page 3

Friday, September 07, 2012

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School bus system RMPS recruitment out-sourcing - part training course #4 of the cutbacks?

by Tomeika Jeffrey

At the end of September, Montserrat school bus system is expected to be outsourced to private operators, acting Permanent Secretary (PS) Mr. Glenn Francis confirmed during an interview with The Montserrat Reporter on Tuesday.

The PS was corroborating statements from the Honourable Premier, Mr. Rueben T Meade which he made during a radio broadcast last week Wednesday.

According to the PS, the Ministry is presently in discussion with local bus operators to outsource the school bus service. He also assures that the change will not affect the present bus fees.

Mr. Francis disclosed that all the school bus drivers and conductresses will be reabsorbed into the Government system in areas where their skills will be best utilized. He revealed that they have identified and are considering, several areas where these individuals can be placed.

He said the Ministry had met with workers employed under the bus system to discuss their repositioning in Government and have received positive responses from them.

Last week the Premier announced Government’s plans to out-source several Government services to the private sector. He identified the school bus service, as one such service at the

forefront to be outsourced.

He said, “We’re trying to improve the efficiencies in certain services, and the school bus is one that has been targeted. We initially had discussions of allowing the current school bus drivers to run the business, then we recognized that this may not be the best way to go.”

He said, “We had a sufficient offer from one operator to provide the service to the government of Montserrat at the fee stipulated in the request for proposals, and that is being discussed with that particular operator. We would have had meetings with the education officials, some members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to discuss the issue, because it’s pointless going to the parents before you have something concrete to sell to them. When Government make a decision as to who will get the out-sourcing of the school buses, before the contract is signed we will have a public consultation with the parents.”

“Now the question is being raised; what will happen to the school bus drivers? We would have had discussions with them in terms of their re-absorption in the system; where we have a shortage of skills which they have…In terms of the conductresses, similarly they are being looked after. So this is not to create unemployment amongst the persons who are currently

employed, but to create efficiencies. So there will be no increase cost to the parents for school busing,” according to the Premier.

However, Opposition Leader Mr. Donald Romeo believes, Government may be concealing job-cuts as out-sourcing.

Mr. Romeo contended that, “In May this year cuts to Government were said to happen September…these cuts were set to happen long before the promise steps were set to happen to get the economy moving so people can have viable lasting jobs…Just like how the recent increase in import changes were disguised as simplifications, we have to now ask; has our Government now agreed to job cuts disguised as outsourcing?”

He said, “School busing is to be outsourced and

cont’d. from page 2 development of the country. Engaging all sectors in consultative dialogue so as to find an appropriate solution for the prevention and control of NCDs is a pivotal starting point for the national response.”

Some of the activities organized during the weeks leading up to Caribbean Wellness Day included a hike from Bot-

tomless Ghaut through the Furlonge Estate Trail.

An aerobics exercises session, dancercise; a walk around Little Bay town, beach activities and Physical Fitness Jamboree.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health & Social Services, Mr. Elijah Silcott discussed the Ministry’s plans for

tice to give them vocational knowledge and skills.

In a release, it says, “Students will be exposed to the concept of community policing, a crime preventative measure focused on community partnership.

The training is to be delivered in modules: Orientation, Beat duties, Crimes against property, Crimes against per-

sons, Multi-discipline.

The lecturers are from within the RMPS and the community of Montserrat.

Twenty two (22) officers have already been trained locally in partnership with the Montserrat community since the Police recruitment training program was localized in 2009.

In previous years the training was done in Barbados.

Inspector Derona Semper September. When I called the Ministry on the other hand, to verify this, I was told that they are unable to

get proof of the planed job placements for bus drivers, conductors and others,” he said.

the event, “Leading up to Caribbean Wellness Day in September we have organized a series of activities that we hope church groups, schools, civil servants and the public at large will join in.”

The two main activities to celebrate the occasion will be the Forum and the Fitness Jamboree.

The forum is expected to take a Multi-Sectorial Approach to combat the challenges faced with NCDs such as; Diabetes and Hypertension, Silcott explained. The jamboree

is scheduled for Saturday, September 15 at the Little Bay Playing Field.

“We are very conscious of the need to get people active, because physical activity is one of the required elements to combat these noncommunicable diseases,” he added “We will also be looking at other initiatives to take our campaign into our December 2012 Festival.”

To d a t e , d i a b e t e s and hypertension are the highest recording NCD’s among locals.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

REGISTERED LAND ACT

PROBATE DIVISION

SECTION 34

In the Estate of SARAH ELIZABETH PIPER deceased

LOST LAND CERTIFICATES

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice, an application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration with Will annexed in the Estate of SARAH ELIZABETH PIPER who died on the 12TH day of October, 2005 be granted to CLAUDETTE ROSE ANN BYNOE neé PIPER, the Executrix and Trustee of the estate of the deceased.

REG. SECTION/REFERENCE

Wilston E. Daley J. Lenford Hyde Allen

just days before school reopens, parents have no idea what it will cost in the future to send their children on the school bus.”

The leader revealed, “On the other hand I’m told that bus drivers and conductors have been assured that despite the outsourcing they will still have a job in

NCD Forum

It is notified for general information that Land Certificates in respect of the following persons have been reported lost:NAME

Five recruits will commence training from September 10, 2012 to March 10, 2013, a course designed to expose the recruit student officer to the basic skills, knowledge and values required of a police constable.

The Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) Chief, Recruitment Training, Inspector Derona Semper says, “The objective of the course is to make each student officer efficient in the performance of general beat and patrol duties, to mold and develop the students’ character, mental and physical fitness, and to link instruction in theory and prac-

St. Peter’s 13/10/062 St. Peter’s 13/22/043

DATE ISSUED March 13, 2009 January 5, 1994

Unless any objections are received within fourteen (14) days from the date of publication of this notice, replacement certificates will be issued.

Dated this 27th day of August, 2012.

J. Christopher Gerrald Registrar of Lands (Ag)

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.

ANY person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court not later than 14 days from the date of this Notice.

Dated this 20th day of August, 2012 BRANDT & ASSOCIATES Attorneys-at-Law

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Friday, September 07, 2012

Letters/Opinion

EDITORIAL Cutbacks in Montserrat is farcical, but indescribably wrong in education When the facts are known and where it all started, it turns into disgraceful behavior on the part of our government leaders and UK government for wanting to turn their backs on education, with cutbacks under the guise of cutting costs in Montserrat and consequently showing up the hypocrisy about their efforts to develop Montserrat, reducing the education system to a farce.

Could this all have begun with our political leaders all falling prey to a history of distrust, or is it a level of incompetence, ignorance, inefficiency or just downright corruption on the part of both of them? Heaven knows there is plenty of all of that to go around. If the British masters are going to say, ‘look at all the money we have poured into Montserrat’, the argument will fail as the observer will say, ‘what have you done, what have you to show for it, and finally the accusation that they have turned a blind eye or even condoned any shortcomings. By the way, there is a very strong argument out there that says, ‘the UK designs Montserrat to fail.

In any case, the argument fails again by their admissions. While we argue, that DFID should not be the Ministry to deal directly with Montserrat’s issues, the fact that there is a Montserrat desk, a Ministry to deal with the Overseas Territories, notwithstanding, the need for special attention is overwhelming. In 2005, following up from eight years prior, they noted that they would always be looking to see at what point Montserrat could become sustainable or shut down, they stated: “Without substantial external support there is no likelihood of Montserrat achieving its ambitions, the population will decline further and more people will become more heavily dependent on public services that the Government would increasingly struggle to fund and implement. This will lead inexorably to the collapse of the Island’s social, economic and governance structures.”

That is natural. But then came this: “We will reverse what we feel has been the neglect of the Overseas Territories over the last decade . . . .” Minister Allan Duncan.

Economic Collapse? It did since 1995. So, imagine in 2011 February saying that Montserrat must try to stand on “its own two feet. They had said this or got Montserrat to say, ten years earlier, it is ready to stand on its own two feet, until the Chief Minister retracted when The Montserrat Reporter asked him, “how?” But by the end of the 2011, they were admitting neglect and promising to make it all good, with the proviso of justification, followed up by promises by Premier Meade’s government via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to put their (UK) delay tactics in place.

The problem however, it is the way they condone any mishandlings on Montserrat’s part or their own. Instead of being straight, they have to continue their diplomatic and subtle practices of not being direct with the issues.

It seems too many people misunderstand cutbacks, outsourcing and economic development, especially when narrowed to Montserrat’s special case. Make no mistake that anyone is looking for hand-outs, when they said in November, 1998 that the island must depend on “the government’s intention to be the catalyst for the economic development of Montserrat,” promised in a MoU between HMG and Montserrat almost fourteen (14) years ago.

A quote from an American calling for the US to continue its strive to improve on their education goals. “You can’t be pro-business without being pro-education.”

Can this Montserrat government say it is for business/development and agree to cut an already stringent education budget?

Another one says, cutbacks take money out of the economy and take away jobs, and kills development. The Premier cannot be saying to the people, “we can’t short change our children and sell them out…” having just shortchanged them ALL opportunity to be ‘well’ educated. Education of the children must be a priority. Yes question, demand. Montserrat and UK Governments must come ‘clean’.

When they ask Premier Meade to justify his requests for developmental support for this island, we beg him, simply pull up the Sustainable Development Plan 19982002, the justifications are all there. The Hon. Don Romeo is cataloguing or has catalogued much of the supporting evidence. Contrary to the Premier’s attitude, until Montserrat makes a clear case just waiting to be exposed and exploited to its benefit, the British subtlety and hypocrisy and pressures, will empty Montserrat leaving it to be developed as the haven they will enjoy. Time is nothing to them. Money is only a matter of whose pockets it goes to.

The West Indies cricket team, and others, did beat the English at the game they mastered, but that was only for a time.

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

MISSING THE ‘TARIFF’ BOAT WHILE MAIN-

TAINING THE INCREASED REVENUE DECPTION As residents and the Montserrat Diaspora eagerly await the completely revamped Tariff debacle introduced at July 1, 2012, following is just one of the comments served up like a tennis ace to the Governor Davis and Premier Meade’s cabinet.

“I suppose those of us who import items had already had the consequences of the July tariff.

In the case of numerous and variety of items, total duty almost doubled because of increased rates on our highest volume/ cost items.

In any event, the old vs. new comparison is about to become superseded so I suppose an old vs recent vs new will be required now.

Ultimately they have missed the boat. It should be possible to reduce 789 pages to about three (3). First - a list of all low tariff items (5-10% in total.) Second a list of all high tariff items (tobacco, alcohol etc). say 60-70% in total. And finally one rate to include everything NOT explictly in either other list - say 15-20%.”

This writer says: “Of course this would probably put the customs brokers out of business.

But I would be very surprised if it didn't produce more revenue.”

Just before the end of August, the news was that the long awaited change to the new Tariff was to come into effect on September 1,

2012. Many people including especially, parents, guardians and their benefactors suffered and will continue to suffer for another month with the increased cost of purchasing items to send their new students to school or those just returning, and just living with an already high cost of living.

“Why did they not just repeal the new tariff and revert to the old, until the revised was ready?” many people asked.

At least one GoM minister had readily made that suggestion, but it is apparent that the deception in saying that new changed tariff was not a revenue raising measure, would have failed in its intent.

OPEN LETTER TO HONOURABLE C. KIRNON

We are presently gearing up for the 50th Anniversary of Festival, and are hoping for many of our Diaspora Montserratians and Friends to return home to Montserrat.

Honourable Kirnon, may I humbly ask, if it is not too hard, to fix the massive pot holes going up to the Jackboy Hill and the New Windward Dump Site, as this is the Hurricane season, and before this road is totally washed out and un-driveable?

A simple plan, would entail the following vehicles and procedure: The water tanker truck; a pickup truck with some

safety cones; three public works road crew men and a ready mix concrete truck.

Methodology:The water truck drive ahead of the ready mix truck and wash out the pot holes, followed behind with the pickup with safety cones to put into each washed out hole, then following close behind is the Ready Mix truck and three men to fill these pot holes with concrete, and level them out, I am estimating this complete job could be completed within two or three days, four days maximum!

If we are to wait for the ready mix plant and do a

total repair of that road it will be another few years, in the mean time PLEASE KEEP THAT ROAD NAVIGATABLE, another VERY IMPORTANT FACT, is if the Garbage trucks cannot drive this terrible road, we will have tons of garbage pilling up in our neighbourhoods, and this would be the very last thing we would want at xmas time or anytime!

I look forward to your SPEEDY RESPONSE TO THIS CRITICAL SITUATION, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! I thank you in advance.

Capt. John

Our Scripture Verse Today A Christ Carrier

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (NRSV) While studying our family’s genealogy, a distant cousin of mine discovered that some relatives on my mother’s side were from eastern Germany. In the 1700s, these ancestors fled religious persecution in Germany to seek freedom in America. Their German name, Christophel, means “Christ carrier,” and in one of his letters my cousin exclaimed, “We have a rich Christian heritage.”

But that is not unique. “Surrounded

by so great a cloud of witnesses” as Hebrews 12:1 says, all believers have a rich Christian heritage. Each of us in our own way is meant to be a “Christ carrier.” We all carry Christ because we bear his name and because God’s Spirit dwells in us.

In a much more visible way, we present Christ to the world through our words, attitudes, and actions, reflecting the Lord’s message to the world. Our mission field may be as close as speaking to a neighbor across the fence, or it may be in some faraway country. But we can all carry Christ’s name and message to those around us.

Friday, September 07, 2012

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Serious - Lionfish invasion, real

Just as we went to press Capt. John Howes would have been participating in Farmer’s Corner on ZJB where he expected to discuss At the time of going to press this article forced us There is a MAJOR LION FISH INVASION of the ENTIRE Caribbean & Montserrat's Waters..

Lion Fishes, are now found ranging from Massachusetts in the North; Bermuda; Gulf of Mexico and throughout the entire Caribbean to Central and South America region.

These Lion Fish are actually a native species of the Indio-Pacific waters, but because of their ravenous nature and Ornate Beauty, were imported into America, to sell to people for their home aquarium's .

It is believed that in 1992.. Hurricane Andrew, came ashore in the Miami area and during that storm, it destroyed a Marine Aquarium, causing approximately 6 or 8 Lion Fishes to escape into the Florida Biscayne Bay waters, since that date, they have increased exponentially, by spawning continuously year round.

Marine scientist research reveals that Lion Fish have a unique reproductive system, not found in other native species, spawning year round, a female Lion Fish spawns between 30,000 to 40,000 eggs every three to four days, for about 30 days, then in a few weeks starts to spawn once again, therefore one female lion fish can produce well over 3 million offspring per year !

Researchers have documented that there was a boom of about 700% increase in Bahamian waters between 2004 and 2008.

A lion fish increases rapidly in size, and can become sexually reproductive within their first year, and can grow

to 8 inches in length within their first year and keep growing to more than 16 inches or more in length, as much larger fishes have been spotted in the Bahamas, their first stop after leaving the Florida coast.

They grow so fast, that they easily out grow most native species..

Lion Fishes can be found in waters, ranging from one foot deep, right up to 1,000 feet deep waters.

Now these Lion Fishes are such Ravenous Predators and Hunters, they will devour all the juvenile fishes; shrimps; crabs and baby lobsters, depleting all the reefs and nursery grounds of juvenile fish!

Which would also lead to the total devastation of

Mutton Snappers (Virgin Snappers) and Groupers are being taught to feed on these lion fish, as divers spear these lion fish, and then feed them to the snappers and groupers, by doing this, it is hoped that the other snappers and groupers observing these fish being eaten, will then learn to start to feed on them also, doing this (training) is hoped that other fish will start to hunt and prey on these lion fish, for their food..

Closer to home, (Montserrat) a few Lion fish were spotted on the reefs of the BVI around March 2010, and since that very short time ago, they have totally Invaded all the reefs of the whole region..

I remember hearing of a single sighting, here on Montserrat, just about two years ago, since that time, there are now literally millions of them around Montserrat, all of the local fish pot fishermen, are literally catching dozens in each of their of their fish traps !!..

If a Lion fish enters, a trap, NO other fish will enter that trap !!

Now because of the Warnings that have been

the reefs', as coral reefs need fish to graze on the mosses and algae to keep the reef pristine, and healthy.

After much discussions with the Guadeloupian Fishermen and Marine Biologist, it is felt that in a very short time, all of the reefs and fishing grounds around the Caribbean, will be totally depleted of our regular pot fish, and we will then be forced to consume only these Lion Fishes for protein..

Lion Fishes have NO K N O W N N AT U R A L PREDATORS, IN THE CARIBBEAN !!!..

HOWEVER.. in the Bahamas and Cayman Islands,

given out about their venomous spins, most ALL of the local fishers, will not touch a lion fish !!, and are actually dumping them back into the ocean ALIVE, where they will just continue to reproduce..

YES the Spines are dangerous, however, if they are handled carefully while being cleaned, by holding them with a heavy leather glove, then take a heavy strong scissors' or shears, and cut off the spines on it's back; pelvic fins and anal fins, the fish is then 100% safe to handle and eat, in any way that you like to prepare fish..

NOTE: the Venom, is within the external fins, and NOT within the meat !!, what is being done in Florida; the Bahamas; Jamaica; Caymans etc. is they also cut off the head, and doing this, allows you to pull off the skin, and reveals a nice white flake meat, with a fine sweet flavour, similar to a groupers' taste, so there is no need to scale them..

Customers can just take them home, season them and cook them, in their favourite way..

I have just arrived back from Guadeloupe, where I met with the President of UMPIG, Mr. Jean Claude Yoyotte, who is the head of All Guadeloupian Fishermen, and their Marine Biologist Nicolai, Fisheries Advisor to the Regional Counsel General, and had very detailed conversations with them, and some of the participating Guadeloupian Fishermen, who are in a study on this VERY SERIOUS Lion Fish Invasion, they are very worried, as their catches have been diminishing drastically, and are now mostly catching lots of these Lion Fishes, in their fish pots, and JUST LIKE THE MONTSERRATIAN FISHERMEN, ARE VERY SCARRED OR AFRAID of getting pricked by a lion fish..

Now Mr. Yoyotte, has convinced several fishermen, to change that thought, and are now cleaning them and giving away to their regular customers to try eating, and because they taste soo good, those same customers usually return and are willing to buy these Lion Fishes now..

The Marine Biologist's with the Regional Counsel General, are now conducting some research and testing within several coastal communities around Guadeloupe, over the next few months, to see if the Lion Fish, being a top predator, may contract Ciguatera poisoning, from eating soo many juvenile fish, so the results should be soon completed within the near future and if good, will then get Governmental approval, to be sold to the public..

A local fisherman here, was accidentally pricked with on of these Lion Fishes' spines, and suffered the con-

sequences !!.

HE WAS treated at the Hospital, with several injections and tablets, which was NOT REALLY Necessary, all he was to have done was to soak his hand in 100 degree water or as hot as he could stand it, and Epsom salts can be added to the water to ease the pain and swelling..

Even I was accidentally pricked by a Scorpion fish or prickly hind as it is called, last week, and personally felt the venom travel up my hand, however, because I have being doing research on Venomous fishes, knew how to treat myself, and was out of pain within a few minutes !!..

Now here's a MEDICAL HEALTH TIP... If you were to get pricked by one of these venomous spines, the first thing to do, is check to see if the spine has not broken off inside your body, if so, you should remove it as soon as possible, then soak the effected area, in a mixture of Epsom Salts and Hot Water, as hot as you can be bare it, by doing this, the venom will be neutralized, it can take (depending on the severity) between 15 minutes to one hour of soaking..

Some other remedies', are putting an onion in boiling water, then placing it on the effected area, also another thing that can be used is an Aloe Vera branch, heated, then sliced open, sprinkled

with some salt, and holding on the effected area..

NEVER USE COLD WATER OR ICE on the location, as cold causes the venom to travel upwards... inwards. NOT OUT of the wound..

NEVER TAKE ASPIRIN, WHILE SOAKING YOU BODY PART, AS ASPIRIN OR ANY ANALGESIC CAN CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR THE PERSON, DURING THIS HOT SOAK TIME..

If a Fisherman is wounded at sea while fishing, he can hold the effected part, say his hand under the cooling exhaust water of the engine, although, not overly hot, will reduce the symptoms', until reaching ashore..

We must take action NOW to reduce this Invasion, and start to get accustomed to eating these Lion Fish, as it is VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ERADICATE THIS SPECIES NOW !!

We in the Caribbean, are faced with a MAJOR PROBLEM, and it's Consequences are that SOON ALL the Reef Fishes (POT FISH & SNAPPERS) and some Pelagic Species, will be TOTALLY ERADICATED PERMANENTLY FROM OUR WATERS!!! within the next two years !!! A VERY VERY SERIOUS SITUATION !!

Capt. John

Page 6

Friday, September 07, 2012

Sir Fergus debuts two new books cont’d. from page 1 credits, but he also thanked others as well including those who participated in and supported the launch, in particular with the Festival of 50 book.

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Alrick Taylor, for Permanent Secretary (PS) and MSS principal and who had for many years been very well involved in the Festivals. He introduced and another former Permanent Secretary Anthony Maloney, former member of the Montserrat Jaycees who were most involved in the promotion of festivals in the early and many years hence. Currently the president of the Association of Retired Persons, Maloney reminisced on those early

days of festival.

He spoke of Sir Howard’s “abject tenacity to ensure that we have souvenir that is pleasing as he weaved together the loose threads of our history and culture into a single volute (Festival at 50).

Miss Anne Marie Dewar, then gave an outstanding review of the book, ‘Obama and other Poems’, which she described as, “… a varied and witty collection of poems: thought-provoking straight-talk which is muscular in metaphor and innuendo, powerful in its precise, apt and bold use of colourful imagery and word painting, and liberally flavoured with humour, reflection, challenge, and pathos.”

She described the con-

trasts of the poems which “also bring some focus to the impact of the Obama presidency, whether real or padded with expectancy, on the issue of race not only in America, but also in Britain, where the idea of Downing Street experiencing its own Obama is now not such a farfetched idea after all.”

In the poems, she said, “The poet urges us to remember that after the mountain top scenes of “dizzy glory”, after the euphoria of the inauguration celebrations, Obama will descend to the real world, where the real work is just beginning.”

At the end of her deliberations on the book, she enthused, “This is a most enjoyable collection of poems – rich in the variation and use Miss Veronica Hixon seen in photos presenting copies of books won the honour having been one of the first Festival queen contestant

of colour, tone, rhythm, and pace. I recommend this book to you as one which is well worth reading over and over.

Head of the local the University of West Indies Open Campus, Miss Gracelyn Cassell also gave a review but on the new book History at 50 - 1962 to 2012. She acknowledged Professor Sir Howard, “as a gift to Montserrat, a gift that keeps on giving.”

She explained: “We can now boast hundreds of graduates but unfortunately, there are not that many who are actually doing research and

making the results of that research available for improving our understanding of our peculiar history and how it affects our society today. Sir Howard has been one of the very few graduates who has done this and continues to do so,” a very fitting lament, very ably put.

She expressed that Sir Howard “has taken the bold step of providing a document that records the development of the Christmas Festival from 1962 to 2012.”

The book is dedicated to Clifford Tuitt and to Jew-

eline Roberts Riley She encouraged, “Every student, every resident, including those now making Montserrat their home, should get copies of Sir Howard’s publications and begin the process of understanding the society in which we find ourselves today.”

We recommend and encourage further the call to include as many others, to include those with any Montserrat interest and connection.

Top: Anne Marie Dewar; here left: Gracelyn Cassell Top: LIME manager Joseph Cassell and Minister Colin Riley receive copies of book Above: The author gives a copy to his presentation host who at right: gives copy to Bank of Montserrat’s Operations Manager Bernadette Matthew

Friday, September 07, 2012

Page g 7

Round two of the Village Basketball continues

Village Basketball competition at Brades basketball court

School year begins in turmoil Over the past week the Education system of Montserrat has been the turmoil of confusion as the new school year

begun.

Parents learned from the children that some subjects had been removed from the timetable

that was being presented on a daily basis.

Prior to the start of school parents, particularly those sending chil-

dren to the school for the first time had been told in meetings with Education Ministry and school officials, that there was the

Basketball fans were a bit disappointed at the postponement of last Friday’s basketball game for the Village Basketball league; however, round two continued, Saturday Sept 1st at the Brades possibility that the lunch and school bus services would be ‘outsourced’.

Towards the end of the week President of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA), Julian Daniel Physics removed from MSS Curriculum as no fully equipped lab in place at the school says PTA president.

PTA President Julian Daniel says the Ministry of Education plans to review some of the decisions which they had not consulted parents on. News@6 Parents of MSS students are not happy about several major issues at the school and they made their displeasure known yesterday during a meeting with Acting PS Glenn Francis and Hon. Minister of Education Colin Riley.

Basketball court.

The game was postponed to accommodate a football promo-match to showcase the national football team.

On Saturday St. Peters Hilltop played against Jammers to kick-off the first game.

Hilltop came out on top, scoring a hearty 74 points against Jammers 68 points.

Top Scorers for Hilltop were: Halloran Bobb with 20 points, 4 assists, 14 rebounds and 2 steals.

Seon Evelyn -15 points, 6 assist, 6 rebounds, 3 steals; and John Osborne -14 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds.

Meanwhile Top Scorers for Jammers were: Jamual Wade -27 points, 3 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

Otiz Miller -16 points, 1 assist, 7 rebounds and Phillip McPherson -6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.

In game two, Davy Hill Ghetto Stars came up against MSS School. Ghetto Stars defeated MSS 96 for 82.

Top scorers for the Stars were: Nichon Weekes -48 points, 5 assists, 11 rebounds and 6 steals. Vaughn Fenton -13 points, 2 assist, 9 rebound, 3 steals and 1 block. Rodney Browne -11 points, 4 assist, 2 rebound and 4 steals.

Top scorers for MSS were: Julius Morris- 26 points, 4 assists, 14 rebounds and 4 steals. Christum Weekes- 23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Chaquille Sam- 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.

On Friday August 24th, round two of the leagued commenced when Salem Jammers and MSS kick off the first game. MSS came up short and Salem defeated the youngsters 92 for 71 points. In game 2, Lookout Shooters came up against St. Peters Hilltop. Shooters defeated Hilltop 69 for 66 points.

The following evening Davy Hill Ghetto Stars came up against Salem Jammers.

Ghetto Stars took the win with 74 points to Salem’s 65 points. Meanwhile game two featured St. Peters Hilltop against Cudjoe Head Renegades. Hilltop took the win with the score 67 for 56 points.

Page 8

Friday, September 07, 2012

Kids time - In your own korner Hello everyone – It is kid’s time with Auntie Lyka “In Your Korner”. Hope hope you had a good first week at school. This week we are going to see how much we know about our volcano. Answer the puzzles below and the first several ccorrect entries posted back to MVO will win a prize. Remember to send your answers to MVO.

Crafvt Time Erupting Volcano What you’ll need: For the Volcano: Large paper plate Bathroom disposable cup (3 ounce is best) Aluminum foil Scotch tape Scissors

To Make the Volcano Erupt: Water Baking soda Vinegar Tablespoon Cup Pan or tray

See you next week right here

In Your Own Korner.

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

How to make it: Attach the paper cup to the plate by taping the bottom of the cup to the middle

of the plate.

Tear off a piece of foil large enough to completely cover the cup and plate.

Place the foil over the cup and plate and turn the foil under the plate edge.

Tape the foil in place.

Poke a hole through the foil into the middle of the cup.

Use scissors to make slits from the middle of the cup to the inside edge of the cup. Tape the foil to the inside of the cup. (see photo)

Now make your volcano erupt! (see below)\ To Make Your Volcano Erupt: Place the volcano on a pan or tray (or you'll get lava all over the place!)

Fill the volcano with 2 tablespoons of water and stir in a tablespoon of baking soda until it dissolves.

Measure 2 tablespoons of vinegar into a

separate cup.

Pour the vinegar, all at once into the water/ baking soda mixture and watch your lava bubble up!

WHY'D THAT HAPPEN? The bubbles that are created are filled with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is a gas that forms when the vinegar (an acid) reacts with the baking soda (a base). For all you bakers out there, this is also what makes cakes and quick breads (the no yeast kind) get all nice and fluffy.

Friday, September 07, 2012

Page g 9

End to ‘wilful neglect’ ...cont’d. from page 1 the support Montserrat needs to ride out of the disastrous effects on the island and its people particularly from the volcanic crisis which began in in July 1995.

He believes and expresses that it is imperative that Montserrat examines and understand the past in order to make the best decisions for the development of the island. The MP opposition leader launched his request for support from every Montserratian to obtain what he says could even be repatriation for what he says HMG (Her Majesty’s Government has acknowledged, “the willful neglect the people of Montserrat have been subjected in the past 17 years…”

“I am on the verge of a campaign to get Montserratians worldwide familiar with the willful neglect the people of Montserrat have been subjected in the past 17 years … mobilising our people to insist that the new British government keeps its word to reverse the neglect of its predecessors,” he said in a follow-up interview with The Montserrat Reporter (TMR).

He says getting into the seriousness of his argument: “Through this campaign I hope to encourage HMG to finally fulfill its legal obligations under the UN Charter Article 73 through its settled policies to meet the development needs and promote the self sufficiency of Montserrat.”

In his most recent program on ZJB Radio “Opposition Time” August 31, when his side is given two hours a month free airtime, he opened up by saying that the time had come for him to share information he had been gathering. “It must be effectively used to put

Montserrat on the right track.

I am convinced we must acknowledge what happened in our recent past in order to correct or reverse the errors of the past. We must make sure we don’t keep repeating the same mistakes and the only way to do that is be sure of the good and the bad things we've done in the past,” he said.

He recalled how DFiD’s Minister Allan Duncan had said publicly in Montserrat, that the new British government wants to reverse the neglect of the past, the neglect towards British Overseas Territories. He said that he was sure when Duncan said that, we realize that Montserrat, “would be top of that list and that in fact it is not just ten years but probably some fifteen years or more that we’ve been going through this struggle and facing the consequences of that neglect…”

The MP said he was thankful the new British government has offered to take a new approach and, “we are bound to take advantage of it.”

At that sitting, Romeo sought to set out in brief terms some of the evidence from a document he called ‘The Naked Truth’, which he thought Montserrat should use in their pursuit to deal with the continued failure of Montserrat to progress. He set out how the options that were given to Montserrat at the early stages of the crisis as it heightened, created many problems referencing several of the International Development Committee hearings led by the present Government, which spoke to “[S]ome judgements will have to be made as to a sustainable population in the north of Montserrat. HMG says that it will pay the fares

of any Montserratian who wishes to return. There must, however, be practical constraints which limit the number who can now live there. The [Sustainable Development] Plan should thus be designed for such a sustainable level of population.” (IDC ’97, p. xxix).”

He concluded in his call on Montserratians to join him to persuade the Government of Montserrat that they must convince, “The United Kingdom Government to address this problem by improving opportunities for people who choose to stay on the island.

This can only be done by the effective delivery of relevant aid." [IDC ’97, para. 45.

Evolving from calls to the Hon Romeo during the program, it was discovered that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed

by DFID and Premier Meade on May 1, 2012, was by explanation of HMG, not a binding or legal document on either party.

A document on the HMG website explains: “An MOU records international "commitments", but in a form and with wording which expresses an intention that it is not to be legally binding.”

However, among several other notes and explanations, it also notes, “A linguistic check is necessary for an MOU,” along with an NB that says (as the document compares a TREATY and an MOU:) “Confusingly some treaties also have that name.”

In that interview we report on, Romeo had some problems with the MoU between DFID and Montserrat in view of his campaign.

“Instead of creating a progressive partnership in development, the MoU imposes demands for cuts and

CXCS FOR $ALE - SCHOOLS, EMPLOYERS

AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS COULD BE TAKING IN PEOPLE WITH PURCHASED RESULTS Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) passes are available for sale on the streets of Kingston for up to $12,000 per subject, even if you did not take the exam. The Sunday Gleaner has been able to purchase a solid pass in mathematics from a scammer who provided us with a

preliminary result slip which is an almost perfect copy of the ones distributed by CXC. During a covert operation last week, a member of our news team, posing as a desperate student, bought a grade one in the CXC's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)

mathematics from one of the scammers.

After making the link via the BlackBerry messenger service, our reporter met with the man in downtown Kingston and handed over the $12,000.

The preliminary result slip

cont’d. on page 10

unrealistic deadlines that the government most likely cannot reasonably reach. Thus continuing the colonial over lordship where the DFID holds the handle and the GoM the blade.

A member of parliament here believes its essential that Montserratians examine and understand the past in order to make the best decision for the development of the island, leader of the opposition Donaldson Romeo was speaking against the background of what he says was the neglect shown to British Overseas Territories by Britain, he says Montserrat is at the top of the list of islands

that have been neglected by the British government in the past , the opposition leader says Montserratians must look back and acknowledge what happened in the past with a view to correcting or reversing those errors.

Donaldson Romeo: We must make sure we don’t keep repeating the same mistakes and the only way to do that is be sure of the good and the bad things we've done in the past, now very recently just probably nearly a year ago the new British government minster, minister of state DFID I think it was the Honorable Andrew Allan Duncan he

said publicly at the cocktail party hosted at the Government House, that the new British government wants to reverse the neglect of the past, the neglect towards British Overseas Territories, I know when he said that we realize that Montserrat would be top of that list and that in fact it is not just ten years but probably some fifteen years or more that we’ve been going through this struggle and facing the consequences of that neglect, thankfully the new British government has offered to take a new approach and we are bound to take advantage of it.

REGISTERED LAND ACT (Section 135) Claims to ownership of lands have been received from the following persons in the Schedule below:Any objection to these claims must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Brades, Montserrat within six (6) weeks of the first publication of this notice. Plans relating to the claims listed below may be inspected at the Land Registry Department during normal working hours.

SCHEDULE Elizabeth Weekes, Priscilla Suzanne Weekes & Charmaine Weekes Claim # 1091

Block 14/06 Parcel 039. Land in Geralds.

Bounded as follows:- On the NorthEast by Parcel 14/07/039 (George Kirnon et al); On the South-East by Parcels 14/07/039 (George Kirnon et al) , 14/06/075 (Eudora Osborne et al) and 14/06/076 (Louisa Osborne); On the West by Parcel 14/06/001 (Catherine Ryan) separated by an access road; and On the North-West by Parcel 14/06/002 (Unclaimed/Crown) separated by an access road.

John Morson Claim #1171

Block 14/04 Parcel 237. Land in Davy Hill.

Bounded as follows:- On the NorthEast by Parcel 14/04/022 (Mary Walwyn et al); On the South-East

by Parcel 14/04/238 (Unclaimed/ Crown); On the South-West by Parcel 14/04/082 (Joel Osborne et al); and on the North-West by Parcel 14/04/146 (Yerland Dyer) and a small part of Parcel 14/04/102 (Abraham Daley)

Heirs of John Joseph Weekes (Eleah Weekes et al) Claim #1172

Block 14/06 Parcel 064. Land in Geralds.

Bounded as follows:- On the North by Parcels 14/06/050 (Mary Bramble et al) and 14/06/006 (Margaret Weekes et al); On the East by the main road to Drummonds and on the South and SouthWest by Parcel 14/06/065 (Charles Piper)

Dated this 20th day of August, 2012.

J. Christopher Gerrald Registrar of Lands (Ag)

Page 10

Friday, September 07, 2012

Montserrat represented at the World Domino federation general meeting Montserrat was represented for the first time at the World Domino Federation Annual General meeting in Orlando, Florida this week.

The meeting followed the conclusion of the World Domino tournament from August 17-26.

A two-member delegation in vice president of the Montserrat Domino Association (MDA) Mr. Winston Telesford and seasoned domino player Mr. Leon Spinks, returned for Florida, after attending the final two days of the Federation Championship games and the annual general meeting.

Mr. Telesford told The Montserrat Reporter (TMR) that the visit was a good experience. He revealed

that apart from observing the championship games they were afforded the opportunity to also play two friendly matches with the Barbados team, who won the tournament. The Montserratians won the first of the two matches they played.

He said one of the things the Association was informed of, was the lengthy time that is devoted to the games, which is significantly different from what is practiced here in Montserrat. Another observation made during their visit, was the difference in the rules governing the matches. He explained that two of the challenges the Association would face in putting on such lengthy matches is getting sponsor-

ship and players.

According to the Vice President, countries such as Barbados were able to produce several teams, where most of the players play domino professionally, which is different from Montserrat players. However, he said that the Association will look at reviewing their rules and other areas, where it is beneficial to Montserrat.

Meanwhile, MDA president Mr. Gregory Willock, explained that the main purpose for their attendance was to build closer ties with the Federation and present Montserrat non-coding method of playing domino to the Federation, which is contrary to the international coding method.

CXCs for $ale cont’d. from page 10 was delivered days later with the fake name and the fake date of birth which our reporter had given to the scammer.

The scammers had added a registration number, centre number and 'Jamaica Private' signifying that the exam was taken privately in January 2012.

The preliminary slip shows an A (for knowledge), A (for comprehension) and B (for reasoning) profile, which is just shy of a distinction.

The preliminary results slip had the watermarks of the CXC that appear on the authentic versions of the document.

Not even officials at CXC's local office in Jamaica could immediately tell the difference between the purchased slip and an authentic preliminary results slip which was printed in Barbados.

It took a check of the CXC database where it was found that the name and grade had not been officially entered to determine that the result slip was fake.

CXC database The scammer had claimed that in addition to the preliminary slip, the information would have been added to the CXC database by one of his sources who worked with the regional entity.

"For the CXC (CSEC), each subject costs $12,000. You get the CXC slip and it says 'Jamaica Private'' like you sit the CXC exam privately," he said.

"You don't get a certificate because you don't need one.

You just give them the slip if you applying for a job or going college. It's also on the system," the scammer added in his sales pitch.

He continued: "When you pay your money, just give me your full name, date of birth, subject, grade, year of subject and if it's January or June. That's all. You get it in two to three days."

When asked if he was sure the grade would illegally find its way on to the CXC database, the scammer told our news team that his illegal operation has been thriving for years.

"I'm doing this for years now darling. I just drop off two at wharf this morning. It's in demand. I'm sure when I deliver yours you're gonna tell a friend about it too," he bragged.

However, officials at CXC's Jamaica office denied that the scammers have the capacity to breach its fortified database and input the cooked-up grades into its system.

According to Susan Giles, senior assistant registrar at the western zone office of the CXC located in Jamaica, the database used by regional body to store grades cannot be cracked by the scammers.

"They can't get into our database. No doubt about that.

Our system is too protected," said Giles.

She said her office was not

aware that scammers had obtained the preliminary results slip template and were illegally profiting from fraudulent grades.

"I didn't know it was happening. It's the first time I'm hearing of it," said Giles, who is also head of examinations, administration and security at the CXC western zone office.

Verify any qualification Giles urged employers and educational institutions to consult CXC if they need to verify any qualification received from prospective students and employees.

"Let employers know this: write to CXC and ask for verification," she said.

Giles pointed out that in emergency cases, a company or institution can send a copy of the results slip to the CXC office and it can be verified in a day or two.

However, she said the office would prefer if employers and educational institutions ask the prospective student or employee to apply for a transcript online which would be sent directly to the employer or school.

The scammer also declared that he could produce university degrees or Heart/Trust NTA certificates, but had not yet perfected the art of falsifying the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations result slips.

One Local Education official wondered whether it was a good idea.

Willock said, “We are really pleased to get the opportunity to send our delegates to the meeting. This would allow us to determine if we need to change the style of Domino that we are playing, or whether we don’t want to associate ourselves and probably be honorary members of the Federation.”

“A few years ago… Antigua volunteered to play

some friendly games with us to allow us to get a feel of what this coding style of domino is like at the international level. But when Antigua came here we were at a loss, because…they played a style of coding, a form of coding which we are not accustomed to in any form of dominos here. What we experienced against Antigua was really unfamiliar territory for us,” he said.

He continued, “We decided as an Association that it was necessary for us to make representation even if we weren’t sending a team to the World Domino Federation Championship, to send a two-member delegation to the AGM so we can give the Federation a country update and also inform them of the style of Domino that we play and the rules we play under.”

INTEGRITY COMMISSION HEAD TCI POLITICIANS ARE NOT BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY

Head of the Integrity Commission Eugene Otuonye has dismissed reports that politicians in the Turks and Caicos Is-

lands are being placed at a disadvantage because they can only get a certificate of clearance from the Commission three

months after they are elected or appointed to the House of Assembly after the November 9th general elections.

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) SECRETARIAT REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The Caribbean Community Secretariat has received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) towards the cost of supporting the CARICOM TRADE AND COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT, and is seeking to contract Consulting Firms/Agencies to conduct the following consultancies:

1. CONSULTANCY TO CREATE BEST PRACTICE MODELS AND DELIVER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPLEMENT NATIONAL CARICOM SINGLE MARKET (CSM) WORK PLANS (REFORM ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES) ;

2. CONSULTANCY TO PREPARE DRAFT MODEL LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS FOR CARICOM SINGLE MARKET (CSM) REGIMES ConsulƟng Firms/Agencies are invited to indicate their interest in providing any of the above services. Interested Firms /Agencies must provide informaƟon indicaƟng that they are qualified to perform the services.

Eligible ConsulƟng Firms/ Agencies will be shortlisted and invited to submit proposals in accordance with the CARICOM Secretariat’s “Guidelines and Procedures”.

The Terms of Reference, Short-lisƟng Criteria and Guidelines and Procedures Manual may be viewed on the CARICOM website www.caricom.org/jsp/secretariat/procurement. jsp . Further informaƟon may also be obtained from the following address: Programme Manager, AdministraƟve Services CARICOM Secretariat Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown Guyana Email: procurement@caricom.org Tel. 592-222-0001-75, ext.2326, Fax: 592-222-0080 Expressions of Interest must be submiƩed to the address below by 16:30 hrs, Tuesday 11 September, 2012: The Programme Manager, AdministraƟve Services Caribbean Community Secretariat Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown Guyana Email: procurement@caricom.org Fax: 592-222-0080

Friday, September 07, 2012

Page g 11

Montserrat represented at CFU Football Cup

Above: The local Montserrat and UK Montserrat teams Below rt: Premier Meade is introduced to the teams An 18-member squad left the island on Saturday to represent Montserrat at the annual Caribbean Football Union qualifying Cup, which kicked off in Martinique on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.

This year, changes to FIFA’s entry requirements for the tournament, prompted the selection of a new national squad. The new regulation dictates that players representing a particular country must be a national or descendant of the country. This had strong repercussions for footballers on island, since the majority of the

players would not qualify under the new regulation.

The new team consists of Montserratian descendants and young Montserratians, who migrated and live in the United Kingdom (UK).

In preparation for the tournament, the team assembled in Montserrat for the first time for a period of two weeks to practice and to familiarize themselves with the island.

For the majority of the players it was their first trip to Montserrat.

It gave them the opportunity to

connect with relatives living on island and to get a sense of local culture; to view the local sceneries and to familiarize themselves with the places, the food and people of Montserrat.

Team coach Mr. Kenneth Dyer, explained that all but four of the players selected for the national team have represented Montserrat before, in the United Kingdom.

“Some of these players have been with me for seven year.” He said that the visit also gave the team the opportunity to practice in the Caribbean’s hot climate, with which

they are not familiar since all the matches are being hosted in the Caribbean.

On Friday evening the team played a friendly match with the local players and used the opportunity to meet and greet the locals.

Dyer told The Montserrat Reporter, “We have taken the opportunity to bring the national

Your Weather Forecast for Montserrat September 8 - 15, 2012 For more information and full forecast see the AccuWeather chart at www.themontserratreporter.com

Weekly Horoscope: Sept 8 - Sept 15, 2012

by Shelley van Strunckel

team here in Montserrat because most people in Montserrat do not know the players. So, we’ve taken the opportunity to bring them here so they can familiarise themselves with their country, their parent’s country; some of them were actually born here but left at an early age so they are eligible to represent Montserrat nationally.”

He said, “This has been in the pipe-line for a long time, especially now that the world governing body FIFA has tightened the rules regarding nationalised players.

Before we had some players like Julian Wade who is Dominican and Clifford Joseph, who played for the Montserrat team before and would have been travelling with us to Martinique, but they are not naturalised… As a coach I’m disappointed because they have given great service to Montserrat, not just to the football team but to sports in general in Montserrat.”

However the coach believes that the new team may be the best team ever assembled for Montserrat. “I think this new team is the strongest national team we’ve ever put together and I expect positive things from them,” he said.

The national team includes:

team Captain, Anthony Griffith, Germaine Sweeney, Dean Byfield, Alexander Bramble, Kendell Allen, Leuvan Ogarro, Nyron Dyer, Dale Lee, Terrell Miller, Ellis Reny, Jalee Hodgson, Bradley Woods, Marlon Campbell, Clifford Newby Harris, Hildyard Mandes, Darrly Roach and Deon Mason.

The team is one 25 teams participating in the biennial competition, which will qualify four teams for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Montserrat will face Suriname on the first day of the tournament before Martinique plays the British Virgin Islands in Stade En Camee in Riviere-Pilote in Group 3, with subsequent matches on September 7 and 9.

The winners and runners-up from Groups 1-3 as well as the best runner-up from Group 4 or Group 5 will advance to a second, threegroup round in late October, when Grenada, Guadeloupe and Cuba will be added to the competition.

The top two teams from each second-round group will qualify for the Caribbean Cup finals along with two-time defending champion Jamaica and host Antigua & Barbuda from December 3-15.

Community Diary The public is encouraged to send in their community notices for publication and viewing in The Montserrat Reporter newspaper and online Persons interested in joining the Dominica/Montserrat Connection Festival Band (Sensay & the Dominica national wear) are asked to register at 496-0627, 496-0051 or 496-5476

Page 12

Friday, September 07, 2012

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